One Shot:

Word Count: 746

"It's absolutely imperative that Dean does not know about this." Sam pressed his finger to his thumb gesturing with each word to emphasize his meaning.

"Know about what?" Dean entered the kitchen taking in my instantly guilty expression. "Oh!" He dipped his chin down to chuckle to himself, "Did you two finally do the, uh…" he trailed off suggestively a big grin plastered on his face.

"Wha-! No!" My immediate rejection was cut short by Sam wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his side. The motion was so abrupt my hand went up to steady myself and landed on his chest intimately. I realized Sam had just blocked Dean's remaining view of what lay behind the counter and bit my tongue.

"What she means, what we mean… is that it's a little more than that." Sam started. Despite the context my heart jumped and I stared rigidly at Dean wanting nothing more than to gauge Sam's expression.

Dean pocketed his hands in his jacket, "Oh?"

"Th-that's right…" I hated lying to Dean and the hesitance I felt showed plainly on my face, but Dean misread it as something more sincere.

"Wow, well, I'm happy for you Sammy."

"I know, I know, but- wait. What?" Sammy floundered. "You're… you're happy for me?"

"Yeah, I mean, this is what you wanted right? Plus, she knows the score and can keep up."

He moved around to the fridge and Sam let go of me. The kitten began to totter toward the newcomer. I scooped him up and looked around frantically.

"Hell, she's had my back more than once already and it's been so obvious- the thing you two have for each other."

Neither of us were listening as Dean's head disappeared into the fridge. I silently gestured to Sam asking where I should hide the kitten. He shrugged back helplessly.

"I'm just happy it finally happened. I bet she made it happen too. I love you Sammy, but you just never take initiative."

Dean began turning around and with a last moment of desperation I slid the kitten into my cleavage. The kitten mewed softly settling on the strap under my chest. Relived I glanced at Sam who shot me a look suggesting I was crazy. We quickly looked back at Dean, Sam re-embracing my shoulder with a quick awkward strength.

Dean looked up from the beer he uncapped with his ring. "What was that?"

"Wh-what? What was what?" I looked around rubbing the back of my neck in a vain attempt to appear nonchalant.

"You didn't hear that?"

"Hear what, Dean?" Sam spoke up. "There's no one here but us."

"I was sure I heard-"

A soft fluffy gray head popped over the edge of my cami. Bright white teeth and a small pink tongue were exposed as the kitten mewed again. He blinked sleepily and rested his fuzzy head on the edge.

"What the hell is a cat doing in the bunker!" Dean demanded.

"Sh! You'll wake him." I reprimanded.

Sam smiled, slightly uncomfortable, at the kitten. Dean put down the food on the counter not at all charmed by the sight.

"Look, Dean, he was just wandering alone outside in the rain. He was going to get sick. We just brought him inside to warm up and dry off. We'll take him to the shelter in the morning." Sam spoke diplomatically, giving his brother a pointed look.

I pouted rebelliously at the kitten's sleeping face swearing silently at the traitor who had just taken his arm away from me to negotiate with Dean. I ignored the pleasant feeling of his warmth lingering over my shoulders.

"Yeah, well you better." He replied grabbing leftovers wrapped in foil and his beer before walking toward the exit. "Cats, what's next a freaking…" He muttered walking into the hall.

"Okay, Dean's going to the study, so let's sneak him to your room. I'll grab the bowls, you take the cat."

I blinked up at him. "We're not taking him back?"

Sam pulled back looking offended, "No, of course not. But we have to keep this under his radar. Dean doesn't do pets."

A smile split across my face. so I lowered my head pretending to observe the sleeping kitten. Sam picked up the bowl of water and food. I looked up to see his back against the door frame cautiously scanning the hallway as if he were on a hunt. "Alright, keep low and follow me."