Tension- Avenged Sevenfold

I wake up every morning bright and early
Roll out of bed but I'm never quite alone
Tension is pulling me in all directions
And these problems use me as a rope

Sometimes the pressure will just drive you crazy
At any time I could explode
I need some peace of mind, it's got me tired
Don't wanna lose it, but I'm turning down that road

Light was just beginning to flicker in from the shades in her room and groaning, Jo turned over and buried her head in her pillow. Her head was throbbing much more than she had been expecting and her stomach…well, that was a whole other story. She definitely drank way more than she had intended to last night. Of course, it didn't help that she had an in with the bartender and most of her drinks had been free. Who in their right mind would say no to free drinks?

Ugh. Headaches and sleep deprivation were not something she was interested in handling and peacefully decided that settling back into the warm comfort of her bed was a much better option than getting up and actually facing the day. She felt her ears perk up when her bedroom door creaked open. Light footsteps padded closer to her bed and within a matter of moments, she felt warm breath on her ear.

"Oh Joaaaannnaaa!" Ruby sang into her ear. "Joooaaannnaaaa…waaakkke uppp! We're going to be late now and you know Bela is not going to be happy if we're late…"

Jo turned over and grimaced. "Oh no…that's today? Can't you just pick up the dresses and tuxes without me? I'm sure it'll fit.."

Ruby just laughed and shook her gently. "Come on, everyone's ready and waiting for you. Even Dean was ready on time…"

Jo's eyes narrowed at the mention of the number one person on her shit list. Just another reason to crawl back into bed.

"Come on!" Ruby pleaded again. "Let's go. Bela is going to blow a gasket pretty soon."

"Alright, alright…just give me a second."

Jo swung her legs over the side of her bed and took the clothes off her dresser and hoped like hell they matched. Several minutes later, both she emerged from her room; Bela exhaled loudly at the sight of them and shook her head.

"It's about time, Jo. We have to go. Now." Her voice was stern and everyone knew better than to say anything to her. When it came to her wedding, it really was Bela's way or the highway. With only a week left to make preparations, her nerves were starting to get the best of her and no one was completely safe when wedding plans were involved.

"I'm hungry and I'm going to eat," Jo replied fussily.

Bela threw her hands up exasperated.

"Chill, Bela," Dean walked in pulling an army green t-shirt over his head. "The dresses will still be there when you get there."

Bela glared "Don't you think you're getting out this, Dean. You have to have to go pick up your tux as well. Michael said…"

"I know what Michael said," Dean interrupted "I talked to him not five minutes ago."

"Where is Castiel?" Bela asked "He needs to be there too."

"I'm here," Cas walked in with Meg in tow.

Jo dropped the pan she'd retrieved from the cabinet when she saw her. "Meg," she said startled.

"It's nice to see you too, Harvelle."

There was an awkward silence as the two made it into the living room, Bela and Ruby staring. Bela was clearly annoyed and Ruby was aghast.

"Wow, Bela…I can't believe you're getting married in two weeks…" Ruby exhaled, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

"I know," Jo chimed in loudly from the kitchen retrieving the eggs. "It's going to be so much fun, Bel…everything will be perfect."

Bela sent her friends a brief look of gratitude and then gradually relaxed and everyone felt more at ease. A slightly uncomfortable silence overtook the apartment Jo cast a quick glance toward Dean, who was making a point of looking staring into the refrigerator and trying his best not to acknowledge anyone in the room.

Ruby made herself comfortable at the kitchen table "So what are you wearing on your date tonight? Any ideas?"

Jo tensed as she reached for a plate to place her scrambled eggs. "No not really."

Dean slammed the refrigerator door and took the milk carton to the counter where the cereal box was sitting.

Meg seemed to sense the tension and turned abruptly to face Jo, a wicked gleam in her eye.

"So, Jo, a date, huh? I sure hope you're on the pill now, am I right?"

Bela and Ruby's mouth fell open and a collective groan echoed through the kitchen. Jo could feel Dean's eyes on her and when she turned her head, his eyes were clouded over with darkness. The second their eyes met, his head snapped to the face of Meg who immediately arched her eyebrow and smiled.

"What makes you say that?" he spat out.

Meg shook her head side to side with a look of pity on her face. "Well, Dean, you're quite the experienced dater…I'm sure you know the hazards of the first date. It's better to be prepared, don't you think so, Jo?"

All eyes were suddenly on Jo. She decided to make light of the subject. "Well, Meg, if I remember correctly from Biology, going back on the pill right now wouldn't do me much good for tonight, now would it?"

Ruby erupted into a fit of laughter at that comment while Bela rolled their eyes, in disgust and disinterest. Castiel tensed a bit in response to the moment and Dean seemed to be frozen where he sat.

"And are you saying you're planning on sleeping with him tonight?" Dean asked sarcastically, his green eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

Jo's head whipped around to face him as she took her plate to the table and she fought the urge to slap him across the face. "You really think I would do that, Dean?"

"Dean, calm down. Meg and Jo were just joking." Castiel offered soothingly.

Dean seemed to relax a little at that but Jo, on the other hand, was trying to figure out how to eat her eggs as quick as possible so they could get out of the apartment.

On her last bite, she slammed her fork down and motioned towards the door. "Let's go."

Bela grabbed her sweater from the chair and Ruby moved quickly. "Dean, I trust you and Castiel will be meeting Michael and Sam at the shop."

Omitting Meg's name wasn't lost on anyone.

"Yeah, yeah," Dean waved her off "We're going to get Sammy as soon as we're done here."

Bela nodded and the three girls walked out of the door.

"Oh my God," Ruby said once they exited the building "Meg is back."

"I can't believe Dean would stand for that," Bela added "She'd better not get any illusions that she's invited to the wedding."

"I wonder if she'll even stick around that long,"Ruby asked and added "Poor Cas."

All three girls were quiet for a moment.

"Dean didn't seem surprised she was there. I'm guessing he and Castiel talked already," Jo broke the silence.

No one replied as they jumped into Bela's jag. The ride continued without any further comment about their surprise guest and they pulled up to the bridal shop in one piece.