Skylar rested her back against Dean's chest as she watched the hot water ripple around their bodies. He had suggested a bath instead of a shower, and while the intimacy it entailed made her slightly uncertain, she soon found that the water provided a shroud, eliminating her embarrassment substantially.

The water was heated considerably to a point that her skin was instantly turning a rose color, but it felt nice against her tense muscles. When she gazed up into Dean's face, her eyes only an inch from his stubbled jaw that she found incredibly sexy, she realized how far his thoughts continued to be despite his focused look upon her exposed frame.

There were no bubbles in the water, but Dean quickly doused her body with liquid soap. It was a ridiculous amount that made her gasp at how chilly it was against her heated skin. Dean finally grinned at her surprise by his sudden soap assault.

"I doubt you needed half the bottle! You're the stinky one, not me."

"Says you…"

"Hey! I don't smell. I don't even sweat…I glisten."

Dean rolled his eyes, though the smile continued to play against his full lips. "It's fucking hot outside. Even you are sweating like a pig. Don't deny it."

Skylar pouted slightly. "I'm beginning to second guess my decision about asking you to take me someplace warm."

"Since when?"

"Since you told me I stink."

"So you can tell me that I do, but I can't tell you the same thing?"

"Exactly," she answered with a sweet expression.

Dean chuckled, kissing her shoulder in the process. He grabbed her hair and pulled slightly as he bit down on her skin gently in response to their 'argument.' Skylar had to admit that one of her guilty pleasures in life had always been when Dean would grab her by the hair and hold her in place, making it impossible to move. He'd been doing it since she could remember. It was like second nature to the both of them. Admittedly, it was one of the reasons on why she kept her dark locks so long.

Any words left on their lips were lost when his free hand began to move seductively, working in the soap that he had graciously poured down the front of her body.

Skylar's breathe caught at his gentle ministrations. Dean rubbed from her neck and chest, down her arm, and onto her abdomen in a slow torture that made her grasp as his biceps for support. She didn't dare look up at him. This was all new to her, and despite how far they had gone last night, she couldn't seem to rid herself from the embarrassment that plagued her every time he gazed upon her body.

Dean was experienced…beyond skillful. Skylar had to admit that she felt doubtful, but by the way he touched her – looked at her; he was clearly attracted to her. The relief of that fact was gratifying. Of course he wouldn't have shown he was attracted to her until now, but since they were married, his attitude toward her had changed considerably.

And while he had apologized for 'taking advantage' of her last night, he had stated that he didn't regret it. She knew that he meant it considering his current silken touch upon her shape.

Dean released her hair as his hands became more firm, placing them flat against her abdomen in a slow torture as he moved them upwards; the soap easily sliding them to his desired destination. A soft moan escaped her lips when they found her breasts, gripping tightly, filling his hands perfectly. She arched her back as his erection pressed against her. He immediately drew her back against him.

Embarrassingly, Skylar still hadn't been able to bring herself to look at Dean fully. When they had undressed and sunk down into the tub, she had kept her gaze adverted the entire time. Her abashed state hadn't gone unnoticed and she immediately witnessed the humor on his handsome features, though he had the decency to not mention it.

She closed her azure eyes against the incredible sensation that she never wanted to end. He ran his thumbs over her nipples until they became completely hardened. She was shaking despite the steam of the hot water rising from its surface.

He continued touching her for several minutes, touching her body more firmly with his sound that escaped her parted lips. To her disappointment, he began washing away the soap, halting in the fondling that she was beginning to crave so much.

Dean allowed her to rest against him and regain her composure while he soaped up his own body. After several minutes, they were washed, but continued lying in the tub. Skylar's eyes became heavy from how relaxed she was.

It was hard to imagine that, only a few days ago, she had been terrified of Dean. She knew that the anger continued to be a part of who he was, but this man that touched her so gently would never hurt her. It was just a fact that she felt deep down.

She laced her fingers through his, drawing his arms around her body in a tight embrace that made her feel safe. A part of her loathed the fact that she relied on a man to take care of her, while another part of her wouldn't want it any other way. There was something so thrilling about Dean's protectiveness and hold.

She cocked her head to the side and raised her lips, waiting for him to kiss her. There was no doubt in her mind that he would. Her eyes were closed and she waited. But he never made contact.

When she opened them and looked at how his brow was furrowed in concentration, the relaxed feeling that she felt began to dissipate.

"What's wrong?" she asked in concern, feeling slightly self-conscious once again.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"With taking a bath?" she asked in question, one eyebrow raised.

He ran a hand quickly through her hair, moving it away from her face. "With me touching you this way?"

"I wish you'd stop regretting it after every time you do it."

He sighed. "I told you, Baby Girl, I don't regret it."

"That's how you're making it sound, though," she said with a pout to her lips while searching his face for answers.

"Stop pouting," he grabbed her bottom lip and tugged in a teasing manner. Skylar jerked her head away, wrapping both of her arms around his left bicep.

"I'm not pouting."

He grunted in response and fell silent. Skylar was beginning to feel uncertain and uncomfortable until Dean began stroking her arm so softly that goosebumps began to form. Her anger subsided at his touch. She turned her head to kiss him on the arm, though she continued to keep quiet. She wasn't sure what to say in that moment.

In a kiss like whisper, she blurted out the words before she could stop them from falling from her lips. "Are you ever going to make love to me?"

Skylar instantly regretted the question, though she desperately wanted to know the answer. Last night, she would have gladly given herself to him, but he was the one keeping their lust at bay just enough to not 'cross the line.' If he carried her to bed right now, she knew she wouldn't be able to stop him. It was frightening how fast her desire was growing for this man.

