When consciousness greeted Sam, he found himself in some sort of warehouse. "Blair?" His voice was weak, there was no response.

To his left, the guy they had been looking for was tied up. "That ringing in your ears...it's from the venom. They hit you with some kind of knockout juice."

His head ached, along with his neck that he was sure was bloodied as the skin was sticky, and hot. "Did they bring in a girl w-with blonde hair? She would've been with me."

He nodded his head to a corner, and there she was. Her head was slumped down, and blood was running down her shoulders, staining the tips of her hair. She looked...dead. "God, no," he whispered. "Have you seen her awake at all?" The man nodded, taking a breath. "We were out there looking for you," Sam's voice came out as a croak. He was relieved that he didn't get her killed, but still extremely shaky. "I'm a friend of Bobby Singer's. Krissy called—she's fine, just worried about you."

The man, Lee, broke down how the pair that got him and Blair worked. It was a pretty well working system they had. After four feedings, you're gone, and Lee had been drained three times. Sam knew they had to get out of there and fast.

Blair was starting to stir, a groan escaping her lips. "Blair," Sam called to her.

"God, I hate this job sometimes," she whimpered, painfully aware of the stinging in her neck

Dean and Melody walked into Lee's apartment, being greeted by his daughter, Krissy. "Did Sam tell you where he was going?"

The older Winchester shook his head. "That's what we're trying to figure out."

Melody's mind was running a mile a minute, not even hearing the conversation between the two. She paced back and forth, worrying herself even more. Dean had vanished into a room, leaving Melody to panic on her own. She never should have let Blair leave without her. She was her responsibility. What if she wes dead? What if Sam had died too? Her breathing was shallowing as she sank into a million different scenarios. She couldn't handle two more deaths. Not this soon.

"What are we, glorified babysitters now?" Melody rolled her eyes, stashed in the backseat.

Dean looked in the rear view mirror. "She burned the info we needed to find these two," he explained. Her look of frustration was slightly amusing to Dean. "Sam didn't know that these things...they work together."

"Then why would it have gotten them both? Surely they would have stuck together," Melody shook her head.

Dean was quiet for a moment. "Unless they split up."

The rest of the ride was quiet. They arrived at the same Diner Blair and Sam disappeared at, and sat in the parking lot, waiting. Waiting for what? They weren't sure. Until... "Why is that waitress getting into that big truck?" Krissy asked.

Dean pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not about to explain R-Rated crap to you," he said, sitting back.

"Not the back of the truck, the front." Dean watched the blonde climb into the driver's seat. It didn't sit right with him, either. Once the truck was out of the parking lot, Dean followed behind at a safe distance until they were at an old building.

"Alright," Dean grinned. He stuck his fist out for Krissy, and she raised a curious eyebrow.

"What century is this," she scoffed. "Nobody fist bumps anymore." He left it there with a sarcastic grin. He was planning something, Melody just had no idea what. "You're such a dweeb," she laughed, connecting their fists. Dean quickly grabbed her hand, cuffing her hand to the steering wheel. "You jackass!"

"I'm the jackass who ain't bringing a kid in there, period," he shrugged, getting out of the car. Melody was right behind him, ensuring her knife was in place. "Ready?" He asked her, to which she replied with a quick nod. She was worried, Dean could see it written all over her face. "They're gonna be fine."

He led the way into the building, creeping along the shadows. "This one's about empty, good thing we got a new one," one of the monsters chuckled. "Wanna finish it together?" The blonde waitress they had seen, started over towards the nearly dead body. The brunette turned on her heels at the sound of metal clanking, and Dean smacked her in the head. He swiped near her throat, but she dodged quickly, pinning him against the wall by his throat. Melody grabbed a crowbar and knocked her down on the ground.

Out of nowhere, Krissy dashed into the room, making a b-line straight for her dad. "Daddy, I've got you!"

Melody reached out and barely missed her arm to pull her back. "Krissy, no!"

