Dean took a seat at the bar, with a wave at the pool table. Ted Grissom graciously waved back. Dean let out the breath he'd been holding. He'd started playing pool with Ted and his buddies about three hours ago.
At first he'd been looking for a fight, something to clear his mind, something to get his blood pumping. To that end he'd set up a game with the biggest, meanest looking guy in the bar. Dean had proceeded to thoroughly tromp Ted and take several hundred dollars from. And yet, the guy had remained even keeled, he'd ignored Dean's more pointed comments and had simply played the game.
It was while Ted had been buying a round of drinks, Dean had heard a buddy of his mention that Ted's nickname was Bear, as in Teddy Bear. Apparently, the guy was legendary for his slow fuse and calm ways, just Dean's luck.
That's when Dean acknowledged that short of getting nasty himself and outright jumping the guy he wasn't going to get the fight he was looking for. So instead he'd settled to get drunk, yep, fall down, nasty drunk. An hour into his first beer and he realized that his heart just wasn't in it.
That's when he'd ambled up to the bar. Sitting there he acknowledged the beer that was set in front of him by the pretty barmaid. Normally, Dean would have settled for sweet talking himself into her panties to relieve the tension that gripped him. Unfortunately, since it was a woman that was causing the tension in the first place that didn't appeal to him this time. Dean ignored the young bar maid's advances and swung around on his seat taking in the other patrons.
It was one thirty in the morning and the bar was still hoping. Dean sat, his relaxed posture and laid back attitude, not quite able to hide the true depth of his danger. He hated feeling like this and he hated the fact that he'd walked out on Catherine. It was just, his life had spun out of control and he was at a loss as how to deal with it.
He found himself missing his Dad more than ever. During the years that John and Dean had hunted together John had led and Dean had happily followed. Yes, his father had accepted his opinions and suggestions but ultimately it had been John who'd decided the next step. With his Dad he'd been allowed to be a simple soldier, everything had been clearer, simpler, he followed orders and didn't stop to question.
With Sam though, every thought in his head was a question and it was wearing him down. And now unwittingly Catherine had become an added burden, her power and strength a beacon to all that was evil. How was he to keep up the façade everyone expected? The 'I'm going to save you' speech felt just like that, a speech, said with conviction but nothing to back it up.
Dean simply didn't know how much more help he could be, he wasn't special, he didn't have powers, he had only his strength and his skills and he was no longer sure that these would be enough to keep the two people he loved safe.
Dean took a sip of his beer, leaning back against the bar. As he sat he found his attention drawn to a couple at the back of the bar. They sat in the shadows; the man was neatly dressed and somewhat portly. He looked to be in his late forties, his thick black hair was cut in a bowl shape and he wore a dress shirt and tie.
Suite, thought Dean, disgusted by the way the man, red-faced and panting was touching the young girl that sat with him, the very young girl.
Dean turned slightly in his seat, so as not to appear to be watching. The girl looked no more than sixteen; her long red hair was braided. Her face was devoid of makeup and she was wearing a simple pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. Her appearance was one of innocence and even from where Dean sat he could see the fear staring out of her pretty green eyes. The girl was doing her best to fend off the Suite's grasping hands, but he was relentless.
Dean could feel his temper rising, finally he stood and made his way back to the pool tables. Passing the couple Dean took in the marks that the Suite had left on the young girls arms. As he walked by he stared hard down at the young girl, willing her to look up. She did and Dean saw the pleading in her eyes. That was enough for him, tipping her a quick wink he moved to where Ted was still playing pool with his buddies.
Moving up beside the big man, Dean nodded towards the couple. "So, Bear, do you know them?"
Bear glanced over at the couple, and grimaced. "Stay out of it Dude, he doesn't look like much but he's a councilman for this sleepy burg, you interrupt and he'll make your life a living hell."
Dean's face broke into a genuine smile, the first in a while. "Really, he'll make life hard huh? Who's the girl?" Dean asked, rocking back on his heels.
"Don't know, he likes them young. She's probably not from around here. Every now and then he picks up a hitcher. He likes to tell people he's 'helping them' but it's always young girls on there own. I've stopped him from going to far a couple times, and keep ending up in the county jail for it."
Dean nodded and clapped Bear on the chest. "Well listen, I'm gonna start a little something. I want you to stay out of it. I'm just passing through; he can't cause problems for me."
Bear nodded to the young man, taking in the eager look on his face, Bear laughed, a grumbling sound that seemed to make to floor shake. "You do that and I'll enjoy watching. Just keep in mind the two big bastards sitting at the end of the bar are his too."
