CHAPTER NINETEEN.
HIGHWAY TO HELL.

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THE SOUND OF some late 60's film playing on the TV could be heard inside the small motel room. There was an occasional snore that overlapped the movie every so often, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary as the minutes slowly ticked past. Some sunlight filtered in from the window near the door, the dusty curtains slightly opened, but not enough to let Birdie see the view of the nearly vacant parking lot. Her overstuffed duffel bag was tossed on the table in the kitchen area, clothes carelessly tossed on the floor with a set of keys nearly falling off the edge of the table. Her helmet was partially hidden under her bag, some scratches evident from where she'd had her accident many months ago.

But, a strange sound——almost like something was poking at the window——was enough to make Birdie's eyes suddenly snap open. Her back was facing the window with the blanket casually resting around her waist, her body still as she waited to see if she'd hear it again, and she did.

Her hand carefully slid under the pillow off to the side as it quietly continued, grabbing hold of her handgun. She slowly pulled it out and cocked it, pushing the blanket off of her body. She swung her legs over the edge, creeping up to the side of the window to peek out to see if she'd recognize the figure. Her eyes fell on the person as she pulled back part of the curtain, momentarily closing her eyes as she dropped her hand to her side at the sight. She reached over to the side and set the gun on the edge of the table, hastily yanking open the curtains with an annoyed expression obvious on her features, her hands on her hips.

Sam froze in the place when his eyes locked with Birdie's, breathing out a forced laugh before he gave Birdie a sheepish smile; his knife was clutched in hand and slightly jammed in the window as he'd been trying to pry it open.

Birdie groaned to herself and tossed her head back, scrunching up her nose. "Go awaaaay. It's too early for this shit."

"Just open the door, Bird," Dean said, coming up beside Sam to peek inside the motel room. It was only one day after they'd dealt with Benton, having buried him alive in a chained fridge a few miles away from his cabin——his book that detailed how he managed to live as long as he had placed directly on top of the fridge to be lost right alongside Doc Benton. They'd been headed for Bobby's during the night——after Dean called their former room only for Bela to answer with the revelation she had made a deal herself and killing them would've saved her——but when a heavy rainstorm began to pour down on them a few hours later, they decided to stop until morning since Birdie was on her bike; which, somehow, Birdie had ended up with her own room. Birdie was stunned when the boys told her about what happened with Bela, but what shocked her even more was the fact that Lilith was the one who held Dean's contract. "I'm 'bout to pee my pants out here!"

"Good," Birdie huffed, sharply glaring at the brothers. "It's what you get for scarin' the shit outta me!"

"We're sorry," Sam said, helplessly peering at the woman through the window. Birdie just tilted her head, giving them both a middle finger. Sam rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he stuffed the knife back into his pocket. "Bird, just let us in and then you can go back to sleep."

"Don't you two have your own room?" she asked, eyes flicking back and forth between them. She didn't mind sharing with them, but it had been nice not to have to listen to them bicker or fight for the covers with Sam or Dean.

"My card apparently didn't go through last night. . .so now we all get to share again," Dean said, a perky smile etched on his lips as the last few words left his mouth.

"No."

Dean nudged Sam out of the way, giving Birdie a look as he stood directly in front of the window. "You're really gonna tell a dying man no?"

"Wow," Sam and Birdie said in unison, looking at Dean in bewilderment.

Birdie shifted, folding her arms over her chest. "Guilt-tripping me? That's how you're gonna try to get into my room?" she asked, peering directly at Dean. Then she dropped her hands down, a frown appearing on her lips. "'Cause it worked."

She quickly headed over to the door, hearing Sam and Dean's muffled voices outside as she unlocked it. Then she opened it up, stepping out of the way to let them both inside. Dean brightly grinned as he came in behind Sam, leaning over and giving Birdie a quick peck on the cheek before she had time to shove him away. "Love ya, Bird."

"Shut up," she grumbled under her breath, pushing the door shut. She took a few steps forward, raising her brows as Dean hurried wasted no time in hurrying over to the bathroom. "Did he really need to use the bathroom?"

"Uh, yeah," Sam said, laughing as he nodded his head.

