Good Friends and A Glass of Wine.. Or Whiskey

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

Battered and bruised, Jess Coulter stared at her phone and then sighed. Picking up the thing, she scrolled through the numbers until she found the one she was looking for and hit dial. As it rang on the other end, she waited for it to pick up. When a female voice came on the line, the huntress didn't waist anytime.

"Hey Dakota... Listen, its Jess. I need to do something.. You want to head over to the Silver Bullet and grab a drink? Sibeals working and i'm going stir crazy here. If I dont get out I'm going to go insane."

As she waited for her response, Jess leaned on the kitchen island and gaze out across Sibeals backyard. For the past 18 hours or so, she'd been fretting on and off about her relationship with Dean and the woman from the bar. She hated the fact that it was bugging her and she needed to vent some steam. A good fight would actually be the best outlet but she might actually do more damage than neccessary if she got into one.

Answering her cell when it rang Dakota heard a familiar voice, her new friend Jess but the girl sounded a bit down and Dakota was concerned


" Sure Jess, I can meet you there in 20 minutes."

Bobbing her head and then realizing the other woman couldn't see her, Jess agreed and then hung up. Plucking up the keys to her challenger, she practically ran out the door and jumped in the car. The drive across town passed in a blur as she let her love for speed take over and she made more than one driver honk angrilly as she darted in and out of traffic like it was standing still. Finally, pulling into the parking lot of the Silver Bullet, the pretty huntress climbed from the vehicle and looked around. She didn't see Dakota's car yet so she headed inside. Stepping through the doors, she noted the people inside and then went to the bar.

"A bottle of Jack, please?"

The bartender looked at her in askance. "A bottle? For yourself?"

Growlign a bit, Jessie nodded. "Yeah, a bottle for myself. Give me a coke while your at it too!"

Shaking his head, the help did as asked and slid a bottle and a coke on the counter. Throwing down two twenty dollar bills, the young huntress then took her prizes and went to a far back table where she could watch the bar and have her back protected. Flipping the chair around, Jess straddled it and then poured herself a shot from the new bottle of Jack Daniels. Tossing it back, she felt hte burn and smiled a bit. She really wasn't much of a drinker but there were times when girl had to do what she had to do.

[dakotademolay]

Dakota pulled into the parking lot of the Silver Bullet and found a spot as far away from the main entrance as possible, she didn’t trust drunks around her bike. After dismounting she slipped off her helmet and tucked her gloves inside before making her way toward the entrance to the bar. She noticed Jess’s car in the lot and quickened her pace, her new friend had sounded very distressed on the phone and Dakota was concerned for her.

Once inside she quickly scanned the room before finally noticing Jess tucked away in the back with a whole bottle of Jack Daniels, Dakota raised her eyebrows; god things must be bad she thought to herself as she hurried over. She hadn’t known Jess long but she wouldn’t have taken her for a heavy drinker.

” Hey Jess, I came as quick as I could….”

Dakota announced as she approached the table and took a seat opposite her new friend. A worried look crossed Dakota’s face as she could plainly see that Jess was in a real mess.

” Is everything ok? Has something happened to your brother?”

No she didn’t think something had happened to Trey or Jess would be out for blood not sitting here drowning her sorrows. Dakota’s hand’s reached out and took hold of the bottle of Jack Daniels, sliding it back away from Jess, she wanted the girl to open up to her and she couldn’t do that if she passed out.

” Come on Jess, you can tell me anything…I promise I’ll listen and do whatever I can to help.”

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

” Hey Jess, I came as quick as I could….”

At the sound of her friends voice, Jessie looked up and tried to smile. Instead it came out as a grimace and she thought she was probably lucky Dakota didn't make for the door.


” Is everything ok? Has something happened to your brother?”

"Hey...No... Trey is fine... Hes in LOVE. Got a girl now and I haven't seen much of him."

As she watched, the other woman slide into a chair and the took her whiskey bottle. Frowning at her, Jess finished the shot she had and took a sip of coke.

” Come on Jess, you can tell me anything…I promise I’ll listen and do whatever I can to help.”

Sighing, Jess shrugged.

"Nothing wrong really... If you don't count being a dumbass and getting involved with a guy who may or may not be in love with another woman."

