Chapter 2

"So are you going to get with the program or are you going to act like an ass all night?"

"Bite me jerk."

Dean knew that everyone was in a foul mood. It didn't help that Sam muttered something in the car on the way to the motel and Angela had to pick up on that. Any other time he would have teased her about her hearing. This time though he actively cursed it since it seemed that she was selectively using it just to put herself in a bad mood.

She was already in the car and she was listening to her iPod. Dean recognized it as one of the ways she used to ignore things that bothered her. She didn't even acknowledge them when they got in but rather angled her body so she wasn't looking in the direction of mostly Sam. Dean concluded that whatever looks Sam shot her or comments he said was really bothering her.

It was a short drive to the motel but in that span of time, Angela got a text message. She became a bit animated when she saw who sent it and said, "Oh, good."

To Dean it was an offhand comment that didn't mean anything. In fact Sam shouldn't have been offended by it. Dean was wrong however and Sam muttered in a sarcastic tone, "More privacy for whatever."

The scary thing was that Angela didn't react but Dean knew she heard it. He could see her in the rearview mirror and the look that she shot at the back of Sam's head… Dean knew that she was extremely annoyed at what was eating Sam. She also didn't understand why he was taking a sudden interest in her phone calls and text messages. As far as Dean knew, she was doing last minute things for the hearing or she was looking up other things of interest. She did have a life outside of hunting.

To Dean one didn't live five hundred years on the job without picking up a few acquaintances and friends along the way. True that it would have been painful to see them live out their lifespan if they were human and Dean couldn't imagine the emotional and mental toll. As far as he was concerned, if she wanted to play catch up, that was her right. She didn't need him or Sam watching her every step and become the police on her.

The drive became very quiet until they pulled up into the motel. Dean and Angela got the rooms and Dean couldn't blame her if she didn't want to be stuck in the car with Sam at the moment. He was assured that they were on the same row of rooms but he found it disturbing that she requested the opposite end. Dean could tell she was really upset and it showed when they were retrieving their gear. She literally threw Sam's stuff at him before grabbing hers saying, "Getting sloppy on your laundry."

It wasn't hard to see that she was implying that she could smell dirty clothes. Only this time it wasn't playful. Sam's reaction was to say, "And I'm sure you can tell the difference between dirt and soap."

When she was more than halfway towards the room, Sam added, "Don't forget to text," which was met with a slamming of the door.

That was what had both Dean and Sam in their room with Dean trying to get to the root of the problem. He replied to Sam's retort, "I'd rather have Angie bite you and she's got sharper teeth than mine."

Sam said nothing at first as he got his clothes out for the night. Then he said, "Yeah and watch her go vamp on somebody else."

"Is that what your problem is?" Dean looked at his brother. When he didn't get a response, he put his hand on his brother's shoulder, "Sam…"

"You and Angie like it's not a big deal that she vamps out like that," Sam turned to face his brother. It wasn't the whole truth but it was something that had been bothering him since he was the one that got a full on look at what she looked like.

"I know it's a big deal Sam," Dean replied. He could sense that was not the whole story but then again the other part was more likely a messed up thing that Sam couldn't straighten out in his head. At least part of the problem could be put to bed but in the end Sam was going to have to talk it out with her and he was going to be safely in a bar somewhere when that happened. "You forget I saw her vamped out and when she gets going, she goes for the kill."

"Like a beast."

"Sam she's a hunter just like you and me and like us she has her own problems."

"So you're saying that making a joke out of the fact that douchebag Venator was one of many that wanted to kill her is a normal problem? Hell even Bobby thinks that it's a relief from hell bitches like Lenya." Sam looked at Dean, challenging him to really think about the past few days of being kid sized with adult problems.

"No," Dean admitted. He could admit that the cavalier attitude she assumed when another crazy or demon threatened her was more like what he would do. At least he eventually admitted how scared he was. With Angela it took something like a near death experience to get her to admit something. "Bobby said that physically threatening her was a relief for her?"

"Must be. Haven't you seen the look she gets when it's a pure physical fight? She looks happy and she's the kind to avoid a fight."

"So you're acting like an ass because you think she may go dark side? That's pretty stupid since it would be a cold day in hell literally if she did that. Besides if that were the case you wouldn't be throwing her dirty looks every time she got a phone call or a text message. You're not her bodyguard Sam and neither am I. We're partners."

