"I'm telling you, I don't think this thing is here," Dean said, walking along the sidewalk next to Sam.
"All signs point to it," Sam said.
Stopping outside the entrance of a variety store, Dean said, "There are no signs."
A woman proceeded to enter the store, except Dean was standing in the way. "Excuse me," she said.
Dean stepped aside so she could enter the store. Intrigued, he watched her as she walked through the aisle.
"What about puddles forming the middle of parking lots," Sam said.
"Rainfall," Dean said, turning his attention back to his brother.
Sam gave Dean an exasperated look. "In the bright sunshine?"
"It could be a leak," Dean said.
"On pavement?" Sam persisted.
"Sam, it was a parking lot," Dean said, "Cars can make leaks on the pavement."
"You know this wasn't just a normal patch of water," Sam said.
"I don't know that," Dean said.
"The timeline is right for this to happen," Sam said.
"That doesn't mean it's happening here," Dean said.
"You don't even want to look into it?" Sam said.
Grabbing the handlebar on the door, Dean said, "Fine, we'll check it out. Then maybe you will realize this is all weather related."
As Dean pulled the door open, he ran directly into the same woman who had entered the store minutes earlier. The impact of their collision caused her to drop her bag of items and knocked the purse off her shoulder. "Sorry," Dean said. The woman looked up and the beauty in her eyes made Dean's heart skip a beat.
"It's okay," she said, "I should look where I'm going." Her voice had an immediate soothing effect on Dean.
"My fault," Dean said, bending down to retrieve her fallen items. As he handed them back to her, their hands brushed against each other and their eyes met again.
Watching them, Sam looked from Dean to the woman and back to Dean again. He smiled to himself, he had seen the spark.
"Are you alright?" Dean said.
"Yes," she smiled, affected the same by Dean's voice, "I'm fine."
"Okay, good" Dean smiled.
They both paused, before she said, "Well, I…I should be going."
"Okay," Dean smiled.
Neither of them moved, so she gestured her need to get past him. Dean gave half a laugh and stepped aside. She smiled again as she walked past him. Dean watched her walk across the road. Once on the other side she looked back and noticed he was still watching her. She smiled and waived. Dean raised his arm and waived back, unable to lower it until she entered a building across the road.
"Who's your friend?" Sam said, walking up to him.
"Hmm?" Dean said, staring at the direction she had gone to.
"Dean?" Sam said.
"What?" Dean said, coming out of his trance.
"Who was that?" Sam said.
"Oh, I…I don't know," Dean said, "She um…she was…" He was at a loss for words.
"Attractive?" Sam said, trying to finish his brother's sentence for him.
"Yes," Dean said, "Very much so." He flashed a smile at Sam, before he entered the store.
The following day, as Sam, Dean and Castiel, poured over research, Dean was having trouble concentrating. He suddenly snapped a book shut, startling Sam. "This is pointless," he said, "We're never going to find anything in here."
"You just don't want to do the research," Sam said.
"Why are we even bothering to look into this?" Dean said.
"What about the evidence?" Sam said.
"You found a puddle of water," Dean said, "No reason to be wary about it."
"Some guy drowned in this puddle," Sam said.
"When you drink too much that sort of thing can happen," Dean said.
"Yes, and while he was face down in a little patch of water his whole body got drenched," Sam said, "How do you explain that?"
"Dean, the water spirit is a very real threat," Castiel said.
"I don't doubt that this thing exists," Dean said, "I just don't think it's here." Standing up, he said, "I'll be back in a little while."
"Where are you going?" Sam said.
"Out," Dean said.
"Out where?" Castiel said.
"I'm just going out to get a change of scenery," Dean said.
"You're going to go and see if you can find that girl again, aren't you?" Sam said.
"What girl?" Castiel said.
"Dean met a girl yesterday," Sam started, "And he's smitten."
"I'm going for a drive," Dean said, "You know."
"Yeah," Sam said, "We know."
Dean waived his arm at them. As he ascended the stairs he called back, "Don't wait up."
Dean returned to the same stretch of road, as the day before. Scanning the area, he was disappointed there was no sign of the girl. Sighing he walked across the road and entered the café. He sat down at a table and scanned the menu, displayed on the wall above the front counter. Not able to see anything appealing, Dean considered leaving when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hello, my name is Emily, what can I get you?"
Dean looked up into the same beautiful eyes. "Hi," he said.
"Oh, hi," Emily said, remembering Dean.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," Dean said.
"No harm done," Emily said.
Gesturing to her name tag, Dean said, "So, your Emily."
She liked hearing him say her name. "Yes, that's me," she replied.
"I'm Dean," Dean said, holding out his hand.
