Dean watched silently as Beth walked out the patio door, sliding it closed behind her. He looked up to meet Sam's concerned gaze, one he was sure matched the look on his own face. Beth hadn't eaten in two days, and had hardly spoken a word to anyone since she woke up the morning after she had taken the cure. Dean took a deep breath and rose from his seat, walking to look out the sliding glass door at Beth, who was sitting on the top step of the deck, leaning back on her arms and looking up at the sky.

She didn't move as he walked out onto the deck, lowering himself down to sit beside her. He swallowed hard, hanging his head, not sure what to say or how to begin. They had done this to her to get back at his family, and he could feel guilt eating at him.

"I'm fine, Dean." Beth's voice was hushed, and she continued staring at the sky as Dean lifted his gaze to look at her.

"You're lying to me again, Beth." His voice was gentle, but his words hit home, and she sat up straight, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands. When she raised her head and looked full into his eyes, there was fear there, and something else that sent heat through his veins. There was a hunger in her brown eyes; and then shame, as she dropped her gaze.

"I don't know if I can tell you how I feel, Dean. I don't know if you'd understand. I don't know if anyone would understand."

"I would, Coop."

She looked at him in disbelief. "How could you possibly..." She stopped, her eyes widening as she stared back at him. "You...?"

He nodded, looking away. "Yeah, I was turned."

"So you-you were feeling...Did you feel like you had no self-control?" Beth's cheeks were flushed and she looked steadily at her feet.

"Yeah. And I came very close to hurting someone I cared about. I'll never forget how that felt." He looked over at her again and she met his eyes for a moment. "So I do understand, Beth. I know exactly how you feel."

She was staring at the ground again, and was quiet for a few seconds before she continued, her voice breathless. "Before Bobby got back with the cure-all I could think about was you sitting there next to me...and how I wanted to..." Dean turned to her, his hands reaching to frame her face as he bent to touch his lips to hers. Her response was like a flash fire, fast and hot and all-consuming; and then, just as suddenly, she was gone, and Dean was left sitting on the stairs, breathing hard and fighting to form a coherent thought. Beth was in the middle of the yard, her arms wrapped around herself, crying quietly.

Dean walked up behind her, sliding his arms around her and holding onto her silently. After a few moments, she turned into his embrace, clinging to him, her face buried in his chest. "I'm scared, Dean."

"I know." He held her tight, kissing the top of her head before he continued. "The virus screws with your inhibitions; vamps aren't well-known for their self-control." He ran his fingers through her hair, as he spoke again. "It's only been a couple of days. It fades with time, I promise."

She drew back from him a little, wiping tears from her face and looking up at him. "Are you sure? Because I feel totally out of control. Why do you think I've been steering clear of everyone, especially you?"

"I'm sure." He leaned in to kiss her forehead, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. "But if you want to let your wild side free," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver up her spine, "I'm more than willing." He kissed her again, his lips soft but demanding, and she let her arms go around his neck, pulling him in closer. She could feel his hand on the small of her back, pressing her tighter against him, and his other hand was at her neck, buried in her hair as she kissed him back with abandon.

"Hey, guys," Sam's cheerful voice interrupted them, and they stopped, Beth hiding her face in Dean's shoulder. "Sorry, but do you think Mom and Dad's back yard is the best place for this?"

Beth turned her head to look at Sam, her eyes wide. "Please tell me they weren't watching!"

"No, but it was close. So I thought maybe I should-uh-break this up." His eyebrows raised as he grinned at Beth. "Hated to-looked like you two were having a good time."

Beth ducked her head again, then met Sam's gaze with an embarrassed smile. "Thanks-I guess." She stepped back from Dean, looking down at the ground and taking a deep breath. When she looked up, Dean was staring back, the glow still in his eyes, and he reached for her hand.
"I suppose we should go in," he said, and she took his hand with a smile, almost catching her breath at the contact. Okay, this might not be such a bad thing-but not here. It was definitely time to think about heading home. She smiled to herself, and Sam looked at her, curiosity on his face.

"What's that little smile about?" he asked, teasing, and she looked up at him, her eyes dancing.

"I was just thinking that it was time to go home-and I meant to Sioux Falls." Dean put an arm around her shoulders as they went up the steps of the deck.

