"We are heeeere!!" Rachel sang out as we pulled into a parking space. I could hear the light pulsing of the music coming from the bar and grill as I opened the car door. It wasn't crazy busy as it was only a Thursday night, but there was a comfortable crowd as we walked through the entrance. It smelled like fried food mixed with a bit of smoke, some cologne and a touch of grease. It was a little more upscale than the diner and it wasn't open for lunch, so it wasn't really much of a competition for us in the small town.

Our hostess seated us at a small booth near the bar and handed us menus to look through. Except for lunch out with Dean and Sam the other day, I hadn't been to a restaurant in a very... very long time. I was going to relish every second of it. The lights were dim, giving the atmosphere an eerie, wistful, romantic-dangerous vibe. I always got this feeling going to restaurants late at night...like anything could happen. Romantic meet-cutes in books and movies happened in restaurants alllll the time, so maybe it could happen to me? Maybe? Twelve year old me had thought so, and I guess "now" me still had the ghosts of that feeling rattling around inside.

I decided on what I was having much quicker than I expected when I suddenly remembered.

"Oh shoot! Man, I forgot to call Gramma and let her know I'd be late...hang on..." I got up and headed to the entry way again where it was slightly quieter and would be easier for Gramma to hear me over the phone.

"Hey, Gramma? Hi! So guess what? I made a boatload of money today!! Yeah! I know, it's so great and I'm so relieved.

"So um, I'm gonna be a little late...Rachel suggested that we go out and eat to celebrate our haul today. Uh-hm, yep, I will. I shouldn't be more than an hour or two. Maybe Rachel can drive me home...not sure, depends cuz she does live on the other side of town...ok, don't worry, I will call and talk to you while I walk home if I don't get a ride, ok? Alright. See you later- what? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot! Yes, we'll watch it tomorrow for sure. It's my favourite movie, but since I'm bailing, I guess you could possibly watch it without me if you must..." I let out a little chuckle and glanced over to our table where Rachel was gesturing wildly.

"Ok, I love you Gramma, I'll see you when I get home. Love you more! Bye!"

I hung up my phone and slid it back into my jeans as I headed back to our table and Rachel's flailing figure.

"What the heck, I was only gone for a second!" I joked as I slid back into my seat.

"No, NO, look! Behind you, I think that's the agents!" Rachel hissed, jerking her head to my left. I turned slowly and sure enough, there were Sam and Dean, sitting at the bar discussing something and laughing. They seemed a lot less tense than when I first met them; perhaps having figured out the problem in this town had helped them loosen up. 

I turned back to Rachel and smiled softly to myself as I stirred my drink.

"WELL?!?" Rachel's hiss broke me out of my reverie.

"Well what?"

"Go over there and see if they want to sit with us! Dibs on the taller one sitting with me!!" 

"Rachel, NO and besides...I think the shorter one is more your type." I smirked and took an exaggerated sip from my virgin strawberry daiquiri. 

"If you won't," Rachel's eyes suddenly flashed brazenly, "I will."

I choked a little on my syrupy sweet sip and glared at her. "You absolutely will not!"

"Watch me." Rachel slid to the side of the booth and put her one foot in the aisle as if she was about to stand up.

"Don't you dare! Fine..." Rachel eased out of her coiled posture while a smirk lazily slid across her face as I huffed out of the booth and straightened my jacket. I took a deep breath and started over to where the two men were huddled in conversation.

They had swapped out the suits for casual clothes for tonight, the same ones they wore when they came to rescue Gramma and I. They both wore working class jackets, Sam's was tan, Dean's was navy and looked almost too big for him. Like he'd gotten thin or something. Weird things for me to notice...

Probably only noticing them in an attempt to avoid the inevitable conversation...what am I gonna say? Uh, hi, I know we had a dramatic parting just yesterday, but here we are again! Come eat dinner with me and my friend that doesn't know that monsters or real...oh, and try to avoid the elephant in the room of how we seem to know each other so well for only hanging out for a few hours one day. And...

My inner voice continued the monologue but I decided honesty is the best policy and made my move.

"Hi Agents!" I said brightly, taking a seat on the empty stool beside Sam.

Sam turned slowly while Dean looked around him and at me in surprise. "Lynn! What are you doing here? I thought you were still supposed to be taking it easy?"