Standing up a bit, she snatched the bottle back and took a long slug from it. Holding it close, she continued.

"You know... it just figures. The first damned relationship I get into and Trey and Dad might just get proved right! Not only am I looking at maybe getting my heart broke like nobodies business, but I had to go and fall in love with a guy just like my father and brother! YOU"D THINK I WOULD KNOW BETTER WOULDNT YOU??? I MEAN... AFTER YEARS OF WATCHING THEM GO THROUGH THE MOVES....."

By the time she was finished, she was practically growling but she took a deep breath. Shaking her head, she rubbed her forehead and looked at the other huntress.

"Sorry.... I'm just finding this whole damned relationship thing screwed up...... I think I should have stuck with kicking the crap out of vampires and weres."

[dakotademolay]

” Nothing wrong really…If you don’t count being a dumb ass and getting involved with a guy who may or may not be in love with another woman”

When Dakota had rushed over the last thing she had expected to find was Jess drowning her sorrows over a guy, the worst part was she had absolutely no idea how to help, relationships were a complete mystery to Dakota so how the heck was she going to help Jess with one? Although she hadn’t known Jess all that long she liked her and seeing her in this condition had her concerned. She watched on as Jess snatched the bottle of JD back, Dakota really couldn’t understand why women got themselves so worked up over guys and she wasn’t sure what she could possibly say to help but she’d try and at the very least she could listen which is what Jess probably needed more than anything, someone just to listen to her.

"You know... it just figures. The first damned relationship I get into and Trey and Dad might just get proved right! Not only am I looking at maybe getting my heart broke like nobodies business, but I had to go and fall in love with a guy just like my father and brother! YOU"D THINK I WOULD KNOW BETTER WOULDNT YOU??? I MEAN... AFTER YEARS OF WATCHING THEM GO THROUGH THE MOVES....."

Dakota nodded in sympathy and listened silently as Jess continued to let everything out.

Sorry.... I'm just finding this whole damned relationship thing screwed up...... I think I should have stuck with kicking the crap out of vampires and weres."

As Jess fell silent, Dakota considered for a moment what the right thing would be for her to say, was there even a right thing in a situation like this? Sure as hell if there were a wrong one Dakota would probably blurt it out so she took her time and finally decided to just be honest and direct with her friend.

” To be honest Jess I wouldn’t know the first thing about relationships, I always try to avoid them, I learned long ago a ‘white picket fence’ wasn’t ever gunna be in my future but I’ll try my best. First off, I think before you eat yourself up coming to conclusions you need to actually find out the truth, the only way to deal with a problem is head on, so don’t beat around the bush, ask him directly. If he admits it, the best thing you can do is walk away until he sorts his feelings out, decides what he wants. Guess that sounds cruel but it’s better than losing your self-respect. Can I ask though why do you think there’s a problem? I mean just because you are new to this doesn’t mean he is, you have to accept that he’s going to come with baggage…past lovers ….but as long as they stay in the past where they belong and not show up on your doorstep……..” Dakota was starting to get a little lost here and she struggled for what to say next…….she grinned slightly at Jess, trying to lighten the mood. ” Ah hell, if he starts straying you could always just have him neutered like an old tom cat…..my aunt Cassie actually did that once she shot a guy in the…….er…never mind, he was an incubus though so he deserved it.”

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

Snickering a bit at Dakota's last comment, Jessie couldn't help but get a mental picture of Dean running for his life at the mere mention of it. In fact, it struck her as so halarious that her snicker soon became a laugh.

"Oh yeah... That one would go over well. Might have to keep it in mind for future reference though. My mama always told my daddy that she wouldn't be a statistic.. She'd be a widow. I always thought she was a wise woman.. now .. I KNOW IT."

Then, leaning an elbow on the table, she eyed the whiskey bottle and then Dakota.

"You want a drink or something? Its on me. I could use another coke..."

Glancing towards the bartender, the pretty brunette started to wave him over.

"I guess the thing is... Dean and I haven't really TALKED about whats going on between us. We both seemed happy to just let it develop how it would and now... Now all of a sudden, there is another woman from his past and I can tell he cares about her. Its written all over his face. How much he cares though.. I don't know. I don't want to push him away by forcing him to make decisions he's not ready for but .. Damn... I don't want to hang about if I'm only going to get my heart broke in the long run.... Well, worse anyways. Maybe its better I bail now than wait it out....."