Birdie faintly smiled and shook her head, letting out a sigh as she moved to sit on the couch in front of the TV. Sam sat down on the other end, his gaze falling on the TV. "Really?" Sam couldn't help but laugh, turning his head towards Birdie. "You're seriously watching Romeo and Juliet?"

"I wasn't! I was asleep, asshole," Birdie huffed, giving him a playful glare. "And if you two hadn't woken me up, I'd still be gettin' my beauty rest in."

"What beauty rest?" Sam teased.

Birdie gaped at him, moving across the couch to try and flick him on the forehead. Sam laughed and grabbed hold of her arm to stop her, but she used her other one and flicked him on the tip of his nose. "No!" Sam dramatically shouted, twisting his arm to grab hold of both of her arms now. Birdie shrieked in surprise, giggling as she tried to move one of her legs in hopes of using it to push Sam's arms away. Sam loudly laughed along with her, sitting up to kneel on the couch, pinning her to the couch. Birdie yelped at the sudden movement, instantly looking up to meet his eye.

Sam peered down at her with his dimples poking out with his smile, Birdie wearing an identical grin on her lips. She let out a shaky breath, her eyes gazing directly into Sam's.

She would never admit it, but he did have some very pretty eyes——as well as some adorable dimples.

"Art thou gone so? Love, lord, ay, husband, friend! I must hear from thee every day in the hour, for in a minute there are many days. O, by this count I shall be much in years ere I again behold my Romeo!"

"Still think you could take me on?" Sam asked, tilting his head.

Birdie playfully narrowed her eyes, wrapping her legs around Sam's waist and knocking him onto the floor. He yelped, his hands still holding Birdie's arms as he toppled onto the floor, taking her down with him; she hadn't exactly thought her plan through before she put it into action. Birdie clenched her teeth together as she fell, clenching her eyes shut as she fell on top of Sam with a muffled thud. Sam grunted, arms now wrapped around Birdie as he'd tried to make it where she'd fall on him instead of on the floor. Birdie let out a pant after a few seconds, moving one hand to rest on the floor as she partially sat up. This time, she was the one peering down.

"I won," she smugly said.

"What? That doesn't count!" Sam exclaimed, looking up at her with an incredulous look in his eyes. "All you did was fuckin' push me on the floor!"

"Yeah, and for some reason, you took me down with you," Birdie said, puffing out her cheeks as she tilted her head to one side.

"You had your legs around me——"

"Woah, hey, hey, hey! What the hell's goin' on out there?" Dean hollered from the bathroom. "Should I leave you two alone, crawl out the window in here and come back later?"

Birdie scoffed, rolling her eyes at the older man's question. "Nothing's going on, Dean."

"I think that might actually be worse!"

Birdie huffed, shaking her head as she peered down at Sam again. "Just for the record, I still won."

Sam chuckled, shaking his head with a roll of his eyes. "Sure you did."

Birdie brightly smiled and carefully pushed herself onto her feet, holding her hand out for Sam to take. He smiled and grabbed her hand, grunting as she yanked him back onto his feet. "God, have you gotten taller somehow?" Birdie asked as she peered up at him, moving to sit on the couch again.

"No, maybe you're just getting shorter," Sam said, plopping back down on the couch as well.

Birdie gave him a warning glare, pointing her finger at him. "Do you wanna end up on the floor again?"

"Only if you're on top of him!" Dean shouted, loudly laughing.

"What the hell, Dean?" Sam shouted at his brother, eyes slightly widened. Birdie shook her head, unsure if she should've been impressed that Dean could still hear them, or annoyed that he was teasing her and Sam yet again. "Bird, I-I don't——"

"Yes he does! You're the Juliet to his Romeo!"

"Dean——"

"We've been over this already——"

Sam clenched his jaw, turning his head towards the bathroom just as the door opened with a loud squeak. Dean walked out with a proud smile, wiping his hands off on a hand towel. He immediately noticed the expression on Sam's face, but it only made Dean's smile widen even more. Birdie pursed her lips to try and hide her amusement, but one look at Dean's face made her chuckle and roll her eyes.

"Why do you have to make things so awkward?" she asked, tilting her head to one side.

"Because for some unknown reason, you two still just won't fuckin' admit you like each other."

