I sat in the chair behind the counter at Hocus Pocus Magic Shop. My swollen ankles were propped up on a step stool. I had finally caved and was reading the "What To Expect When Expecting" book that Kat and Coop had been bugging me to read lately. It was kind of interesting though.
I kept my eyes on the book as I heard the bell above the front door ring. If that person needed me, they would come over. I was too achy to get up anyways. The whole pregnancy thing was really taking a toll on me.
"Danielle?" came a husky male voice from in front of me.
"Yes?" I said in a lazy tone as I kept reading. The guy probably read my nametag, so I wasn't really paying attention to the fact that he knew my name.
"I need your help." The man said.
"Well, what do you need to find?" I said as I turned the page. Honestly, these customers expected me to read their minds?! Not that I wouldn't...
I heard the guy shift his weight and look around. "I need your help with a case." He said.
"And why would I help you?" I asked, getting annoyed now. Stupid hunters leaked my name, so people start coming for help. It was ridiculous.
"No wonder Dean was so interested in you. You got a lot of attitude." The man said.
With that, my head whipped up and I narrowed my eyes at the guy. "Who the hell do you think you are, coming in here and bringing that name up with me?!" I said bitterly.
"Right, let me introduce myself. I'm John." The man said as he extended his hand to me.
My eyes widened slightly as I completely took him in. His dark brown, slightly shaggy hair, his brown eyes, his scruffy face. How could I had not seen it before? He looked a lot like Dean. "John Winchester." I breathed out as I set my book on the counter. John just nodded. "Sorry for snapping." I said sheepishly as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"It's perfectly understandable in your...condition." He said as he looked down at my stomach.
I smiled sheepishly and placed a hand on my stomach. "Yeah, well...your son is just a sore spot for me. But that is no excuse. I'm truly sorry." I apologized.
"Danielle, it's fine. Really." He said, trying to reassure me.
I sighed and nodded. "Okay. So, what do you need my help with?"
"I need your expertise." He said simply.
A smile spread across my face and I let out a soft chuckle. "My expertise? In what?"
John motioned to the whole store around us. "This." He said.
I arched an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest. "Like what?"
"Pair of goblins tormenting some people on the other side of town." John said.
I frown, but shook it up and stood up. I walked over to the potion ingredients and got Murdock's root, billings root, and clover off the shelf. "Mix those together until pasty, then put it in glass vials and throw it at them. It will slow them down and you can deal with them from there." I said as I handed him the ingredients.
"Thanks." He said as he took the little jars. "How much?"
"$12.50." I said as I placed my hands on my stomach.
John reached into his pocket and handed me a $10 and a $5. "Keep the change." He said. I nodded and walked back behind the counter. I went over to the register and put the money in before taking the change out and sticking it in the tip jar.
"John, what did you really come here for?" I asked as I sat back down.
"What do you mean?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.
I perked my own eyebrow as I folded my arms across my chest. "I mean that I think you knew how to stop those goblins. And don't lie to me, because you and Dean don't just share the trait of good looks." I told him.
John chuckled and nodded. "Definitely see why he likes you." John muttered.
"Liked. Past tense." I corrected.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. He can be an idiot when he wants to be." John said as he looked at me sympathetically.
"Not your fault, now stop changing the subject and answer my question." I said, not losing my train of thought for a second.
John sighed and shook his head. "Well, when I ran into the boys, Sam told me about you and your situation and I decided that I should stop in, see how you were." John finally admitted.
I smiled and nodded. "That's awfully kind of you."
John shrugged. "It's my idiot of a son that got you pregnant. It's the least I could do." He told me.
I chuckled and nodded again. "That is very true." I agreed.
"Yeah." John said slowly.
I shook my head, getting back to reality. "Yeah, well, you should be getting back to that case of yours. Goblins can be a tricky business." I told him.
"That they can." He agreed as he nodded softly.
"Okay, well, good luck and be careful." I said.
"I will, thanks." John said, before walking out of the store. I sighed and rested my chin in my hand when he was gone.
I opened the door and walked into the apartment. "Hello, family!" I called out as I took off my jacket and hung it up.
"Hey, Dani." Kat said. I smiled and turned around, but paused at what I saw.
"Are you stalking me, Winchester?" I said with a coy smile on my face as I walked towards the couch.
John laughed and shook his head. "No, not really. I just came to visit Kat and see how you were doing as well."
I sighed as I slumped down onto the couch. "You want to help take care of me, don't you?" I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Well...yeah." John said, nodding.
"John, no offence, but I don't need your help. I am perfectly fine." I told him.
"Danielle, that is my grandchild in that stomach of yours. Now, I know that you want Dean to know nothing of this child, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be supported. I'm just saying that maybe a little money and some support with all of this." John offered.
"John..." I said, shaking my head.
"Danielle, please. Just let me help." He pleaded.
John wants to support Danielle? Will she let him? Go to the results to find out!!!
I looked over at him for a second. I looked in his eyes and saw the same stubborn look that I always saw when Dean wanted something to happen and wasn't going to give up. I let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Alright, okay. You can help." I told him quietly. John smiled and nodded. "But Dean is to know nothing of this. Ever. Not even if I end up telling him about the baby one day."
"Okay, deal." John agreed.
"Kat?" I said as I looked at her.
"I promise, I won't say a word!" she said.
"Okay. And I know you had a ton to do with this too, missy." I said.
"Guilty." She said with a sheepish smile.
I laughed and pulled her into a side hug. "Thanks."
Kat hugged me back and shrugged slightly. "It's what I do. Look after you." She said.
I laughed and nodded. "That you do, and you do a pretty darn good job of it." I told her.
"Why, thank you!" she exclaimed, then giggled. John and I laughed at her and shook our heads.
< !-- BEGIN CBOX - http://www.cbox.ws -->
< !-- END CBOX -->