"Yeah, well, like it or not, I think you're part of our dysfunctional little group now," he said softly, as they reached the door.

"Hey-I happen to think we're pretty damn functional," she argued, and Sam chuckled as they entered the house and Beth headed for the kitchen. "Hey, Mom-is there any of that ham left from yesterday? I'm starving."

The next morning after a quick breakfast and loading the cars, they prepared to leave. Beth reached up to kiss Rick on the cheek, then grabbed her mother in a fierce hug. "I love you, Mom," she said, trying not to cry as she looked into her mother's tear-filled eyes.

"I love you, Beth-you be careful."

Dean stepped up to hug her next. "Linda-thanks for everything." He stepped back to shake Rick's hand next, and Linda put a hand on his arm.

"You take good care of my girl, you hear me?"

Dean smiled and nodded. "I will-we will." Linda smiled through her tears, and Dean impulsively leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Don't worry, mama."

Linda stayed him with a hand on his forearm. "And Dean-don't you hurt her."

Dean met her direct gaze with his own. "No, ma'am."

They climbed into their vehicles and Dean fired up the Impala. As they pulled out of the driveway, he glanced over at Beth, who was sighing contentedly. "Well, Coop-I talked to Sam and Bobby, and it's up to you, but-I thought maybe you and I could head up to the cabin in Montana for a couple of days." Beth looked at him in surprise. "Well-what do you think?" Suddenly, he was unsure of her reaction, and he waited for her answer, almost holding his breath.

A slow smile spread across her face, and her eyes were warm as she answered. "I think we're going to Montana."

Dean grinned in relief, and nodded. "All right then." He stuck the AC/DC cassette into the deck and turned up the volume. "Montana it is." He pulled onto the highway, both of them singing 'Back in Black' at the top of their lungs as the Impala picked up speed.

Beth stood at the window, watching the sunrise light up the eastern sky with pink and coral hues. She cupped her mug of coffee in her hands, hugging her arms close to her sides, smiling at the sensation of Dean's soft flannel shirt against her skin, and the scent of him that still clung to it. She tilted her head as she breathed deeply-hints of his cologne, whiskey, leather, and...gun oil? She wasn't sure, but it smelled like Dean, and she sighed happily. She was getting chilly though, so she headed for the couch and tucked the blanket around her bare legs and feet, curling them underneath her and leaning on the arm of the couch. She glanced up at the door, and her gaze lingered there for a moment, reliving two nights ago when they had arrived at the cabin. She had barely set down her bag and swung the door closed when Dean had pinned her up against it; she suppressed a shiver at the memory. That first time had been intense, fierce, their need for each other almost desperate, and they hadn't even made it to the bedroom. In fact, they had barely made it to the couch. And afterwards, the slow, gentle kisses and his fingertips tracing patterns on her back and down her arms as he held her close...Beth sighed again at the memory, laying her head back and closing her eyes. He had apologized then, worried that he had been too rough, and she smiled, remembering how she had run her finger softly over his lips and told him that he was the one with scratches on his back, that he had nothing to be sorry for.

She felt a presence behind her, and Dean's hands on her shoulders, and she opened her eyes to meet his green-eyed gaze. "Hey, Coop." He leaned over for an upside-down kiss. "That shirt looks good on you," he whispered, his fingers slipping inside to trace her collarbone.

Beth smiled softly, reaching a hand up to cover his. "Sorry-it was the first thing I found this morning, and I didn't want to wake you. Besides-it smells like you."

"I don't mind, believe me." His hand slipped a little further down, and Beth caught her breath. He leaned over her, his lips nuzzling her ear as he spoke. "I don't mind at all." He kissed her neck, and then they both jumped as her mug hit the floor, breaking into pieces and splattering coffee everywhere. Beth climbed off the couch, shedding the coffee-soaked blanket, and Dean took her hand, pulling her away from the mess. "Careful, Coop, there's glass everywhere." He looked down into her eyes, concern on his face. "You didn't cut yourself, did you?"

Beth shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Just clumsy. Your fault," she said, tracing the scar on his chest with a fingertip as she smiled up at him.

He smirked, pulling her close and bending to kiss her. "How about we clean this up a little later?" he murmured, his fingers deftly undoing buttons.

"Good idea," she sighed as the borrowed shirt hit the floor at her feet.