Those Three Words (Seven/?)
Title: Those Three Words
Authors: xtremeroswellia and clarksmuse
Rating: R to NC-17 for language and sexual scenes
Pairing: Chlean (Chloe/Dean) :D
Disclaimer: Neither of us own these characters. We're just borrowing them, so please don't sue!!
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen A | Sixteen B | Seventeen | Eighteen | Cocnlusion
"You sure you're okay?" Dean asked, still holding onto Chloe's arms, needing more than anything to know she was okay... and not just on the physical level.
"I'm fine," she answered, gazing at him. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Dean smirked, his smile softening as he looked into her eyes. "Me? I'm fine. I'm more concerned about you." He used his good arm to gently thread his fingers through her hair, which had fallen out of the holder she'd held it back in. Her hair felt like silk, he thought.
"Don't I look okay?" she asked, tipping her head up slightly to look at him.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, leaning closer to her, bumping his forehead gently with hers. "So what were you saying about having post-slayage fun?" He grinned widely, moving his head away and watching her flush with embarassment.
"Yeah... I should... learn to think before I speak," she said with a short chuckle.
Dean's smiled widened, a suggestive glint in his eyes. "And here I was thinking you should never think before you speak... especially stuff like that."
Chloe smirked. "Is that right?"
"Damn straight," Dean replied before leaning into her kissing her soundly on the mouth, hammering his point home.
She shut her eyes as he pulled her against him and their lips met. She slid her arms around him, holding onto him as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate.
He pulled her closer to him, her response a surprise and a necessity. He groaned as their lips met, their kisses beginning to border on something more. Dean wanted her, had felt that way since the second he'd seen her in that bar. But this wasn't just a physical need: he shook as he realized how deeply she had gotten under her skin. "Chloe," he whispered against her mouth, his good hand moving from her hair to her cheek, trailing down her arm lazily.
She swallowed hard, her heart thundering in her chest. She reluctantly pulled herself away from him. "Sam's... in the other room. And you're hurt," she whispered. And I'm not ready for this, she thought.
Dean blinked in surprise when she pulled away, his body mourning the loss of hers against him. Once he looked into her eyes and saw the uncertainty there, he immediately backed off. No way he was going to rush this. "You're right," he said, stepping towards the door. "But... there's something you should know...."
Chloe drew in a breath. "What's that?" she asked softly.
He clenched his jaw, trying to find the right way to say what he needed to without scaring the hell out of her. "I... I really care.... about you," he whispered, not looking at her. "Just now I realized...."
"Dean..." She was afraid of what he was going to say next.
Shaking his head, he looked at her and smiled sadly. "Nothing," he said, his defenses going back up again. "It's nothing, okay? Thanks for tending to my arm. It feels better." He yanked the bathroom door open.
She caught his good arm gently with one hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
He turned to look at her, his eyes carefully blank against her emotion-filled one. "Nothing to be sorry about," he said honestly. "Really... it's my problem, okay? My issue... for getting too close."
"To me?" she asked quietly.
Looking away, Dean nodded yes, not wanting to see the emotion cross her face. Especially if she didn't feel the same way.
She drew in a breath and slowly let it out. "There are things you don't know about me." Her voice was quiet.
Surprised, Dean turned around and looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asked carefully.
Chloe gazed at him for a long moment. "I mean... despite what we have in common and..." She motioned between them, her eyes sad. "This... I'm not the person you want."
Seeing the sadness in her eyes nearly killed him. He grabbed her and enveloped her in his arms, holding her as best he could with his injured arm. "That's bullshit, you know," he whispered. "Let me be the one to decide that, and I say... yes."
The intensity of his gaze shook her deeply and she swallowed hard.
Caressing her cheek, he whispered, "The question to ask is... am I the only one who feels this... connection?" He stared into her eyes, trying to get a read on her thoughts.
"No," she admitted quietly.
"Good," he whispered softly and kissed her gently before pulling away from her. "One of these days, remind me to ask you why you're not the person for me," he joked.
"One of these days I'll tell you," Chloe answered softly, her voice serious.
"I hope you do," he responded, just as seriously as he turned away from her and left the bathroom.
She watched him go, tears prickling at her eyelids. She leaned her head against the door. If he only knew.
&&&
Chloe finished telling Spike how, with the help of Dean, she'd managed to kill Springheel Jack.
"Well done," he said with a smirk, not noticing Sam standing in the doorway of the kitchen silently.
"I'd say better than well done," Sam replied quietly, wondering when the hell Dean was getting back with the food. "It's a wonder only Dean came out with only a scratched arm."
Chloe nodded slightly. "He was lucky," she admitted.
"Too lucky," Sam replied, looking down in concern. "Dean could've been killed." He heaved a sigh and took a step towards Chloe and Spike. "Who knows what else is lurking out there? Which is why... I called Rupert Giles, Spike." He glanced up at the vampire, his eyes dark with concern for the future.
"I gave you the number, remember?" Spike said, giving him a well duh look.
"Wait, Rupert Giles?" Chloe repeated. "Who's that?"
"I... don't know who he is exactly," Sam explained, "but I know he is a former Watcher. I wanted to learn more about Slayers, so I called him." He laughed to himself, an ironic laugh he couldn't hide.
"Wait...you knew a former Watcher?" Chloe asked Spike in surprise.
"I knew the former Slayer," he admitted, making her eyes widen.
"What?"
Sam's gaze crossed between Spike and Chloe. Somehow, he wasn't surprised, and it made Sam wonder just HOW well Spike had known her. Sam simply nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"Why didn't you tell me that?" she asked, shaking her head.
"Because you didn't need to know," he responded, looking at her.
Chloe stared at him in disbelief.
"Yeah, Spike's good at giving out only 'needed' information," Sam replied. "Which is why Mr. Giles is flying out here, as we speak. To give me and Dean the full scoop on Slayers."
"Wait a minute. So all of you knew about this and didn't say anything to me?" A hint of annoyance crept into her voice.
Sam took a step back, a little afraid of Chloe when she was angry. "Well, I only just called him while you were cleaning up Dean in the bathroom." God, that came out wrong, he thought with a secretive smile.
Spike smirked and looked at Chloe. "Guess I'm not the only one not being all honest-like. Am I, Pet?"
Chloe glared at him. "Shut up, Spike." His smirk widened. "So this...guy is coming here?"
Nodding in response, Sam replied, "He mentioned something about being on the next flight here, which," he glanced at the clock, "should be sometime tonight. I told Mr. Giles to call me when he landed."
"Let's just hope he leaves all the Scoobies behind," Spike mumbled.
"The... Scoobies?" Sam asked, giving Spike a confused glance. "I thought that was a cartoon dog..."
