Chapter Twenty.

I got another one out! Yuss! I don't know that I will be able to get one out after this, until next weekend though. I'll try really hard, but I have to refocus my attention now. Massive amounts of apologies.

Thank you reviewers, PMers, and adders! You guys are THE best. And thank YOU for actually reading. It makes me so happy to see that pepole read this fanfic. It makes me feel like I'm actually doing something right!

Not that I got much farther, but I've been assured that it's completely fine, because it just means that you get more chapters to read, and the story takes a longer time. No one gets upset over a long Supernatural story, do they? I hope not.

ENJOY. READ. REVIEW. :)

Disclaimer.
song: Milkshake - Kelis
movie: ¡Three Amigos!

Banana Kid walked us through the door way of the house and into a large area that was what he called the "common room". It looked like a living room to me, but he seemed to stress the "common room" aspect of it. What, does being in college change what rooms are or something? Get real. It's a living room, with a ratty old couch where some guy was staring at a book. It looked like a really thick Physics book, and he looked like he wasn't even reading it. His eyes were pretty glazed over. Seems brutal. If I ever go to college, I am def not taking Physics. I'll take something bad ass… As Banana Boy lead us through the common area and introduced us all to a few people, my smile continued to grow, and the scowl on Sam's face deepened. Dean seemed a little more at ease – I'm pretty sure that's because he thinks that he basically just va-jay blocked me for life. Oh, Dean, I have my ways. However, this was not that kind of search, not tonight anyway. I was just finally excited to be around people, my own age, other than Sam and Dean. Yeah, I mean, they're pretty cool – most of the time – but still, I do like to mingle with people besides them. And how often do you get to go to a college campus and hang out with the students? Not too often. No, I could finally relax, and still solve a case. Two birds, people! I finally got that college multitasking down. Nodding to each of the guys I was introduced to, my smile grew. These guys all seemed decent and charming, and they were smiley. I think that calls for a good time. Hello, new friends! Apparently though, Sam had had enough introductions because his claw was suddenly wrapped around my upper arm and he was asking where our room was.

He practically shoved me ahead of him as we started up the stairs. "Okay, hey, Goliath, do you wanna get your paws off me?" I yanked my arm away from him as I turned around on the top of the landing. He'd rushed me up here and away from everyone down below, and I had just about had it.

"Well, when you can act like a regular human being, maybe I'll stop treating you like a little kid," he bit as he towered over me.

What the hell?! "Act like a regular human being"? Who was this guy? "Excuse me? And what exactly did I do that was so unlike a regular human being? Huh? Please, tell me, oh great one," I hissed. "All I did was say "Hi" to some people. It's called manners. I was just being friendly."

"Are you serious? Did you not see those guys down there, drooling over you?"

"So what?! It's not like I sat there and gave them my number or something. Jesus, you make me sound like some stripper. They were just guys, Sam. And besides, I can't help if they like what I've got. I mean, my milkshake does bring all the boys to the yard," I jested. Come on, if I had wanted those guys to be into me, I would have done way more than just smiled and greeted them. I winked at Sam, trying to just blow off the argument and move on. I'd had enough big brother bullshit and definitely didn't need to add more to the pile of crap I'd been trying to forget happened.

Spinning, I started down the hall, my hands tucked into my back pockets when Sam's voice sliced through the air with a slick cut to my ego. "God, you act like such a whore, Becca."

It was like the wind knocked out of me when I whipped my head around and closed the distance between us with two giant steps. Dean was instantly between us, his hand against me, blocking me from completely walking up to stand toe-to-toe with Sam. My hand was raised, and oh did I want to smack it across that tight jaw of his. That son of a motherless goat. I couldn't bring my hand to actually make contact with his stupid face. It just sort of hovered there, and then slowly formed a point as a menacing finger shook in between his eyes. "Don't you ever call me a whore! Do you understand me!? I put up with a lot of shit, Sam, and I will not put up with you calling me a whore. Not… not you."

