Harley left the room quickly, keys to the Impala in hand. I'm just gonna borrow it. Dean won't care right. Who am I kidding? He's gonna freak. Oh well.
She drove to the bar in silence. She was in no mood for music. She just needed a drink or two... She parked the Impala out front and walked to the door. A hand carved wooden sign beside the door read "The Shack". Sounds like this is my kinda place.
Country music was blaring over the sound system that seemed to run all through the place and a thick cloud of cigarette smoke hung in the air. There was a dance floor to the left, pool tables in the back, and tables and chairs scattered randomly throughout the dimly lit space. Harley barley took notice as she walked to the bar and perched on a stool.
"What can I get for you tonight missy?" asked the old bartender as he finished wiping out the glass he was holding.
"Tequila," Harley replied without looking up. She couldn't seem to shake this strange feeling. She felt cold despite the heaters going full blast. What's wrong with me?
He poured her drink and asked, "I haven't seen you before, you new in town?"
"Well sort of just passing through. I needed a break; I was getting a little claustrophobic in the motel room," Harley said as she drank the shot without even flinching. Finally, like she came out of a fog, she noticed the bartender. He was older about 60 and his hair was graying. He was cheerful and he reminded her of an older Uncle Bobby.
"I know the feeling," he said with a smile, "I'm Charlie. What's your name missy?" he asked as he poured her another drink.
Again with out flinching she drank the shot. "My name's Harley, nice to meet you."
Harley was out on the dance floor with two guys wearing cowboy hats when Dean burst through the door. For a second he watched her "I Love Rock n' Roll" was just about over, and when it ended Harley walked over to the bar. Each of the guys bought her a shot and she downed both easily as she chatted with them. He could tell she was drunk so he decided to cut in. Dean walked over and wasted no time as he started yelling, "What the hell do you think your doing? You stole my car!" I was so worried. I swear I leave you alone for more than a second and you bolt.
"Borrowed, I borrowed your car and now you can have her back," Harley said innocently, her southern accent was starting to show as she dangled the keys in front of him, "it's not like I hurt her or anything." He's so gorgeous when he's angry.
Dean put the keys in his pocket and just stared at her, "You know you aren't supposed to drink while taking all those painkillers?" How much have you had anyway? I don't want to have to take you to the E.R. again.
"I haven't taken any today," Harley said as she gave him her most innocent smile. I'm not stupid. I can actually take care of myself no matter how drunk I am thank you.
"So what are you drinking?"
"Tequila. Why?"
Dean turned his attention to Charlie, "Dude, could I just buy the bottle?"
"Anything for my new best costumer," Charlie said smiling at Harley.
"Thanks," Dean said as he took the bottle, two shot glasses and walked over to a table in the corner of the bar.
Harley stumbled after him, "What are you doing?" she asked. This is so weird usually I'm all by myself.
"Catching up," Dean said simply, "Now what's going on with you? You ok?" he asked as he proceeded to pour a shot and throw it back.
"It was so weird. When that thing was in me…" How am I supposed to explain this? I feel like it's not all gone… like you missed something. Right, that would go over well…
Dean was just looking at her waiting for her to finish her thought, so not knowing what to say she changed the subject slightly, "I wasn't awake for all of it. I don't remember anything from when we stopped to eat to when we got to the Nelsons' place, but when you kissed me it was like… I kinda woke up. Then things would fade and you would touch me or kiss me again and I would come back, but I couldn't control anything I did or said. I tried to get your attention I screamed and yelled… but you couldn't hear me. I fought so hard to get through… it was just stronger than me," she said as she looked around the bar. It was really late and she was way past drunk.
Dean, had her matched shot for shot now, looked at her with alarm, "You were screaming for me? I'm sorry it took so long for me to save you, baby." I knew something was wrong. I should have been faster she shouldn't have had to go through that for so long.
"I didn't always have to be saved you know," Harley said drinking another shot. I know that look. Pity, I hate getting that look. Just stop treating me like a china doll. I swear I won't break.
"What do you mean?"
"I used to be really good at this job," Harley said, "Me, my mom and dad, and Shelby's parents we worked all over, through the deep south and up the east coast." We were a great team, and Shelby was happy…
"Where was Shelby?" Dean asked a little surprised that Harley's best friend was not included in the list. Can't believe those two ever separated for more than a day or two. He thought as threw back a shot.
