SAM

The tension grew and grew between Sam and Anya, but he didn't stop her from standing up and nervously reach out to touch him. He stood there letting her do what she felt she had to before he lifted his hand up and placed it over hers that was on his neck. He didn't move it, just kept it placed ontop, looking down at her due to their height difference. He gave her a smile as so many thoughts began to run through his head, thoughts that matched hers. He lifted his other arm up and wrapped it round her waist, pulling her closer to him before raising it, clutching the back of her neck to pull her face closer. He couldn't resist what he wanted anymore so he leaned down and kissed her. Hile kept his grip on her firmly but not tightly. He didn't want to hurt her after all. Kissing her felt like the right move to do even though he couldn't figure out exactly why.

It had been such a long time since he felt anything for anyone or wanted to get close to anyone. All rationale just went straight out the window when it came to wanting to be close to Anya. Dean may have half lectured him from earlier but something in his heart told him that Mika would have encouraged him to try and be happy with someone. She always was the more rational one out those two when it came to these things, certainly the more romantic one.

After a few moments he briefly pulled away from her, opening his eyes and looking at her, searching for any kind of response from her.

LEXI

She paused getting out of the car when Dean pulled her hand back for another kiss on her knuckles when she noticed he stopped himself mid sentence, but she knew exactly what he was about to tell her. The way he paused, it seemed pretty clear why he interrupted his own words. He must have said the same thing to the woman he lost. She gave him a soft understanding smile and let him change his words, "I will" she replied, leaning a road and just kissing his cheek to silently tell him she would stay safe. Getting out of the car, she walked over to the figure ahead of her, going up to him casually before quietly speaking, "occultnerd333?" She questioned his identity, to which she watched him look around as if there were people spying on him everywhere before giving a nod. "Yeah" he replied.

"Expecting company?" She asked him with a smile to show she was asking non seriously. "you can never be careful" he replied, "so what's the leads you got?" He asked her, getting straight to the point. "okay...straight to business, I can admire that I guess" she replied, purposely dragging it out so she could suss out the type of person he was.

"Stop wasting my time" he commented, "or I'm gonna just go" he added, his hands clenching together in his pockets and Lexi recognised that body language. He either had a firearm in his pocket or he was getting to punch her. "Look, I'm only trying to Sus you out before I give you information that once you know? There's no coming back from. I don't make it a ha it of mine to bring new people in that life" she explained calmly, lightly holding her hands in defence but not to be a signal to Dean. The guy looked passed her and saw Dean's car, "you didn't come alone" he pointed out, before noticing she was armed herself, not to mention the necklace round her neck seemed pretty expensive to him.

That's when he made his move, "I need to know where the Colt is" he demanded, completely changing his behaviour. "Like I told you, I only got leads but don't have it. It's also safer you don't obtain it. You don't look like the type to be able to handle it" she said, which just seemed annoy the guy as he kissed his teeth then went to swing his fist at her. She quickly dodged out the way, making him only clip the side of her face, but nothing serious or to make a bruise. "Wrong move asshole" she said, giving him her own right hook right into his jaw. Dazed that she had such a strong punch, he stumbled back enough to allow her to grab the back of his jacket and smack his head on the roof of his car.

"I really wouldn't piss me off. I've fought tougher guys than you and come out fine. So if I was you, I'd go back to what little dank squat you're living in and stay off the dark web." She leaned in and whispered in his ear. she gave e his head one more hit to make him drop to the ground before leaving him alone and headed back to the car, getting in. "well that was useless..." She said with a light huff, shaking her fist.

For a split second, Anya was afraid that Sam was going to pull away from her and tell her not to touch him, even though he didn’t move. His hand touching hers sent her heart aflutter once again, and she watched his fingers briefly, to see if he was going to peel her hand away from him.

When he didn’t, and instead pulled her closer to him, their chests pressed tightly together, Anya smiled into the incoming kiss. This one felt different than the first. There was still a bit of nervousness, but they were on the same page. She could feel it the second his lips touched hers and she stood on the tips of her toes as his hand reached the back of her neck.

As he pulled away from her, she chased his lips, her eyes still closed as took a deep breath, not even realizing she had been holding it in the first place. It was then that she once again wished she could talk. She wanted to say something, anything…

Instead, she smiled brightly, and leaned back in, taking his bottom lip between her teeth with a giggle, before kissing him again. She pulled them back toward the table, and carefully sat herself against it, pulling him between her knees so they could be impossibly close.



Dean leaned over against the window, putting his hand over his mouth as he watched Lexi approach the weird guy all by herself. Every fiber of his being wanted to jump out of the car and follow her, even if it meant the guy would clam up. At least she would be safe. As he watched them speak, his free hand tapped at the handle on his door.

“Don’t do anything stupid…” He grumbled at the guy, even though the guy couldn’t hear him. But then the guy turned and looked at the car and Dean tensed. This was either about to go way downhill, or Lexi would take care of it swiftly, judging by the guy’s body language.

Then the guy made a move, and Dean instantly pulled the door handle, opening the door a bit while watching as Lexi took care of the kid in a pretty quick order. He waited, making sure she would be okay, and as she slammed the kid on his car, Dean winced and smirked.

“There you go…” He cheered her on quietly, as Lexi dropped him and turned to the car. He closed the door of the car and settled into his seat, waiting for her to get back in. As soon as she did, Dean smiled over at her and laughed softly. “Maybe. But you almost killed that kid. It went about how we expected, honestly…minus him having the balls to actually make a move. What an idiot.”

Dean pulled his phone from the middle seat and sighed, “Time to break the news to the kids. Are you good? He missed, right?”

He asked his question with a raised eyebrow, narrowing his eyes protectively as he glanced over at her and pressed the number for Sam’s phone. He placed it on speaker and frowned when it rang more than twice. Sam’s phone was never out of reach. Half the time it was in his hand. How dare he not pick up? He was alone in the bunker with a stranger that was sweet on his ass, for what reason Dean couldn’t even begin to think of, and he wasn’t answering his phone?