"Of course I will," he answered, swallowing hard at her surprise question.

"When?"

He chuckled softly. "Do you want me tell you the date and time?"

"It's not funny," she scolded, reaching up to slap him across the face. Dean grabbed her wrist before making contact, placing a light kiss beneath where his thumb lay. He tisked.

"Now, now. As much as I'd love for you to hit me, you should save it for a real fight."

"A real fight?"

"Mmhmm. Since we've retired, we might have an agonizingly long time together."

Skylar sobered at his words. Several thoughts ran through her mind, none of them pleasant. Since they 'retired,' branding was pointless. Maybe he would want to divorce her or get an annulment. If they kept hiding, maybe their marriage would be cut even shorter and Dean would be sent back to hell. Her heart began to race at the prospect. Their last few days that existed of driving, laughing, fighting, and foreplay were beginning to fade and reality was starting to set in. It was too good to last. She was sure of it.

"I hope so," she croaked out quietly, not being able to hide her uncertainty. Dean noticed how upset she was and lifted her chin up to look him in the eyes.

"Talk to me," he said while running a thumb against her bottom lip.

She relished in the soft stroke he ministered. "No matter what I say, it won't change your mind."

"You're probably right…but try me anyway," he encouraged.

"Well…I – They know where we are. Why haven't they come to take you back?"

She watched Dean's expression change, though he smiled for her benefit. "What makes you think they know where we are?"

"Come on," she snickered. "There fucking angels, Dean. You know as well as I do that they can show up at any minute and smite the shit out of us."

"Language," he tapped her lightly.

"Dean!"

He sighed heavy. "Cass has been trying to talk to me, and I've told him repeatedly to get lost. I'm not interested. I have no intention of trying to save this God-forsaken world. If they want it stopped so badly, they can do it themselves."

"When did Cass talk to you?"

"Every night…in my mind."

"And he hasn't demanded it?"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore, Skylar. It's in the past."

"No, it's not. They aren't humans. We can't just keep hiding without being caught." She bolted upright, not bothering to hide her nakedness, and turned around to face him.

"But we can try," his voice hardened, making her wince at the tone. All humor was completely lost. He rose from the tub in a fit of anger, leaving Skylar on her knees sitting in the chilled water. Tears were pricking behind her eyes, not necessarily from their fight, but because of the uncertainty of what was to happen.

She didn't want the world to end. She didn't want Dean to be punished for his defiance.

She wanted to live a life with the man that she loved; without the fear of knowing there were monsters waiting in the shadows to tear them apart. She wanted it to be over, and if that entailed Dean saving the world, then so be it.

Skylar sat on her bottom, drawing her knees to her chest, and let the tears fall from her eyes in silence.

Dean wrapped a towel around his lean hips and opened the bathroom door, shutting it behind him with a loud bang. Where did Skylar get off telling him that he couldn't simply walk away from his problems? It was his life, and if he felt like ignoring his 'destiny,' then that was his own prerogative.

"Son of a bitch!"

"Hello, Dean."

What greeted Dean was far worse than anything Skylar had voiced. Staring at him intently were none other than Castiel and his brother Sam. At some point since entering the bathroom, they had let themselves in and taken over their motel room. The television was humming quietly in the background and Sam sipped a beer while clutching a sandwich within his palm.

"What in the hell are the two of you doing here?"

"We've talked it over and decided that you have had long enough to brood," Castiel said. "It's time to get back to work?"

"Work?" Dean asked incredulously. "You mean saving the world? No thanks."

"I have told you – it's not up to you. You can't change fate."

"If I can't change fate, then let this battle happen. What's written can't be changed, right Cass? Let them fight! Let's get it over with."

"The final seal is about to be broken, Dean. There is no time to wait around and just 'let' it happen. While there is still time, we need to move."

"Everyone's entitled to a paid vacation. It's been four God damn days," Dean said quietly to no one in particular.

"Where's Sky?" Sam asked, halting their words. Dean turned a seething glare towards his brother for interrupting.

"Disney World," he said with sarcasm before pointing to the bathroom. "Where in the hell do you think she is?"

"She's in there…where you just came from?" Sam's expression was full of surprise and condemnation as he looked over Dean's near nakedness. Dean rolled his eyes.

"Oh get off your high horse, Nancy. She's my fucking wife. If I feel like taking a bath with her, that's my damn busy."

"So that's what you've been doing these past few days?" Sam began, raising his voice in the process. "Fucking your child bride while Cass and I try to decide how to fix this whole mess that you started?!"

"Don't you have a gallon of blood to drink or something?" Dean bit back with a smirk.

Sam opened his mouth and closed it, letting an exasperated sigh escape his lips.

"We don't have time for this," Cass scolded. "We have to leave…now!"

"And if I don't?" Dean challenged, folding his arms in defiance.

Cass looked away, the muscles in his jaw working furiously. "I have my ordered to put you back where I took you from."

Dean paled at Castiel's words, swallowing hard. "Hell?" he asked hesitantly.

"Hell," Castiel confirmed.

Dean stomped across the room to his bag and let the towel fall from his hips despite the two men that stood only a few feet away. He dressed quickly and in a fit of anger. How dare they barge in unannounced and unwelcomed to condemn and threaten him into doing what they wanted.

"And what's the plan? We just march in like superhero's and save the day?"

"Well…yes," Castiel said. "The last seal is Lilith. We have to stop her from opening hell and freeing Lucifer from the cage."

"Sounds like a piece of cake," Dean groaned.

"So you'll come with us?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Castiel looked abashed, but shook his head. "No, Dean. I'm afraid you don't."

"Then looks like I'm coming with you," Dean stated with a seething glare before yelling, "Sky! Get your ass out here!"