Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize from the show is mine. Everything else is.

A/N: Here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it. =]

Chapter Fourteen: Asking For Trouble

We were sitting in the car. There was commotion going on in the Roadhouse and we weren't going to get into the middle of it. That would just be asking for far more trouble than any of us were willing to get into. Not only were we at the Roadhouse at my request but we were hoping that Ash would have something on good old yellow-eyes. He hadn't shown himself since the club gig and I was grateful for that. His mind games were getting old. I was sick and tired of seeing him. The more I saw him the more I felt like we were getting closer. That he was becoming more of an alliance and I couldn't have that. We were supposed to kill him. That was the whole idea. There was nothing I could do right now. Seeing him was just seeing him. I couldn't hurt him and he was well aware of that. But it didn't change the fact that he was right. I might not be able to be the one to kill him. As often as I dealt with him some connection was being made and as much as it disgusted me I couldn't deny it. I would never tell Dean about it but Sam and I had had a conversation or two about it. He understood but still wasn't very happy with me. I couldn't blame him for that. Lately it was encompassing quite a bit of my thoughts.

"You okay?" Dean asked me.

"Huh?" I said looking at him. I had been deep in thought and it must have shown on my face. "Sorry." I smiled at him. "Just thinking."

"About what?" He asked, frowning.

"Nothing for you to worry about." I smiled leaning over and kissing him gently.

"Sounds like it got quiet in there." Sam pointed out.

"Do we dare go in?" I asked them.

"Might as well." Dean replied and got out of the car.

I followed and took his hand as we walked in. He held my left had and his finger traced the band on my finger. I looked at him and the expression on his face told me that he did it unconsciously. If it was on purpose he wasn't giving anything away. I just smiled at him. I opened the door and he grabbed it as I walked through.

"Evy!" Ellen said excitedly. "What brings you here?" She asked.

"Can't we visit friends?" I countered and hugged her.

"Hey boys!" Jo said coming from the back.

She deliberately ignored me, going to Dean first. I just rolled my eyes and smiled at Ellen. She grinned and opened her arm for me. I smiled wider and put my arm around her as she did the same. She led me to the bar and handed me a beer. I took the top off and took a long drink off of it. She just laughed at me.

"What?" I grinned at her.

"You two are just going to have to thrash it out." She grinned back.

"You want me to beat up your daughter?" I laughed.

"She can take care of herself." Ellen grinned back.

"Believe me, I'm sure I can handle myself a little bit better then she can." I told her with a smirk.

"You think so huh?" Ellen smiled.

"Ellen, have you seen your daughter?" I asked. "The pretty skinny blond. A string bean. No offence." I told her quickly. "But I've got more muscle then she does and I've been fighting a lot longer then she has." I added.

"Mm-hm." Ellen smiled.

I looked over my shoulder to see Jo looking awfully comfy with my men. I let out a heavy sigh and finished my beer. Ellen handed me another with a contemplative look on her face.

"So what really brings you here?" She asked.

"Not for the usual sort of thing. No hunting involved." I told her.

"All right, hit me with it." She told me.

I just grinned and rested my chin in the palm of my left hand. I smiled and she noticed the ring.

"Jesus…" She said taking my hand.

"Yeah." I said somewhat with an unhappy tone.

"He proposed?" Ellen said with a shocked look on her face.

"Don't look so surprised." I told her with a raised brow.

"I'm not surprised." She said as she continued to look at the ring.

"You're not?" I asked her.

"Of course not. The way he was while you were gone. I'm surprised he waited this long." She replied.

"How bad was he?" I asked her.

"You're asking now?" She countered.

"I wasn't ready to know." I told her. "I've wanted to know but I haven't had the guts to ask."

"He was in some pretty bad shape." Ellen told me. "Never seen a man that depressed in a long time." I nodded and looked at my hands. "He was quiet and angry. Tried to talk to him but he wasn't much for listening."

"You tried to tell him to move on?" I asked. She nodded. "I would have too if I were you. It's pointless to hold on to the ones who are gone. It doesn't do any good." I told her.

"I'm surprised to hear you say that." She told me.

"Yeah. But after you've died and been brought back like I have, the big picture is a little easier to see."

"And what is the big picture?" She asked.

"No matter how much you love someone. No matter how much it hurts." I said and looked over at Dean. "Some things are worth more. The lives we save." I said and looked back at her. "The people we help are more important. Sacrifice one for the many." I said and took a drink.

"You would sacrifice Dean to save someone?" She asked.

"Probably not." I said and smiled before it fell from my face. "I'd sacrifice myself. The only problem is that he would get in the way." I replied.

"Is that what you're worried about? Taking this big step and then losing him?" She asked. I nodded.

"Hey." Dean said appearing at my side.

"Hey." I smiled.

