-SEVENTEEN-

Melinda sat on the bed, watching as Dean tossed various items at the bed, towards his duffel bag. As soon as a shirt or pair of jeans would hit the bag or the bed, she'd pick it up, folding it neatly and packing it into the bag. He couldn't stay still, going from the dresser to the closet, back over to the dresser. Finally, Melinda's voice broke the silence.

"Dean."

He stopped, looking over to the bed, where she was sitting Indian-style, his bag in front of her. She tilted her head to the side, smiling gently, holding out a hand. He closed his eyes, letting out a breath. He walked to the bed, and Melinda stood up, wrapping him in her arms.

"Mel—"
"Hold me back, jackass."

He smiled, but wrapped his arms around her. He felt her hand drift through his hair and he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Mel."
"I know, baby. I'm right here."
"It's my dad, Mel. What if …"
"Shh. Don't do that."

He buried his face in her neck, and Melinda sighed.

"I'm sure he's fine. Maybe he's just been somewhere with no cell service."
"And no landlines or payphones? Come on."

He stepped away from her, pushing his hands through his hair. Melinda pursed her lips, glancing at the floor.

"Sam said he's done this before?"

Dean sighed, setting his hands on his hips.

"Yeah. Yeah, he … He took off all the time when we were kids. We didn't hear from him for days sometimes. But it was never for this long."

Melinda nodded.

"Honey—"
"He's a bastard, Mel. He's—he's cold and a hardass, and he never got over losing my mom. He dragged Sam and me all over creation, and he never once told us why. It was like we were hunting something, but he wouldn't answer any questions we asked him."

Dean shook his head, a hard smile crossing his face.

"One school we were dropped in, I took this one biology class. The two weeks I was there, we covered psychiatric stuff, and I thought he had to be bipolar at the very least. Said as much to Bobby, but he said John was just a hard-assed son of a bitch."

He looked down at the floor, and Melinda smiled as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

"You're not like him."
"You've never met him. How do you know?"
"I just know."

Dean shook his head, leaning his head back onto hers. After a moment, Melinda spoke quietly.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Dean closed his eyes, turning around and taking her in his arms. Her hands came up, gently scratching his back, and he sighed.

"I'd love for you to, but I … I think this is something I have to do alone."

She turned her face into his chest, and his hand drifted to gently massage the back of her head. Her voice was muffled when she spoke, and Dean squeezed his eyes shut at her words.

"I don't want you to be alone."

He had to take a moment, but even so, when he spoke again, his voice was rough.

"I don't want you to be alone, either."

Her hands tightened around his back, and he moved enough to cover her lips with his own. Her hands left his back, moving to cradle his face. When they both had to catch their breath, Dean leaned his forehead against hers, both of them keeping their eyes closed. Melinda spoke quietly.

"It's late."

Dean nodded, and her hands slid from his face to his shoulders, and she pushed until they were wrapped loosely around his neck.

"Stay. Stay with me, and you can go in the morning."

Dean swallowed, then nodded. Melinda walked backwards, sitting on the bed, looking up at Dean. He moved his bag from the bed to the floor, looking back at her. He tugged his shirt off, dropping it beside the bed, leaning to kiss her again. She wrapped her arms around him, laying back and bringing him with her.

Melinda woke up slowly, feeling a hand gently running through her hair. She blinked open her eyes, looking up to see Dean smiling down at her. He bent his head, gently pressing his lips to hers.

"Sleeping Beauty."

Melinda blushed, reaching out, and Dean laced his fingers with hers. She yawned.

"What time is it?"
"Early."

She nodded, laying back, pushing her other hand through her hair. She looked over, meeting his eyes again.

"You got to go?"

Dean sighed, nodding his head. Melinda nodded too, determined not to cry. She sat up in the bed, taking the sheet with her, and smiled when Dean reached over to run his hand over her hair, playing with the ends. She cleared her throat.

"I bet you'll find him and be back here in no time."

Dean smiled.

"I hope so."

The smile slid from his face and he blew out a breath.

"Damn it, Mel."

He leaned over, taking her face in his hands, kissing her deeply. Her hands came up, twisting in his hair, and when he pulled back, they were both breathing hard. Dean leaned forward, pressing his cheek to hers, keeping his hand on her other cheek, gently running his thumb up and down. She shivered when he spoke, his warm breath drifting across her ear.

"Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Melinda smiled, closing her eyes.

"Jess will be here. Someone has to look after the bar."

