The walk into the house was short, but felt like a mile because of the silence. Dean saw Cas shut off the water for the hose, and Benny picked up an empty bucket and a soaked sponge. As they walked into the house, Dean let his eyes wander, to take in the surroundings and get his mind cleared. The interior was a yellow ochre and the design was minimalistic, yet felt very comfortable and homey. It really was a home.

Tyler cleared her throat and gestured for them to sit down on the couch, as she asked, "Want something to drink? We've got water, soda and tea."

"No coffee?" Sam asked as he settled on the couch. Tyler smiled and replied, "Nah, I only drink coffee when you're around."

"Tea then. Thanks."

Tyler turned away and walked into the kitchen. Her limp, which she had when she first woke back at Missouri's house, was completely gone. Dean's eyes followed her, but he said nothing. He didn't know how to break awkward silence. Sam looked at him, frowning, but before he could say anything both Castiel and Benny walked into the living room.

"Tea?" it sounded from the kitchen. How Tyler knew the others had joined them, Dean didn't know. There was no way she could've seen them from where she busied herself with teacups.

"Yeah," said Castiel. "Need a hand?"

"No, I'm fine." There was a long pause. "Benny, where did you stash that damn tray?"

"Upper cupboard to your right," the vampire said as he sat down in the armchair opposite the Winchesters. Castiel chose the chair in the middle, effectively acting as a barrier.

"It's not here," Tyler's voice started to sound annoyed.

"Yes it is. Look again," Benny replied. The sound of cutlery, mugs and whatever else being pushed around reached their ears. Then there was a loud sigh.

"Benny, it's not here. Get your ass in gear and fix me that tray!" The vampire was up in a flash and hurried into the kitchen. Their bickering kept on going for a while and for some reason Dean found himself getting annoyed by it. For some reason she was so comfortable with Benny, this vampire she knew only for a couple of months, and yet towards him she was suddenly so cold. Formal. Perfunctory. That's not how it used to be, he thought to himself as he tried to block their bickering from his mind. Everything between us seemed to change after we rescued Serena. Since she went into Purgatory. What the hell happened in there?

"Tadaa!" Benny and Tyler walked back into the living room, Benny carrying a tray filled with tea cups and Tyler rolling her eyes at Castiel who smiled in response.

"So, where was it?" Sam asked in good humour.

"The lower left cupboard, of course," Tyler replied as she handed everyone their tea. Dean accepted his tea cup and their eyes met. Neither of them looked away, not until Castiel asked why they hadn't visited sooner. Tyler turned away, looked for a place to sit, then decided the armrest of Benny's armchair would suffice.

"You know," said Sam. "We've been up to our eyeballs in work. So many cases, and only so many hours in the day."

The others nodded knowingly. Dean's eyes were fixed on the coffee table in front of him. "So, what about you?" he heard Sam say.

"Resting mostly," said Castiel. "A little hunt here and there, to make sure we're not too rusty."

"Oh," said Dean before he could stop himself. "So you've been hunting again?" His words, directed at Tyler, came out more accusatory than he intended. She stiffened, her eyes narrowing, then she straightened her back.

"Yes, Benny and I have been hunting vampires on and off again. He's got his feelers out in that world, and when we hear something we check it out."

"Hm."

An unidentifiable look crossed Tyler's face and Dean saw Benny dig an elbow into her side as if to say "Calm down. What's going on?" Seeing the vampire so sensitive to miniscule changes in her mood caused a stab of jealousy near his heart. Calm yourself, Dean, he said to himself. This situation is between you and Tyler, don't go involving other people. His empty hand clenched into a fist. But before he could do anything, Tyler was already addressing Sam.

"Got a case nearby or something? Or is this just a friendly visit?"

"Eh...well, not exactly," Sam said as he scratched his head. "We do have a case we could use fresh eyes on, but we came here to see you again. It's been too long."

