Chapter 25
"Uh, guys…" Paige looked up at the display racks "These are really big… I don't know…"
"Paige, you can do it." Dean said as he rubbed her shoulders like a coach encouraging an Olympic gymnast. "Just go slow; take it a foot at a time."
She walked around to the other side of the display, looked it over again and smirked at Sam "I better call for backup."
"Hey Paige. What's up?" Kyle was there in an instant and Dean's eyes instantly flashed with jealousy.
"Kyle it's good to see you" Sam said, the sentiment was genuine.
"I need you..." Paige said. Kyle flashed a wink at Dean; he thought Paige maybe blushed a little. "I mean your help. We need to move these displays, just out and back until we find a blood stain on the floor. Then after Sam burns the blood, we have to move the display back."
Kyle smiled slyly at Dean "I'm so glad you asked for my help, Paige."
Dean gruffed "I think she's underestimating herself; I think she can do it solo."
"Oh, sure she could." Kyle said. "But you know, it's nice to have a partner, someone you can count on, willing to back you up."
Dean gritted his teeth and said "Let's just get on with this."
The five of them were in a local bar half an hour later. Randy's ghost had thrown Dean and Phoebe around a little; Kyle healed Phoebe. Dean insisted he was uninjured, although the way he was moving indicated he had some bruised ribs. Sam and Phoebe were dancing to the band and Dean and Kyle were flanking Paige at the bar.
The band took a break. Sam and Phoebe came back to the bar for a drink; Dean made a smart ass comment about Sam's dancing. Paige playfully elbowed him, he winced and she said "Why don't you let Kyle heal your ribs? There's no reason that my little elbow should've hurt you."
"It's no trouble Dean, I'm happy to help." Kyle flashed a toothy smile at him and said "You'll be in good hands, just ask Paige." and he gave Dean a wink.
"I was just messing around, wanted to make Paige feel like she got in a good shot" he said while he glared at Kyle.
Sam poked Dean's side and he hissed and growled. He used all his energy to keep from doubling over in pain. "Dean, don't be stupid. We all know you're tough, but not accepting help is just childish."
"Clearly he is stupid – only a stupid guy says 'no' to Paige." Dean heard Kyle say.
"What was that, Kyle?" Dean balled up his fists and looked like he was ready for a fight.
"I didn't say anything, Dean, but I am happy to help with those ribs."
"Oh, you said something, all right." He said, through his clenched teeth.
"Dean, I think you're either delirious or you heard someone else." Phoebe said "Kyle didn't say anything."
Dean looked around at Paige and Sam; they were clearly in agreement with Phoebe. He decided to not make a big deal out of it and shrugged "My mistake. I guess I could use a little of your mojo."
Paige smiled at him and said "That's a good decision." She was standing in between them and started to move, but Kyle said "No, be the shield, I'll do it right here."
Kyle reached around Paige and touched Dean's shoulder. While he was grateful for the healing, He noticed that Kyle had used it as an opportunity to get in close extra to Paige. When he was done, Kyle nonchalantly left his arm around Paige's shoulders and smiled at Dean "That's better, now, isn't it?" his hand rubbing her shoulder lazily.
The band had come back and started their next set. Dean grinned at Kyle and with a wink he said "Only one way to tell for sure. Let's dance." In one swift move, he grabbed Paige's hand, pulled her away from Kyle and led her onto the dance floor.
Kyle glared at him across the bar. Phoebe excused herself and headed to the ladies room. Sam pointed to Dean and Paige dancing and said "That won't last long – Paige will get tired of him stepping on her feet soon enough."
"I really didn't care-"
"Just making conversation, Kyle. But, don't say it doesn't bother you." Sam smiled.
They turned away from the dance floor and faced back to the bar to order another round.
"He is so cocky and I just don't see why she... why any woman would-"
"Preaching to the choir, Kyle." Sam sighed "I think they like his arrogance. Especially since his usual women know they won't ever see him again. The few who've actually gotten to know him – by few I mean 3 – I think they like that he's tough and can protect them, and he really does have a soft side."
"Do you have to use a chisel to get to it?"
"More like a jackhammer."
"You need a Jackhammer for what?" Dean was standing beside Sam.
"We were coming up with a name for that dance you're doing; you look like you're operating a jackhammer." Sam smirked.
"His feet landed on mine like that too!" Paige teased as she patted his hand and smiled.
Phoebe returned and dragged Sam and Paige back out the dance floor, leaving Kyle and Dean together at the bar. They both leaned against it and watched the others. "You don't dance?" Dean asked Kyle, raising an eyebrow.
"Not dancing like this; I am really good at the ballroom dances." Before Dean could make a joke he continued "I had to be to blend in at formal events when I worked for the Secret Service; I was with them for just over a year before Homeland Security."
"Were you ever on the president's detail?"
"Only once." Kyle said. "But you have to understand that is something more for the veterans. I covered the VP some and other officials. But I was just using it to get to the Homeland Unit - I wanted on Key's team."
"Why is that, exactly?"
