"I'm not going back in there," Ji-a insisted as they walked towards the cabin.
"It's still pouring rain," Dean countered.
"We can talk in the car," Ji-a said.
"Fine," Dean agreed, turning to head towards the parking lot.
Ji-a was shivering by the time they got back into the car.
"You have every right to be mad," she said.
"Do I?" Dean asked, "You weren't coming for help then?"
"No," Ji-a replied, "I was coming to help. I heard you scream. That you were worried for Sam. And I got worried to so I…"
"Directly disobeyed me? And could have gotten yourself killed?" Dean said.
"Yeah," Ji-a said sheepishly, "It was stupid."
"It certainly was," Dean replied, "This is gonna hurt like a bitch with how bruised up you are from Cedar Rapids."
"I know," Ji-a said, ducking her head.
"I just want you safe," Dean said, stroking her cheek.
"I know that too," Ji-a replied.
A long moment passed in silence.
"Come on," Dean said, taking off his belt, "You're shivering and I should get you warm and dry. Back seat or over the hood? Since you've made your stance on going back to the cabin very clear."
Ji-a looked outside. With the three demons dead, the storm had started to clear. It was still cloudy and a faint drizzle fell, but lightning was no longer splitting the sky into pieces or thunder bombarding her ears.
"Hood," Ji-a replied, getting out of the car. She was wet through anyways.
"Clothes off," Dean instructed.
Ji-a shrugged out of her sweater and jumpsuit and deposited them on the hood of the car. She bent forward, her face pressed into the wet material of her discarded clothes. She felt Dean's hand wrap around the back of her neck.
"I don't know how much pain you're in," Dean said, "So I'm gonna have you tap out. Like we did back in Cuyahoga. Got it?"
"This is becoming a National Park tradition," Ji-a muttered.
Dean just snorted in response.
The bruises on her skin were still a livid purple-red. But he couldn't bring himself to feel guilty about this. She hadn't been confused. She hadn't been scared. She'd just decided she knew better and directly disobeyed him.
He'd take good care of her afterward, Dean promised himself.
If Sam had just listened. If Ruby had let them handle it without her…Dean shook his head to clear it. He'd worry about that later.
He started with his hand, knowing if he warmed her body up slower she'd hold out for longer in the end. He went for fifteen, then switched to his belt. She flinched when he hit her that first time, but he was on number twenty-seven when she tapped on the hood of the car.
Dean gently looped an arm around Ji-a's stomach and pulled her up against his chest. She was shaking hard, tears mixing with the rain on her cheeks.
"I will tell you if it is appropriate for you to intervene on a hunt," he said, "Got it?"
Ji-a nodded.
"Out loud please," Dean instructed, "Got it?"
"Yes," Ji-a agreed.
"Good girl," Dean murmured, tucking her into his coat. She was dripping wet and freezing cold, but for the faint heat radiating off the battered skin on her butt and thighs.
After a few minutes Dean helped her redress and settled her on the front bench seat with her head in his lap. She was asleep before they got out of the park, let alone back to the hotel.