Sleeping At The Wheel

Peaks And Pitfalls

CHAPTER 23

Juniper's POV/Dean's POV

Juniper's POV

"I don't even remember the last time Sam and I came to Virginia..." Dean commented.

"Its not very special, in my opinion." I commented. "I've been through before."

Sam glanced at me through the rear-view mirror, only to see me laid out in the back seat with my arms crossed over my chest. "So, where exactly are we heading in Virginia?" He asked. "And does Jade know how to get there?"

I waved a hand at Sam nonchalantly. "I gave her a map. And we're headed to the Peaks of Otter. Hiking trails in the mountains and the scene of the crime."

"Shouldn't all of the trails be closed off for the winter?" Dean asked.

"That's the catch." I answered. "They are closed off, and so is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is, from what I understand, the only way to reach the Peaks. But some stupid teens decided to go out there anyway, and they haven't come back."

Both of the Winchesters nodded. "You've done your research already, I see." Sam said.

I yawned. "I got bored."

"You know, sleeping is a great activity to cure boredom." Dean commented, glancing back at me. "And it also keeps you from being dead on your feet."

" 'M fine, Dean." I mumbled, stretching out my legs as much as possible in the cramped back seat of the car. "How close are we?"

"We're looking for a motel now, chill out." Dean replied.

I sat up quickly, squinting and brushing my hair away from my face. "Look for a Skyline Motel. Never stayed in it myself, case I worked was on the other side of the state, but I drove past it on the way out."

Dean sighed and looked at me again. "We passed one like 30 minutes ago. You couldn't have mentioned it earlier?"

"You should've asked me earlier." I teased, rubbing his shoulder with a hand before dropping back into the seat.

I must have dozed off, more exhausted than I thought, because the next thing I knew, Dean was pulling open the back door and lightly smacking my leg. I jolted upright, rubbing my eyes.

"We're here." He said, smiling at me and waiting until I'd gotten out of the car to shut the door. "Told you sleeping helps with boredom." He added, nudging my elbow with a smirk.

I nudged back, more forcefully. "Shut up," I said. "Now is no time for 'I told you so's' "

"Sure it is. I'm just proving a point." Dean replied.

"Well, prove it later!" I hissed teasingly, shoving Dean hard enough to make him stumble several steps to the side.

With a grunt and a playful smirk, he pushed me against the Impala and pressed his lips against mine. It was such a forward, sudden action that at first I shied away, but only for a fraction of a second before I was willing to reciprocate.

When he finally pulled his lips away, I filled the void they'd left with words. "Where's Sam?" I asked, wondering if he'd seen this whole show of affection.

"Inside, getting us a motel room." Dean answered knowingly. "He didn't see, if that's what you're worried about."

"If we weren't in public, I'd ask for more, Winchester."

Dean looked around, then met my gaze. "I don't see anyone."

"Mm, they come at the worst moments." Dean moved back by a few steps, freeing me from being sandwiched between him and the Impala.