"Ow!"

"Sorry!" Dean whispered back to Amie, climbing off of her. He had landed on top of her heavily when he climbed in through the window into the pitch black apartment. He stood up slowly then helped Amie up, making sure she was steady on her feet before letting go.

He crept towards the kitchen and failed at being silent; maybe he wanted Sam to hear subconsciously, because he made a lot of loud noises. Amie rolled her eyes and crept towards the hallway. She noticed movement and backed against the wall, waiting for Sam to enter the room. When he finally did she launched herself at him, and grabbed him. He spun around and slammed her into the wall.

"Who are you?" He asked, shocked to see a small girl.

"It's okay Sammy."

"Why are you here?" He shouted.

"Woah, easy, tiger!" Dean shouted, rushing into the room and placing a hand on Sam's arm.

"Dean?" Sam asked, letting go of Amie. "What are you doing?"

"I was looking for a beer," he smiled, edging closer to Amie.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sam repeated, folding his arms.

"Okay, alright. We gotta talk."

"Uh, the phone?"

"If I'd have called, would you have picked up?" Dean asked seriously, everyone in the room knowing the answer. Sam stepped away, brooding.

"Hey, is everything okay?" They heard a woman say from the door. Amie turned around to see a pretty, blonde girl stood in the doorway. Her eyebrows shot up at how little clothing she had on.

"Yeah. Dean, this is my girlfriend, Jessica. Jess, this is my brother Dean and..." Sam trailed off, looking at Amie.

"This is my girlfriend, Amie," Dean supplied. Jess smiled politely at her.

"Is everything okay?" Jess asked.

"Yeah, don't worry," Sam said sincerely.

"Can I speak to you for a minute?" Dean questioned suddenly, turning to Sam. "Alone?"

Sam looked from Dean to Jess, then walked over to stand next to her, Dean subconsciously edged even closer to Amie.

"No, whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Jess."

Dean stared at him evenly. "Dad hasn't spoken to me in a few days."

"So? He's gone missing before, he's a grown man. He'll probably turn up soon," Sam said coldly. Amie swallowed and looked up into Dean's stone face. He looked at the floor, then back up at Sam.

"Dad's on a hunting trip, and he hasn't spoken to me for a few days." Sam's expression shifted and became concerned.

"Jess, excuse us. We have to go outside."

Sam and Dean walked out of the room and Amie smiled at Jess awkwardly. She felt awkward; the fact that Jess was so attractive even though she had only just woken up was intimidating, to say the least.

"Is everything okay?" She asked Amie, stepping towards her.

"Yeah, I think so. Their Dad goes hunting a lot, but he hasn't returned any of Dean's calls, so we're gonna go up and make sure everything's okay," Amie smiled, trying to calm her nerves.

She nodded. "Must be pretty urgent, to come here in the middle of the night," she said, as if it was a question.

Amie shrugged. "Dean seemed really worried. Hasn't slept right for days," she said sadly, looking at the floor. Jess nodded sympathetically, then the girls stood in silence for a few minutes. "Excuse me," Amie smiled half heartedly.

She walked out of the door and down to the Impala quietly. She really liked Jess; she seemed like a nice girl. But Amie was awkward in the best of situations, and she really just wanted to go to sleep.

"Is Amie coming with us?" She heard Sam ask quietly.

"Yeah," Dean replied defensively. "She's a good hunter."

"Dean, are you sure? She could get hurt…She could stay here with Jess if she wants."

After a long pause, Dean replied. "I'm sure. She's strong. Haven't you told Jess?"
"About hunting? No, I haven't. Look, I know you might like this girl, but wouldn't it be easier to break up with her than to try and get her killed?" Amie felt a stab of pain in her chest. Sam thought Dean didn't like her?

Dean chuckled. "I'm serious about this one. I love her, man." Amie felt a little better.

"How long have you been with her?"

"About a month and a half," Dean said. Amie could hear the smile in his voice.

"Fine. But I'm leaving Jess here; where it's safe." Amie shook her head. It's safer for Jess here, but Amie belonged with Dean. As long as he was there, nothing could be wrong. She started walking over to the boys loudly, trying to let them know she was coming.

"Hey guys. How's the family reunion?" Amie joked, crossing her arms. Dean smiled at her, but Sam stared at Jess, worried.

