CHAPTER FOUR

Jo stood over the stove, making eggs and bacon. Dean was alseep in the other room. The lights were back on now, and the strom had long been over. Jo knew Dean had to have known that she was sleeping in the chair with him last night. When she woke up this morning, he had his arms wrapped her around loosely, his head resting on hers. He shifted when she had gotten up, but he hadn't woke. He was a heavy sleeper she had noticed, which in this line of business wasn't exactly a good thing.

As breakfast continued to cook, Jo thought about Sam. How he was out there in the world trying to save them. She hadn't heard from him since he left. Did that mean something bad? She pushed all the bad thoughts about Sam dying in the field out of her head. She and Sam were still friends, even after everything that had happened between them, and she didn't want to see him dead. Plus, she knew how hurt Dean would be if something happened to Sam. She couldn't bear the thought of Dean being in pain like that.

Suddenly, she heard Dean's phone ringing. He had left it on the table the night before, and she figured he probably couldn't hear it ringing now. She looked at the caller I.D., a feeling of relief washing over her as she saw the name Sam flashing. Quickly, she answered. "Sam?"

Sam pulled the phone away from his ear, looking at the number he had dialed. "Jo? Hey, I thought I called Dean."

"Oh, you did. He's sleeping right now. Did you kill the demon, yet?"

Sam looked over at Ruby. "I'm...working on it." He could feel himself growing stronger as her blood continued to pump away in his body. "Just hang tight, it'll be dead by nightfall." He hung up, still glaring at Ruby.

"Sam? Sam?" Jo sighed and closed the phone. Still holding the phone, she walked into the room where Dean was sleeping. She threw the phone on his chest, causing him to jerk awake, grabbing the phone before it fell to the ground. "Sam called. He said sit tight and the demon will be dead by nightfall." As she walked back out to the kitchen she yelled, "Breakfast is ready."

Dean looked at his cell phone, remembering what Castiel had told him the night before while he slept. The very mention of Sam's name caused the anger to rise again. He pulled himself from the chair, arching his back, feeling it crack. It felt good. He was all crampy from sleeping in that damn chair. He looked down at the chair with hatred in his eyes. He rubbed at the back of his neck as he walked to the kitchen, taking his seat in his usual spot. Soon, Jo walked over with a plate of bacon and eggs. God, he loved her. Thanking her, he went to work on his breakfast.

Jo sat across from him, noticing he was kind of stiff. "You okay?" she asked between bites.

Dean looked up at her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just..." he shifted and his back cracked in response. "Just a little sore from sleeping in that chair."

Jo looked at Dean, then back at her plate. "You know, you could have slept on the bed. I wouldn't have minded."

Dean smiled and let out a soft chuckle. "Not even after..." he trailed off, knowing she knew what he was talking about.

She shrugged her shoulder. "You were dreaming. I'm sure I've done weird things in my sleep." She took a bite of her eggs. "Nothing to get all weird about."

Dean wanted to tell Jo that he had known she was the one he was kissing. He might not have known at the time, but he had been wishing it was. He looked down at his plate, knowing he couldn't tell her about his feelings for her. They weren't that close anymore. She didn't feel that way about him. And he couldn't stand to be rejected. Instead, he admired her while she wasn't paying attention; looking forward to the nights where she would curl up in his arms and he could just breathe in her sweet scent. "Yeah, nothing to get all weird about." He chuckled to himself. He looked back up at her. "And besides, you slept in the chair with me." He smiled as her cheeks reddened. "Don't worry," he whispered, "I didn't mind."

Once she was finished with breakfast, Jo walked up the stairs, needing to shower. She had been cleaning early this morning, figuring if she was going to have to be there, she wanted the place to be at least a little cleaner. While she had been cleaning, she got dirty. Even if she didn't look dirty, she felt dirty. She shimmied out of her clothes and stepped into the shower, allowing the hot water to cascade down her naked body. She stood there for a long while, not doing anything, just enjoying the feel of the heat against her skin. She threw her head back and opened her mouth, letting some of the water spill in before she spit it back out, rinsing out her mouth.

She raised her hands, placing them on the top of her head and running them through her long blonde hair. She turned, her back against the oncoming water, now, letting it soothe the aches she felt from sleeping in the chair.

