Alicia closed her eyes in content as she leaned forward, arms outstretched and palms pressed against the tiled wall, letting the extremely warm—almost borderline hot—water pulse out of the showerhead and cascade onto her head and down her body, relaxing her aching muscles. She didn't feel bad about not telling the brothers that their hunt had left her more than a little sore. She knew Sam wouldn't make a big deal about it, but Dean would get all worried and start hovering around her, trying to take care of her nonexistent injuries. Most of the time she would just remind herself he was doing it because he loved her and wanted to protect her, and she'd just brush it aside and let him do his Florence Nightingale routine, but she wasn't really in the mood that night for the inevitable back rub that would almost always lead to the inevitable front rub—and then the need for another shower.

The young woman grabbed her shampoo bottle and squirted some into her hand, rubbing it into her hair, lathering up enough suds and bubbles as she massaged her scalp with her fingers. She spent a few minutes on her hair, even sculpting a shampoo mohawk before rinsing her hair. She followed with conditioning, then grabbed her shower puff and body wash—scented with lavender and vanilla—and washed her body, making sure to scrub and exfoliate every inch of skin. She was about to wash off when she paused and glanced down at her chest. She'd had a question burning in her mind for the past few weeks that she was hoping to get an answer for—and this was the perfect time to answer it.

The young woman put aside her puff and, mimicking Dean, began playing with her breasts. She bounced them, squeezed them, did everything that her husband would do to them when they were intimate (short of licking and sucking them—she wasn't that flexible), trying to find out what it was about the girls that fascinated him—and almost every red-blooded heterosexual male she ran across—so much. After a couple of minutes, Alicia stopped and sighed.

"I still don't see the appeal," she said to herself. She quickly rinsed her body, then grabbed her face soap and scrubbed her face, then rinsed it off. She turned off the water, wrung out hair and towel dried it before stepping out and drying off the rest of her body. She wiped the condensation from the mirror and spent a few more minutes acting a little goofy, striking a few silly and seductive poses, before getting dressed into her pajamas—black shorts and a matching tank top. She stood straight in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, as she held up her right hand. "Sicco." Her eyes glowed purple right before she flicked her wrist, and her wet hair instantly and fully dried. She smiled and ran her fingers through her hair like a comb, satisfied, as the glow in her eyes faded, and she opened the door, heading into the bathroom.

"Surprise! Happy birthday!"

Alicia stopped just inside the door frame as she heard the two familiar voices. She looked over to see both Dean and Sam standing next to the table, wearing colorful—and goofy—party hats. The table, which had been cleared of the beer bottles, was a rounded cake, decorated with a white frosting and topped with raspberries and a single unlit candle, some plates and forks, a six-pack of bottled beer, and a couple of objects wrapped in newspaper.

Alicia smiled as she slowly walked over. "You didn't have to do this," she said half-heartedly.

"You didn't think we were just gonna let your birthday slide without doing something, did you?" Dean asked.

Alicia shrugged. "Maybe," she replied. She glanced between the brothers, who looked almost a little disappointed, and then the young woman sighed, smiling a bit. "I'm sorry, guys. This is really sweet, I appreciate it, really. Thank you." She gave Dean a kiss and even Sam a peck on the cheek before they sat down at the table, Alicia in front of the cake. "Like the hats, by the way."

"Can't forget yours," Dean replied before holding up a plastic tiara that said 'Birthday Princess' on it. Before Alicia could object, he put it on her head, straightening it. "There, now," he took his lighter from his jeans pocket, and lit the candle, "blow out your candle."

"What, no song?" Alicia asked, smirking.

"You really want a song?" Dean asked, a little surprised.

"Hey, if we're doing a birthday party," Alicia replied, "I want the complete experience." Dean and Sam glanced at each other and nodded slightly. They opened their mouths, taking in deep breaths, and simultaneous belting into the loudest and most off-key rendition of 'Happy Birthday' possible. Alicia winced and smiled her way through it, but she was also glad when it was over. She leaned over and easily blew out the candle, but a second later it lit up again. The young woman raised an eyebrow, but leaned over and blew again; the flame extinguished, then promptly lit up again. Her confusion changed to a look of amusement as she realized what was going on. She heard the stifled snorting and looked between the brothers.

"I told Dean not to do it," Sam replied quickly, holding up his hands.

"Oh, I had a feeling it was Dean," Alicia replied, smiling a bit as she looked over at her husband, who looked proud of himself. The young woman licked her index and thumb fingers, then quickly pinched the flame out, extinguishing it permanently before removing it. Sam grabbed the knife and began cutting and serving slices while Dean passed around some beer, and soon the trio were eating and drinking. Alicia's eyes widened as she tasted her first bite of the cake: it was a mixture of sweet, fruity, and spicy. "Holy crap, what kind of cake is this?"