Frustrated and completely baffled by these new emotions, Jess filled her shot glass again as they waited and then tossed it back.

"Life was So much simplier when I could just hunt and kill...."

Raising her eyes at her new friend, the huntress grimanced.

"Oh, and by the way.. I know exactly what you mean about the incubus thing.... I had a run in with one awhile back. Thought I'd be easy prey... Killed the one other guy I thought about getting involved with...."

[dakotademolay]

Watching Jess drown her sorrows over a guy, Dakota wasn’t really sure what she could say or do to help her new friend. She was glad though that Jess could get a laugh over her ‘suggestion’ but it only lasted for a moment before Jess’s mood deteriorated again and she offered Dakota a drink on her. She didn’t drink alcohol but she’d certainly have a glass of OJ with her.

” Thanks Jess, I wouldn’t mind a drink…..I’ll just have an OJ.”

She watched as Jess waved the bartender over their way and she thanked him when he returned with her drink. Taking a long sip Dakota listened intently as Jess continued to talk.

"I guess the thing is... Dean and I haven't really TALKED about whats going on between us. We both seemed happy to just let it develop how it would and now... Now all of a sudden, there is another woman from his past and I can tell he cares about her. Its written all over his face. How much he cares though.. I don't know. I don't want to push him away by forcing him to make decisions he's not ready for but .. Damn... I don't want to hang about if I'm only going to get my heart broke in the long run.... Well, worse anyways. Maybe its better I bail now than wait it out....." Dakota grimaced slightly as she watched Jess refill her glass and take another shot. "Life was So much simplier when I could just hunt and kill...."


” Ok, I’m going to play devils advocate here for a minute but did you ever stop and think that the fact he still cares about this other woman’s wellbeing means that he’s just a decent guy. I mean a lot of guys wouldn’t give a crap about an ex……Oh course it could also mean he’s still hung up on her too I guess but at least he’s not a heartless jerk. I still think eating yourself up over it though is doing no good. You could end up exploding like a volcano and going right off at him. I still say direct and honest is the best call but while your calm and sober. You have a right to know where you stand but remember it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t work out….but I guess it will probably feel like it for a while. Don’t bail though at least give him a chance, I mean if you’re actually thinking of bailing you can look at it this way …you’ve got nothing to loose only something to gain……right. Cause if you just bail your heart's definitely going to be broken but if you stay and ask it’s only a maybe broken. Take the better odds and if he breaks your heart….I’ll kick his ass for you myself…I promise. Dakota raised her eyebrows and gave Jess a mischievous grin, hoping a little light hearted humour would lift her spirits.

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

By the time Dakota was done talking, Jessie was nodding along to her words. A smirk spread over her face as she grabbed up the Coke and took a drink of it.

"You know .... Your right.... I'm not going to let that chicky win. I love him and I'm sure as hell woman enough to fight for him.... I think a straight approach would be best... and if that doesn't work, I might take you up on the offer of kicking his ass. "

Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out an IPhone and started drunkenly scrooling through the numbers listed. Suddenly, giggling with glee, she let out a loud, "Ahah!" Hitting the send button, she raised a finger to Dakota and smirked as it rang through. When voicemail picked up she pouted and left a message.

"Hey Babe.... Its Jessie... When you get this, give me a ring would you?? Or come on over to the Silver Bullet. My friend and I are having some drinks..."

Then, hitting end button, she tossed the phone down and smirked.

"Hmmmmm That should do it...."

[dakotademolay]

Ok, this was going downhill fast and there was no way she could ration with Jess now, not while she was drunk and the alcohol had robbed her of any ration thoughts what so ever. Dakota had never understood the need for alcohol, she preferred to stay in control and the thought of being anything but, scared the crap out of her. She glanced over at Jess and shook her head, what the hell was she going to do with her? What could she do? Jess was an adult and Dakota barely knew her, should she even interfere? Grabbing the bottle of Jack for a moment Dakota held on to it, trying to get Jess’s undivided attention.

