Chapter 2

With my arms tightly crossed and my head leaning against the buckled seat belt, I bit my lip to hold back the words that wanted to start the argument I was about to get in to. Yet I didn't want to be the one to break the silence. But I knew I would be the one to have to.

"You should put on your seat belt." I started, shooting a glance at Dean from where I sat in the passenger seat of the Impala. The only real sound beside my faded words was the rumble of the engine that I loved so much.

Dean chuckled under his breath. "Jane, I kill demons for a living. I think the least of my worries is not putting on a damn seat belt."

"Lets see if you'll keep saying that when we get into a car crash."

"I'm the best driver out there. Nothing's gonna happen with me behind the wheel." He reassured.

The heavy coated silence that fell over us then was just too much to bare. With defeat, I opened my mouth to say what was on my mind, but Dean surprised me by speaking first.

"I get it, Jane, okay? You're an independent hunter who can take care of herself and blah, blah, blah. But did you really have to say I was your brother?"

I could feel my eyebrows pull down in anger. My blue eyes set on the side of Dean's face in disbelief. "What were you doing? Huh? Tell me that, Dean, because I told those guys I didn't want a drink. I had it under control."

"Oh well I'm sorry that I was there to back you up. Two jerks come around and I'm supposed to be quiet." Dean frowned at the black road that extended ahead of us.

"I didn't ask you to back me up! I was fine."

"But brother, seriously!" He shook his head and seemed to ignore me.

"Is that all you care about right now? That I called you my brother? It was the first thing that came to my mind before you said something stupid."

"Look, Jane. I just didn't want you to get hurt." Dean began in that gruff voice that told me he was about to go into a lecture. "I've known you since high school."

"Yeah, I remember that. You transferred to my high school in the last weeks of Senior year. Sammy and Dean Winchester." I shook my head.

It was true. Every girl had their boyfriends at arms length in case Dean would by chance come over to them to talk and then words would lead to . . . what he was best at. I hated it, especially since I was one of those girls. The loner type to have a stupid crush.

I blinked, looking down at my lap before out the car window at the lined trees were were passing.

That's where Sam came in. The bad boy's sweet brother. Cliche isn't it, but man did I share some memories with the tall tanned man. Memories that I wasn't about to tread on.

"Just let me finish." Dean sucked in a breath. His mouth was ajar like he wanted to speak yet couldn't find the right words.

I leaned further back in my seat with a sigh. "Yes, Dean. I know. How 'bout a truce. I'd prefer we left the chick flick moments untouched."

Dean grinned, glancing at me. "That's exactly why I love having you around. You balance out the parts Sam is too much of a pansy to keep from saying."

A smile curled my lips though I wasn't sure if it was honest or just what my reaction was supposed to be.

I understood why Dean said it. I was a tomboy and would rather watch Old School or The Boondock Saints than sit through The Notebook or Titanic, not that I don't mind watching parts of it at least once a year.

Still, a dismal part of me settled beneath the surface of my light expression that portrayed nothing and I knew I wouldn't let my guard down on it. To show a hint of that other side, that secret I've kept for so long, that would just be unacceptable. Unacceptable and humiliating.

"Hey, wake up Sam will you?" Dean asked me while killing the engine after parking in front of our motel room.

I watching him get out of the car and shut the door, obviously not having a choice in the matter. Rolling my eyes, I unbuckled myself and turned around to see Sam slouching in the back seat. His face was soft, a really peaceful look painted over him that made me hesitate reaching over. My eyes watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest and without warning I felt myself blush. What was wrong with me?

I put my hand lightly on his arm and shook him. Sam stirred, his tired eyes only opening so that they were slits. A small smile spread across his face as he looked at me and I was glad then that it was dark out.

"We're back at the motel." I told, looking down at my hands when he stretched, making his muscles move naturally under his shirt.

"Great." He said, running a hand through his brown hair.

I turned back forward in my seat, grabbing my bag that was between my feet. It was one of those simple black bags with the Nike check on the front and loose strings instead of the big straps on a regular back pack. But when I lifted it onto my lap, it easily opened. My pocket sized notebook, paperback book, and a few writing utensils slipped out.

"Shit." I said under my breath, grabbing my things and stuffing them back in place. I could feel the car move as Sam got out, but I focused on my hand tracing the dark floor for my last blue pen. As soon as my fingertips brushed over it under the seat, I put it back in my bag.

I moved my hand to open the passenger door but a second before I could, Sam had already done so.

"Thank you." I said lowly, stepping out to stand beside him while he shut the door.

"You're welcome." He nodded, looking at me as we walked to our room. "You know you shouldn't swear."

I could see that Dean had left our room door open a crack for us when I glanced up at Sam. "You heard that did you?"

"Yeah, I did." He half smiled, showing his white teeth.

"So what, you and Dean curse all the time." I pointed out.

He nodded. "True, but those words shouldn't taint your innocent mouth."

I could tell he was just making conversation, but it still gave me goosebumps. "Innocent?" I couldn't help smiling at his choice of words. He was just being sexist.

"Or not so innocent." Sam shrugged, catching my blue eyes with his hazel ones before pushing open the door to walk inside.

Sam's words froze me just outside the room. My cheeks were rosy red. He was just teasing me, his playful eyes told me that, but it still managed to make my heart flutter. It was something I wasn't used to, at least not with him.

I looked up and into the room, at Dean who exited the bathroom and Sam who was taking his pajamas out of his bag. He looked up at me, as if he had felt my gaze burning him, and smiled warmly.

I breathed in while shutting and locking the door behind me, hoping I wasn't flustered anymore as I set my bag on the circular table next to the window that had the curtains drawn.