"Angel food cake," Sam replied, "with raspberry chipotle cream cheese frosting and topped with fresh raspberries. You like it?"

"This is amazing," Alicia said before shoveling more into her mouth. Before the boys completely ate their slices, the young woman was already getting her second.

"Hungry?" Dean asked, amused.

"It's a really good cake," Alicia answered before taking a bite.

"So, uh, you didn't seem too excited earlier," Sam said gently. "Did we do something wrong? If you don't feel comfortable celebrating, we don't have to."

"No," Alicia replied, "this is nice, really. My father and Bobby would try to do celebrations as often as possible." She took a swig from her bottle. "I think it was their way of trying to make up for me not being able to have friends or go to a real school or anything like that when I was younger." She shrugged, looking a little sad. "I just...," she exhaled, "this is the first birthday I can remember celebrating without Bobby."

The brothers gave her sympathetic looks, then Dean reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He opened it up, dialing a number, then pressed another button, putting the call on speaker for everyone. The three of them heard the first ring…second ring…third ring—

"Dean?" Bobby's voice answered.

"Hey, Bobby," Dean replied.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. Just, uh, got someone here who wants to say 'hey'." He glanced at Alicia, who looked touched and almost on the verge of crying.

"Hi, Bobby," Alicia said, trying to keep her voice from wavering.

"Alicia." The older man's voice noticeably cracked when he heard his niece. The last time they had spoken was when Alicia had called from Lake Tahoe three weeks ago. "It's good to hear your voice."

"Same here."

"Happy birthday."

Alicia smiled. "Thanks. How are you?"

"Not doing bad, considering. Haven't made much headway with the demons or anything like that, but haven't had any problems either. You?"

"Same here."

"You keeping those two idjits in line?"

Alicia chuckled, and even Dean and Sam smiled. "Naturally."

There was an awkward silence. "Well," Bobby said after a few moments, "I guess I should let you go. You take care of yourself."

"You too…love you."

"Love you too, baby girl." There was a click as Bobby hung up. Dean flipped his phone shut and put it away. He glanced at Alicia, who still looked a little sad.

"You okay?" Sam asked.

"Yeah," Alicia replied. "I miss him, but it was good to hear his voice." She gave her husband an appreciative expression.

Dean was glad to see his gesture had cheered Alicia. "You up for presents?" he asked, reaching for one of the wrapped gifts and handing it to her.

"That's from me," Sam said as Alicia took it and unwrapped it. She gasped softly when she saw the seventeen-inch intricately decorated white handled boline knife. "I know you already have an athame, and I saw the boline you used in your garden was looking a little dull, so I thought you might like a new one."

"Sam, this is beautiful," Alicia said, picking up the knife and gently looking it over. "I love it, thank you—and a good witch could always use a good boline."

"Okay, my turn," Dean replied, handing her the other wrapped package. Alicia put down the boline and took her husband's present, opening it. Inside were four small jars of different herbs, and Alicia looked impressed when she recognized all of them.

"Solomon's Seal Root," she said, looking at the contents, "St. John's Wort, Worrittwood, and Calamus." She looked at him, surprised. "Where did you get these?"

"Remember that little apothecary we stopped at in Akron last week?" Dean asked. Alicia nodded. "Well, while you were busy refilling your stash, Sam and I were doing some birthday shopping. I talked the owner into letting me see some of her 'classified inventory'. She said the Solomon's Seal Root and St. John's Wort are both great for warding off demons and spirits, the Worrittwod helps to contact the spirit world, and Calamus gives any spell a kickass boost."

Alicia hid a smile; she already knew what each herb used for, but Dean looked so proud of himself that she remained quiet. "All of which might come in handy for our situation," she simply replied. "I've been doing some research on the demons, and—"

"Hey, hey, no shop talk during a party," Dean interrupted. "We can deal with that tomorrow." He held up his beer bottle, smiling. "Happy twenty-third, Allie."

"Here here," Sam replied, holding up his bottle. Alicia did the same, and the three hunters clinked their bottles together.

Alicia lazily lounged on her stomach on top of the messed up sheets, completely naked. She gave a sigh of content, yawning before doing a big stretch. It was a couple of hours later, after they'd had the rest of the cake and beer, cleaned up, and Sam left for his room next door to get some rest, Dean wasn't quite finished with the gift giving just yet.

"I take it you enjoyed?"

Alicia smiled and craned her head to the side. Dean sat on the edge of his side of the bed, stripped down to just his boxer brief, wiping his hands on a rag. "Who wouldn't have enjoyed that?" she asked. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

"I guess I'm just a natural," Dean replied smugly.

"Naturally full of it," Alicia retorted, amused. "No one is naturally that good."

"Okay, fine, I read it in a book," Dean replied. He tossed the rag on his nightstand then shifted and turned, laying next to Alicia, his head resting on his hand. He leaned over and gently kissed her. "Sue me."

