A/N: Let me know what you think about Dean's voice here. I hope it gives you a little more insight into his view on things...at least with Kelly.

Chapter 3: The Bar - Dean's POV

When I come off the road
Well I just gotta have my time
Cause I got to find a break in this action
Or else I'm gonna lose my mind
So don't ask me no questions
And I won't tell you no lies
And don't ask me about my business
And I won't tell you good-bye (that's right)

- Don't Ask Me No Questions by Lynard Skynard

Dean watched as Kelly startled Michelle at the table, tracking Sam's expression at the interruption. Sam was still laughing, which was something Dean rarely saw these days. He had tried and failed, to convince Kelly that she did not need to check on Michelle, that Sammy would keep her safe. He wanted to keep Kelly at the table, to keep her to himself. He understood that need though, to protect family, and not trust anyone but yourself to do it right. He noticed Kelly often tried to play it strong in front of everyone, but he saw through it because he saw himself do the same.

All three of them had turned and were now looking towards the dance floor. Dean followed their line of vision to see Jane moving on the dance floor. He wouldn't call it dancing, but she too seemed to be enjoying herself. He still wasn't sure what to make of Jane but knew he didn't want to mess with her. Dean's attention was pulled away as Kelly yelled at Sam, "make sure she has fun!" while walking back towards the pool table. Sam was grinning and it made Dean happy to see. He watched Kelly approach, a giant smile on her face.

He returned the smile, "ready for me to kick your ass again?"

Kelly raised her eyebrows, "maybe I was just warming up?"

"Sure you were sweetheart."

He caught her blush when he called her sweetheart and grinned as she turned away from him, racking the balls. He checked out her ass as she stretched across the table. She turned on him then, giving him a funny look, and he realized she had definitely caught him checking her out. He waited for her to call him on it, but instead, she smirked, and nodded her head towards the cue he held, "you can break."

oOo

He didn't know how long they had been playing. He was letting her win so far this game, for now. When she was winning, it was boosting her confidence and making her a bit of a smartass. He respected a smartass. He had also noticed that once she let her guard down, she stopped treating him like a stranger, and they could fall into more natural conversations. He liked being able to be himself fully, even if she did know apparently everything about his life. It wasn't often he didn't have to sidestep real questions about himself and remember what lies he was spinning with a girl just to keep a conversation going.

Kelly turned to him, leaning on her pool cue, "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you to be on board with going out. End times and all."

Dean didn't answer immediately, instead, he moved around the table, lining up a ball and sinking it. He couldn't let her win too easily, she'd see through that. "You kiddin' me? I'm always trying to get Sammy out. He'll say no to me almost every time. You asking though?" He paused lined up another ball, watching Kelly's face fall as the ball sunk easily into the top pocket, "I knew Sam wouldn't be able to say no when you looked so excited."

That was a partial truth, the real reason was a mix. He knew they all needed a break from Bobby's, and Bobby definitely needed a break from them. Bobby had been more crabby than usual, not used to so many people in his space. On top of that Dean selfishly wanted to spend more time with Kelly, and a bar was a place he felt comfortable to be more himself. Somehow a crowded bar seemed more private than Bobby's.

Dean intentionally blew his next shot, letting Kelly take her turn, appreciating the view again as she bent over to line up a shot he knew would miss. He resisted the urge to teach her better form, one of his usual go-to moves she probably already knew. Her ball missed and she huffed, looking frustrated with herself. She turned on him, "how the hell did I miss that?"

He chewed his bottom lip, debating his initial decision not to teach her, "it's your form."

Kelly responded with a playful smirk and a raised eyebrow, "oh yeah? What about it?"

Was that a flirty invitation to teach her? He wanted it to be. He nodded to the table, "I'll give you a do-over. Pick your next shot and line it up."

Kelly moved around the table and attempted to line up another shot he knew would be a miss. He approached her, leaning over and adjusting her arms. He realized she smelled faintly of vanilla. He felt her initially tense against his touch, before loosening back up and leaning into him. "Just breathe. Keep your arms loose, but don't lose focus on the ball and where you want it to go."

He guided her arms, feeling her body pressed against his, and reminded himself to focus. She hit the ball and it sunk. She spun, causing him to step back as she jumped with a whoop. He laughed at her then and realized that despite his initial step back, they were still closer than normal. She was staring up at him, with a look on her face that he was used to getting from women. He debated leaning down right then and going in for a kiss but paused. Not his usual reaction, but this was far from a usual scenario. He didn't want to fuck this up.

Kelly stepped back then, grabbing her beer and taking a drink before walking around the table to line up another shot. The moment had passed. Dean mentally kicked himself. He watched as she missed the next shot, was she struggling to focus like he was?

Kelly straightened, a smile playing on her lips. "So, did I ever tell you about how there are 'Sam girls' and 'Dean girls'?"