LEXI

Dean smiling at her when Lexi got back into the car made her smile back, feeling rather proud of herself even if she maybe went a bit far in making a point. "Shouldn't have swung for me. 'sides, I made sure to hit his head in a spot that wouldn't kill him, he'll just have one hell of a headache for a while" she smirked. She wouldn't have killed the guy unless he had seriously put her own life in danger, but she really was done with being lied to.

She let him pull his phone to tell Sam and Anya what they discovered before nodding, "I'm fine, he missed thanks to my quick reflexes. Just slight cramp in my fist" she told him, letting him try and call Sam. She could see how protectively he was looking her over so all she did was give him a look that said 'honestly, I am fine I promise'. She really was made of tough stuff when it came idiotic humans who tried to scam her. She also didn't risk speaking in case Sam answered the phone, as even she knew that he tends to answer rather quickly.

Yet it seemed this wasn't to be the case this time round as Dean was looking perplexed as why Sam was letting his phone just ring and ring. She gave him a confused look as he still kept hoping Sam would answer. "He never leaves his phone to ring..." she said to him quietly, just as confused as he was.

SAM

Sam was aware that she had to go on her tiptoes to be able to kiss him back and it made her all the more endearing to him, tempting even. It didn't get any less tempting when she chased his lips as he pulled away just enough for some air. He looked at her, searching her eyes for anything to tell him about what was going to be the next move in this situation. He was worried he made the wrong move until he saw her smile broadly and lean back in to kiss him once more.

He smirked into the kiss as she bit his bottom lip slightly, guiding him to the table. He helped her instinctively to sit on the table top, gladly following her lead and standing between her legs so they could get closer to each other where he wrapped his hands on either side of her face, kissing her passionately. It had felt like so long since he felt anything like this with anyone, that need for another human being to be close to.

He didn't even realise his phone was ringing on the table for the first four rings. The noise of his phone just being mentally muted out of his ears until it suddenly broke through, making him pull away from her reluctantly. "I...gotta...answer that" he said, kissing her in between each word. Managing to stay away from her lips, he reached over her and grabbed his phone seeing it was Dean calling him.

He groaned and gathered himself mentally before finally picking up. "Hey Dean, whats up?" he answered.

Anya frowned as Sam pulled away from her, her eyes telling him to leave his phone. Most likely it was Dean, either being nosey or continuing his rant from earlier, which seemed the most likely case to her, rather than him being in danger or anything. She chased Sam’s lips for a brief second, until he picked up his phone and she smirked, leaning back on her hands.

She could tell, in his voice, that he was flustered and trying to straighten himself up so Dean wouldn’t notice. She also knew the timer for the oven would be dinging at any moment and their time together would come to an end…the second Dean got back.

She pulled her phone from behind her, where she had ditched it on the table and typed out a message, playing it with a slight shrug.

“Is he still pissed at us?”



Dean was tempted to look Lexi’s hand over, as he waited for Sam to answer the phone. But the look on her face told him to drop it, and he rolled his eyes, frowning and looking down at his lap as his anxiety rose with every trill of the phone. He opened his mouth to double down on Lexi’s observation of Sam not having his phone in his hand when Sam answered, “I know. He…Sam what the hell, man? Since when do you not answer your phone?”

Dean raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer, when he heard Anya’s phone speak to Sam in the background and closed his eyes in annoyance, “Ah. You guys are awful close, I hear. Well, if you care, Lexi and I came up with nothing. Dude was just a basement dwelling dweeb who wanted to take a shot at her, and got his face bashed in for it. So, we’re on our way back.”

Dean was well aware that he sounded like a jealous and ignored girlfriend at that moment, but after what had happened to Mika, the idea of either of them getting close to anyone made him nervous, especially this fast. Sam had just met the girl. He refused to acknowledge the hypocrisy of it all, instead turning the engine over and glancing to Lexi for girl advice in advance, “So, is she staying the night or what? I know we said she needed to be on lockdown with us, but we have a lot of work to do.”

SAM

The moment he answered the phone, he wished he hadn't. Hearing Dean practically yell at him for not picking up his phone quickly enough made him roll his eyes before he smirked at what Anya said. It did seem Dean was still a little angry but this time it was more directed at him more than at Anya. His smirk went from his face when he continued to listen to Dean complaining like a jealous partner. "Dean, you know we do care about what you found or in this case, not found. Not surprised to hear Lexi bashed his head in. She's uhh...rather forward when it comes to people pissing her off. And yes Dean, we're close because we're both in the kitchen getting some food and drinks if you MUST know. Actually making food, that's why I was slow to answer, so stop acting like a jealous girlfriend. It's weird man! Focus on Lexi, not us" he said before hanging up so Dean couldn't come back at him for what he said.

Placing his phone down on the table again, he looked at Anya, "they're on their way back. The lead proved a dud, Lexi got pissed off, best the guy up for whatever reason." He explained in short what Dean told him. The most important thing was that she knew the hard truth their lead came up blank, but it wasn't the end of their job, that much he knew for sure.

LEXI

As it seemed Sam finally answered, Lexi just remained quiet as she let Dean complain about Sam's delay in picking up the phone. She couldn't help but smirk, amused at how Dean was reacting. It was so over the top jealousy it was honestly amusing to her. She knew there was clearly a reason for him acting this way but she couldn't say exactly or for certain why- she could only guess. She edited for their conversation to come to an end and when it did, she saw Dean's look towards her- needed advice on how to deal with the Anya situation.

His question only confirmed what she thought and it made her smile at him, "she's staying Dean. I'll even make her up a bed myself and have a chat with her if you would find that more reassuring. But look, and I mean this in the nicest possible way imaginable-" she began to say, reaching out his hands, "they're adults. What they do or do not do is not our business. She's a sweet girl, he's a caring guy. If there's attraction between those two good looking people then there's attraction. And 'sides, we can hardly say much now ..can we?" She explained to him, calling him out but being tactful about it, whilst also hunting about their own attraction to each other.

She gave his hands a squeeze before reluctantly letting go, "so let's get back, relax and maybe I don't know..get to know the girl a bit before assuming she'll steal your brother's soul first opportune moment" she smirked with a soft chuckle, leaning over and kissing his cheek then patting it with her hand, as she looked him in the eyes, her smile not leaving her face.

