June 27th-28th, 2005

It was dark by the time Lorelai found Dean's motel room and she sighed, standing in the doorway and taking in the scene in front of her while the neon light flickered in through the window. It showed all the signs of having been Dean's temporary home – fast food wrappers, scattered lore books, an open duffel bag on the bed, a towel hanging in the bathroom – but no Dean. The clerk at the front desk hadn't seen him since yesterday morning, and Lorelai guessed by the cup of coffee left sitting out that he hadn't been back at least since he'd left her the voicemail.

"Damn it, Winchester," she muttered under her breath, trying to beat down the worry that was quickly threatening to take hold. Closing the door behind her, her eyes honed in on the table and she made a beeline for the research he'd left scattered about. His information may not have been great, but if she was lucky, he may have left behind notes on where he'd been heading. Her fingers skimmed over handwriting that had started to become familiar and felt a wave of emotion threatening to hit her.

Focus, the voice in her head reminded her. This is just another case. You find the monsters, you find Dean. That's his best chance. A shiver ran down her spine, her mind automatically going to the worst-case scenario that might be awaiting her when she found him, but she pushed the image down. Just another case, she repeated. You can do this.

Thankfully, Dean left behind enough breadcrumbs that she didn't have to waste too much time wondering. He'd left a map, partially obscured by books he'd left on top of it, with an area circled. Used to looking for details, she noticed the pad of paper next to the mess had a scrap torn off the top page, and she quickly grabbed a pencil, shading over the section to see if whatever he'd written on that scrap could be recaptured from bringing out the indentation on the paper underneath, and that was how she ended up with an address.

It led her to an abandoned looking Victorian on the outskirts of town. The structure loomed at the end of a long, gravel road, ivy climbing its dilapidated walls. Silently casting a Disillusionment charm over herself, Lorelai did a cursory sweep of the outside. The sight of Dean's car parked out back confirmed she was in the right place, and Lorelai felt her gut churn, hoping she'd gotten there in time. Deciding that she had, because the alternative was unthinkable, Lorelai transfigured a nearby rock to look like a generic looking sedan. The thing wouldn't run, but if Dean wanted to know how she'd gotten there it would give her a plausible answer.

Cover story in place, she crept back around to the front. A modified version of Homenum Revelio verified that there was one regular human being inside and two monsters – the Vetala – just as she'd expected. Lorelai didn't let herself linger too long on the first blush of relief. She couldn't afford to celebrate until the problem was taken care of, and until she confirmed that the human was actually Dean.

Once she'd finished casing the outside and couldn't glean any more information, Lorelai quietly found a good hiding spot along the perimeter of the house, placed between the window where she was sensing some type of activity and the front door. Aiming her wand carefully, she blasted apart a pile of junk a few yards from the house before stowing it away quickly and gripping onto the silver dagger with her right hand. The rouse was simple but effective. It was second before what looked like a blonde-haired woman but Lorelai knew to be a Vetala, came barreling out of the house, wide eyed and frantically looking for the source of the commotion. Lorelai had been hoping for both of them, but knew she couldn't waste the opportunity, and so clutching at the dagger she lunged with a grace borne of years of practice.

The altercation was short, the element of surprise working to Lorelai's favor, but the scream the monster let out as Lorelai drove the blade into its heart and twisted meant it would be lost on her next target. The commotion from inside the house that followed only confirmed that suspicion, and Lorelai resignedly let her Disillusionment charm falter while she dropped the body to the ground with a dull thud. There was no way around it, she'd have to go inside, and inside meant she couldn't risk letting Dean catch whiff of anything magical.

Grip on her dagger unyielding, Lorelai darted back towards the house, slipping once more into the shadows and looking around for any further movement. When there was none, she eased inside the door, still swinging on its hinges from when the Vetala had rushed through moments before, and looked around. The inside was as rundown as the outside – dirt lining the walls, broken furniture scattered throughout, burnt out bulbs – but the kitchen light was on, and judging from the askew chairs, had been hastily abandoned. Lorelai edged her way around the first floor, doing her best to keep her back to the wall, stay in the shadows, and keep an ear out for any movement. Aside from more dirt and more busted up furniture, she came up empty handed and found herself with a choice: try the upstairs or move onto the basement.

