Chapter 7

By now it was almost closing time, only a few drunk stragglers up at the bar. Ellen rounded them up and told them to hit the road. She called Jo over to help her close down the bar.

Jo came over to help and Dean couldn't help but notice that she kept giggling under her breath, and she was definitely blushing. Was she drunk already? He looked over to the table where J was still sitting. He couldn't see her face, but he did see a good portion of the bottle of whiskey was gone.

As Jo wiped the tables down and put the stools up for the night, Ellen cleaned the bar, took the trash out back, and turned all the neon signs off.

As Jo was finishing up the dishes J finally said something. Though it was not anything Dean recognized as anything but nonsense.

"Ra ra ra, ah ah, ro ma, ro ma ma." She sang to herself.

"Gaga ooh la la!" Jo sang back over the bar.

"Want your bad romance!" J and Jo sang at each other.

Sam started laughing. Dean was still left confused. What the hell just happened? Dean felt this question was being asked more and more recently.

Sam looked at him, laughing even harder at his brother's innocence and ignorance.

"Dude, It's Lady Gaga. You know, like Poker Face. 'Muh muh muh muh'?" Sam semi-sang at him.

Both Jo and J turned to laugh. J had an ear-splitting grin on her face. Head tossed back in laughter at Sam's addition to their song. Dean could see that she was pretty tipsy. She wasn't drunk, but that bottle would suggest differently. Even considering that both her and Jo had been drinking from it. Then again Dean didn't know if she could hold her liquor or not like he knew Jo could. It would at least explain the change in mood. And the sudden singing of random sounds.

As J was looking over at Jo doing her rounds around the table, Dean was able to get a look at her. She didn't seem to hold any of the anger and ferociousness that she embodied a few hours earlier. She seemed completely at ease, watching Jo work. Whenever Jo bent over J pulled her bottom lip back between her teeth.

The image of the three of them flashed into Dean's mind. For a second, it was the only thing he saw in his mind's eye. J's head turned towards Dean at the exact same time. What came next completely baffled Dean.

J got up from her place in the corner and walked smoothly over to Jo. Okay, so she wasn't drunk. She was graceful in her movements. Far away from being called 'sloppy.' She was still under the influence enough for there to be a slight pink tone to her cheeks that had not been there before.

She leaned in and whispered into Jo's ear. And Jo giggled. Like a schoolgirl. Dean had never heard such a girly laugh come from Jo before. That was not a bad thing at all, he just thought it was extremely cute. The smile elicited from J was almost as sinful as the smile she gave him in his dream.

Jo then walked over to Ellen and said, "J and I are going to hang back for some awkward karaoke. Is it ok if we meet you back at the house? I'll make sure to lock up." Jo jingled her keys, smiling widely.

Ellen looked at Sam and Dean, "Only if the boys stay with you to make sure you guys get back home safe. I won't bother waiting up. Just make sure to not slam the door this time."

Sam raised his hand slightly while saying, "Sure. I only had one beer. I won't drink anymore and be everyone's DD. I'll make sure everyone gets home safe." He winked and laughed. "I'm also interested in what their version of 'awkward karaoke' is."

Ellen laughed, "I think you boys will find it amusing, to say the least. I always have a blast just watching them. Enjoy the show." Dean would later look back on this, if only Ellen had known what she was saying.

With that, she picked up her bag and keys, and left out the back door, locking it behind herself.

As Jo finished her round of duties, J walked over to the karaoke machine and started fiddling with it. Instead of grabbing the book of songs available to play, she plugged her own phone in.

She grabbed two mics and checked that they both worked before setting one down and hitting play on her phone.

The first notes of Bad Romance started playing. And J pulled a chair up on the small stage and started singing. She wasn't singing alone like in normal karaoke, but along with the real track of the song. J could have easily been a backup singer that was actually recorded into the track of the song. At least that's what Dean thought at first until she started doing what appeared to be the choreography that went along with the song.