"But I don't like Sam like that——"

"Dean, we're just friends——"

Dean dramatically groaned, throwing his head back as he slouched in the chair across from the couch, propping his feet up on the lopsided coffee table. "Okay, fine, fine, you two aren't into each other, whatever," he huffed, shaking his hands out at his sides. "But, we're not just gonna sit here all day watching. . .whatever this is."

"A Shakespearean Tragedy," Birdie said, scoffing when Dean gave her a strange look. "Don't look at me like that. It's one of the only things I remember from English class."

"See, since they both die in the end when it——"

"No, no, I-I don't actually care," Dean interjected as Sam started to explain, glancing between Sam and Birdie. "So, I guess you two aren't like Romeo and Juliet then."

Birdie rolled her eyes. "Not until I die I guess. Then we'd be even."

"Which is never gonna happen," Dean said.

"Not on our watch," Sam agreed, turning towards Birdie with a small smile.

"No time to die, right, boys?"

Dean let out a sigh, nodding his head. "No time to die——because we're gonna find Lilith and put a bullet in the bitch."

"Fuck yeah we are," Birdie firmly said. "But first. . .can we get breakfast?"

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The closest breakfast joint was only a few minutes away from the motel. It wasn't too crowded when they arrived that morning, just a few families and couples spread throughout the inside. The scent of coffee lingered in the warm air, the sizzling sound of bacon frying making Birdie smile as she sat in a booth beside Sam. Dean was seated across from them, a menu in each of their hands as their waitress went to get the coffee pot to fill their empty mugs.

Birdie scooted a little closer to the window and moved her arm, huffing when her left elbow bumped into Sam's. Sam turned, giving her a look. "What? It's not my fault," he said.

"It's not mine either, you lumberjack," Birdie said.

"It is your fault, Bird," Dean said, making the woman gape at him. "Shouldn't be left-handed."

"Yeah, 'cause I really had a say in it," Birdie said, giving Dean a blank expression.

Dean just shrugged, looking aside when the waitress returned to their table. He gave the woman a smile as she filled their coffee mugs, looking back down at the menu.

"You three know what you're havin' yet?" the waitress softly asked, her eyes flickering towards Dean every few seconds.

"Uh, I think we need a few more minutes," Sam said, giving the waitress a small smile when she glanced in his direction. She nodded, turning away with one last look thrown in Dean's direction. "Thanks."

Birdie snickered under her breath, picking up the coffee mug with her eyes focused on Dean. "I think she liked you," she said.

"Yeah, I can really see the way she looks at you," Sam said, his prominent dimples poking out as he smiled. Birdie tilted her head, licking at her lips as she furrowed her brows. Her gaze then shifted to Dean, suddenly realizing what Sam was doing.

"Oh, yeah," Birdie said, nodding in agreement. "It must be fate."

"Okay, okay," Dean said, falsely laughing as he leaned his elbows on the table, "I see what two're doing."

"Do you?" Sam asked.

Birdie softly chuckled under her breath, shaking her head as she picked up the menu to continue looking over the options. "Just shut up and figure out what you want," Dean snapped, waving his hand at Sam as he picked up his menu. "Oh, and you're payin' by the way."

Birdie shook her head, letting out a sigh as she set the menu on the table. "Is it too early to order a burger?"

"Bird, it's not even——"

"It's never too early for burgers," Dean said, cutting off Sam. "And hey, Sam's payin', so, get whatever you want."

Sam scoffed under his breath, rolling his eyes. Birdie chuckled and closed the menu, pushing it off to the side as she decided what she was having. "Thank you, Dean. I think I will." Sam scoffed, turning his head to the younger woman. Birdie innocently shrugged. "What?"

"You're really not gonna pay for the lady, Sammy?" Dean asked, raising his brows as he feigned surprise. "Wow, I thought I raised you better than that."

"So, chivalry is dead, huh?"

Birdie turned her head when she heard the voice, lips falling open in surprise as Kaiya walked up to the table, a cheeky grin plastered on her lips. Her black hair was pulled back into a braid, a black and white striped blouse tucked into a white pair of slacks. Her makeup was neatly done, a few loose strands framing her face as some glasses were pushed up to rest on the top of her head. "What the hell?" Birdie said, looking at the woman with wide eyes. "Wha-what're you doing here?"