Dean fidgetted with his cell phone, spinning it between his thumb and index finger. He was debating whether or not he should call Sam. He knew what he wanted to talk to him about, but he didn't know how to make it come out without it sounding accusatory. Finally, he stood up, shoving his phone in his pocket where it couldn't bother him anymore. He was still hungry, so he walked over to the cupboard. He pulled out the box of Lucky Charms that he had started to eat the night before. Not even bothering to use a bowl, he reached his hand in and pulled out a handful of the cereal. As he munched, he hoisted himself onto the counter, feeling his joints pop as he sat. Man, he was in pain. Jo had the right idea getting a shower. However, by the time she was out of there, he knew the water was going to be cold.

He stared out the kitchen window at the world he hadn't been a part of for two whole days now. He wondered what Sam was doing with Ruby at this exact moment, then shied away from the thought, remembering the details Sam had gotten into about their "intimate moments." He scrunched his face at the thought of his brother getting his groove on with a demon. How dare she corrupt his Sammy. She had pushed herself on him while he was vulnerable. While he was missing his big brother. Suddenly, he slammed his fist on the counter, feeling the need to kick Ruby's sorry ass.

Jo jumped as Dean hit the counter. She had just come down the stairs when he did it. "Dean?" she asked, a little shocked. "What are you doing?" When she saw his face, she knew something was wrong. She ran over to him, putting her hand on his shoulder. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Dean looked into Jo's eyes, seeing how concerned she was about him. He put his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Nothing. I'm fine. It's just...I want out of here."

"I know. Me, too," Jo answered, smiling at him. Slowly, she pulled her hand out from beneath his. "Do you want a beer?"

"Please," Dean huffed, needing something to take the edge off. When Jo handed him the cool bottle, he took it, downing half the bottle in one gulp.

Sam was becoming restless. His leg was shaking, causing the whole car to bounce and groan slightly. He and Ruby hadn't spoken since that little argument they had about the demon. Sam shifted, smacking the POWER button on the radio, glaring evily at Ruby when she hurriedly turned it off, giving him the same look he was giving her. "What?" he asked, knowing why she was staring at him but wanting to hear her say it. Wanting the silence to be broken.

"If you listen to that, the demon will hear you, and your element of surprise will be gone." She stared out the window again. "Geez, Sam, for a smart person, you're kind of dumb."

Sam scoffed. "You're dumb," he said, not able to think of a proper comeback. He heard a slight chuckle come from Ruby, so he figured he had broken the ice between them. "So, how long do I have to wait before I can kill this thing."

Ruby looked at him. "I don't know, Sam. That's really up to you. How are you feeling?"

"Strong," Sam answered. "I can feel your blood pumping inside me. But...I don't think it's been in there long enough yet." Sam glanced at Ruby. "I think about an hour more, and I'll be ready."

"Good," Ruby said. "I'm coming back with you when you go get your brother, Sam." She shushed Sam when he went to protest. "I don't care what you say. I'm not arguing with you about this." She looked back out the window, folding her arms over her chest again. "And besides, my car's there."

Sam rolled his eyes, not bothering to argue, knowing she would just win anyway. He leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes, just resting, allowing Ruby's blood to pump through him, making him feel stronger and more powerful. Suddenly, Sam felt the weight of a body on him. His eyes snapped open and he jerked his body away from the feeling, but it didn't go away. He was staring Ruby straight in the face. He wiggled under her as he hands shot up beneath his shirt, her palms resting on his pectorals, causing heat to run through his body as his nipples hardened against her touch. He looked down at her hands. "Ruby, what are you doing?" he breathed.

"Shhh," Ruby ordered, slipping her hands out from under his shirt. She grabbed his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders, pushing until it was no longer on his body. "Just relax, Sammy." She lowered her head, locking her lips with Sam's, pushing her tongue through his lips and into the heated cavern of his mouth. Her tongue found his, twisting around it. Ruby moaned into Sam's mouth, slipping her tongue out, pulling away from him. Quickly, she grabbed the bottom of his tee, pulling it over his head, throwing it into the passenger seat where she had been moments ago. Once again, she rested her hands on his chest, squeezing his muscles slightly.

Sam closed his eyes against her touch, moaning softly. He didn't know why he was allowing her to get away with this, but he was. God, was he. He moved his head closer to hers, placing his hands on either side of her face, pulling her lips to his once more in a violent kiss. His hands tangled in her long, brown hair, holding her in place so she couldn't move away. Their moans of passion were swallowed into their kisses as the windows began to fog up.