Anya listened to Sam’s conversation with Dean, raising her eyebrows as it seemed that Dean was asking about her and Sam being close to one another. She rolled her eyes at the jealousy she could feel oozing from the chattering on the other end. Dean was terrified of losing Sam, in some way, not that Anya would ever leave this place…if she was close to Sam.

She smirked as Sam called Dean out on his jealousy, and then watched Sam hang up the phone and lay it to the side. She looked back up at him with a soft sigh, and reached back for her own phone. Her heart dropped as he said that the lead was nothing special, but she held it together, placing a hand on his chest as she typed with her other hand.

“Well. Then we keep working until we find something, right? I don’t mind sticking around.” She pressed play, and turned her eyes up to Sam’s with a small smile, reassuring him through her own disappointment. As she watched his face, the timer on the oven dinged, causing her to flinch and press against his chest to scoot him back. She climbed off the table, dropping her phone on the cutting board on her way by, and walked over to the oven, grabbing a glove and popping it open. She pulled both trays from the oven and let it close, before turning back to Sam. She sat the trays on the cutting board and then picked up her phone, typing again, “Maybe he will calm down over dinner.”



Dean turned to Lexi as Sam hung up on him, holding his phone out with an incredulous scowl on his face. He couldn’t believe that Sam wouldn’t even give him the chance for a rebuttal on this. But when Lexi called him out, he narrowed his eyes, realizing that he was in this alone with his feelings. Any other time, he would have fought tooth and nail to prove that he was right, but he was starting to see that not only was he out numbered, but that they may have a point about his paranoia.

Dean took Lexi’s hands as she reached for his, and snarled his nose a bit at the mental image her words brought up. He didn’t even want to think about what Sam would do with someone as seemingly sweet as Anna, alone…

But her last words about the situation caused him to tilt his head with raised eyebrows. She was right. It would be hypocritical of them both to tell Sam not to shoot his shot, when they had been in Hell all day keeping their hands to themselves. “You’re right…” he muttered, as she let go of his hands.

With a deep breath, he took in her suggestion to try and relax when they got back, get to know Anya and try to vibe with the situation. He mulled it over in his brain, raising his eyebrows as she kissed his cheek. He turned to look at her once again, fighting the urge to kiss her in his hypocrisy, as he stared into her eyes and matched her smile with a smaller one of his own.

“Fine. But I’m gonna keep an eye on her.”

SAM

Sam noticed Anya smirk as he called his brother out, and he knew in that moment that if she did stick around she would see how much they call each other out or wind each other up for each other's amusement. He also had a feeling that she would eventually gel with the other two and fit in quite well, but of course he didn't plan on forcing her to stick around if she ever chose to leave.

When he saw her face drop into disappointment at the news of what Dean and Lexi found out, he felt so sorry for her. He really had hoped they would find something out for her, to give her anything that would even hint at an answer she so desperately wanted. He listened to her phone after she typed out her reply, almost not even thinking of it as a separate thing to her, and just seeing it as her talking like anyone else. Her determination to keep trying until they did find something was admirable. It was a trait he hadn't seen in someone for a while, as he didn't count Lexi's need to keep hunting to hide from her grief that he had witnessed. This felt different and it was almost contagious as he felt if she was determined to keep going, then so was he.

The ding from the oven, brought his attention back to the reason they were initially in the kitchen for. He gladly stepped back as she motioned for him to do so, letting her walk to the oven and watched as she took the food out and onto the cutting board on the counter. "It smells amazing Anya!" he told her honestly, it really did smell great and he figured if this didn't go towards getting into Dean's good books when he and Lexi returned, then he wasn't sure what she could do to get him on her side.

"Hopefully they won't be long and I have a feeling he will be. He usually is" he replied to her.

LEXI

It was no surprise to her that he didn't like the fact she also called him out after Sam clearly did. But she couldn't side with him if that wasn't what she truly believed. She never liked lying unless it was for work purposes as she felt it put her in a bad light amongst hunters and most importantly, those she cared about. Dean was becoming rapidly someone she cared about so she didn't ever want to lie to him about anything. Yet, she would never invalidate his feelings either.

When he took in what she was telling him, she was so tempted to say 'sorry what was that?' just to make him repeat that she was right but she could read his body language and decided against it. She knew how to read a room and now wasn't the exact moment to make such a quip at his expense. She wanted to try and cheer him up and make him feel better, not upset him more or make him close up more. Letting him mull over her suggestion, she sat back after kissing his cheek, but she had to look at him when she felt his eyes on her.

Seeing him at least attempt a smile back to her made her feel less bad about calling him out moments ago. She let him speak and was glad that he was willing to at least give Anya a chance even if it meant keeping an eye on the girl. "Okay, keep an eye on her but first..." she began to speak before leaning in and just kissing him. She couldn't hold it back anymore, she tried with the kiss on his cheek earlier, but it was no good. She NEEDED to kiss him again. Letting it linger for a moment before pulling away, she stroked his cheek, "lets go back" she suggested softly.

Anya smiled brightly as Sam complimented the smell of her cooking. It was something she always took pride in, even if she wasn’t able to do it much anymore. She couldn’t get many jobs with her disability, but she could keep people comfortable, and she could be a steady hand for those around her, which she always took as a heavy responsibility. One way, was by feeding them, which she was eager to do for Dean. He would warm up to her, whether he liked it or not.

She didn’t even bother slicing the pie, setting it aside and then cutting into the cheeseburger casserole she had made specially for Dean. Getting him a horde of meat in his stomach might make him feel a bit better. Wash it down with beer and he would be in such a food coma, he wouldn’t be able to bitch about anything.

She picked up her phone and typed a simple message with a silent giggle, “I fully intend to put him to sleep. Peace will be had.”



Dean smirked as Lexi agreed that he could at least keep an eye on Anya, but when she left off on ‘but first’, Dean raised his eyebrows, raising them almost into his hairline as she kissed him and his eyes fell closed. He kissed her back, absentmindedly bringing a hand up to cradle her chin and tilt her face a bit more. Either she had felt the need, or she felt how hard it was for him to keep to himself. Either way, she had kissed him, and if she wasn’t careful, there was no way they were going to make it back to the bunker.