The brunette that dean had hit first was on her feet quickly, grabbing Krissy up. Shit. Dean, holding a knife to the waitress' throat, was ordered to get off, or Krissy would die. "Just leave her alone," Melody warned. "She's just a kid." The woman holding Krissy opened her mouth, exposing her fangs. Only then, did Dean get to his feet. Both hunters slid their knives on the floor, stepping away from them. Sam and Blair were barely awake, both pairs of eyes begging to be freed.

"Daddy..." Krissy murmured.

Lee was hanging on by a thread, fighting tooth and nail not to kick the bucket in front of his daughter. "It's okay, baby," his voice was barely a whisper. "Everything is gonna be fine."

Blondie rolled her eyes. "Enough with the family bonding." She grabbed his hair, exposing the already busted skin. "Time for you to shut up." She sank her teeth into his neck again, causing Krissy to screech.

"Dean!"

The brunette tightened her grip on the little girl, smirking. "He can't help you. No one can."

Melody barely had time to process what happened, as Krissy slid a knife out from her sleeve. She quickly spun and stabbed the woman in the stomach, twisting the blade. The monster crumbled in her grasp, before falling to the floor. "I guess I'll have to help myself, then."

The blonde spotted Melody picking up her knife, as Krissy and Dean went to Sam and Blair. Krissy cut the rope constricting Sam's hand, handing him the knife immediately. He sank it into the waitress' back, twisting it.

Sam was in pretty decent shape, but Blair seemed to be struggling to say the very least. "Hey, Blair, we're gonna get you to the hospital, okay," Dean murmured. Blair felt like her ears were underwater. She could barely hear the words spoken to her, before she was blacked out again.

Blair blinked open her eyes to see the three of them sitting there. She felt a lot more...alive, than she had before. "Hey, guys," she squeaked out, still trying to control her own voice. "Why're you all looking like I just got my ass handed to me by a monster?" She laughed lightly, immediately uplifting the atmosphere in the room.

Melody gripped her hand tightly. "I'm so sorry, B, I never should've left you," her voice tells Blair she had been crying. "We can go back, do our own thing, and let the guys handle the rest of this mess with the Leviathans."

Dean's eyebrows furrowed, clearly not pleased with the idea of them all parting ways. He shifted his gaze, though, before he could get caught, but Blair noticed the look immediately. She chuckled slightly, turning her attention back to her friend. "Are you kidding? I would've died if it weren't for this guy smack talking those things," she smirked, placing a hand on Sam's shoulder, who had positioned himself on the other side of the bed. His lips curved upwards, hinting at the smile that she had grown to be quite fond of. "We're good where we're at," she nodded, smiling.

Relief flooded over the brothers. Neither would have admitted it—Dean, because he had is pride to protect, and Sam, because he thinks he's crazy for just how much he was enjoying not only Melody's presence, but just as much, if not more, Blair's.

"You guys can go find a motel, I can stay with her overnight," Sam shrugged his shoulders. "You two look like hell, anyways."

Melody frowned. "I'm not going anywhere," she objected. "The last time I left her—,"

"Mel," Blair interjected. Giving her a look.

She likes him. Trusts him, even. Melody let out a sigh, glaring at Sam. "So help me, if something happens to her—,"

"Easy, Rocky Balboa," Dean piped in, keeping his eyes on Melody. She was fierce, and protective. She always had been. Those were qualities he'd always admired in her.

Melody said her goodbyes to Sam and Blair, making her promise not to hesitate calling if she needed anything. She let out a heavy sigh when they exited the hospital room.

The beginning of the ride was quiet. Awkward, even. There was no case to talk about and no reason for small talk because they already knew everything about each other. That's what growing up together gets you.

"Pretty killer moves back there," he spoke, equally as desperate to break the silence as she was. "You definitely saved my ass."

Melody smiled slightly. It was enough to make Dean himself smile. "That's my job," she beamed, leaning back in the seat. "Don't go getting all damsel-y on me now."

"Oh please," Dean scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I just wanted to see if you were really able to have my back."

A loud, albeit sarcastic, laugh escaped Melody's slightly parted lips, then silence flooded them again. "We're a long way from those fields back at Bobby's, Dean," she spoke the words they'd both been thinking the entire time. "Kicked your ass then, saving your ass now."