Dean sat on the staircase, staring at the immoblie door. His palm tingled now where he had been beating on the door just minutes ago. Jo had told him it would do no good, but he didn't care. Beating on the door helped him to stay calm; he could pretend it was Ruby's sorry face. He planned on doing it again as it got later, closer to sundown. One question ran through his head, making it throb as his brain searched for an answer. Was Sammy really going to help them? Normally, the answer would have been easy; yes, of course. But now, after hearing that Sam was taking a swan dive off the deep end, Dean wasn't sure anymore.

Jo watched Dean as she stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame. "Hey," she said, getting his attention. Slowly, she walked towards him on the steps. She walked up the stairs, sitting once she got the step just above where Dean sat. Gently, she nudged his shoulder with her knee, knowing he was still sore from the chair. "You look like Hell," she joked.

Dean smiled, looking back at her. "Yeah?" he asked. He looked at the door again, shaking his head slightly. "I feel like Hell." He had taken a hot shower about two hours after Jo was out, and it had helped. Well, until he left the comfort of the hot water pouring over him. Then, he went right back to hurting.

Jo nibbled on her bottom lip, wondering if she should suggest helping him. Finally, she figured she should, not liking him to be in pain. "Here," she started, scooting closer to him, "let me help you." Slowly, she placed her hands on his shoulders, before moving down his back, massaging gently. She felt his body tense as her delicate hands moved over his sore muscles. "Relax, Dean," she ordered, smiling. "This isn't going to work right unless you're completely relaxed." She continued to massage his aching muscles, digging her fingers into his tender flesh for better friction.

Dean groaned in agreement as he felt Jo's tiny fingers pushing against his aching muscles. He closed his eyes, wincing slightly when she hit a real sore spot. "Mmmm...that feels good," he breathed. It had been so long since he had gotten a real good massage. God knows he needed one. His job demanded a lot of physical activity, and he was thrown around quite a lot by evil spirits.

Jo smiled at Dean's words. She knew she was good, and she was glad she could help his aching muscles. When she would hear him wince, she would work that particular sore spot out very well, kneading with all her strength. Jo moved her hands down lower, stopping at the small of Dean's back, continuing to massage. She wondered if this was overstepping his bounds, but since he didn't say anything, she figured she was okay.

As Ruby went to work on Sam's zipper, he grabbed her wrists, locking them together with his hand, stopping her from continuing. "Stop," he ordered, throwing his head back and letting it rest on the back of the car seat. "I-I can't do this." He reached over to the passenger seat and got his shirt. He quickly tugged it over his head, pulling his jacket on shortly after. Turning his head to the side, he gazed out the window, not looking at Ruby.

"What's up your ass?" Ruby asked, crawling off Sam and back into the passenger seat.

Sam's gaze snapped to Ruby. "Nothing!" he exclaimed. "I don't want to have sex with a demon, right now. Is that okay?"

Ruby scoffed. "Wouldn't be the first time we've done it."

Sam closed his eyes, remembering when he had let his guard down and slept with Ruby. "That was a one time thing. I was...hurt and angry about Dean, and I turned to you for comfort. It won't happen again." He looked into her eyes. "Trust me." He looked back out the window, knnowing that he had hurt Ruby, but really not caring. How dare she come on to him right now. While he was trying to hunt. To save his brother.

Closing his eyes again, Sam silently wished Dean was here with him. He enjoyed going on hunts with his big brother. Watching him take down a demon, picking up on all the little things he did while killing; as though he were studying him, getting tips on how to be a better fighter. He made sure he was discreet about it, of course, but he did it. After all, Dean had been doing this longer than Sam had been, and Dean was the big brother. It was his job to take care of Sam. To teach him the ropes. Sam smiled at the memories that were flooding through his mind.

The sun was getting lower in the sky as Sam waited for the right moment to attack the Amore. It was almost dark, letting him know he should make his move soon. Suddenly, Sam's cell phone rang, causing him to jump as he was pulled from his memories. "Hello?" he answered.

"Sam? It's Ellen. Have you found Jo yet?"

Sam straightened up in the seat. "Ellen, yeah, we found her. She and Dean got trapped inside a building, but I'm going to kill the demon as soon as I find it so they'll be out of there in no time."

"Oh, thank God! Thank you so much, Sam!"

"You're welcome. You know, if you want to talk to her, Dean has his phone with him."

"Great. Bye, Sam."

Sam flipped his phone closed, once again staring at the demon as it lounged in the abandoned building in front of him. It felt good to be thanked by Ellen. She hadn't been too happy with him when she found out about what he did to Jo when he was possessed. Now, he figured they could go back to normal, and everything would be okay again. He looked over at Ruby, thinking to himself that once this was over, he was done with her. For real this time.