The door to the diner swung open as Andi made her way inside. It was crowded as usual but luckily her favorite seat at the counter was still available. Hurrying, she went over and plopped exhaustedly into the tall chair. Her friend/roommate, Sarah, held up one finger before continuing to scribble a couple's order on a small notepad. Andi nodded her understanding and ran her fingers through her long brown hair, closing her eyes as she sighed. She heard someone rapping their knuckles against the counter.
"Long day?" Sarah asked as she smiled sympathetically at her friend, her spikey bleach-blonde hair looked sharp enough to poke someone's eye out. Standing a full 5', Sarah was hardly tall enough to see over the counter herself but what she lacked in size she made up for in bubbly personality. Since moving here a little over a year ago, Andi couldn't remember a single irritable customer coming into the diner who didn't leave with a smile on their face because of Sarah. It was she who had first befriended Andi, letting a complete stranger move in with her, and then helping her find a job homeschooling the Millers' three rambunctious children.
Snorting, Andi gave Sarah a half-smile and replied, "Long day doesn't begin to describe it. I'm trying to help Joe with his algebra when all of a sudden I hear this god-awful screech coming from the upstairs bathroom. I run upstairs only to find Krissy trying to bathe the damn cat. After getting the crap scratched out of my arms and nearly losing a finger, I go back to the living room where Joe is now sitting on top of his younger brother, playing the stop hitting yourself game. And the fun didn't stop there." Andi rested her head on the cool countertop, her hair draping around her shoulders.
Sarah giggled. "Well, it's Friday. You've got all weekend to recuperate. Sit at home and relax. Or drink it off. Ya know, whatever. You want dinner?"
"No, just the usual," Andi mumbled through the waterfall of hair. Sitting up, she watched as Sarah bounced her way into the kitchen. She shook her head and smiled. She could already feel her weariness melting away at the prospect of two days without the little rug rats.
Within a few minutes, Sarah brought out a whopping piece of hot cherry pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Raising an eyebrow, Andi looked up and said, "What? No apple?"
"Nope. Tall, dark, and handsome took the last piece. Now, if you don't mind, I have a job to do," she winked as she walked away.
"Damn it," Andi muttered but quickly picked up her fork, about to dive in anyway. Just before her fork touched the pie, the guy beside her loudly cleared his throat. Glancing over, she noticed for the first time the tall man who was sitting there, leaning forward with his arms resting on the counter. He was cute. Ok, cute was an understatement. He was beautiful. Her heart hammered in her chest as she took in those hazel green eyes and long eye lashes. Five o'clock shadow covered his strong jaw and light freckles dotted his nose. Noticing his leather jacket, black t-shirt, jeans, and boots, Andi thought he seemed like your typical tough guy but there was something in his eyes. Confidence was unquestionably there but also something else. Wariness perhaps? She wasn't sure what it was but she believed that eyes were the windows to the soul and there was more to this guy than just a pretty face. She got the uncontrollable urge to find out who he really was.
Her gaze traveled to the counter where she found a piece of untouched apple pie. She looked back up at the guy to find him smiling smugly at her. "Tall, dark, and handsome I presume?" she smiled sweetly as she turned to face him. "I don't suppose you'd be interested in a trade would you?"
Smile broadening, he answered, "Well, I don't know. You see, apple pie is kinda my favorite. I couldn't just trade her out without making sure there was a better offer. And I'm not too sure cherry pie is a trade up."
Andi bit her lower lip playfully. Turning back around suddenly, she announced, "You're right. Better to stick with the apple. Of course, the cherry is hot and fresh and topped with the best homemade ice cream in Lebanon." She paused to make sure Sarah and the other waitresses were occupied elsewhere before continuing. "And, oops, looks like the waitress is just too busy to come back and give you a scoop. By the time she makes it back over here, your pie will be gone or just too cold to enjoy it fully. Guess I should thank you for making the right decision." Smiling, she picked up her fork again and glanced at the handsome devil out of the corner of her eye.
"Now let's not be too hasty," he said holding up a hand to stop her. When she turned back to him, he continued, "I'd hate to make a rotten day worse by not letting you have your favorite pie."
Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Andi replied, "What's your name, Sparky?"
He looked at her steadily for a moment before answering, "Dean."
"Dean," Andi leaned in close and whispered, "thank you." Quick as lightning, she switched the pies, grabbed her fork, and took a huge bite.
