**Nothing from Charmed or Supernatural belongs to me.**

-TWO-

Melinda let out a quiet curse as she rammed her knee into the nightstand. She bit her lip, glancing over at the bed, at the gorgeous hunk of man sleeping soundly. She let out a sigh, rubbing her leg again and standing up. Her body had the strangest feeling, as though all of her joints had become unhinged, and it felt glorious. Not to mention the fact that the sex had been so good she'd freakin' passed out afterwards. Of course, so had … Wait. What was his name?

Dean. Melinda smiled. What a man. She shook her head, picking up her underwear and slipping them back on. She found her jeans and slid them on, glancing around for her shirt. She found her tank and slid it back on, eyeing her shoes over in the corner.

"Looking for this?"

Melinda turned back to see Dean, sitting up in the bed with her shirt in his hand. She smiled.

"Yes, actually. Sorry. I didn't want to wake you."
"It's fine."

She looked away, feeling her cheeks grow warm as he climbed out of the bed, slipping his jeans on. He caught her eye and he smiled, stretching and yawning. Melinda closed her eyes, letting out a shuddering breath. Dean walked over to her, in all his shirtless glory, and helped her put her shirt back on, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. She kissed him back, letting her hands come up to grip his biceps. He smiled as he pulled back, running a hand through her messy hair.

"So, Melinda…"
"We don't have to do the thing."

Dean raised an eyebrow, and Melinda smiled.

"You know, where we exchange details, tell our life stories."
"Oh, no. Let's not do the … the thing."

They shared a smile, and Dean ran a hand through his hair.

"Can I take you home?"

Melinda smiled, going up on her tiptoes and kissing him on the lips.

"Nah. It's okay. I can find my own way. I always do."
"Mel, I—"
"It's okay, Dean. Really. I've been taking care of myself since long before you came around. I'll be fine."

She slid her shoes on her feet, walking to the door with him behind her. She opened the door and he took hold of it, watching as she turned around to face him again. She smiled, pushing her hair behind her ears.

"I had a great time, Dean."
"So did I."

Her cheeks grew warm again, and he smiled. He held a hand on her cheek as he bent down, kissing her lips, before laying one last kiss on her cheek. Melinda smiled, moving a hand to his cheek, running her thumb over his lips.

"See you around, Dean."
"See you around."

Melinda wasn't entirely sure why she'd said that, because they both knew that most likely, they'd never see each other again. She shook her head as she walked away, and seemingly out of nowhere, a cab appeared. She climbed in, lifting a hand to Dean, who laughed as he waved, watching the cab until he couldn't see it anymore. He shut the door behind him, running his hands through his hair before fingering the ponytail holder he still had around his wrist.

Dean was a loner, there was no doubt about that. He'd been on the road his whole life, literally, ever since his mother died. For 18 years of his life, it was just him, his dad, and his brother. Then his brother hit 19 and took off. Then his dad took off. For the past 3 years, Dean had been completely on his own, and he'd learned to like it. He went where he wanted, did what he wanted. He slept when he got tired. Ate when he was hungry. Found a girl in the bar when he needed to feel not quite so lonely. But for some reason, the past couple of months… Dean had felt more alone than ever before.

Which is how he found himself in Palo Alto, California, in a bar down the street from Stanford University, where his brother was about to start law school. Dean had gone with his normal routine, arriving in town, scoping out his brother's apartment, hitting up a local establishment. It was a stroke of pure luck that he'd happened to glance over at a pool table, seeing the gorgeous blonde hunkered over it, hustling some suckers. Then the blonde had looked up, and he was captivated by her crystal blue eyes. He'd raised his beer at her, mentally kicking himself in the ass for such an idiotic move, until she winked at him. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Dean climbed in the shower, prepared to get a jump-start on his day. But for some reason, something Melinda had said to him kept ringing in his brain.

"It's okay, Dean. Really. I've been taking care of myself since long before you came around. I'll be fine."

She was just a girl in a bar. Just another girl he took to his bed.

Except for the fact that she wasn't.

From the moment he'd laid his lips to hers, Dean felt that this girl was different. She gave as good as she got, whether it was at pool, or in … other more enjoyable activities, Dean thought with a smile. The sex was mind-blowingly amazing. Never had Dean ever had sex so good he passed out afterwards. He leaned down, shutting the water off, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist as he stepped out of the shower. He walked over, holding onto the sink and looking into the mirror.

Melinda. He didn't even know her last name. By this time with any other girl, he'd have forgotten their names. He might have even forgotten them by now. Just a quick lay to take the edge off? Never been a problem for Dean. He'd meet them, charm them, love them, and leave them. But now… He couldn't get Melinda's face out of his head. That beautiful smile, those eyes. The way she looked as she leaned over him, her hair falling around them both. Dean groaned, shaking his head.

She was just another girl in another bar.

Except for the fact that she wasn't.

"It's okay, Dean. Really. I've been taking care of myself since long before you came around. I'll be fine."

