~Chapter 12~
"It is so nice to have company for dinner," Mrs. Simon exclaimed as they all sat around the dining table in the Simon's home.
Isabel smiled. "It is so nice to have a home cooked meal again."
"I would have to agree," Sam said to Mrs. Simon. "Burgers and pizza get old really fast."
"I'm sure it does," Mr. Simon said nodding, "but when you are on the road working, I guess you take what you can get, right?"
"Pretty much," John answered, "but there are a lot of good people out there still willing to share a meal with a stranger."
Sam nodded. "Yeah and this meal is great. What kind of fish is this again?"
"Catfish," Sarah replied making a face.
Dean smiled some and took a bite of chicken.
"I'm with you on that face, Sarah," Isabel spoke up. "Don't know why I never liked fish."
"You weren't fed enough as a young'en," Mr. Simon said with a firm nod. "You should have been eating more fish."
Isabel smiled. "I ate plenty of fish, Mr. Simon, just never liked it. I think it was the taste. It just was too… fishy."
"Yeah, its way to fishy Grandpa," Sarah announced.
"But you could eat fresh water fish," Mrs. Simon pointed out.
Isabel chewed on her corn bread and swallowed before answering. "I could eat fresh water fish over salt water fish, true, but I still never liked the taste. I mainly suffered through any dinner with fish."
"So how did people find out you didn't like fish if you suffered through it?" Dean asked.
Isabel turned to him, since they were sitting next to each other. "I finally told them I didn't like fish. I still had to eat it sometimes, but mostly everyone was good about having something else for me to eat. They didn't really wanna torture me."
Dean smirked and went on eating. They all continued to eat and talk. Soon they were finished and the men got up to into the living room.
"Um, Dean?"
Dean turned back. "Yes Mrs. Simon?"
She smiled at him. "Would you mind helping Isabel clear the table?"
"I can help you with that Grandma."
"No Sarah, you have to go take a bath."
"Sure, I can help," Dean said with a slight smile before he walked back to the table.
"Good, you two get started and I will take Sarah up to a bath," Mrs. Simon said as she took Sarah by the hand and heading upstairs.
Dean and Isabel cleared the table in silence. Dean would glance at her every now and then, sometimes she would smile, other times she just gathered the dishes. With both of them together the table was cleared quickly. As Isabel put the plates in the sink, Dean leaned against the counter watching her.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Isabel looked at him and nodded.
"You sure, cause you got hit really hard with sickness this afternoon. I just want to make sure you are ok."
She smirked and opened her mouth to say something when Dean put his hand up. "Save the smart ass remarks for later, Isabel, I'm trying to be nice here."
"That's a first," she teased.
Dean crossed his arms with a chuckle. "Gee thank you. But seriously, are you ok?"
Isabel took a deep breath and turned to him. "Yeah Dean, I'm fine. It's just, hard ya know? To remember what happened and sometimes I get sick when I think abo…" She stopped, turned to place her hands firmly on the counter and bowed her head she took a few deep breaths. Dean watched her and then nodded slowly.
"You get sick remembering what you saw. I'm sorry, I didn't think about that being the case. Forget I mentioned anything."
Nodding, Isabel grabbed her glass and drank the water-downed tea. Dean stared at her, noticed how her hair fell around her face and down her back. It was straight then went wavy, which was a very interesting combination, seeing as most women usually prefer one or the other. Didn't they have all sorts of curlers and stuff to take care of it? Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, Dean looked away before Isabel caught him.
"So… if you don't mind my asking, what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean?" Isabel asked.
Dean looked back at her. "My car won't be fixed for about four days, and I doubt you will be hanging around here."
"Well, ya see I will be. Since I have been looking for you guys, I'm not leaving yet."
"I wish you knew why you were looking for us," Dean muttered. "Could you at least tell me one thing?"
"Maybe," Isabel said with a smirk at hearing his mutter.
"Tell me who you are taking orders from?"
Isabel tilted her head and then shook it. "I'm sorry Dean but I can't. Not yet anyways."
Dean nodded some. "How long before you're allowed?"
"I don't know," she said softly, "Look, I know it is hard, but don't worry. Everything will be fine."
He just gave her a look and Isabel smiled at him.
"What if I give you a kiss?"
Dean's eyebrows rose. "For real?"
"For real," Isabel said with a chuckle. "Since you were so good to me in the woods, you deserve a reward."
"Oh goody," Dean said with fake excitement.
"Fine if you don't want the kiss."
"No I do."
Isabel chuckled and nodded, "Ok, close your eyes."
"What for?"
"Just do it or no kiss."
Dean sighed and shook his head slightly before closing his eyes. Isabel smiled and slowly walked over.
"No peeking."
"I won't."
She stood in front of him for a second and then leaned up, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Dean opened his eyes.
"Thanks," she said softly, walking past him to the living room.
Dean watched after her, touching his cheek where she had kissed him and growled low. "Tease."
Then he walked after her.