"Well maybe if you stopped acting like one –" Dean cut him off and my hand dropped by my side. It was clenched into a fist, but it was a defeated fist. A fist that felt like it had just been embarrassed in front of the classroom of peer fists. The fist that had been picked on, and shoved around the circle of guys in the bar because it made a pass at one guy who didn't mention he had a reputation for sharing. The fist whose big brother had to come over and beat up the asshole fists before he then yelled at her for going and getting drunk at twenty years old while still at the bar; and then took her home to Daddy fist.

"Sam, that's enough," Dean grunted. He clapped Sam on the chest and then we both stood there as Sam shoved past us and made his way down the hall towards one of the rooms that Banana Kid had told us about.

I could feel the pain start to rise in my throat, and I tore my eyes away from Dean and to the floor board. Damn it that just makes fighting the tears a billion times harder. I then shifted my whole head back and stared up to the blinding light on the ceiling. The stupid thing had purple streaks of paint on it, and ew, what is that brown stuff? I don't even wanna know. Dean shuffled on his feet and I brought my water filled eyes down to meet his gaze. Well, down, but up from where I was standing. He is only six inches taller than me… Ha, only… I bit my lip when his eyes lowered and softened. Great. Now he was pitying me.

"Bec, he just –"

"No, Dean, don't defend him. Obviously I'm just some whore, I mean, he would know… right? He's been back about two months… He totally knows everything. Being gone for four years doesn't m-mean anything-g-g." Great. Now I was choking on my words as they fought past the lump in my throat.

I heard Dean sigh as I just shut my eyes and shook my head, wrapping my arms tightly around me. Sam didn't know anything. No, he walked out of that door and didn't look back. He didn't answer my calls, he wasn't there on my downward spiral that Dean saved me from while my father just got in my face and left me locked in a motel room. But hey, no, he knew enough to call me a whore. And this had been the kid I'd desperately missed. I just tightened my arms around my torso when the anger I'd had earlier that day, along with the anger I'd felt when Sam left without a good bye all rushed at me at once. Was I really that horrible of a person? Did my brother really have that much disgust for me? The way he looked at me… It was like he never wanted anything to do with me again. I felt ashamed… dirty, like I was some outcast in his eyes.

I froze when Dean wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his chest. This was so unlike him. Worried Dean who searched my face to make sure I understood what he was telling me, while also making sure I was still safe? That Dean I knew. Jackass Dean who gave me looks that made me feel like a child who was in trouble, all because of a look? I knew that Dean really well. Big brother Dean who woke me up by smacking a pillow to my face and breaking my nose when I was sixteen? Hell yeah, I knew that Dean. Uneasy Dean who was clearly awkward as he tried to act like he wasn't completely sickened by the idea a semi possible "girl moment" occurring? Yes, that Dean was quite popular… but somehow that usually worked… But this Dean, comforting Dean who had me pulled into his chest and didn't say anything as he gripped an arm around my shoulders and just held me there? This was a Dean I was not prepared for. This Dean caught me off guard. This Dean just got a wet spot on his shirt from my tears that were squeezed out of my eyes as I breathed deeply and shuddered with the outgoing breathes.

"He's just… being Sam," Dean tried to reason with me.

"Sssmmm bberr mmcted furr," I mumbled into him where his arm was against my face and his chest was squished against my cheek.

He pulled me away from him, holding me at arm's length, and looked down at me questioningly. His face made me laugh and I started to wipe the tears from my cheeks. "I don't speak dork, Becca. You're gonna have to repeat that in English," he spoke with a straight face and focused eyes. They were bright though, bright and light, meaning he was happy, but there was an air of concern. I felt relief flood through me.

I lightly punched his chest. "I said Sam never acted like that before…" I sniffed back the rest of my cries.

Dean's finger tapped on my shoulder from where his hand still rested. "Well, it's probably those thongs you got him. Got his whole personality twisted."

I laughed audibly when Sam's head poked from around the corner. "I got the biggest size they had!"

"Hey, come on," Sam hissed waving a hand for us to join him.

I just hung my head as Dean pulled his jacket away from his shirt. "Dude, is this gonna make my shirt shrink?" he indicated to the spot where my tears had darkened the fabric with a thick finger.