Why was that statement bothering him so much? Maybe she'd had a tough life. God knows he knew what that was like. But why did he feel like he wanted to make sure the rest of her life wasn't tough? He wanted to go and find her, take her in his arms and never let her go.

Jesus Christ, if this wasn't a chick-flick moment, he didn't know what was.

Dean got dressed, trying to get Melinda out of his mind as he brushed his teeth and packed his bag. It didn't take long, since he had never really unpacked. He smiled as he looked under the bed, finding a bright pink bra. The smile stayed on Dean's face as he slipped the bra into his bag. He loaded his things in his Impala, still debating with himself on whether or not to drop in on his brother. What a surprise that would be. Dean smiled, already anticipating the look on his little brother's face when he showed up. Yeah, it would totally be worth it. Dean checked his phone, and seeing no missed calls from his dad or Uncle Bobby, he climbed in the car, heading back to the apartment he'd scoped out the night before.

Melinda gently slid her key in the lock, unlocking the door as quietly as she could. She stepped inside, her shoes in her hand, and silently slid the door shut. She tiptoed through the living room, heading for the hallway off of the kitchen.

"Where the hell have you been?!"

Melinda squealed as she dropped her shoes.

"God damn it, Jessica! Don't do that!"

Melinda held her hand over her heart, breathing hard. Jess walked out of the shadows, wrapped up in her fluffy blue bathrobe. She had her arms crossed over her chest and was wearing something akin to one of Sam's bitchfaces. Melinda let out a sigh when her heart rate was back under control.

"Have you been waiting up for me?"
"What do you think? My little sister doesn't come home until … 6:47 in the morning?"

Melinda looked over to the clock, her mouth falling open. She'd stayed with Dean all night? She looked back to Jess, who had an expectant look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Jess. I … I didn't realize how late it was. Or early it is."

Jess let out a sigh.

"Mel, where have you been? You've never stayed out this late."

Melinda's eyes widened, and she felt her cheeks heat. Jess moved her hands to her hips.

"Melinda…"

Melinda sighed.

"I met a guy."

Jess' mouth fell open.

"You what? Did you…?"

Jess let her sentence trail off, and Melinda sighed as she nodded.

"Melinda! My God, what the hell were you thinking?"
"Okay, can you not yell right now? You're going to wake Sam."
"I'm not real worried about Sam right now. I know where he is."

Melinda sighed, bending to pick up her shoes. Jess stepped in front of her, blocking the hall. Melinda sighed.

"Jess, I—"
"Oh, no. We are not done. You are going to sit right here and talk to me."
"Jessica, I'm 22. And you are not my mother. I don't have to tell you anything."

Melinda dropped her shoes into a chair and went to stand behind it. Jess narrowed her eyes, pushing a blonde curl back from her face.

"Melinda, you don't just go home with guys you meet in bars."
"Didn't you meet Sam in a bar?"

Jess faltered, for just a second.

"That's different. It was a mixer, not a bar. And I didn't go home with Sam the second I met him. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? What might still happen to you?"
"I don't think he's a crazy stalker, but I could be mistaken."
"Very funny, Melinda. I'm being serious!"

Melinda sighed, pushing her hair up in her hands. Didn't she have a ponytail last night? She realized Jess was still rambling, but she had tuned her out. She should probably listen to her.

"Melinda, are you even listening to me?"

Melinda smiled, shaking her head.

"Sorry."

Jess blew out her breath.

"Melinda, you know what kind of people are out there."

Melinda looked over to Jess, a humorless smile on her face.

"Yeah, Jess. I do. Kind of hard for me to forget, you know?"

Jess sighed.

"Mel, that's not what I meant. I didn't mean to … I'm sorry."
"No, you did mean to. But I can't spend my whole life hiding, Jessica. I deserve to go out and have a little fun every now and then, without worrying if this is the guy that's finally going to do me in."
"Mel…"
"Seriously, Jess. I'm a big girl. I've been taking care of myself for a long time, remember?"

Jess looked at the ground, letting out a long sigh. She stepped over, closer to Melinda.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you, Mel. If it did… I don't know what I'd do."

Melinda sighed, then wrapped her arms around her sister.

"I know, Jessie. But I'm fine."
"Yeah, this time."
"Well, I'm not going to make a habit of going home with strange guys I meet at bars."

Jess sighed, pushing her hair back as she moved from Melinda's arms. She kept hold of her hands, though.

"Well... Was it good, at least?"

Melinda smiled.

"Yeah. Yeah, it was … 'Good' doesn't even begin to describe it."

Jess grinned, and Melinda sighed.

"It was so good, I passed out."
"What?! I thought that was just a myth."
"So did I. Apparently, it can really happen."

Jess laughed, then bit her lip.

"Were you safe?"
"Mother of God, Jessica! I do not want to have this conversation with you."
"I just want you to be okay, Mel, and to be safe, and—"
"We used a condom. There. Are you happy?"

Jess grimaced.

"I do not want to hear about my baby sister and condoms."
"Well, you asked. I'm not stupid, Jess."

