Dean pulled the Impala up to the BBQ place as the sun was sinking behind the low clouds to the west on the following Friday afternoon. They had decided to go for a nice steak dinner. For one, Dean really wanted a steak, and two, what better way to case the place than from the inside.
They had forgone doing anything but monitoring the joint's security cameras for a couple of days. The Djinn they were after had recently fed, and caught a new victim. They would be least likely to draw attention to themselves when they were not out on the hunt. And anything smart enough wouldn't attempt a new abduction for at least a few days after they were dumb enough to let one get away.
Sam walked up to the hostess station, while Dean stood back and surveyed the restaurant. It definitely looked a lot different from the angles of the security cameras. And now that both Dean and Sam knew where every single one was, they knew where the blind spots were if they needed to take anything out here on site.
Dean wondered if the Djinn knew of the cameras and their positions in depth. If that's why they hadn't been able to see the tell-tale flashing eyes on any of the footage. Dean smiled at the cute girl behind the podium. He heard Sam suggest the bar area to her. They were then seated with a perfect view of the bar.
So far, so good. The only thing now was to order their food and wait. And watch.
"So, what's going on in that stubborn head of yours? Sam asked pointedly. As soon as the waiter had taken their orders and left.
"Wining and dining me doesn't work, Sammy. I'm not some cheap date." Dean responded sarcastically.
"You have avoided the subject for days. I'm not going to keep letting you brood in your little corner. Come on, out with it. It's getting kind of sad, actually. What's been bugging you so much?" Sam leaned back, eyes intently on Dean. There was a genuine look of concern on his face.
Dean glared at him. Of course, he was taking the opportunity of a stake-out to spring this on him. Typical. If Sam couldn't weasel information out of you, he cornered you. How was he going to get out of this one in one piece?
It was true. Dean had been avoiding the subject. Like the plague. He was stuck on his unfinished business. And this is exactly why he hated having unfinished business. Sammy never missed a beat.
Truth be told he was hung up on J.
She hadn't made an appearance in his dreams; which he knew he had had. It's not like Dean ever formally ever got her number or anything. Everything was always said, or done, in his dreams. And she had not been in them, other than figments of Dean's own imagination.
"Later. We need to keep our eyes open. And, I for one, am looking forward to having a nice steak in the meantime. Please don't go ruining it with you chick flick moments, Samantha." Dean sat back in his chair, glaring off into any other direction that was not at Sam.
"I'm not ruining anything. I just want to know what's going on. Have you seen yourself? Your head is everywhere but in the game. At least let's get it out in the open now so we can take care of this. Then we will take care of that." Sam said while he ran his fingers through his hair, getting frustrated.
"First thing's first, you ain't taking care of my anything. Second of all, this is my business and mine alone. Meaning, it isn't any of yours. So, stay out of it." Dean nearly growled back at Sam.
"Hey man, I'm just trying to be supportive." Sam threw his hands up defensively.
"All I know is that something is bugging you and it's not doing you any favors by just dwelling on it. Or whatever the hell it is that you're doing." Sam concluded.
"I'll take care of it, Sammy. I always do. Don't worry about me. Keep your eyes open."
Speaking of which, here came their dinner order.
An hour later Sam and Dean were waiting on dessert. For once they had both ordered desserts. Usually, it's just Dean and his pie.
Today it was a big slice of raspberry pie for Dean and some low-cal, dark chocolate something or another for Sammy. With a latte. Dean never understood coffee with dessert. What was the point exactly?
While Sam and Dean shot the shit about Bobby and needing to go visit him, among other things. Nothing too memorable. Dean noticed a redhead up at the bar ordering a drink. Maybe he would have some fun tonight after all.
This Djinn was either not there or hiding in plain sight, as they were. There were two staff still unaccounted for. So, in all actuality, the thing might not even be there tonight and they wasted an opportunity. At least they got a decent steak dinner. Maybe Dean would stick around for a few drinks.
Maybe make this night not so much of a waste of time. Dean was tired of Sam trying to pry. He kept dropping hints and trying to segway their conversations towards The Roadhouse and then J. They were both getting irritated with each other.
They had their desserts in silence when they arrived.
"Well, I'm going to walk back to the motel since it seems you're going to stay here and go after that redhead you keep staring at. I, for one, am glad you're doing something about your 'unfinished business'. Even if it is self-destructive and totally not going to solve any of your problems. And may possibly give you new ones." Sam gave Dean a Bitchface which he gladly returned.
Dean was getting tired of Sam trying to get all emotional and deep with him. He was glad to have some alone time if anything. He could use a few drinks on his own. Just a man and his thoughts.
Maybe he would chase the redhead for some fun. Why not? In the end, J was just another chick. She wasn't special. At least he would not admit that she was.
Even if she was, Dean wasn't about to do anything about it. He couldn't, even if he wanted to. Not in this line of work. So why not distract, instead?
As Sam said, 'are you happy or are you distracted?'
Dean wanted to be distracted.