Summary: AU. Dean and Sam get a shock when their baby sister appears on their doorstep with bruises and cuts, they're grateful she's left that abusive boyfriend of hers and try to help her start anew, which is when she meets Jimmy Novak. PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters.

Rebuilding Charlie Winchester

Chapter Two: I Can't Help It

Charlie's lying on her front with her shirt off while Dean applies more cold compression to the bruising that hasn't quite healed yet. She's not left the house in the week she's been here, but at least her face has cleared up for the most part. Her black eye is still there (but hardly noticeable) but that's all. Charlie winces and grips the pillow beneath her as the ice cold shoots through her back.

"Dean…" She whispers, "What if he comes after me?"

Dean stops his movements and moves away from her body, covering it up with the sheets and settling next to her on the bed.

"Listen to me," He tells her, "We won't let anything happen to you…I swear to you. You need to stop worrying, Honey."

"I'm trying here, Dean." Charlie snaps, turning away from her brother who just leans over to look at her face, "I can't help it if I worry that if I turn a corner, he's gonna be there with a round of insults and beatings to lay on me…"

Dean sighs and grimaces sympathetically when he sees the tears in her eyes and he pulls her back onto her other side.

"I'm sorry, Charlie…" He says softly, sitting up as she does and pulling her into a hug, "I'm sorry, Sweetheart."

Charlie nods against him and just lets him hold her for a moment. Dean has always made her feel better when he holds her and he isn't the snugly type but for his baby sister he makes the exception. For her he'll do anything.

"Hey, uh…Charlie?" Dean begins the next morning, "You don't mind if my friend Jimmy and Sam's girlfriend Jess come over tonight, do you?"

Charlie looks up at her brother and smiles sweetly.

"No, Sweetie," She tells him, "It's your house after all."

"It's yours now too, Charlie." Sam says softly, "Remember that."

Charlie smiles again and turns back to her book, cup of coffee in her hands as she rests the book against her bent knees. She's gorgeous. The Winchesters know and have known for a long, long time that Charlie could do so much better than Michael. Someone like Jimmy would be perfect for her…that's it! Jimmy!

Later that day, Charlie has just showered and finished drying her hair. As she is brushing the long, loosely curled hair, she hears Dean calling her.

"I'm in here!" She calls, Dean tracing the voice to her room, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah…um…I just thought I'd let you know that you're really gonna like Jimmy." Dean says with confidence, "He's awesome."

Charlie looks a little confused and she turns to her brother.

"Are you trying to set me up?" She asks, Dean chuckling if a little nervously.

"No. Just thought I'd let you know." Dean replies, "I know you know Jess already, mind…"

Charlie nods in response and brushes her hair again as Dean leaves her to it. He smiles as he leaves the room and hears her humming softly before she actually starts singing…just like she used to before she left home.

"I didn't hear you leave;
I wonder, 'How am I still here?'
And I don't wanna move a thing…
It might change my memory…"

Shaking his head and chuckling softly, the older Winchester walks away.

Jimmy and Jess arrive at the same time. It transpires that Sam and Jess have decided to head out so after a sweet reunion between Charlie and Jess, Sam and Jess head out.

"So, Jimmy…this is my baby sister, Charlie," Dean begins, Charlie and Jimmy smiling gently at each other, "Charlie, this is my best friend, Jimmy Novak."

"Hey…" Jimmy says softly, Charlie repeating the word back to him and blushing before heading into the kitchen.

He turns to Dean with a concerned expression as he hands the older Winchester a six-pack of beer.

"What did I do?"

"Oh nothing…" Dean replies, "It's okay, she's just…well…she's shy."

Jimmy nods and tries to ignore the soft sobs coming from the kitchen. Dean hears his sister crying and puts the beer on the coffee table.

"Sorry, Jimmy…" He whispers, "It's not you, I promise. She's just come out of a violent relationship and she's still edgy."

Jimmy nods in understanding and looks to his friend with concerned blue eyes.

"Do you want me to go?" He asks, "It can't be good for her to be crowded, surely…"

"It's okay," Dean tells him, "She said it was okay for you to come so just make yourself comfortable and I'll see to her."

Jimmy sits on the sofa and waits for Dean, trying so hard not to listen as Dean consoles his sister, but he can't help it.

"I'm sorry, Dean," Charlie sobs, "I'm so sorry…I don't know what happened…"

"Shhh," Dean whispers, "It's alright, Charlie…you're tired and you've been through a rough few years, its okay."

"God…I've not offended Jimmy have I?" She asks, running a shaking hand through her hair.

"No, no, no," Dean tells her, "It's okay, Sweetheart…"

Charlie hugs Dean tight and takes her own beer and ordered pizza before heading upstairs.

The credits of The Holiday roll and Charlie dabs her eyes with a tissue. She puts the empty pizza box on the bedroom floor and her beer bottles with it, turning off the DVD and rolling onto her side, sobbing into her pillows. Suddenly there are voices in the hallway.

"I'll see you later, Jimmy." Dean says with a soft laugh, patting his friend on the shoulder.

"Yeah," Jimmy replies, "Um…I hope Charlie's okay…"

"Thanks, buddy." Dean says softly, "I'll let you know, huh?"

Jimmy nods and leaves the Winchester house, heading into the night towards his own house and thinking of nothing but what Dean had told him. He can't believe someone would hurt Charlie that way. Even though he's only seen her for a mere few moments, he thought her to be sweet and gentle, but clearly she's timid and nervous. Jimmy is so angry about what Dean had revealed to him, about how Michael had deceived Charlie and made her believe that their life could be wonderful together and that he'd protect her and care for her.

She is very like Dean in looks, but from what he'd heard about her from Dean, like Sam in nature. He can't help but worry about her for the rest of that night.

-TBC-