Jess nodded, waving her hands. Melinda smiled, shaking her head.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower, then a nap. I can feel a hangover coming on, and I plans to sleep it off."

Jess smiled and nodded. Melinda gathered her shoes again, and Jess walked her to the hall.

"Good. Go. Shower off the sex stink."

Melinda turned back and stuck her tongue out at Jess, who just laughed. She sighed as she heard the shower cut on, then went back to her room, climbing back into bed. Sam rolled over, taking her in his arms, and Jess smiled, snuggling up to him.

"Where'd you go?"

Jess grinned at his rumbly, sleepy voice.

"Mel just stumbled in."

Sam opened an eye, looking at the clock.

"It's late. Or early, depending on how you look at it."
"So everyone keeps saying."

Sam smiled, snuggling back with Jess. Jess sighed.

"I just don't want anything to happen to her, Sam."
"Jess, she's twenty-two. You've got to let the baby bird fly sometime."

Jess sighed again.

"I know."

She and Sam sat up then, both looking towards the door. Jess' dark eyes were wide, and Sam put a finger to his lips. He climbed out of bed, not bothering with a shirt. Jess slid her robe back on, and Sam turned back to her, whispering in her ear.

"Stay here. Don't come out until I come back for you."
"Sam—"

He silenced her with a kiss, walking out and shutting the door behind him. He crept through the hallway, not making a sound, glancing behind him before making his way into the kitchen. Sam took a deep breath before he looked, seeing someone bent over his fridge. He stopped thinking then, and just started acting. He grabbed the intruder by the neck of his jacket, slamming him up against the wall. And received a knee to the stomach when he did. Okay, so this guy could fight back. But Sam, as usual, had a height advantage. He was about 4 inches taller than this guy, and after a little maneuvering, grunts sounding from both of them, Sam had the guy pinned down.

"Whoa, easy, Tiger."

Sam's eyes widened when he recognized the voice, and the smirk on the face. Green eyes looked back at him in the early-morning sunlight.

"Dean?"

Dean's smile grew, and Sam sighed.

"You scared the shit out of me, man."
"That's 'cause you are out of practice, little brother. Get off me."

Sam stood up, reaching out a hand to help Dean. Dean stood, shaking himself off, straightening his beat-up leather jacket.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Dean smiled, studying Sam, laying his hands on the taller man's shoulders.

"Well, I was looking for a beer."
"It's barely 7 in the morning."
"So? It's five-o-clock somewhere."
"I see you're taking after Dad some more."

Sam turned and walked into the kitchen and Dean hung his head. This was already going well.

"Look, Sammy, I—"
"Dean, why are you here?"

Dean smiled, a genuine albeit small smile that went all the way to his eyes.

"I missed my brother."

Sam sighed, leaning up against the counter.

"After three years?"

Dean held onto the back of a chair.

"You were the one who took off, Sam. 'I need some space.' That's what the letter said. So I gave you your damn space. Was it too much or not enough?"

Sam locked eyes with his brother, able to hold the stare for about a minute.

"It was just enough. I was starting to miss you, too."

Dean smiled.

"You're such a girl."
"Shut up, jerk."
"Bitch."

They heard a noise behind them, and they turned to see Jess standing there, dark eyes wide. The boys smiled, and Sam walked over to her, holding out a hand for her.

"Come here. Jess, this is Dean."
"Your brother?"

Sam smiled and nodded, and she gave Dean a megawatt smile, holding out a hand.

"Dean, it's so good to finally meet you. Sam's told me a lot about you. I'm Jess."

Dean took her hand with a smile.

"Well, I have got to say, you are way out of my brother's league."

Sam rolled his eyes as Jess laughed. She laid her hand on Sam's chest and smiled up at him.

"Why don't I get some breakfast together, and we can have a little family reunion?"

Sam nodded as he bent to kiss her, and a smile lit up Dean's face at the mention of breakfast. Jess laughed, shaking her head as she made her way into the kitchen. Dean looked over to Sam and gave him a thumb's up, and Sam groaned, going back to the bedroom for a shirt. Dean followed Jess into the kitchen, where she was scrounging up pans. He reached over her when she went on her tiptoes trying to get the flour, and she smiled.

"Thanks. Sam usually grabs it for me."
"Yeah, that giant can come in handy."

Jess nodded with a laugh and Dean shrugged out of his jacket.

"Hey, could I borrow your bathroom for a second?"

Jess nodded, keeping her back to him as she measured out flour.

"Last door at the end of the hall. Oh, it might still be occupied, though. My sister came crawling in a little while ago and went straight for the shower."

Dean smiled and nodded as he walked down the hall. He could hear the shower going, and a very nice voice singing Mellencamp's Jack and Diane. He smiled at the sister's good taste in music and turned to walk back down the hall when the door opened. He turned back, stopping dead in his tracks when he met the shocked blue eyes of the girl that had just left his bed barely an hour earlier.

"Mel?"
"Dean? What the hell are you doing here?"