"We think we have a job. Ready?" He asked.

I looked at Ellen and she just smiled. "Does it need all three of us?" I asked him.

"What, you wanna stay here?" He asked with his brows raised.

"Yeah." I told him. "Is that okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course." He said but looked a little concerned.

"Listen…" I said and stood up. "I'm going to figure out a couple things here and you two go be heroes." I smiled and kissed him deeply.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

"Of course." I smiled and kissed him again. "I just need a little bit of girl time. I've spent too much time with the boys." I grinned.

"You love being with the boys." He grinned at me.

"I do." I said putting my arms around him. "I love my boys more then anything." I said and kissed him sweetly. "But that doesn't mean I don't need a little feminine company."

"Fine." He said smacking my ass as he went to the door.

"Not coming?" Sam frowned at me.

"I'll be safe here." I smiled at him.

"You sure?" He asked still frowning.

"Have I ever told you that you and your brother worry too much?" I smirked at him.

"Maybe once or twice." He said finally smiling.

"Just hurry back." I said and put my arms around his neck. I pulled away from him and put my hands on the sides of his head. "Be safe. Watch out for your brother." I said and kissed his cheek.

"Always." He said and went toward the door.

"I'm serious." I called after him. He just grinned at me over his shoulder. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Never, we leave that up to you." He called.

"Hey!" I yelled after him.

"What?" He said turning and walking backward. "You're the one who died and always gets captured."

"Yeah and I always get myself out of it." I countered. "Dumb ass!"

"Love you too!" He called as he went out the door.

I scoffed and turned back to the beer, downing the rest of it. I was frowning now. I didn't like that attitude. It usually meant they were going to get into trouble.

"Maybe we shouldn't let you drink this early in the morning." Ellen frowned at me.

I glared at her and she handed me another. "Thank you."

"Well if it ain't our little daisy." Ash said coming from his back room.

"Hey mullet man." I smiled at him.

"Ash, we're in the middle of something here." Ellen told him.

"All right, all right. I can take a hint." He said and disappeared again.

I just smiled and looked at Ellen. "So where were we?" She asked.

"Me being terrified of losing Dean." I reminded her.

"That's right." She said and took a seat next to me. "I'm not very good at this part." She told me. "I was married to a hunter and I knew that. I loved him more then anything and then the job got him killed." She told me sadly.

"I'm sorry." I said sympathetically.

She nodded. "So, if I were going to tell you anything it would be this…" She said and faced me squarely. "Don't waste any time. Don't let the fear rule you when it comes to this. You need to be happy. You're both hunters, you can do the job, keep each other safe, and warm the bed at night. You can have it all. Just be careful and you'll both be fine. If I know anything about Dean then you are the first thing on his mind. Same goes for you." She told me. I nodded. "The smart thing to do is not get involved but you're way past the point of going back. Just go with it. Get married and live a happy life together fighting the forces of evil."

"You really think that's the best idea?" I asked.

"You're really torn about this aren't you?" She countered.

"You have no idea." I replied.

"What are you talking about?" Jo asked coming to the bar.

"I think we're running low on ice. Why don't you get some?" Ellen told her daughter.

"Are you serious?" Jo asked her mother. Ellen just looked at her. She put up her hands and walked away.

"She's jealous you know." Ellen smiled at me. I just looked at her. "She is. Dean is an attractive man in more then one way. You're lucky."

"I know. But when I first met him I would have thought you were crazy if you told me that." I smiled at her. "But now…I can't imagine my life without him."

"He feels the same way."

"I know." It was only confirmed when my phone vibrated. I looked at the text. It was from Dean. Forgot to say 'I love you'. So, I love you. "I know." I smiled and reread the words.

It was almost fun being left behind for a few days. I helped Ellen out at the Roadhouse and felt nearly normal. But there were hunters that came in and out. Some even knew who I was. It was interesting to have people know who you were and talked like you had dome something miraculous that had affected them in some way. One woman that came through told me that I had inspired her with my rising from the grave and such. I shrugged it all off and ended any conversation as quickly as it started. But I got to hone in my poker playing skills. Dean would be pleased with the pile I was starting to collect. Jo lingered around but we hadn't talked much since the boys had left. But she was always around, watching. I didn't like it but there was nothing I could do about it.

"Show me your hand, Ed." I told the hunter. He dropped it. "Two pair." I said looking at his cards. "Poor Ed, royal flush baby." I said and pulled the pot toward me. The three men I was playing with shook their heads and left me at the table. I just grinned and counted my money when Jo sat across from me. "Can I help you with something?" I asked her.

"Nice ring." She said and nodded toward my hand.

"Thanks." I said and continued counting.

"Do you honestly think you two can get married? You're hunters. Happy endings aren't part of the deal."

