It turns out I was correct in my assumption of high tensions around the bunker. Ellen pries at me to figure out my life story every time I get stuck in a room with her and Jo... Jo is the same.

Even Dean seems to be different. I understand he owes it to them to respect them and whatnot, but it's getting old. For the week that they've been here, I've only gotten affection out of Dean twice. He's all business for no reason.

I'm in the library, reading a book Sam recommended, when Jo makes an entrance.

"Hi," I greet her as casual as possible.

"Hey," she replies shortly. She looks around the shelves for a few minutes.

"Do you need something? I might be able to help you find whatever you're looking for," I offer.

As I say it, she pulls a book of the shelf. Then, she rounds the chair I'm in. "I'm good, thanks. But can I ask something?"

"Sure," I close my book and give her my attention.

"Who are you? You seem to have Dean on quite the leash, and that's nothing like him. He doesn't need someone controlling him, you know. He has enough on his plate as it is."

"I'm sorry, what?" I laugh. "It's none of your business what goes on between Dean and I. I don't have him on a leash, he can do what he wants." I regret the words as soon as I say them, because I know exactly what I just said.

"Mom and I are both watching you," she warns me. "If you hurt either of these boys, we'll kill you."

"If I was going to hurt them, I would've already done it. I've been here for months. Calm down."

Jo glares at me, then leaves. I sigh; is every hunter a Russian doll? Do I have to dig through layers of rudeness to get to some type of pleasant personality?

I leave the library to go find Dean, mostly to make sure Jo hasn't found him. He's in his room, cleaning his pistol on his desk. I knock, even though the door is partially open.

"Yeah," he says absentmindedly. I close the door behind me and walk to him, kissing his cheek.

"Hi," I say sweetly.

"Hey babe," he grins, and puts down his cleaning equipment. I lean against the desk to face him. "What's up?"

"Nothing, I just missed you," I shrug.

"Oh," he nods. "Fair enough. Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah," I respond quickly. "Well..."

"What?"

"I'm afraid Ellen and Jo might actually kill me."

"Don't worry about them, they're just like that."

I sigh. Dean grabs my arm and pulls on me until I sit in his lap. I lean my head on his shoulder. "Jo likes you."

"She does not," Dean reasons.

"Yes she does. She thinks I'm going to hurt you and screw your life up."

"Do you think that?"

"No, of course not."

"Well neither do I, so it doesn't matter."

I smile to myself. This is the Dean that I love. I've missed him lately.

Dean's door opens out of nowhere. I jump to get off Dean's lap, but he holds me in place.

"Hey, Dean!" Jo pokes her head in and immediately makes a face. "Oh."

"What do you need?" He asks.

"I was going to ask if you'd come with me to pick some things up. Mom and Sam are busy and I don't want to risk going alone."

I roll my eyes because I know she can't see my face.

"Yeah, sure, give me a few minutes," Dean agrees.

She leaves. I stand up and straighten myself out. "You'd better get going before she murders me."

"Stop," Dean snaps. "I know you don't like each other, but just knock it off, will you? She's a good friend and you can't be talking about her like that."

My jaw is practically on the floor. Dean defends her more than he defends me. If I had the energy, I would argue with him, but I don't. I simply go to my own room and lock the door.

Several hours pass before I hear Dean and Jo's laughter floating through the halls upon their return. It's strikes a chord of jealousy and ill feelings within me. It grows suddenly quiet, and my curiosity piques. I know they're not in the hallway, so I sneak out of my room quietly and follow the faint sound of their voices.

I stop at the doorway of the library and eavesdrop.

"I can't do this, Jo," Dean says. His voice is laced with disappointment.

"Why?" She asks bluntly. "You've been hitting on me for years. Don't tell me that the Dean Winchester is finally tied down after all of your antics."

Dean remains silent. I start to feel sick. I peak around the doorway and see Jo pulling him in and kissing him.

Now I really feel sick.

"Jo," Dean sighs.

"Seriously?" She deadpans. "Who? Mallory?"

Silence.

"You've got to be kidding me," Jo laughs viciously. "She's not even your type, Dean. You're telling me that you're committed to her?"

"It's complicated, alright?" Dean snaps, agitation apparent in his words. "You wouldn't understand."

"What would I not understand? Do you love her or something?"

"What? No," Dean denies. "It's none of your business, alright? Bottom line, I won't do this to her. Whatever you think we had is done for right now."

"For right now," Jo teases.

I hear footsteps and make a bolt for the foyer. It's the closest place I could sit and not look suspicious. I sink into a chair which is much more uncomfortable than usual. Dean saunters in, wearing a worn down face. He looks at me for a few seconds before addressing me.

"Hey."

"Hi."

He sits down next to me and grabs my hand, running a calloused thumb over my knuckles. "You doing okay?"

"Fine," I respond falsely. I feel a million different things, and fine isn't one of them. "How was your trip with Jo? Did you guys have fun?"

Dean grins a little. "It was nice to spend time with her, yeah. Hey, how about you come spend the night in my room tonight? I know I've been a little hard on you since Ellen and Jo have been here. I want to make it up to you."

Weakly, I answer him. "Yeah, sure."

I go to my own room to change into pajamas, then slowly walk to Dean's room. I expect my mind to be racing with questions and emotions, but it's the opposite. Everything seems to move slow. I don't feel much, I just feel removed from everything.

When I reach Dean's room, I enter the door and take a seat on his bed. He's in the bathroom. I stare at the wall for God knows how long until he snaps me out of it by sitting next to me and kissing my cheek.

"Are you okay?" Dean asks. "I know I haven't been the best boyfriend in the last week. You can talk to me though. What's wrong?"

I shake my head and try to say that nothing's wrong, but all that comes out is a small, mangled noise. The tears are flowing now, and I can't stop them. It all bombards me at once — the hostility, Dean shutting me out all week, Jo kissing Dean, Dean saying he doesn't love me — it all comes up.

"Mal," Dean pities me. He puts both arms around me and I take the comforting liberty of crying into his chest. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I don't know," I lie through a thick, sad voice. "I'm tired."

"We can sleep," Dean offers. "I just want to make sure you're okay."

My eyes burn and my chest hurts. I still feel sick. The rational part of me says I should let it go, because after all, Dean did defend me, even if it was a weak defense. Sadly, though, my irrational tendencies always get the best of me, and all I can think about is leaving.

I let Dean fall asleep before I get up and quietly go back to my room. I gather all of my things; I'm glad to only have a couple of bags full of items. After I've packed, I go to Sam's room. He's still awake, because Sam always stays up late.

"Sam?" I ask, opening the door. He looks up from a book.

"Mallory, what's up?" He asks. "What's with the bags?"

"I need to leave," I choke out. I'm still emotional. "Can you take me to a safe house or something? Anything is fine. I can't stay here."

Sam stands up and closes the door behind me. "O-okay, slow down, why do you think that? What's going on?"

"I just can't be here anymore, okay? I'm asking you, sister to brother, please help me out here, Sam."

He frowns at me, clearly concerned. "Have you talked to -"

"No. I'm not... Can we please just get going?"

"If I take you to a safe house, you have to give me some answers on the way," Sam stipulates.

"Fine," I agree.

"Okay, let's go then."