Series Title: Happily Ever After?
The following are a series of short stand-a-lone Dean/Jo Supernatural stories. These ficlets are a continuation of where my "What Was and What Could Possibly Be" story ended. You don't have to read that story to appreciate these ones but you get a better sense of the tone of their relationship if you do. This series of snapshots will outline the progression of Dean and Jo's relationship. Spoilers right up to halfway through season two. Will those two crazy kids get together in the end? It might take awhile but what can I say, I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
Disclaimer note: This author is in no way associated with the writers and/or producers of the Supernatural show and all characters belong to the awesome Eric Kripke and his associates. No copyright infringement is intended.
Ficlet #4: A Mother's Insight
"Well hey there stranger."
Dean hears the familiar voice as she approaches finding himself an empty seat on a worn bar stool.
"Ellen," he acknowledges her with a smile.
"What can I getcha?" Ellen asks.
"Just a beer thanks," Dean replies.
"Haven't seen you around lately," she comments.
"Been busy," he tells her scanning the crowd in the dim lit bar.
Ellen observes this behaviour, knowing that it's not uncommon amongst hunters to want to be aware of their environment. However she suspects the reasoning behind his action is something altogether different from the norm.
"She isn't here Dean."
"I'm looking for Sammy actually...he's supposed to meet me here," Dean explains.
"You two boys are not travelling together?" Ellen questions.
"Just the last few days, a friend of Sam's from Stanford needed some help. It seemed like a pretty minor job so he thought he could handle it on his own. After it was done, he stayed to catch up with some friends before getting back on the road with his pain in the ass brother," Dean jokes.
"What about you? Where have you been hiding out?" Ellen inquires.
"Here and there," he answers vaguely.
"If I had to guess, you found yourself some cheap waitress to shack up with," Ellen eyes him skeptically. "You know Dean you're always welcome to bunk down here. We're family...no matter what's happened between you and my daughter.
"What can I say Mrs. Harvelle? I've come to rely on the kindness of strangers," he smirks and Ellen shakes her head.
Dean is left to his thoughts as Ellen is summoned by a patron for more drinks. He finds himself thinking about Jo and wonders where she is at the moment. No matter, it's not like she cares about where he is.
"Ask me," Ellen interrupts his thoughts. He gives her a blank look so she adds "Come on Dean, you know you want to know."
Dean sighs. "Have you seen her?"
"She came through awhile back, didn't stay long but it was good to see her."
"Was HE with her?"
"Yes. Look Dean, Jo's stubborn like all of the Harvelle women, but she'll get over this eventually," Ellen assures him.
"Maybe I don't care if she gets over it," Dean comments.
"Maybe you care too much," Ellen argues back.
"Great! Not you too! Jo and are just friends Ellen...hell we're not even that anymore. The few times she has needed any help lately, she calls Sam and flat out refuses to talk to me," Dean states.
"I'm guessing she knows you haven't changed your mind about Hunter," Ellen says. "Winchester men are stubborn too."
"Well what did YOU think of him?" Dean asks her.
"First off I'm just glad I finally got to meet him," Ellen complains. "She's been dating the guy for almost 6 months now."
"And?" Dean looks at her questionly.
"I think for this conversation, we're going to need something stronger than beer?" Ellen announces placing two empty glasses on the bar, filling each of them with two fingers of scotch. She raises her glass to Dean and he drains his in reply.
"I know Sam thinks I'm crazy and that I should at least give him a chance but I'm telling you Ellen there's something not right about this guy." Dean suddenly feels the need to explain himself to her like she's the only person who will understand.
"Look. Dean. You wanna know what I think? On the surface, Hunter seems like a good guy. He's polite, intelligent and from what I can gather, treats my daughter decent enough. I also know, like I suspect you do, that Ash checked him out and he came up clean...maybe a little too clean. Honestly, I think Jo sees in Hunter some similarities to you and that only fuels her attraction to him."
"Not exactly a compliment Ellen," he remarks.
"Let me finish boy," Ellen scolds him as Dean sighs. She refills both their glasses.
"Here's the difference as I see it. I look in your eyes and yes, I see sadness but there's also humour, sincerity and compassion for everyone around you. When I looked into Hunter's eyes, I didn't see any of that. It's like they were devoid of any emotion, except maybe flickers of something when he looks at Jo. I guess that's why she doesn't see what I do."
"My dad used to say that people see what they want to see."
They smile for a moment in remembrance of John.
"For what it's worth Dean, you've got my vote," Ellen tells him.
"It's not a contest Ellen. Hell I'm no catch for any woman looking for long term and I know you don't want your little girl using me for occasional one-night stands. Besides, Jo and I have never been and never will be more than just friends; no matter what you and Sammy seemed to be cooking up inside your heads," Dean argues.
"Well then, I'll just keep my mother's intuition in check," Ellen answers smiling at Dean before heading toward yet another patron summoning her for a drink. Once again, Dean is left alone with more of his confusing thoughts.
"Hey man," he turns to see Sam standing by his side. "You look deep in thought, what did I miss?"
"Nothing Sammy. Same old, same old," Dean replies flippantly. "How did it go?"
"Same old, same old," his brother returns.
"Hey Sam," Ellen greets him. "Can I get you anything?"
Before he has time to answer however, Dean is rising from his stool announcing "no time Sam, time to hit the road."
"Guess that's my cue. See ya around Ellen and say hi to Jo for me," he says.
"Will do. Be careful boys and Dean," he turns to look back at her, "don't forget what I said." Dean acknowledges her comment with a smile and a nod before turning away to head for the exit.
"What was that all about?" Sam questions him as they depart the Roadhouse.
"Nothing for you to worry your pretty little hairdo about Sammy," he answers.
"I see our time apart hasn't put you in a better mood Dean," Sam comments.
"Bitch."
"Jerk."
"Nice to have you back Sammy!" Ellen hears their laughter as the door closes behind them.
The end.
Author's note: As usual, please review. I need to start tying in some of the major storylines from season two of the show and also some of ideas from my previous fic into the next ficlets. It may take a bit longer to get the next few out there. Bear with me and thanks for reading.