Emily wasted no time accepting the offer. They shook hands, the butterflies of nervous excitement building up in both of them.
"Would you like to sit down?" Dean said.
"I would…but I'm working," Emily said.
"Of course you are," Dean said.
There was an awkward silence between them, until Emily said, "Well, Dean, can I get you anything?"
Dean smiled when she spoke his name. "I'll have a coffee."
"Just a coffee?" Emily said.
"Yes," Dean said.
"You know we have some really good pie over there," Emily said.
"Now, how did you know I like pie?" Dean said.
"Doesn't everyone?" Emily said.
Dean smiled and said, "Alright, I'll have a piece of pie too."
"Coming right up," Emily said. She returned seconds later, so nervous she spilled some of Dean's coffee on the table.
"Sorry," she said, as she wiped up the spill.
"No worries," Dean said.
"Can I get you anything else?" Emily said.
"This is perfect," Dean said, gesturing to his coffee and pie.
Emily lingered by the table as Dean took a bite of his pie. "Oh," he said, "This is incredible."
"Good," Emily said, "Well, I'm here if you need me."
Dean nodded. As he enjoyed his food, Dean tried not to stare at Emily, but both constantly caught the one watching the other.
Awhile later, Emily approached him and said, "How was it?"
"It was beyond awesome," Dean said, gesturing to his empty plate.
Placing his receipt on the table, she said, "I'm glad you liked it. Feel free to come back anytime."
"I'm sure I will," Dean said. He watched her walk away. Picking up the receipt, Dean smiled as he noticed she'd written her name and phone number on it. Grabbing his phone he dialed. At the front counter, Emily's cell phone rang. She reached into her uniform pocket for it and said, "Hello?"
"Hi, Emily, it's Dean," he said. She looked across the room at him, as he continued, "Would you like to go out with me sometime?"
Emily smiled at him.
It was late that evening, when Dean returned to the bunker. Sam looked up from his computer, when he saw Dean. "That must have been some drive," Sam said.
"The best," Dean smiled.
"You found her, didn't you?" Sam said.
"Sam, what I found was the realm of happiness," Dean said, "And it is spelled p-i-e." He sat on the couch and put his feet up.
"You've spent the last several hours eating pie?" Sam said.
"That was just for starters," Dean said, "We went for dinner, we walked, we talked and yes, there was kissing."
"Okay, I don't need to hear the details beyond that point," Sam said, "Did you happen to get her name?"
"Emily," Dean said.
"What about the phone number, did you get that too?" Sam said.
"Right here," Dean said, patting the side of his jeans pocket.
"Progress," Sam said, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, but while you were out falling in love, Cas and I made some headway on the case. There's more proof that this water spirit is here and it's gaining momentum."
"She has the cutest laugh," Dean said, "It really is intoxicating."
Frustrated, Sam said, "We also found the water is coming from the moon and the water spirit is hiding out there."
"Great," Dean said.
"Dean!" Sam said.
"I'm right here, no need to get excited," Dean said.
"You haven't heard a word I've said," Sam said.
Swinging his legs over the side of the couch to sit upright, Dean said, "I'm sorry, I can't think about work right now. I just can't get her off my mind."
"You really like her," Sam mused.
"She's amazing," Dean said, "And the best part is she feels the same way about me."
"You mean you're going to see her again?" Sam said.
"Absolutely," Dean said, "I never thought I would find someone like her. I mean, this isn't me. Sammy, have you ever known me to fall so hard so fast?"
"No," Sam said, "But you have, I can tell."
"It's like from the first moment I saw her, she became a part of me," Dean said.
"Dean, you've known her for about 36 hours," Sam said, "You're talking about her, like she's your soulmate."
"I think she is," Dean said, "This is real, I can't find any fault to it. This is the real thing."
Dean had always been cautious about letting a woman into his life, because of the kind of life he lead. There was something about Emily though, she had such a lasting effect on him, he thought about her all the time and just wanted to be with her all the time.
A light breeze was blowing as Emily and Dean walked hand in hand, along the pathway in the local park. After having lunch they decided to enjoy the fair weather of the afternoon.
"It really is beautiful out here," Emily said, "Being outside and sharing it with you."
"Is it just me or does this feel like the best day ever?" Dean said.
"It's just you," Emily teased.
Dean nodded. Emily stopped walking and taking both of his hands, she said, "Everyday with you is the best day ever."
Dean smiled as Emily leaned in to kiss him. Afterwards Emily said, "We're making a public spectacle of ourselves. Someone over there is watching us."
"Let them watch," Dean said.
"No, it's almost creepy," Emily said, "He's smiling at us."
Dean turned to look and saw an elderly man, several feet away, sitting at a picnic table,
grinning at them.