Dean sighed.

"Baby, I …"
"I'll be okay, Dean."

He let out another sigh and she moved to wrap her arms around him. He rested his head on her shoulder, pressing his nose into her neck, and she smiled, one hand gently rubbing his back, the other massaging the back of his head.

"You just go and find your dad, and come back to me. Okay?"

Dean nodded, staying wrapped up in her for just a little while longer. He finally pulled back, letting out a long breath. She reached out, running her hand over his cheek, leaving it there.

"You all packed?"

He nodded.

"Everything you need?"

He smiled.

"I think so."

She nodded, and Dean stood up, pushing a hand through his hair. Melinda climbed out of the bed, reaching and slipping her robe on. She walked over and set her hands on Dean's hips, going on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. She walked out of the room, leaving him to watch her go. He gathered his bags, walking into the living room, smiling when he saw her, with a small basket.

"You were sleeping pretty soundly a couple hours ago. There's some sandwiches in here, some chips and snacks for the road."

She shrugged her shoulders, and Dean smiled.

"Thank you."

She smiled back at him, walking over, meeting his lips with her own when he bent towards her. He nodded, walking towards the door, Melinda following behind him. At the door, Dean turned back.

"Don't forget to lock this. Anytime you're here, flip the lock."

She nodded, and Dean sighed.

"Listen, I know you've been through some shit, but … Maybe you could think about moving back in with Jess. Just for the summer. I don't want to think about you being here by yourself, and—"
"Whoa, now. Just calm down."

She smiled, reaching to lay a hand on his shoulder.

"And I've already thought about it. I'm going to talk to her after you leave."

Dean sighed, nodding his head, kissing her again before biting the bullet and opening the door. He started down the stairs, stopping short when he saw his brother leaning against the shiny black Impala, a bag slung over his shoulder. Dean glanced back at Melinda, who hurried down the steps behind him. Jess smiled as she stepped up, giving Dean a hug before walking over to stand by Melinda. Dean set his bag on the ground, and Sam let out a sigh.

"Just listen, okay? I know. I took off to get the hell away from him as soon as I could. But … he's still my dad, Dean."

Dean nodded, and Sam pushed a hand through his too-long hair.

"You've been cleaning up his messes for as long as I can remember, and you … You don't have to do it alone this time. We've got the whole summer, just as long as you get me back before September."

Dean nodded again, a smile crossing his face.

"You didn't want me to go by myself."

Sam rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, Dean."
"You want to go on a road trip with your big brother."

Sam turned back, tossing his bag into the backseat, moving out of the way and holding the door open so Dean could do the same. Sam shut the door, glancing back and giving Jess a smile. She smiled back to him, giving him a wink. Dean opened the driver's side door, resting his forearms on the top of the car, staring at Melinda. She gave him a smile, tilting her head to the side, one arm wrapped around her sister. She gave a little nod, and Dean smiled. He nodded, gently tapping the car's roof, then sliding in the car. Sam slid in next to him, taking a minute to situate his long legs.

"Ready?"

Sam nodded as Dean started the car. Dean closed his eyes as the Impala roared to life, and Sam spoke louder, to be heard over the roar of the engine.

"Just as long as you don't—Oh, come on, Dean. Seriously?"

Dean gave him an incredulous look.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten the rules already?"

Sam closed his eyes, laying his head on the back of the seat as Dean began tapping on the steering wheel, the opening notes of Black Sabbath's Iron Man sounding through the speakers. A wide smile was on Dean's face.

"Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole."

Sam shook his head with a sigh.

"This is going to be one long-ass summer."

"They're going to be okay, right?"

Jess smiled, bumping Melinda with her hip.

"They'll be fine. They've done this their whole lives. You know, traipsed across the country, hunting for … I don't know. Something."

Melinda smiled.

"You ever imagine them as heroes?"
"What, like saving people?"

Jess smiled as Melinda nodded.

"Yeah. Saving people. Hunting things."
"The Winchester family business."

The girls laughed, turning back and walking up the steps to the apartment.

"So… I seem to be in need of a roommate."
"Jessie! What a coincidence. Same here."

Jess smiled, leaning her head on Melinda's shoulder.

"So. Your place or mine?"

Melinda laughed, opening the door.

"It'll take me about … Four minutes and twenty-six seconds to pack my things, so."
"My place. Got it."

