Missed

Jane quickly discovered she was a bit of a liability to the brothers, and that she wasn't all that keen on being used as bait. She was fairly decent with the research thing, but Sam was better, and her Knowing flared up quite a bit, which was also useful. But unlike Sam, she didn't have special barriers protecting her mind from outside attacks.

Another issue was the sleeping arrangements. Sam and Dean had been sharing rooms, which must've been awkward given Dean's busty Asian thing; it was doubly awkward with her thrown into the mix. Especially when Dean insisted that they share a bed. She was sure Sam had spent a lot of nights staring at the wall with his back turned to them, praying they didn't do anything. Which, they didn't. That would've been awkward on top of weird. Then it was borderline iffy once she learned about how they paid for things, and there was just no way in hell she was getting mixed up with that.

What really cinched it for her though was when Dean and Sam were arrested. That had just been bad and once the whole ordeal was over, she had gone straight back to Bobby's. That had been tense. Dean had reluctantly explained the criminal charges against him, including the murder charges, and Sam had come to his defense.

So not only did they have ghosts, demons, psychics with mind control, and vampires, but also shapeshifters.

One day, she might stop being surprised. Today, she just needed some time to digest this information overload.

A lot of time.


"Woman, what are you doing?"

"I'm dusting Bobby."

"Well knock it off."

"Bobby, if you want a decent Christmas dinner, you'll let me at least clean the kitchen…" That and she felt the need to eliminate some of the dust and clutter, it was good for dealing with the fact that her kinda-sorta husband was wanted for murder. She totally believed that Dean was guilty of murder, she wouldn't bet that it had been a human though. Still... not the kind of thing a girl wanted to find out about, especially when she almost shared his last name. She had never actually changed anything over, thank God for small favors, but it wouldn't be too hard to associate her with him.

Bobby didn't know what to say to that exactly. His idea of Christmas dinner was generally burning a couple of steaks and a side of beer. "Christmas ain't for another three weeks." He said finally, gruffly.

"And it'll take at least four to get your kitchen in order." She replied sweetly. "I'm not touching the rest of the house, just the kitchen. Please? I promise to ask before I move anything."

He hesitated.

"I'll make a turkey, or ham, both if you prefer. With stuffing, and pies… candied yams, green bean casserole, buttered asparagus, fluffy dinner rolls…"

His stomach growled and Jane smiled. Victory was hers.


"Have you heard from Sam?"

Jane paused, a bit taken aback by the non-traditional greeting she had gotten when she answered the cell Dean had given her. A cell that was meant to be used only in emergencies on her end, and his end was whenever calling crossed his mind. "Uh, no… not since, the last time you called." She had briefly spoken to Sam then. She rather liked her temporary brother-in-law, he seemed sweet, a little broody at times, but sweet. "Isn't he with you?"

"No, he's not. If you hear from him, you call me, understand?"

"Dean, I-"

"Jane…"

"I understand." She sighed away from the phone. "Can you tell me what's going on?"

"No. Not right now, but I will. Eventually." He breathed heavily. "Would you believe me if I said I miss you?"

"No, not really. Would you believe me if I said I missed you?"

"Yeah, of course I would, I'm a missable guy."

"That's not a word Dean."

"Whatever, sweetheart. What're you wearing?"

"Dear Lord… go find some bar whore and-"

"Married man, can't do that." He interrupted, sounding both amused and irritated. "Do you really miss me, Jane?"

She considered that. "Sometimes."

"Good."


"You guys had turkey? And ham? Without me?"

Bobby ignored Dean's incredulous outburst, busy frying up a few slices of the extra ham from the 'not-Christmas' dinner Jane had fixed for them. He hadn't expected the brothers to show up and she hadn't said anything. He figured it'd be best to let the woman do what she wanted since she was showing signs of cabin fever. That and… it had been a damn good meal. "Woman!"

Sam watched with raised brows as Bobby slid two slices onto one plate, a slice on the other. His head turned when he heard feet pounding down the stairs and a moment later Jane had walked in, looking fresh out of the shower. Hesitantly, he returned the smile she flashed him, unsure what Dean had told her, if anything.

"You're back!" She stood on bare tiptoes to plant a kiss on his jaw before moving to the counter.

Dean stood there, eyes narrowed. She was ignoring him. She was standing there, at the clean kitchen counter, pouring coffee into the two waiting mugs. She had cooked Bobby a fricking feast while he had to suffer stale food and burnt coffee. Life was not fair. "No welcome home for me?"

She shot him a sideways look, lips pinching together. The last time she had spoken with him, he had wanted to know where Sam was. Obviously, he had found his brother and wasn't about to throw her a bone or anything. Sometimes, she really hated being a technical outsider.

Sam cleared his throat, walking over to get his own mug. "Jane, could I-"

She poured him a cup.

Bobby settled himself at the table. "You boys sure did miss out."

"Obviously. We're out there fighting and nearly dying, and you two are playing house."

"Actually, I'm playing house, he's been working." Jane said evenly, not looking up from her plate as she cut her ham into even pieces. "And this house thing is only temporary."

"Why's that?" He had retrieved himself a beer and settled himself at the table across from her.

"Because I'm going to find a job."

Sam's coffee mug froze at his lips and he set it down. "What?"

"I'm bored here, and even if he were inclined to let me, I'm not about to clean Bobby's house. I'd be worried about accidentally cursing myself. I've already gotten in touch with everyone I needed to from Texas, so… all ends are tied, and if I have to be here, I need something to do. That and you already stuck me with the poor guy, it's just cruel to ask him to support me on top of that."

"Hey, I can give you money." For some reason, the idea of her working, or needing money period didn't sit well with Dean.

"Is it your money?"

Bobby and Sam both occupied themselves, Sam with a refill, Bobby with his ham.

He shrugged. "Technically. Most of the time. Sort of."

Scoffing, Jane finished what was left of her breakfast before standing up. "It's not just the money, I'd like to do something productive with my time. Something other than waiting on you to show up or call." That was not bitterness in her tone.

"Aw… you did miss me."