Figuring it was more likely she'd have heard something if the monster moved upstairs, Lorelai went for the basement, descending carefully and breathing in relief moments later.

He was there – tied up, head hung, and looking to be in pretty rough shape, but alive.

"Dean," she breathed, rushing to his side. His eyelids fluttered; confusion etched onto his features before recognition dawned.

"L'relai?" he slurred in disbelief. Blood stained his clothes in several places, and he was paler than usual, bite marks visible on his neck, and Lorelai forced herself to focus on the fact that all of it was temporary. She'd gotten there in time, and he'd be okay. "Damn, it's good to see you, sweetheart."

Even as out of it as he was, a shadow of his usual smirk was playing on his lips and Lorelai kissed him before she could stop to think about it, fueled by her relief, even as her hands went for his restraints. It was weak but Dean kissed her back, and she didn't miss the soft smile he was giving her when she broke away.

"Y'know, if you've got a thing for having me all tied up, all you had to do was ask," he quipped, his voice weak but teasing. Lorelai let out a breath, shaking her head while she focused in on trying to take care of the ropes.

"You're ridiculous," she muttered, even as a warmth spread through her chest. "I took care of the blonde one upstairs. Haven't seen the second one though."

Her eyes were darting around the dimly lit room as she finally broke one of Dean's wrists free. He was stretching it slowly and staring down at her while she went to work on the other.

"Bitch is around here somewhere. They were – shit – Lor, look out!"

Dean's warning came just as a blur erupted from the shadows. Lorelai didn't have time to think, twisting away on instinct and brandishing the dagger. Suddenly the dank air of the basement was thick with danger, and the second Vetala – this one a petite, strawberry blonde – was lunging for her, teeth bared and eyes wild. Caught off guard, Lorelai hadn't moved fast enough to entirely avoid the monster's first slash, and she felt the skin of her upper arm slice in four separate lines, blood flowing quickly.

"Oh, come on, you son of a bitch," she complained as she ducked another swipe – one that could have taken her hand straight off – and swung out a leg to try and knock out her opponent's feet. The creature was strong, but Lorelai was fast, and this wasn't her first rodeo.

She weaved between the monster's blows, each one a thunderclap in the silent basement. A jab here, a feint there, she was dancing on the knife's edge, her heart slamming against her ribs like it wanted out. They both got some hits in – Lorelai knew she'd see some bruises the next day if she weren't able to heal herself before Dean noticed – but nothing bad enough to keep Lorelai down. Then, opportunity struck as clear as lightning – the Vetala stumbled over another victim's corpse. Without hesitation, Lorelai lunged forward, silver dagger leading.

The blade found its mark with a sickening squelch, burying deep into the Vetala's chest. Twisting it, the creature's eyes widened in shock before slumping to the ground, as lifeless as the husk it left behind. Sighing, Lorelai kicked it, letting out the last of her frustration, as she looked up to Dean, her own shoulders sagging a bit as the adrenaline began to dissipate.

"Nice moves," he rasped, his face a mix of concern and awe, even as he tried to free his other hand.

"Thanks," she replied with half a smile, dropping back down to his side and batting his hand out of the way to continue what she'd been doing before the attack. A minute later, the ropes were all lying on the ground and Dean was trying to stretch, swaying like a tree, clearly still under the effects of the toxin and suffering from blood loss to boot.

"M'fine, Lor," he mumbled when she tried to make him sit back down. "Really."

"Yeah, and I'm a fairy princess," she shot back, ignoring him and maneuvering to at least help support his weight as they headed for the stairs.

The journey back to the front door was a blur of whispered curses and stubborn pride that had Lorelai wishing she could pull out her wand. By the time they reached the Impala, Dean was seemingly a breath away from collapsing, but still made a show of pulling out his keys.