"You already know, mostly. I thought the Avatars killed my parents; Paige helped me to see that it was actually demons, but I had looked my entire life for the truth and I knew it was magical. Keys team was all about finding magic. I didn't want to expose it like he did; I wanted answers and revenge."
"I can appreciate those motives. Here's to dead demons." Dean said as he held up his beer.
Kyle gave it a 'clink' with his and smiled. "So, we're having a beer together; you have a question you want to ask?"
"I do, but… I don't. You know?"
"Probably." Kyle left it at that; he doubted anything could be dragged out of Dean.
They watched the others for a few more songs when Dean finally spoke. "You're a good guy, Kyle, but if I have details of you and Paige... Well, I can't kill you…" Dean paused and sighed "No. I can't ask. Not yet, I just don't know you well enough."
"OK Dean, but I'm willing to at least hear your question and then decide if I am willing to answer."
"I won't ask the one, about… It doesn't matter, I guess." Dean did want to know if Kyle's sex with Paige was 'electric' like his had been, but he just couldn't bear to discuss 'white-lighter/human sex' with Kyle. "But you seem to want to rekindle whatever it was that you two had." Dean didn't look at Kyle, he stared straight ahead and he lowered his voice as much as possible, given the volume of the band. "Did you love her? Or, do you still?"
"Dean, we didn't have that long together. I really, really like her." Kyle was sure to not say he liked her and Dean did not let it slip his attention. "She is amazing – you know it. After becoming a white-lighter, I wasn't able to see the sisters for a while. Now that we've worked together, it seems I will be able to see them whenever I want. I wouldn't mind getting a chance to open the door to a relationship with Paige again… But… you're a good guy and I know how you feel about each other."
"How do you know how we feel?" Dean bristled; did Paige tell him?
"Strangers in this bar know, man. The only person you're fooling is you - because you think you're fooling the rest of us." Kyle said and then he smiled. "Dean, I won't get in the way, once I know you're serious. Until then, I'm going to keep trying to keep Paige's interest from being one hundred percent focused on you. Because, the minute I know that you're not going to man up, I plan to be right there to take my shot. I'm not saying she'd have me, but I will try like hell."
"That's fair." Dean said as he clenched his jaw and held up his beer "To Paige.". He did like Kyle and he could certainly understand why he would want Paige for himself.
Kyle and gave Dean a sly smile and a nod then raised his beer to Dean's and gave it a little 'clink'.
"So how's it going being Keys?"
"I have the team looking for demonic omens and focused on dark magic. It's great; we've done a few vanquishes and they are loving it. I used memory dust on the team that had been watching the sisters so they're in the clear. Keys reported to some higher ups and they ask, but I just say the sisters simply don't have any activity and eventually they will begin to lose interest. Especially since we're already showing promise on other targets. You and Sam are in the clear too, at least from my unit."
"That's good. Thanks. I don't suppose you could use that memory dust on the whole FBI and pretty much any other person in law enforcement?"
"Not really. Sorry."
"No problem - It was worth a shot"
"You should take the shot with Paige, you coward."
"What?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Like hell. I heard you call me a coward."
Kyle looked confused. "Dean I did not say anything and before you ask, I did not send you a telepathic message. That only works with other white-lighters."
"Whatever." Dean didn't really believe him, but he also couldn't prove anything. "Man, I am going nuts. I think I just need sleep."
Sam and the girls were walking back over to them. "I have a big day tomorrow so we need to get going." Phoebe said.
"Yeah, Keys has magic to hunt and destroy so I need to be going too."
They left the bar and Kyle orbed away. Dean drove back to the motel and Sam and Phoebe stayed in the car, making out in the backseat like teenagers.
"I have something for you; wanna come in a minute?" Dean smiled at Paige and guided her into the room.
Paige came in and he gave her the hunting knife he'd bought.
"It has my name on the blade?"
"Yeah, they did engraving at the store. I figured it would be a nice touch. No reason why you can't fight evil with style."
She stared at the knife and almost looked like she could cry. "It's unexpected but very… thoughtful." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Dean."
He grabbed her arm before she could back out of his space. "Paige, I know you had hoped for me to make a decision on… us. But I'm not there yet. You made some interesting points and I need to consider… everything."
"I will not pressure you, Dean. I asked you to come to an honest answer and that is all I want."
"OK. Hey, how's it coming on orbing a car?"
"I haven't started, Bobby is setting up something - kind of like an obstacle course."
"You know it was nothing personal that I didn't want you to just try it on Baby, not to mention me and Sam."
"Oh Dean, no matter if we are friends, more than friends, or whatever… I will never come between you and Baby; she is your first love and no woman stands a chance against her."
"Yeah, She's first, but, it's a really, really close second place." He smiled and winked "Baby doesn't have everything I look for in a woman."
They sat there, at the table and just talked and joked around. Dean thought how natural it felt to just talk to her; the conversation wasn't forced or boring. It was just fun. But, he wanted to hold her, kiss her and more. He reached over and held her arm, starting to pull her closer.
Sam and Phoebe came in; Dean let Paige out of his grip. "Ready to go?" Phoebe asked. They all promised to be in touch if they got any news about the merger or if they need backup. Sam kissed Phoebe, they both hugged Paige and the girls orbed away.