As if reading his mind, she pulled away and Dean let his eyes open, his gaze a bit lazy and dazed as he stared down at her eyes. Her suggestion to head back seemed so weird and out of place in his buzzing brain, like a hard reset and he forgot that he was even upset as he cleared his throat, dropped his hand and turned to the steering wheel.

“Right. Yeah. Let’s get back. I need a beer.” Dean stammered, starting the car and quickly backing up out of the slim alley they had parked in. As soon as he was on the main road, the tires squealed as he peeled out, wanting to get back home as quick as they could.



As Dean pulled into the drive of the bunker, and the power gate opened, letting them in, he turned his head and awkwardly smirked toward Lexi, “You know…now I’m gonna feel like a hypocrite if I say anything to them. I mean, I still have my reasons to be weirded out by Sam…hanging out with women outside of work or whatever.”

He paused as he parked and turned the car off, “But I’ll try to play nice. For all we know, they’ve been playing chess all night.”

SAM

Seeing Anya smile brightly at his compliment made him smile all the more. She really was a breath of fresh air in this bunker and he was glad that although Dean had a couple of moments of being a grumpy older brother, she still wanted to stick around and even try and show Dean she wasn't some crazed maniac who needed to be booted out of the bunker as soon as he got back. Looking at the pie she had made, he was honestly so impressed and knew if Dean wasn't impressed? Then Lexi certainly would be as it would mean she wouldn't be the only one who was a very capable cook in this place. Even if it was possibly a temporary thing.

He was even impressed by the smell and look of the casserole she mad specially for Dean, knowing that should make him one very happy man and if it didn't then there was no hope for his brother. When she typed out and let him know what she was thinking, he couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping his lips. "If he doesn't fall asleep after all this I think my brother might actually be an alien" he joked back to her.

LEXI

The moment Dean had tilted her head a bit to kiss her back more, she knew like he did, it would be dangerous if neither of them pulled away soon. She didn't want to pull back, she wanted to continue feeling his lips upon hers, his hand on her chin. She wanted to reach out, lay her hands on him and not break a part until it was far too late for them to go back. So she knew in that moment she had no choice, she had to pull away and suggest they headed back even though it was a complete turn around in attitude.

She bit her bottom lip at the corner as she forced herself to sit back in her seat and let him drive back to the bunker, desperate to behave herself even though this pull he had on her was difficult to ignore. She also couldn't help but keep thinking there were most definitely worse cars to hook up in the back of.

---A BIT LATER---

When they got back to the bunker, Lexi was glad to be back. It also never failed to impress her the way they came in and all the old classic cars that were there but clearly not the Winchester Boys'. She looked at him when Dean turned to her and said how he feels like he'd be a total hypocrite now if he says anything to Sam and Anya. She couldn't help but smirk, feeling like her initial plan in kissing him worked a treat, even if after their lips touched it became a much more selfish reason.

"That's all I can ask for. Play nice, be civil and not weird around her. Sam is a nerd, it wouldn't ever surprise me if I saw him suddenly playing chess, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he dived straight into a book to find another lead" she said back to him, cranking the passenger door open and placing one booted foot out of it.

She got out of the car and closed the door behind her, not really bothered if she left her duffel in his trunk or not as she just headed straight to the door to staircase that took them into the bunker. Opening it, she leaned in and saw no sign below of Sam at the war room or at a bookcase so she decided to call out instead. "Sam!? We're back!"

Sam heard the faint sound of Lexi's voice and pushed himself off the table edge, stepping out of the kitchen, "in the kitchen!" he called back. With that heard, Lexi stood back up straight and looked back at Dean, "they're in the kitchen and there's one hell of an amazing smell in the air. So one or both of them has cooked since we've been out" she told him with her signature smile.

Anya laughed at Sam’s response to her joke, realizing that they both had a very similar sense of humor that was begging for unspoken language…her favorite. For a while, as they waited for Dean and Lexi to get back, Anya simply buzzed around the kitchen, cleaning up the mess and making sure that there were plates ready. As the distant sound of the upstairs door opening caught her ear, she listened closely for the voice that followed, a bit nervous for Dean to walk in.

But when Lexi’s voice rang out, Anya smirked as Sam called back to her. She couldn’t wait for Dean to see all the food, but she was still a bit nervous. She stepped over to the fridge and pulled a beer for Dean, standing next to Sam with it in her hand, an invitation of civility.



Dean tilted his head as Lexi said that Sam might have just been reading up on leads all night. She wasn’t wrong. Sam would stay up until the early hours of the morning combing lore if he needed to find something to finish a case. This case was a little less like their normal ones, but if Sam cared about this girl at all, he was probably obsessing over it.

He stepped out of the car and closed the door, scratching the back of his head as he followed Lexi toward the doorway. They could unpack the car later on, or just bring some more crap out to throw in the trunk. As they stepped through the doorway, the smell of meat and butter hit Dean’s nose, and he raised his eyebrows. It smelled heavenly and he was starving. As Lexi called out for Sam, Dean combed the bookshelves, trying to find any sign of his brother, only to hear his voice from the kitchen.

“Well…that doesn’t make me feel any better.” Dean answered Lexi, her smile piercing through his brain. He couldn’t get enough of seeing it, especially when it had mischief behind it. He sighed, and reached out, pinching her chin with a chuckle. “Fine. If there’s food, I’m at least good until I’m full.”

With that, he stepped away from her and led the way down the stairs. He made his way quickly across the war room and stepped into the kitchen, stopping just inside the doorway as his eyes fell on Anya, standing sweetly with a beer in her hand. Dean glanced up at Sam, a slight look of distrust on his face. He scanned his brother’s face and glanced past them both to the food, “Did you do all this? This is what you’ve been doing since we’ve been gone?”

Anya nodded, not having her phone in her hand to explain further. Dean sighed, and stepped toward her, taking the beer from her hand. “You know what? Bring me a plate and we can…talk, all of us. It looks and smells great.”