"Listen, about that..." I glanced over my shoulder at Rachel who was giving me glances that were clearly signals which I then pretended to misunderstand. I turned back to the men and lowered my voice. "My friend would like it if you would both join us for something to eat," I looked at the beers in their hands, "or drink. Doesn't matter. She wouldn't stop unless I came over here. You totally don't have to, but if you do, remember...we have to pretend we know less about each other than we do. As far as she knows, you two dropped me off after our museum tour and that's the last I've seen of you until tonight." I wiggled my eyebrows at them and Sam let out a small chuckle while Dean leaned back to get a look at Rachel.

"Wellll, Sammy," Dean smacked Sam's shoulder hard as he got off his stool, "guess we shouldn't keep the little lady waiting?" Dean slid his beer off the counter and sauntered over to the booth where Rachel was. Rachel didn't scoot over so Dean sat across from her, rather than beside her.

"Looks like Dean's hooked." Sam shook his head in a "boys will be boys" attitude as he stood up, beer in hand. I looked up at him and wrinkled my nose. "So he's always like this?" I felt my heart freeze as if it was balancing in mid air as I waited for Sam's answer.

"Dude...totally. Every town there's an opportunity for him to find some poor waitress or bartender who is just ripe for the 'picking'." Sam did air quotes with his fingers as I felt my heart fall a little. Why did I even care?

We moseyed on over to the table, Rachel immediately sliding over to let Sam sit beside her as I slid in beside Dean. Rachel fairly beamed at Sam while Dean looked a little perturbed. I smiled to myself at his chagrin. 

Maybe I care because I thought he was...a different sort of guy. One who wouldn't hurt a girl's heart on purpose. Maybe was even looking for the "one". I guess I just put him up on a pedestal after all he and Sam have done for me and Gramma...

The conversation was actually a lively one, full of wit and flirtation...even I got a little flirty and frivolous. I didn't know how to be like that really, I'd never had much of an opportunity, but there was something about being out with friends like this that made me comfortable in my own skin. Comfortable enough to be myself and not try to hide behind some facade I'd concocted for myself to avoid hurting or getting hurt. It was cool. I could totally get used to it.

But this was only one night.

Only one meal.

They would be gone in the morning I found out as the conversation progressed (which only made Rachel flirt even more shamelessly with Sam, despite him not being all that into it). Dean kept retreating into quietness, probably frustrated that it was me, a friend, beside him and not Rachel who was hot, available and willing to have...ahem, fun, I guess she would say. I tried some of my friend "secret code" glances to get her attention...

Why are you not paying any attention to Dean? He's hot and he's into you!

She looked at me funny, but it looked like she said-

Because he's too much of a commitment.

Which made no sense to me, so I tried again-

Sam is just brushing you off politely...Dean will actually give you a chance!

Rachel rolled her eyes discreetly-

If I wanted Dean, I'd try...but I don't. I'd rather flirt with Sam.

I shook my head and gave up on our telepathic communication. It was faulty at best, and appeared to be getting no where. Might as well enjoy the evening.

***

It was getting quite late and I needed to head home even if the rest of my party didn't, so I allowed the yawn I'd been holding back to surface and roar away.

"Excuse me! Sorry!" I blinked back the tears in my eyes the giant yawn had created. "It was a super long day at work, eh Raych?"

Dean's head snapped up and he looked at me. "At work? I thought I told you to stay home today!"

My eyes widened as I realized what he said. "TOP! Secret! Investigation...stuff. Reason I needed...to stay home today." I stuttered at Rachel, trying to smooth it over with a smile and the hint of a wink so she would think I was hiding something other than the fact there had been werewolf in my house.

Sam had caught on what I was trying to do, "yes of course, we asked, uh, Lynn, to uh, stay home as we conducted our investigation in uh, one spot she recommended for us."

"But you see, Agent Page," I looked at Dean directly, "I had already stayed home for the minimum time requirement and I seriously needed to return to work in order to make ends meet this month, so I knew you wouldn't mind if I worked today as only yesterday was necessary." I stared at him hard and he begrudgingly backed down, realizing pushing it would only cause Sam's and my story to looks more suspicious than it already did.

