The ER gave Lucy a transfusion and a quick CT scan to check for head injuries. But she was in tact. And they released her into Ji-a's care at seven o'clock that night.

Dean had stitched the cut on the back of Ji-a's scalp and watched her meticulously for any sign of concussion. Whatever damage the blow had done was mild. She'd be good to go by the next day.

They learned at the ER that two of the additional prisoners were Lucy's roommate Josie and Josie's boyfriend Alex. Dean figured it'd be a good faith gesture to stay around at the apartment and help. So that night he and Sam cooked dinner for Ji-a and Lucy and Josie and Alex. Dean made sure everyone took their medications and generally acted like a mother hen.

He also sent Sam to the hardware store and replaced the broken lock on their door.

Lucy didn't speak a word of English all night.

"I didn't know she spoke Korean…" Josie said at once point.

"When people are really stressed," Sam began.

"Like really stressed," Dean cut in.

"Yeah," Sam continued, "Sometimes they revert to childhood patterns. It's comforting."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Josie said, "Thank you, by the way, for everything."

Josie and Alex went to bed early. But Lucy was restless. She was pacing. Ji-a was worried.

"I'm gonna put on a Korean historical drama. She'll agree to watch it with me and then fall asleep," she said, "Works like a charm."

Ji-a turned and headed for the living room but Dean caught her arm.

"Hey," he said, "It's been an hour. Who's the president?"

"George Bush but it looks like Obama's gonna win in November," Ji-a replied.

"And I am?"

"My boyfriend Dean."

"And him?"

"You're pain-in-the-ass little brother."

"Let me see your pupils," Dean grabbed a flashlight and shined it directly in her face. Ji-a flinched.

"Good?"

"Good," Dean replied, kissing her forehead, "Now go enjoy your Korean historical drama."

Ji-a chuckled, went to the couch and patted the space beside her for Lucy to come sit. Sure enough, twenty minutes in Lucy had fallen asleep with her head in Ji-a's lap. Dean came and sat on her other side.

"You ready for bed?" He asked.

"You kidding? I never get to watch this anymore," Ji-a gestured at the TV.

"Do they have an English dub?" Dean asked.

Ji-a glared.

"I'll settle for subtitles," Dean offered.

"Fine," Ji-a agreed, "But start asking me to explain the plot and I'm making you go sit on the balcony."

The show ended and Dean carried Lucy to bed. He and Ji-a stood in the doorway.

"I need to sleep in there with her," Ji-a said.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Dean replied. He kissed her gently.

"Thank you," Ji-a said, "So much. For all of this."

"Family always comes first," Dean said, "You know that. Now go sleep. I'll be right outside the door. Okay?"
"Okay."

For the first time since she got those panicked texts, Ji-a smiled.

And as Dean locked the bedroom door behind him and lay down to sleep on the floor in front of it, leaving Lucy curled up with her head on Ji-a's shoulder, he felt a level of satisfaction and pride for his work that he hadn't achieved since he got back from the pit.

Dean woke early and checked that Lucy and Ji-a were still asleep. He got out medications and made coffee, then breakfast. They needed to keep moving. But he wasn't opposed to letting the day start slowly. And tonight they'd find a bar to scout for cases and celebrate Ji-a's first kill. If she'd gotten over the whole puking when she thought about it thing…