Dean chuckled as he tasted his own pie. "No, thank you," he said around a mouthful of pie and ice cream, savoring the flavor. "Definitely the best ice cream in town." Just then, the man next to Dean nudged him and whispered something to him. "Damn it," Dean cursed as he shoveled the rest of the pie into his mouth and threw some cash on the counter. They both stood and started toward the door, her eyes following them curiously. Just before he left, Dean turned around and called back to her, "Hey, I didn't catch your name."
"Andi," she answered, surprisingly pleased that he was interested.
Dean gave her one last grin as he said, "See ya around, Andi."
As the door shut behind him, Andi turned back to her pie, smiling as she took another bite.
As he started up the Impala, Dean glanced longingly back at the diner. He'd noticed Andi as soon as she sat down beside him. Long tan legs covered by jean shorts about half-way up her thighs were the first thing to catch his attention. Thick, loose brown curls trailed down her back and, if he wasn't mistaken, a hint of a tattoo peeked out around the edges of her olive green tank top. Angel wings maybe? She was definitely hard to miss especially with those large, mesmerizing amber eyes and full lips. Usually, most women leered at him as if he were nothing more than a piece of meat. Another notch on their sticks of sexual conquests. But Andi hadn't. When she looked at him, she had really looked at him, like she was trying to read all of his secrets. It was both strange and frightening.
"Earth to Dean," Sam said as he waved his hand in front of Dean's nose.
Snapping out of his wonderings, Dean took a deep breath and retorted, "Yeah, yeah. I'm going." Turning his attention back to the task at hand, he put Baby in reverse and proceeded to pull out of the parking lot.
"Pretty girl got you all frazzled?" Sam teased, grinning impishly at his brother.
Dean rolled his eyes and smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about. She wanted to trade pies so we traded pies."
Sam looked at him incredulously and responded, "Dude, you were flirting about pie. And she initiated it! You mean to tell me that there's actually a beautiful woman out there that loves pie and Dean Winchester is not gonna go after her?"
Irritated, Dean replied roughly, "Oh shut up, Sammy. It's not gonna go anywhere because it never can go anywhere. Look what happened with Lisa and Ben? The life we have is just too jacked up for stuff like that. If Andi found out what I really do, she'd just think I was a monster." Dean rubbed his forearm, where the Mark of Cain was concealed beneath his shirt sleeve.
Silence filled the car. Both boys, serious now, looked straight ahead at the red light in front of them. Finally, after a moment, Sam looked over at Dean and said, "Dean, we do deserve to have a little happiness. Yeah, we've done some messed up stuff but we've also saved a ton of people."
The light turned green and Dean proceeded to pull forward. Sighing, he ignored Sam's last comment and instead asked, "So where are we goin?"
Shaking his head at Dean's stubbornness, Sam pulled out the newspaper he'd been reading in the diner. "Just a couple of towns over actually. A man was put in the hospital after being hit by his own car. Said he saw his dead wife just before the car started on its own and ran him over, breaking both of his legs."
"Alright," Dean nodded and continued, "So what? Probably looking at a vengeful spirit? A little salt. A little fire. We'll be back in time for breakfast."
…
A few hours later, the boys opened the door to Peter Johansson's room, careful not to alert the nurses that they were there after visiting hours. Peter lay in his uncomfortable hospital bed, both legs bound in casts. His eyes, surrounded by dark circles from lack of sleep, were wide open and constantly shifted around the room.
"Mr. Johansson, my name is Agent Livgren. This is Agent Garcia. We need to ask you a few questions about your wife's death," Dean lied smoothly as the door clicked shut. He and Sam flashed their badges in his direction.
"It was a car accident. Brakes went out. That's what the report says. Why is the FBI interested anyway?" he replied, his eyes still darting back and forth and never looking at the brothers.
Sam stepped forward and insisted, "We're not your typical agents. You also said that you saw a ghost just before getting hit by your car? Why don't you tell us about that?"
Just then, the lights began to flicker. The color drained from Peter's face as he lifted a shaky hand and pointed to the far corner of the room. Standing there was the deceased Mrs. Johansson. She glared at her husband as she threw herself toward him snarling.
Dean quickly pulled out his gun and blasted rock salt right into the spirit's head, causing her to temporarily disappear. Looking over at the cowering man in the bed, he demanded, "Listen, dude, if you want our help, you better tell us what the hell happened. And try the truth this time."
