A/N 2: Hey guys! Who's excited for the premiere of season 13 tonight?! I'll be watching in spirit since I'm not yet caught up! But to celebrate, here's chapter 2! This story is likely going to continue to have monthly updates to cope with my other obligations, just a heads up~ Enjoy!

"Maybe," she finally responded. "How much do you want it, stranger?"

The man before her just chuckled, casting a quick glance to the man on his other side before flashing a grin. "Dean. Please. And would it appear any quicker if I said I wanted it really bad?"

Melody hummed in thought. "Okay, Dean. Express service is going to cost you. But you're lucky my break is over," she said, sliding off the stool with a wink. The least she could do was oblige the handsome man, experience telling her to expect a decent enough tip from the likes of him. Taking her pie slice with her to save for later, Melody slipped around the corner and retreated into the kitchen where Greta leaned with a smirk.

"Go get 'em, tiger," Greta taunted as Melody served up a slice of the staff pie for Dean. Melody pointed the knife at her warningly, although she was smiling as she did so. With a bump from her hip, she reemerged into the diner's bar, now facing Dean and his companion from across the counter.

"You boys sticking around?" Melody said with a friendly smile as she served the pie to a very happy Dean. She awaited their answer, allowing herself the pleasure of polite conversation since the restaurant wasn't bustling with the lunch rush just yet. Or so she told herself.

"As a matter of fact, yes. We'll be in town a few days," Dean mumbled around a substantial mouthful of pie. The man sure liked his pie.

"Well, then. How about some proper introductions. I'm Melody. But everyone calls me Mel." Melody gave them an amiable grin as she extended her hand to each of the men in turn.

"Sam Winchester. Pleasure to meet you, Mel," said Dean's companion politely. Melody nodded and smiled. She glanced between the two thoughtfully.

"Brothers," she guessed, an eyebrow quirked upward in inquiry. Nobody bickered the way they had earlier unless they were related or happily married for more than a few decades.

Dean huffed a short laugh. "You're good," he praised her.

"I have my specialties," Melody responded with another short wink. She tried hard not to ask him to slow down as he shoveled down the pie like it was his last meal. "So Dean, Sam. What brings you to this fine town? Surely not the festival?" Melody asked them, leaning against the counter and crossing one ankle over the other behind her.

"Festival?" Dean inquired as he tugged at an itch on his ear.

"Yeah, town's fall festival. I've been going to it since I was born. Just about the biggest celebration that happens around here, but it's nothing more than a glorified harvest celebration and pumpkin patch," Melody began with a practiced, nonchalant shrug as she described the event to the brothers.

Dean exhaled a short burst of air, almost a surprised chuckle as Melody spun quite a nostalgic fantasy about the contents of the festival. She thought he nearly forgot about the slice of pie beneath his very nose, if only for a short moment before he shoveled another morsel and put it away. He seemed truly interested in the celebrations that were setting up shop in the town square and park grounds. Interest and excitement were emotions Melody had worn through after she turned nine, no thanks to her obligatory attendance at the festival each year.

"That was really good," Dean mumbled around the final mouthful of apple pie with a pleased moan. He set down his fork upon a plate dotted with meager crumbs. Melody rose an eyebrow at how quickly the pie had winked out of existence, and half wondered if he might scoop up the crumbs as well.

"If you liked it here, I'm sure Nana would appreciate your votes at the festival," Melody said with a giggle. Subconsciously she twisted a strand of her hair around her fingers, and froze her actions when she felt both brothers suddenly watching her with interest. Interest in her words or her actions, she couldn't tell. But she could probably guess. The taller brother cleared his threat and shifted in his seat first.

"How do you mean?" Sam asked, breaking the curious silence first with his question, his eyebrows scrunching together in a cute fashion.

"Why, the contests of course. Most popular events at the festival. Pie judging and pie eating contests," Melody explained, blinking at them with curiosity of her own.

As she studied the boys, Dean nearly slipped from his seat at the news, he was so excited. His eyes mooned comically like a child hearing their parents agree to adopting a puppy, and Melody bit her lip to keep down another giggle. Sam looked as though he were about to protest but thought better of it when he couldn't find the words to say, his mouth gaping before quickly falling shut.

"You had me at pie eating contests. Where do I sign up?" Dean grinned. Melody could have sworn his pupils dilated. She laughed despite all of her intentions and efforts to the contrary.

"He ah, really likes pie," Sam said, coughing down a laugh and grin of his own. Dean only shrugged shamelessly.

"I see that. Lucky for you, I've got all the information you need right here." Melody tapped the crown of her head to solidify the point, smirking. She indicated for the guys to wait for her while she returned to the kitchen to retrieve a flyer for the festival and a pen.

"This has all you should need to know, but if you have any other questions, let me know. 'Kay?" Melody slid the paper across the counter, autographed with her name and cell phone number, capping her pen as she looked between the brothers.

"Thanks Mel," Dean told her with a charming smile. He unfolded some paper bills from his wallet before tucking the flyer and the wallet back into his coat as he shrugged it on over his shoulders. Melody thought she saw him wink over his shoulder as he followed his brother out. As the door clicked shut behind them, Greta came up beside her and sighed softly, a wide grin spreading across her lips, her arms folded on the counter as she leaned against it. Clearly, she had been watching and listening to the entire ordeal from just behind the kitchen door.

"Mmm. I don't know how I'll survive if I don't see that tall drink of water in here again," Greta mused, shaking her head. Melody swatted her shoulder with the towel usually tucked into her waist.

Melody couldn't really complain, though. She was already thinking about the next time she'd run into the tall drink of water's older brother.

[To be continued]

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