He snorted. "I like the sodding dog a lot better," he replied, walking out of the room leaving Sam and Chloe looking puzzled and wondering what he was talking about.
Thumbing in the direction of Spike's departure, Sam looked at Chloe and asked, "What... was that all about?"
&&&
Giles inserted some change into the payphone, dialing the number Sam Winchester had given him and waiting for the other man to pick up.
The second Sam's cell went off, he knew it had to be Rupert Giles, especially since the number was from the ClevelandRegionalAirport. Dean started to ask who was calling him, but Sam put up his hand to quiet him. "Hello?"
"I'm calling for Sam Winchester. This is Rupert Giles."
"Mr. Giles," Sam replied. "This is Sam Winchester. You've made it to Cleveland, I take it?"
Dean shot his brother a confused look but wisely remained silent.
"Yes, we have. I'll just need the address of where you're staying and we'll be arriving shortly."
Stunned, Sam said nothing for a moment. "Hang on a minute... WE? Who's... we?" he stammered.
"Oh, bloody hell," Spike said under his breath, banging his head on the wall behind.
"Spike says he can't wait to see everyone," Sam replied, noticing Spike's reaction. Dean stifled the urge to laugh his ass off at the vampire, who suddenly looked sheepish.
A short chuckle escaped his lips. "Oh, yes, I'm sure he did indeed. What's the address?"
Sam quickly gave Mr. Giles the address to Chloe's apartment. "I believe there's a decent hotel nearby," he continued, "since it seems you have more than one person with you."
"We'll be there soon," Giles promised. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye," Sam said, hanging up the phone and looking around the living room at the other three. "Well, he's on his way... and bringing at least one other person." He shrugged, trying to conceal his excitement.
Dean leaned forward, throwing Sam a glare. "WHO's on their way?"
Sam glanced at Spike, who glared back at him. "His name's Rupert Giles. I think he's the pro at knowing about Slayers."
"He's an ex-Watcher," she told Dean, glancing at him.
Dean nodded solemnly at Chloe, not quite meeting her eyes, and then looked at Sam. "When were you planning on tell me, Sammy?" he asked quietly.
"You weren't here when I told Chloe and Spike," Sam snapped, immediately defensive. "How did I know you'd take a freaking hour to buy pizza and beer?"
Dean said nothing in response, but stood up and gently massaged his bandaged arm. "Well, it's a good thing he's coming," he replied, looking over at Chloe. "I guess we need some... help."
Chloe was silent for a moment, not quite meeting his eyes either. "Maybe they'll have some answers," she said quietly.
Sam couldn't stand the awkward silence that had fallen between Dean and Chloe. Looking over at Spike, he suddenly asked, "What's going on between you two, Dean?"
Dean's head snapped up, his eyes burning with anger, his words sharp. "What... the hell... are you talking about, Sam?" he ground out.
"Wow. Awkward," Chloe mumbled, rising to her feet. "Okay. Who wants coffee?"
Spike smirked. "Ah, love is in the air," he said under his breath.
"You know what I'm talking about... DEAN," Sam snarked back, getting in his brother's face. "All the looks and the smiles, the avoiding of each others' eyes. And your snark's gone. How did that happen?"
Dean was speechless with rage, the need to beat the shit out of his brother apparent. He looked at Chloe, trying to get her attention, actually needing help on this one, because he didn't know what to say.
"You always this fascinated by your brother's sex life, Sam?" Chloe asked bluntly, raising her eyebrows and watching him blush.
It was Sam's turn to be speechless. He looked at Spike, who wore an amused grin, and looked over at Dean, whose eyes were red with anger. "Sex life? Hell no, I don't want to know anything about that. I'm just tired of you two dancing around the obvious issue here..."
"Maybe we like dancing," she replied, a hint of warning in her tone that clearly said this is none of your business, so back off.
Dean looked at his brother and smiled triumphantly, throwing his free arm around Chloe's shoulders as he gazed at his brother. "So there," he smirked.
Shocked, Sam blinked and went to the door, opening it, walking outside and slamming the door behind him.
Dean moved away from Chloe and headed towards the door. "I have no idea what's going through his head, but I better talk to him."
"That's a good idea." She turned and headed into the kitchen to make coffee.
Dean opened the door, fully intending to go in search of his brother, but he stopped up short when he found an older man, who wore glasses and looked like something who stepped out of the 1800's, standing in front of the entrance. Along with several other people. "What the hell?" Dean began.
"Sam Winchester, I presume?" Giles answered, a small smirk on his face.
"No, this is the more annoying brother," Spike said with a smirk as he met Giles' eyes.
Dean ignored Spike's retort and focused on who was clearly the guy Sam had called. "No, I'm Dean Winchester, Sam's older brother." He moved aside to let all five people into the now tiny apartment. "Sammy's... not here at the moment, but he should be back soon."
"Ah," Giles replied, looking at the eldest Winchester and wondering again about the power of Fate. "I'm Rupert Giles," he began, introducing himself to Dean and the young woman in the room -- the Slayer Chloe, he deduced -- when he saw an all-too familiar and disappointing figure lurking in the background. "Spike," he replied. "Why are you here?" He took off his glasses and rubbed his nose.
The other guy in Giles' group, Xander Harris, took one look at Spike and rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. "Great, Captain Peroxide's here. Just what I needed..."
"You knew he was here already," Anya said, rolling her eyes. "Remember, that's how the other brother got Giles' number? From Spike?"
"Yeah but," Xander replied, motioning his arms towards Spike, "I didn't actually believe he was here until... ya know, the whole seeing is believing thing?"
Dean looked at Spike and smirked. "Who IS this guy?" he asked.
"The most annoying of the Scoobies," he said wryly, looking none too pleased to see any of them. His gaze traveled to the youngest member of the group. "Hello, Dawn."
She smiled faintly. "Hey, Spike."
Xander rolled his eyes at Spike. "Takes one to know one," he mumbled under his breath, then offering his hand to Dean. "Hi, Xander Harris, demon hunter extraordinaire. This is Anya, my fiancée."
Dean shook Xander's hand in a bemused silence and just nodded in the tall blonde's direction. He looked over his shoulder to the shorter redhead and brunette standing behind everyone else. He immediately
sensed power emanating from both of them and wondered if he'd died and gone to the Heaven of Hot and Powerful Babes. But with Sam nowhere in sight, he started to get a little nervous.
At that moment, Chloe stepped back into the room. "Spike, I think..." Her voice trailed off as she spotted her now very crowded living room and her eyes widened a little. "...I'm going to need to get more coffee," she finished as all eyes turned to her.
"She's powerful," Willow whispered to Tara. "Almost reminds me of --"
"Of Buffy, yes she does," Giles finished for her, staring at the new Slayer making coffee in her tiny kitchen.