"I can drive," he insisted, his usual gruffness softened by the toxin coursing through his bloodstream. She'd have been lying to say she wasn't somewhat nervous about getting behind the wheel of his precious car, but Lorelai didn't hesitate to grab the keys swinging from his fingers and open the back door, shoving him in.

"Like hell you can," she disagreed, making sure she wasn't too rough with him. Dean looked like he wanted to argue, but Lorelai didn't wait to hear it before backing out herself, closing the door, and climbing into the driver's seat. She'd have put him up front with her, but she knew she'd have to move the bench seat forward and that his long legs would be cramped.

"Thanks," Dean murmured a minute later, after the Impala had roared to life and Lorelai had begun easing it back down the driveway. In the rearview mirror she could see he was watching her, eyelids heavy with fatigue while he fought against the pull of unconsciousness.

"Don't mention it," she said gently, refocusing on the road, the stillness of the night pressing in on them and feeling surreal after the scene they'd just left.

They drove mostly in silence, with a few quiet exchanges made in an attempt to help keep Dean from drifting off. Lorelai tried to ignore the peace she felt being near him again, telling herself it was just because she'd been worried about him, and that feeling was due to the danger having passed. Still, she was glad it was a short drive and was happy to see the flickering neon light as she approached the room she'd broken into earlier.

Despite Dean's continued insistence he was fine, Lorelai had to half carry-half drag him towards the door. Each step was a battle against gravity and his stubbornness, and as soon as they crossed the threshold, Lorelai was quick to maneuver him towards the bed.

"Alright, down you go," she said, trying to hide her lingering concern under her trademark nonchalance.

"You're awesome," Dean slurred, and Lorelai snorted, shaking her head.

"You're drugged," she retorted, but Dean smiled and shook his head, a goofy look on his face. She hoped he was too out of it to notice the way she was sure her own eyes had softened.

"Doesn't make it any less true." She turned to go dig through the bag she'd left in his bathroom when Dean caught her hand, pulling her back and meeting her eye with an earnest look she wasn't sure she'd seen from him yet. "How'd you find me, Lor? I thought I was finished."

Lorelai felt the heat rising to her cheeks, an unfamiliar embarrassment washing over her. He was looking at her the same way he had been in Tullahoma, making her feel like he could see into the depths of her soul, and it was terrifying.

"When I got your voicemail, I knew you were heading in at a disadvantage – Vetalas almost always work in pairs, not alone. I tried to call but I couldn't get through, and I had a bad feeling. So I packed up and came. You'd told me you were in Duncan Falls… it's not a particularly big town… and I believe you're the one that pointed out we're supposed to have each other's backs."

There was a look on Dean's face that Lorelai didn't feel ready to deal with. She hadn't seen someone look at her like that in a long time, and now that it was happening again, she was feeling that fight or flight instinct kick in, except this time it was screaming flight.

"Lor, you… I… you're ama –"

"Stop," she cut over him, that need to fly winning out. "Just rest. I'll be right back."

She slipped away into the bathroom, leaving Dean's grateful gaze behind her. Surrounded by the stark white tiles and the faint smell of bleach, she allowed herself a deep breath before diving into the emergency medical kit she'd stashed in her bag. Her injuries would have to wait until she was home to be dealt with properly – it would be too obvious if she took care of them now – but Lorelai quickly cleaned the cuts and at least made sure to stop the bleeding before she began digging through her potions to find what she'd need for Dean. This risk was worth it, she decided, mixing the Blood Replenisher into a cup with a diluted painkiller and an antidote for the venom. Muggles had slightly different physiologies than witches and wizards, but the basics generally still worked, and every hunter had their own tricks of the trade – she could get this by him.

She was relieved when Dean didn't put up a fuss, taking the cup from her only a semi-skeptical sniff – which she suspected had more to do with the smell than anything.

"Family recipe," she offered. "Antivenom."

