They hiked out before anyone spotted them. Ji-a was still groggy. Dean anticipated she would be until at least the next day. She needed a real night's sleep in a warm bed.
And Ruby was waiting in the parking lot at the trailhead.
"Shit," Dean muttered, pulling Ji-a close against his side as he caught a glimpse of Ruby.
"You two wait," Sam said, "I'll talk to her."
Dean dug through his pockets for the thermometer he'd grabbed at the ranger station and stuck it under Ji-a's tongue before she had a chance to protest.
94.7
"That's lower than I would prefer," Dean muttered, "And if someone would let us get to the damn car…"
"Hey," Ji-a put a hand on his chest, "It's an excuse for you to hold me until he gets back. Can't complain about that right?"
Dean pulled her up against his chest, tucking his coat around her as best he could.
"Good girl," he murmured, kissing her head, "You did great out there. Fantastic."
"You need to teach me how to actually shoot a gun," Ji-a replied.
"Before the next one," Dean assured her, "Promise."
"This is an awfully long conversation for a quick update on some omens…" Ji-a tried to turn and get a glimpse of Sam and Ruby by the car.
"Oh honey you don't want to see," Dean assured her, pushing her face into his chest. They'd been fawning over each other for the last five minutes and he was getting nauseous just thinking about it. With how Ji-a felt about Ruby…he wasn't letting her get a look.
"Just rest," Dean instructed, carding a hand through her hair, "You've got to be exhausted."
Ji-a hummed her agreement, relaxing against him.
"Death Valley," Sam said when he finally returned. He was wiping at his face with his sleeve. Dean didn't ask. He didn't want to know.
"What's in Death Valley?" Dean asked.
"The omens are centralized there," Sam replied, "There's likely a seal to be broken. We should start heading that way."
"You gonna be okay?" Dean pulled back to get a look at Ji-a's face.
"I'll sleep in the car," she agreed.
"You," Dean pointed at Sam as they made their way toward the Impala, "Back seat."