Then he heard her voice without the mic. Was Jo sure she tested J for everything? This was a popular, catchy radio song that shouldn't sound this good. Or look that good.

"Yes, she tested me for everything, Dean." J said right into the mic as he finished thinking about all the different ways, different ways she needed to be tested to be sure she was human. J was dancing a little more loosely now. She was getting more used to being on the small stage with a mic in hand.

Dean flushed as Jo ran up and grabbed the other mic, easily settling into the rhythm of the song and the dance moves.

"Walk, walk, fashion, baby. Work it, move that bitch crazy. Walk, walk, fashion, baby. Work it, move that bitch crazy. Walk, walk, fashion, baby. Work it, move that bitch crazy. Walk, walk, passion, baby. Work it, I'm a free bitch, baby!" they both sang together.

Dean already knew Jo wasn't a bad singer either. So, this was becoming quite a show when the song drew to a close.

J sang the French parts perfectly, and she was singing them to Jo who had stopped singing to listen to J. Her bottom lip between her teeth.

They ended the song together. Jo just slightly off-key.

"I GET TO PICK THIS TIME!" Jo said as she grabbed J's phone and started scrolling.

"We're gonna stick to Gaga for now. Give me an album." Jo looked up from the phone and over to J. Waiting for her response.

"Aww, can't I pick my own song?" J said, in an overly pouty way.

"NO! I get to pick which song. Just give me an album to choose from! Come on you usually love doing this." Jo pouted right back.

"We usually do not have an audience, Jo." J gestured to Sam and Dean.

"Hey, forget we are here. I could always embarrass myself with my own karaoke skills, but I think Dean would agree you guys are way better and way more entertaining than I am." Sam said with half a laugh.

"Yeah, I hear Sammy too much in the shower as it is. This is a refreshing change." Dean responded. Refreshing and more than entertaining. Dean was curious about what Jo was up to. She kept looking over at him. Like to gauge his reactions or something.

"Artpop." J concluded.

Jo giggled. "MANiCURE."

***Author's Note: Please listen to MANiCURE by Lady Gaga, before continuing with this chapter***

"REALLY!? We just started I need to warm up for that one." J whined.

"No, you don't. I could have picked Swine…Don't make me change my mind, Miss Juliet. Just sing it, bitch."

J's eye quickly widened and then narrowed at the name, and the name of the other song, she quickly recovered and rolled her eyes. And then the song started. Dean quickly took a mental note to look up what Jo was talking about at some point.

And J must have been short for Juliet.

There was literally a single beat of the song before J started singing. J was a power singer, alright. It was plain she did not need to warm up. And this was a perfect song for her. Even though Dean had never heard it before. It was rough around the edges.

"Put some lipstick on, perfume your neck and slip your high heels on. Rinse and curl your hair. Loosen your hips and get a dress to wear. I'm the one who's been comin' 'round lookin' lovin' you. You're the medicine I need to heal the way you make me feel!"

To say J looked, and sounded like a Rockstar was not an understatement. Her outfit still looked the same as it did when Dean first saw her at the bar earlier that night. Not even her red-red lipstick was smudged. She looked absolutely flawless. Even after a messy job and clean up. Dean was surprised he was only now noticing.

J sang. And she sang those notes perfectly, almost eclipsing the track with the intensity of her vocals. She was singing it just as good, if not better, than the studio version playing behind her. Dean was grateful there was a track to compare her to because this could have been J's song and Dean would never have known it. Once again, commanding the attention. Even as she sang the first chorus her eyes closed as she belted out the lyrics. Obviously getting into one hell of a groove.

Jo was standing right next to her, ebbing and flowing with J's movements as she sang out the opening. She began singing with her throughout the chorus. J continued to belt out the song while moving those hips in a hypnotizing rhythm. Leaning into the song at points.

