"So when do we start?" I ask.

Castiel sends me a weary look. "You need training first. Your fighting against Dean was pitiful to say the least. I expected more."

"Ouch," I reply. "Thanks for the honesty."

"Sorry, you just need to know that you're capable of more," Castiel explains. "So much more."

"Then why don't you just teach me?"

"It's not that simple. I could sit here and tell you about it all, but learning it is going to be the part that you have to master."

"So then let's get started so I can start learning," I rush him. "The sooner the better."

"I'm going to go find something, it's somewhat of a beginners guide to creatures like you," Castiel thinks aloud. "You'll read it, and that will be a good basis for this training."

"A book?" I whine. Before I can even get the words out though, Castiel has vanished.

I let out a sigh and lay my head on the table. This is going to be a long process, and I'm not sure if I'm totally ready for it. The pressure of betraying my family begins to weigh on me. Am I doing the right thing?

"Hey, you alright?" Dean snaps me out of my reverie.

"Yeah," I shrug.

"You're nervous, huh?" He pries.

I simply roll my eyes at him. I don't want to confide in Dean Winchester about my problems.

"You know that just because you don't have a soul yet doesn't mean you don't feel things? I know there's something in that head of yours," Dean taunts.

"Why are you so interested?" I snap, letting my eyes pierce him. "You wanted to kill me a week ago. Now you want to get touchy-feelsy? No thank you."

Dean sits down next to me. "I'm interested because you're helping us. I know I can trust you and I want you to trust me."

"I do. Good enough?"

"Why are you so rude?"

"Why are you trying to be so nice?" I echo him. "I know you're not this nice. In fact, I'm waiting for some trap to fall through after I help you three. You'll probably kill me, so why not spare the formalities?"

Dean doesn't answer. He bites his lips, smacks his hands together and walks out of the room. I follow suit, but go to my own room instead.

It's been a few days. Castiel is still out. I'm starting to wonder if maybe he's lost the book I'm supposed to read. I could only hope.

As I sit on the bed, I realize that I'm officially bored out of my mind, and that I haven't been outside in about two weeks now. I could use some fresh air.

I grab my jacket, and I get all the way out to the foyer before I run into Sam.

"Going somewhere?" He asks.

"On a walk," I reply simply. "I've been here for two weeks and I'm tired of being cooped up."

He nods. "Fair enough. Be careful."

Surprised by his pleasantry, a smile runs across my face. "Thanks."

I get up the stairs and out the door, into the fresh air. It's evening time. The sun is setting, the air is crisp and sky is ablaze with hues of purple. I take a deep breath and begin walking down the road.

I can see a town a ways down from the bunker and decide to go explore it. It's about a ten minute walk from the bunker.

I get to the town, and a sign reading "Welcome to Lebanon" greets me. Lebanon. Nice name.

The sky is dark now, but the streets and buildings are lighting my paths.

I walk, and walk, and walk some more, exploring the windows of little shops, the signs of diners and the parking lots of markets. These are all things I've never experienced. I see a blue and red flashing light outside a building, and decide to go toward it. As I stand, admiring the light and the way it reflects on the buildings, someone calls me out.

"You lost, sweetheart?"

I turn around to see a stranger addressing me from the building. He's leaning against the brick, a smirk on his face.

"No, I'm not lost," I respond with confidence. At least I hope I'm not. "I've just been taking a walk."

"You wanna take a ride?" He asks. "I have a motorcycle, and drinks at my place."

"Uh, I'm good, thanks. I was actually getting ready to walk home."

I start to walk past him, but he grabs my arm. Something sends a shiver down my spine; this doesn't feel right.

"Come on, it's cold and dark. You can come home with me."

"I don't want to," I try to convince him.

His grip on my arm tightens as he pulls me toward his motorcycle. I'm afraid to pull back, because he seems dangerous.

"Dude, really, let me go," I command.

Before he says anything, someone is yelling my name.

"Mallory!"

It's Dean's voice.

Dean runs up from behind me. The stranger lets me go, and Dean snakes an arm around my waist. Too shocked, I don't to anything.

"I've been looking all over for you, babe, where've you been?" Dean glares at the man who was holding my arm. "Is he bothering you?"

"K-kind of," I stutter.

"Listen man, I was just offering her a ride home," the guy defends himself.

"No, you listen, creep. Let me catch you trying to put your hands on another woman again," Dean threatens. "Especially mine." He kisses my hair.

What the fuck is happening? I ask myself. Something is telling me to go along with it, and I feel much safer in Dean's grasp anyway, so I do.

"Can we go home now? I'm tired," I tell Dean.

He nods. The man drives away on his motorcycle, and Dean takes me to his car. His hold on my waist hasn't loosened, but I'm not fighting it. I'm still feeling threatened.

"What were you thinking?" Dean questions. "That could've gotten you killed, and a ton of other things in the process. You don't leave the bunker without me, Sam or Cas with you, got it?"

"I'm sorry," I mumble. "I didn't know."

"Are you okay?" He sets me against the car and looks over me.

"Yeah."

Dean helps me in the car, then gets in and starts driving. After a few minutes, he starts laughing.

"Of all things, a strip joint is what caught your eye?"

I shrug. "I didn't know. The lights were pretty."

"That guy wasn't looking at the lights," Dean sighs.

"How'd you know where I was?"

"I was trying to find you in the bunker and Sam said you went for a walk, so I just drove around until I saw you. You're lucky I showed up when I did."

"Thank you."

Dean gives me a frown. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"I just...I was practically untouchable in the veil. Here, I feel like I'm helpless. Like a baby in skinny jeans. You beat the crap out of me, Castiel says I'm weak, you said that guy could've killed me. I'm not used to that."

Dean nods slowly. "Sorry for beating the crap out of you. If I would've known who you were, I wouldn't have. Truly. Cas said not to, but none of us knew who you were. And by the way, you can call him Cas. Castiel is usually reserved for when we're mad at him."

I let out a laugh. "Okay. I'll call him Cas."

Silence ensues and my thoughts are loud. I decide to speak again.

"Dean, I'm sorry I keep giving you a hard time," I apologize. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. "I'm just apprehensive."

"It's fine. Just try to knock it off, alright? It gets old."

I nod. "Noted."

The rest of the car ride is silent. Despite my evening, I feel content in the cab of the impala, next to Dean. He gives me a good vibe. Behind his rough exterior, there's a warmth about him that makes up for his usual moodiness.

Once we return to the bunker, I sit down at the table in the main room and try to figure out what to do with myself.

"Aren't you going to go to bed?" Dean asks.

"I don't sleep," I shrug.

Dean furrows his brows. "Have you ever tried? Have you ever just laid down and shut your eyes?"

"Not really, I figured since I've never been truly tired that I wouldn't sleep."

Dean gives a short hum in response. "Well, it's midnight-thirty, and I'm human. I'm going to bed."

I nod and give him a small grin. "Thanks again. Goodnight."

"Don't mention it."