"Need some help making some coffee?" Willow asked Chloe, pushing Xander into the kitchen. "Xand's really good at helping."
"That's not the only thing he's good at," Anya said, smiling.
"Um, sure." Chloe shot Dean a look before retreating into the kitchen once more.
Tara glanced at Dawn sideways, offering her a small smile and remaining quiet.
"Thanks, An, for the encouragement," Xander replied as he started rummaging around the kitchen for coffee mugs.
Dean returned Chloe's confused look with a grim one, his desire to stay with her amidst this group of strangers warring with his need to find Sam. "Uh, so... where are you guys staying?" he asked. Moving up to Giles, he whispered, "And who are all these people?"
"I'm Dawn Summers," the teen spoke up, looking at Dean. "This is Tara...that's Willow...and Xander's in the kitchen." Her voice was subdued, but her eyes were filled with untold emotions.
"Nice to meet you," Tara said softly, nodding at him.
"Yeah, you too," Dean said slowly, moving out of the way so the "Scoobie" gang, as Spike had called them, could make themselves at home in the living room. He moved towards the door, looking at Spike. "You gonna help Chloe keep these guys company 'til I can go chat with Sammy?" He saw Chloe look up and offered her a you gonna be okay? look.
Spike rolled his eyes. "I think we'll survive without you."
Chloe managed a faint smile and nodded to him slightly to let him know he could go ahead and go.
Nodding back at her and throwing Spike a go to hell glance, he muttered, "Be right back," and left the over-crowded apartment. He walked down the steps to the front of Chloe's apartment building and found Sam, leaning against the Impala, an inexplicable look on his face.
"Sammy, what the fuck is the matter with you, huh?" he immediately demanded.
Sam didn't answer him, just stared into the darkness of the night, seemingly unaware of his brother's presence at all.
Dean waved his hand in front of Sam's eyes, but there was no response. Snapping his fingers near his ear did nothing either. "So either you're blind and deaf as well as dumb... or you're seriously pissed about something."
"Leave it alone, Dean," he said quietly.
"Fuck you," Dean snapped back. "You leave it alone, dammit. What was that up there?" The urge to knock his brother into next week was strong, especially since he had voiced those questions he had been thinking about too much lately. "Besides, you've got company. Lots of female company... how'd you manage that?" he continued wryly.
"Do you know what today is?" His voice was distant.
Dean shrugged and shook his head. "Nope."
"Today is exactly one year since Jess died." Without looking at Dean, he let out a breath. "I'm goin' for a walk."
Dean's breath left his body. Damn, he thought. Jess. No wonder Sam had been kinda quiet all day and had issues with this... thing between him and Chloe. "Sammy...." Dean called out, running after his brother. "Why didn't you say something? Jesus, I had no idea...."
Sam was silent for a moment. "I was trying not to think about it," he admitted. "I mean it's been a year and the thing that killed her and Mom...is still out there somewhere and we're no closer to finding it than the day you came to get me from Stanford, Dean."
Grabbing Sam by the arm to stop him, Dean retorted, "Why not search for this thing here? Isn't it possible that's why Dad gave us the coordinates? That it's here, so we can kill it and avenge... their deaths?" Dean thought of their mother with a sadness he buried deep inside. But he was more worried about Sam at this point.
"The demon's not here, Dean," he said quietly, his voice certain.
"How do you know that?" he asked his brother.
"Because if it was, I'd know it." He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. "Besides that...Dad's done everything he can to steer us in every direction but the demon's." His voice was slightly bitter. "He thinks it's his place to kill it and not ours."
Dean nodded, agreeing with his brother. "Maybe it is his place to kill the demon," he replied softly. "And maybe it's time for us to... move on..." He thought with regret about Chloe, whom he realized he wasn't ready to part with, just yet.
He shook his head slightly. "You know what I've been thinking?"
"Sure, cause I have ESP," he replied with a snort.
Sam smirked and glanced at him sideways. "I think it'd be to our advantage to have a Slayer with us when we find the demon."
"Like she'd go for that," Dean muttered, "even though I could learn more about that Slayer... stamina." He grinned at Sam, the twinkle back in his eye. "You think she'd really agree to that?"
"Going with us or showing you her Slayer stamina?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he replied with a knowing smirk before he sobered. "It's a good idea, Sam. I'll ask her if I can ever get her alone again." Turning back towards Chloe's apartment, he asked, "You going to help us out with all these newbies or what?"
"I'll be back in awhile," he said quietly. "I really need to clear my head."
Sighing, Dean nodded silently, understanding Sam's need to be alone. "Just... don't keep me up there alone for long, okay? If Spike doesn't kill these people... I just might." Rolling his eyes, he walked back up the stairs to Chloe's apartment.
Sam watched him go, then let out a breath, walking alone into the dark night.
When Dean walked into Chloe's apartment again, he found the entire place filled with people. Everywhere. Chloe was still in the kitchen, her eyes wide with uncertainty, as if she was afraid of moving. Mr. Giles, the other women, and the kid were sitting anywhere there was room, eyeing the apparent verbal fight happening between Xander and Spike.
"Oh so you think a little do-gooding makes you all worthy of helping out the new Slayer?" Xander demanded, poking his finger into Spike's chest.
"Lovely," Dean muttered as he shut the door and walked over to Chloe.
"Now you listen here you sodding wanker," Spike said darkly, glaring at Xander with narrowed eyes. "I don't recall you having an invitation here in the first place so you mind your own damn business."
Chloe rubbed the back of her neck and cast a sideways glance at Dean. "I think this could get ugly real fast."
"Like I needed an invite," Xander retorted, "though why the new Slayer wants you around is beyond me, especially given your past with the previous one."
Dean laid a gentle arm on Chloe's and whispered, "I'll take care of this." He then sauntered up and stood between them. "Hey, is the testosterone parade done? Or do I need to slam your heads against the wall?"
"He'll do it, too," Chloe said with a faint smirk, seeing the surprise on Xander's face.
"Backing off now," Xander said slowly, looking at Dean with a combination of jealousy and awe. "But please pound the Evil Dead for me, cause that'd make my day."
Dean looked at Spike and put up a mocking fist. "Yeah, it'd make my day too," he joked.
"No pounding of anyone who's not evil," Chloe said, shooting the two guys and Spike a look. She looked at the other girls in the room, shaking her head in exasperation as if to say "men!"
Tara hid a smile, ducking her head and looking at Willow.
"It's okay, Chloe," Willow responded with a smile as she patted Tara's head. "They do this all the time. You'll get used to it."
Dean shook his head, pushed Xander and Spike away from each other and smiling at the warning growl Spike gave him in response.
"So," Giles said, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with the hem of his shirt, "we're here to help the Slayer. What help do you need?"
