Winchester Surprise

Chapter 9 Friends Again?

"Ella you can't be serious about doing this." Jason hurriedly followed Dani into the kitchen. He grabbed her arm gently turning her to face him, the dishes in her arms rattling.

"Yes, actually I can."

"You could get hurt."

"That's the job."

Frustration flared in Jason's face.

"Ella."

Dani turned and slid the tray onto the metal tabletop. She drew in a deep sigh.

"I just want to sort this out and for Sam to get out of town, okay." Her voice was harsh, worried.

"You're not going to tell him are you?"

"No."

To say Jason was disappointed would be an understatement. For years Dani had been longing to find out who her biological family was, particularly after Jewels' death. But now she knew, and she wasn't going to do anything about it. He wanted to convince her to push her to tell Sam what she knew. Surely he could help her figure out if it was true. He wanted to tell her she would miss probably her only chance. One look at her though told him not to. Her eyes were fixed on the metal bench flickering back and forth, her shoulder blades fixed and rigid. Jason reached out and softly pushed a few stray curls behind her ear.

"Hey, hey look at me." His voice softened to almost a whisper. The moment she did he saw her eyes were shiny. Jason pulled her into a bear hug resting his chin on the top of her head. She gripped onto him balling up her fists in the back of his shirt.

"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing." Her voice shook. He gripped her tighter.

"I know. Neither do I." He stroked her hair gently "But I'm with you no matter what."

The two stood like that for a minute or two. Both their thoughts running on overdrive until Dani broke the silence. Not pulling away she said...

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you all week."

A long silence.

"I missed you."

"You too."

They pulled away. Dani looked up at her best friend. She had missed him, more than she wanted to admit.

"Want to be friends again?" Jason asked.

"Yeah, friends again."

They both smiled widely. Jason stepped back and leaned against the workbench with an over-exaggerated movement.

"So friend. How's life been treating ya?" He asked dramatically. "Anyone interesting caught your eye? How's your love life?"

Dani laughed.

"God your a dork." She sighed conceding to the little game. "Life's kicking my ass. And might I say how thoughtful it is for you to ask kind sir." She curtseyed and he tipped an imaginary hat in return.

"And?"

"And what?" She asked.

"Your love life? Dating anyone?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm not ready." They gazed at each other, just reading one another. "You?"

"Oh um well, I really like this one girl."

"And?"

"You're not ready."

Dani's chest swelled a little. Soft smiles were exchanged then the mood shifted.

"Please be careful tonight." Jason said "I know I can't talk you out of it, I don't think I've ever been able to talk you out of anything, but please be careful. Promise me."

"I promise."

 -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Daniella pulled up to the curb outside of Gerald's house. Porch lights lit up the slick footpath that lead to the front door. The weather had turned an hour or two before the end of her shift. She stared at the house for a long moment. A sinking feeling pressed on her chest making it hard to breathe. Dani had acted confident in front of the others but in reality, she was terrified. The idea that someone she had known for most of her life could have been sacrificing people for the better part of forty years made her feel sick. Almost ready to drop the situation entirely her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. A familiar black car sat a little further down the street sheltered from the lights by some overhanging trees. Craning her neck she peered out of the back windscreen. It was dark but she could just make out Sam's figure in the front seat. Tugging her jacket tighter around her she stepped out into the rain.

Sam's eyes tracked her as she approached his window. Dani glared at him through the rain speckled glass. A tug of something in his head made him stare. That look was so familiar it almost made him angry that he couldn't remember. He just couldn't place it. This kid was basically a walking deja vu trigger. The window creaked as it rolled down.

"What are you doing here?" Daniella demanded.

"I'm just here as a backup. If somethi-"

"If Gerry sees you it could tip him off! You've got to get out of here."

"I know you may not want to admit this Dani but you don't have to do this alone. Maybe you shouldn't."

Dani's brows dipped lower.

"Okay fine, but it's smart to have some backup." Sam insisted.

Her eyes burned into him.

"Hal told you to watch out for me didn't he?"

"He wouldn't let me leave till I promised."

Dani pinched the bridge of her nose muttering something under her breath. The only thing Sam managed to catch was "...Stubborn southern son of a..." Then, "...my business how could anything ever be my business!?..." She stared off into the darkness letting out a long sigh.

"Okay fine. But you'll have to come in with me. If Gerry catches you out here he'll think something's up."

"And me coming in won't make him think that?"

"No just tell him you wanted to listen. Then you can ask to use the bathroom or something. It'll give you time to look around. Plus he won't be prepared for it, it might throw him off."

"I can live with that." Sam picked up the gun that sat on the passenger seat checked it over then tucked it into his waistband. He hauled himself out of his brother's car standing to his full height. "Ready?"

AN: Short part I know I just wanted to give Gerry's house its own chapter. Got some Easter holidays coming up so should have more time to write in between assignments. Hopefully, I can get another part written a little quicker. Thanks to u guys who are still reading I really appreciate it. Helps keep me motivated.

Love ya!

Meg 💙💋😍