Jo leaned back into J as they both sang. J leaned in behind her, reaching around and running her finger down Jo's chest and across her stomach to her hip. Where her hand had a firm hold, guiding Jo to the rhythm of J's own hips. They were certainly putting on a show. Both girls singing their hearts out, dancing to the beat like this was a choreographed performance.

From the first word, J was completely all-in singing. Heart and soul. For everything she was worth. The hand not holding the mic roaming over her own chest, neck, and upper body as shy gyrated with the beat of the song.

She rolled her hips with the lyrics as she sang them into the mic. Almost as if the words were literally wrapping around her as they flowed from her mouth. The energy exuding from J right now was that of a sexy, confident, strong, and commanding female vocal lead. She had transformed herself, again. Right there in that bar, she was a Rockstar.

Dean was transfixed. This was not your average 'awkward' karaoke night and Dean began wondering if this was Jo's idea for a reason. What was she playing at? What were they playing at?!

J stopped dancing to sing the next portion of the song. As she leaned over the mic, letting the lyrics flow from her mouth, she made eye contact with Dean. It was pure fire.

Not the kind he had seen before, that was fury. This time it was a smoldering fire behind those honey emerald eyes. This fire had a purpose. This next part was for him.

Jo continued to rock out next to her as J stood there with her eyes on Dean. Focusing everything she had into her voice. Into hitting each note with a passion that Dean thought was worthy of a stadium. Not this little karaoke party.

"Touch me in the dark! Put your hands all over my body parts. Throw me on the bed. Squeeze, tease me, please me, that's what I said! 'Cause I'm the, trick who's been comin' 'round lookin' lovin' you. You're the, the medicine. I need to heal the way, the way, the way you make me feel!"

As J sang out the last note, Jo started in again with the chorus.

They were back to singing and dancing, grinding, and gyrating together.

J looked directly at Jo and sang, "Heal me, cause I'm addicted to love. Save me, cause I'm addicted to love." As her hand, that was not holding the mic, grabbed Jo's waist and pulled her closer. Their hips were touching now as they both sang, foreheads together.

A very intimate moment that did not go unnoticed by either brother.

They continued like that the rest of the song, dancing with the beat as it wound down. As the song came to a close, they were dancing a lot closer than Dean or Sam thought was just friendly goofing around. They had looked at each other and agreed silently.

When the song stopped, Sam started clapping. He actually started clapping. Oh my god, can he just not do that?

"Where the hell did you learn to sing like that? I thought Jo was amazing at karaoke. You put her to shame." Sam asked. His face open, happy, and surprised.

"Hey! Fuck you, Sam Winchester." Jo said in a growl into the mic.

"You don't learn to sing like that. I think you would agree that if you could learn to sing like that, Dean would be able to tolerate your shower singing a little bit more." J said sarcastically.

Now it was Dean's turn to laugh. "She has a point there, little bro! If you could learn, you would have at least tried to learn already. You're such a nerd!"

Sam gave Dean another Bitchface. Dean returning it with a mocking smile.

"Fine. Can I pick the next song for you guys?" Sam asked. A hint of playfulness in his voice that only Dean picked up on. Looks like Sammy Boy was about to try and throw J for a loop after that last comment.

"Sure." She grabbed her phone and motioned him up from the bar.

"This whole list, and I mean the whole playlist, is all songs I can sing. Jo may or may not be able to. Feel free to take a moment to pick your song. I know there is a lot there."

Ten minutes later Sam showed J her phone and she looked at him with a look of regret on her face.

The smile on Sam's face was one of triumph. Dean only saw resolution on J's face now. Maybe Sam had picked a song she knew she couldn't sing.

Dean could not help himself. "What song did you pick, Sammy?"

"Do you remember that movie we watched with Cher and Christina Aguilera a few years back?"

Dean flushed and scowled at him.

"The one I made you watch?" Sam corrected.

He did remember. He remembered because he actually really liked that movie. But he would never admit to it. No chick flicks.

