running ((ever)) since, Anna

[Dean Teague]

Dean took it slow going back to the safe house. Dean had reached over and turned on the radio. He was just turning onto the grounds of the safehouse so it was really no point to turn it on now. Dean had sat in silence just contemplating everything that had happened. His thoughts were swimming in his head so much that he couldn't even thing of anything else or try to make sense of any of it.

Dean pulled into the garage and shut off the car. He sat in the dark for awhile before getting up and walking into the house. He took off his jacket and laid it on the couch. He looked defeated and worn out, but if needed Dean could pull another few fights out of him.

Dean walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge grabbing himself a bottle water. He opened it up and took a big drink. Though really a beer sounded good right now, but being at the safe house with Anna he wouldn't go there he was on duty. Not there was ever a chance for him to get off duty and have a drink. Dean didn't know what being off duty meant anymore.

Dean leaned against the counter and closed his eyes and took a deep breath and then let out a heavy sigh. Dean heard footsteps coming down the stairs and then into the kitchen. Dean looked up seeing Anna and asked, "Hey how ya doing? Hungry? I can fix us up something..." Cooking would help get his mind off of things and hopefully by asking her questions would keep her from asking him any questions.

[Jacee Walker]

Anna had been in her room upstairs reading one of the murder mystery books she'd found in the "library" downstairs. Dean had been gone a lot longer than she'd expected, and even though she kept telling herself not to worry about him, she wasn't doing a very good job. Dean was a professional, right? He could take care of himself. Still, she let out a sigh of relief when she saw his car pull in the driveway. She stood at the window watching as he sat for a long time before finally pulling into the garage. Again, it was a long time before she heard the garage door open and close, signaling that he was officially in the house.

She waited a minute at the top of the stairs before making her way down. He looked awful. He looked tired and anxious, worn out and stressed to the breaking point, all at the same time. She hated the fact that her face was still covered in bruises. She knew they only reminded him of the events that had led up to her being here in the first place. Hayden had tried to help her cover them with make-up the teen had brought in with her, but even the make-up couldn't totally hide the dark ugly spots.

Anna took a deep breath before entering the kitchen to see him leaning against the counter. When he offered to make her something to eat, training from Matthew kicked in and she quickly shook her head and shuffled into the kitchen.

"Oh, no, Dean. You don't have to do that. Let me make you something. You look exhausted. You should rest and let me do it." The exact words that Matthew would have expected to hear from her. Of course, she didn't even really realize what she was doing, just that she knew in the back of her mind that the cooking was her job.

[Dean Teague]

Dean looked at her expression when she offered to cook instead. Even being on the verge of losing it Dean was still in the game to be able to notice signs of not stability. Dean smiled a little bit and then pushed himself off the counter and said, "No it's okay. Cooking relaxes me and I could use some of relaxation right now. So pop a squat at the counter and watch me work. " Dean walked over to the the fridge pulling out a bunch of different veggie and placed them on the island in front of Anna. He then grabbed a sharp knife and a cutting board. He rinsed off the veggies and started to dice and cut them. "I don't only work magic on the field." Dean cracked a little joke trying to lighten the tension well his tension that seemed to just be flowing off of him.

Dean got a few little bowls to put the diced veggies in that he scooped off the counter. Dean looked at Anna and asked, "Is there anything you favor or don't like? Speak now or forever hold your peace?" Dean smirked a little, but it faded after thinking how he phrased it...if only he had gotten there in time for that statement. He didn't know if it would made a difference...well it would have made a difference come to think of it...he would have stopped it and that would have been it.

Dean finally realized that he went somewhere else for a few moments and smiled at Anna before him. Dean questioned, "So how are you doing? Bored? Has Hayden been nice?"

[Jacee Walker]

Anna had turned a few circles in the kitchen, looking around the room nervously as she didn't really know what she was doing nor what to even look for. When Dean told her that cooking calmed him down and he really wanted to cook for her, she stopped where she was. She stared at him for a minute as she tried to reconcile what Matthew had (literally) pounded into her head versus what Dean was trying to do now. She thought for a minute about how strange this all was to her, but she still reached out and put a hand on Dean's arms and gave it a slight squeeze before she moved to sit down on one of the chairs by the counter. She had to admit, though, watching him as he moved around the kitchen, so obviously comfortable doing what he was doing, made Anna begin to rethink the notion that her only job was kitchen duty.

Anna wasn't totally oblivious when Dean started asking her questions. She'd just opened her mouth to ask him about Narissa when he started in on her. She wasn't stupid. She knew what he was trying to do, and she decided for the moment to let him have his way.