That was the most reasonable Dean had ever gotten in a conversation. For someone who was adverse to chick flick moments, he could be a 'soul of understanding' if needs to be. He just did it in his own way. He also had the feeling that it was a bunch of stuff that had Sam in knots and he knew that lately she hadn't been too forthcoming about her extracurricular activities and she actually shot one of Sam's ideas down and not too gently. "Or are you pissed because she shot you down on your idea about breaking my deal?"

Sam had enough of this conversation. He really didn't know what the problem was but he certainly could latch onto the little things; the things that he and Dean never used to bother about before. Plus the whole deal thing. He clammed up and replied, "You know what… forget. I'm crashing."

Dean could tell that Sam meant it when his brother disappeared into the bathroom. It was not even eight and his brother was hitting the sack. Usually on a job he would crack open the laptop and read over the notes they made and that was the first thing. Something really was getting his brothers boxers in a twist. Angela's extreme vamping out was just the tip of the iceberg or it could be that it had nothing to do with the reason why his baby brother was treating the girl he was attracted to and didn't know it like she was a leper.

Dean stifled the urge to continue this conversation since it would probably end up in an argument like the one he and Sam had over using the Colt on the crossroads demon. That hadn't been pleasant and he figured that contributed to the depression she had been in until her birthday. He told Sam to drop it even though they all knew she was appealing to higher powers and he did notice that Sam's kicked puppy look didn't work on her when she shot him down. It seemed that a lot was on the table and it was a mess.

Dean decided that a walk would work and he surprised himself by thinking that. Usually it was Sam that needed the walks to think about things. He made a slight snort as he booked, making sure that he took his set of keys to the room and hoped that Sam would be in a better mood when he got back or in the morning… whichever was the one that was going to work.

The air was chilly but the cold was the least of Angela's worries. She just couldn't understand why Sam was treating her like a leper and seemed intent on pissing her off. At first she thought he was having issues with her vamping out going after the Venator and she admitted that maybe she should have at least talked to the boys about that afterwards but then getting back into the hunting game took precedence.

Of course it could be that she rejected Sam's proposal in going after a crossroads demon and threaten them with the Colt. Like that was going to work. She flat out refused on the spot. Not even Sam's kicked puppy look would change that. Besides anything like that was considered welching or weaseling and that meant that if they tried, Sam was dead as a doornail.

Sam knew that since Dean shouted that truth out to him eventually. Did Sam think that she had all the answers? She realized that she may have gotten their hopes up with the whole hearing that had yet to be decided upon. That was because Ruby was right. It was a fool's dream to think that they would consider reversing it and she hated to admit that Ruby was right twice in a row that only two appeals were heard and granted and she knew one.

One of the appeals granted was for her own life. That was when she first died from a fatal stab wound to the back. She never gave the details but it was eerily similar to what Jake Talley did to Sam. Her spine had been severed and she bled out. She was brought back after her father appealed to the higher powers and he gave the price, his life for hers. Funny thing was that it was like when John gave his life for Dean's since her father dropped dead after giving her his blood. Maybe that was why she ended up agreeing to help John with that.

"You know staring at the screen like that will make people think you are a zombie."

Angela turned her attention to the screen where she was having a conversation with Akira. She was sitting out in the cold with minimal protection from the elements on top of the Impala with her computer pad. Since Sam was in a funk about her using the phone, she would use a webcam. She replied, "Zombies aren't real."

"I would rethink that since a certain set of brothers tangled with one before you three hooked up."

"Whatever."

"What's gotten into you? You would usually make a comeback of some sort."

"Not in the mood. I feel like a brooding emo and feel like a leper."

"Oh. Another fight?"

"I don't know. I've been known to carry a grudge before but this is ridiculous. Dumbass Sasquatch knows the score."

"Oh. Well that explains things. You wanna talk about it?

"Not really. You know, I'm sorry that I bothered you Princess. I'll just go now. Tell Fang Boy that I send my regards." Angela then turned off the webcam and put her computer pad on the hood. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. She knew that Akira wouldn't hold anything against her for being abrupt like that.

"You know the temperature's near freezing out here?"

Angela turned to look at Dean who was holding a cup of hot coffee, well two. She gave a soft smile and replied, "Is it? I didn't notice."