Dean made a face but tipped it back, letting his head fall against the pillows as soon as he swallowed. "Trust you," he mumbled, looking like he could have fallen asleep right then and there. She wanted to let him, but she also knew she couldn't let him stay in the state he was, especially if she couldn't take care of the cuts with her normal supplies.

"Let's get you cleaned up," she said, "and then I promise you can get some rest."

He was cooperative and seemed to get some of his energy back focusing on the task at hand – though Lorelai suspected that was partly thanks to the concoction she'd fed him. She worked methodically, pushing the flannel off his broad shoulders and easing him out of his bloodied t-shirt before beginning to use a damp cloth to wipe away the grime and the sweat from his skin, taking extra care around his wounds. He hissed when she dabbed at them with antiseptic but was as good a patient as she could have asked for, and by the time she got him back on his feet to swap his jeans for a pair of sweats, she was relieved to find he didn't sway quite as much as he had been earlier.

When he was sufficiently patched up, Dean sank back against the pillows with a tired sigh while Lorelai looked around, eyes ultimately settling onto a nearby chair. She grabbed it and shifted it slightly to be closer, not noticing Dean watching her somewhat incredulously through lidded eyes until she'd sank down onto it. He was still in pretty rough shape, but she could already see improvement, and knew by morning he'd be almost back to normal.

"You're kidding, right?" he asked. Lorelai blushed and bit her bottom lip, opting to feign ignorance.

"What do you mean?" Even knocked on his ass, Dean rolled his eyes and patted at the bed.

"C'mere. I'm not gonna break, I promise. And I won't bite… unless you want me to."

Lorelai laughed and shook her head, even as she kicked her shoes off and climbed up next to him, settling in easily under the covers next to him.

"You're incorrigible," she admonished. Dean wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her hair. Lorelai felt the tension draining from her body, and her arm snaked around his waist, the physical reminder that he was alright settling her further.

"Yeah, and you love it," Dean mumbled against her. Lorelai didn't argue and instead tilted her head, pressing a soft kiss against his lips. Their breath mingled as they savored the moment, mouths melding in a gentle and familiar dance. She reached up to cup his cheek as he deepened the kiss, their noses brushing as he did.

"Thank you," he said quietly a few minutes later, after they'd broken apart and Lorelai had settled her head against his chest, "for coming to find me." His words stirred something in her she didn't know how to process, and so Lorelai held him closer and hoped he'd understand the things she didn't have the words for… the realities she couldn't face.

"What're partners for?" she asked, remembering his quip the last time she'd seen him, about how she may be his new favorite hunting partner. Dean squeezed her back, and an understanding passed between them that Lorelai was grateful could stay unspoken. It wasn't long before sleep claimed them both, the comfort of their embrace in that moment being greater than even the worst of Lorelai's nightmares and fears.

Dean woke slowly, consciousness creeping in as the morning sun filtered through the dingy motel curtains. He could feel the warm press of Lorelai's body curled against him, the comforting weight of her arm draped over his chest, her head nestled into the crook of his shoulder.

A smile tugged at his lips as he looked down at her, taking in the soft fall of her hair across her face, her breath stirring the strands slightly with each breath. Even in sleep, there was a fierceness about her that called to him… it was one quality among many that made her so appealing.

He thought back to the night before, how she'd come crashing in to save him. He remembered the determined set of her jaw as she cut him free, the graceful power with which she'd dispatched the second Vetala. Lorelai was a force of nature, beautiful and terrible all at once.

Before she'd shown up, he hadn't totally given up hope – he was a fighter, and he'd known for a long time that whatever happened to him, he'd go down swinging – but Dean definitely hadn't been feeling great about his prospects. The toxin had fucked him up pretty good, and his dad was somewhere in Texas… nowhere close enough to bail him out. And even if he had been… well… no one had ever come through for him like Lorelai had then. He was used to being the one to come through for the people around him, and on the occasion he'd had to be bailed out by his dad, the feeling of disappointment… that he was a complete let down… it was oppressive.