"Yeah, shouldn't you be at work or somethin'?" Dean queried, brows furrowed together as Kaiya stood at the end of the table, her purse loosely dangling from her shoulder.

"I was technically," Kaiya said, giving the trio a warm smile. "I was actually at a meeting a few blocks away——don't ask why they had it in the morning——and when I was headed back home, I saw the Impala and bike in the parking lot and knew it was you three."

Birdie let out a huff, turning towards Dean. "Is it bad that people recognize our vehicles?"

Dean thought for a moment, making a face as he shrugged. "No, I don't think so."

"What kind of meeting was it?" Sam wondered.

Kaiya sighed, puffing out her cheeks. "A pointless one, and one I really didn't even need to go to in the first place since they didn't care what I had to say. The board proposed a new style of advertising already large businesses when the smaller ones are the ones that need help——"

"Will you be joining them?" Kaiya turned her head, spotting a waitress standing off to the side of her. Kaiya silently looked towards Birdie and the boys, watching Dean scoot towards the window to make room for her.

Kaiya smiled, looking at the waitress. "I guess I am."

The waitress faintly smiled and stepped to the side as Kaiya sank down next to Dean, placing her purse in between them. "Are you ready to order?"

"I'll just take a water," Kaiya said, nodding as she spoke.

"You're not eating?" Dean wondered.

"I ate at the meeting," Kaiya said, scrunching up her nose. "And it wasn't even that good."

Sam shook his head, looking towards the waitress. "I'll just have the uh. . .fit slam," Sam said, stealing a glance at the menu. Birdie tilted her head and leaned over, skimming over the words to see what he would actually be getting; egg whites scrambled with fresh spinach and grape tomatoes with a side of turkey bacon strips, an English muffin, and a side of fruit.

The waitress nodded and turned towards Birdie next. She leaned back in the seat again, reaching for her coffee. "I'll have a. . .I'll have the loaded breakfast sandwich."

"What happened to the burger?" Dean asked, an offended expression on his face.

Birdie shrugged, innocently holding her hands up. "I changed my mind."

"How would you like your eggs cooked?" the waitress asked.

Birdie thought for a moment before she answered. "Over easy."

The waitress smiled and turned towards Dean. "And for you?"

"I'll have a double cheeseburger," Dean answered, shooting Birdie a glare. "With fries, too."

"Okay, that should be out in just a few minutes," the waitress said, briefly glancing around the table before she turned away after Sam handed her the menus. They murmured out thank you's before she headed off, all four of them relaxing into the seats as the waitress disappeared from sight.

"Oh, and I almost forgot," Kaiya gasped, snatching up her purse and placing it in her lap. Birdie cocked a skeptical brow, watching the woman pull out a DVD case and place it on the table. Kaiya beamed and put her purse back, excitedly glancing around at the three hunters. "Take it, open it!"

Birdie suspiciously narrowed her eyes, cautiously reaching forward. "What is it?"

"It's a tarantula," Kaiya sarcastically replied, causing Birdie to give her a dirty look as she held it in her hand. "Just open it!"

Birdie shook her head and carefully opened the case, furrowing her brows in confusion. It was a silver CD, some almost illegible writing on the top, but Birdie managed to make out the words.

Birdie immediately lifted her head, her eyes wide as Sam peeked over to see what it was, an identical expression appearing on his features. "This isn't real. . .is it?" Dean expectantly held his hand out and Birdie handed it over to him without looking away from Kaiya. "Kai?"

"It helps to know people in the advertising business," Kaiya proudly smirked, placing her elbow on the table before planting her chin on top of her hand.

"No fuckin' way," Dean said, shaking his head. "This-this can't be real."

"It is," Kaiya said with a smile. "And we're the only ones with that——well, a copy of it, that is."

"How the hell did you get your hands on that?" Sam wondered, speaking in a hushed voice so that no one would overhear them. "It doesn't come out for what, two more weeks?"

"Not in Australia," Kaiya cheekily replied. "So, what do you three say we head to Bobby's and watch it? I'm sure he'd like to watch it, too."

"Fuck yeah," Birdie immediately replied, eagerly nodding her head. "But wait, what about the food?"

"I'm sure we can take it to go," Sam chuckled, seeing the way Birdie's smile had fallen as she thought about missing out on breakfast.

