September 8, 2006
Dean glanced at the wall clock. It was only 10:18. Shit. This was supposed to last until 10:45. He continued moving the tens rods into the hundreds place as he showed the last math problem he had prepared. "So how many tens do we have now that we have regrouped?"
A dozen small hands shot up as at least three students started trying to jump out of their seats.
"Yes, Jamaal?"
"We have two tens left because we took ten to make a hundred."
"Correct. Good job Jamaal." Dean replied, making a check on the young boy's behavior chart. "Now we're going to do a few more examples, only this time I'm going to be writing the numbers instead of using the rods and squares." Which is supposed to be tomorrow, but I'm out of content for today and it's clear that most of them get it… Dean smiled as his principal made notes on the clipboard-because of fucking course I end up with the first observation of the school year.
**SPN**
By the end of the day Dean was exhausted. First grade was much more energy intensive than third, and it showed. It was the fourth day of school and already he knew he had to reorganize his room because three of the boys in the middle table couldn't stay still, Hannah bolted for the door whenever he mentioned group work (which meant he had to have Jenna add elopement to her behavior chart), and Greg needed to switch to a standing desk-or at least have a kickback on his chair. Dean sighed as he unlocked his car and switched the radio to CD, popping in "Hot Fuss" and hoping that The Killer's new album would be as good.
He pulled into Sam's driveway twelve minutes later. It had become custom for he and Sam to check in periodically with each other, and as a result Sam had suggested having a weekly dinner to just relax and not worry about all the other crazy shit in their lives. Dean knocked on the door, looking forward to finally getting to decompress.
"Hey Dean. Come in. Sam's just finishing up in the kitchen." Jess smiled as she let Dean in.
"Hi Jess." What is she still doing here? I figured she'd've moved back in with her roommate. "Glad to hear it. I'm starved."
"When aren't you?" She joked as he sat down at the table. She pulled out a chair for herself a moment later, and after a few minutes of small-talk Sam came in with the meal.
"Alright, bon appétit!" He smiled, presenting three plates. It was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and carrots. Sam's meatloaf was to die for, which made Dean suspicious that there was something important going on, as he rarely made it for non-special occasions.
"So, what's the special occasion? Meatloaf is a 'Sammy's special occasion' food. We haven't had it since dad's birthday." Dean raised an eyebrow as Sam sat down.
Sam sighed as he smirked, "I figured you might catch on…" He paused for a moment looking at Jessica, "Jess is moving in with me."
"Well that was awfully fast." Dean muttered.
Sam rolled his eyes and put on bitchface number six, "No, ass. Not like that. She's moving into my spare room. After what happened at school she isn't comfortable there, and I don't mind the company."
And it has nothing to do with the fact that she's a hot blonde who's totally your type… "And you two totally aren't into each other." Dean crossed his arms.
"Not that it matters if you approve of the girls I date-given how I've never met any of your past boyfriends-"and how I never knew you even had boyfriends"-but we aren't dating. We're just friends." Sam warned, his tone rising.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Dean, I know you have a close relationship with your brother after what happened…" Jess began, "But I promise I won't come between you two. Sam and I are just friends. We have a bit in common, but it's just dumb stuff. Like we both watch The Office, and like to read mystery novels."
"And both speak French." Sam added.
"You speak a lot more than just French. You're like some sort of omniglot!"
"Well, yeah…" Sam blushed.
Seriously? Dean scowled as he uncrossed his arms, "Well, anyway, I'll let you two be. I've gotta get going. Thanks anyway for dinner." Dean slid his chair out and padded across the living room before shutting the door a bit harder than usual behind him.
**SPN**
Dean looked at his phone, Sam had tried calling four times already and Dean had ignored them all. I'm not in the mood right now Sammy. Why don't you just talk to your girlfriend. He was about to silence his phone when he noticed the caller was Bobby. He flipped it open and held it up to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey Dean. I heard you and Sam had some sort of disagreement earlier."
Damnit Sam, really? "Yeah Bobby. And I'm guessing he called you to vent."
"He didn't call me to vent, he called me to ask if I could reach out to you and see what's going on."
Dean rolled his eyes, "I'm sure he knows."
"Dean." Bobby's voice reminded Dean of his own father's stern warnings, often following the young boy doing something he knew was a bad idea and getting in trouble for it as a result.
Dean exhaled, "Fine." He groused, "Look, Sammy got a new roommate, that girl Jess. I know she's not a bad person or anything, because like, I talked to her when we were helping her out, but she stuck around after her ex was arrested. I get that she wouldn't want to back to her apartment-hell, I don't want to go back to that town where we found Sammy-but why does she have to stay with him? Sammy doesn't need a girlfriend and they've got a ton in common, and I swear to God Bobby I know they're gonna end up hooking up!" Dean clenched his jaw.
The line was quiet a moment before Bobby spoke, "Dean, I get that after Sam was taken you've gotten protective of him. After finding out about his powers and everything you've been watching over him because you're afraid others might see him as different. But Jess saw him use them and she wasn't fazed."
"And you know that how?"
Bobby grumbled, "Your brother makes social calls every once in a while to keep me up-to-date, unlike some people I know. Now don't interrupt."
"Fine, sorry."
"Look, Jess is just living with him. If they end up together she already knows the truth and hasn't freaked out. Sam told me she's even been reading up on angels and demons to see if she can help figure out what all is going on. Your brother is a grown man, and at this point it isn't romantic, if it becomes that way you should be willing to let your brother date. He doesn't need protection from everything. You can still look out for him, but don't drive him away by trying to keep him separated from everyone else."
Dean felt his face growing red as he rubbed his arm, "Alright Bobby. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now call your brother and apologize!"
"I'm on it." Dean sighed, hanging up then punching Sam's number into his phone.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Look, I'm sorry. I know I acted stupid and I shouldn't be so crazy protective. If you and Jess like each other, it's fine. I'm sorry I stormed out."
"I get it. I should've been more open and told you sooner. We aren't together, though, just to let you know."
"For now. I saw how she looked at you earlier." Dean smirked.
"Shut up."
"You shut up. You suck at telling when girls like you. You need your gay older brother to notice. It took you forever to even realize Dana Schwartz had a crush on you, it wasn't until I basically spelled it out that you got the balls to ask her to prom."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Whatever. But thanks."
"You're welcome. Now get some rest Romeo."
"Jerk."
"Bitch."