"I don't think I even have the energy to do that," Alicia mused. "I'm too relaxed." She stifled another yawn and stretched.

"Hey, don't go to sleep just yet," Dean replied as he turned and reached for something on his nightstand. "I got a couple more gifts."

"You are spoiling me," Alicia replied. "Cake, beer, gifts," she smiled, "a full body massage."

"A naked full body massage," Dean corrected as he turned back, holding another small vile in his hands, "and I behaved myself."

"Define 'behaved'," Alicia replied, smiling.

"I actually gave you a real body massage," Dean pointed out. "No sex, just a full freakin' body massage."

"You spent a little too much time on my boobs and ass," Alicia said, amused.

"I like your boobs and ass," Dean replied. It wasn't a complete lie—he really did like her boobs and ass—but he actually found her most attractive feature (and most fascinating as well) to be her eyes. The old adage 'the eyes are the windows to the soul' was something the hunter had learned over the years in dealing with with members of the opposite sex; women would say one thing, but their eyes would betray them—and Alicia was no exception. Over the past couple of months, Dean had been able to discern when she was happy, sad, scared, angry (or aroused, he mused), and he actually enjoyed trying to decipher her moods and emotions—not that he would ever outwardly admit it.

"So, why more? Alicia asked, "not that I'm complaining."

"Why not?" Dean simply countered. He handed the vile to her, and Alicia immediately recognized it as she raised herself to rest on her elbows.

"Anise seeds?" she asked, curious. "What are these for?"

"The bad dreams you've been having lately," Dean replied.

Alicia didn't turn her head as she just stared at the vile, but she swallowed nervously. "What bad dreams?" She waited a few moments, and when she didn't hear Dean respond she slowly glanced over and saw the gentle but serious 'don't bullshit me, honey' expression on his face. She sighed. "They're not that bad."

"Allie, I know you've woken up a few times in a cold sweat for a couple of weeks now," Dean replied. Alicia looked at him curiously. "Just because you don't wake me up doesn't mean I don't get woken up." He saw Alicia looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Why haven't you said anything?" she asked as she turned on her side

"Because I was hoping you'd tell me what the hell's been going on without me having to ask."

"I wish I could, Dean." Dean gave her a look. "I'm serious. There's not much to tell; I don't even remember enough when I wake up to know what I've been dreaming about."

"Well, what do you remember?" Dean asked.

"Darkness," Alicia replied. "Almost like there's something hiding and it's waiting to get me."

"Like the Big Bad Wolf?" Dean asked, a little amused.

Alicia shrugged. "Could be," she replied before exhaling. "I don't know, maybe I'm just stressed out."

"Well, if the Big Bad Wolf comes," Dean replied, "this hunter will keep you safe." He leaned close and kissed her gently. "Until then, use the anise seeds. You can relax and get some sleep—and then I'll be able to sleep." He paused, smirking as he gently plucked the vile from her hand and placed it on his night stand before leaning over and gently shifting Alicia on her back, caging her with his body. "Course, there's always the tried and true method of relieving stress," he waggled his eyebrows, "and it's a helluva lot more fun than some seeds under your pillow." He gently placed his mouth on her neck, right under her ear, kissing her softly.

Alicia closed her eyes and moaned softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his body pressed against hers. "I don't recall you mentioning this as one of your gifts," she said, smiling.

"I didn't think I had to," Dean replied as he moved his mouth across her neck, planting little kisses every few inches. "It's kind of an official rule, you know, having having sex on your birthday."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I mean, it's an unwritten official rule, but…."

"What if the birthday girl isn't really in the mood?"

Dean stopped and pulled back, looking down at her, a little disappointed. "Are you mad at me?"

"No, no, far from it," Alicia replied quickly. "You just…I am super relaxed after that massage. I don't think I can muster enough strength for a round of sex tonight."

Dean's eyes flashed with a pouty expression, then he paused, thinking. He slowly gave a lascivious grin as a thought crossed my mind. "What if I did all the driving, and you just enjoyed the ride?"

"You mean, I lay on my back like a limp sack of potatoes while you pile drive me into the mattress?" Alicia asked, amused. "Sounds romantic."

"Well, I was thinking more on your stomach," Dean replied, shrugging, "but, yeah, why not?" Still smiling, Alicia raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Hey, I don't recall you complaining last time we did that. In fact, you were begging me not to stop, remember?" He flashed her the pouty look he knew she couldn't resist. "Look, it's your birthday, so tonight is supposed to be all about you—and I was looking forward to making you happy."

"You were looking forward to having sex," Alicia gently pointed out, amused.

"Added bonus," Dean replied, smirking.

