After losing my adoptive mother, it was hard to keep going. She had given me the first real home I had ever known. I was angry and I really had to force myself to stay focused on the job, saving people, hunting things..

I used to enjoy the whole business, the research, using charm to get through red tape, offering bribes or threats to get information from the shady types, and the fighting. Nothing gets your blood pumping like kicking some ass, well almost nothing, but I wasn't really in the mood for any of that.

I was just getting the jobs done, no muss, no fuss, and no distractions.

And it was working, I started not to measure the time since I lost her. I barely noticed skeevy motel rooms, or anything else for that matter, it was only years of job completed, time to move on to the next one.

And as hard as it was I kept my promise too, keeping a wide berth from Hunters.

Though I did keep my ears open for a certain son of a bitch. And kept using the same patterns he had sniffed out before, hoping we'd meet up. But then I heard he had turned vamp and one of his own had ganked him.

Talk about Good Riddance...Wanted to buy his executioner a beer but I resisted finding out more to honor my mother's wishes.

I avoided Hunters like they had the Plague. Exiting towns they moment they showed up.

It's not like I was tempted anyways, they all seemed to be mean drunks, or unstable, gun happy dicks. They also looked like a mix of old craggily war vets and young rednecks, who all seemed be results of inbreeding. So I steered clear of them or at least tried to...

I had just ended a Skinwalker who like to take the appearance of different women's bosses to lure them in before he captured, tortured and killed them. It was a hard case, two women had died before I caught wind of it and I had barely gotten there in time to save the third. She was alive but she would be hospitalized for a while. I was frustrated that I hadn't been able to do more but knew from experience that trying to heal her cuts and bruises would just make her see me as a freak. Eventually she'd turn on me when a hunter came around asking the right questions.

Better to marinate myself in alcohol, knowing she was alive and would heal eventually through the help of modern medicine.

So I walked into the town's only bar. It was dusk but it was warm in there, crowded with many people and no air conditioning. I flipped off my leather jacket revealing my black tank top, wiped some nut shells off the stool and sat down. Luckily I had thought to change into my favorite worn jeans, so I was comfortable even with the sharp high-heeled boots on. I ordered whiskey, said to keep them coming, and only one guy was stupid enough to approach me. I cut him off and sent him back to his friends with his tail between his legs. Their verdict was I was a lesbian, otherwise I would have been all over him.. Ha, if he was hoping for an easy lay he should've tried the bartender, who seemed to find any excuse to show off her cleavage, which mainly consisted of visible padding. I was very proud of myself for not ripping her in front of everyone. She was unaware of the kindness I had done her, but kept pouring, so win win.

I downed yet another shot at the bar, and signaled to her. When she didn't immediately come to fill my glass, as she had the last.. Well however many times, I looked over to see her staring towards the door.

Immediately she started putting on fresh lipstick while frantically trying to fluff her hair.

I tried again, " Excuse me? Can I get a refill over here? When you're done primping of course..."sarcasm rolling off my tongue...

Completely Ignored! Whatever!

She was adjusting her boobs, probably trying desperately to hide those fake chicken cutlets I'd caught sight of before.

Seriously?

C'mon.. Try to get laid on your own time lady, I need at least 5 inches of whiskey.. or ten..yes ten whole whiskeys.. I need so many more whiskeys. Grrrr!

Suddenly there is movement right behind me, and I instinctively shoot out of my seat, going on the balls of my feet, hands loose to defend myself if necessary, swaying just a little because I'm tipsy. When I promptly trip over the leg of the stool, I have to reassess my situation. And since I'm on the floor, on my ass, perhaps I might be more than just a little tipsy... So what, I think but then I hear the biker jerk I had rebuffed earlier, and the Boob-less Wonder, laughing at my expense. I am ready to tear into someone, screw trying to be nice, when a strong set of arms picks me up, and sets me on my feet.

He leans in, his breath tickling the back of my neck, and says "You know, when chicks usually fall for me, I don't stick around to pick them back up..." Corny but that voice.. Maybe its the room, or the alcohol but the deep timber is sending shivers down my spine. The idiot bartender starts to giggle like a hyena and leans over the bar to tempt him with her pathetically enhanced cleavage.

Have some self-respect girl! I think but groan aloud in disgust.

"Damn I must be losing my touch.. Maybe we should start again?" the deep voice replies.

Large hands turn me around to face one of the most attractive men I've ever seen.

"That's so not fair! You can not have that sexy voice And be that hot, it makes you a lethal weapon!" I sputtered and then slap my hands over my mouth, blushing to my roots. Oh my God, just let a hole open up and swallow me. How much did I drink?

His green eyes crinkle as a laugh escapes him. He sounds rusty like he doesn't really laugh much lately.

"I like you! You're hilarious.. C'mon let's get you another drink so the beer goggles stay on.." He jokes. And calls to the bartender..

I dying a little inside from embarrassment but if this Adonis wants my company.. well I am all in.

" Hey, can she get another shot and can I get a beer?"

"Sure thing handsome!" she simpers, winking and runs to complete his request, making me feel a little ready to hit her.

We sit down together as the bitc.. I mean bartender heads back to our end of the bar.

Ok, I think to myself, He thinks I'm hilarious.. Be entertaining...

I was normally funny, I used to crack people up without trying, but I have shut all that down for so long, it's hard to jump-start it.