It took a little bit longer than that, but with both girls packing, it was done in no time. Melinda moved into Jess' second bedroom that afternoon, while the boys arrived the next day at Bobby's place in Sioux Falls. They picked up a trail on their dad, leading them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That trail went cold, and they found themselves in Fort Worth, Texas, before heading to the middle of New England.

By mid-June, the boys were no closer to finding their dad than they had been when they started. The girls were making the most of their summer, working at the bar with Ash, a guy that Dean had sent when he and Sam had met up with him when they'd gotten close to Nebraska. Jess was soaking up her last moments of free time before starting medical school, and Melinda was still trying to figure out her life.

Until a phone call on June 14th.

"Mel? You home?"

Jess walked into the apartment, dropping her purse on the table near the door. She didn't hear a response, so she took her shoes off, leaving them by the door.

"Melly? You here?"

She walked into the kitchen, seeing Melinda sitting at the table, staring down at her phone. Jess glanced around, then walked over, laying a hand on Melinda's shoulder.

"Hey. You okay?"

Melinda glanced up, blinking before she gave Jess a smile.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm … I'm good."
"Because that's totally your 'I'm fine' face."

Melinda smiled, and Jess took the seat across from her.

"Spill."

Melinda smiled again.

"Gabe just called."

Jess' face lit up.

"And how's our favorite little powerhouse?"
"Same as always. Can't sit still."
"And probably has a mouth full of cavities."

Melinda nodded, looking down at the phone again before meeting Jess' eyes.

"Jess, it wasn't just a regular call from Gabe."
"Oh?"

Jess raised one eyebrow, and Melinda nodded again.

"He … He offered me a job."
"And he does that how many times a week?"

Jess pushed her chair back, walking over to the refrigerator. She grabbed a bottle of water as Melinda spoke.

"He … He was serious this time, Jessie."

Jess stood up, one hand still holding the refrigerator open.

"Serious how?"

Melinda swallowed.

"He wants to start a publishing company."
"God knows he could do it."
"He wants me to help."

Jess nodded, standing up straighter at the look in Melinda's eyes.

"Mel. You—you want to?"
"More than you could ever know."

Jess' mouth dropped open, and she closed the fridge. She walked back over, sitting at the table. Melinda sighed.

"I know."

Jess shook her head.

"You never said anything."

Melinda smiled.

"I know. I never thought it was even an option. And then Gabe …"

She let out a sigh, pushing her hands through her hair. Jess smiled and reached over, taking one of Melinda's hands.

"What would you do? Would you write?"

Melinda shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe. I'd really like to edit, I think. For a while, at least. I would like to eventually write something of my own."
"Melly…"

Melinda let out a breath.

"Jessie, I don't know what to do. I want to stay here with you and wait on the boys, but—"
"Mel, don't be stupid. You have to go. I'll be fine."
"I—I can talk to Gabe. See if he can set me up here—"
"Melinda."

Jess reached over, took hold of Melinda's other hand. She smiled.

"You have to go. If you really want this, then staying with me isn't even in the vicinity of options. I am so excited about this for you, kid."

Melinda smiled, but tears were shining in her eyes. Jess gently ran her thumb across the back of Melinda's hand.

"What is it, honey?"

Melinda let out a shaky breath.

"Dean."

Jess nodded, a smile on her face. Melinda shook her head.

"I don't know … I just don't know anything."

Jess let out a laugh.

"Honey, he'll be thrilled."
"Jess."
"He wants you to be happy, Mel."
"What if he's what makes me happy? And I just leave him for this job? What if I end up hating this job?"
"Then you can come back."

Melinda looked at her sister as a tear rolled down her cheek. Jess just smiled, reaching over and wiping it away.

"Nothing says that you have to pack up and change your life forever. If you go to … Where would you go?"
"Archangel headquarters in San Fran."
"Okay. San Fran, that's like … what? An hour from here?"

Melinda nodded, and Jess reached to squeeze her hand.

"Listen. There is no rule that says if you take this job you have to do it for the rest of your life. If you absolutely cannot stand being there, you can come home. Honey, Gabe would rather die than have you be miserable. He'll set you up here or wherever else might make you happy."

Melinda nodded again, then smiled at her sister.

"It's just kind of scary, you know?"

Jess smiled.

"This is a very big girl thing to do."

Melinda nodded, then met Jess' eyes.

"Okay. I'm going to do it."

Jess squealed, jumping up to take Melinda in her arms.

"My baby sister's growing up."
"Oh, shut up, Jess."