"Actually...Sam was the one who called. I didn't know anything about this until a few hours ago," she admitted, looking at Giles. The one person who could probably answer all of her questions, and now she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Oh yes, that's right. Where is Sam?" Giles asked, looking over at Dean.
"He... had to get some air," Dean replied. "He'll be back in a bit."
"Right." Giles stood up and walked to Chloe, standing on the other side of the island. "As you know, we're from Sunnydale, where the last... Slayer... protected the Hellmouth." He buried his painful memories in the back of his mind before he continued. "We are here to help. What do you want to know?"
"I should go out. Evil things that need killing," Spike said, unable to stand there with so many memories flooding his own mind. Glancing at Dawn briefly, and then Chloe, he nodded and left the apartment without another word.
Chloe drew in a breath, looking uncertainly at all of the people in her small apartment. "I guess I don't really know where to start."
"I have a question," Dean said, looking around the room. "Where does the Slayer strength come from? How could Chloe get something from another dead chick?"
Xander and Willow gasped collectively, the question brutal and insensitive. "Hey, guy," Xander warned, "that's our friend you're talking about."
"Xander," Willow whispered, laying a hand on his arm.
Dean ignored Xander's comment and stared at Giles.
"You know, this isn't really necessary," Chloe said quickly, elbowing Dean lightly in the ribs. "I don't need to know. I just know I have it. The why doesn't really matter."
"But it matters to me," Dean whispered in response, her jab not bothering him. "I want to know what I can about you being a Slayer. Who better to ask than this guy?"
Interesting, Giles thought as he observed these two whispering together. Asking questions about the Slayer... taking a keen interest in her powers... "The Slayer's source of her power comes from a long line of girls who have all shared similar abilities and strength, stemming all the way back from the First Slayer," Giles began, his eyes glazing over as he spoke. Research, how he loved it.
Willow looked at Tara and smiled, knowing they might be there for awhile.
"The First Slayer," Chloe murmured, shivering involuntarily. "When...was that?"
"Long ago," Giles replied, adjusting his glasses. "She pre-dates any written language. Not much is known about her. We probably wouldn't know anything about her had it not been that spell we cast with...." His voice trailed off, unable to say her name.
Xander looked at Dawn and put an arm around her shoulders in comfort.
Dean noticed the sudden awkwardness in the air among the newbies and leaned down to Chloe's ear. "Is he talking about the previous Slayer?"
"Yes," she whispered. Her gaze focused on the youngest of the people in her apartment.
Dawn met Chloe's gaze. "Buffy was my sister," she said quietly.
Xander squeezed Dawn close to him, looking up at Dean. "She would be the dead chick you mentioned earlier."
Dean actually winced at the snap in Xander's voice and looked down. "Sorry, dude," he said slowly. He snaked an arm around Chloe, holding her close to him.
Giles cleared his throat. "Right," he said. "I could go on, but I get the impression you're not ready for what I have to say." Either of them, he realized.
"It's kind of late," Chloe said, glancing at the clock. "Maybe we should just call it a night. I do appreciate you guys all coming out here. I..." She glanced at Dean, then back at Giles. "Should probably head out patrolling, though."
"We could help," Tara spoke up, her voice soft. She offered Chloe and Dean a small smile. "We're kind of used to doing that."
Dean smiled back at the shy woman and looked at Chloe. "What do you think? I have to go find Sammy anyways. Could use some backup after this," he raised his wounded arm slightly.
Chloe hesitated slightly, every instinct within her wanting to say no. But the look on Xander's face is what convinced her otherwise. She had a feeling he was every bit as hard-headed as Dean. "Just...be careful. I've got weapons in my room. Take whatever you'd like."
Xander's face lit up as he jumped up and immediately headed down the hall. "I've got the axe!" he yelled, not giving the Slayer a chance to have second thoughts.
Willow stood a little more slowly and laughed. "He likes the weapons, what can I say?" She and Tara followed Xander into Chloe's bedroom for some stakes.
"Perhaps I should take Dawn and get some hotel rooms," Giles suggested, standing up.
Dean nodded in approval. "Sounds like a good idea, right?" He cast an uncertain glance at Chloe.
"Yeah, that's--"
"I wanna help." Dawn's voice was quiet and she looked at Giles, folding her arms across her chest.
"Dawn, I really need your help researching," Giles replied softly. "You know how dangerous it can get out there."
"He's right, Dawn," Chloe said softly. "And...I didn't have the privilege of knowing your sister, but...I wouldn't want my sister out there."
Dawn looked away, biting her lower lip.
Giles hugged Dawn as they started for the door. "Is there a hotel nearby where we can all get rooms?" he asked, looking between Dean and Chloe.
Dean nodded. "There's one about a mile from here. It's not the greatest place in the world, but it's livable." He noticed the other three enter the main room wielding all manner of weapons. "Seems the cavalry is anxious to go kill," he said with a smirk.
"And somehow I think they're not the only ones," Chloe responded, looking at him sideways.
"I think I'll go back to the hotel. I really have no desire to die tonight," Anya said, standing up.
Xander blinked at his fiancée, as if remembering she was there. "Oh sure, hon, you go on ahead. I'll pound the big evil for you, too."
Dean looked at Chloe and grinned. "I can feel your excitement too... Chlo." He whispered in her ear and gently kissed her neck just below it.
Her eyes drifted shut as she shivered involuntarily at his action. That was much too distracting for her liking. Except she did like it. A lot.
"Yes, well. Don't die," Anya told him before following Giles and Dawn out the door.
"No, An," Xander called to her as he watched Giles, Dawn, and Anya leave the apartment. He then turned to Dean and Chloe. "So, what needs killing in this town?"
Dean laughed a little as he took Chloe's hand in his. "Yeah, you look about as ready as a really strong..." Chloe gave him a look and his voice trailed off.
Tara hid another smile. "If this is a hellmouth I'm sure we won't have much trouble...finding trouble," she said, glancing at Willow and heading for the door.
"Be careful," Chloe said quietly, feeling unsettled at the idea of strangers going out after the things that went bump in the night.
"Don't worry," Xander said to Chloe, seeing the worried look in her eyes. "We've been doing this a long time. Besides, got two powerful witches here who got my back, so..."
"Witches?" Dean asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Huh. Have to talk shop with you sometime."
Willow smiled at Dean, nodding in agreement as the three of them left the apartment.
Letting out a breath as the last of the newbies left her apartment, Chloe glanced at Dean. "Well that was an experience..."
Raking a hand through his short hair, Dean breathed in deeply and looked at her. "Yeah, and remind me to kill Sammy when I see him again, since he got all them here."
She smiled a little. "You ready to head out?"
"Oh, ready and waiting, baby," he replied with a wink, following her out the door. He was suddenly worked up in several ways and looked forward to killing something and then finding Sam.