Lorelai, though… damn if she wasn't full of surprises. He hadn't even had to ask, she'd just shown up, and the only thing he'd felt from her was relief – relief so palpable even he could sense it. It meant more to him than he could properly articulate.

Dean shifted carefully, brushing a strand of hair back from her face, unable to resist gently tracing the line of her cheekbone. He knew she was skittish about this thing between them, this connection they had that was feeling more and more gravitational in its force. The more they'd gotten to know each other, the better he was understanding that, and he wasn't as naïve as he'd been at the start. He suspected the list of things he didn't know about her was still lengthy, but the walls she put up to try and keep him out were becoming less mysterious and he was seeing them more for what they were – the only way she knew how to protect herself. They'd certainly become transparent enough that he was starting to see the soft side of her she was trying to protect – though he'd caught glimpses of that even in those first few weeks.

He didn't mind being patient and letting things work out in their own time. There was no concern in his mind that what he was feeling was one-sided… too good to be true, maybe… but even he hadn't taken enough hits to the head to miss the signs.

Lorelai stirred then, brows furrowing for a moment before her eyelids fluttered open, her dark blue eyes still clouded with sleep.

"Mornin' sweetheart," he murmured. Lorelai blinked up at him, expression almost immediately shifting to concern.

"How are you feeling?" Her voice was scratchy, still laden with sleep, and she brought her hand up to his cheek, her thumb brushing along his jaw. Dean turned his head to press a kiss to her palm.

"Much better, thanks to you."

It was true – the ache had faded from his muscles, replaced by a pleasant looseness. The open wounds felt like they'd been replaced with scabs. He felt more clear-headed than he had since they'd gotten the jump on him. The ringing in his head had finally stopped. Lorelai still looked uncertain, however, and so Dean leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss, his hand coming up to cradle her head. She melted, and Dean appreciated, not for the first time, how physically responsive she was.

When they broke apart a faint blush was coloring her cheeks, and Dean rested his forehead against hers.

"Seriously, Lor," he promised when he noticed her pull her bottom lip between her teeth. "I owe you one."

"No you don't," she said quickly, shaking her head. Dean huffed out a quiet laugh, dropping a kiss to the top of her head before settling back into the pillows. Lorelai quickly nestled back against his chest, seeking the comfort of his steady heartbeat.

"Bullshit. I can't believe you dropped everything and came out here just to pull my ass outta the fire. You didn't have to do that."

Even from his angle, Dean saw the blush on her face deepen and felt amused at the way she fidgeted.

"Wasn't a big deal," she deflected.

"Oh no?" he pushed back. "What about Katie?"

"Nick bailed me out," she shrugged. "Like I said, no big deal."

Dean may not have been around long, but he'd been around long enough to doubt the truth of that statement. He still remembered the brief argument of theirs he'd witnessed, and the little bit Lorelai had opened up about it after left him to suspect it was far from the first of its kind.

"Yeah, well, it's a big deal to me," he told her, opting not to push. He was also smart enough to sense that pushing her on anything having to do with Nick wouldn't do him any favors. It was her life, not his, and she could pick her own friends. "Thank you."

"Can't have you dying on me," she huffed. "My track record's already bad enough." Dean couldn't stop the guffaw of laughter that bubbled up at the dark joke and was relieved when Lorelai joined in, even as she held him just a little bit closer. As they settled back down, he wanted to promise her he wasn't going anywhere, not if he had anything to do with it, but he didn't. With the reality of the night before so fresh, it was impossible not to recognize that those were the kinds of promises he couldn't give her. Worse yet, he realized they were probably promises she had already heard and seen broken.

"When do you have to head back?" he asked instead. Lorelai frowned, her fingers starting to absentmindedly trace patterns on his chest.

"Now? Definitely today." There was a regretful note in her voice, and Dean tried not to smile.

"How about I take you out for breakfast before you go? Least I can do after all this." He saw the little quirk of her lips and said the words he knew would seal the deal. "I'll even throw in coffee."