Dean raised his hand and waived, "Hi there," he said.
"Dean…" Emily said.
The man continued to stare, so Dean said, "What's the matter you've never seen two people in love before?"
"Dean, leave him alone," Emily said. Taking his hand, she said, "Let's go over here, where he can't see us." They walked over to a park bench and sat down, trees obscuring the man at the picnic table.
"I'm glad you don't have to work today," Dean said.
"That makes two of us," Emily said, "You neither?"
"Not today," Dean said.
"You know Dean," Emily said, "I still don't really know what you do for a living. I mean I spend all this time with you, but don't know what your job is. All you've said is that you help people. I'm fairly sure you're not a doctor, so what is it?"
"I guess you could say I'm self employed," Dean said.
"Doing what?" Emily persisted.
Dean was quiet, so Emily said, "If we're going to be in this relationship we need to be honest with each other."
"You're right," Dean said, "But this…it's complicated."
"Are you a spy?" Emily said.
"What?" Dean said, "No."
"A mobster?" Emily said.
"No," Dean said.
"Then what is it?" Emily said.
"I'm a hunter," Dean blurted it out.
"A hunter," Emily repeated, "You mean you hunt animals, like deer?"
"No," Dean said, "I'm not that kind of a hunter." He paused before he said, "My brother and I hunt evil spirits."
"Okay, if you're not going to be honest with me…" Emily started.
"No, this is the sincere truth," Dean said, "I know how it sounds, but we hunt ghosts, demons, you name it. There is dangerous crap out there, more than you could imagine. Sam and I hunt them, destroy them and save people who are in their path of danger."
"If you're trying to be funny…" Emily started.
"No joke," Dean said.
"That's your serious face," Emily said, "This is for real?"
"I would never lie to you," Dean said.
"Why don't you get another job?" Emily said, "If it's so dangerous, why do you do it?"
"Because, one of those evil things, killed my parents and someone my brother loved very much," Dean said, "Monsters are real. They are relentless and fierce and most people don't even know they're out there. At least not until they come for them."
"You're starting to scare me," Emily said.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to do that," Dean said, "But this is what I do and it is definitely scary."
"Okay, I need a minute here," Emily said.
"You see why I didn't want to tell you," Dean said, "I thought if I told you, you wouldn't want to be with me anymore."
Emily looked at Dean at a loss for words.
"I'm sure you never want to see me again and I don't blame you," he sighed.
"Dean, I'm not going anywhere," Emily said.
Dean looked up at her. "You're not?"
Emily shook her head. "Nope," she said.
"Why not?" Dean said, "I mean I just told you monsters are real."
"That's right," Emily said, "You trusted me enough to tell me the truth."
"You're okay with it?" Dean said.
"I'm not okay with it," Emily said, "It makes me worry that you'll be in danger so often, but this is you. I can accept that."
Dean started at her for a few seconds, before he said, "Wow, I do love you." He kissed her.
"You did what?" Sam looked incredulously at his brother, "You told her?"
"Our relationship is based on trust," Dean said, "So yes, I told her."
"What happened to not telling anyone and not letting yourself get too involved with anyone," Sam said.
"I didn't really have much control over falling in love," Dean said, "But I explained that this is what you and I do."
"So you brought my name into to it," Sam said. He sighed, "How did she react?"
Dean paused before he said, "She's okay with it."
"How can she possibly be okay with it?" Sam said.
"Because she loves me," Dean said, "She's on the same side with us."
"Is she?" Sam said, "Is she really Dean?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Dean said.
"Nothing," Sam said.
"If you have something on your mind, then just say it," Dean said.
"Okay," Sam started, "It seems to me that you are spending more time with Emily than you do on the job anymore."
"I'm building a relationship with someone," Dean said, "That takes time."
"That's just it," Sam said, "You can't have a close relationship and do what we do. I don't think you want to be a hunter any longer, you just want to have a future with Emily."
"You know, Sam you almost sound jealous," Dean said.
"I'm happy for you," Sam said, "I'm happy you found someone. This is not jealously, I'm trying to make you see reality. Aren't you the one who said not to get too close to someone?"
"Maybe I was wrong," Dean said, "I didn't know what it felt like before. Besides, I can do both. I can do the job and take care of Emily at the same time. I can protect her, so she'll be safe."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Sam said.
"You know what I think the problem is," Dean said, "You haven't met her."
"No, I haven't," Sam said.
"Let's change that," Dean said, "We'll get Cas in on this and we'll get together. I really want you guys to meet her."
"Yeah, okay, that sounds like a good idea," Sam said.
"Great," Dean said, slapping Sam on the shoulder, "Well, we have a water spirit to catch so, I'm going to get some shut eye, so we can get to it first thing tomorrow."