Think, think, think! Who knew it was so hard to try to be funny on demand!

The fake breasted barkeep set down my drink without glancing at me, oozes herself closer to Him and hands over the beer after stroking the bottle's neck suggestively..

Classy broad! I think rolling my eyes.

"Um thanks?" Then he looked over at me..

"So where were we.. Yeah Hi, I'm Dean... Dean Winchester" For a second he almost looks a little stunned, like giving his name out is like selling state secrets, but he recovers so quickly, I think I must have imagined it.

The name does seems familiar though but before I can even start to search my memories or reply, the bartender jumps in with..." Hi Dean, wow sexy name for a sexy guy" She is popping gum and moving it around with her tongue, "Mmm.. I'm Crystal!"

"Of course you are.. " I mutter

"What?" She gives me an evil death stare..

I look at Dean who had had an embarrassed expression on his gorgeous face but who is now sporting a lopsided grin.

Ok, I think, I tried to play nice but you asked for it, laughing at me, and butting in where you aren't wanted.

I smile sweetly at her for a second and then say

" Isn't funny how certain names sort of only belong to strippers and whores "

Dean was taking a swig of his beer and almost choked, but I see the amusement on his face so, of course, I keep going...

"I mean like Crystal, why would your parents do that to you, it's like setting you up to fail.. Unless... It's a fake name isn't it? You chose it yourself, well then.. By all means continue advertising that you're easy"

Crystal was shocked but now she's just spitting mad.. She loses her gum, trying to speak..

"You fucking bitch! I'll kill you!"

I'm sorry to say I've heard those words many, many times.. I'm still here.

I just give her a bored look.

For some reason.. this seems to enrage her more. wow she really is easy I laugh internally. She tries reaching across the bar with her acrylic nails pointed like talons... Dean intercepts her by grabbing both of her hands in one of his while throwing some cash down on the bar.. he then pulls me backwards and grabs my jacket.

" We're leaving! She was just joking, lighten up.."

When he grabs the door, he places his hand on the small of my back, i internally start to purr. Wait! Shit, I hope that it wasn't out loud. How do I tell them because of the unfreezing process, I have no inner monologue.. Since Dean is trying desperately to hold in his laughter, I am pretty sure I completely lost my filter, and say anything that pops into my head out loud. We walk out with everyone's eyes on us. I'm glad he diffused the situation but had she made it across that bar and tried to attack me, she would've gotten more than an earful, she would've gotten her ass handed to her. I've handled a lot worse threats, and done it a lot drunker.

Dean and I get outside and he lets it all out, laughing til he's wiping tears from his eyes. As he catches his breath I notice night has completely fallen and the lights are twinkling on in houses and businesses. The night air has a slight chill so I throw on my coat.

"Well wasn't that fun?" Dean is leaning one leather clad arm up against the building. I am going to try to rein it in before I start to drool and beg, maybe if I stick with short replies I can not embarrass myself further, "Tons.."

" I think you found a friend for life in Crystal, don't you?" It's like he's trying to get me to drop my guard.

" Definitely! We'll be having sleepovers and pillow fights in our underwear soon.." I quip back not able to stop myself

He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, "Ok, how do I get in on that?"

I punch him lightly in the chest, trying to distract myself and not imagine him in his underwear.

"Ouch" he dead pans and then laughs and says"Ok let's try this again... I'm Dean"

I laugh back, shaking my head,

"What's is my name so funny?" he fakes being upset, sporting a really cute pouty face. But the twinkle in his eyes tells me he's just amused, and just waiting for the next crazy comment to come out of my mouth.

"Not you! It's me, I have one of those names that classifies you as a slut, if she'd have laughed it off I would've told her. Maybe then there would've been slumber parties... "

"Really?" He drawled "Interesting... Maybe I can guess your name..."

" Yeah you have probably have known a lot of whores.." See that is the problem with letting loose the floodgates, Shut up, I think mentally smacking myself.

Fortunately he found that funny, and continues without getting offended. "Let's see then.. Misty?"

he pauses "Starla?"

I shake my head

"Ok last guess, umm Tina?"

"Nope" I giggle. I Giggled? Oh my God am I ten?

"Ok then tell me?"

"It's _"

"Yeah that is a name that screams sex..Literally.. " Dean beams a thousand watt smile at me.

I blush, I have heard that line before usually from some gross old guy licking his thick lips, causing me to make childish I'm going to throw up gestures. But Dean was not only drop dead gorgeous, he seemed sweet and had a good sense of humor. Plus it had never been delivered in that goose bump inducing tone. This guy could read a 1001 cheesy pickup lines book and I'd enjoy every word. So yeah I blushed instead of smacking him for being an idiot.

"Well going back in the bar is out, you wanna grab something to eat?"

I get tongue-tied, which doesn't happen, am I that wasted? I don't get completely wasted? What is going on? Speak Damn You!

"Sure, if you want to, Umm we don't have to, I mean I can walk back to the motel, I'm good.. " I'm babbling like a Freaking Idiot but I'm good.

Dean winked "Well now, if you wanna get me back to the motel, You should at least take me to dinner first."

I am dying from foot in mouth disease but manage to throw back with, "Well of course, you wouldn't want to appear easy.."

He lets out a bark of laughter, slips an arm around my shoulders and we head to the town diner...