"It's from that soundtrack." Sam answered without waiting for Dean's reply.

"I have only one condition. No mic." J suddenly interjected.

Sam looked perplexed but agreed.

***Author's Note: Please listen to Bound to You by Christina Aguilera (from the Burlesque Movie Original Soundtrack), before continuing with this chapter***

J took another deep breath, "Alright. Whenever you're ready."

Jo sat back in another chair. Knowing full well what song was going to play. And whether or not J really could sing it or not. Dean was just about to find out for himself.

The opening notes sounded and immediately Dean knew this was his favorite song of the whole movie. The ballad. Bound to You.

No wonder J seemed slightly upset, and Sam triumphant, this was the hardest and most complex song of the whole movie. Even for Aguilera who had some major pipes on her.

J sat in a chair backward. Wrapping her arms around the back of it. She took a deep breath and started singing. With no mic to amplify her voice, it was hard to hear her at first because of the real track playing at the same volume.

As the song began to build Dean now understood why she didn't want the mic. She did not need it. It would have just been a silly distraction. Soon she was singing on par with Christina, note for note. Just as loud as the voice recorded on the track.

As she sang, she would lean back and forth with the pure ability of projection of her vocals, her face screwed up at times in the effort. The complex notes and transitions didn't seem to slow her down. It seemed they only made J more resolute in putting even more into this song than she had the previous as the song went on.

J could have easily been transplanted into the movie, into the soundtrack, wearing that green dress. She let the song move her. She let her voice ebb and flow with the music she was singing to. This time, she never opened her eyes. Not even once. Obviously concentrating her whole being on this one thing.

As the notes became higher and the vocals became harder and harder to sing, the louder and more confident J became in her voice.

By the last vibrato note of the song, Dean was glad to see a look of utter shock and bewilderment on Sam's face. He was glad his face didn't show, though he felt, the exact same feelings.

Dean had watched that movie more than a few times just for the soundtrack. J not only knocked her performance out of the park, but she also destroyed the original. He didn't think he could ever watch that movie again without hearing J instead of Christina.

Now he wondered if she could sing the rest of the songs. Out of pure curiosity of course…

Jo started clapping animatedly as J dramatically fell to the floor. "Are you happy now, you big goofy giant. I can sing! THERE! HA!" She threw her arms into the air in front of her as she was splayed on her back. Catching her breath from the effort of the song.

"Okay, okay now that she's proven herself it's my turn!" Jo exclaimed. Getting up from her chair, reaching for J's phone.

"Color me impressed," Sam said in awe. "I honestly thought I had you with that one. I can only imagine how hard that must have been to pull off. I don't even think I heard you crack once!"

"I did a few times. One reason why I like singing WITH the original song, not over it. Easier to harmonize and your mistakes get a nice little filter. X-tina and her throat exercises. I swear they will kill me one day. It's those two notes near the end that I always have issues with. Deep breaths are the key. Hashtag: Weird Flex."

"Throat exercises? Sounds kinky." Dean said, completely out of reflex. Immediately regretting his outburst.

From the floor, J looked over at him and winked, "It can be."

"I found it! Sam! Help me!" Jo exclaimed as she showed her choice to Sam, shoving a mic into his hand.

"Count me in!"

The next few minutes were filled with Sam and Jo singing A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. In a very White Chicks-esque way. Where was Terry Crews when you needed him?

Dean and J were pretending to be dying a most slow and painful death from such terrible singing, while actually dying of laughter.

When Sam and Jo finished the song, J addressed the other three, "It's getting late guys. It's been a long day. For me, and probably the rest of you, too. Let's wrap this up and had back. The whiskey is starting to wear off and I don't want to remember why I was upset.

Dean cringed at the words. He did not like the thought of J still being upset. At him. He didn't want her to be upset, period. Particularly not with him. He glowered inwardly to himself. 'Oh, great.' He thought to himself. 'Another one bites the dust. I'll never have any kind of a chance.'