"They can't track it, right?" Dean wondered, glancing at Kaiya as she stuffed the DVD back into her purse to make sure it didn't get lost or damaged.

"It's a movie, Dean," Kaiya chuckled, giving him a look. "I don't think they're that worried about it. And besides, they have hundreds of these things. They just haven't given them out to movie theaters yet."

Dean playfully rolled his eyes and picked up his cup of coffee. Birdie gave him a smile, folding her arms over her chest. "Looks like you're gonna get to see it after all."

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It was nearly 3:00 A.M. when the movie finally came to a finish. Birdie hadn't really paid much attention to the credits once they started rolling after almost two hours, but she and the others immediately paused when they saw another scene come up like it wasn't actually finished just yet. She watched in surprise when that scene ended, glancing aside at Dean as he sat on the floor beside her; apparently, Kaiya, Sam, and Rumsfeld had called dibs on the couch before Dean and Birdie could. Bobby was in the chair off to the side of them, his eyes closed as he'd fallen asleep halfway into the film.

"The disrespect," Birdie sighed, shaking her head as her gaze landed on Bobby.

"It'd be a shame if someone messed with him," Dean said, a smile starting to work it's way onto his lips.

"Do it and I'll shoot you, boy," Bobby said, his eyes still closed but apparently still awake and able to hear them.

Birdie pursed her lips as Dean's face fell at Bobby's voice, sharing a silent look with each other. Birdie shrugged with a small smile, looking towards Kaiya. "Well, what do you guys think?" Kaiya wondered, glancing around the dimly lit room.

"Eh, it was alright," Dean said with a shrug.

"Just alright?" Birdie scoffed in disbelief, raising her brows as her eyes bored into Dean. "It was fuckin' amazing!"

"I'm gonna have to agree with Bird," Sam said.

"'Course you do," Dean said, standing up with his empty beer in hand.

Kaiya bit back an amused smile, shaking her head when she saw Sam and Birdie give the oldest Winchester similar glares. Bobby finally opened his eyes, sighing as he stood up from the chair. "I liked it," he said.

"Bobby, you fell asleep halfway through," Sam chuckled.

"No, I was just restin' my eyes," Bobby firmly denied, dismissively waving his hand towards Sam.

Birdie playfully rolled her eyes, leaning her back against the couch near Kaiya's legs. "You keep tellin' yourself that."

"Hey, I heard it all," Bobby said, giving Birdie a pointed look as he stood in front of her. "He got captured, built a suit to escape, made a better one when he got back, saved some lives and stopped the creepy bald guy, then told the world it was him when he was specifically told not to."

Birdie slowly blinked, stealing a glance towards Sam. Sam tilted his head slightly as Bobby's words registered in his head, brows furrowed together. Kaiya faintly smiled, taking a sip of her water. "Pretty much, yeah," Birdie said after a few moments, nodding.

"Told ya," Bobby huffed. "Now I'm gonna head to bed, but you kids better not be as loud as you were the last time——and don't eat my damn Oreos. Those ones are for me, not you."

Birdie dramatically rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest with a pout as Bobby looked directly at her. "Fine, fine, I won't."

Bobby gave them all a smile and then headed off, disappearing into the hall. Dean rummaged through the fridge in search of something else to drink since all of the beer was gone, but his only other option was tap water. Kaiya shifted and picked up her legs, tucking them under her body. Sam ran a hand along his face, starting to become sleepy.

"You think they'll make an Avengers movie next?" Kaiya wondered, recapturing Sam and Birdie's attention.

"I hope so," Birdie replied, a small grin decorating her lips. "I wanna see a live version of my man Thor."

"Oh, please," Dean said, coming into the room and plopping down in the chair Bobby had been in. "I wanna see Black Widow."

"Why am I not the slightest bit surprised?" Kaiya wondered, head resting on her hand with her eyes pinned on Dean.

"What about you, Kai?" Birdie asked, turning in her spot to look up at the older woman. "Which Avenger do you wanna see?"

"I don't know. . .I kinda like them all," she answered with a shrug. "You know, Dean, you kinda remind me of Clint in a way."

"What?"

"You serious?" Sam asked, nose scrunched up. "He's more like the Hulk."

"Which one do you think you're like?" Dean countered, narrowed eyes focused on Sam.

