Chapter Two:

Dean had been required to stay a week in the hospital. Each day was harder than the next, more questions burning, his identity still a mystery. It'd been two days since Carley had been to see him. Even though she was responsible for him being there when the image of her swam into his mind, the expression of guilt and shame still on her face, he couldn't help but feel damned for his actions.

As if he'd willed her to come, she walked through the door.

"Hey." Carley said quietly. She pushed her handbag higher on her shoulder, while trying to hide the white paper bag behind her back. It was the only thing she could think to offer as a white flag. Anyone could attest to the fact that hospital food was disgusting. Hopefully, however little, this gesture made up for something if even giving her a chance to talk to him again. Apologize again.

"Hey," Dean retorted, pushing himself up in bed. He winced with the pain and effort it took for the little movement and had Carley stepping forward quickly. Well, no matter how badly he wanted out he wasn't breaking out anytime soon. When he was finally settled he met Carley's eyes. Something told him that the sorrow and guilt he saw there was real. Maybe he had a soft spot for her, but that was when he decided to give her a break. "Couldn't stay away, huh?"

She tried to smile, still uneasy. "I brought a peace offering."

He watched as she set the grease stained bag on the table and felt his stomach rumble. Without hesitation he opened the bag and dug in.

Now Carley did smile. "I guess they aren't feeding you."

"Oh no, they're feeding me. I'm just not eating. Hospital food is disgusting." Setting down the half eaten burger he wiped at his face and swallowed. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," she said, comfortable enough to sit in the chair across from the bed.

"I've been doing some thinking for the past two days—"he said taking another large bite of burger "—I may have overreacted the other day when you came to apologize. And even though you hit me and I'm sure I was minding my own business..I forgive you." It was that look, of guilt, shame that'd he kept seeing on her face when she clouded his vision. It was that look she had now. He'd be damned if she let him feel the same guilt for the way he treated her. "Plus, any hot chick that brings me fast food is okay in my book."

He winked and finished off the burger.

It'd been a bit awkward at first but they were able to slip into a quick friendship, spending their time playing cards, watching TV, or just sitting and having an easy conversation. In all actuality Dean was glad for the company. The hours Carley wasn't there was like hell on his mind. Who was he? Why was he in the middle of nowhere?

Hell with this, he thought. Another day in this god-for-saken place and he was going to rot. He was breaking out. He slipped on the worn denim jeans and black t-shirt that Carley brought him from a secondhand shop a few days ago. It was nice to have a woman do things for you, he thought, slipping his feet into the same old ratty blood stained boots he'd arrived half dead in.

He was able to slip out into the hallway and blend. While every inch of his body ached with pain, nothing could have convinced him to stay. He was only sorry he wouldn't be able to say good bye to Carley. He didn't even know where he was headed, as long as it didn't include that damn hospital, he thought limping through the automatic doors.

Automatically checking his surroundings he stumbled around the corner that looked likely enough to lead him out to a main road. With his hand covering the stitched wound in his chest he collided with something solid. He managed to rip out a line of curses that would have any grandmother taking a switch to his ass. When the haze of pain started to clear from his mind he swore again. He had run smack into Carley.

"Well at least now I'll get to say good bye."

Carley's eyebrows rose in astonishment. "What do you mean good bye?"

"I mean Adios, astalawaga, Auf viederzehn. Later, babe."

"Dean." She said, following him down the sidewalk. "You're not even supposed to be released until tomorrow."

"Look Carley, I'm not staying in that god forsaken hell hole. Besides, what's one day?"

"And how do you plan on getting your stitches out when time comes?"

He didn't mention that his fingers were already itching to take them out or that he knew exactly how to do it. "I'll figure it out."

He continued to make his way to the main street, turning when she called his name. His heart flipped over in his chest as he watched her long auburn hair fly around her face from the spring air. Her frown sent just as much heat through his system as her smile did. And all he could think was, where the hell had that come from?

"Where are you going to go, Dean?" She asked, using a hand to shade her eyes from the sharp sun.

He didn't answer. Telling her he was planning on stealing a car probably wouldn't go over well.

She didn't know whether it was her guilt or the lost look on his face but before she could help herself she asked, "Why don't you come stay with me?"

A grin split his face so fierce she had to blink back, and then he laughed deep and throaty. The sound sent a tingle over her skin.

"You want me to come home with you?" His hand still covering the wound over his chest, he stepped toward her.

She stepped back, blushing. "Yes, I uh—"

His smile snapped back at her nervousness. "Don't feel obligated to do me any favors Carley."

"No, I don't," She started quickly, "But I'd like to think we're friends and if a friend had nowhere to go I'd ask them to stay."

"So, this is like a friend thing?" He didn't know why but the term made him want to scowl.

"Yeah, sure. A friend thing."