"No, not bored. I found the office downstairs with the books. I've been reading all day. I never had time for that luxury before." Anna smiled simply as she watched Dean continue to work. He truly was beautiful. She shook her head slightly trying to dislodge that thought from her brain. He was just working for her, right? Well, sort of. He was doing his job. He was protecting her and once it was all over, she'd never see him again, right? Right.

"Hayden's been great. She kept to herself most of the day, but I think she's starting to realize exactly what's in store for her as a mom-to-be. We talked a little bit over lunch. She told me about your family. I'm so sorry about your father, Dean."

[Dean Teague]

Dean pulled a skillet out from one of the cupboards after she placed her hand on his arm. Dean placed the skillet on the oven and turn it on to give it a moment or two to heat up. Dean turned back to Anna after she mentioned finding the study. Dean smiled and said, "Yeah that room is pretty impressive with how much is in there. I think when they had this place decorated that they wondered what they needed to put in to keep people from being bored. In the hall closet it is filled with board games...like seriously the biggest collection ever." Dean smiled at her.

He noticed she looked out of place and then asked, "Want to help me out? " He gave her a gentle smile. "I will get these two bowls if you can get these two bowls then I can start frying them." Dean grabbed his two bowls and headed to the stove and started to gently toss them into the skillet. Dean watched as Anna approached him and stand directly next to him.

Dean took in a deep breath after hearing the words 'mom to be' slip out of Anna's mouth. Dean let out the sigh and responded, "I can hardly believe she is going to be a mom. She's only seventeen this is not the life I wanted for her. I wanted her to have options." Dean didn't have options yeah he went to school for awhile but his options were consumed by the death of his parents. His options were to follow in the footstops of his father.

"... I'm so sorry about your father, Dean."

Dean looked up and slightly turned in her direction at Anna. Dean swallowed back though he felt a pressure in his throat. Dean took a deep breath hoping it would go down. He really didn't want to speak and have his voice crack. Dean said, "Thanks...it was a long time ago. The JT's in my business is John Teague I just didn't have the heart to change it." Dean was living each day trying to live up to his legacy but it was so hard.

[Jacee Walker]

Anna fidgeted slightly with the hem of her shirt as she watched Dean move comfortably around the kitchen. He obviously knew what he was doing, and just the sight of him starting to relax made her start to relax as well. She smiled back at him when he talked about the study and the closet of games. She would definitely have to check that out, especially if she and Hayden were going to have a lot of downtime while Dean worked. "Oh, Buddy - if there's UNO cards in there, you are so getting your ass kicked later!" she said with a laugh.

Anna's smile grew when Dean asked if she wanted to help. She tucked her hair behind her ears as she moved to stand beside him, taking his orders and doing her own thing at the same time. The colors of the foods were outstanding, and Anna loved it. "I love color in cooking. Matthew was never much into color." Anna looked over at Dean when she realized that she was talking about Matthew. She didn't want to talk about him. She didn't want him, nor even the memory of him, to intrude on this moment. She took a deep breath when he went on to talk about Hayden having options. She bit at her bottom lip as her own past came back to haunt her. She knew what he was talking about, more than he realized.

"It's good you didn't change the name. I think it suits the business better anyway." Anna gave Dean a comforting smile before she turned back to the food.

"I almost had a baby last year," she said as nonchalantly as possible, but the catch in her voice was impossible to ignore. "The second Matthew found out I was pregnant, he made me get an abortion." Again, she had to take a deep breath as she added the contents of the bowl in front of her to the skillet. 'Trust me, Dean. Hayden has options. Lots of them. She's already faced a lot of those. She so easily could have done something else with this baby, but she didn't. Her options haven't changed. They're just going to be harder to accomplish now."

[Dean Teague]

Dean laughed and looked over at her the minute she stated she would kick his ass. It was just funny how quickly that popped out of her mouth. Dean nudged her a little and smirked, "Bring it on. I'll take ya on." Dean made a face at her and then turned back to the skillet turning it up just a little more on the heat.

Dean winced hearing about Matthew and obviously not a good memory either. Dean shook his head and couldn't understand especially when it was something as simple as cooking and be an ass about it. Dean pressed his lips together and then said, "Well you never have to worry about having colorless food again."

Dean looked down and his smile faded after hearing more of what Anna had went through with that jerk. Dean replied, "I didn't mean I would want her to do that and you're right she can still have options. I just hope she knows that. You do to ya know. You're making good choices and in the past that wasn't you. That was something you just never have to deal with again. The past is in the past and you never have to pick it up again."

Dean started in on a ramble, but it was all in truth. Dean handed her the spoon and said, "Here you stir I am going to get some seasons." Dean walked over to the cupboard and pulled out the seasons he wanted and dashed them over the skillet as Anna stirred. Dean pressed his lips together and spoke, "It's smelling pretty good don't ya think?"

