A/N: This prompt intrigued me...mostly because there are hardly ever fics with Jody in them, and the dynamic was, well, interesting.

Disclaimer: Own nothing, sandbox playing, yadda yadda.

Prompt:

Supernatural, Jody/Dean.

I'd love a fic where Jody has some kind of fling thing going on with Dean, nothing serious or defined but still something. One day while they're together, Dean winds up suffering from a head cold and Jody gets kind of maternal, which gets Dean's wires crossed. I just really love older woman/younger guy dynamics where there's internal conflict because of mommy issues :')

xxxxx

Jody sat on her couch, passing through cable channels like it was one of those picture flip-books. Nothing looked interesting. She blew out a breath and stared at her living room.

Take the night off, Sherriff, they said.

Some down time will do you good, they said.

Fuck them.

She tossed the remote onto the couch next to her and decided a beer was a good idea. She got halfway to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Jody actually looked around her living room, as if she'd figure out who was there by scanning the empty room.

Curious, she walked to the door and peered through the peephole. Her eyes widened when she saw Dean Winchester leaning against her faded aluminum siding. Taking a step back, she checked her reflection in the hallway mirror. Thank God she showered today, which included shaving her legs and under her arms.

She took a second for a cleansing breath. This isn't a big deal, she reminded herself. Their…"relationship"...was casual, non-committal, flingy, if you will. It was also fucking hot, and reminded Jody that while she was older than Dean and a widow to boot, she wasn't dead.

She had something that attracted that man to her, even if, for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what it was.

Swallowing against her pounding heart, Jody opened the door and did her best to appear nonchalant.

"Dean! Hey! What's up?"

Dean's head swiveled up at the sound of her voice, and that fucking cocky smile was on his lips. "Hey…," he shrugged. "Was in the neighborhood...thought I'd stop by…"

Jody leaned on the door. Something was off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it...but something was definitely off.

Still…Dean's on her porch, and she's lonely and, "Well, come on in!" She opened the door wider, letting him saunter into the living room.

The front door clicked shut, and Dean hadn't made a move to take off his jacket. Smiling a little, Jody asked, "Wanna take your coat off?"

Sniffing, Dean blushed a little. "Yeah, yeah...sorry…" He shrugged out of his jacket, somewhat reluctantly, and handed it over.

Frowning, Jody took it and carefully hung it on a wall hook. She watched as Dean just stood there, hugging himself as if for warmth. Usually, by now, he was on the couch, motioning for her to come hither, a playful smile on his lips, promising her a real night off.

"Want a beer?" Her voice startled him, and she jumped when he jumped.

"Uh...nah...just...I'm okay, thanks." Dean nodded a couple times.

Still standing there.

Deciding to take charge, Jody tugged on his sleeve, until he followed her to the couch and sat down next to her. Dean tossed her a quick smile, before twisting away to stifle a sneeze in the crook of his arm.

"Bless you…"

Dean hesitated barely a second before shaking it off and resuming the confident smile from her doorway. The one that makes her heart skip beats and her breathing come in short gasps.

"Mmm...thanks."

Jody tilted her head to the side, still trying to decipher the nagging feeling she had in her gut. "How's Sam?" She asked, still fingering his sleeve while tucking her legs underneath her.

"Oh, you know. Same whiny bitch as always."

Jody chuckled, which quickly turned into a soft, "Ohhhh…" as Dean took her hand and pressed it to his lips.

"But I didn't come here to talk about Sam…" He leaned in, eyes locked on hers until his lips locked on hers.

Jody's eyes closed as she tasted his tongue in her mouth. Alive ...this is what being alive feels like.

She forgets, sometimes.

Her mouth still on his, she mumbled, "Sam...who?"

Dean let out a soft, throaty laugh. He gently covered her neck with kisses, while uncoiling her legs until she lay stretched underneath him on the couch.

Jody ran her fingers through his hair, noting the flush on his cheeks and the warmth of his skin. Jesus, why me? She thought for the millionth time. She searched his face for a sign, for any indication of why this man, who could literally have anyone, chose to spend his night off with her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Dean's eyes softened, and a finger ran along her jawline. He stopped at her chin, cupping it in his hand. Never breaking eye contact, Dean pressed his lips to hers, firm but not aggressive, insistent, but not pushy.

When he was satisfied with her reaction, Dean murmured softly, "I want you."

xxxxx

They lay on her bed, half under the covers and tangled together. Jody rested against Dean's chest, enjoying his arms around her and his bare chest beneath her.

