11
GHOST WHO?
Lexi sat watching the television in the small apartment. Dean was still pretty weak from his injury, so they were waiting a little longer before going after the Pishtaco. Flipping through channels, she finally settled for the Addam's Family. Sam walked through the door with a bag full of clothes.
"Whatcha got?" she asked from the couch.
"Just picked up a few shirts. Went through all the stained and ripped ones the other day, since we have down time," Sam explained. He set the bag on the table and moved to his lap top. Dean emerged from the shower a few minutes later and poked his head out of the bathroom door.
"I need more tape," he said, gesturing to his half finished bandage. Lexi got up from the couch to fetch him a fresh role from their 'medical duffel'. Handing it to him, he smiled and said, "Thanks babe." Sam's eyebrows rose at his brother's pet name for Lexi, but he didn't say anything. Over the past few days of lying low, he'd noticed small amounts of affection between Dean and Lexi. Staying out of it, his fingers continued to type endlessly on his computer.
"What are you always doing on that thing anyways?" she asked, honestly curious.
"Depends. Sometimes I make notes for an electronic journal, other times I'm researching things. Can never have too much information," he explained.
"Hell yeah you can. I hate reading. When I was little, my dad used to have to force me to do the required reading for school. It was an everyday battle for us," she laughed at the fond memory.
"You are so much like Dean sometimes it's scary."
"What are you sayin' about me?" Dean called as he pulled on a clean shirt and joined them in the kitchen area.
"That you're a pig-headed lunatic," Sam snorted with a smirk.
"Oh can it Samantha," his older brother shot back.
Later that night, Sam was still typing away on his computer while Lexi and Dean played cards. The apartment was dimly lit, and they were enjoying a few beers.
"Sammy, what do we got on the Pishtaco?" Dean's voice rang.
"Well, it looks like the attacks are happening in Boulder City, Nevada. There's a super spendy gated community that has some sort of private spa. Apparently, the spa users are the victims," Sam started rambling.
"We're going to need a good cover," Lexi added.
"Yeah, these aren't small town people," Dean said.
"FBI is too risky. We'll need something more realistic to pull off," Sam thought out loud. His brother nodded as he finished his beer, and the clank of the empty bottle was loud as he threw it in the trash from his seat.
Two days later, the trio set out on the highway to Boulder City. Dean was feeling much better, and although Sam and Lexi protested against his quick recovery, they left. Ted Nugent played through the Impala's speakers as Lexi stared out the window. They were driving straight through, and each of them taking shifts.
As the desert scenery started, Lexi was getting antsy in the passenger seat. Sam was sleeping in the back, and Dean was driving. The dust flew up from behind the car as they continued towards a motel. Finding a good deal on something reasonable, they were staying at Bragned's Inn. After unloading all their stuff, they changed into their nicer clothes.
The boys wore their usual fake FBI suits, while Lexi put on a simple purple dress. When she came out from the bathroom, Dean's eyebrows soared. Her long, tanned legs were very alluring in the short, skin tight dress. As she put on black heels, he quickly averted his gaze. They had fake I.D.'s as wealthy people from New York. With a pristine back-story that Sam so generously invented, they were sure to gain access to a showing in the development.
With their appointment at 11:00 am sharp, they left at 10:30 am to get their early. Waiting outside the intimidating, wrought iron gate, they waited for the realtor to show up. Upon hearing footsteps, Sam turned around ready to greet Mr. Galeton. To his surprise, two idiots he was not expecting waltzed up to them with giddy smiles. "God no…Dean," Sam smacked his brother's arm to get his attention. When Dean saw the two 'Ghostfacers', Harry and Ed, he cringed.
"Well, look who it is! We meet again, amateurs," Ed greeted with a cocky smirk. Lexi whipped around and saw the two dimwits in front of her.
"Who are you?" she said, curious as to how they knew Sam and Dean.
"M'lady! Are you with these two inexperienced 'pretenders'? I am Ed, and this is my assistant Harry," Ed started to explain. At the title assistant, Harry nudged Ed with an eye roll. "Professional ghost hunters and paranormal investigators," Ed handed her a business card.
"Ghostfacers," Harry added with a proud smile.
"Ghostfacers?" Lexi said with disbelief and stole a questioning glance at Sam. The younger Winchester's response was to roll his eyes and sigh in frustration.
"Look kids, this is a serious job, and we don't need you two screwing it up," Dean spat, clearly irritated. "Why are you even here?"
"Why, we have a showing!" Harry explained, trying to stand taller.
"And so far, I'm liking what we're being showed," Ed leered towards Lexi with a knowing smile.
"Ew. No," was her response.
"Do you even have a cover?" Sam asked, hoping to scare them off with being unprepared.
"Of course we do," Ed said nervously, clearly indicating that they in fact had no plan whatsoever.
"Mr. Perry, Mr. Tyler, I see you've met Mr. Johan and Mr. Rodriguez," Mr. Galeton, the realtor, chimed. Lexi smirked at Sam and Dean's Perry and Tyler aliases.
"Unfortunately," Dean snarled. Sam, ever the professional, reached his hand out and greeted the prissy realtor man.
"And who is this?" Mr. Galeton asked.
"My fiancé," Ed interrupted as he put an arm around Lexi's waist. At his words, Lexi's eyes popped out of her head in a mix of surprise and disgust. Next to Ed, she could see Dean's eyes fire up with rage and Sam's worried expression.
"Ahh, well you didn't mention you had a fiancé on the phone Mr. Rodriguez! What a delight. I thought it was just you and your brother here," Mr. Galeton gestured to Harry who was sweating bullets. Lexi made eye contact with Sam who gave her a curt not to play along. They didn't want to risk messing up their covers, so she had to go along with it. "Let's begin, shall we?" Mr. Galeton suggested as he opened the gate for them to enter.