Sam shrugged. "Maybe——"

"He's like Captain America——"

"He's like Thor——"

Birdie and Kaiya quickly glanced at each other, both having answered for Sam. Dean raised his brows as did Sam, looking towards the two women. Birdie pursed her lips together, picking up her beer that she'd maybe taken two sips of since Dean gave it to her when the movie first started. "I think I'm already drunk," Birdie said, carefully eyeing the glass bottle.

"Nice try," Dean told her. "You really think Sam's like Thor?"

"Well I just. . ." Birdie paused, trying to think of a quick response, "His-his. . .build is how I picture Thor."

"His. . .his build?" Dean repeated, not doing anything to hide his amusement.

Birdie groaned to herself and shifted on the floor, laying her back against the wood floors with her beer still tightly clutched in her hand. "Shut up, Dean."

"I have no idea who Bird's like," Kaiya said, shaking her head with a giggle. "She confuses me too much."

Dean shifted in the chair, smirking as he looked towards Sam in thought. "Hey Sammy, who do you think Bird's most like?"

"And you don't have to say someone who's an Avenger," Kaiya said, eyes lighting up as she saw Sam slightly narrow his eyes. "You could name any Marvel character——maybe someone who falls in love with an Asgardian?"

Birdie lifted her head, sending daggers to Kaiya as if it would quiet the woman somehow. Kaiya simply ignored Birdie's intense stare, keeping her focus on Sam who was taking his time to respond. "Maybe we should just watch the movie again," Birdie suggested.

"But this is so much more fun," Dean said. "Right, Kai?"

"Right!" she agreed with a nod.

Birdie muttered under her breath, resting her head on the couch with her eyes closed. "Is this gang up on Sam and Birdie day or something?"

"Oh, please," Dean said, "You do it to me, like, all the fuckin' time——I'm just repayin' the favor."

"Yeah, but it's different when I do it," Birdie replied, eyes still closed.

"How?" Dean demanded to know, one of his arms thrown out at his sides. "How is it any different?"

"I. . .it just is," Birdie said, finally opening her eyes to give him a dirty look. "Deal with it, Dean."

Sam shifted on the couch, a faint smile on his lips as he looked towards Birdie. "You know, I think you remind me of Black Widow."

"Really?" Birdie asked, raising her brows as a smile began to appear on her lips.

Kaiya's smile widened, lazily resting her head on her hand. "What makes you say that, Sam?"

"Well, I. . .she. . ." Sam's eyes glanced around the room, huffing when seeing how amused Dean was, "She's a badass."

"Aw, thanks, Samuel," Birdie giggled, playfully batting her eyes at Sam. Sam just rolled his eyes, ignoring the subtle stares that Dean and Kaiya sent him. Birdie moved and set the beer on the coffee table, stealing a glance aside at Kaiya. "Hey, didn't you tell me you liked Clint a few months——"

Kaiya hastily reached forward, clamping her hand over Birdie's mouth. The woman's eyes enlarged, body freezing as a panicked look washed over Kaiya's face. Birdie slowly blinked, meeting Kaiya's gaze. Moments later, Kaiya grimaced and yanked her hand away, gawking at Birdie. "Did you just lick my hand?"

"You bet your ass I did," Birdie said with a snicker, standing up and stretching out her legs as she raised her arms above her head.

"Yeah, I don't know if you're that similar to Black Widow," Dean said.

Birdie spun on her heel, placing her hands on her hips. "Want me to kick your ass like she does to misogynistic men?"

"Are you calling me misogynistic?" Dean asked, looking appalled at the mere suggestion.

"No, but I'll kick your ass the same way she does to those kinds of men," Birdie answered, watching Dean stand up with his brows raised.

"Bring it, Big Bird," Dean said with a smirk.

"Can't you come up with something better than that?" Birdie taunted. "You've used that one like seven times today."

Sam let out a heavy sigh, turning his head towards Birdie. "How the hell do you deal with this all day long?" Kaiya asked.

"I don't," Sam said, quietly chuckling.

Just as Birdie went to move, Rumsfeld hopped down from the couch. He hurried over to Birdie, plopping down directly in front of her. He barked, causing her to tilt her head in confusion. "Are you serious?" she asked. "What do you want, Rum?"

