Chapter 1

"Well, I guess this is it…I really hope to never see you guys again," Charlie said as she carried her suitcase out the door to her apartment's lobby.

"Likewise, I guess…Not that you're not great, but you know, I hope you can…I don't know…Have a life now," Dean told her, as he handed her the box filled with Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings bobble heads he had carried down the steps.

"Wait, at least let us give you a ride to the airport," Sam interjected.

"Sure, thanks," Charlie sounded grateful as she heaved the suitcase into the trunk of the stolen car, which made Dean think longingly of his baby, the Impala. She raised her eyebrows briefly at the red devil's trap painted on the inside of the hatch, and the armory of guns, salt, stakes, and holy water strewn throughout the trunk. She said nothing.

Charlie climbed into the backseat, tossing her iPod into the seat next to her in case she got bored. As she sat down, she fiddled with the device even though it was off, and ran her fingers through her long, red hair. She was naturally a nervous type, but of course now she was especially uneasy. She felt certain that there was crap load about Sam and Dean Winchester that even Frank's files couldn't tell her.

Sam climbed into the passenger's seat. His wavy, bronze hair brushed the roof, and he felt cramped. Of course, he always felt cramped in small spaces like cars, he was too tall to fit anywhere properly, but he was certain that the Impala had been more comfortable than this. Had he mentioned it, Dean could have explained that this was because he had specifically set up the seats in his car to fit the brother's bodies, and allow them to be comfortable.

There were lots of little things like that which Dean had once done, but lately he had been distracted. It was natural, after all, leviathans were vying for world control, his adoptive father figure was slowly leaning towards becoming a vengeful spirit, and of course there was a certain trench coat wearing angel who had recently returned after literally exploding for the third time since Dean had met him, to make Dean's already overcomplicated life all that much more confusing. Not to mention a despicable, angel-stealing, demon with a fake medical degree and a thing for pizza men. Yeah, he had a lot to stress over, and the way things had gone in 'Richard Roman Enterprises,' certainly didn't help.

Dean suppressed a shudder as he considered what the chunk of red clay they had acquired out the ordeal could mean. He ran his fingers through his sandy hair, and squinted as he looked into the clouds for a few moments, just pondering about the ominous red dirt…He moved to his usual spot as the driver. It had been months, but driving a car other than the Impala, his baby, still felt somehow…dirty. The motor rumbled to life, and no, it didn't purr the way that Dean's baby did. Dean headed away from the apartment complex that was Charlie Bradbury's old home, a place she would likely never be able to see again. They drove in silence for a few moments as Dean pulled onto the on ramp.

"So, Dean…Can I just compliment you on your flirting skills?" Charlie asked, trying to make conversation as they zoomed down the highway. Dean scoffed.

"What? You think I've been trying to hit on y-" he shook his head, narrowing his eyes a little as he tried to figure out how Charlie could have gotten the wrong idea. "I mean…I'm sorry, what? Look, I get that you're into chicks."

"Right…I just meant that you have game. I mean, even under all the pressure of breaking into Dick Roman's office, you still knew exactly what to say to that security guard. Seriously, I'm not used to hitting on guys. If it wasn't for that blue tooth, I might have totally frozen up. Of course, lines like 'stop laughing Sam,' and 'stop talking Charlie,' weren't exactly the best, but still-" Sam cut her off with a laugh.

"Whoa!" Dean interrupted before Sam could enjoy this too much. "You think I'm g-" he couldn't even say it, he was too taken aback. "I mean…me? Me?!" he got a look at Charlie's raised eyebrows, and was quick to cover up after himself. "Not that there's anything wrong with being, you know, into that, but I just….Do I give off that vibe?"

At this point, Sam could no longer contain himself. He burst into somewhat hysterical laughter. Charlie was squeezing her lips together, trying hard not to laugh. She met Sam's eyes in the mirror, and could no longer keep back a giggle.

"I mean…You're not?" Charlie asked. She was smiling, but unfortunately, Dean could tell that it was a serious question.

"What? No! I like chicks!"

"Are you sure?" Charlie asked.

"What, are you-? Yes, of course I'm sure! Jesus," Dean sighed. "I hook up with girls all the time. Seriously, we rescue hot chicks for a living!"

"OK, OK, Jeez," Charlie giggled. "Can I ask you something else? And please, don't take this the wrong way, I'm really curious."

"Fine, but it better not have anything else to do with me being gay," he grumbled. There was a pause. "Well, go ahead…"

"Never mind," Charlie said in a small voice.

"Oh for the love of-" he groaned. "Just ask the damn question."

"OK, um, have you ever considered the possibility that you're bi?"

"What? NO!"

"OK, it's just a question," Charlie said. She rolled her eyes, and put in her ear buds, and turned to the song, 'I'm walking on Sunshine.' She turned the volume way up, but not so high that she couldn't hear the brother's conversation.

"Well, you protested that one harder than I thought you would," said Sam, smirking.

"Oh, shut up, bitch," Dean sighed.

"Hey, I'm just saying…They say when you deny something too much, it must be true…Jerk," Sam replied, still grinning.

"What are you trying to say here, exactly, Sammy?" Dean said.

"Maybe…That you might be bi…?" Sam said. Now he was hesitant though. It was something he had wanted to bring up for…Well…Since Dean came back from Hell and met the one who had gripped tight and raised him from perdition, actually. After all, the two of them had never really explained to Sam exactly what they meant when they said they shared a 'profound bond.'

"Wait, are you being serious?" Dean barked. "As in, this isn't a joke anymore?"

"I mean…"

"OK, let me get this straight…Pun possibly intended. You've known me for how long? OH! WAIT! You're whole life. I'm your brother, for God's sake, Sammy. You can't honestly think that-"

"Dean, it's OK if you are," Sam said quickly. He loved teasing his big brother, but he also wanted to make sure that things were absolutely clear.

"Gee, thanks, Sammy," Dean said sarcastically. "What if I'm not? Is that OK? Huh?"

"Of course, I just-"

"You just, what?"

"I'm just wondering how you feel about Castiel being back?" Sam said. There was a moment of utter silence, broken by the soft sound of 'I'm walking on Sunshine' from Charlie's headphones.

"What?" Dean said, almost speechless.

"I mean, I know he isn't completely back, being in a coma and everything, but still…"

"No, what do you mean 'how do I feel about him being back?'" Dean interjected.

"Dean, I know you two shared a-"

"No," Dean interrupted. Sam was surprised at the emotion in his big brother's voice. "Don't you dare say 'profound bond,' Sammy. Don't say it. Not after what he did. He broke that bond when he broke the wall in your head…When he teamed up with Crowley. When he and Meg…When he didn't help me find Lisa and Ben…So, whatever you think about me, keep him and his stupid, lying, profound bond out of this."

"Dean, I didn't mean…Look, I just…I'm sorry." There was another pause. Charlie bit her fingernails anxiously. The brothers seemed to have somewhat forgotten her presence. "Wait, what did you mean about him and Meg?"