”JESS….I meant for you to speak to him while you were sober. You talk to him like this and god knows what you’ll say, you’re not exactly thinking rationally. And I never said anything about fighting for him…..if he chooses this other woman there’s nothing you can do about it but you can keep your dignity, no man is worth fighting over….saving yes but fighting over….never. “

Hell, what was Dakota going to do when this guy showed up, maybe she should leave them alone to talk, she didn’t fancy getting in the middle of a lovers quarrel and the guy probably wouldn’t appreciate being ganged up on. Still though, with Jess drunk she didn’t want to leave her completely alone with him, she could head for the bar and keep an eye on things from a distance. Oh course though the guy might not even be guilty of anything, Jess could be just jumping to conclusions.

” You know Jess, he could still be completely innocent, just take things easy when he arrives until you know the full story….promise me?” she gave Jess a worried a look,” Don’t suppose I could talk you into some black coffee before he arrives?” Dakota let go of the bottle of Jack Daniels, setting it back done on the table, the choice now was Jess's.

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

”JESS….I meant for you to speak to him while you were sober. You talk to him like this and god knows what you’ll say, you’re not exactly thinking rationally. And I never said anything about fighting for him…..if he chooses this other woman there’s nothing you can do about it but you can keep your dignity, no man is worth fighting over….saving yes but fighting over….never. “

Pushing a lock of chocolate colored hair behind an ear, Jessie stared at her companion and then smiled. Shaking her head just a bit, she sipped her coke and tried to sort out her thoughts.

"Settle down, chicky. I'm tipsy but I'm not fall down stupid drunk. I simply have decided to quit being a coward and flat out ask him whats up. I don't plan on throwing any accusations at him... After all... I don't KNOW whats going on."

Seeing the way Dakota was guarding the Jack bottle, she left a brow before continuing.

"And.. you are wrong.. there are guys out there worth fighting for... You just have to be lucky enough to find the right one. My mother and father.... To see them together... It was like watching something magical. My dad can be the biggest ass on the face of the earth.. But with her? All she had to do was look at him and he was putty in her hands. Dad never looked at another woman because he always said none could measure up to my mom... and he was right.. None can. She was the best.... When she died, it was like most of the light went out of him. We all thought Trey had been killed about 6 months before and then when Mom caught that virus and passed away it was like he gave up on the world.... One day... One day I got up and found a note on his hotel room desk giving me direction to a hunt and telling me he'd be in touch when he could.... The few times I've seen him since, he's looked like he just crawled out of a bottle."

Seeming to realize she was growing melancoloy, the young woman gave a half hearted smile and then shrugged.


"But, my dad would have given his life for my mom had he had the chance.... So... Yeah, there are those people out there worth fighting for and I think Dean is my chance at that sort of love. If it takes me standing my ground and giving that chicky the what for... I'll sure as hell do it."

” You know Jess, he could still be completely innocent, just take things easy when he arrives until you know the full story….promise me?” she gave Jess a worried a look,” Don’t suppose I could talk you into some black coffee before he arrives?”

Laughing a bit, Jess arched a brow and shook her head.

"Oh.. innocent is something Dean hasn't been in a long time. Clean of this spiders web? I know hes that. I don't really care what went on before. I just want him to be sure of now. That, and I just want to know he's with me by choice.. Not because he feels obligated or that he might hurt me if he tells me the truth. Truth is something that is rare and precious and with him.... Well, we don't have to pretend to be something we aren't. "

Finishing her coke, the young huntress slid the glass away and laid her chin on her arms.

"As for coffee... Nah.. its to dang hot out there! Just the thought of it makes my stomach turn. However, I'm all for french fries if they got some around here! I'm hungry."

[dean]

Dean had just toweled off after a shower when his phone beeped a ‘you have a message’ reminder. Strolling naked into the main sleeping area of his hotel room he threw the towel towards the bathroom, he wasn’t very concerned when it didn’t make it that far.

Snagging the phone as he passed the desk he hit ‘retrieve’ with one hand as he dug in his bag for clean clothes with the other.

"Hey Babe....” Had Dean grabbing the jeans to hold in front of himself while he listened to the rest of the message.

Snapping the phone shut and tossing it on the bed, he stepped into the jeans, then adjusted them before he reached for the phone again.

Pressing Jess’s number on ‘speed dial’ he waited until the phone was answered then asked, “Hey Doll, you still at the Bar? Thought I would drive over if you are.”