"Wow…"

That was all he said afterward. It was all she needed to hear. With that one word, Jody felt vindicated as a woman, and that made everything else seem bearable, even if only for a while.

She shifted a little, moving her head to the pillow so she could see his face. His eyes were closed, his lips parted slightly. He closed them briefly to swallow, and Jody swears she saw him wince before opening his mouth again.

Biting her lip, Jody reached out and touched Dean's cheek. Still warm. Well, they did just have a marathon ride...both were covered in sweat from the exertion. She dropped her gaze, just in time to catch the ripple of goosebumps spread across his arms as Dean shivered. His chest filled with air just before he turned to the side and sneezed against the pillow.

And again.

Propping herself on an elbow, Jody placed her palm across his forehead. He turned to face her, embarrassment on his face. "I'm fine, Jody…"

She raised an eyebrow at him, sliding her hand to feel his cheek and neck. Both warmer than they needed to be.

Feeling like she just solved one of those gigantic jigsaw puzzles, Jody slipped out of bed, padding silently to the bathroom. She pulled an oversized t-shirt over her head and opened the medicine cabinet, snagging a bottle of cold medicine and a thermometer.

On her way back, she watched him fumble for a Kleenex from the box on the nightstand, hastily sneezing into his hand just before grabbing one and pressing it to his face. The corner of Jody's mouth lifted into a half-smile as she sat on the edge of the bed and opened the bottle.

Taking care of someone? This she could do with confidence. She took care of a whole town on a daily basis. She used to take care of…Anyway. She could do this.

She pressed the button on the thermometer and waggled it in front of him. "Open up."

Dean's eyebrows went up and he gave her a smile that broadcast the dirty thoughts running through his mind. She fought against the urge to giggle (sheriff's don't giggle, dammit), and shook her head, shaking the thermometer once more. "C'mon, you. Prove me wrong."

Dean opened his mouth to protest, and Jody took advantage of the opportunity. She shoved the thermometer in, and pushed his lips together until he closed his mouth. Jody ruffled his hair. "See? Wasn't hard."

Rolling his eyes, Dean crossed his arms and scowled slightly.

Realizing that ruffling his hair was probably not the best thing she could've done, Jody kept her hand in his hair, sliding it to the back of his head and scratching his scalp rhythmically. His eyes slowly closed, and the scowl melted from his face with a sigh. They sat like that until the high-pitched beep announced Dean's mini Judgement Day. He cracked open one eye, warily watching Jody as she removed the thermometer and read the display.

Her lips pursed together, she showed him the reading, to which he scoffed. "After what we just did, I'm surprised it's not higher."

Shaking her head, Jody set the thermometer on the nightstand and cracked open the cold medicine. "After what we just did, I'm surprised you're still conscious." She felt more than a little irritated at herself. She knew something was off. She felt the fever on his skin.

But she'd been greedy, and willing to ignore her gut in favor of the demands other body parts placed upon her.

Dean sighed. "It's not a big deal. Look, I'm sorry. I...I should just go." He made to untangle himself from the sheet, his breath already hitching. He turned away to sneeze into a handful of tissues, shivering as the cool air hit his skin.

"Whoa, there...where do you think you're going?" Taking hold of his shoulders, Jody firmly pushed him until he finally sank against the pillows, coughing into his wrist. Laying a hand on his cheek, she turned his face until their eyes met.

"You're staying here. My orders. Understand?"

Jody could see the the internal struggle clearly on his face. This was not why he came here. His muscles tensed, and Jody knew she had to make a move before the man bolted from her bedroom. She leaned in, kissing him slow and methodically, like it was a case to be sorted through. Pressing her forehead against his, she murmured, "Please…"

His sigh was different this time - deep and exhausted. He gave up the fight, nodding wearily and gesturing for the cold syrup she still cradled in her hand.

She measured out a dose, wordlessly handing it over. He knocked it back without a fight, grimacing as he swallowed. After setting the now-empty cup next to the thermometer, Jody put the box of Kleenex on the bed, and silently re-arranged the covers so they made sense. Sliding in next to him, she took a measured breath before raising her arm, indicating he should scoot over and get comfortable.

It took all of a second for Dean to consider her offer, before he did scoot over and make himself comfortable, tucked into her side. Jody kissed the top of his head a couple times, and after her heart settled down from Dean nestling against her, she relaxed, and fell asleep.