I rolled my eyes, wiping the final tears off my cheek. "Yeah, Dean. Just that spot's gonna shrink, making the whole shirt uneven. What a boob," I smiled up at him, a nod coming from my head, which he returned. All right, fine. He can totally va-jay block me if he was gonna be a decent brother. At least for now. Eventually I'm gonna need him to just allow the va-jay some freedom.

We made our way up the hall and around the corner, to where Sam was waiting expectantly. He led the way down the hall, none of us talking, and me completely avoiding his eyes. So I'm not ready to forgive him yet. Bite me. Finally, half way down the hall, a door was open, and a boy was standing in front of the mirror, in yellow shorts, and he was painting his entire body purple. I stared in awe, and a chuckle escaped my lips from where I was standing in front of Sam and Dean as they both kind of smushed together to fit inside the doorway. See, it pays to be normal sized. The boy looked up from his painting and caught my smile in the mirror. I couldn't help but laugh again. His entire body was purple. Even his eye lids, talk about dedication.

"Who are you?" he questioned just staring at the three of us.

"We're your new roommates," Dean smiled and walked past me and into the room. He looked completely startled when the boy held up the can of paint and the brush for Dean to grab.

The guy shrugged, looking at Sam and me and then back to Dean. "Do me a favor? Get my back. Big game today."

I felt a small push on my back, and I was suddenly stepping farther into the room. "I'm sure Becca here –" Sam was saying with that accusatory ring in his voice. He clearly was still pissed about the argument. Well, fine, so was I. But, I was also completely shocked that he was still standing here, shoving me towards some guy, like he was trying to prove a point.

Lucky for me, my lovely brother Dean stepped in and put Sam in his place. He slung an arm over my shoulder and shot a thumb back at Sam as he cut him off from continuing his sentence. "He's the artist. Things he can do with a brush."

I sniggered as Sam's face went into complete mortification. Serves him right! Sam slowly took the can and brush while Dean winked down at me and then threw himself into a chair and picked up a magazine. "So… Uh…" I cleared my throat and grabbed the magazine out of his hand, spinning it so that the name was in front of him. "Murph?" he seemed to second guess that was actually the guys name until the Barney look alike perked up. "…Murph. Is it true?"

"What?" Murph looked at us via his reflection while Sam continued to paint his back with a hard face.

"We heard one of the guys around here got killed last week," Dean answered, still absently flipping through the magazine.

Murph's exuberant expression fell. His shoulders shrugged a little while he slightly nodded. "Yeah."

"What happened?" I pressed gently while I sat on the arm of the chair Dean was sitting in. My sitting was short lived however when Dean used his elbow to shove me off of the arm, and then took up the whole thing with his arm.

I scrunched up my face and just moved to the back of the chair, leaning forward on its back. I flicked Dean in the head while Murph answered my question. "They're saying some psycho with a knife. Maybe a drifter passing through. Rich was a good guy."

"Rich, he was with somebody?" Sam was almost done painting Murph's back as he threw the question out there.

"Not just somebody," Murph's excitement was suddenly back. His eyes widened, and the by the smirk on his face, I'm assuming he was super happy to be talking about this all of a sudden. "Lori Sorensen."

Lori Sorensen? Damn, I mean, by the look on his face, it seemed like the person he would have been with would be some sort of celebrity. I'd never even heard of a Lori Sorensen. "Who's Lori Sorensen?" I questioned while Dean cleared his throat.

"You missed a spot. Just down there, on the back," Dean used the magazine to point to Murph's back just below where Sam had finished covering the guy's back with purple paint. Sam shot a glare over his shoulder to Dean who I am sure had a smirk on his face to rival my own. Sam continued to reapply paint to the same area as Murph shifted on his feet.

"Lori's a freshman. She's a local. Super hot. And get this; she's a reverend's daughter," he seemed to be struggling to keep the words in as they tumbled out of his mouth. Jeez, what a guy. I rolled my eyes and stood up from the chair while Dean nodded his head.

Sam set the paint and brush back into Murph's hands, a small forced smile on his face. He shot Dean and me another glare.