He barked again, standing up and taking a few steps towards the hall as his way of answering the woman. Birdie let out a sigh, shaking her head. He wanted to go outside. "Rain check, Bird," Dean said, shooting her a wink.

"Yeah, and then I'm gonna kick your ass," Birdie said, pointing a finger at him. Rumsfeld let out a faint bark, recapturing Birdie's attention. "Okay, okay," Birdie chuckled. "Come on, bud."

Birdie faintly smiled as she walked down the hall, Rumsfeld leading the way. She could hear Kaiya and Sam's voices becoming more faint as she opened the door and stepped outside, just barely catching something being mentioned about Black Widow as she shut the door behind her. Rumsfeld paused by the rickety steps, questionably peering back at the woman.

Birdie softly chuckled, motioning him to move with her hand as she moved towards the edge of the porch. "Go do your thing," she said. "I'll be right here, and I can still see you. I promise."

That was all he needed and took off, heading towards the grass patch off to the side of the house. With the porch light on, Birdie could still see him clearly. His nose was in the grass, sniffing around for the perfect place to do his business. Birdie let out a content sigh and took a few steps to the side, sinking down on the first step.

She'd spent many countless nights just sitting on the steps, sometimes by herself and other times accompanied by one or both of the Winchester boys. Some nights they didn't end in laughter and smiles, instead fights breaking out and causing Bobby to have to intervene to break it up. Things got better of course and more and more the nights were spent with giggles and snide jabs being tossed at Sam or Dean, or even both. But lately, Birdie seemed to find herself on the porch steps more and more as May drew closer, one thing always popping into her mind and refusing to leave.

After a few moments of comfortable silence passed over, she heard the door open behind her. She partially turned her head, faintly smiling as she saw Dean come over and sink down next to her. "Nice night, huh?" Dean asked, peering up at the stars that were twinkling above.

Birdie softly sighed, following his gaze. "Yeah, it is. Good night to kick your ass."

"Oh, please, you and both know I would've won," Dean said.

"As if," Birdie scoffed, giving him a playful shove.

Dean chuckled and shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee. Birdie frowned slightly, looking from the mug and back up to his face. "What?" he asked.

"Dean, it's like three am," Birdie pointed out, brows raised. "Why the fuck are you drinking coffee?"

"Uh, because there's no beer left," Dean shrugged.

Birdie rolled her eyes as she shook her head. "You are somethin' else, I swear."

"Yeah, well, I'm sorry I'm not like Thor in there," Dean said, jerking his thumb in the direction of the house.

Birdie pursed her lips, sharply narrowing her eyes. "Oh, shut up."

Dean chuckled, eyes flickering to the side as Rumsfeld happily returned. He hurried up the steps and sat beside Dean, leaning into the man when he started to pet him. "No good comeback then, huh?"

"I have plenty of excellent comebacks," Birdie firmly said. "I just. . .I don't wanna hurt your feelings."

Dean breathed out a scoff. "That's never stopped you before."

"Hey, I've changed," Birdie said, holding her head up high.

"Oh, yeah, right. Like I'm gonna believe that," Dean snorted.

Birdie did her best to act greatly offended, but she couldn't help but laugh along with him. "Do you remember, uh, the one night I-I snuck out to a party? Uh, it was at some girl's house——Mariah Ortez, or-or something like that?"

Dean furrowed his brows in thought, lips falling open as a small smile started to appear on his lips as he started to remember more of that night. "Oh yeah, yeah," he said, letting out a loud chuckle. "You came back, stumbling all around and making so much noise——and the worst part of it was that you weren't even drunk."

Birdie giggled, nodding her head. "I know, I know, but some-some guy stole my shoe. And, when the cops showed up, I fuckin' bolted all the way here, and when I got back——"

"I was sitting right here," Dean chuckled, turning his head to look at Birdie.

Birdie faintly smiled, looking at Dean. "You know, you still never told me why."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we were finally getting along then, but you still never said why you really waited for me," Birdie said, resting her chin on her hand. "I know you said——"

"Bobby told me to," Dean sighed, looking towards the steps.

"And that he would tear me a new one in the morning," Birdie said, giving Dean a look. "But he didn't say a single thing. . .because he didn't know about it, did he?"