Authors: xtremeroswellia and clarksmuse
Rating: R to NC-17 for language and sexual scenes
Pairing: Chlean (Chloe/Dean) :D
Disclaimer: Neither of us own these characters. We're just borrowing them, so please don't sue!!
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen A | Sixteen B | Seventeen | Eighteen | Cocnlusion
"You sure you're okay?" Dean asked, still holding onto Chloe's arms, needing more than anything to know she was okay... and not just on the physical level.
"I'm fine," she answered, gazing at him. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Dean smirked, his smile softening as he looked into her eyes. "Me? I'm fine. I'm more concerned about you." He used his good arm to gently thread his fingers through her hair, which had fallen out of the holder she'd held it back in. Her hair felt like silk, he thought.
"Don't I look okay?" she asked, tipping her head up slightly to look at him.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, leaning closer to her, bumping his forehead gently with hers. "So what were you saying about having post-slayage fun?" He grinned widely, moving his head away and watching her flush with embarassment.
"Yeah... I should... learn to think before I speak," she said with a short chuckle.
Dean's smiled widened, a suggestive glint in his eyes. "And here I was thinking you should never think before you speak... especially stuff like that."
Chloe smirked. "Is that right?"
"Damn straight," Dean replied before leaning into her kissing her soundly on the mouth, hammering his point home.
She shut her eyes as he pulled her against him and their lips met. She slid her arms around him, holding onto him as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate.
He pulled her closer to him, her response a surprise and a necessity. He groaned as their lips met, their kisses beginning to border on something more. Dean wanted her, had felt that way since the second he'd seen her in that bar. But this wasn't just a physical need: he shook as he realized how deeply she had gotten under her skin. "Chloe," he whispered against her mouth, his good hand moving from her hair to her cheek, trailing down her arm lazily.
She swallowed hard, her heart thundering in her chest. She reluctantly pulled herself away from him. "Sam's... in the other room. And you're hurt," she whispered. And I'm not ready for this, she thought.
Dean blinked in surprise when she pulled away, his body mourning the loss of hers against him. Once he looked into her eyes and saw the uncertainty there, he immediately backed off. No way he was going to rush this. "You're right," he said, stepping towards the door. "But... there's something you should know...."
Chloe drew in a breath. "What's that?" she asked softly.
He clenched his jaw, trying to find the right way to say what he needed to without scaring the hell out of her. "I... I really care.... about you," he whispered, not looking at her. "Just now I realized...."
"Dean..." She was afraid of what he was going to say next.
Shaking his head, he looked at her and smiled sadly. "Nothing," he said, his defenses going back up again. "It's nothing, okay? Thanks for tending to my arm. It feels better." He yanked the bathroom door open.
She caught his good arm gently with one hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
He turned to look at her, his eyes carefully blank against her emotion-filled one. "Nothing to be sorry about," he said honestly. "Really... it's my problem, okay? My issue... for getting too close."
"To me?" she asked quietly.
Looking away, Dean nodded yes, not wanting to see the emotion cross her face. Especially if she didn't feel the same way.
She drew in a breath and slowly let it out. "There are things you don't know about me." Her voice was quiet.
Surprised, Dean turned around and looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asked carefully.
Chloe gazed at him for a long moment. "I mean... despite what we have in common and..." She motioned between them, her eyes sad. "This... I'm not the person you want."
Seeing the sadness in her eyes nearly killed him. He grabbed her and enveloped her in his arms, holding her as best he could with his injured arm. "That's bullshit, you know," he whispered. "Let me be the one to decide that, and I say... yes."
The intensity of his gaze shook her deeply and she swallowed hard.
Caressing her cheek, he whispered, "The question to ask is... am I the only one who feels this... connection?" He stared into her eyes, trying to get a read on her thoughts.
"No," she admitted quietly.
"Good," he whispered softly and kissed her gently before pulling away from her. "One of these days, remind me to ask you why you're not the person for me," he joked.
"One of these days I'll tell you," Chloe answered softly, her voice serious.
"I hope you do," he responded, just as seriously as he turned away from her and left the bathroom.
She watched him go, tears prickling at her eyelids. She leaned her head against the door. If he only knew.
&&&
Chloe finished telling Spike how, with the help of Dean, she'd managed to kill Springheel Jack.
"Well done," he said with a smirk, not noticing Sam standing in the doorway of the kitchen silently.
"I'd say better than well done," Sam replied quietly, wondering when the hell Dean was getting back with the food. "It's a wonder only Dean came out with only a scratched arm."
Chloe nodded slightly. "He was lucky," she admitted.
"Too lucky," Sam replied, looking down in concern. "Dean could've been killed." He heaved a sigh and took a step towards Chloe and Spike. "Who knows what else is lurking out there? Which is why... I called Rupert Giles, Spike." He glanced up at the vampire, his eyes dark with concern for the future.
"I gave you the number, remember?" Spike said, giving him a well duh look.
"Wait, Rupert Giles?" Chloe repeated. "Who's that?"
"I... don't know who he is exactly," Sam explained, "but I know he is a former Watcher. I wanted to learn more about Slayers, so I called him." He laughed to himself, an ironic laugh he couldn't hide.
"Wait...you knew a former Watcher?" Chloe asked Spike in surprise.
"I knew the former Slayer," he admitted, making her eyes widen.
"What?"
Sam's gaze crossed between Spike and Chloe. Somehow, he wasn't surprised, and it made Sam wonder just HOW well Spike had known her. Sam simply nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"Why didn't you tell me that?" she asked, shaking her head.
"Because you didn't need to know," he responded, looking at her.
Chloe stared at him in disbelief.
"Yeah, Spike's good at giving out only 'needed' information," Sam replied. "Which is why Mr. Giles is flying out here, as we speak. To give me and Dean the full scoop on Slayers."
"Wait a minute. So all of you knew about this and didn't say anything to me?" A hint of annoyance crept into her voice.
Sam took a step back, a little afraid of Chloe when she was angry. "Well, I only just called him while you were cleaning up Dean in the bathroom." God, that came out wrong, he thought with a secretive smile.
Spike smirked and looked at Chloe. "Guess I'm not the only one not being all honest-like. Am I, Pet?"
Chloe glared at him. "Shut up, Spike." His smirk widened. "So this...guy is coming here?"
Nodding in response, Sam replied, "He mentioned something about being on the next flight here, which," he glanced at the clock, "should be sometime tonight. I told Mr. Giles to call me when he landed."
"Let's just hope he leaves all the Scoobies behind," Spike mumbled.
"The... Scoobies?" Sam asked, giving Spike a confused glance. "I thought that was a cartoon dog..."
He snorted. "I like the sodding dog a lot better," he replied, walking out of the room leaving Sam and Chloe looking puzzled and wondering what he was talking about.