"Hey, Murph? You think about going up higher on your legs with the paint? I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you out with that," I indicated to Murph's shorts.

"You think?" he turned to face me, seriously considering my suggestion.

"Oh, yeah! I mean, when you're jumping up and down, 'cause, duh, we're gonna win; but, you don't want white legs showing, do you? That kind of throws off the flow of things…"

Murph looked down at his legs, and shrugged, offering the painting supplies back to Sam. Sam just shook his head. "Sorry, Murph. But, uh, actually, do you know what church the reverend preaches at?"

"Don't tell him unless he paints your legs, Murph. I wouldn't. This guy's a real slime. He'll back out the moment he gets the chance. It's the only way to get him to do what you want," I stated quickly after Sam asked the question, as I stepped around the chair and was now glaring up at Sam while I bit my tongue, my arms crossed over my chest.

Murph tapped the wooden end of the brush against Sam's arm. "You heard her, dude. You finish helping me, I tell you the church."

Sam sighed an extremely deep breath as he snatched the paint can from Murph's hand once more. Good. I hope you hate every minute of covering that college boy's hairy legs.

"Catch the door," I whispered to my brothers as I stepped into the church. I was a few steps ahead of them as I heard a slam behind me. Amateurs. Everyone, and I mean everyone in the church just turned around to look at us, and I quickly slid into the empty back row, trying to pretend I wasn't there. I like attention, yeah sure, I'm gonna assume almost everyone does. But not this kind of attention. Dean slid beside me as I slapped my head into my palm. The guy was grinning.

"…as a community, and as a family. The loss of a young person is particularly tragic. A life unlived is the saddest of passings," the reverend had begun to speak and the congregation slowly turned and eventually all eyes were facing him as Sam finally slid in beside us on the bench. "So, please, let us pray. For peace, for guidance, and for the power to protect our children." I watched as a wave of bent heads spread throughout the room. I looked over at Dean and he shrugged to me before eyeing the area where Sam had just jabbed his elbow into Dean's rib. Dean then rolled his eyes and indicated for me to bow my head, too.

I clapped my hands together, and oops, it was a bit too loud, because the old man in front of me turned around and glared at me. I shot him a sheepish smile, and when he looked forward once more, I stuck out my tongue at the back of his head. Glare at me again old man, I'm not afraid to take on a geriatric. Let's go! I didn't know that the chorus of "Amen" meant the prayer was over until I heard multiple pews groaning out of relief as everyone stood up and an organ began to play. I just about jumped out of my skin with the first note. Holy crap… Oh Mylanta, can you say crap in a church?! Oh, well, I'd just mentally threatened an old man with a cane, so I'm gonna roll with it. Holy crap, that note was LOUD. Sam was instantly up with the rest of the group and a book was perched in his hands while he looked forward towards the giant cross that hung in the front of the church.

Talk about being out of your element. I'd never gone to church before, how was I supposed to know what to do!? I had to be removed by Dean when the plate came around. Apparently you just put all your money into the thing, and because I didn't, Sam got all upset.

"Becca, put a few dollars in," he whispered while the kind man smiled, sticking his long stick where the plate sat, in front of my nose.

"I don't just have a couple dollars, Sam. My smallest bill is a ten," I held up my hand for the man, signaling that I wasn't going to be contributing.

Sam leaned around Dean, "So throw it in!"

"I'm not just dropping ten dollars in there!" I'd completely forgotten to whisper and the older man from before turned around again. "I worked hard for that ten dollars, and I don't exactly just have a steady cash income. I'm not just throwing my money away because I'm in church one time. Why don't you just give them ten dollars!?"

"I already put money in the offering," he seethed.

"What do you want?!" I turned to face the old man who wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was eavesdropping.

He shook his head at me. "You're supposed to give back to God," he reprimanded.

"Yeah, well, when God gives me something first, then maybe I will," I hissed. It was then that Dean grabbed my arm and lifted me up out of my chair and walked me out of the door. "Lemme go," I yanked my arm out of his grasp when we'd made it down the stairs and to the grass.