Dean had noticed her sitting on the Impala per her usual habit and she was playing with that computer pad thing of hers when he started for his walk. He could feel the chill in the air and tightened his coat around him. He figured grabbing something hot like coffee and at the spur of the moment decided to get her a cup too. Maybe she might talk about her hurt feelings and while he wasn't particularly thrilled to be in a chick flick moment, he could do that for her.

When he bought the drinks, he had a grin on his face and he hoped that she would like it. He found her still sitting on the Impala, deep in thought. It was then he asked her about her sitting in the cold temperatures. In response to her reply, he held out a cup, "Need something to warm you up?"

Angela smiled as she took the cup. She could feel the heat radiate into her fingers. It was super hot but then again maybe it would be a welcome pain since she felt miserable. She blew into the drink hole for Dean's benefit since it was still freaky that she could stir hot coffee and not get burned. She then took a sip and the taste had her feel like her senses exploded. She looked at Dean and asked, "Hot chocolate?"

Dean grinned at her as he watched the smile form. He figured that something other than coffee would lighten her mood. He replied, "Isn't that what girls like you want when you have a bad day?"

Angela gave a slight chuckle. "I would have expected a pound of chocolates, French truffles." When she saw the look on Dean's face, she couldn't help but laugh. She knew that they didn't have money for expensive things like that but she couldn't help but tease them with things she had long before she met them. It was a sweet gesture on Dean's part though and she let it be known, "But hot chocolate is just as good. Thank you." She rewarded Dean with a kiss on the cheek.

The kiss surprised Dean. He was expecting her to pinch his cheek or ruffle his hair. He countered though by replying, "Christo." He looked at her and then added, "Hey I was expecting the cheek pinch. Don't tell me you're growing soft on me."

Angela smiled and replied, "I won't grow soft on you Dean. I just need to express myself and what better way to do it than with someone who avoids chick flick moments like the plague." She adjusted her smile to let Dean know that she was teasing him. She took another sip of the hot chocolate. "Nice and hot."

"Figured you would need it since it's freezing out here," Dean replied with a slight shrug, glad that his hands were being warmed by his drink.

"The cold won't bother me unless I'm out here overnight with no backup," Angela replied.

"How do you know that?" Dean was curious. She dressed like him and Sam but sometimes her choice to wear tank tops in the middle of winter was mind baffling. "You got a high tolerance to a walk in freezer?"

Angela gave a wry smile as she slightly rolled her eyes. "Not exactly." She put her cup down on the hood beside her where it wouldn't spill. She twisted so that she was sitting cross legged and facing Dean. "Don't go to the gutter Dean but I want you to touch my face."

"What?" Dean nearly spat out his drink when she made her request. He had every right to say the words again since she really didn't let people touch her like that unless she didn't think about it or she had an injury that needed tending to. "Did you just say…?"

"For you to understand what I am about to tell you, I need you to touch my face. If it makes you feel better, you can do that feeling the forehead," Angela explained. She then straightened out and waited for him to touch her. When he didn't move, she made a slight click with her tongue and took his wrist gently and guided his hand so that his fingers brushed her cheek.

Dean realized that she was being serious when she took his hand and placed it so his fingers brushed her cheek. He then took the hint and on his own volition moved his hand to place his palm on her cheek. What he discovered surprised him. "You're… warm."

Angela felt the coolness from Dean's hand and it felt nice. She could also feel the cool breeze blow through. She smiled at Dean's assessment and replied, "And there's the secret. I have a higher than average human's core body temperature. If I were to have my temperature taken, the doc would think that I have a fever."

Dean continued to touch her face feeling the heat radiating from her. It was puzzling but just another thing that was her. Freakishly cool powers, vamp genes and being a walking hot water bottle was fine with him. Realizing though that his touch was close to being intimate, he removed his hand but slowly so that she wouldn't mistake it as rejection. He tempered it by saying, "So this cold doesn't bother you?"

"No because eventually I'll have control of my environment. If I stay out all night and for prolonged periods of time, I could get hypothermia. My body is human after all and it does respond to stimuli accordingly."

"So if you stayed out all night without a blanket or someplace warm nearby, you could be in trouble?"

"Yep and it could be worse if I were to be injured," Angela replied nodding.

"So that's why you like running around in rainstorms in tank tops. Just controlling your body heat," Dean replied with a grin as he leaned against his baby.