"Sounds good," Sam said. Dean retreated towards the bedroom, but Sam called him back. "Dean?"
"Yeah?" Dean said.
"What's Emily's last name anyway?" Sam said.
"Banks," Dean said, "Emily Banks. Don't you think Winchester is a better last name for her?"
"You're not thinking of…." Sam started.
"Got'cha," Dean said, smirking at his brother.
"Highly amusing," Sam sighed. Dean chuckled as he left the room.
"Dean, I'm not only nervous about this," Emily said, "I'm a little scared."
"You don't have to be," Dean said, "I deal with this every day."
With Dean carrying a large takeout bag, they descended the stairs of the bunker, as Emily said, "But it's your family and your friends, what if they don't like me?"
"Not possible," Dean said, "It's one brother and one friend. They're good guys, no reason for them not to like you." Spying Sam and Castiel approaching them, Dean gestured to them and said, "That would be them."
Making introductions Dean said, "Guys this is Emily." Continuing Dean said, "This is my brother Sam…"
"Hi," Sam said. He smiled as he shook her hand.
"…and this is my good friend Cas," Dean said.
"Hi," Emily said, with a smile, holding out her hand.
Castiel accepted the handshake as he said, "Hello."
"It's nice to meet you both," Emily said.
"You too," Sam said.
"Dean was right," Castiel said, "You are very beautiful."
"Cas…" Dean said, as Sam actually saw his brother blush, "Didn't we talk about saying things out loud?"
"No, it's okay, I'll take the compliment," Emily smiled, "Thank you."
"I got us some take out food," Sam said.
"Great minds," Dean said, holding up his take out bag.
"Does anyone want a drink?" Sam said, "A beer?" Turning to Emily, Sam said, "Do you drink beer?"
"I do," Emily said, "I would like one."
"Coming up," Sam said
Dean followed his brother to the kitchen, where he said, "So…?"
"She seems nice," Sam said.
"Nice?" Dean said, "That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?" Sam said, "I've known her for five minutes."
"She's more than nice," Dean said, "She's amazing."
"I'm sure she is," Sam said.
Dean paused before he said, "You could at least sound like you mean it."
"Did you test her?" Sam said.
"Did I what?" Dean said.
"Did you?" Sam persisted. Dean was quiet. "You didn't," Sam accused.
"She's not a demon," Dean said defensively.
"Are you sure about that?" Sam said.
"Sam, if you have something to say, then say it," Dean said.
"Dean, the girl of your dreams, drops into your life, out of nowhere, and you don't think to make sure she's real?" Sam said.
"After what she and I have shared," Dean said, "She has to be real."
"Well, then we will make sure," Sam said, pulling out a vile of holy water.
"What are you doing?" Dean said.
"I'll put a few drops into her beer," Sam said, "If she's as real as you say she is, it won't hurt her."
"I hate even doing this," Dean said.
"Just being cautious," Sam said.
"I just realized something else," Dean said, "We left her alone with Cas." He darted to the other room.
"So Cas," Emily said, "How long have you known Dean?"
"A long time," Castiel said, nerves about being alone with a woman creeping in.
"How did you two meet?" Emily said.
"Uh….I was sent to guide him," Castiel said.
Dean jogged back into the room. "What did I miss?" he said.
"I was just asking your friend, how you two met," Emily said, "He told me he was sent to guide you. What does that mean?"
"Oh, well Cas helped me out after a tough situation," Dean said, "He believes God sent him to be there."
"He did send me," Castiel insisted.
Before Dean could interject, Emily soothed, "I'm sure he did."
Dean handed Emily her beer, as Sam returned with one for himself and Castiel.
Sam and Dean watched anxiously as Emily took a drink. They could both see she didn't have any effects from the holy water. Dean gave Sam an 'I told you so' look.
The four of them spent a few hours together talking and sharing some laughs. Dean was happy to see Sam and Cas got along well with Emily.
As the evening wound down, Sam retreated to his room. As Emily excused herself to freshen up, Castiel was lingering so Dean said, "I'm sure you have things to do, don't let us keep you."
"I can stay longer…." Castiel started, then realizing he said, "You two want to be alone."
Dean nodded. Castiel disappeared, just as Emily returned.
"Your friend left?" she said.
"Cas, yeah he got the hint," Dean said.
"He's interesting," Emily said.
"He takes some getting used to," Dean said, "But he's like family."
"I can tell you two get along really well," Emily said, "I enjoyed meeting Sam too."
"Yeah, he's okay," Dean said.
"You told me you two were close," Emily said.
"That may be," Dean said, "But I don't want to talk about my brother."
"What do you want to talk about?" Emily said.
"This," Dean said, drawing her into a kiss