Author's note: These fics are based on real episodes from all four seasons of Supernatural. The characters and plots belong to the creator and writers for the show. If you want background on the new character you can read the previous episodes.

When Dean was sure they were far enough away from that damn city he finally gave in and pulled into a cheap motel. He was exhausted, not to mention beat to hell. They hadn't even taken the time to clean the blood off yet. Kayla had paid for the room, cash, of course. Once in the room she'd whipped out these bags of medical supplies, like she'd expected them to get hurt. Some optimist. Still, he didn't argue when she insisted on cleaning him up.

Kayla flipped the alcohol over and dampened the rag before gently running it across his face. She felt so bad, those things didn't even try to go after her and they tore the guys apart.

"God you guys really took it."

"Tell me about it." Dean watched her turn the rag over and apply more alcohol before moving to the next open wound. It made him anxious to have her right in his face.

"You'll be ok though right? Tough as nails."

"Tougher than nails."

She smiled softly and he didn't say anything else. He was still thinking about the way dad looked at her, how he'd comforted her because she was visibly upset but not even bleeding. Dean wondered if he had wanted him to see it, if he was trying to tell her something. After all these years dad knew him better than anyone and knew he didn't get seriously involved, just like him. Maybe he saw something different in her too.

"Nearly good as new sweetheart." Kayla handed him a clean towel to dry off. "Soon your battle wounds will heal and you'll be all pretty again, ready to get your ass kicked by more invisible creatures. Maybe some visible ones too."

He smiled in response but still didn't say anything, the change in his expression was apparent. Kayla was suddenly a little intimidated by the way he was looking at her, coupled by how close she was sitting to him. She stood and tossed the towels in the trash.

"Alright let's face it you're pretty anyway." She looked to Sam. "You ok?"

Sam had been tending to himself in the mirror while catching Dean's reaction to everything. "I'm good, thanks." He couldn't believe his brother wasn't making smart-ass comments. Not even a smirk out of him; he must have finally opened his eyes.

"I'm gonna get some sleep then, you guys should do the same. You've earned it."