Lorelai laughed and shook her head.

"Well you know I can't say no to coffee," she teased, turning to grin up at him. Dean chuckled and pushed some hair out of her face, moving to give her a quick kiss.

"I'll even get you an extra to go cup."

Their shower wasn't as quick as it could have been, occasional kisses under the spray quickly turning to hands roaming slick skin as the hot water cascaded over them. Dean groaned in pleasure when she used her clever fingers to work out the last kinks in his muscles, and Dean took his time tracing every curve and plane of her with his hands and mouth, hoping he could show her with his actions all the things he didn't have words for yet. Her gasps and moans echoed off the tile as their bodies slid together, and Dean was more than happy to tumble back into bed with her to finish what they'd started in the bathroom.

Afterwards, they dressed leisurely. Dean watched Lorelai wring the water from her hair and pull her jeans back on. He sidled up behind her to nuzzle her neck while she frowned at her reflection in the still foggy mirror.

"Have I mentioned how hot you are?"

Lorelai scoffed, even as her cheeks flushed, and she ducked away from him.

"I look like a drowned rat," she disagreed, throwing the towel she'd been using on her hair towards the tub. "But whatever does it for you."

He noticed her hesitation when she picked up her discarded shirt and quickly fished one of his clean flannels from his duffel bag. Her jeans had come out of the scuffle okay, but her shirt was covered in blood same as his and was slashed where she'd taken the worst of the blows to her arm. She gave him an appreciative smile before slipping it on, and Dean found it hard to ignore how unbelievably enticing she looked with his clothes hanging off her slender frame.

They finally left the room a few minutes later, Dean slinging an arm around her shoulders and gratefully accepting his keys back while the morning sun warmed their skin.

There was a diner not too far from the motel, and over multiple cups of coffee, bacon, potatoes, and a stack of pancakes for each of them – maple syrup poured over Dean's and chocolate chips in Lorelai's – they chatted lightly about nothing in particular. Lorelai told him about her brother and sister-in-law coming to visit, he told her about the shifter he and his dad had just dealt with in Nebraska. It was comfortable… easy in a way Dean was still surprised at.

It was as they finished eating that it dawned on Dean that he had no idea how she'd gotten to him, and he looked at her through a furrowed brow.

"You said you drove?" he asked, dimly remembering something she'd said the night before as they approached the Impala. She bit that bottom lip of hers again, and Dean knew whatever was coming would be good.

"Yeah. I, uh… I might have… borrowed a car. I was just gonna grab a bus back home." Dean barked out a laugh, looking at her in wonderment.

"Of course you did," he chortled. "Lor, don't be ridiculous. I'm all wrapped up here, let me drive you home. I got nothing better to do."

She argued with him though, of course, to the point that in the end Dean was happy he'd at least gotten her to agree to let him drop her off at the bus terminal.

"Let me know you when you get home?" he asked as they said their goodbyes in the parking lot. For a moment it looked like she was going to give him a hard time, but finally gave him a small nod, pursing her lips.

"Yeah," she agreed. "I can do that."

Impulsively, Dean reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"I'll see you soon?" She paused again, looking unsure of herself, but another nod came, this one accompanied by half a smile.

"Seems that way, doesn't it?" Dean shook his head, torn in that moment between amusement and exasperation. She didn't let him dwell in it long though, choosing then to lean in and kiss him, long and sweet, her lips soft and still tasting of coffee.

"Try and stay out of trouble," she murmured against him.

"No promises," he quipped back.

With a last lingering look, Lorelai slipped out of the car and headed into the building. Dean watched until she vanished from view, a sense of longing already settling in.

He sighed and put the car in gear, guiding his baby back out onto the open road. The memory of her smile warmed him as he drove, a lightness in his chest that had been absent for far too long. Whatever this thing between them was, it gave him hope - hope that maybe there could still be good things in this world. As long as Lorelai was out there, he knew he wasn't alone.

As always, thank you all so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and I'll see you next week with another update 😊