They climbed onto a large golf cart that seated six and began driving down the road. Sam sat up front with Mr. Galeton, while Lexi was sadly next to Ed playing her part. On the back, Dean was stuck with Harry; giving him evil glares the entire ride.
Once they arrived at the house that was up for sale, Mr. Galeton led them up the sleek, black driveway. Opening the door, they saw a grand entry with a fancy chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was probably one of the most luxurious homes any of them had ever seen.
"The entire entry is real marble, along with the server bar in the dining room," Mr. Galeton started to explain. They continued throughout the house as the realtor explained all the fancy and expensive things that had been built into the home. "This is the kitchen, with all Viking appliances. Gas range, stainless steel sink, and granite countertops are a must." Dean's glanced at the things Mr. Galeton pointed out, but his focus remained on Lexi. Ed kept sneaking his hand to her back, and a strange pang of jealousy coursed through his veins.
'Why would I be jealous? We shared a few kisses and…she made me…happy…the other day in the apartment,' a voice in his head rang.
'Because you like her,' another voice argued.
'I do not! We're old friends. We hooked up a long time ago, and that was that.' 'Is that why you can't stop dreaming about her? Is that why you two always fall asleep together? Needing to be near one another?'
'No. No, it's…it's not…I don't like her!'
His thoughts were interrupted once they reached the master bedroom and Ed grabbed Lexi's hand to lie back on the bed. Harry and Sam went with the realtor into the master bathroom, and Dean took the opportunity to approach Ed.
"What are you doing?" he snapped. Lexi looked completely annoyed like she didn't want to be there.
"I'm playing my part!" Ed hissed as if it were obvious.
"Get off the bed with her! She never agreed to be your fiancé," Dean whisper-yelled back.
"What is your problem dude?" Ed said. Dean looked at him and begged his eyes to set Ed on fire. Lexi rolled her eyes and stood up away from Ed.
"His problem is you almost risked this entire hunt by your foolishness. Who the hell do you think you are anyw-" Lexi was cut off by Harry, Sam, and the realtor reentering the bedroom.
"What do you guys think?" Mr. Galeton asked the group.
"I'd love a word," Dean said in his most professional voice with a charming smile.
"Of course Mr. Tyler." They stepped out onto the private balcony and shut the door to speak in private.
"Whatever they offer, I'll match them and add an extra two hundred thousand," Dean offered, knowing that the house was at least a couple million. Mr. Galeton's blue eyes grew wide and a smirk spread across his features.
"Why, Mr. Tyler that's wonderful. If you love the house this much, you're sure to love everything else."
"Everything else?"
"The guest bedroom, the pool and private tennis court. Not to mention our extravagant community amenities."
"Oh, yes. You've got some sort of famous spa here, right?" Dean asked, remembering his purpose for being here.
"Yes, one of the most prestigious in the state. Actually, we've had quite a few celebrities travel to enjoy our spa," Mr. Galeton's words stopped registering with Dean as he looked through the patio window and Lexi slapping Ed while the realtor wasn't looking. Chuckling, Dean turned to face the man in his yellow suit.
"I'd like to see the spa," Dean interrupted the man.
"Oh…of course!" They went back inside and finished the tour of the house. All the while, Dean's eyes bore into the back of Ed's head. Sam had to continually remind him to chill out and play his part. Each time Ed's hand would stray lower than her waist, Dean would get that pang of jealousy and the mocking voice in his head. He wanted his hand to be on her waist. She looked incredible in the purple dress, and he easily became hypnotized.
Sam could see that Lexi was very unhappy about the way the plan turned out, but Ed and Harry were doing a good job at playing along. Harry was chatting with the realtor on the way over to the community center, and Sam could overhear them gossiping about Jennifer Aniston.
"If it makes you feel better, I think Harry is gay," Sam whispered to his brother.
"The only thing that will make me feel better will be when I can get out of this suit and drink a beer," Dean muttered with a smirk.
"Here we are! The famous Aquality Spa," Mr. Galeton spread his arms wide for dramatic effect. "The future missus should enjoy our services," he added. Dean let out an irritated sigh at that, and trudged forward to see the spa.
As they toured the spa, Sam and Dean paid close attention to the employees and residents. Walking through different hallways, they came to a desk with a foreign man sitting behind it.
"Mr. Aldo, these are some potential buyers. We're touring the spa," Mr. Galeton said in his game show voice.
"Nice to meet you," Mr. Aldo said in a thick accent. Sam noticed various tattoos on his arms, and recognized a few of the symbols. Nudging Dean, Sam memorized the symbols to research later. As they continued on their tour, Dean leaned over to Sam's ear.
"Ten bucks that's our Pishtaco," Dean muttered and Sam nodded along. The tour was soon finished and Mr. Galeton said goodbye to them at the gate, promising to stay in contact if they were still interested. Once the realtor was out of ear range, Dean turned to face Ed and Harry.
"You freaking idiots," he said, and Lexi immediately stepped away from them.
"I thought that went well. In fact, we'd make a good team someday. Granted, we would need to train you and show you the ropes before you could ever go on a field expedition," Ed started talking to himself more than the Winchesters in front of him. Before Sam could interject, Ed added, "And you did great! I never did get your name," he said, extending his hand towards Lexi.
"You don't need it," she said with a smirk and raised eyebrow. "Come on boys, let's go," she added and started walking to the Impala.
"Stay out of our hunt," Sam warned, not wanting to deal with the two babbling lunatics anymore. A baffled Harry and Ed stood outside the community gate staring at the retreating Winchesters and Lexi.