Rachel's eyes narrowed in amusement. She said nothing, but checked her watch. "Hokey smokes, it is late, I've got to be getting home! Big day tomorrow! I hear the detour is still going to be wrong for the rest of the week, all weekend and into next week...so you know what that means..." she tossed a wink at me while I groaned.

"Do you need a ride home?" Rachel asked me as Sam stood up to let her out of the booth.

"I actually do, but it is super late and it will take you twice as long to get home. I'll be fine, I'll just walk." I'd call Gramma liked I'd planned earlier while I walked.

"No ma'am, we can't have a sweet little thing like you wandering the streets alone at night! And such a far walk at that!" Dean's tone was sweet, but his face was stern as he turned it away from Rachel's line of eyesight to stare at me. By now we were all standing at the side of the booth organizing our jackets and belongings.

"Dean and I will take you home." Sam stated like there was no room to argue.

But I was still gonna try. 

"No, guys, it's totally fine, I'm sure you have other things you'd rather be doing your last night in town!" I gave Sam a playful elbow, sent a wink Rachel's way then returned to innocently looking up at Sam. I spun on my toes and headed to the door. Once I was outside, I waited for the rest of them to catch up so I could say goodnight properly.

"Well, this is where I say goodbye gentlemen!" I called out cheerily as they approached with Rachel.

"I'm afraid I have to say good night too." Rachel smirked up at Sam and Dean. "It was so lovely to meet you both!" She leaned up and planted a tiny kiss on Dean's cheek before moving on to Sam. Her blue eyes blazed like a tigress hunting her prey and her smile coyly curled up into her deep dimples. The light emanating from the restaurant cast a shadowed glow on her golden hair and created an air of mystery about my not-so-mysterious friend so that even I felt she was outdoing herself tonight.

The scene unfolded like a soap opera episode. Rachel talking in hushed tones, moving her body so that she and Sam were slightly apart from Dean and I. I could totally still hear her though...

"Did you wanna come back with me to my place? It's not too far..." Rachel curled her fingers into Sam's hand hanging limply at his side until they were holding hands, palm to palm, knuckles up as she massaged the back of his hand with her thumb.

Sam seemed stunned into silence, not really making any coherent words, but seemingly trying to reply. Rachel's flirty giggle bubbled up and floated into the night. 

"C'mon Agent...cat got your tongue? We could just hang out...have some fun. Whaddya say?" Rachel lowered their joined hands and pressed her body closer to Sam who took a noticeable step away.

My eyes widened in disbelief. He was actually going to say no! I looked over at Dean who was watching the scene with definite mixed emotions. Amusement seemed to be winning though. Seems he obviously could read body language well or he could hear them too. I felt my second-hand embarrassment start for Rachel when Sam finally found his voice,

"Thanks, Rachel, you're a great girl, it's just that we really need to get some sleep tonight. Super important work has to be done for the head secretary of the justice department before noon tomorrow and we have a long drive before we can accomplish it, so...I'm thinking I'll need a rain cheque on this one."

Now my embarrassment for Rachel was full blown. I had never, ever witnessed a guy turn her down. The amount of times I walked home alone while she drove a guy to her "place" were so many I'd lost count. And I'd never seen a guy say no to her. 

My face burned in the dim light as I watched Rachel take a quiet step back from Sam.

"Oh...OH! Ok, yeah...that's fine...totally get it. Super important top secret work and all." Rachel glanced over her shoulder back at me. "See you tomorrow, Lynn?" She said like a question then took off for her car, not waiting for an answer. The clicking of her heels echoed through the parking lot while the brothers and I stood there, no one saying anything. Rachel slowly, carefully pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road before I turned to face Dean, the light from the doorway shining full in my face.

"Lynn! Are you...are you blushing?" Sam teased in disbelief.

"No! I mean...yes. It takes nothing for me to blush...all my friends use it against me and tease me about it."

Dean and Sam busted out laughing in unison, not little laughs, the roaring kind.

"Tha-that made you," Dean sputtered and coughed and hooted, "that there made you blush?!?" His incredulity was not amusing. To me, anyways.

"I can't help it Dean! Trust me, if I could stop it, I would!"

The laughter didn't even begin to subside but was still going full throttle.