Anya smiled up at him as he complimented her cooking. She quickly turned on the ball of her right foot and grabbed a plate, beginning to load it up with food for Dean.

“What is it with you bringing home girls that can cook? You know that if you feed me…I can’t kick them out.” Dean said to Sam, his face serious but pained, as if he was trying to find any way to complain about the situation.

SAM

Sam let Anya go to the fridge and when she pulled out a beer, he guessed that it was either for herself or for Dean, considering how determined she seemed to be at getting Dean on her side. He stood waiting for the two of them after Lexi had called out to him to find out where they were in the bunker, soon spotting them coming into the kitchen.

He watched as Dean came on in first and smirked at his surprise that there was home cooked food ready to be served. "yes Anya did it all...mostly for you I should add" he clarified after Anya gave him a smiley nod. He saw she didn't have her phone in reach, so he figured he would confirm it for her. He watched as Dean walked up to her and took the beer from her hand that she offered him, glad that he was at least trying to be nice.

It was a relief that he was willing to talk with her, even if it meant the food has to be the bribe. It was a start at least. He looked at his brother when he got asked about bringing girls back who could cook and sniggered at his lousy attempt to find something to complain about.

"I didn't know Anya could until she mentioned it and insisted on cooking. But I say we're pretty lucky for it" he replied with a smirk. He then walked over to the plates and grabbed some food for himself before heading to the table and sitting down.

LEXI

Dean initially not liking that they couldn't see Sam and Anya from the top of the staircase and doorway made her want to roll her eyes. They were at a weird angle so it didn't surprise her they couldn't see much.

She smiled more when he reached up and pinched her chin lightly, whilst being amused at the whole thought of Sam and Anya in the kitchen. The smell of good food drawing him in. "Good" she replied simply, following him down stairs and into the kitchen where she saw the sight before her. It seemed they really did go all out and it was getting some kind of seal of approval from Dean.

She listened as the brothers and Anya spoke between themselves, whilst she hoovered behind but still very much in the kitchen. Whilst she hoovered, she grabbed a clean glass and went to the fridge so she could grab a soda instead of a beer. She had drunk enough alcohol for the time being and she felt the need to just drink something different until the next alcoholic beverage called her name.

She smirked to herself when Dean pointed out Sam's ability to bring home women who really knew how to cook. He wasn't exactly wrong even if it was a desperate attempt to complain. "Like Sam says...count yourself lucky on the food department with us or we may just make the most disgusting meal next time" she teased, giving Anya a wink to show she was just messing about and on the girl's side.

Grabbing a plate, she went to the table and sat down, impressed with what Anya managed to concoct from the groceries Dean and herself had earlier purchased. "well considering this big lug hasn't said it yet, I will. Thank you Anya, this is very kind of you to do" she said honestly, whilst giving Dean a light jab in his side.

Anya smiled at Dean’s attempt to complain, shaking her head as she made her own plate, and then picked up both plates and turned to the table. As she passed Lexi, she returned her wink with a silent giggle. She already liked Lexi, as she seemed a really good ally to have, when it came to Dean. Anya could tell Dean was sweet on the lady.

She sat Dean’s plate on the table, placing hers on the other side, and then jogged back across the kitchen, swiping her phone from the counter top. As she walked back over to the table, she saw Dean sit down at what he would probably consider the ‘head of the table’, at first. Then he picked up his chair and moved it to sit on one of the flat sides, inviting Lexi to sit next to him silently. Anya smiled and she grabbed her plate, and sat it next to Sam’s, taking her seat as Lexi thanked her the food. As Anya sat down, she smiled shyly and pulled her phone up, typing a simple, “You’re welcome. I just wanted everyone to have a good meal, even if today sucked.”



Dean rolled his eyes at Sam’s sweet little answer to his complaining. He hated not being right, and at the moment, it seemed he wasn’t right about Anya. When Lexi chimed in and told him he should count himself lucky, he mocked her, rocking his head side to side, before taking his beer to the table. He sat down at one of the small edges first, and then decided that if they were going to be paired up like high schoolers, he might as well sit next to Lexi. He stood up and moved his chair around to sit across from Sam, sitting down with a huff.

Anya bringing his plate to him was a bit of a surprise, too. He raised his hands off the table as she sat it in front of him, the smell of the food nearly causing him to close his eyes and growl. It did look really good, and it smelled like heaven. As Lexi joined him, and Anya took her place next to Sam, Dean looked around at all of them, trying to find something to say.

But then Lexi chimed in again, nudging his ribs with her elbow to force his hand to say ‘thanks’ for the food. “Um…yeah! Yeah, Anya, this all looks really good. I appreciate it.”

Her message playing over her phone made him raise an eyebrow. At least it was a little easier to communicate with her, without all the white boards and sign language. Although, knowing his brother, that wouldn’t last long. Sam would learn ASL faster than anyone has ever learned a language if those blue eyes of hers broke through to him and asked him to. Dean nodded toward Anya’s phone and took a drink of his beer, “So, if you have that, why do you use sign language?”

Without missing a beat, Anya rolled her eyes as Dean took a bit of food and closed his eyes, as if in heaven. The food was really…really good. As he came down from the surprise of the food tasting amazing, Anya was already pressing play on her phone, and her response caused Dean to frown at her wit. The frown quickly turned in to a smirk, and he shook his head, before glancing up at Sam with a look that said ‘you better be careful with that one. She’s quick.’

“Because, Einstein. When I was a kid, we didn’t exactly have magical talking boxes to just type our conversations into. It was either learn to write well enough to communicate, and get hand cramps, or sign language…also with the hand cramps. I prefer the phone. Don’t you?”

“Yeah. Yeah I think I do…” Dean chuckled, taking another bite of food.

SAM

Sam couldn't help but feel quite amused by the way it seemed even Lexi was siding with him and Anya, if the wink to Anya had anything to go by. Seeing the way Anya smiled and giggled at Lexi told him that the two girls would get along fine and if anyone could convince Dean Anya was a good person, it would be Lexi. She always did have a good sense about people from the odd job he worked with her after pulling her out of her house.