Dean let out a quiet sigh, looking ahead as he adjusted his grip on his coffee. "No, he didn't," he answered, a warm smile appearing on his lips. "But when I woke up and you were gone. . .I don't know, I just got worried, ya know?"

"Aw, you were worried about me?"

Dean chuckled, turning to look at Birdie. "It's kinda my job, right? Gotta keep looking out for my favorite damsel."

Birdie scoffed under her breath and rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh. "You know, you still haven't actually told me who Lisa is." Dean groaned, closing his eyes as he lowered his head. "I know all about Cassie, Isla, and that, uh, blonde girl from-from, uh, Truman—-"

"Okay, okay, I don't need that trip down memory lane," Dean said, waving his hand to get Birdie to stop listing off his former girlfriends. "Not right now, anyways."

"Fine, fine," Birdie playfully sighed, giving Dean a cheeky smile as she bumped her elbow into his. She shifted slightly, moving to rest her back against her railing so she was almost fully facing Dean with a small smile on her lips. "I'm glad we both got to see Iron Man, and before, like, almost everyone else."

"Me too," Dean nodded. "I really. . .I didn't think I'd get to see any movie again."

"Dean. . ."

"No, it's okay, Bird," Dean said, waving his hand as he drank some more of his coffee, feeling the warm liquid travel down his throat. "You don't need to say anything."

"We're gonna figure this out," Birdie said.

"How?" Dean wondered. "We've been at this for months. There's-there's nothing, Bird. I'm fucked."

Birdie firmly shook her head in denial; no there had to be some way to save Dean still——there had to be. "No you're not, I won't let you die."

Dean heavily sighed, glancing down at the ground. He wanted to believe that there was another way, but his hope was almost completely diminished; not completely, but more than Birdie and Sam realized. "I. . .I don't think no time to die'll work for me anymore."

"No, don't——"

"Bird." Birdie's lips smacked closed, seeing the solemn expression on Dean's features. He silently gazed at her for a few seconds, shaking his head as he adjusted his grip on the mug. "Can you promise me something?"

"Anything, Dean."

"If anything happens to me. . .promise me you'll take care of Sam." Birdie's features noticeably softened, automatically realizing what he was getting at. "I won't be there to look out for him anymore and protect him, but you can. What you two have is-is. . .it's something I've never seen before."

Birdie wanted to deny it and say there wasn't anything special about her friendship with Sam just like she did every time Dean, Kaiya, or even Bobby mentioned it, but she couldn't bring herself to do it this time——not with the heart-wrenching look swirling around in Dean's eyes as he helplessly gazed back at her.

"I promise," Birdie softly said, giving Dean a forced smile.

Dean partially returned her smile, looking back up at the glistening stars that seemed to be shining brighter than before. A comfortable silence came over the two of them, both just listening to the sound of crickets chirping as Rumsfeld laid beside Dean with his head comfortably placed in his lap.

Birdie moved and scooted closer to Dean as she faced the junkyard again, expectantly holding her hand out towards Dean. "Give it," she said, nudging her head towards the mug.

Dean softly chuckled, raising a brow. "I thought it was too late to have coffee?"

Birdie shrugged as Dean handed it to her. "Well, if you're gonna be staying up, might as well keep you company."

"You don't have to do that," Dean said, watching Birdie take a sip.

She warmly smiled and turned her head towards him, head tilted to one side. "I know, but I want to."

Dean grinned and took the mug back, letting out a content sigh. Birdie did the same, a smile lingering on her lips as she leaned her head on Dean's shoulder.

As long as they had hope, then there was still a chance that they could save Dean.

⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅

Hey y'all! Since y'all probably know what's coming next, I wanted this chapter to focus on some more positive and lightheaded things (up until the end when the mood kinda shifted 🥲) but I hope y'all still liked it! OBVIOUSLY I had to find a way for Dean to still see Iron Man, which I know was not a big concern, but I just thought it would be fun still + I got to bring Kaiya and Bobby in before the end, too!

But sadly, the next chapter will be the last chapter of act one 😔. BUT then it's onto act two which I'm pretty far into pre-writing (which is very surprising since I don't pre-write for any of my other stories 😅💀) and I hope y'all are just as excited for it as I am hehehe.

But anyways, please don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments and I hope y'all enjoyed! ❤️