"She was in school being normal. We, basically, sent her there to this lil school in south Alabama." Harley said. She was so mad, at first, but she was so much happier there than she ever was hunting. "I never understood why she wanted something other than traveling and hunting. I loved every minute… saving people, kicking evil's ass. It was such a rush."
"So what happened to you? What changed?" the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Good job Dean! You know what changed.
"They died," Harley said coldly as she drank another shot. "We were hunting, a sprit, in this old fort in Alabama. Cursed object kind of thing. We were down in the old catacombs and we got separated. I heard them screaming, but by the time I got to them they were already dead. The "dark eyes" had stopped their hearts."
Dean just watched her. She had a distant look in her eyes as if she were back in that old fort again.
"Then I had to call Shelby…I had to tell her that I let her parents die. I had to tell her that my stupid mistake cost her the lives of her parents." I ripped her out of her perfect world and made stay with me in hell. I can still hear that disappointed tone in her voice…
"It wasn't your fault Harley. You didn't make any mistake. If you had been there you would have died with them."
"I should have been there with them. I should have saved them or died trying. That was my job. I was supposed to protect my family, but I lost them."
"I know how you feel. My family means everything to me," Dean said as he threw back another shot, "My dad died to save me. We were all in this car crash and I was dying… I should have died, but he traded his soul for my life."
"Traded? What do you mean?"
"Best I can figure he summoned a demon and made some kind of a deal…his soul for my life."
The pair just sat in silence for a few moments. Harley reached for her glass, but Dean stopped her by gently taking her hand. "I think its bout time to go baby," Dean whispered.
Dean paid their tab and stood up to leave. Harley stood up, but had to hold onto the table for balance. Dean touched her arm, "Can you walk?" he asked with a smirk as she leaned into him.
"Yeah give me a sec," Harley answered looking up at him with a cocky smile and wrapping her arms around him. She stood up and started to walk away without any problems. Dean just watched her leave totally amazed that she looked sober. Over her shoulder she called back, "Dean you coming or do I have to leave your ass?" as she held out her hand and letting the Impala's keys dangle. Gotcha again.
Dean walked out side to find her walking on the bumpers in the parking lot like they were balance beams. She is definitely wasted… I mean she has to be not that I'm any better. "How do you do that?" he asked.
"Do what?" Harley retorted with that same smile as she continued to play on the bumpers. I was kinda into gymnastics for a while...or… I used to be a pickpocket…
"Act like your sober? I mean I'm drunk I know you have to be trashed."
"Oh… I don't know actually," she replied as she threw him his keys, "I really am wasted. I can't pull off this lil act for long, but it usually keeps me out of trouble with highway patrol," Harley grinned as she walked over and leaned on the car.
Dean was reaching over her to open the car door when Harley grabbed his jacket. She pulled him back to face her and put her arms around his neck. Dean put his arms around her waist and kissed her. They stood there making out in the parking lot for several minutes each enjoying the way the other tasted. Suddenly they both stopped.
"I shouldn't…I mean we shouldn't do this," Harley mumbled. I need to be good this time. I can't just sneak out and leave him when the sun comes up. "I don't want just another one night stand," Harley whispered.
"I know…I know," Dean agreed. I don't want to treat you like a one night stand either. I want you to stick around. "Maybe we could take this slow," Dean suggested.
He reached down and actually opened the door this time. Harley's little act must have ended because now she was very unsteady as she turned to get in the car. Dean helped her get in and closed the door.
"Where are we going?" Harley mumbled as she scooted closer and put her head on Deans shoulder.
"To the motel so we can get some sleep," Dean whispered.
"Do we have to?" Harley mumbled sleepily.
"Yeah… I think so baby," Dean said as he kissed the top of her head and put the car in drive.
In the motel parking lot Dean opened Harley's door and helped her get out. Whatever she had done in the bar to look sober was not with her now, so he put his arm around her waist, careful not to touch her broken ribs, and they slowly walked to the room. It took a few tries to get the key in door but finally Dean got the door open and Harley inside.
The only light in the room was the small lamp over the table. Sam and Shelby were sound asleep. Dean helped Harley into bed and waited for her to get comfortable before he crawled in bed beside her. She snuggled close and laid her head on his chest. Soon both were sound asleep.