[Jacee Walker]

Anna actually giggled a little when Dean told her he'd take her on in a game of UNO. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, Mister!" She fully intended on challenging him to a game later after they'd eaten and he had time to relax a little. He looked tired, and it worried her a bit. She knew she didn't know him all that well, but she had a feeling that he was the type of guy that if he actually showed his fatigue it was because he was beyond exhausted. She didn't say anything to him about it, but she was definitely going to do everything she could to make him rest later.

"Colorful food is a good thing," she said with a grin in his direction.

The grin faded a bit, though, when he talked about the options that she still had in her life. She honestly didn't see how any of what she'd done in her life could even remotely be considered good choices, but she'd let him talk about it if he wanted to. She kept her eyes on the skillet in front of them, refusing to look up at him. She knew if she looked into those hazel eyes, she'd lose it right then and there.

Anna still kept quiet when Dean told her to stir and left her standing with the spood in her hand as he went to the pantry for spices. She stirred the contents of the skillet, being careful not to let anything sit in one place too long and scorch. When he dropped the spices in and asked if she thought it smelled good, Anna nodded her head vigorously.

"It smells delicious!" she said excitedly and finally allowed herself to look up at him. BIG MISTAKE! Dean was standing literally inches away from her, and Anna was suddenly very aware of his presence beside her. She felt a sudden flash of heat and found herself wondering if it was the heat from the pan or the heat of him being so close to her. Her gaze locked with his and her breath caught in her throat. What the hell was she thinking?! He was there to protect her, to keep her safe from her father and Matthew until after the trial. That was all! So how in the world could she even consider for a second the thoughts she was thinking.

"Um, everything looks great. I mean, it, um, smells great," she stammered. Boy, she was really screwing this up.

[Dean Teague]

Dean laughed when she continued to joke with him about the game. He was glad that she could be free here...to just be happy. Dean was glad he could help her get that back...or even get that period. Dean placed the spices on the counter next to him and took the spoon back over and softly spoke, "Thanks."

Dean felt her arm brush against his and he felt something that he hadn't felt in a long time. He wasn't sure what he felt, but he knew it was something. Something more than professional and that meant it was not professional like.

"Um, everything looks great. I mean, it, um, smells great,"

Dean look over at her and caught something in her eye that was undeniable. Dean took a deep breath and looked back at the skillet. He could tell that she was embarrassed by what she blurted out. Dean took a deep breath and looked over at her. Dean barely spoke, "Anna"

Dean put down the spoon and turned his body towards Anna. Dean then leaned his head down towards her and their lips met. Dean held them there for a moment or two then pushed in just a bit and then pulled back and rested his forehead against hers breathing deeper than what he had been just a few moments ago. Dean spoke, "Wow..."

[Jacee Walker]

Anna was certain that she'd stopped breathing when he spoke her name, but she really did stop when he finally turned his body towards hers and leaned in. The moment his lips touched hers, softly at first, then a little harder, Anna knew she was totally lost. She'd never in her life felt anything like this. Anna's hand wrapped around Dean's arm, another big mistake! The feel of his lips on hers was one thing, but Lord, when her hand made contact with the warm skin and hard muscles of his arm, Annaleigha truly felt the floor fall out from under her. She knew that she would never be the same again, no matter what happened between her and him. If Dean walked away from her right now and never touched her again, it wouldn't do a damned thing to make her the person she'd been just five short seconds ago. She was officially a changed woman.

When the kiss was over, she actually felt the absence of his lips on hers. Her hand was still wrapped his arm and when he rested his forehead on hers, her eyes closed and she finally allowed herself to breath again. Her breath was shallow and quick and her heart pounded in her chest.

'Yeah. Wow, is right," she whispered breathlessly. 'My God, Dean. What the hell was that?"

[Dean Teague]

Dean couldn't help but to smirk at her question and then remarked, "Well I thought I was kissing you, but hey I could have been wrong." Dean smiled at her as he pulled back to get a few view of her expression. Dean pressed his lips together and looked at her noticing his joke wasn't the answer she was truly looking for.

"I don't know...what it was, but it felt right...I think it was right...was it right for you?" It was one thing for it to be right for him but if it wasn't for her then he wouldn't force anything. She had been forced to do too many things as it is. Dean would never want to put her in that position again.

[Jacee Walker]

Anna could tell just by the look on his face and the way he suddenly asked her if it was right for her that the expression on her face had scared him into believing that maybe he'd done something wrong. He couldn't be further from the truth, though. As she stood there staring at him, she could still feel the tingle on her lips where his lips had touched hers. When she'd asked him what the hell that was, she'd been referring to the spark that had shot through her. She'd never felt anything like that in her entire life.

"...was it right for you?"