He exhaled quickly through his nose, grinning slightly. "Don't I know it." There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't wish he could go back to that point in his life. The only thing he had to worry about was making sure Melody didn't out-shoot him at the range.

At some point, Melody had fallen asleep. The rise and fall of her chest was slow, and her snoring was faint. Dean took an opportunity, once parked, to really get a good look at her features. She had a scar on her right cheek. It was new—at least, more recent than the last time he'd seen her. She wore her hair in a high ponytail. Thus far, it seemed like her go-to hair style. Regardless, she was even more beautiful now than she had been growing up, and Dean never thought that possible. A lot more edge to her appearance, though. Dark clothes. Boots. The hunting life can do that to you. Especially if you're born into it. Only in her sleep did she actually seem at peace.

Leave it to him to ruin that.

He prodded her shoulder, gently. "Mel," he whispered, careful not to startle her. "We're at the motel." She yawned as she woke up, stretching her arms back.

Melody grabbed a set of pajamas from her bag and started for the bathroom. "I could always join you," Dean said, wearing that crooked grin she both loved and hated. "You know, water conservation and whatnot."

"Hmm," she tapped her pointer finger against her chin as though she were really considering it. "I might just take you up on that offer."

Dean's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" He looked like a dog who'd just been thrown a bone.

"Sorry, offered closed." She shrugged, shutting the door to the bathroom. Of course, she'd been joking. For the most part, at least. Not that a hot shower with Dean didn't sound tempting—it certainly did—but she wasn't sure just how strong that wall was she built to keep him out, was. The last thing she needed was to have feelings for him. Especially on the road.

Dean took his shower immediately after she was out. Melody took advantage of the silence, and started to read through Bobby's journal. She'd read through it before, but this was the first time after he'd died.

April 23, 1981

I brought home Melody today. You would be surprised at how well I handled myself. He must be writing Karen. You'd love her. I know I already do. I never thought we'd have a kid, but here we are. I hate it had to happen this way, but I know today is a day I wouldn't trade for anything. I'll live the rest of my life protecting her from the evil that took you from me. She will know I love her unconditionally. And Melody, if you're reading this, don't forget to smile. I love you, darlin'.

Melody had no idea she'd started crying, until Dean walked in. "You okay?" He was inching closer, realizing she was in Bobby's journal.

She nodded her head. She really was, honestly. Despite losing her entire world. Smile, because you're alive, and it's your job. Remembering the words Frank had spoken earlier.

Dean sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her, pulling her close. Determined not to cry, she nudged him. "Don't be getting all sappy on me," she sniffled, smiling weakly.

"Don't tell anybody," he chuckled. "I'll deny it."

Melody relaxed into his arm, surprising Dean. He figured she would've pushed him off of her by now in her greatest defense mechanism.

As she flipped through pages, Dean read over her shoulders. She would laugh at some, and stifle a cry at others. "You and Sam got caught up with the Trickster?"

"Fought like cats and dogs," he chuckled. His voice was getting gravelly from being tired. "I thought he let the air out of my tires. He thought I gave his computer a virus from watching...research." He quickly corrected himself.

"Naughty librarians don't count as research, Dean," she giggled, still reading.

They had both fallen asleep at some point. Dean started stirring around 3 AM, in an attempt to move to the other bed and give her space. However, the arm that was draped over his waist tightened its grip, and her face turned to a scour. "What're you doing," she grumbled, eyes still closer.

"I was going to go to the other bed, so you had more room."

"I have plenty of room."

"Oh, okay."

There was a brief pause, before Melody spoke again. "You can go if you want, though."

He sat up, and Melody momentarily thought he was going to the other bed, but he just untucked the blankets from the mattress to pull over the both of them. He crawled under the sheets, facing her. "I missed you, Mel." More than you know.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I missed you, too." More than you know.

Dean had no logical reason as to why he never kept in touch with Melody after he'd grown up, other than the fact that he was an asshole, and it's much too messy for hunters to have any sort of emotional attachment. But with Melody...there would always be some kind of attachment.