"What do you know of it?" I frowned at her. "Believe it or not, and despite the way you feel for him, Dean and I are happy. Being married wouldn't change anything. We're together twenty-four seven. Being married would just label us as a happy couple who would do anything for each other."

"So why bother?" She asked me.

"Because I want him like you can't even imagine. Getting married would tell the world he's mine and that I'm his. There is no one else for me. Dean's it. That's all that matters." I told her.

She just nodded and looked at me. "I still think it's wrong. Why expose yourself to such heartache?" She said and got up.

I just frowned as I watched her walk away. I sighed and put the money in my pocket. I was about to get up when Ash sat in front of me.

"Evy Connors." He smiled.

"Hey Ash. What can I do for you?" I smiled back at him.

"Can you tell me why your name rings such a big bell to me?" He asked.

"I'm with the Winchester boys. They're as well known as any hunter. That means me too." I told him.

"I mean before you were with the boys." He told me. "You were with John." He stated.

I frowned and looked at him. "What exactly are you asking me?" I asked, my friendliness gone.

"It's nothing." He said and got up.

"Ash…" I called but he kept going. "That wasn't weird or anything." I said quietly to myself.

"What was that about?" Ellen asked me.

"I have no idea." I told her.

I was confused by Ash and I was putting quite a bit of thought into it. I bused some tables and helped out behind the bar but wasn't quite as into it as I had been before. It didn't help that the next afternoon Ellen found a note from Jo telling her that she went to Vegas. Ellen and I looked into it and saw a credit card trail leading all the way to Las Vegas but it was never that simple. It was only then that Ellen told me that Dean and Sam had taken over a hunt that Jo had put together. I didn't really care where the case came from but now it was looking like something fishy was going on.

"Have you called Dean?" I asked Ellen.

"Yeah, but he says she's not there." She replied.

"Hmph." I said and pulled out my phone.

"What, you think he's lying to me?" Ellen asked.

"I don't know, but something doesn't feel right." I told her and dialed Dean's number. "Hey baby." I said when he answered.

"Don't ask me any questions right now. I don't want to lie to you." He told me quickly. "We're fine. Everyone is fine and it's going to stay that way until we get back. Just don't worry and don't tell Ellen anything. I'm sure she's there with you anyway. So just…don't ask me right now."

"Okay." I told him. "Be sure you call if she shows." I said knowing flat out that it was a lie.

"Thank you." He told me.

"I'll talk to you later." I told him sternly and hung up.

"Is he hiding anything?" Ellen asked.

"No, they're just busy on the job." I said and put my phone in my pocket. Jo was there. She was there and he was already freaking out about it. I wouldn't rip into him now but he wasn't getting away with it.

"She's just asking for trouble." Ellen said as she wiped down the counter for the fiftieth time. She'd been worried for a while.

"She's just trying to help. She wants to help and now she's just blowing off steam." I told her.

"Maybe." Ellen replied and leaned against the bar, frowning.

"She'll be fine. She can take care of herself." I told her as reassuringly as possible.

"Yeah." Ellen said. "She's just so eager to hunt. She doesn't realize the consequences. How much it hurts when something happens."

"I know." I replied. "She wasn't old enough to really understand when her dad died. Not like you."

She nodded. "But enough about that." She said and took out two beers. "The drinking starts early tonight."

It was a couple days later when Ellen came storming through the Roadhouse. She was on fire and I was almost afraid to ask her about it. But after a few days of spending so much time with her I would be able to handle her wrath.

"What is it?" I said getting to my feet.

"He lied to me!" She yelled. She was heading toward the phone but then stopped and whipped around. "Did you lie to me?" She shot at me.

"What?" I said confused. Then it occurred to me what she was talking about. "Oh, well. I didn't know anything exact. I made an assumption and I guess I was right."

"So you knew she was with them?" She yelled.

"I wasn't sure. I thought so but she's with Dean and Sam. You don't have to worry about her." I told her.

"That's not true!" She shot at me and went to the phone.

I listened as she yelled at him and then her look and tone changed and I knew that something had happened. I was just made a liar. Something had happened and Jo was in trouble. It wasn't the first time but this was more serious then what had happened before. I stood at the bar and listened. When she hung up she grabbed some cash and headed to the door.

"Ellen, wait." I said going after her.

"I'm flying to Philadelphia." She told me.

"I'm going with you." I said and followed her out.

