Angel in Flannel [d.w.]

//Chapter 8: The Morgans run this here town//

Tessa Sloane Morgans

Tess leaning against Dean as they watched Johns body burn, consumed by the flames. She had watched yet another important person in her life die at the hands of a demon.

"Before he..." Sam sniffled, trying to find his words but failing. "...did he say anything to you? Either of you? About anything?"

Tess glanced up at Dean whom looked completely broken, watching as he shook his head and muttered "No." he lied. "Nothing."

When Sam looked at her expectantly she she shook her head, breathing in Deans scent of whiskey, smoke and leather "No. I was too whacked out of it." But she too, had lied. She remembered every painful word spoken to both herself and Dean. But she intended on keeping Sam in the dark for his own good.

As they stood in silence, watching Johns body fade away into ashes, Tess knew the hardest part was yet to come.

Moving on.

//

//Two weeks later//

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Tess watched from the house as Dean relentlessly worked on the Impala, covered in grease, sweat and dirt. "He's worrying me, Dad. I can't get him to eat, he tosses and turns all night, and all he ever does is work on the Impala. I don't know what to do."

Bobby handed her a beer and gave her a reassuring look "I know losing John and Dean pulling away has been hard on you but things will turn up, he just needs some time to get his mind straight."

Tess sighed, taking a drawn out swig of beer, her gaze landing on Johns old phone that Sam had brought up earlier. "Sammy talk to you about Ellen's message yet?"

"Yup. I suppose you'll be heading down soon." Bobby grunted as he plopped down in his recliner.

Tess quickly finished off her beer before tossing it in the trash "Probably this afternoon. I'll see if I can't get Dean to tag along. Maybe it'll pull him out of his funk."

She quickly made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and grabbed a bottle of water before walking out to the Impala. "Dean?" She nudged the bottom of his boot to get him out from under the car. "Come out a minute."

He rolled out from under the car, grease and sweat coating his face in a manor Tess found to be very alluring. "What's up?" He grunted, pulling himself up to his feet.

"I brought you lunch." Tess set the plate and bottle on top of the car before continuing. "And I wanted to tell you I'm leaving in a bit. Sam wants to look into Ellen."

"When will you be back?" Dean asked before taking a swig of the water she had brought him.

"We." She corrected firmly. "You're coming with us."

"To check in on some chic?" Dean scoffed, avoiding eye contact with her as she stared him down. "Sams already going."

"No." Tess shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "I wasn't asking, Winchester. You're coming with me wether you want to or not."