"Pretty much," Angela replied. She felt better now. "Took me years to figure out my limits… Sort of like what I can do to help you and…"

Dean knew where this was going. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what his chances were really but he could tell that was on her mind and would probably nag her. He swallowed a gulp of his drink and asked, "You hear from them?"

"No, but I am beginning to have doubts."

"You did say that it was a long shot when you first told me," Dean acknowledged. He looked down at the ground before looking at her and asking, "So is it really that bad?"

"In the history of appeals for circumstances like yours, there have only been two that have been granted. You're looking at one of them and it involved something that is… a bit sensitive." Angela looked down at her lap not sure of what else to say but then it occurred to her to tell him the truth about the laws of the natural order and what the cost had been for her to be there today. She continued, "For me to come back, it was a life for a life. The truth be told, I'm not sure there is any way around that."

Dean may not be a college guy but he was smart enough to see between the lines. If she was suggesting what he thought she was, she had another thing coming. He replied, "Then we muddle through. Plead your case and see what they say. Just don't you dare go making bargains with them. It was bad enough that you lost your vamp half for thirty six hours… Don't trade your life for mine." Dean looked at her. He knew that she died once since she admitted it but never went into details and he wasn't going to make her. "What brought this up?"

"I think Sam is pissed that I turned him down to help on his end. He brought up the crossroads demon thing again," Angela replied as she readjusted her position. Right now a gulp of hot chocolate seemed like a good idea.

"He's just being a drama bitch again."

"I don't know Dean. Did I do something?" Angela looked towards Dean as if he had all the answers behind his brother's attitude. He would since she assumed siblings knew each other very well. She hoped he would give some sort of answer.

Probably shown an interest in a guy and he can't stand it, Dean thought to himself. He replied, "No. You know Sam. When he thinks someone looks at you the wrong way, he feels he has to pick a fight and that's only because you're a friend and shouldn't be treated that way."

Angela thought about it. It was true about that and the same could be said for Dean if things got way out of hand. If that was the case then maybe… Then again she blew him off on the one thing that was important to him. There was much to think about. "I suppose. So… do you have any ideas on what we are hunting?"

Dean couldn't help but chuckle. Angela was so much like him when she was ready to change a subject. It was a sign that she would think about it but now it was time to get on the job. "Well your ranger friend mentioned bear maulings…" Little did Dean know that someone had been watching the whole conversation and it had not been interpreted in a pleasant manner.

Ranger Todd Jennings sighed as he got out of his jeep. It was his night to check this area just to make sure that people respected the wilderness areas and all the conservation laws and the like. He would be the first to admit that he loved being a ranger but some days it felt like he was being a babysitting service for people who didn't respect the rules of the park especially when they tried to circumvent them.

Night patrol was a little bit better and with the sudden increase of the sightings of abnormally large bears on the loose, it indicated the possibility of some excitement. Right now he was checking out a popular hangout for the local kids who hid there and did whatever the things they did nowadays. He really didn't want to know.

Holding his flashlight, Jennings walked through the section looking for any signs of trouble or anything out of place. He circled around once and found nothing. Since there was nothing left to do, he headed back towards the trail where the jeep was. Since it was park business, his vehicle was allowed on the access ways.

While he was walking back, he heard a rustling sound. Jennings paused and looked around. It could be that there were kids out having a good time at his expense. The thing was he couldn't hear the usual jitters and the giggles. In fact there was another rustling sound and Jennings knew that it wasn't kids but something else. He put his hand slowly on his gun while he headed towards the sound of the rustling. For all he knew it could be a bear, maybe the bear that has been accused of killing the hikers. If that was the case, he had to be careful.

He approached the shrubbery and pulled out his gun. He pointed it went suddenly and elk came out. It was rather small but it was harmless. Jennings smirked and turned away. He walked towards his jeep and contacted on his radio, "George, I finished my patrol. I'm heading back."

See you in thirty.

Jennings smiled as he put the radio away. He was about to get in when he heard a loud thump and a slight growl. He turned thinking he might have come across a bear. He was prepared to ward it off when he saw… All that came out was a scream.

A/N: Sam is still being an ass and Dean learns a secret about Halflings that is surprising. Can anyone guess who the big bad thing is at this point? I'll give a shout out as you stay tuned for next time on Bitterroot Resolutions...