Once sat at the table, he gave his brother a side glance as he witnessed Dean move his chair to sit next to Lexi. The action he hadn't seen in a long time and it honestly amused him to the point he couldn't hide the smirk from quickly appearing on his lips then forcing it go away. The smirk only reappeared though when he noticed Lexi nudging Dean in the ribs to say thank you to Anya. It seemed that the longer the two of them were around each other, the more Lexi was able to whip Dean back into place again.

He began to eat himself, listening to the chit chat go around the table and he almost choked on his mouthful when Anya managed to be quick with her whip back at Dean about his question. He looked at his brother and caught the smirk, giving him a discreet nod. He may not have known that Dean was thinking how quickly Sam would take it upon himself to learn ASL, but that was something that went through Sam's mind. He knew a couple of real basic signs thanks to various media or what he had picked up from people watching, but if Anya was to be around for a while, he didn't think it would hurt to seriously learn more.

LEXI

Her nudge making Dean actually be civil and polite made Lexi feel rather proud of herself. she didn't doubt that he would eventually say thank you to Anya, but the sooner he said it, the more light the air would be around them all at the dinner table. She didn't want to come across as bossing him about, but she did want him to lighten up a bit and make some effort like he promised her he would.

Seeing his face as he ate the food made her smile. Good food really was the key to his trust and heart it seemed. She smiled as they began to chat, even if Dean's question was rather forward. She was ready to give him 'seriously?' look when Anya was completely on top of it and ahead of them all. Her comeback made Lexi laugh, having to cover her mouth as she did so. The quick wit of the girl was so amazing to witness.

Finally, another woman who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and be herself around new people. She really was going to like Anya if this was her authentic self. "She got you there Dean" she chuckled between mouthfuls of food. It was so nice to be having this interaction with people again, barely remembering the last time she could just have a laugh with people around a table with a good hearty meal. She could have almost fooled herself into thinking they weren't three hunters trying to help this woman out if she let herself believe it long enough.

Anya smirked as Lexi stated that her comeback to Dean was a deep cut, but judging from Dean’s face, he seemed more impressed by her, than he was offended. Dean turned his eyes back to his food, shoving more of it in his mouth as he thought about his next words.

“So, we came up empty on the Colt, but I have to ask, what exactly do you think becoming a hunter is going to solve for you? Not getting heavy, just asking.” Dean asked, now that Anya could speak to him a little easier using her phone, instead of paper or her hands. Anya didn’t seemed as bothered by the question as Dean expected, and he took another bite as she typed on her phone.

“My dad was killed and it seems like every time I get close to someone, they end up dead. I am always the one who survives. If I have that much good luck, I figured I might as well help people with it.”

“And you think that hunting is about luck? What about your voice? You can’t even scream for help if you’re on your own, or get separated from whoever you’re with. How would you work through that?” Dean asked, his voice genuinely concerned, as if he was considering her request, but wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into.

Anya nodded, thought for a moment, before glancing up at Sam. She then typed on her phone and raised her eyebrows at Dean as if to ask if her answer was sufficient, “I could always wear a whistle around my neck. Airhorn maybe?”

“A whistle. Well that would be a new one…” Dean chuckled, glancing up at his brother for a moment, before back at Anya. “Alright. Since you’re obviously not going to kill my brother and take over the bunker, I’ll make a deal with you.”

Anya raised her eyebrows and listened a little more intently, as Dean finished off the main course of his food and scooted his slice of pie over to the middle of his plate, before pointing his fork at her.

“If we find the colt, I’m not willing to give it over to a demon…not for anything. But I would be willing to make sure you have what you need to use it on the son of a bitch, yourself. Full backup from the three of us. But you’re gonna have to hit the books, the range…all of it. And we’ve gotta fatten you up a bit. Those tiny arms are not gonna get you far with demons.” Dean explained, and Anya nodded, suddenly excited and her demeanor not aggressive at all. It tugged at something in Dean’s heart. He turned back to his food, breaking his gaze from her face to take a bit, before mumbling, “And you’re gonna have to find a tattoo shop and…protect yourself. Sam can take you.”

SAM AND LEXI

Both Sam and Lexi smirked and gave each other a well known secret look between them when they witnessed Dean just shovel the food into his mouth. It was a look they would always give each other when both of them were amused by people's actions, and Dean eating like it was going to be the only meal he'll ever eat again was one of those times. Lexi silently chuckled when she broke the glance and continued eating when Dean spoke up again to Anya.

Though both of them had admit, his question was a valid one and something that they both had wondered themselves. Just Sam would never admit that to Dean or he knew he'd get the whole 'so why didn't you ask her yourself instead of playing tonsil tennis?' questions thrown at him. So all Sam and Lexi did was listen, curious to Anya's answer.

Her answer made Lexi feel sorry for the girl. Most hunters knew what that feeling was like. In their career, it was impossible to not lose numerous people they cared about. It was a curse of the job in Lexi's eyes and she was naive to think she could find someone she loved and wanted to marry whilst still being in the job. Her job was got her fiancée killed, so she knew where Anya was coming from. The only difference was Anya wasn't a hunter and may not have built coping mechanisms like they did. but Lexi most definitely didn't see it as lucky to be the sole survivor each and every time. She didn't know what she would class it as but it wasn't lucky.

Sam also listened and he was actually surprised that Dean wasn't being standoff-ish with Anya or rude. He was actually being considerate and just pointing out the truths of what it means to become a hunter. He was so used to seeing Dean drive people away from this lifestyle, that it seemed almost out of character for him to be even remotely considering helping Anya and accepting her wish.

Sam glanced back at Anya when she glanced at him and gave her a soft smile, letting her type out her reply and even he had to chuckle at the idea of a whistle round her neck or carrying an air horn. He and Lexi couldn't help but raise a slight eyebrow when Dean stayed he would give her a deal if Anya really was set on becoming a hunter.

He and Lexi both listened to what Dean was saying, both nodding in agreement over the statement of giving Anya backup in the form of the three of them. Lexi would even be willing to do sparring sessions and teach her how to defend herself better in a fight. "We can all help you" she spoke up, finishing her meal. "And Dean may say fatten you up, I say a few good sparring sessions to find your strengths and how to utilize your small frame to your advantage. We'll make a badass outta you in no time" she smiled.