Jo looked at J and asked "One more? Your choice? I want to hear what YOU want to sing, now. And sing it good. Something I haven't heard yet. Please."

J looked at Jo with a lazy crooked smile on her face for a moment. "Of course, I'm going to say 'Yes' with those big blue eyes asking me."

Jo was still very much drunk and Dean could tell J very much wanted to keep that smile on her face. Even if it seemed as if she really didn't feel like smiling much herself anymore at the moment.

J could feel bright green eyes on her the entire time as she went back to her phone to pick one last song.

"I know just the one, Joanna Beth. I've had this one on repeat for a while now. Though I would not normally pick this. It feels fitting." J said as she grabbed the mic and pressed play.

***Author's Note: Please listen to Walk Me Home by Pink, before continuing with this chapter***

A bass steady drumbeat filled the air and she was off, once again. J began singing in a deeper, more soulful voice. Very unlike the song they had just heard her sing only minutes earlier.

"There's something in the way you roll your eyes. Takes me back to a better time. When I saw everything is good. But now you're the only thing that's good. Tryna stand up on my own two feet. This conversation ain't comin' easily. And darling, I know it's getting late. So what do you say we leave this place?"

Dean could feel the emotion behind the words as J sang them. Wow. He was blown away, entirely. Again. They were real. This was real. There is no way the pain behind that extraordinary voice was not real. How could she sing someone else's song with so much personal investment?

"Walk me home in the dead of night! I can't be alone with all that's on my mind, mhm. So say you'll stay with me tonight. 'Cause there is so much wrong going on outside."

J looked up and caught Dean's eye. He felt like she was singing to him. Like the next words were meant for him, even if she had not written this song. The pleading in her voice and in her eyes was apparent.

"There's something in the way I wanna cry. That makes me think we'll make it out alive. So come on and show me how we're good. I think that we could do some good, mhm. Walk me home in the dead of night! I can't be alone with all that's on my mind, mhm. So say you'll stay with me tonight. 'Cause there is so much wrong going on outside."

She closed her eyes and leaned into the mic.

"Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh."

One more time, heavy with so much emotion, Dean thought she may actually start crying, J continued in an almost normal voice,

"Walk me home in the dead of night. 'Cause I can't be alone with all that's on my mind. Say you'll stay with me tonight. 'Cause there is so much wrong going on…"

Her voice came back, full force, her eyes opened and were back on Dean.

"Walk me home in the dead of night! I can't be alone with all that's on my mind. So say you'll stay with me tonight. 'Cause there is so much wrong! There is so much wrong! There is so much wrong going on outside"

J ended the song and looked to the floor as she paused the music from continuing, and disconnected her phone. Jo looked at her with tears in her eyes.

"I thought Pink sang that with emotion. Goddamn. She's got nothing on you, girl."

"I don't sing this way for no reason, sweetheart. You know that." J responded as she pulled Jo into a hug, kissing her on the cheek.

Dean was ready for a shower. Looking at the two women sweetly embraced sent more images into his head that he had to sweep away. That he had to protect so he could protect himself.

He needed to process a lot of things. Most of which he couldn't even think of right now due to the present company. This last song was very heavy with meaning and feelings, and Dean would have to have been a dunce to ignore that.

Particularly with the way J had been looking at him. Singing to him, not just the way she had looked at him during the first song. Those eyes calling to him. Also singing their own song he could not help but be drawn to. A siren's song. And it seemed this was Dean's perfect brand of siren song.

Things were getting very complicated and Dean had had no time to think about any of it. Any time he did have a thought about J that night, she had always found his eyes and held them with hers. Trying to communicate something that Dean just could not put his finger on. And it certainly was not the fury and anger he had seen and felt from her, directly towards him, like earlier. This was totally and utterly different in every way.

He had no clue how much she knew, but Dean was certain she knew way more than he did about the current situation he had now found himself in.