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Lexi gripped the cup holder tighter when she heard Sam's voice rise, surprised it wasn't louder. Dean had already warned her about their relationship, and she'd be lying if she said there were never any fights between her and her own father. But she regretted them now, and she didn't want to see Sam deal with the same guilt she carried. You never know what your last words to someone will be, especially in their line of work.
She paused outside the door — not eavesdropping, just getting a feel for what she was about to walk into.
"No, Sam! I said we would look."
She could hear the deep inhale as John tried to calm his voice.
"I'll check under every stone," he promised, and Lexi knew it was genuine.
"Where's the colt?"
"Your son is dying, and you're worried about the fucking colt? Why am I not surprised?"
"That's my cue…" Lexi whispered to herself and stepped through the door as she finally pushed it open. "I know how much you guys have missed Lexi Hayes's famous cup of joe," she teased, feeling the air become lighter.
The corners of Sam's mouth twitched up. "Thanks, Lex," he said, lifting out of his chair to help.
"Kids, we are hunting this demon, and it might be hunting us, too," John explained, nodding a thanks as Lexi handed the paper cup to him. She noticed the softness in his voice that wasn't there before. "That gun's the only card we got."
"He's got a point, Sam…"
A heavy sigh floated through the air; he knew his father was right. Sam just didn't like admitting it. "It's in the trunk," Sam explained, pausing to take a sip of his coffee. It really was hands down the best he had ever had. "They dragged it to a yard off I-83."
"Okay, we gotta get that trunk cleaned out before some junk man sees what's inside, God forbid-"
"Lexi already called Bobby. He's gotta be about an hour out, now. He said he would tow the Impala back to his place."
Lexi bobbed her head in agreement when John's eyes shifted to her.
"Alright then," John said, his gaze moving back to his son. "Sam, you and your girlfriend go meet up with Bobby."
Every muscle tightened in Lexi's body; they had kissed, among other things, and she could admit she had feelings for Sam that were well past just a friend status. But even when Dean teased them, he had been careful not to say the word aloud.
"We haven't - She's not - We're not…"
John held back a chuckle as he watched his youngest boy stumble over his words. "My bad. Have Lexi take you to meet up with Bobby. Unload the trunk, get the colt, and bring it back to me."
She nodded her head when Sam looked back at her.
"Yeah, Dad… We got it covered," Sam huffed and started for the door. Lexi pushed off the wall she had been leaning against and began to follow.
"Alexis…"
Her eyebrows rose as she stopped and turned back to John. It had been what felt like a lifetime since she had heard her full name, "Yes?"
"Do me a favor…" John whispered, looking toward the door as he held out a piece of paper, "and grab this stuff while you're out, would ya?"
"Okay?" She took the paper out of his fingers and started unfolding it. "But I don't understand why you wouldn't have Sam-" her question stopped when she started reading the list. "John… I don't think this-"
"I got to, Lexi." Jon insisted, "I have to save Dean."
She let out a sigh of defeat. She knew that when a Winchester made up their mind, there was no changing it. "Yeah, alright."
"And keep him outta trouble," John joked, trying to lighten the mood. "We've got enough to deal with right now."
"I will try, but have you seen the size of that kid?" Lexi quipped back, earning a chuckle in response. "I got him."
"Oh, don't I know it, sweetheart," John said with a smile. "In more ways than one."