Sam also smiled at their words before nodding, "and yeah, I'll take you to get protected, I can explain after we've eaten if you want" he told Anya, feeling thankful that both Lexi and Dean were being a lot more accommodating to Anya than he initially thought they would be.

Dean wasn’t sure he was making the right decision. He was more than adamant about not bringing new people into the life, especially those as young and bright eyed as Anya. He didn’t like watching their life fade from their eyes, the more they saw, and the more they survived by the skin of their teeth. But he was also of the opinion that he would rather her be there, around hunters she could trust, that would do everything in their power to keep her safe, than alone. Judging by Anya’s insistence, she would go off and do it anyway, if she left.

Anya glanced over at Dean, as he ate his pie and smiled softly as Lexi spoke up. The idea of training to be stronger, and a better fighter was exciting. She had never really worked out, outside of jogging, but she was willing to soak up anything they could teach her like a sponge, if she was going to become a hunter.

It was then that she wished she could speak even more, because she wanted to butt in on the conversation, and make sure that they didn’t think they had to hover. Dean glanced over and could see the expression on her face, “Not tonight. Tonight, we’ll get you a room, let you get unpacked and settled in.”

Anya nodded and pulled out her phone, hitting their comments beat by beat as she typed.

“I would love to learn how to fight. And I am fine with tattoos. It won’t be my first…” She pressed play on the first message, playing it while looking up at Sam with a small smile and then typed the next one, “As for unpacking, I need to head back to the motel in town at some point and grab my bags. I have a few clothes in my backpack, but not much.”

Dean smirked, nodding his head, “Hand your key over before you settle in and we can go grab your stuff in the morning. I’m sure me and Sam can come up with something for you to sleep in for the night, so you don’t have to sleep in jeans.”

“Why are you being nice to me?” Anya’s phone suddenly spoke up, and Dean froze for a moment, looking down at the phone that was still clinched in both of Anya’s hands.

“Because I thought about it, and I know for a fact that I would never let something like this slide. Revenge is a slippery slope, but I get it. You’re human and you seem like a good girl. I don’t want to see you get hurt…” Dean spoke honestly, turning his eyes away from Anya to look at Lexi. He smiled softly, truly conceding to the idea of keeping this girl safe. “We’ll play it as we go. You got Sam. I can tell.”

“Thank you guys. I think I’m gonna like it here.” Anya typed, and then went back to picking at her food with an awkward smile. Dean just chuckled and picked up his plate, walking it over to the sink.

SAM AND LEXI

Sam knew what a big deal it was for Dean to agree to help Anya and let her in this life. He knew the weight it held and what sacrifices it meant to become a hunter, all three of them did. It felt a bigger deal knowing that bringing in someone new was almost a bigger risk since they relatively recently lost Mika to the life. He was convinced that Dean would be adamant Anya was not to be a hunter after they lost Mika permanently, so to see him agreeing was one hell of a step forward.

He also agreed that tonight was to remain a relaxed night, and no sparring or training was to happen. He saw how elated Anya seemed to be at bringing accepted into the growing gang. He listened as Anya accepted Dean's terms, glad that she was fine about getting protected via the anti possession tattoo, which reminded him, he couldn't remember if Lexi had such protection or not. That was something he'd have to ask in the morning.

Lexi watched the three of them discuss everything over and saw how excited Anya was. She did smile at the sight but she had to hope that Anya wouldn't lose that smile when time came to really bringing her the hard times. She really hoped Anya would be strong enough to cope or this could go completely wrong. Seeing the two of them being nice to Anya made Lexi feel rather proud of Dean for keeping to his promise of being civil with the girl. "If the boys don't have anything have, I no doubt will" she chimed in about the clothes before looking towards Dean as he looked at her after his little speech.

Sam gave Dean and Lexi both a look of thanks at them being so open to all of this before gently taking Anya's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to say 'told you he'd come around'. Seeing the two of them be so sweet, Lexi couldn't help but smile once more, giving them both a friendly wink and then got up from her seat. Picking up her plate, she took it to the sink where Dean was and gently nudged him with her hip onto his. "proud of you" she whispered to him with her smile still firmly on her lips.

"So, shall we get a room set up for our young padawan?" She asked him with a light melodic chuckle, showing that she took had her little nerdy ways at times. She also just wanted to get Anya settled in so she could head to her own room to chill out. It had strangely been a long day and she was ready to kick her boots off and relax. Although she had a feeling she'd be thinking about Dean most of the time she stayed in her room alone.

Whilst she was there, Sam couldn't help but watch his friend and brother at the sink, there was definitely something there between them, even he could see it and it made him smile. "Chances of them not staying in their own rooms all night?" He whispered to Anya with an amused smirk.

Dean washed his plate and fork, his brain mulling over all of the ways that this whole agreement could go south. But he had to think of it as a potential investment, and saving this girl. She had the potential to be reckless and dangerous, if given the right weapons and without the right restraint. He placed his plate into the strainer next to the large sink and wiped his hands, just as Lexi walked up beside him and nudged him with her hip. Dean chuckled but tilted his head with his eyebrows raised when she said she as proud of him.

“Oh really…” He quipped, turning to stare down at her for a moment, a dopey smile on his own face. Her next words brought him back out of her eyes and he laughed, tempted to grab her and spin her around or something with the way his chest felt. He snarled his nose at the internal thoughts and did a final wipe of his hands on his pants, before nodding. “Yeah. We should probably get her settled in. She can…as much as it grosses me out to say this…borrow one of Sam’s shirt. I mean, she’s a tiny thing. His gargantuan shirts would fit her like a night gown.”

Dean laughed, reaching an arm out to nudge her in the direction of the door, trying his best to make as little contact as possible, as if he could hide his feelings from Sam and Anya. The odds of him being able to stay in his room, down the hall from Lexi…when she was right…there…

Well, he wouldn’t bet on that happening, if he was a betting man.



