Chapter One

Sam couldn't sleep anymore. Not that sleep had been possible with Dean and his new friend in the other room. He felt a wave of anger towards his inconsiderate brother but placated it with thoughts of Cassie. Not that Dean would ever admit it, he was feeling lost. Sam's anger changed to empathy but he still thought it was inconsiderate. He slid out of his bed and pulled a pair of jeans on. Although, he thought, at least they stayed in the other room.

In the living area Sam found his elder brother spread across the sofa asleep. There was no one else with him. Not having heard the door Sam automatically looked around. He saw a girl sat on the kitchen counter eating cereal. She waved at him looking more than a little uncomfortable.

'Hi.' Sam said taking another bowl from counter and filling it. It was, he decided, the only sensible to make the best of the situation.

'Hey… Umm… I'm sorry if I scared you.' She was smallish probably about 5"5 and in the darkened room Sam guessed her eyes were brown like her hair. She was wearing dark jeans and his brother's jacket.

'It's cool. You okay?'

'Yea… I'm Sophie Jackson. By the way.' She extended a hand, which Sam took. Her handshake was slightly tentative but vaguely relaxed. He felt himself liking her for her shy confidence- for not running from the situation.

'Sam Winchester, I'm Dean's brother.'

'Oh. Did we? I mean…' She paused and blushed. Sam knew instantly what she meant.

'Well yeah. But it's okay…' Sam blushed as well. This hadn't happened before; in fact Dean hadn't ever brought a girl back to their shared room before. He felt grateful for that at least.

'Lord, this is uncomfortable. I can leave if you want?' Sophie had an accent, which Sam couldn't place. It was partly the harsh of near to New York but it had definitely edge of something else… This girl didn't seem like Dean's type, she had too much class to be picked up a bar for one thing and for the other she wasn't conventionally pretty. Sam felt awkward even thinking that, because somehow she was attractive just not in what he thought to be his brothers terms.

'No. Don't leave.' There was an awkward pause. During this Sam fought to find something to fill the silence. 'So, where are you from?' He eventually asked.

'New York originally but my family moved about a lot. You're wondering about the accent aren't you?' Sam grinned at her. She was more perceptive than the girls Dean usually spent time with. Though so was Cassie…

'Yeah I was.'

'My step mom's English. We spent a lot of time over there.'

'Oh wow. So how'd you know Dean?'

'We met tonight. In the bar.' Sam had known that. Asking it only forced him to register that she was just another girl… He met Sophie Jackson's eyes and then, like his brother understood that there was a lot more to understand.

Realising what Sam must be thinking of her, she tried to look more respectable. Straightening up she asked as calmly as she could, 'What about you and your brother? Where are you from?'

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Dean woke to the sound of his brother laughing. He smiled but then began wonder exactly why his brother was laughing. There wasn't anyone else here… was there? Then Dean realised why he was laying on the couch and also whom his brother was probably laughing with. The girl from the bar, Sophie.

Sat cross-legged on the counter top was the girl from last night, her hair was tied back loosely and she was wearing a dark red long-sleeved t-shirt this morning. Her backpack was on the floor by the room's door. Sam was leaning against the wall talking animatedly to her. This wasn't right. The connection they'd had was explored… Dean felt somehow invaded that she was still there.

'Morning.' Dean said warily, remembering why he didn't usually bring girls to his room. He didn't have reason to leave.

'Oh, hey.' Sophie smiled at him. Her eyes- Dean felt the pang again. With it he turned away.

'Want breakfast?' Sam asked him, smiling too.

'No. Shouldn't we be leaving?' Dean stated flatly. His hint was hardly subtle and Sam's brow creased in reaction.

'Okay. I ought to be going too.' Sophie slid to the floor and shouldered her pack. 'Nice to meet you Sam, Dean.' She met his eyes and Dean's pangs increased slightly. Walking past him, Sophie slid out of the motel door. It clicked shut behind her. Dean didn't feel better.

'Dean!' Sam looked outraged.

'What?'

'That was crap, man.'

'What?' Dean reached past his brother to grab a bowl and some cereal. He noted that there wasn't very much left.

'Sophie.'

'Yeah?' Sam glared at him and then meaningfully tilted his head at the door. Dean mistook the action.

'Sorry, ok? I'll book a separate room next time. We weren't exactly thinking you know?'

'That's not what this is about. She's a nice girl Dean.'

'Uhuh!' Dean grinned.

'Dean!'

'Look, Sammy. I'm sorry if I offended you…'

'I'm not the one who you threw out.' Dean met his brother's eyes. He knew that look. Sighing he put his breakfast down on the table and, grabbing a t-shirt, followed Sophie.

She was stood at a bus stop just outside the motel. She didn't seem particularly upset to Dean. But then again she hadn't seemed particularly anything to him last night…

'Sophie!' She swung around to face him looking confused.

'Dean.'

'Look, my brother thinks I just threw you out. So I wanted to…' Dean paused, why was he out here? He struggled for a reason… 'apologise…' he finished.

'It's cool.' Sophie was watching him closely. Like she was trying to figure out what he was actually doing there.

'Look, Soph, about last night. It was just…' Sophie Jackson, who had never really taken to being called 'Soph' decided to interrupt there. It was sort of cringe worthy listening to him try and cover all the bases.

'Sex?'

'Well, yeah.'

'I know. I knew that last night as well. It was kinda obvious.'

'It was.' Dean grinned at the memory. He looked at her again, taking in her height and figure and then met her eyes. She grinned at him.

'Yeah.' She agreed with the unspoken.

'So, erm, did you want a ride somewhere?' Dean surprised himself a little by asking but he didn't really want to leave her on the side of the road. He wasn't sure why not.

'No it's okay. We're probably not going the same way.'

'What if we are?' Dean teased raising an eyebrow. Sophie ran her tongue across her lower lip as she rolled her eyes.

'Then I guess I'll see you when we get there: Dean Winchester.'

A:N: Please R/R!