"Fine, you know what?" I put my hands up in front of me, palms out like I was double-high-fiving someone, "I give up. Laugh, go ahead, lap it up. I've got to get home, goodnight guys." I turned around and flashed the peace sign with each hand as I walked away.

"No, no-no, Lynn, wait!" Dean started pulling himself together, but I kept walking. I didn't want to be a fun-killer, but I was embarrassed for my friend...for putting herself out there and being rejected, especially when she wasn't used to it, and now I was embarrassed for myself on top of it.

"Seriously...Lynn, just wait!" I felt a strong hand on my arm turning me around. I refused to look Dean in the eye, so I just stared at his plaid chest.

"What?" I asked flatly.

"Aw, c'mon Lynn! We're only having fun with you! It's just so cute!"

I winced at the word "cute".

"Whatever." I finally looked up at him and he was looking down at me, absolute mirth in his dancing green eyes and I felt myself getting spellbound. Then Sam caught up to us. 

"You're adorable Lynn, and a great person to have fun with, we hope we didn't offend you." There was Sam, as always, making sure everything was ok.

It wasn't ok...I had deep seated issues.

But I let it go.

I frowned deeply at them before saying in a little kid voice, "why do you have to be so mean to me to have fun?" 

The two of them chuckled before Dean settled his arm around behind me, pressing his hand into my lower back, making my tummy flip some butterflies around in spite of myself. "C'mon." Dean pushed me along gently. "We'll drive you home."

I decided not to argue this time. "Thanks guys, I really appreciate it." I said as we approached the Impala.

***

Not shockingly, the discussion in the car on the ride home had to do with the altercation with my darling, forward friend.

"Is your friend always like that?" Sam leaned forward and rested his elbows on the front seat (he'd insisted I ride shotgun again).

I nodded and shrugged. "yeah, kinda. I mean, it's only if she really thinks a guy is hot." I gave a sideways glance to the driver and added, "someone could be totally hot, but if somehow in her little mind she doesn't think so, she won't go for it." The driver visibly relaxed and spoke for the first time.

"So she doesn't go after the hot guys then?" Dean smirked and glanced into his rearview mirror at the back seat's occupant.

"NO! That's not what I meant-"

"Oh sweetheart, that's exactly what it sounded like..."

"No putting words in my mouth!" I stated emphatically. I knew I probably sounded like a spoiled toddler, and my suspicions were confirmed with the way Dean grinned at me. Somehow, even when I was angry, I didn't come across as such...I had "resting nice face" or something. Everyone thinks that no matter what I'm feeling...I'm so cute. 

"Whatever...jerk." I muttered under my breath.

"What did you call me?" Dean asked tonelessly.

Realizing that I might have crossed an invisible line with these guys that I actually hardly knew, I felt my blood run cold. Suddenly, I was crippled by the anxiety that these guys weren't FBI, that even with all that happened they were actually complete strangers, how stupid I was to get in the car with them, what would Gramma do without me? Would they ever find my body? Do they help white Canadian women get home in foreign countries if they escape their captors?!?

"Dude, you've freaking scared her. Nice." Sam chuckled in the backseat. "He's only joking Lynn...it's a little game we play back and forth. Nice name you chose for him by the way." Sam sat taller in the backseat and pretended to fluff his hair. "I think it's very fitting."

"Yeah, and I'd call you your nickname except," Dean jerked his head to the right, "there's a lady in the car."

I didn't say anything, just smiled outwardly while I battled inwardly. All my irrational anxieties were always mixed up with rational worries so that it made the tangled mess of my emotions that much harder to sort through. The fact Dean wasn't actually upset with me calmed me down and made me realize I'd done it. Again. Panicked over nothing, because there was the tiniest seed of truth to it. I looked at the window as we neared my neighbourhood, the streetlights casting gloomy shadows on the sidewalks and lawns. I sighed and leaned my head against the cold window pane, wondering if my sigh was going to stir a comment from Dean...I somewhat wanted the attention, if I was honest, but I was tired and emotionally drained...again.

When no comment was made I closed my eyes and enjoyed the hum of the car as it drove through the night and the comfortable silence that had fallen between it's occupants. I'd been trying to overcome my anxiety for a long time, and it was moments like these, where the anxiety stunned me into silence and fear and then left me emotionally drained and wanting to sob a river that made me think I would never know what it was like to just do something for the sake of doing it and enjoy it. I should have been fine teasing Dean, no matter if he got mad or not. If I'd crossed the line I should have apologized and moved on, because that's what normal people do. Not get frozen in fear at the slightest comment of disapproval.