"I know I gave you shit about her coming, but Phoebe really was a great help."
Sam smiled "I have to say it was so easy with Paige orbing us in and using her mojo to move those racks. We'd still be there; seeing as how we moved all three racks before we found the blood stain."
"Yeah," Dean snickered "the blood of a dead asshole who's haunting his old job is always in the last place you look."
Dean laughed heartily at himself but stopped rather suddenly "Man, this was easy tonight. Do you think we can use Paige to move the dirt out of graves and put it back? That would save a ton of time too."
"I thought you already asked about that once."
Dean was in his own little world. "I would think that because people are usually in trouble, it wouldn't be as much for our personal gain as for the innocents who might get ganked while we're digging… Yeah, I am definitely gonna ask about that."
Each brother sprawled across his bed and let himself relax.
"So you and Kyle were at least civil to each other. I'm sure you hate the guy, but I really like him."
"Actually I think he's a good guy and he's honest. He said he really likes Paige and wants to restart things with her. But he won't make a direct move, not yet; he's staying in her sights because if I don't go for it with her, he wants to be there, waiting."
"You know neither of them is going to wait forever, don't you" Sam said. "Has Paige given you a deadline?"
"Deadline?"
"Yeah, you know a 'Dean have an answer that you want to try a relationship or just stay friends by… whenever; If you haven't made a decision, she will put you in the friend zone permanently and she'll move on looking for love' kind of deadline?"
"No, she's being totally cool about it."
"Her cool will turn cold if you act like you can just run around banging waitresses and she's going to take you in whenever you decide she's worth a shot. So if she didn't give you a deadline, then you need to set one, tell her what it is and stick to it.
"This sounds a lot like you giving me advice on Paige."
"I am not giving advice on what decision you should choose; I am giving advice on how you should go about the activity of choosing."
"You're walking the line there, Johnny Cash."
"Whatever. It was an idea, a good idea, but not one that you have to use in any fashion."
"Let's just get some sleep."
Morning came and the brothers were ready to get on the road, hunting something else. They called Bobby for a job.
"Something wonky in Pomeroy, Ohio; In the last 3 weeks 15 people are claiming to see dead people; they're seein' dead people like that kid in the Sixth Sense. They say dead people are everywhere. So far, none of the dead are violent; they're just hanging around like regular folk. But the number of people seein' 'em is going up all the time. Almost a new person every day."
"OK Bobby, Sammy and I will high-tail it over to… Where in Ohio? Pomeroy, got it."
They loaded the car, checked out of the Motel and left Nebraska City in the rear view mirror.
"I was thinking about what you said about a deadline. You're right that it's not fair to act unattached and then expect her to take me if I decide I want to try. It should be an easy decision. Hell, I already made it once before we left San Francisco. But, she had some good points and I can't honestly say I disagree with her or that I agree, either. I think a month. I'll tell her when we've been on the road for one month, or before if I make the decision."
"Can she still date while you're out being… you?"
"Of Course she can. I would have no right to ask her to not go on a date. But…" Dean just trailed off his sentence. He didn't want to think about Paige on a date with anyone else.
"Bu-uut! You don't think she will go on a date so you feel like you're holding on to your slutty ways all the while keeping her in a glass case, just for you. That's going to backfire. She can date; she will date."
"OK, I don't wanna keep talking 'bout this." Dean said while Sam rolled his eyes and tried again to speak. Dean turned on the radio.
I knew right from the beginning
That you would end up winnin'
I knew right from the start
You'd put an arrow through my heart
Round and round
With love we'll find a way just give it time
Round and round
What comes arou….
"Son of a Bitch!" Dean began searching for a new station. One came in clear; it was playing a commercial so he left it. He just stared over his hands on the wheel – looking at the open road and thinking about Paige; could he really build something with her? Sam began snickering and it snapped him out of his visions of Paige. "What's so funny?" he snarled, but Sam just kept chuckling; he realized it's because of the goddamned radio now belting out
Don't wanna wait til tomorrow,
Why put it off another day?
One more walk through problems,
Built up, and stand in our way ,ah
One step ahead, one step behind me
Now you gotta run to get even
Make future plans, don't dream about yesterday, hey
C'mon turn, turn this thing around
Right now, hey
It's your tomorrow
Right now,
C'mon,it's everything
Right now,
Catch a magic moment, do it
Right here and now
It means everything
"Oh, fuck it!" He said, exasperated "At least it's Van Halen and not Ricky Martin."
"Looks like the radio stations are trying to tell you something, Dean"
"Oh yeah? Exactly what's that?"
"That you're in love and you need to decide what you're going to do about it."
"I'm gonna turn off the radio and tell you to shut the hell up, you bitch."
"Jerk."
A/N The songs are Round and Round by Ratt and Right Now by Van Halen. I don't own either of them; just paying homage to them. I am really torn as to which direction to take this. So give me some feedback. Do we want Dean to be happy and 'get the girl'? Or do we want him miserable and alone, not realizing what he missed out on with Paige until she's with Kyle?