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

Just as Jessie opened her mouth to say something, her phone started playing a tune that told her it was Dean calling back. Grinning impishly, she looked at Dakota and then hit talk.

“Hey Doll, you still at the Bar? Thought I would drive over if you are.”

"Yeah Babe... Yeah, I'm still at the bar. Hurry over if you like! I'll wait for you and have drink ready."

Hearing his assent, she got a goofy grin on her face and hung up the phone.

"HES ON HIS WAY!" she declared to Dakota. "Good time for you to meet him too!"

[dean]

Jess was still at the bar, Dean snapped the phone shut, finished dressing and headed out the door. Maybe he would get something to eat while he was out. He wasn't hungry right now, but he knew he probably would be in a couple hours.

It didn't take long to drive to the Silver Bullet and even less to spot Jess at one of the tables. What he hadn't expected was Jess to have company. Well this wasn't actually a date so another person wouldn't be unwelcome; it was just that he never seemed to really be alone with Jess. Maybe he would have to make some arrangements to make sure that happened in the near future.

”Hey Doll. Looks like you started without me.” He said looking at the bottle on the table and how low the surface line of the liquid inside was. She hadn't been kidding when she said she would have the a drink ready. She had a whole bunch of them ready.

He smiled at the other woman at the table as he kissed Jess on the forehead and set himself down at the table. ”Hi, I'm Dean."

[dakotademolay]

Jess’s phone rang and Dakota sat silently while she answered the call, once finished she closed the phone and looked at Dakota with goofy looking grin spreading across her face.

HES ON HIS WAY!" she declared to Dakota. "Good time for you to meet him too!"

Dakota looked at Jess and frowned slightly, the look on her face told Dakota that her new friend was clearly lost over this guy and she rolled her eyes slightly at Jess.

”Seems more like a good time for me to split. I don’t want to get in the way while you guys talk. I mean I wouldn’t leave you alone I could take a seat over at the bar, keep an eye on things make sure you’re ok.” she fell silent for a moment, contemplating the best course of action.” How about this I’ll wait till he shows up and meet him, then see how things go.”

It didn’t seem long before a young man entered the bar and made his way over toward their table.”Hey Doll. Looks like you started without me.” Dakota noticed his eyes fall to the nearly empty bottle of Jack Daniels on the table and she wondered what he was thinking. Pulling his attention away from the ominous looking bottle he smiled briefly at Dakota before giving Jess a quick kiss and taking a seat.”Hi, I’m Dean.”

Dakota took a sip of her orange juice and nodding she smiled at the newcomer and spoke.”Nice to meet you, I’m Dakota” She glanced nervously at Jess, looking for a sign to say she could leave now.

[Jessie Coulter ♬]

Rolling her own eyes a bit at Dakota, Jess teased her a bit and then they passed some time chatting about hunting and a few "interesting" occurances around New Orleans. Then, the door of the bar opened and in walked the best looking thing she'd seen in ...oh.... at least 24 hours. Since the last time she saw him anyways.

”Hey Doll. Looks like you started without me.”

As he gave her a kiss on the forehead, she frowned and eyed him. He, however, turned to Dakota and introduced himself. As the pair exchanged greetings, Jessie sipped her coke and suddenly got that feeling of dread back. What had she done asking him to come and meet her? Was she really ready for this conversation? She suddenly wasn't at all sure and as normal, when she was nervous, she shot to her feet and almost knocked the chair over.

"Um... Hey... Anyone want to play a game of pool with me?? Yeah.. that sounds fun.... "

Spinning on her heel, she gave Dean a stupid grin and practically took off like a bat out of hell for the pool tables in the back. She knew she was acting crazy but she couldn't seem to help it.

"Whoever wins has to buy the next round!" she called back over her shoulder and imploring Dakota with her eyes.

[dean]

Jess jumping up like a Jack-in-the-Box asking about a game of pool had him wondering if the half empty bottle was the first one of the night. ”Jess?? You feeling alright?? You seem a little...” Dean searched for the word and wasn't finding it. Strange, Weird, Bazaar, Nuts, Bonkers, Daft all seemed like they might get him in trouble, so he finally settled on ”...distracted?”