[h2]Esme Stirling[/h2]

As Esme sat in the truck, she watched the interaction between Duke and Mika. A slight smile came to her lips as she watched Duke hug Mika and spin her around before setting her back on the ground. Being in the truck and starting to zone out, she heard little of what they said between them. She knew Duke must have mentioned something about her because Mika glanced at the truck and at her. Esme saw the worry on her face before her and Duke looked up at Dean as he came out of the room, and the small smile she had faded. She knew that Mika’s worry was about Dean and how he would react to the state she was in. It made her sigh heavily as she watched the three interact outside the truck. After she saw Duke and Dean hug, she sighed once again and turned her head to stare at the dash of the truck. 

Even though she was zoning out, the feelings and thoughts she had pushed down about Mika were starting to bubble to the surface again. Esme knew Dean would be worried about the state she was in. It was only natural with the history they had. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily again, hoping that with Duke there, it would help ease things a bit. Duke had already offered to patch and clean her up, which should relieve some of the worry Mika felt about Dean wanting to take care of her. Though it made her wonder yet again, why in the hell she promised Dean she would stick around after the total fiasco with Cupid and the tension it brought with it between her and Mika. Then again, it was always hard to say no to him when he pleaded with her, and not to mention him saying he didn’t want to lose her again. Closing her eyes tighter, she brought a hand up and carefully felt around her chest for the necklace she always wore. 

When she didn’t feel it, she moved her hand up more, finally feeling it on her neck. The demons had pulled it to lie on her back, so it was out of the way. Fiddling with it, she pulled it back to the front and held onto the charm made of wire. It was the necklace Dean had made and given her all those years ago. Even though they weren’t together anymore and wouldn’t be again, it brought her comfort in times like these. Duke pulled from her thoughts and self-comforting when he opened the door, causing her to jump and her eyes fly open. When Duke leaned over her and unbuckled her seatbelt, she relaxed a bit and stayed still as he put a hand under her legs and around her lower back, then into his arms. At Duke’s words, she smiled softy and relaxed into his arms and chest, still holding onto the charm of the necklace. “I know we are.” she replied as he smiled down at her. 

Esme’s eyes then went to Dean as he came into view, holding the room key and a note. When Dean looked at her, she could see the worry on his face as he looked at her appearance. She tried to give him a look that said, “I’ll be alright. Don’t look so worried.” before he shook his head and ran to open the door to her and Duke’s room. As Duke carried her to their room, she couldn’t help but wonder where Cason was. She figured he would have been the first to the truck when they pulled into the parking lot, not Mika. Which made her think he’d gone off somewhere to possibly think, get her car, or he let his guilt over what happened to her get the better of him and went to handle things. There was really no telling with him. She came out of her thoughts as Duke stepped over the threshold with her and spoke to Dean and Mika. She turned her head to take in the room, then noticed the single bed in the room as Duke carried her over to it. 

She knew that once she was feeling a little better, he’d more than likely have a joke or flirty remark to throw at her about it. Esme winced slightly when Duke carefully lowered her to the mattress. It was then she let go of the necklace so she could steady herself as she sat there. When he cradled her face in his hands, she looked up and met his gaze, knowing this was his way of making sure she heard what he said. A smile came to her lips as she listened to him. He hadn’t changed a bit from what she could tell. He would always ask before he did something that could make her uncomfortable, and it was clear he never wanted to do that. Even though he’d flirt with her, he had always been respectful to her and it was just one of the things she loved about him. She then lifted a hand and placed it on his arm, a smile still resting on her lips. “Yes, that’s okay…... You and I both know it’d be a job if I tried to take care of all this on my own.” 

She trusted him and it’s not like this would be the first time he’s seen her partially dressed or even naked. Most of those times were all because of bad timing on his part, but some were because he had to help Dean patch her up. Still holding his gaze, she gave his arm a small squeeze. “A bath afterward sounds heavenly.” she added, her smile growing a bit. Even if the water didn’t get too hot, it would be nice to just sit and relax in the bath, which was something she hadn’t done in some time. Esme then dropped her gaze from his, a smirk coming to her lips followed by a light laugh. “It’s almost like old times, isn’t it?” she questioned, her tone warm.