Chapter 4

"Well," Donna said as they stepped into the foyer, and she turned on the lights. "Welcome to my house, I guess. Nothin' real fancy, but ya know, it's home."

Dean looked around the space. They were standing in a nicely lit foyer that led into a formal dining room on one side, with a staircase and what was probably a living room on the other side. It was a pretty Victorian house, and the house itself and the furnishings and décor that he could see from where he stood seemed to suite Donna perfectly. She had clearly put more effort into the house's appearance that she normally did her own, but based on her personality the house suited her. It was pretty, cheerful and welcoming, and Dean was definitely interested in seeing the rest of it. But right now he was more interested in getting a better look at her now that he had better lighting.

When he did he realized that he had been right. She had lost some weight, and she was wearing some makeup. It wasn't much, and it was very natural, but it suited her just like the house and her outfit. She was a knockout when she put some effort into her appearance, and he certainly wasn't complaining about the glimpse of cleavage her top offered. He was silently applauding her for wearing such a top because even though it was still a very modest top it showed more than he thought she would be comfortable with and she seemed perfectly fine with it.

"Wow." he said, pulling his gaze back up to her face because he didn't want to look like a sex-crazed jerk or make her feel uncomfortable.

She looked at him, slightly confused about his awe over her house. "It's nice, but it's not that great."

"Not the house." Dean said. "I mean, the house is lovely from what I can see, but that wow was for you. Donna, you look amazing."

Donna blushed immediately, her entire face blazing red as she suddenly became awkward and looked down at her feet in an attempt to keep him from seeing just how red she had turned. "Oh. Well...gee. That's...thanks, Dean. That's really sweet of you."

"I'm not being sweet." he corrected her, aware that at least part of her thought he was just being nice and didn't really mean what he had said. "I'm being honest. I didn't mean to embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable or anything, but you look great."

She believed him, but it still unnerved her. She wasn't used to getting genuine compliments like that from anyone, but especially not men, and definitely not men like Dean. She glanced up and flashed him a quick smile. "Thanks. Um, I guess I'll show you up to the guest room, and you can get settled. I'm gonna change clothes if you don't mind, and then I'll give you a tour of the house and we can catch up some, yeah?"

"Sure." Dean agreed easily.

"Unless you'd rather just go to sleep." she said quickly, giving him options. "It's kinda late, and I'm sure you had a nice long drive. You're probably tired."

"Not really." Dean said. "If you'd rather go to sleep that's fine, but I'm good for another few hours at least, and I'd love to hang out for a little while if you're up for it. That is why I came up here after all."

Donna knew he was trying to make her feel comfortable again, letting her make the decisions since it was her house and he was the guest. She appreciated it, but she was still a little unnerved because it sounded like he was flirting with her a little whether he meant to or not. And she just couldn't wrap her mind around someone like Dean Winchester flirting with someone like her. Maybe she could settle down once she had changed because surely he wouldn't still be looking at her like that when he saw her in her pajamas. That sweet, almost adoring look in his eyes was what was really messing with her more than what he was saying.

"Okay. Well, come on then." she said, gesturing for him to follow her.

He followed her up the stairs, trying hard not to check out the view too much because he was afraid she would be able to feel him staring, and she was already freaked out enough over one little compliment. For the most part he was successful, but it was a great view. Those jeans really did fit perfectly.

"Here ya go." she chirped as she reached the top of the stairs, and led him to the door directly across the hall. "The other two guest rooms are kinda girly. I thought you'd like this one better, and I'm right next door if ya need anything." She stepped inside and pointed to the door directly to her right. "Bathroom's right here. Fresh towels and all should be in there. If not, let me know." She moved a little further into the room, and pointed to a second door. "Closet's over there if ya need it, and like I said, I'm right next door if ya need anything."

Dean looked around the room. It was probably the nicest room he had ever stayed in, his own included. It was clean and pretty just like every other part of the house he had seen so far. It wasn't cluttered, but it was decorated enough to make it look homey and welcoming, and the bed looked nice and comfortable.

"Nice room." he said, voicing his approval.

She smiled proudly. "Thanks. I decorated it myself. Did the whole house myself actually."

That surprised him a little. "Seriously? It looks like a professional did this."

Donna shrugged. "I was gonna be an interior designer way back when. Went to college for it and all. Obviously it didn't work out, but at least I can make my own home pretty."

"Well, you did a great job from what I've seen so far."

Donna smiled again, much preferring the compliments on her decorating skills than her appearance. "Thanks. I put a lot of work into it. But you get settled. Give me a few minutes to change, and I'll give you that tour."

"No rush." Dean assured her.

When she left him alone he let out a heavy sigh and walked into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. He had been expecting Sheriff Hanscum, the version of Donna that wore an unflattering uniform and didn't really pay much attention to her appearance, and while he knew that same girl was still in there, she had thrown him for a loop tonight. This new look of her was definitely not what he had been prepared for even if it was just because she had been on a date.

But he was trying not to think about the fact that she had been on a date because that hurt a little. Who was he kidding? It hurt a lot. He'd been thinking about her and literally dreaming about her, some of the best dreams he'd ever had, for months. He had come up here in hopes of winning her over only to find out that someone else already had.

"Doug." he spit the name out, feeling jealousy rise up as he did, and walked back to the bedroom to sit on the bed.

She had told him to settle in and make himself at home, so he did. He hung the garment bag containing his suit in the closet and left his duffel on the bed for now. He took off his jacket because it was nice and warm inside, and thought about taking off his shoes and socks too, but what if his feet smelled from being in shoes and socks all day? Better to save the bare feet for tomorrow after he had had a shower.

While he called Mary to let her know he had arrived safely Donna was in her own bedroom having similar thoughts about smelly feet.

"Get a grip, Donna Marie." she told herself as she gazed into her bathroom mirror. "It's just Dean."

But that was exactly the problem. They were friends, and he had never shown any interest in her as anything more than a friend, but she had developed a little crush on him the moment she had met him. She was sure every girl that met him did. How could they not? He was only one of the most attractive men on the planet, and it had been so cute the way he had been so completely oblivious to the powdered sugar all over his face while they had been eating donuts during that first meeting even though Sam had made a point of pointing it out to him. Of course, back then she had thought she would never see him again.

The handful of time their paths had crossed hadn't helped her crush any, but that's all it was. It was just a crush. Sure she'd had that dream about him, but Jody and Sam had showed up in her dreams a few times too. It didn't mean anything, and she'd convinced herself that there was no way a guy like Dean Winchester would ever be interested in her. But now she wasn't so sure.

He had come up here specifically to see her, and though she wasn't surprised he had complimented her because he was Dean, she certainly hadn't expected that look. It was weird thinking he might like her as more than a friend, but even if he did it didn't matter. She was with Doug, and Doug was great.

She was with Doug, and it was going to stay that way because she was happy with Doug, and there was no way Dean could really be interested in her as more than a friend. She must have misread that look in his eyes. Dean was the kind of guy that could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want her?

Oh, I'm killing myself here! They're so adorable! You know, I wrote this story because I thought it would be cute, but I never realized it was gonna be this level of adorable. Please tell me I'm not the only dying here. But seriously, Donna (and anyone out there like her) stop it. You're amazing, and anyone would be lucky to have you. Shame on whoever made her (or you) feel unworthy. ~SG