Ji-a woke up to eight text messages the next morning.
The night before was a bit of a haze. She was wearing Dean's undershirt and a pair of Muay Thai shorts, curled up against his chest. He was fully dressed - but in clean clothes. He'd deposited the biohazard bedspread in the corner of the room.
Sam snored in the other bed. She had no recollection of the younger Winchester getting home.
A bottle of Aspirin, a cup of tea - long gone cold - and a tube of Arnica gel sat on the nightstand.
Dean roused from Ji-a's movement and immediately brought a hand up to brush the sweaty hair out of her face.
"How are you?" He asked gently.
"Sore," Ji-a replied honestly, "A little hazy on last night."
"Yeah you fell asleep in the shower," Dean told her, "I got you dressed and put you to bed. I meant to wake you up for meds and water but I ended up just letting you sleep."
"I appreciate it," Ji-a agreed, "Can I take the meds and water now?"
She pushed herself upright and unlocked her phone.
Eight text messages.
All from her little sister.
Something was very, very wrong.
"Hey Dean," Ji-a said, "Look at this."
Eight texts from her contact labeled "Lucy Barecu (yeodongsaeng)" - starting at 9:03PM Chicago time. She hadn't seen it the night before. How early had she passed out?
Hey Eonni! I have a date tonight! Call you tomorrow. XO
He's kinda cute but he's kinda weird. Text you when I get home.
Apparently Lucy got home late since the next text came at 2:14AM.
He walked me back but now I feel like maybe that was a bad move. He wants to see me tomorrow. Call you in the morning.
Is it normal for guys to kinda…bite you…when you make out?
He kept calling me all night.
I told him I have the flu.
He said he's coming over.
My roommate's boyfriend is gonna come hang out just in case.
That was at 3:47.
It was 9:04 now, Chicago time. And there were no texts. No call.
"Shit," Dean said.
"We need to get to Chicago," Ji-a tried to get up and stopped when lances of pain shot down her hamstrings.
"Tea," Dean handed her the cold mug and the bottle of pills, "Aspirin. I'll wake Sam and pack for you."