Anya watched Lexi and Dean at the sink, a smile planted firmly on her lips as they flirted. She chose not to take her own plate over, until she knew they were leaving the kitchen. They deserved to have their moment, as brief as it was. When Sam whispered to her what she was already thinking, Anya laughed silently, pulling her phone from the table and typing a message. She didn’t press play, simply nudging Sam’s elbow to let him read it on the screen, so that Lexi and Dean wouldn’t overhear.

“No chance. We could almost start counting down…right now.”

Anya thought about the statement for a moment, smiling up at Sam with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes. She then looked down and her friendly smile turned into a mischievous smirk. She typed another message and turned the phone back to him with a brighter smile, the mischief still settled behind her eyes.

“I just heard Dean talking about how big your tshirts would look on me. I would say they are making the same bet about us. Will you be able to control yourself tonight, Mr. Winchester?”

LEXI

When Dean was done washing his plate up, she did the same as she nodded, "yeah, really" she replied, to prove that she did mean it. She didn't expect him to be as open to anything Anya said to him as he was, not after how stressed out and suspicious he was of the girl earlier. Then again, until she cooked for him herself the day before, she was probably considered suspicious to Dean as well. She kept smiling at him, seeing a dopey look on his face that she was getting used to seeing before he snapped out of his mind and agreed they should get Anya settled in.

Drying her hands on the nearby cloth and not her jeans, she lightly laughed at his words about Anya borrowing one of Sam's shirts, taking his nudge and doing as he was requesting if her. She headed out the kitchen to leave Sam and Anya with Dean. She was completely oblivious to how obvious it was to the other two that she and Dean clearly liked each other as the way she spoke to and with Dean just felt natural.

Out of the kitchen, she headed towards the hallway, turning on her heels to look at Dean once more, "lead the way to the clean linens" she spoke, knowing he'd have to lead the way as she didn't exactly know where any of it was just yet. It wasn't like she had planned or assumed she would be living here permanently so why would she learn where those kinds of things were stored? She still was under the impression that once her car got fixed, she would be back on the road motel surfing. Not thinking for a second that either brother would want her to stay.

SAM

Like Anya, Sam was firmly enjoying watching his brother actually smile and be happy as he flirted with Lexi. Bringing her to the bunker was the best idea he ever had in his eyes as it felt like the whole vibe of the bunker had gone back to what it once was and Dean was himself again. This was all he wanted, for his brother to find some kind of joy in the world again, whether it be from their job or with someone new. He just wanted to see his brother actually smiling again and not grieving as a hermit in his room. There were only so many times he could stand listening to videos of Mika and him being played in Dean's room or repeats of his comfort shows.

Snapping out of his thoughts as Anya nudged him, he looked at her then down at the phone to see what she wrote, instantly getting why she didn't press play. The smirk that appeared on his lips was great and he really had to refrain from laughing loud enough to attract Lexi and Dean's attentions.

He saw the twinkle in Anya's blue eyes, making him smile more. Her eyes held so much innocence but her smirk held so much mischievousness. He looked back down at her phone when she typed another message and he couldn't stop himself from nodding at the first bit before he smirked at her last bit. He gave a cheeky shrug before leaning in to whisper so the other two wouldn't hear him, "who knows, depends on how well behaved I feel like being. Can you control yourself?" he smirked, before seeing the other two leaving the room.

Dean was glad that Lexi could take a subtle request, and as she willingly turned and walked toward the kitchen doorway, Dean awkwardly turned around, ready to smile politely at Anya, but she and Sam were smiling at each other and…canoodling. Dean scrunched his nose, mental images grossing him out until Lexi called for him and he turned his head to look toward the door way. He pushed off the counter without even bothering to answer her and glanced down at Sam on his way by, “You kids be good.”

He practically jogged to Lexi, grabbing her hand on his way down the hallway. He dragged her until they turned the corner, just before the boiler room where the laundry facilities were, and backed her against the wall by the door with a sigh.

“It’s in there…” he murmured with a smirk, before he pulled both of Lexi’s hands to rest against his chest, and he leaned in, kissing her desperately. He felt like a teenager, hiding around corners and behind doors, anything to be able to kiss her without Sam’s judging eyes. If Sam said a word, he would likely knock his brother out for even insinuating that Dean was moving on, or even enjoying the company of another woman.

He released one of Lexi’s hands, bringing his hand up to wrap around her neck, his thumb pressed firmly under her chin to tilt her head up as he deepened the kiss. After a few moments, and before his hands could wander in the middle of the open hallway, Dean broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to Lexi’s, sighing through his nose.

“We need to get that bedding. They’ll be roaming soon…” He murmured, pressing another quick kiss to Lexi’s lips before pushing himself back from her reluctantly. He turned and opened the door to the laundry room and stepped inside, scanning the shelves for everything they needed to set up a new room. He was obviously flustered, but he tried his best to just…stay on task.



Anya was a bit surprised as Sam’s demeanor seemed to change a bit into what appeared to be flirtation? He had been so sweet and so gentle the entire time she had known him, that seeing that smirk appear on his lips made Anya’s heart do a little flip in her chest. She watched his every move, watching how his shoulders rose and fell as he held that same smirk and decided to openly flirt with her, with a little bit of secrecy from the others. It was a bit thrilling.

“Well behaved…” seemed almost sinful the way it fell off his tongue, as if there was another side to him that she hadn’t seen yet. She glanced down at his lips, taking her own bottom lip between her teeth as he asked her if she would be able to control herself. The answer was: “Absolutely not.”, but she fought with herself, fighting for the idea of getting to know Sam and taking things as slow as he originally seemed to want to.

But…she could take his lead on this, if he seemed to want to flirt. After their kiss in the kitchen, it wasn’t exactly surprising that there would be tension between them. If Dean hadn’t called when he did…well…

She turned her eyes away from him only briefly, to type a message on her phone, before turning them back up with that same mischievous smirk. She held her phone up beside her head as she leaned in close so Sam could read it. She knew the message was more seductive than she would EVER usually be, but she also knew, as she chuckled that it was exactly what Sam was thinking. The entire bunker was hanging thick with tension, as if it just needed to boil over and release the awkwardness.

“The idea that you’re in the same building with me, and I’m wearing your shirt is going to complicate the idea of control. At least the rooms don’t echo.”