"Yeah," said Tyler. Dean was unconvinced. He glanced at her arm, and saw her watch on her arm. She saw him looking, and covered the watch with her hand, as if ashamed. "Anyways," she continued. "I guess I should ready the guest room then. Or will you be leaving soon?"

"I guess we can stay for a while," said Sam, as he looked to Dean for confirmation. Dean only grunted, earning a frown from Castiel, who was finally realising something was off.

Tyler made the twin beds in the guestroom violently. Somehow seeing Sam and Dean again wasn't what she'd imagined. For some reason, Dean still hadn't gotten over the whole watch thing. She thought giving him space would've done the trick, but apparently not. Damn it, she thought as she flipped one of the pillows. I don't need drama in my life. Why can't it go back to the way it was? She opened the window to let in some fresh air. Because you refuse to share, her mind whispered. I have no obligation to share anything with anyone, she told herself as she turned away from the window and to the door.

Dean was standing in the doorway, watching her with an unreadable look on his face. Tyler nearly jumped; she hadn't sensed him at all. Recovering from her shock quickly, she pointed at the beds and said jokingly, "No sharing this time," referring to earlier, simpler days. A smile appeared on Dean's face briefly, but then it was gone again.

"Tyler-"

"I should really return to the kitchen. Get dinner ready, you know?" she said as she made to move past him. He softly but firmly grabbed her by the arm, and said, "Whatever it is you are hiding, it doesn't matter. Just don't shut us out."

"Yeah, okay," she said, hoping he would let go. He didn't. His thumb slowly traced circles on her skin. Obviously he had something else to say to her, but she wouldn't let him. It wouldn't be fair for him to open up to her when she wasn't prepared to do the same.

"Dean, I really need to go prepare dinner, otherwise we'll all go hungry," she said as she gently freed herself from his grasp. Dean's eyes burned into hers. "Don't shut us out," he repeated. She nodded, then walked down the stairs as quickly as she could without making it seem she was running. Even though she was. Why are things so awkward now?

After dinner they all crowded round the coffee table again and Sam told them about the case.

"So...," said Tyler, biting her lower lip. "You think somehow people are reaped before their time?"

"Yes," said Dean. "But we have no idea how to confirm it."

"Hmmm," Tyler shifted in her chair.

"You could ask Death," Castiel offered. A silence fell. We should've thought of that, thought Sam with a wry smile. He's right. Death would know. But summoning Death?

"That's tricky," he replied.

"Yes," said Tyler. "Real tricky."

Sam frowned. Had they ever talked to her about Death, and his strange love for fast food? He thought to ask when Dean spoke.

"He won't be happy...but he'll be happier if we get him some good junk food."

"Junk food?" Benny asked.

"Apparently, he loves it," Sam replied. A look of confusion appeared on Benny's face and he could see the vampire thought they were messing with him. "Seriously," he added. Both Benny and Castiel began to talk at the same time, when Tyler silenced them with a quick gesture.

"If you're serious about this, there's an abandoned building nearby. You could do it there, attract no unwanted attention, and no innocent bystanders who get hurt if things go sideways," she said. Sam nodded in agreement. That's just the kind of place they'd need.

"You're with us on this?" he asked her. Tyler looked taken aback, exchanged a look with Castiel, then looked at the ground.

"I dunno," she said. "It sounds kinda dangerous."

"Death's all right," Dean said. "He won't hurt us...he sees mankind as ants, but he's too lazy to step on us."

"Well, that sounds reassuring," Tyler deadpanned. "I'll think about it."

After everyone had gone to bed, Tyler went out to the porch and breathed in the clean evening air. She knew the Winchesters wanted her to come, wanted things to be as they used to be. The three amigos. And though she too wanted this awkwardness to pass, she didn't know if this was the right job to accompany them on.

"You're worried," the voice of Castiel was soft yet clearly audible.

"Of course I am," she said.

"I'll come with if you want. Leave Benny to hold down the fort."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. Who knows what will happen."

"Whatever it is...it won't be pretty."