Thumbing in the direction of Spike's departure, Sam looked at Chloe and asked, "What... was that all about?"
&&&
Giles inserted some change into the payphone, dialing the number Sam Winchester had given him and waiting for the other man to pick up.
The second Sam's cell went off, he knew it had to be Rupert Giles, especially since the number was from the ClevelandRegionalAirport. Dean started to ask who was calling him, but Sam put up his hand to quiet him. "Hello?"
"I'm calling for Sam Winchester. This is Rupert Giles."
"Mr. Giles," Sam replied. "This is Sam Winchester. You've made it to Cleveland, I take it?"
Dean shot his brother a confused look but wisely remained silent.
"Yes, we have. I'll just need the address of where you're staying and we'll be arriving shortly."
Stunned, Sam said nothing for a moment. "Hang on a minute... WE? Who's... we?" he stammered.
"Oh, bloody hell," Spike said under his breath, banging his head on the wall behind.
"Spike says he can't wait to see everyone," Sam replied, noticing Spike's reaction. Dean stifled the urge to laugh his ass off at the vampire, who suddenly looked sheepish.
A short chuckle escaped his lips. "Oh, yes, I'm sure he did indeed. What's the address?"
Sam quickly gave Mr. Giles the address to Chloe's apartment. "I believe there's a decent hotel nearby," he continued, "since it seems you have more than one person with you."
"We'll be there soon," Giles promised. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye," Sam said, hanging up the phone and looking around the living room at the other three. "Well, he's on his way... and bringing at least one other person." He shrugged, trying to conceal his excitement.
Dean leaned forward, throwing Sam a glare. "WHO's on their way?"
Sam glanced at Spike, who glared back at him. "His name's Rupert Giles. I think he's the pro at knowing about Slayers."
"He's an ex-Watcher," she told Dean, glancing at him.
Dean nodded solemnly at Chloe, not quite meeting her eyes, and then looked at Sam. "When were you planning on tell me, Sammy?" he asked quietly.
"You weren't here when I told Chloe and Spike," Sam snapped, immediately defensive. "How did I know you'd take a freaking hour to buy pizza and beer?"
Dean said nothing in response, but stood up and gently massaged his bandaged arm. "Well, it's a good thing he's coming," he replied, looking over at Chloe. "I guess we need some... help."
Chloe was silent for a moment, not quite meeting his eyes either. "Maybe they'll have some answers," she said quietly.
Sam couldn't stand the awkward silence that had fallen between Dean and Chloe. Looking over at Spike, he suddenly asked, "What's going on between you two, Dean?"
Dean's head snapped up, his eyes burning with anger, his words sharp. "What... the hell... are you talking about, Sam?" he ground out.
"Wow. Awkward," Chloe mumbled, rising to her feet. "Okay. Who wants coffee?"
Spike smirked. "Ah, love is in the air," he said under his breath.
"You know what I'm talking about... DEAN," Sam snarked back, getting in his brother's face. "All the looks and the smiles, the avoiding of each others' eyes. And your snark's gone. How did that happen?"
Dean was speechless with rage, the need to beat the shit out of his brother apparent. He looked at Chloe, trying to get her attention, actually needing help on this one, because he didn't know what to say.
"You always this fascinated by your brother's sex life, Sam?" Chloe asked bluntly, raising her eyebrows and watching him blush.
It was Sam's turn to be speechless. He looked at Spike, who wore an amused grin, and looked over at Dean, whose eyes were red with anger. "Sex life? Hell no, I don't want to know anything about that. I'm just tired of you two dancing around the obvious issue here..."
"Maybe we like dancing," she replied, a hint of warning in her tone that clearly said this is none of your business, so back off.
Dean looked at his brother and smiled triumphantly, throwing his free arm around Chloe's shoulders as he gazed at his brother. "So there," he smirked.
Shocked, Sam blinked and went to the door, opening it, walking outside and slamming the door behind him.
Dean moved away from Chloe and headed towards the door. "I have no idea what's going through his head, but I better talk to him."
"That's a good idea." She turned and headed into the kitchen to make coffee.
Dean opened the door, fully intending to go in search of his brother, but he stopped up short when he found an older man, who wore glasses and looked like something who stepped out of the 1800's, standing in front of the entrance. Along with several other people. "What the hell?" Dean began.
"Sam Winchester, I presume?" Giles answered, a small smirk on his face.
"No, this is the more annoying brother," Spike said with a smirk as he met Giles' eyes.
Dean ignored Spike's retort and focused on who was clearly the guy Sam had called. "No, I'm Dean Winchester, Sam's older brother." He moved aside to let all five people into the now tiny apartment. "Sammy's... not here at the moment, but he should be back soon."
"Ah," Giles replied, looking at the eldest Winchester and wondering again about the power of Fate. "I'm Rupert Giles," he began, introducing himself to Dean and the young woman in the room -- the Slayer Chloe, he deduced -- when he saw an all-too familiar and disappointing figure lurking in the background. "Spike," he replied. "Why are you here?" He took off his glasses and rubbed his nose.
The other guy in Giles' group, Xander Harris, took one look at Spike and rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. "Great, Captain Peroxide's here. Just what I needed..."
"You knew he was here already," Anya said, rolling her eyes. "Remember, that's how the other brother got Giles' number? From Spike?"
"Yeah but," Xander replied, motioning his arms towards Spike, "I didn't actually believe he was here until... ya know, the whole seeing is believing thing?"
Dean looked at Spike and smirked. "Who IS this guy?" he asked.
"The most annoying of the Scoobies," he said wryly, looking none too pleased to see any of them. His gaze traveled to the youngest member of the group. "Hello, Dawn."
She smiled faintly. "Hey, Spike."
Xander rolled his eyes at Spike. "Takes one to know one," he mumbled under his breath, then offering his hand to Dean. "Hi, Xander Harris, demon hunter extraordinaire. This is Anya, my fiancée."
Dean shook Xander's hand in a bemused silence and just nodded in the tall blonde's direction. He looked over his shoulder to the shorter redhead and brunette standing behind everyone else. He immediately
sensed power emanating from both of them and wondered if he'd died and gone to the Heaven of Hot and Powerful Babes. But with Sam nowhere in sight, he started to get a little nervous.
At that moment, Chloe stepped back into the room. "Spike, I think..." Her voice trailed off as she spotted her now very crowded living room and her eyes widened a little. "...I'm going to need to get more coffee," she finished as all eyes turned to her.
"She's powerful," Willow whispered to Tara. "Almost reminds me of --"
"Of Buffy, yes she does," Giles finished for her, staring at the new Slayer making coffee in her tiny kitchen.
