Chapter 3

You'd rather go hurt someone else
Than run the risk they'd hurt you first
You'd rather go for second place
Than go for first and lose the race
You'd rather I was not your friend
for fear I'd leave you in the end
 (Scarlet - I can't save you from yourself)

"Stop laughing Sam!"

Dean who was still holding his aching cheek neither understood the meaning nor the necessity of Sam's burst of laughter. Right now, Dean would really love to hold the paper in his hands that both brothers forgot at the diner. Oh, how good would it feel right now to show Sam the strength of a paper again.

"Sammy, I'm serious, stop laughing!"

After coughing two or three times, Sam decided to obey his brothers order, though he couldn't hide the big smirk his face was showing.

"That's what I call a talkative informant."

The look Dean gave Sam could without any doubt be considered deadly and after a sarcastic "Funny" was Dean already on his way to the staircase.
Sighing, Sam followed his brother and gave the name tag on the door one last look: "Jean Bekett"
When he left the building he found Dean leaning against his Chevy with closed eyes.

"Ok Dean, who is Jean Bekett and why did she hit you?"

Dean, who didn't even bother to open his eyes just shrugged. A gesture that was more than disturbing to Sam. For all the time he knew Dean, which was his whole life, Dean had never ever been silent. Sam would have at least expected a sarcastic retort.

"Dean?"

With a sight, Dean straightened and looked at Sam.

"Just forget about it Sam. She doesn't wanna help us, end of story. We should just look for someone else."

Before Dean could even move an inch, Sam grabbed his arm and pushed him back to the car with gentle force.

"Ok now, wait a sec. I don't know what's going on with you two and right now, I don't really give a damn, but I know that two girls got murdered and that we'll have more corpses if we won't do anything. I won't let more innocents die just because once in your life a woman is not playing by your rules. I won't let this happen, ok?"

Sam didn't get an answer. Dean pushed his brother to the side ungently and was about to make his way to the driver's seat.

"Stop it Dean. You won't get out of this. She can help, right?"

Dean nodded once.

"Ok, so ... we'll go up there again now and talk to her."

Sam could witness the inner battle Dean was fighting very good.

"Ok Sammy, whatever you want."

And with a smile, Sam tear Dean's hair.

"No worries, big brother, I'll protect you from that evil lady."

Jean had never been a fan of Yoga, but she would give everything to know of those so called "calming practices" because one thing was for sure: She needed it badly.

Not only that her headaches got worse, but also her heart started beating in a painful rhythm.

Arghh ... she knew it: Dean Winchester wasn't good news. The name Winchester, without any doubt, would once dig a grave for her.

If only she ...

"Arghh!" Jean couldn't believe that Dean really had the guts to knock on her door again, but if Dean really wanted to feel her stong and forceful hand again, very well then.

Jean stormed to the door, angry and unsatisfied with herself. She slammed it open and was already about to attack when a strong body stopped her. At this second, Jean was glad the body didn't belong to Dean but his follower.

"Wow, easy girl!"

Jean gave the stranger an angry look, shook her head and went back into her apartment.
Without further invitation, Dean and Sam followed her example, closed the door, and stopped in their track to just stay there, unsure what to do next.

"We need your help."

Ok, now it was Jean's turn to fight her laughter.

"In case you haven't noticed yet: I don't want you two here and I don't at all wanna help you!"

The stranger dared to come closer to Jean until he was standing right in front of her.

"Then you're gonna take the responsibility for the death of someone innocent."

Jean had enough. How could a single day end in a catastrophe like this?

"Who the hell are you?"
"I"m Sam. Dean's brother."
"I can feel your pain."

While Sam was rather confused, Jean noticed in delight that Dean was observing his brother angry and unbelievingly.

Strike

"Dean, just for a change, could you maybe say something as well?"

And all of a sudden, Jean knew that Sam had no clue what had happend between her and his brother.

"Yeah Dean, say something. We all know how helpful your comments are."

Jean remarked Sam still looking at her confused while Dean slowly became alive.

"I told you so Sam: Jean is nothing but a waste of time."

That took her off guard.

Without anything else to say, Jean ran out of her apartment down the staires out into the night. She knew exactly that she acted like a seven-year-old little girl whose teddy had just been stolen, but she didn't give a damn. She had enough of always having to protect herself from everything and she had enough of dealing with Dean's presence. The flight from her own apartment probably hadn't been the best idea, but it was by far better than the alternative:
Staying there and endure Dean's cocky smirk.