"You wanna calm down? What are you doing?" His hands were stuffed in his pockets, but I knew he was serious. So much for comforter Dean.

"I've had a rough morning, forgive me for being a little tense," I sneered.

Dean rubbed a hand over his face and closed his eyes briefly. "Fine," he stated. There was no emotion behind it. No anger, annoyance, sadness, fatigue, depression… Nothing. The word just kind of floated there in the air, and my eyes widened. I'd completely lost all the steam I had. I had been prepared for a fight, not an agreement. Freaking Dean, going and messing everything up.

I scrunched my eyebrows over my squished eyes. I don't get it. Opening my mouth and holding up a finger, both just kind of fell. "What?" I sort of asked the question but still tried to sound seriously angry.

"You're right."

Holy banana skins. What was happening? "Are you feeling okay?" I put the back of my hand up to Dean's forehead while I stood on my toes to make sure I could see his pupils. Swatting my hand away, he just shot me a "knock it off" look. The church doors opened and people began to file out as music sifted through the air, over their heads. Sam was in the mess of the crowd and his towering frame was suddenly near ours. "Service over?" I sighed while looking up at him. Meeting his eyes made me feel exhausted.

He nodded his head sharply. "What the hell was that, Becca," he motioned back to the church

Dean turned to face him. "Come on, Sam. Just let it go."

"Dean, did you see her in there?" Sam turned to face Dean. Whoa. Giant or not, Dean was still big brother number one. Sam squaring off with him like that could be dangerous.

Dean pulled himself up to his full height. He crossed his arms over his chest and tightened his jaw before meeting Sam with the hard look he'd had since we'd been introduced to the guys of the Frat House. People were gathering around on the grass surrounding us, talking about whatever it is people talk about after a service. I don't know, do they actually talk about the service? Like, give it reviews and stuff like people do after movies and concerts? Well, whatever, they weren't focused on us. "Yeah, I did. And I saw you in there, too, and I'm telling you both," Dean's words drew my eyes to his face, which was still turned and focused on Sam, "to knock it off. We're here to solve this case. Not deal with your drama. Got it?"

Biting my lip, I nodded my head, meeting Sam's dark eyes that were suddenly looking at me. By the twitch in his fingers, I could tell he wanted to argue with Dean, tell him off, maybe even punch him. Who knows, it really can escalade quickly with us. Sam bit his tongue, but didn't actually say anything. "Let's just go talk to Lori and get this over with," he strode past us, shouldering me along the way. Whether it was on purpose or not, I looked at Dean with a look that said "I'm gonna kill him" before we both followed Sam across the grass.

"Are you Lori?" I heard Sam ask a girl as I appeared beside him, Dean stopped right behind me.

"Yeah," she smiled, sticking out her hand for Sam to shake.

"My name is Sam. This is my brother, Dean," Sam nodded over to Dean, who waved at her with a grin. "And that's Becca. She's our sister." I stuck my hand out to shake with her, and she met me with a really kind smile.

"Hi," Dean shot out there, and I rolled my eyes, and shot her a "just ignore him" grin when I heard the "I'm totally into you" tone in his voice. Oh, Dean.

Sam didn't miss a beat though, he just kept on cruising down Gotta Solve This Case Avenue, and his tone and eyes completely told me he wasn't over everything that'd happened. "We just transferred here to the university."

"I saw you inside," she nodded. Then she turned to me, "And I heard you," she chuckled.

Oh great. So everyone heard me then. I sighed and shuffled my foot. "Yeah, sorry about that. It's been one crazy morning. I'm just... out of my element… I'm sorry. I'll go put ten dollars in the thing right now if you want!" I offered her.

Her cheeks rose as a smile spread over her lips and she held up a hand. "No, no. Don't worry. It's been a little hectic around here. Everyone's had a little bit of a blow up."

I thanked her with a smile. "Lori, we didn't want to bother you. We just heard about what happened and –" I'd started telling her when Dean quickly finished my sentence for me.

"We wanted to say how sorry we were," he assured her.

"I kind of know what you're going through. I, I saw someone… get hurt once. It's something you don't forget," Sam spoke softly. Lori's eyes lowered and she nodded, fully understanding what he was telling her.