Anna couldn't speak at first; she could only stand and stare at Dean. It scared her how right it had really been. She couldn't imagine anything being more right, actually, and the thought of that wasn't something she was sure she was ready to consider. He was a cop, after all. A cop who was sworn to protect her. But what would happen after the trial? What about after her father was behind bars?

It took a long moment for Anna to realize that she hadn't answered his question, and the wait was probably killing Dean. Anna nodded her head as she lightly touched her lips with her fingertips - just to make sure that the tingling still there was really just an aftershock and that there really wasn't anything still attached to her lips.

"Dean," she whispered, but any other words she might have thought she'd say were lost. "I don't... I don't know... what..." Anna stopped and stared at Dean a moment as she tried to pull her brain together. "Ah, fuck it!" she said quickly and without further warning, closed the foot wide gap between them again. Anna threw her arms around Dean's neck and pulled him as tightly against her body as she possibly could. Her mouth met his and the kiss wasn't sweet and tender as it had been a moment ago. All tentativeness and unsuredness was completely gone. Now it was all heat and passion and desire. All were emotions that Anna was very unfamiliar with, and right now, her entire being - body and soul - were consumed with something she'd never felt before.

[Dean Teague]

Dean could hear the kitchen clock ticking in the background as he waited for a response from Anna. Any response would do...a blink of an eye...even an okay would satisfy him right now...it would be better than this killer silence. Maybe it wasn't even the ticking of the clock in the background truth was it was the beating of his own heart pounding...it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.

Maybe he really had messed up here...he had a job to do and now he had put something up between him and his job. Shep was right there was nothing professional about what was going on between him and Anna.

Dean arched an eyebrow and looked at Anna as she started to stammer out some words. Being a cop his intuition couldn't tell him to think if it was a good or a bad thing, but the next thing she did made all his disbelief go away. Dean placed his hands on her hips and pulled her closer to him which caused him to press into the kiss more. Dean moved his lips with hers and together they danced.

Dean knew that things were getting hot and heavy and with everything she had been through and he had been through he wanted to take this slow not just for her, but for himself too. Especially with him being on duty with her. He needed to do this right. Dean pulled back and gave her a smile he softly spoke, " Well now that we both established we want this. I have to say you're an amazing kisser. " Dean smiled at her and then placed a kiss on her forehead. He heard the food sizzling and said, "How about we finish cooking then we can all have dinner and you can try to kick my butt at uno." Dean smirked at her.

[Jacee Walker]

Anna was letting herself sink into the kiss, enjoying more than anything the feel of her body pressed up against his. She wanted this, so badly. Sex was easy for her. It was something that she knew and understood. The power a woman had over a man when sex was involved was intoxicating at times. Sure, the men might have been paying, but that's when she was in charge. Of course, there were other times when sex had been used against her. The thought of it made her shiver in Dean's arms.

But then something happened she wasn't expecting. Dean pulled back. What? He pulled back? What the hell? Anna honestly couldn't remember a time ever when a man had pulled back from sex. She didn't know what that meant and had no idea how to handle the situation now. She looked at Dean, even as he told her they both wanted something and complimented her kissing, although she wasn't entirely sure it was a compliment.

Still, something about the way he wasn't pushing her for sex threw her off. She felt very out of her element - and oddly enough, very rejected. She took a deep breath as he leaned over and kissed her lightly on the forehead. His gestures were sweet and under any other circumstances, probably would have been considered gentlemanly and kind by the woman they were bestowed upon. To Anna, though, it felt like rejection. He didn't want her. Kissing her in the kitchen was fine, but sex with her repulsed him so much that he didn't even want to make out.

Anna cleared her throat of the lump of emotion that was there and forced the tears forming in her eyes to sink back. She tucked her hair behind her ears and followed Dean's instructions, stepping back over to the stove and picking up the spoon to stir the vegetables he'd thrown in the skillet. She didn't speak as she stirred, and she was careful to stand slightly behind Dean now.

[Dean Teague]

Dean had notice that something had change with Anna. He was good enough at what he did to notice a change in the air and there was something here and he knew that it wouldn't be counted as good. Which caused Dean to have to think about that for a moment. Dean looked down at Anna who didn't look at him she was almost like robot like now yeah something had definitely changed in a few short seconds from when he was just last kissing her.

Dean reached his hand forward and turned down the skillet temp so it would just simmer the veggies. Dean pressed his lips together while taking a deep breath. Dean gently took his hand and placed it on her chin turning her towards him. Dean looked into those eyes and those she was desperately trying to hide it there were tears in her eyes and he didn't understand why they could be there. Dean bent down a little bit trying to catch her eyes to make her look at him. Dean asked, " Hey, babe what's going on? " He spoke in the softest and gentle way that he could.