"Need some help making some coffee?" Willow asked Chloe, pushing Xander into the kitchen. "Xand's really good at helping."
"That's not the only thing he's good at," Anya said, smiling.
"Um, sure." Chloe shot Dean a look before retreating into the kitchen once more.
Tara glanced at Dawn sideways, offering her a small smile and remaining quiet.
"Thanks, An, for the encouragement," Xander replied as he started rummaging around the kitchen for coffee mugs.
Dean returned Chloe's confused look with a grim one, his desire to stay with her amidst this group of strangers warring with his need to find Sam. "Uh, so... where are you guys staying?" he asked. Moving up to Giles, he whispered, "And who are all these people?"
"I'm Dawn Summers," the teen spoke up, looking at Dean. "This is Tara...that's Willow...and Xander's in the kitchen." Her voice was subdued, but her eyes were filled with untold emotions.
"Nice to meet you," Tara said softly, nodding at him.
"Yeah, you too," Dean said slowly, moving out of the way so the "Scoobie" gang, as Spike had called them, could make themselves at home in the living room. He moved towards the door, looking at Spike. "You gonna help Chloe keep these guys company 'til I can go chat with Sammy?" He saw Chloe look up and offered her a you gonna be okay? look.
Spike rolled his eyes. "I think we'll survive without you."
Chloe managed a faint smile and nodded to him slightly to let him know he could go ahead and go.
Nodding back at her and throwing Spike a go to hell glance, he muttered, "Be right back," and left the over-crowded apartment. He walked down the steps to the front of Chloe's apartment building and found Sam, leaning against the Impala, an inexplicable look on his face.
"Sammy, what the fuck is the matter with you, huh?" he immediately demanded.
Sam didn't answer him, just stared into the darkness of the night, seemingly unaware of his brother's presence at all.
Dean waved his hand in front of Sam's eyes, but there was no response. Snapping his fingers near his ear did nothing either. "So either you're blind and deaf as well as dumb... or you're seriously pissed about something."
"Leave it alone, Dean," he said quietly.
"Fuck you," Dean snapped back. "You leave it alone, dammit. What was that up there?" The urge to knock his brother into next week was strong, especially since he had voiced those questions he had been thinking about too much lately. "Besides, you've got company. Lots of female company... how'd you manage that?" he continued wryly.
"Do you know what today is?" His voice was distant.
Dean shrugged and shook his head. "Nope."
"Today is exactly one year since Jess died." Without looking at Dean, he let out a breath. "I'm goin' for a walk."
Dean's breath left his body. Damn, he thought. Jess. No wonder Sam had been kinda quiet all day and had issues with this... thing between him and Chloe. "Sammy...." Dean called out, running after his brother. "Why didn't you say something? Jesus, I had no idea...."
Sam was silent for a moment. "I was trying not to think about it," he admitted. "I mean it's been a year and the thing that killed her and Mom...is still out there somewhere and we're no closer to finding it than the day you came to get me from Stanford, Dean."
Grabbing Sam by the arm to stop him, Dean retorted, "Why not search for this thing here? Isn't it possible that's why Dad gave us the coordinates? That it's here, so we can kill it and avenge... their deaths?" Dean thought of their mother with a sadness he buried deep inside. But he was more worried about Sam at this point.
"The demon's not here, Dean," he said quietly, his voice certain.
"How do you know that?" he asked his brother.
"Because if it was, I'd know it." He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. "Besides that...Dad's done everything he can to steer us in every direction but the demon's." His voice was slightly bitter. "He thinks it's his place to kill it and not ours."
Dean nodded, agreeing with his brother. "Maybe it is his place to kill the demon," he replied softly. "And maybe it's time for us to... move on..." He thought with regret about Chloe, whom he realized he wasn't ready to part with, just yet.
He shook his head slightly. "You know what I've been thinking?"
"Sure, cause I have ESP," he replied with a snort.
Sam smirked and glanced at him sideways. "I think it'd be to our advantage to have a Slayer with us when we find the demon."
"Like she'd go for that," Dean muttered, "even though I could learn more about that Slayer... stamina." He grinned at Sam, the twinkle back in his eye. "You think she'd really agree to that?"
"Going with us or showing you her Slayer stamina?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he replied with a knowing smirk before he sobered. "It's a good idea, Sam. I'll ask her if I can ever get her alone again." Turning back towards Chloe's apartment, he asked, "You going to help us out with all these newbies or what?"
"I'll be back in awhile," he said quietly. "I really need to clear my head."
Sighing, Dean nodded silently, understanding Sam's need to be alone. "Just... don't keep me up there alone for long, okay? If Spike doesn't kill these people... I just might." Rolling his eyes, he walked back up the stairs to Chloe's apartment.
Sam watched him go, then let out a breath, walking alone into the dark night.
When Dean walked into Chloe's apartment again, he found the entire place filled with people. Everywhere. Chloe was still in the kitchen, her eyes wide with uncertainty, as if she was afraid of moving. Mr. Giles, the other women, and the kid were sitting anywhere there was room, eyeing the apparent verbal fight happening between Xander and Spike.
"Oh so you think a little do-gooding makes you all worthy of helping out the new Slayer?" Xander demanded, poking his finger into Spike's chest.
"Lovely," Dean muttered as he shut the door and walked over to Chloe.
"Now you listen here you sodding wanker," Spike said darkly, glaring at Xander with narrowed eyes. "I don't recall you having an invitation here in the first place so you mind your own damn business."
Chloe rubbed the back of her neck and cast a sideways glance at Dean. "I think this could get ugly real fast."
"Like I needed an invite," Xander retorted, "though why the new Slayer wants you around is beyond me, especially given your past with the previous one."
Dean laid a gentle arm on Chloe's and whispered, "I'll take care of this." He then sauntered up and stood between them. "Hey, is the testosterone parade done? Or do I need to slam your heads against the wall?"
"He'll do it, too," Chloe said with a faint smirk, seeing the surprise on Xander's face.
"Backing off now," Xander said slowly, looking at Dean with a combination of jealousy and awe. "But please pound the Evil Dead for me, cause that'd make my day."
Dean looked at Spike and put up a mocking fist. "Yeah, it'd make my day too," he joked.
"No pounding of anyone who's not evil," Chloe said, shooting the two guys and Spike a look. She looked at the other girls in the room, shaking her head in exasperation as if to say "men!"
Tara hid a smile, ducking her head and looking at Willow.
"It's okay, Chloe," Willow responded with a smile as she patted Tara's head. "They do this all the time. You'll get used to it."
Dean shook his head, pushed Xander and Spike away from each other and smiling at the warning growl Spike gave him in response.
"So," Giles said, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with the hem of his shirt, "we're here to help the Slayer. What help do you need?"
