Dean spent long hours detailing the Impala in between researching the resort and helping Bobby in the salvage yard. He loved to wash and wax her surface, gliding the buffing rag down her long lines; making the glossy black surface shine brightly. Dean carefully cleaned the interior, wiping down the dusty dash and conditioning the leather seats. Nothing was too good for his baby.

Sam often teased him about being in love with his car, and Dean often thought he was right. Some days all he needed was his baby, some good music blasting from the stereo and all seemed right with the world for a short time.

Bobby watched Dean from the porch, relaxing after ripping apart an old Toyota for parts. The boy babied his car nearly as much as he did his little brother. Hell, they had been raised in that car so it was no wonder Dean felt such a strong connection to her.

"Say boy, do you know where that brother of yours has gotten off too?" Bobby bellowed from the porch.

Reaching inside the black car, Dean turned the stereo off and faced the gruff older man with a pinched face.

"Knowing Sam he is at her house trying to get more info. out of her."

Dean didn't want to talk about his brother and Lea, but there was no place else Sam could be. It wasn't like he had a babe on the side or was drinking at the local bar. Sam has made bad decisions in past, but this was one Dean wasn't going to support.

"We only have a week to decide on a plan for that resort. What are we gonna do boy?" Bobby asked as he neared Dean.

Walking towards the car and seeing Dean working hard to ignore him, Bobby was reminded of a younger John. That man had loved the Impala almost as much as his oldest son did. John had also passed on his stubborn streak to the boy.

Clearing his throat, Dean spoke in a brusque voice. "Not giving me much choice here are you Bobby? You know I don't hand over cases to other hunters."

Dean wasn't really mad at Bobby, but he didn't like being backed into a corner either. It was unlike Bobby to push Dean emotionally, but maybe he needed it. Lea was the past. If Bobby trusted her maybe Dean should too; at least where hunting was concerned.

"I think Sam and Lea should check into the resort as a couple a few days before the next attack. They can get a feel for the place and I will have time to roam around and check stuff out."

Dean wanted to make sure he was free to watch Sam's back. He needed to keep his brother safe from the spook and Lea.

"Sounds good to me son. Still not sure what you all will be facing . That worries me a bit."

Bobby preferred to have all the details planned out before starting a hunt. The boys often flew by the seat of their pants which had put them in the hot seat far too many times for Bobby's comfort.

"I am trusting you here Bobby. Trusting that Lea knows what she is doing and Sam will be safe with her."

Bobby saw the faith in the younger hunter's eyes. Dean didn't trust Sam with just anyone. He would be keeping a close eye on Lea. Bobby didn't blame him one bit. Lea had done both boys wrong and would have to prove herself to Dean if she hoped to ever regain his trust.

Sam came sauntering through the backyard, happy to see Dean working on the Impala. Maybe his brother would be in a good enough mood to talk about bringing Lea in on the resort hunt.

Dean heard his brother approaching the car and turned to examine Sam's face. His eyes revealed way too much information for his own good sometimes. Dean noticed Bobby had slowly moved back onto the porch.

"Bitch." Dean muttered wearily.

'Yeh, he had been with Lea. Now he wanted to talk like girls about including her on the case. Crap.' Dean hated when Sam wanted to talk.

Before Sam could open his mouth, Dean surprised him by speaking first.

"You and Lea need to be ready to go Monday night. You two are gonna check in to the resort early, see what you can find before Thursday. I will do the outside surveillance."

Dean pulled the hood latch and disappeared behind the large black cover.

Sam was stunned! Dean was acting likeLea had been part of the plan from the beginning. By stating how the job was going to go down, Sam knew Dean was avoiding talking about his feelings on the subject. He wanted to be in control of the situation, but emotionally disconnected.

"I was just over at her place, but I haven't talked with her about the job. I guess I will go back now and see what she says. It might have been a good idea to bring her in from the beginning."

Sam was glad his brother had decided to take advantage of the help Lea could offer, but he wished Dean would have talk to him first. He wanted Dean to be more comfortable with Lea, not forced to work with her out of desperation.

Dean didn't move from under the hood of the Impala. Sam could hear the metal ting of Dean's tools as they shifted from spot to spot on the engine. He must have been doing a tune up in preparation for the road trip to the resort.

"Are you sure you're not a woman dude? Why are you so pissy, man?" Dean sounded defensive.

Shaking his head, Sam responded. "You are such a jerk. This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you and how YOU feel about Lea."

The angry tone in Sam's voice told Dean he was more than a little upset at his older brother. When he returned from his little trip to Lea's, Sam had been in a great mood. Dean didn't understand what he had done, but now he was getting bitch-faced Sam.

"Shut your cake-hole Sam. You don't know what you're talking about."

Dean had slammed the heavy hood down with a loud bang. Stalking over to his tool box, he threw the wrench inside. Dean hated when Sam tried to get into his head. His brother knew nothing about the relationship Dean had had with Lea. Sam had no idea how difficult seeing Lea again was for him.

"Dude, when I left today you had refused to work with her and wanted to pass the job onto someone else. Now suddenly you have changed your mind. What am I supposed to think man? How do I know you're focused on the hunt and not on her?"

Realizing how unfair he was being to Sam, Dean sucked in a deep breath trying to put aside his feelings about Lea. Calmly walking to the front of the Impala, Dean leaned down to the small cooler next to the front wheel and pulled out two cold beers. Quickly tossing one to Sam, Dean pushed himself onto the hood, letting his feet rest on the shiny chrome bumper as he took a long pull from the icy drink. Sam leaned against the hood waiting for Dean to talk.

"I talked with Bobby, he trusts her. We need her help, so we take it. I don't have to like it, but I will be there one hundred percent Sammy. I will always have your back."

Sam drank his beer slowly, finding his good mood returning. He needed to get back to Lea's place soon to talk her into doing the job with them. Sam was unsure what her answer would be, but he looked forward to seeing her again.

"I will talk with her about the job, Sammy. You don't have to be my errand boy. Is she home now?" Dean wanted this over with.

Sam wasn't sure he wanted Dean to be alone with Lea, not knowing what the outcome would be. However, Dean needed to make his peace with her, even if it was just for the hunt ahead of them.

"Yeah man. We were doing some yard work and ate before she went inside. I didn't see a car around the place, so she should still be there." Sam prayed his brothers little visit ended the right way.

Dean slide smoothly off the hood and swallowed the last little bit of beer left in his bottle. Striding toward the front of the house, Dean hollered his plans to Sam, who was still leaning against the Impala.

"I am gonna wash up, then head straight over. I won't be long. Get your heavy ass off my car, dude. I just waxed her."

With that Dean vanished through the old screen door, leaving Sam in his dust.