Hands covering his face, Peter took a few minutes before finally replying in a hushed voice, "I caught her cheating on me. She swore it was only a one-time thing. That she was just lonely because of how much I'd been working and that she was sorry, but I was so…jealous and angry that I couldn't stand it. I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to make her pay. So…I cut the brake line in her car." Tears started to roll down his face as he explained. "Please help me. I don't want to die."
Dean snorted and shook his head while Sam crossed his muscular arms and inquired, "Where is she buried?"
"In the cemetery just a few blocks down. Can you help me?" Peter asked, his voice sounding hopeful.
Ignoring the question, Sam looked at Dean, "I'll take care of the body. You stay here in case the ghost comes back."
"I don't want to babysit this bastard. Personally, I think we should put his ass in a salt circle, go take care of the body, and not even worry about him," Dean sneered as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I can hear you," Peter started to say, insulted, but immediately shut up at the glaring look Dean gave him. Sam patted Dean on the shoulder encouragingly and left the room.
Huffing, Dean made himself as comfortable as he could in the chair next to Peter's bed, his gun resting on his knees. Though not asleep, Peter had wisely decided to keep his mouth shut and his eyes on the lookout for his dead wife. It was going to be a long wait.
Dean couldn't help but wonder why people with normal lives insisted on screwing them up. Cheating, murder, and a crap ton of other ways that ordinary people decided were worth rearranging their lives for. He would give anything to have an average life with everyday problems. Unbidden, an image of Andi crept into his mind, smiling and flirtatious. What would have happened if they weren't interrupted by the job? If Dean was allowed to talk to her, get to know her, go on a few dates? Would it have worked out or would it have fallen apart?
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dean realized how tired he was. He was tired of wondering about the what ifs, of constantly shoving aside the things he wanted. Sam had said they deserved a little happiness every now and then. Maybe he was right. Maybe, just for a little while, he could pretend to be normal guy with a normal life and be happy for the first time since he had to leave Ben and Lisa, even if it was short lived. He didn't have to tell Andi what was really out there or what he and Sam did for a living. If it ever got to the point, he could always avoid bringing her back to the bunker and if it didn't work out then she would just consider him another mistake she'd made in her life. No one had to get hurt.
Coming out of his reverie, Dean glanced at his watch and realized it was already midnight. Sam should be almost finished by now, hopefully. Suddenly, the lights above him flickered again. Dean cocked his gun and stood, scanning the room for any sign of Mrs. Johansson. He could hear Peter breathing heavily with terror from the bed.
Abruptly, the angry spirit appeared right in front of Dean, her dark eyes glaring at him maliciously. He held up his gun to blast her but she was quick, grabbing the barrel and flinging him into the wall on the far side of the room. The gun flew away from Dean and went off as he crashed into the wall, sliding to the floor.
Immobilized, Peter screamed from his bed, his eyes wide with fear and panic. "No! Please, April! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
April Johansson was unaffected by her husband's pleas as she stood over him. Striking swiftly, she dug her pointed fingernails into Peter's chest. He shrieked with pain as Dean hurriedly cast about the room for his gun. Just as April lifted her hand to attack Peter again, her body went rigid and then burst into quick flames before vanishing.
Gasping, Peter clutched his bleeding chest and wondered, "What happened? Where…where did she go?"
Locating his gun, Dean grabbed it as he replied, "Sam salted and burned her body. Her spirit is at rest so we won't be seeing her again. Although, when the police come to question you, and they will be here to question you about that cut brake line, I suggest you tell them the truth or you will be seeing me again. And next time, I won't be so friendly."
Sitting quietly in her booth at the back of the diner, Andi blew on her hot coffee before taking a sip. Rain pelted the window beside of her; people hurried to get indoors. Hoping to get a glimpse of Dean again, she'd come to the diner for the past two days and had even taken to sitting by the window but she hadn't had any luck. Sarah had told her that she'd first saw Dean and his brother around town about a year ago, just before Andi had arrived, but had never actually met them. She knew they lived outside of town but she wasn't sure where.