Damn it, Sam! You're not supposed to be making me feel all guilty and everything. I'm supposed to be standing here, pretending that I'm not mad at you while you continue to have all this anger spill off of you and onto me. A man appeared behind Lori, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling at all of us individually.

"Dad, um, this is Sam and Dean, and their sister, Becca. They're all new students," Lori introduced while Dean offered his hand to the reverend.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I must say, that was an inspiring sermon," Dean told him with the straightest face he could. The guy hadn't even been in there long enough to hear the sermon. He just lied to a man of guy upstairs. I'm pretty sure that makes him super doomed.

"Thank you," Reverend Sorensen beamed. "It's so nice to find young people who are open to the Lord's message. Even if they aren't completely willing to show a little thanks with their money," he shot me look.

Did the reverend just freaking judge me? Am I like, going to hell now? Hot damn, I think he might have just completely pulled the Dean look. I actually felt myself shrink to be about three inches tall. "Dad," Lori turned to face the reverend, "Becca's been having a rough time lately. Today was just her breaking point was all," she stood up for me.

This stranger just stood up for me. I'm adopting her. She can take Sam's place. I couldn't help but send a completely thankful smile her way. Man, this girl must be a saint. Dean quickly pulled the reverend aside while I stayed with Sam and this new girl I'd completely decided I loved. She was amazing, and I already felt like I could trust her. "Thanks, Lori. You didn't have to defend me like that. I was wrong, I'm really sorry." She just tilted her head and smiled at me. "But um, do you think you could maybe tell us what the police are saying happened, to your friend, Rich? I hate to bring it up… but we just thought that since Sam had gone through something similar, that maybe it'd be nice for you to talk to someone… Get some thoughts out there and in the open."

She hung her head and brought up guarded eyes. Crap. Now she hated me too. "They don't have a lot to go on. I think they blame me for that," she sighed as she motioned for us to follow her across the church grounds.

"What do you mean?" Sam questioned, looking down at her from where he stood on her other side.

"My story. I was so scared, I guess I was "seeing things"," she seemed to doubt the words that were coming out of her mouth as she stopped moving and gazed at a flower bed in front of her.

"Just because they think you were "seeing things" doesn't mean that it wasn't real, Lori," Sam assured her quietly. She looked up at him and they shared a smile.

Oh man, did I just witness Sam getting his flirt on? I can't handle this. Not after earlier. I turned around and left them there, talking about whatever it was they were talking about, and I slowly made my way over to where Dean was finishing up with the reverend, and coming down the steps of the church, a few pamphlets and papers in his hands. "Check it out," he held up a paper to show me what it said.

There was a group of smiling students, all wrapping arms around one another. The top of the paper read "ACKNEY, IOWA YOUTH GROUP CHURCH BIBLE CAMP SLEEP AWAY". Taking the paper from him, I studied it, and then looked up to see him smirking down at me. "You're gonna go to Bible camp?"

"Think of the possibilities, Becca," he waved his hand out in front of me as he draped an arm over my shoulder. It was like he was a land surveyor, trying to decide how many buildings he could potentially build.

"Dean, you'd do nothing but corrupt the girls at this camp," I stuck my tongue in my cheek and looked up at his proud face.

He squeezed me into his side. "I can't help it if the girls like bad boys."

Slapping the paper to his chest I laughed out a scoff. "You just came from inside a church, with the intent of going to a Bible camp, to sleep with all the girls. You are a horrible human being."

"Or innovative."

"Because you came up with the concept of slutty Bible camp kids? Right, because that's a new concept."

"I'm not seeing the problem. I vote we go up there after this case. Enroll as camp counselors… Get all the girls to confess and cry on my shoulder, tell them that I can solve all their problems by just –"

I threw my hands over my ears and pulled away from him. "All right, all right, I get it. No more business talk. Lesson learned." I felt the pamphlets in his hand tap against my shoulder as he chuckled and then grabbed my head into his arm, digging his knuckles into my head lightly, before we made our back towards the Impala.