"I better go say bye to Jess. See you guys in a moment," he said curtly, turning and walking back up to his apartment. Amie rounded on Dean, whose eyes followed Sam until he was no longer visible.

"You okay?" Amie asked. Dean jumped and smiled falsely at her.

"Sure. Are you?"

"Of course. So, what time do you think we'll get to your Dad?" Amie stepped closer to Dean and looked up at him lovingly. He avoided her gaze.

"Listen, maybe you should stay with Jess… get to know her a bit," Dean said awkwardly.

"What?"

"It's safer. That way I get some time with Sammy, you don't get put in harm's way, and Jess isn't alone."

Amie couldn't believe it. The amount of times she'd saved Dean, the amount of times he'd told her she was all he needed… and he wanted to leave her behind?

"Jess is fine. Nothing's here to even remotely threaten her. I promise I won't get between you and Sammy, either." Amie pleaded, trying to get Dean to look at her. Eventually he looked down at her desperate, pretty face.

When Amie looked in a mirror, she saw a small but strong girl. Not necessarily pretty, but good enough for a girl who never wore makeup. She saw her small but strong muscles, her fierce features. She saw a hunter.

When Dean looked at Amie, he saw the girl he loved. She was short and skinny, the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She had tired, old eyes for such a young girl. She was weak and a little clumsy. Sometimes she reminded him of Daphne from Scooby Doo; pretty, fierce and kind, but easily captured, needing to be saved. He couldn't - he wouldn't let her get hurt.

"Amie, you won't be safe. I can't let you come," Dean said, circling the Impala. Amie followed determinedly.

"Dean, don't you try and leave me behind. I was a hunter way before I met you, and I've survived for this long!"

"This is different! My Dad went missing doing this job; I have to do this alone!" Dean yelled, suddenly stopping and turning to face Amie.

"What, alone with Sammy?" Amie said, stabbing a finger in the direction of his apartment. "Your little brother, who hasn't been hunting in two years?"

"Yes! Look, it's only a couple of days. I don't understand why you're getting so angry!"

"Because it's my job too! I've been doing this for years!"

"Well you're not very good at it, are you? You always get captured; your own Dad left because you were holding him back!"

Amie felt as if Dean had just slapped her across the face, She just stared at him, wide eyed. Dean knew as soon as he had said it that he'd gone too far. He wanted to apologise, to take back what he said. But he had to make her stay.

"You wanna leave me too?" She asked in a small, broken voice. Dean rubbed his face.

"No. I just need you to stay here, just this once. Some girl time could be fun," Dean said in a tone of finality.

Amie stared up at Dean, tears clouding her vision and anger slowly building in her chest again.

"Fine. You wanna leave me here, with some girl I just met? Go ahead. But this is stupid. You're stupid," Amie snapped, feeling like a little girl. She had no power in this argument; Dean was completely in charge of her.

"I'll be back before you know it. Sammy has to be back by Monday anyway," Dean said shortly. Amie stood, her arms folded, silently furious. Sam walked down towards the Impala, carrying a large bag.

"Hey Sammy, Amie is staying with Jess!" Dean called, scratching this back of his head. He kept his eyes trained on her.

"Really? That's great! I already said to Jess you might, so she'll be expecting you."

"Thanks Sammy," Dean smiled.

"It's Sam," he called, getting in the passenger seat and slamming the door. Dean stared down at Amie, hungrily taking in her bright blue eyes, thousands of freckles, messy brown hair.

"Let me come with you," She gasped, in one final plea. Dean walked over and firmly kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back before you know it," he mumbled into her skin. He pulled away and got in the Impala, unable to look at Amie. "Play nice!"

Amie watched as Dean drove away. She felt hollow and angry. Dean had left her, just like her Dad; he thought she wasn't capable. It wasn't even that which made her so angry. It was the fact that he had crossed an invisible line, he had mentioned her Dad leaving her. He had used it against her as a weapon, and it was as if he had punched a hole in her chest.

There was nothing Amie could do about it. Nothing would happen before he came back - he was right, it was safer here. Even if anything did go wrong; she'd be able to handle it. Amie turned to try again with Jess. Hopefully this time wouldn't be so awkward.