Sam walked out of the bathroom in the motel, rubbing a towel over his hair. Dean was sitting on one of the beds, the one closest to the door, naturally. His phone was tossed onto the bed beside him and he was flipping through snowy channels on the small, most likely older than the both of them, television.

"Anything good on?"

Dean shook his head.

"Not unless you want to try to decide which fuzzy blob's Hawkeye on an old episode of M.A.S.H."
"Aren't they all old episodes now?"
"Shut up, Sam."

Sam smiled, slowly turning back and tossing his towel into the bathroom.

"You talk to Mel?"

Dean smiled as he nodded.

"How's she liking San Fran?"
"She loves it. She's worried about us, of course, but she adores it out there. She's decorating her office this week. At least, I think that's what she said. When she started mentioning color palettes that Jess was helping her with, I zoned out."

Sam let out a laugh. Dean glanced behind him again.

"How's the head?"

Sam shrugged his shoulders.

"My ears still ring and the room still spins if I move too quickly. How's the shoulder?"

Dean smiled, turning back to take a sip of his beer.

"Hurts like a bitch."
"Are you sure I popped it back in right?"
"Yep. That's why it hurts like a bitch."

Sam let out a sigh, taking a seat on his bed, letting out a hiss. Dean glanced over at him, taking another swig of his beer. Sam looked up at him and Dean sighed.

"Sam, don't."
"Why couldn't we just tell them?"

Dean shook his head as he stood up, groaning like an old man, shuffling to the mini-fridge, holding his right arm across his stomach as he grabbed another beer. As an almost second thought, he tossed that beer to Sam, who caught it easily. Dean grabbed another one for himself, then shuffled back to the bed. He looked to Sam as he sat, saw his brother just staring at the beer in his hand. Dean shook his head.

"You heard him. It's … It's too dangerous for us to be together."
"And we can't even tell the girls that we found him? That we run into Dad in freakin' Chicago, only for him to take off again?"
"Sam, come on."
"No!"

Sam stood up, laying a hand on his forehead for a moment, until he got his bearings. He looked to Dean.

"We did what we set out to do. We found him. He's alive and he's the same old bastard he's always been."
"Christ, Sam."
"You know it's true."
"So, what? Now you're ready to bail?"

Sam closed his eyes.

"That's not what I'm saying. Don't put words in my mouth."

Dean raised his left hand in surrender, then took another sip of beer. Sam sighed.

"We just got the shit beat out of us, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say it was from shadows. I mean, did you get a look at the guys?"
"No. I got a dislocated shoulder pretty much off the bat."
"Yeah, and the first thing they did was give me a concussion."

Dean nodded slowly.

"Yeah, they got Dad pretty good, too."

Sam nodded back, sitting back down on his bed.

"Then what are we doing, Dean?"

Dean shut his eyes, and Sam spoke quietly.

"Why are we chasing after someone who doesn't want to come with us?"

Dean shook his head.

"He's our dad, Sam."
"I know that."

Sam pushed a hand through his hair, then laid his hand on his forehead. Dean watched him, until Sam looked up at him again. Dean sighed.

"There's more to this story, isn't there?"

Sam slowly nodded.

"There's got to be something he's not telling us."

Dean nodded as he drained his beer.

"So do you want to find out what it is or we going to go the Winchester way and just ignore it?"

Sam ran his hand down his face.

"I don't think we can ignore it."
"So… What now?"

Sam sighed.

"Keep on keeping on?"
"Should we go after him or head back to Bobby's?"

Sam smiled.

"I think it would be easier for us to get information out of Bobby, don't you?"

Dean smiled back at him.

"Oh, hell yeah."

Sam let out a laugh.

"And what do we tell the girls?"

Dean pursed his lips, then let out a sigh.

"That we're keeping on keeping on? Just hold the Dad info close to the vest."
"I just have a bad feeling about doing that, Dean."
"Relax, Samantha. It'll be fine."

Dean grunted at the pillow that hit his face. Sam shook his head.

"You're such a jerk."
"Go to sleep, bitch. And I don't want to hear a damn word from you when I wake you up every hour and make you sing me your ABC's."

Sam rolled his eyes, closing them and laying a hand to his head.

"Yeah, okay."

Dean snorted.

"Sweet dreams, princess."
"Go to hell."

Dean's laughter was the last thing Sam heard as he drifted to sleep.

And when all the beer was gone from the fridge the next morning, Sam didn't mention it.