She didn't argue as we got into her truck and drove to the airport. It was a very long flight. She didn't say a word but I didn't want her to go alone. My mind wasn't only concerned about Jo but if something went wrong then the boys were in trouble too. When we landed I practically ran from the plane and hailed us a cab at the entrance. Ellen stood brooding at my side. I called Dean and he told me where to find them. When we arrived Ellen was the one to beat me in. We went to the room and Ellen stood in front of it, her arms crossed. I sighed and knocked on the door. Dean opened it and Ellen just looked at them. I didn't say anything and soon they were filing out of the room. We all loaded into the impala and started the long drive back. One that was full of silence the entire way. It was awkward and I wanted to rip into them just as much as she did. But the silence was doing the trick. The nervous tension was building every minute of the way. When we got back the sun was up and we all went inside. The yelling started but Ellen wanted to talk to Jo alone. I led the boys out so I could get a little yelling of my own out.

"What were you thinking?" I asked Dean when we were outside. "Why didn't you send her scrawny little ass back here the moment she showed up?"

"She wanted to help. She was rather convincing." He told me.

"She played his girlfriend." Sam ratted.

"Dean." I frowned.

"It's not like anything happened."

"What did happen?" I asked with folded arms, my stance serious.

"She was caught. It was Holmes's ghost." He told me.

"The serial killer Holmes?" I asked. They nodded. "Wow." I said, shocked. "And I missed it." I stated. "Damn." I frowned.

"You didn't miss much." Sam grinned at me. I sighed and looked at them. "Ellen seemed really upset."

I looked at the Roadhouse and wondered what they could be talking about. I knew more then Ellen thought I did and this might be the moment to bring it up. "Stay here." I told them and walked back inside.

"Like father like son, that's what I'm talking about." Ellen told Jo, her voice breaking.

"There's something you're not telling me." Jo stated.

Ellen looked at her and nodded. Then she realized that I was there. "Evy, please."

"I know what happened. How John is connected to Bill." I told them.

"What?" Ellen said and Jo just looked confused.

"Tell her Ellen." I told her pleadingly. "Don't worry about me but she needs to know. I'll explain afterward."

I stood and listened as Ellen told Jo about her father's last hunt. How John had made a mistake and it caused the death of her father. It was horrible to hear it from Ellen's lips. I'd read it and talked to John about it. It had randomly come up but I knew John's point of view. I knew the guilt he felt. When Ellen was done Jo stood there unbelievingly.

"John screwed up. We all know that. But you have no idea the guilt he felt. He was so sorry. He was so, so sorry. But he couldn't face you after that." I said and looked at Ellen. "It was an accident. That doesn't excuse it. It was a long time ago but both of them are gone now. No one is left to blame. John is dead and he was sorry till the end. About a lot of things. But Bill's death weighed on him. More then you know." I told them.

Ellen had tears in her eyes and Jo looked just as pissed as ever. She turned on me pretty quickly. "And you knew about this?" Jo asked me. I nodded. "And you're bringing this up now? And why should you get to know? You kept this from us."

"It didn't seem fair to bring up old demons. I wasn't hiding anything. I just didn't think you needed to know yet. But we're closer now. I'm not afraid to tell you anymore." I said looking at Ellen. She just gave me a small smile and nodded. "I'm sorry, Ellen…Jo." I said looking at her. "This whole thing sucks and I know that me and the boys look like we're on the wrong side of this but you know that we wouldn't let, or want, anything bad to happen to you."

"You kept this from us. You're no more a friend then he was." Jo shot at me.

"Jo, I'm just being honest. Which is more then I can say for you." I frowned at her.

For being small she was fast. She punched me across the jaw faster then I could react. I massaged it briefly before hitting her across the cheekbone. It was hard enough to send her to her knees. She came at me again but I blocked her. She kicked me in the side but I countered with a kick to her abdomen. Ellen was yelling but that wasn't going to stop us this time. She pulled a knife from her pants and lunged at me. The blade caught my elbow and I tumbled backward against some chairs. I pushed them off of me and lunged at her. My arm caught her waist and we both slammed to the ground. I had her pinned. I hit her several times before I pinned her wrists to the floor with my hands.

"That's enough!" I yelled at her. "You would just love to damage me over something that has nothing to do with me." I told her. "The only reason I said anything at all was because John isn't here to defend himself. He needs to be defended. If only you really knew. You sheltered little bitch." I said and hit her again. Only then my waist was grabbed and I was pulled off of her. I turned and looked at Dean. He was frowning at me. He took my chin in his hands and looked me over.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked releasing me.

"A misunderstanding." I told him as I went for the door.

"Evy." Ellen called after me. I stopped and turned to her. "I'm sorry about this. She shouldn't have done that. But don't touch her again."

"Not a problem, Ellen. I don't think I'll be seeing you again for a while." I said and went outside.

I stood by the car for several minutes before the boys finally came out. I was attempting to stop the bleeding on my elbow but it wasn't working. I got into the car and waited for them to do the same. They talked over the car momentarily before getting in. I just sighed and waited for one of them to say something.

"Why did you have to fight her?" Dean asked.

"Because she was asking for it." I replied coldly.