If anything Dean's grin became wider. "Thanks for the tip, Bear." With a wink Dean moved away.
Ted watched as the younger man, stepped away. He'd had spent the evening playing pool with the young man. He'd noticed the over abundance of energy that seemed pour from him. Watching him move, Ted had no doubt that the kid could do more than handle himself. Ted, not eager to spend the evening in a bar brawl had walked carefully. He knew that size didn't count for shit, and this kid seemed like the type to prove that.
Dean left Bear's side and ambled back toward the bar, as he neared the couple he stopped, stumbling a bit he leaned down and said with his best smile. "Hey, honey, why don't you dance with me. I'm sure that Daddy here won't mind." Before the councilman could even register Dean's presence, Dean had pulled the girl to her feet and was escorting her away from him, towards Ted.
"I'm going to get you out of here. I want you to wait over by the men playing pool. They look rough but you'll be safe," Dean whispered with a wink he deftly spun the young girl toward the tables and turned swinging hard, taking the first of the goons with a right to the chin.
Kicking out in anticipation Dean caught the other in the chest, knocking him down. Striding up to the suite, Dean grabbed him by the throat and raised him up. "Listen up, Councilman, I find out you're picking up girls again and I'm going to come back here and kill you. No if and or but, you'll be dead the moment you touch the first girl." Dean dropped the councilman and swung around low, catching the first bodyguard with a punch to the gut. Dean didn't connect as well as he wanted though and the man countered with a right to Dean's face, Dean felt the skin above his brow split and he grinned even wider.
Grabbing the chair behind him, Dean swung it with a powerhouse swing, catching the bodyguard across the head. The man fell like a stone to the ground. Turning, Dean looked at the remaining guard. He was still hunched over himself, he seemed to be retching. Dean grinned and turned back to the councilman.
The man was scrabbling toward the bar, frantically trying to dial his cell. Dean took two strides and caught up with him. Grabbing him from behind, Dean took the phone and dropped it. Bringing his foot down, he shattered the phone.
Dean once again lifted the shorter man. "Now, tell me you understand. Tell me that I won't have to come back here someday soon, to kill you in your sleep." The councilman must have seen some truth in the steady green eyed gaze. His bladder promptly let go, and he moaned, "Please, please don't hurt me."
Dropping the pathetic excuse for a man, without looking back, he moved to where the girl stood with Ted. Smiling his best smile, pausing only to wipe the trickle of blood that obscured his vision, Dean held out his hand. The girl took it hesitatingly. Dean led her towards the door of the bar. His grin widened as he watched the girl bring back a sneaker encased foot and drive it into the sniveling councilman's side.
Dean knew as he stepped outside that the police would be on their way shortly, if they hadn't already been called. Turning, he asked the girl, "What's your name?"
Sherry drew in a breath and let it out slowly. She'd been on her way to visit with friends at a local college when her ancient Volkswagen bug had broken down. Not being able to get cell reception, she'd accepted a ride from the well dressed man. Sherry had known it was a mistake the moment she'd done it but by then it had been too late. Staring now at the young man that had rescued her she couldn't help the tears that pooled in her eyes.
"My name's, Sherry, my car broke down." As she spoke, explaining what had happened, she noted the blood that wept from the gash on his forehead. Reaching into her pocket, she drew out a clean bandanna and handed it to him. He stared at the square of material for a moment before reaching out with a smile to take it.
"Alright, do you know where your car is?" At Sherry's nod, Dean escorted her to the Impala. Opening the door for her he got her settled.
Sliding into he front seat, Dean waited for the girl to get her bearings, luckily they'd come pretty much straight here. Doling out the directions for the man who'd yet to introduce himself, Sherry realized the difference between this stranger's car and the last. For some reason this car seemed like a safe haven.
Sherry had almost fallen asleep, when the big car was pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. Sherry roused herself, and followed the young man toward her abandoned Bug.
888
Dean sighed as he watched the young girl pull out onto the roadway. He carefully wiped his hands on an old rag and gathered the tools that sat by his feet. Luckily the VW's fuel injector had simply stuck, flooding the engine. Dean had gotten the car started again, and had shown the young girl what to do if it happened again. He'd advised her to head straight out of town, and to not stop until she reached her friend's place. Watching as the car's lights dimmed and then disappeared, Dean got into the Impala.
Heading back toward the motel, he felt a moment's peace. Tonight he'd made a difference, oh maybe not earth shattering, maybe he hadn't saved the world, but he'd made a difference. For Dean that was a good, day, a day in which he knew that his actions had saved a life. Yeah, thought Dean, a good day.