Alicia just stared up at him, then chuckled and shook her head before leaning up to kiss him. She carefully shifted under him, turning over on her stomach. She felt Dean shift behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see him toss his underwear aside. She grinned as he planted his hands on either side of her arms, the front of his body pressed against her back as he leaned over and captured her mouth with his.

The young woman moaned as their tongues intertwined for a few moments before Dean moved his lips down her back. He kissed, licked, and sucked her smooth skin, starting at her neck, then moved to her shoulders before working his way down her spine; he inwardly smiled as every touch of his mouth on her skin elicited a soft whimper of pleasure. When he reached the small of her back, the hunter planted light kisses before gently blowing to trace the outline of her tattoo with his breath. When he finished, he gently shifted and nudged her legs apart. Supporting himself on his left side, he moved his right hand between her legs, using his fingertips to gently stroke the delicate skin.

Alicia tilted her head and neck and moaned loudly as her husband pleasured her, penetrating her with two fingers while continuing outside with his thumb; every movement sent shivers up and down her body as the muscles in her abdomen began tightening.

"Don't…stop," she panted as she gripped the sheets tightly, her hips gyrating in unison with his fingers as the tension in her body continued building. "Almost…there."

Dean's grin widened as the sight of her naked body writhing with pleasure under him only further turned him on. He redoubled his efforts, pushing his fingers further into her, feeling her muscles tightening around him as her moans and gasps filled the room. A short time passed before Alicia's world exploded, her muscles pulsating rapidly around Dean's fingers.

Alicia threw her head back, her eyes flashing briefly, shouting "Yes!" back before collapsing fully on her stomach, her breath coming in rapid gasps.

"Feel better?" Dean asked, amused.

"Hell yeah," Alicia replied, smiling. "Thank you." She craned her head to look back at her husband. "You ready?" Dean furrowed his eyebrows, but Alicia simply spread her legs further and tilted her waist up invitingly. Taking the hint and grinning, he shifted and positioned himself behind her, kneeling between her thighs. Supporting her hips with his hands, he easily pushed himself into her, both of them groaning with delight as he slid all the way in her, her muscles contracting around him.

Dean began thrusting in rhythmic motions, and Alicia's hips moved in sync with his. They weren't hard and fast, but not slow and gentle either. They were simply the motions of two people who had been with each other long enough to know the other person intimately, where words were seldom needed to keep things interesting.

As he moved inside her, Dean effortlessly shifted and pulled Alicia back until she straddled his lap while he knelt on the bed. The young woman didn't complain about the change in position, using her thighs to steady herself, the only sounds coming from their ragged breaths and the squeaking of their mattress. He smoothed her hair to one side and began planting kisses on her neck and shoulder as he reached around to massage one of her breasts with his fingers, causing her to moan softly

As the speed of his thrusting increased, he reached around with his other hand and began caressing her between her legs once again. Alicia leaned back against his chest, tilting her head back and moaning loudly as Dean held her steady with his arms while his hands continued massaging her body as their muscles began tightening for release.

Alicia moved one of her hands on top of the one between her legs, interlacing her fingers with his. Dean quickly took charge, guiding Alicia to pleasuring herself, moving her fingers around her sensitive spots.

"Don't stop," she said, each word punctuated with a short and sharp gasp as she felt her climax nearing. "Harder…faster." Dean responded by increasing the speed and strength of his thrusting and her finger movements. A few moments later, Alicia closed her eyes and arched her back to let him penetrate her deeper as pressure built in her stomach. Her muscles tightened around him, and she shouted loudly as her eyes flashed purple. Every muscle quickly relaxed, and the young woman felt her strength quickly disappearing.

As Dean pushed into her, his muscles taut as steel bars, he felt every muscle inside of her pulsating around him. A loud groan escaped the back of his throat, and he quickly moved his hands to grip her hips tightly as he thrust into her one more time, exploding with pleasure inside her before every muscle in his body relaxed. He let go of Alicia, allowing her to collapse on her back, breathing heavily; he followed, laying on his back beside her, and the two just lay in silence for a long time as they tried to catch their breaths.

"Happy birthday," Dean muttered in a slightly stunned tone after a few minutes, his breathing finally under control.

"Thanks," Alicia replied before yawning and stretching.

A few moments of silence. "Sleep?"

"Yeah," Alicia answered.

Dean shifted and pulled the sheets over them before Alicia snuggled against his side, resting her head on his chest. She flicked her wrist, and all the lights went out, plunging the room into darkness, the only light coming from the street lights shining through the closed window curtains. Dean wrapped his arms around his wife before kissing her forehead, and the two hunters quickly drifted off to sleep.

(End of Chapter 2)

Author's note: So, for Alicia, I have her birthday being September 18, 1983, and it's September 18, 2006 at this point, so Dean is twenty-seven, Sam is twenty-three, and Alicia just turned twenty-three, so…that's that.