"So about that soundproofing," Ji-a stopped at the base of the steps in her gym.

"Not great?" Dean asked.

Ji-a shook her head.

"It's really not," she grimaced.

"Then you'll just have to be a good girl for me and stay very quiet," Dean kissed her.

It was every bit as good as he'd hoped. She was strong and flexible. She smelled like coconut and incense and tasted even better. And when they were done it felt like a weight lifted off his chest. The awkwardness? The discomfort with staying here? Gone. She was perfect.

He wasn't even dreading the 10K she'd inevitably make him run in the morning.

It was almost good enough to make up for the fact that she wouldn't cook meat…

Dean sat on the edge of Ji-a's bed, absently tracing his finger over the tattoos on her chest, her arms, her stomach. The room was a little cozier than the rest of her apartment, but not by much. Dark wood bed frame with a dark blue bedspread…he still had her wrists tied to the headboard. Two metallic-painted lamps shaped like tigers. Stacks of books taking over a plain white desk in one corner. And on the night table - placed face down now - a portrait of a much younger Ji-a and a beaming Thai man standing in front of a waterfall.

"You want a shower?" Dean asked quietly, un-looping his belt from around her wrists now that she'd finally stopped shaking.

"Yes please," Ji-a agreed, stretching.

"You were fantastic," Dean murmured against her hair.

"So were you," Ji-a whispered back, kissing him, "It's a little cramped but…you could shower with me?"

"That's a recipe for someone to slip and Sam to hear us…" Dean protested, "I'll make you tea."

"Fine," Ji-a pouted, but grabbed her robe and crossed the hall to the bathroom.

Dean was thumbing through his files on the couch when she came out, hair wet and skin glowing.

"I want to help," she said when she sat down.

"With what?" Dean asked.

"Your work," Ji-a said.

"Why the hell do you want to do that?" Dean asked.

"I lost the most important person in my life to the supernatural," Ji-a said, "The two most important people really…including baby. I want to make a difference. The research is good. Understanding the folklore is good. But I want to go out and kill something."

"I know the feeling," Dean muttered, "But…"

"You're nearly done with this case," Ji-a said, "You've already told me that much. I can fight. And I'm sharp. I've studied this stuff…not as long as you have but still…"

"Do you know what comes next?" Dean asked, "Case like this?"

"You burn the body," Ji-a replied.

"You really willing to do that?" Dean asked.

"Alone? No. Not a chance," Ji-a replied, "But…being around other people who know. About monsters. About evil. It makes me bold and maybe a little stupid."

"You sure about this?" Dean asked one more time. He wanted her to come. Not just on this hunt. He wanted her to come with them. He could always use another brain wired for research. And the feel of her body on his. He could definitely appreciate more of that.

"I've got a strong stomach," Ji-a replied. She pulled up the sleeve of her robe.

"See this one?" She pointed at a line of Thai characters up her arm.

"Yeah," Dean traced his fingers along the letters.

"My brother-in-law did that one," Ji-a replied, "Husband did the ones on my chest. But this one is special. Because I got it the first time I killed a venomous snake."

"You did what?" Dean asked.

"I killed a cobra that found its way into our gym," she replied, "It says 'blood and venom.' And it is the stupidest thing in the world. But I am also very proud of it."

"Ji-a," Dean said, kissing her, "You are possibly the most badass woman I know."

"Then let me help you," she replied.