Sighing, Andi decided she was certifiably nuts. There was no way a guy like that would be interested in her and she shouldn't be interested in him. Not with her past haunting her. Not after what happened to her family. Honestly, she should be moving on. She'd been here long enough. Too long, really. But meeting him Friday night was all she could seem to think about and the prospect of seeing him again was just too tempting. If she could just stay for a little bit longer…
"Excuse me," a deep voice suddenly beside her said, startling her. She'd been so deep in thought that she hadn't even heard anyone approach. Andi peered up into Dean's stunning hazel green eyes, reminders of her past forgotten at once. A grin spread across his face as he continued, "There seems to be nowhere to sit. Mind if I sit with you?"
Andi looked around the basically empty diner. Every seat was open except a couple chairs at the counter and a booth here and there. Turning her eyes back to Dean, she smiled alluringly in reply. "Well, if you have to."
Within five seconds of Dean sliding into the seat opposite her, Sarah bopped over with another cup of steaming coffee and a huge piece of apple pie. Winking at Andi, she discreetly set two forks near the plate and flounced back to the bar where she pretended to busy herself with cleaning the already spotless countertop. Andi couldn't help but chuckle as she took another sip of coffee, hoping it would hide the blush that was creeping up her cheeks. It didn't.
"Is your friend suggesting something?" Dean teased as he picked up one fork and handed her the other.
Accepting the utensil, Andi shrugged and feigned ignorance, "I don't know what you're talking about. This is perfectly normal Sarah behavior. She always hands out two forks, you know, just in case you drop one or have to share a pie with a stranger. It's ingenious actually."
"My mistake," Dean laughed as he took in a mouthful of pie. After swallowing, he tilted his head and mused, "So Andi is short for…Andrea?"
Stabbing a piece of her own, Andi nodded, "Yep. Andrea Summers but Dad always called me Andi so it just kinda of stuck."
"Do your parents live in Lebanon?" Dean inquired, picking up his coffee.
Andi looked down quickly at the plate between them. Oddly, she got the urge to tell him the truth. She wasn't sure if it was just the need to finally tell someone or if the way he was looking at her had something to do with it, like this normal conversation was a breath of fresh air to him. Squelching the abrupt impulse, she finally looked up and replied evenly, "No. They died in Boston a few years ago. They were the only family I had so I just packed up and left. I didn't see a reason to stick around."
Nodding his understanding, Dean sighed, "I'm sorry. I know how that is. My mom died in a house fire when I was little and we moved around a lot. Then I lost my dad a while back. My younger brother Sam is all I have left."
Tactfully, Andi decided it was best to veer away from such a sensitive topic. "Was he here with you the other night?"
"Yeah, that's him. The jolly green giant," Dean joked, a small smile returning to his handsome face. "So other than trick people out of their pie and failing at being a child whisperer, what else do you do?"
Laughing, Andi retorted, "Wait a minute. I did not trick you out of your pie. And I highly doubt that you could last one day with the nightmare triplets."
"Oh I think it would surprise you what nightmares I can handle," Dean grinned mischievously. Andi didn't have time to wonder what he meant by that because Sarah chose that moment to return to their table.
"Sorry, guys, but the manager said it's closing time and if you don't get out now, he's gonna lock you inside," Sarah said as she grabbed the leftover pie and two coffee cups. She grinned widely as she turned and walked back to the kitchen.
Grimacing, Andi grabbed her purse and said, "Crap. I forgot they close early on Sundays. Sorry, Joe!"
They heard a mumbled answer from the kitchen but couldn't quite make it out. Sarah came back out, car keys and umbrella in hand, and waited for them by the door. They left some money with one of the other waitresses and walked out.
As they headed to their respective cars, Andi stopped and looked up at Dean, "Well, thanks for…whatever that was. I guess I'll see you around."
"How 'bout tomorrow?" Dean suggested eagerly as he leaned against the passenger door of a beautiful Impala. "Meet me here around 6?"
Andi pursed her lips and tried not to look like someone who hadn't had a date in five years. Grinning, she answered, "Ok. 6 it is. See ya tomorrow." Turning, she opened the door to Sarah's car. She gave Dean one last smile as she climbed inside. Surprisingly, Sarah managed to contain her enthusiasm for her friend until they pulled out of the parking lot where she then proceeded to scream shrilly with excitement.
Andi quickly covered her ears, a huge grin spreading across her face. Looking back in the side mirror, she watched as Dean raised both his fists in triumph before getting in his own car. She couldn't help but laugh as they continued the drive home.