There was only one other patron in the bar when I walked in – not really that surprising, considering it was only one in the afternoon on a Monday.

I stepped up to the bar and sat a respectable two seats away from the other patron. We looked at each other and gave a brief nod of acknowledgment. I hoped that he wouldn't want to have a conversation; I really wasn't in the mood.

The bartender swung by my seat and dropped a coaster. "Seven and seven, please," I said, and watched as she silently went to work. "Thanks," I said, taking a long drink and feeling myself relax marginally.

"Did you fly United, too?" A male voice asked from my right. Goddamnit.

I put a smile on my face and turned to him. "I'm sorry?"

He gave me a grin, a dimple showing up in his right cheek. "Usually when someone comes immediately into a hotel bar and downs half their drink, they've flown United and have either lost their luggage or spent all day in the airport because they missed their connecting flight."

I chuckled. "Not this time," I admitted.

"Lucky." He took a sizable sip of his own drink, keeping an eye on me and a smile on his face.

I found myself genuinely grinning in spite of my terrible mood. He was cute – dark hair, blue eyes, fit, and wearing a suit. My usual type, in other words.

"So how many bags did United lose this time?"

He laughed. "Just the one. I did see the stewardess eyeing my carry-on, though, I think she was trying to find a way to pry it from my hand and send it to Albuquerque." As I laughed, his smile grew wider. "I'm Aaron."

"Liz," I replied. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, Liz. Do you need another drink?"

I glanced down at my now two-thirds empty glass. "I shouldn't," I admitted.

Aaron pursed his lips and nodded. "Yeah. I was hoping that you needed another drink so I could have another drink."

"Flight was that bad, huh?"

He laughed. "Nah. It really isn't too far from JFK. Not as many opportunities for United to fuck it up."

"They still managed, though."

He nodded, smiling. "They did still manage."

"So what made you brave United to come to Boston?"

He sighed. "That's a long, boring story and the part where I have to admit to you that I'm an attorney and hope you don't hold it against me."

I grinned. "And that's the part where I tell you I'm a CPA and I hope that I don't bore you to death."

He laughed heartily, and I found myself actually enjoying this conversation. Which of course meant that it was about to be ruined.

"Liz," Dean barked from the door. "We have to go. Now."

I could feel my face fall and I saw Aaron's eyebrows crawl up his face before he settled into a neutral expression.

I slid off the bar stool. "I'm sorry about that," I said, feeling my face grow hot.

He shook his head. "No worries. It was great meeting you, Liz."

"It was great meeting you, Aaron."

"Lizzy!"

I closed my eyes and sighed, shaking my head. Aaron looked mildly puzzled. "He really wants his taxes done," I said dryly.

He grinned at me. "The life of a CPA, huh?"

"Something like that."

"Well, if you're ever in need of a somewhat-ok attorney or need someone to bitch about United with..." he reached into his pocket and slid a card across the bar to me. "Give me a call."

A huge smile broke out on my face before I could pull it back. "I just might do that." I took the card and put it in my pocket.

"I hope you do."

"Goddamnit, Liz," Dean snapped, taking three steps into the door. "Let's go."

I shared another look with Aaron before I made my way out, pausing to put a hand on his shoulder. "Have another drink for me. Please."

"Will do."

I made my way towards a glowering Ambrose, feeling my stomach lurch uncomfortably. "What?" I asked, not even able to inject any heat into my voice. Dean grabbed me by the arm and yanked me out the door.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I looked up, surprised, to see Aaron standing and coming towards us. "Don't touch her like that."

Dean dropped my arm. "I don't see how it's any of your business, buddy."

"I'm not your buddy." He took a few more steps towards us. "If you grab her like that again, you'll see just how little I'm your buddy...pal."

He turned his gaze towards me. "Are you ok?"

I nodded. "I am. Thank you."

"I don't have time for this bullshit," Dean snapped, rubbing a hand over his forehead. "Let's just go."

Aaron swung his eyes back to me, his eyebrow raised in a silent question. I wanted to tell him no, I wouldn't be fine with Dean...but I also didn't want to drag him into this mess. So I smiled and gave a brief nod.

"Fine," I said to Dean. "Let's go."

He tried to offer me his hand, but I didn't take it. I didn't want to touch him. Instead I walked out ahead of him and into the car where Seth and Roman were waiting.

"Sorry, guys," I said as I sat down and buckled in.

Dean was only a moment behind me, his face red and his fists clenched. I was so used to seeing him like this that it didn't even phase me, except for a vague thought that he was acting like a possessive dick for someone who just wanted to fuck me.

He got in the car and immediately lit up a cigarette. "Let's fucking go," he growled.

I waited until we were a safe distance down the road and Dean stopped staring a hole into the side of my head before I casually reached a hand into my pocket. I ran my fingers over the card, almost to convince myself that it actually existed, and managed a small smile before I caught Dean staring at me again and had to pull it back.

I kept my hand on the card the whole drive, trying to remember that good people did still exist in the world.