Chapter 3

Lauren couldn't believe it, she hadn't seen or heard from Dean in almost 6 years. It felt like her stomach was filled with butterflies, His looks had improved over those six years, that was for sure.

Dean was still holding his broken nose when he finally got a good look at Lauren. It had been at least 6 years since he saw her last, and damn, did she look good. Especially with her hair in that messy ponytail, and those super-short night shorts. Her just wanted to- Wait! He needed to think about the real reason he was here, not about how beautiful and sexy she looked- 'Dammit Dean! Focus!' He told himself as he slowly stood up to face her.

"Dean Winchester, what are you doing here in the-middle-of-nowhere Michigan?" Lauren asked as she put her hands on her hips.

Dean smirked and said: "My brother Sammy and I have this case over in a small town called Whitehall, and I remembered a certain kick-ass hunter in the area who may be able to help."

Lauren grinned and said: "Well thank you Dean, I am quite flattered and all but... I haven't had a case in almost a year, and I have kinda lost my touch..." As Dean listened to her, he realized just how tired she sounded, and wondered what had happened to her. He remembered how happy and energetic she used to be, and now her once beautiful smile had became a stony grin and her bell-like voice had become raspy and gritty.

Dean gave a small grin and replied "Well, with the way that you attacked me at your front door, I would say that isn't the case." He slowly walked over to the ratty couch, he was still holding his nose, but the bleeding had mostly stopped. She really got him good he decided, his nose was definitely broken.

"Oh god Dean, I am SO sorry about your nose, it's just.. I didn't realize it was you, I thought it was someone else, or someTHING else..." Lauren stuttered out an apology, and her cheeks flushed red.

Dean chuckled, "It's fine Lauren, it really is.. It just hurts a little that's all." He winced slightly as he tilted his head forward, he would most likely have a headache later.

"I'll get some ice for that, hey Dean, do you wanna beer or something?" She called out from the kitchen.

"Sure, I'll have one, thanks." Dean called back to her. As he heard her rummaging around the fridge, he looked around the small, kinda dingy apartments that Lauren was living in. It was an incredibly small apartment, even for one person. The paint seemed to be peeling off of the walls in some places, and the furniture seemed to be falling apart. The couch wasn't all that bad until he sat down and a spring nearly went up his butt. He understood why the apartment was the way it was though, hunters usually couldn't stay in one place for very long...

Dean slowly walked over to a small bookshelf in the apartment, and started to look at some of the books that Lauren had. The Mortal Instruments, Dean chuckled, he remembered back when he first met her, she had been obsessed. He then saw something sticking out from underneath one of the books. He pulled it out and realized it was a picture. Dean turned the picture over and read the back; it said: Dean and Lauren 2007. He turned it back over and saw the picture, Him and Lauren were sitting on the rocks out near the pier in Lake Michigan, they were both looking at the camera and smiling like they had just won the lottery. Dean had his arm around Lauren's shoulders and they had their bare feet entwined in the sand.

Dean remembered that this was taken a month or so before he left, He remembered it as one of the happiest days of his life.. He hadn't had many of those lately. The memories of that summer came crashing onto him like a wave. He was finally pulled back to reality when he heard Lauren clearing her throat behind him.

"Hey, ummm I got the beer, Uh.. here you go." She chuckled nervously and quickly sat in the arm chair across from the couch. He soon sat across from her on the couch.

"So, how about this case in Whitehall, do you know what it is yet?" She asked quietly. "I mean.. I heard about the drownings but I never really thought anything of it ya know?"

"Well, we aren't exactly sure yet, but I think it sounds like a typical siren case. I mean, the vics are all men and between the ages of 20-40 which is usually a sirens kinda territory." Dean explained.

After a moment of awkward silence, Lauren spoke up quietly; "Dean, I know what a siren is, and the thing is, you do to, and you have fought them before, so... why do you need my help?" She stopped and was looking at him right in the eyes.. His beautiful green eyes. She remembered when those eyes seemed full of laughter, but now they were deep and dark, almost like an ocean. They were especially stormy after she asked that question.

After a moment, Dean shakily answered, "Do you want to know why I'm here Lauren.. It's because I missed you, It's because I missed us and I thought that maybe if I saw you again we could..." He trailed off and looked back at Lauren.

"Dean I... I-" Lauren stammered, she was somewhat amazed... He missed her? Really? "I don't know what to s-" She was soon cut off when Dean leaned across the coffee table and kissed her softly on the lips.

His lips were soft, almost like flower petals, and they tasted so sweet against hers. She hadn't realized how much she missed this until now. He quickly began to tangle his hands in her hair as he pulled her closer, and their kiss became more passionate. Lauren pushed on his chest and he pulled away.

"Crap, I'm sorry Lauren, was that too... forward of me?" Dean asked as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Do you not... want to?" Dean asked her.

"Oh god! Are you kidding me, I loved that... like... a lot, It's just, a girl's gotta breath Dean." Lauren managed to explain between giggles. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. Her heartbeat slowly began to decrease and she finally collapsed back into her armchair.

"Dean... I wanna help you with your hunt for the sirens, if you will allow it." Lauren said quietly.

"Ok, I've gotta get back to Sammy, so I'll... see you tomorrow, I'll pick you up here at about 9:00 or so..." Dean stood up and shrugged on his jacket. He began walking to the door.

"I'll be waiting for you," Lauren said grinning. "Oh, by the way," She said quickly before he left "We should definitely do that again sometime."

Dean chuckled quietly "I wouldn't object to that," He said, and walked out the door.

Lauren heard his footsteps lumbering down the hallway, and eventually out of her apartment building. She quickly walked to her bedroom and looked out the window just in time to see him leave in an old Chevy Impala. She slowly climbed into bed, and soon fell asleep. It was the first night in a long time, where she didn't have a nightmare.