I felt the car slow and turn down the familiar road and I opened my eyes and sat up.

"You guys are awesome, you know that?" I said as we slowed in front of my house. Dean turned up the driveway this time and parked.

"Now, I'm gonna get to walk you in this time." He smiled as he took off his seatbelt and opened his door. I looked back at Sam who just rolled his eyes. Giggling at his reaction, I got out of the car just as Dean rounded her front.

"Ma'am?" He held out his arm for me to take. My giggles increased, but I found my voice, "why, my stars, thank you! Such a gentleman!" I said with my most exaggerated southern belle accent and took his arm. He pulled his elbow against his body and covered my hand with his own as we walked the short walk up the rest of the driveway to the front porch.

We stopped just two feet from the front door. I wasn't sure why we stopped, but it felt like it was the right thing to do. Dean looked over his shoulder, so I followed suit. We couldn't see the Impala at all from this angle. That's when I realized...

"I forgot to say goodbye to Sam!" I started to pull my hand away from Dean's arm, but he hung on.

"Don't worry, we'll pop by again soon, I promise." I looked up and Dean was looking down on me with the most intense expression in his eyes. I just...I just knew he said that to all the girls he flirted with, and I was pretty sure most of them knew it was a lie. But for some reason...I believed him.

Call me stupid.

Call me a fool.

But this brave, strong man with the forest's sunshine in his eyes looked into my eyes and I decided then and there to believe him.

We'd been slowly leaning towards each other; Dean's grip on my hand so I wouldn't go say goodbye to Sam caused me to be off balance and lean towards him...initially. Now it was like there was a magnetic pull. I looked up into his eyes, confused. He looked down at me, then lower than my eyes, around my lips, before back at my eyes. I honestly didn't know where to look, so I decided to trust him. I looked fully into his eyes and let him see what was there, whatever it was. I didn't know, but I didn't feel like hiding it from him. He looked down at my lips again.

I think...I think he's going to kiss me! This hot, HOT man is going to kiss me?? No way...

Wait.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!!!!

Dean began to seriously lean in, so I did the only thing I could think to do.

I giggled to break the spell, then leaned up and pressed a short, sweet kiss to the stubble on his cheek, reaching up to cup the cheek I had kissed with my hand.

"Thanks again for everything Dean. I'll see you around for sure." I stroked his cheekbone with my thumb, letting the tiny bristles of his 5 o'clock shadow tickle it. I pulled away and he let me, although he showed no sign of leaving...he looked a little...forlorn, honestly. I grinned at him before turning back around and starting to unlock the door.

Strange...it's not locked. Gramma always locks it.

I pushed on the door and it swung open without me turning the handle. Dean must have sensed my apprehension, "What's wrong?" He said lowly behind me.

I said nothing but carefully stepped into the house. Something was wrong. Very wrong. There were no lights on, so I stepped further in and flicked the switch, bathing the entryway in light. Dean was right behind me, my silence cluing him in that something was definitely amiss. I heard him pull something out of his jacket behind me as I continued carefully looking around the house.

"Gramma?" I called out tentatively, not loudly, just in case she was sleeping.

Something fell and broke in the direction of the living room.

Dean grabbed my shoulder and pulled me close, "stay behind me, but stay with me." I nodded faintly as he moved to be in front of me, now noticing what he'd pulled out was a gun.

Does he carry that with him everywhere?

The random thought bounced in my head annoyingly, even as my scalp prickled with fear and trepidation. We edged closer and closer to the living room, uncharacteristically dark and silent as the television wasn't on. Gramma had it on 24/7 even if it was on mute, just to keep her company while she was alone all day.

Dean stopped abruptly at the doorway. He motioned for me to wait there, but I shook my head no. I needed to make sure my grandmother was alright. He rolled his eyes, then tensed, focused. Faster than I realized he could move, he spun around the corner, his gun held out in front of him with both hands, finger on the trigger. He froze, so I also spun around the corner to see what he saw.

There was so much blood.