"Actually...Sam was the one who called. I didn't know anything about this until a few hours ago," she admitted, looking at Giles. The one person who could probably answer all of her questions, and now she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Oh yes, that's right. Where is Sam?" Giles asked, looking over at Dean.
"He... had to get some air," Dean replied. "He'll be back in a bit."
"Right." Giles stood up and walked to Chloe, standing on the other side of the island. "As you know, we're from Sunnydale, where the last... Slayer... protected the Hellmouth." He buried his painful memories in the back of his mind before he continued. "We are here to help. What do you want to know?"
"I should go out. Evil things that need killing," Spike said, unable to stand there with so many memories flooding his own mind. Glancing at Dawn briefly, and then Chloe, he nodded and left the apartment without another word.
Chloe drew in a breath, looking uncertainly at all of the people in her small apartment. "I guess I don't really know where to start."
"I have a question," Dean said, looking around the room. "Where does the Slayer strength come from? How could Chloe get something from another dead chick?"
Xander and Willow gasped collectively, the question brutal and insensitive. "Hey, guy," Xander warned, "that's our friend you're talking about."
"Xander," Willow whispered, laying a hand on his arm.
Dean ignored Xander's comment and stared at Giles.
"You know, this isn't really necessary," Chloe said quickly, elbowing Dean lightly in the ribs. "I don't need to know. I just know I have it. The why doesn't really matter."
"But it matters to me," Dean whispered in response, her jab not bothering him. "I want to know what I can about you being a Slayer. Who better to ask than this guy?"
Interesting, Giles thought as he observed these two whispering together. Asking questions about the Slayer... taking a keen interest in her powers... "The Slayer's source of her power comes from a long line of girls who have all shared similar abilities and strength, stemming all the way back from the First Slayer," Giles began, his eyes glazing over as he spoke. Research, how he loved it.
Willow looked at Tara and smiled, knowing they might be there for awhile.
"The First Slayer," Chloe murmured, shivering involuntarily. "When...was that?"
"Long ago," Giles replied, adjusting his glasses. "She pre-dates any written language. Not much is known about her. We probably wouldn't know anything about her had it not been that spell we cast with...." His voice trailed off, unable to say her name.
Xander looked at Dawn and put an arm around her shoulders in comfort.
Dean noticed the sudden awkwardness in the air among the newbies and leaned down to Chloe's ear. "Is he talking about the previous Slayer?"
"Yes," she whispered. Her gaze focused on the youngest of the people in her apartment.
Dawn met Chloe's gaze. "Buffy was my sister," she said quietly.
Xander squeezed Dawn close to him, looking up at Dean. "She would be the dead chick you mentioned earlier."
Dean actually winced at the snap in Xander's voice and looked down. "Sorry, dude," he said slowly. He snaked an arm around Chloe, holding her close to him.
Giles cleared his throat. "Right," he said. "I could go on, but I get the impression you're not ready for what I have to say." Either of them, he realized.
"It's kind of late," Chloe said, glancing at the clock. "Maybe we should just call it a night. I do appreciate you guys all coming out here. I..." She glanced at Dean, then back at Giles. "Should probably head out patrolling, though."
"We could help," Tara spoke up, her voice soft. She offered Chloe and Dean a small smile. "We're kind of used to doing that."
Dean smiled back at the shy woman and looked at Chloe. "What do you think? I have to go find Sammy anyways. Could use some backup after this," he raised his wounded arm slightly.
Chloe hesitated slightly, every instinct within her wanting to say no. But the look on Xander's face is what convinced her otherwise. She had a feeling he was every bit as hard-headed as Dean. "Just...be careful. I've got weapons in my room. Take whatever you'd like."
Xander's face lit up as he jumped up and immediately headed down the hall. "I've got the axe!" he yelled, not giving the Slayer a chance to have second thoughts.
Willow stood a little more slowly and laughed. "He likes the weapons, what can I say?" She and Tara followed Xander into Chloe's bedroom for some stakes.
"Perhaps I should take Dawn and get some hotel rooms," Giles suggested, standing up.
Dean nodded in approval. "Sounds like a good idea, right?" He cast an uncertain glance at Chloe.
"Yeah, that's--"
"I wanna help." Dawn's voice was quiet and she looked at Giles, folding her arms across her chest.
"Dawn, I really need your help researching," Giles replied softly. "You know how dangerous it can get out there."
"He's right, Dawn," Chloe said softly. "And...I didn't have the privilege of knowing your sister, but...I wouldn't want my sister out there."
Dawn looked away, biting her lower lip.
Giles hugged Dawn as they started for the door. "Is there a hotel nearby where we can all get rooms?" he asked, looking between Dean and Chloe.
Dean nodded. "There's one about a mile from here. It's not the greatest place in the world, but it's livable." He noticed the other three enter the main room wielding all manner of weapons. "Seems the cavalry is anxious to go kill," he said with a smirk.
"And somehow I think they're not the only ones," Chloe responded, looking at him sideways.
"I think I'll go back to the hotel. I really have no desire to die tonight," Anya said, standing up.
Xander blinked at his fiancée, as if remembering she was there. "Oh sure, hon, you go on ahead. I'll pound the big evil for you, too."
Dean looked at Chloe and grinned. "I can feel your excitement too... Chlo." He whispered in her ear and gently kissed her neck just below it.
Her eyes drifted shut as she shivered involuntarily at his action. That was much too distracting for her liking. Except she did like it. A lot.
"Yes, well. Don't die," Anya told him before following Giles and Dawn out the door.
"No, An," Xander called to her as he watched Giles, Dawn, and Anya leave the apartment. He then turned to Dean and Chloe. "So, what needs killing in this town?"
Dean laughed a little as he took Chloe's hand in his. "Yeah, you look about as ready as a really strong..." Chloe gave him a look and his voice trailed off.
Tara hid another smile. "If this is a hellmouth I'm sure we won't have much trouble...finding trouble," she said, glancing at Willow and heading for the door.
"Be careful," Chloe said quietly, feeling unsettled at the idea of strangers going out after the things that went bump in the night.
"Don't worry," Xander said to Chloe, seeing the worried look in her eyes. "We've been doing this a long time. Besides, got two powerful witches here who got my back, so..."
"Witches?" Dean asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Huh. Have to talk shop with you sometime."
Willow smiled at Dean, nodding in agreement as the three of them left the apartment.
Letting out a breath as the last of the newbies left her apartment, Chloe glanced at Dean. "Well that was an experience..."
Raking a hand through his short hair, Dean breathed in deeply and looked at her. "Yeah, and remind me to kill Sammy when I see him again, since he got all them here."
She smiled a little. "You ready to head out?"
"Oh, ready and waiting, baby," he replied with a wink, following her out the door. He was suddenly worked up in several ways and looked forward to killing something and then finding Sam.