A/N: Takes place between chapters 7-9 of Caught in the Crossfire. It goes between Giles's arrival and the shooting lessons.

Chapter Four: Kelly's POV - Looking for Company

"I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments,
when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom."
― Umberto Eco, Foucault's Pendulum

I had been hanging with Michelle in the kitchen when she fell asleep on the table while reading. I knew she didn't mean to, but I wasn't going to wake her up. She looked like she needed the rest. It was still early in the night, so I decided to head outside to look for Jane for company instead. I did a lap of the scrapyard, but couldn't find her. It was dark enough that I didn't want to wander further looking for her. She often disappeared in the night so it wasn't surprising or worrying. I headed back towards the house, walking quickly as the stacked cars cast shadows that reminded me that evil things really could lurk in the dark out here. I turned to look behind me at a noise, and as I turned back smacked into someone.

"Fucking Christ!" My hand flew to my chest as I realized it wasn't an attacker, just Dean.

His eyebrows shot up, "what are you doing out here alone?"

"I was looking for Jane, but gave up." I looked at him skeptically. "Why are you out here?"

"Headed back to the garage to work on my car." He gave me a look, a smile playing on his lips. "Want to join me?"

I wasn't sure what help I could be with the car, but I knew I didn't want to be alone. "Sure."

Dean led the way to the garage. We walked together in silence. We had been increasingly flirty with one another over the last few weeks. I appreciated our flirty banter, it came easily, but I had to regularly remind myself that he was a natural flirt. It very likely did not mean he was into me specifically. At the very least he did seem to enjoy my company, and I didn't want to mess that up. Especially if I stayed in this world without Michelle. I needed all the friends I could get.

We reached the garage where a few floodlights illuminated the cluttered space. The Impala's hood was propped open, Dean must have been working on her already. He disappeared around the car for a moment, before returning with two beers and a stool.

I looked from Dean and nodded to the Impala. "She really is beautiful."

He smiled at me while putting down the stool and passing me a beer, "thanks."

Dean motioned for me to take the stool, while he grabbed a tool from the box next to the car and resumed working on the Impala.

"Growing up, my dad loved classic cars. I never really understood it until I started watching the show." Dean turned to look back at me from under the hood. "I watched the first episode with him. He didn't really care for the genre, but he loved the car." Dean smiled at that. "He always said the best cars were made in the '60s."

"Smart man."

I smiled, remembering something, "the creator of the show once said in an interview his original car for the show was a 60s mustang. It was a neighbour that convinced him to switch it to an Impala."

Dean pulled a face of disgust and I laughed, which made him smile again.

"Listen there's nothing wrong with a classic Mustang, but my Baby? She's a real badass." He stood up taking another swig from his beer before sitting on the edge of the front fender of the Impala. His eyes searched my face. "You talk about him in the past tense. Did you lose him?"

I thought for a moment, not having realized I used past tense, even in my own thoughts. "No, he was still alive, at least he was the last time I saw him before I popped up here. I guess it's just easier to think of it that way. To be honest, I feel like I lost them all when I died. Anyway, I can't go back and they can't come here. Past tense feels right?"

Dean smiled at me sadly. "My dad's been gone almost 4 years now. Time...time helps. Never stop missin' them though."

A silence fell between us and Dean turned back to the Impala. I appreciated the view, watching the muscles in his arms and back move as he worked. I knew I was staring but he couldn't tell, so I indulged myself. If he caught me, I could always blame it on my ghostly years. He was still focused on his work when he spoke again.

"Can you grab the light on the top of the toolbox?"

I found the light easily and held it out to Dean. He looked at me before gesturing towards where his hands were. "Mind shining it here?"

I did as asked, watching as he tightened something, or possibly loosened something. As I said, I didn't really know cars, but I could appreciate them. And their owners.

"Your dad taught you all this right?"

Dean didn't look up. "Yeah. I was working on cars as soon as I was old enough to hold a wrench. Back when my dad was still a mechanic, he owned a shop. I would go in with him sometimes. Probably not the safest place for a kid, but I loved it."

A smile spread on my face, imagining baby Dean bonding with an unburdened John in simpler times. "That's cute. I didn't know that."

He straightened up and looked at me, a grin on his face. "See, they didn't tell you everything about me in your show."

Now that he was standing, I realized we were pretty close to one another. I debated taking a step back but overrode my own thoughts. I playfully grinned up at him.

"Guess I'll just have to read the books to fill in the gaps." I expected an eye roll, but his eyes dropped to my lips before meeting mine again. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a gentle cough. In unison, we looked over to see Sam approaching. He smiled awkwardly at me before coming to a stop in front of us.

"Sorry to interrupt. Michelle woke up and was looking for you."

I stepped slightly back from Dean, "Damn. I was hoping she would get more sleep."

Sam shrugged. "To be honest, I don't even think she realized she fell asleep. She seemed pretty freaked out that you disappeared."

Guilt shot through me at the thought. She didn't need more fear in her life right now. "Shit."

"Don't worry. She's good now. Giles made some tea. I offered to come find you though."

"Thanks, Sam." I looked between the boys, "it's a straight path back to the house right?" They nodded. I passed the flashlight to Sam, "here, take over manning the flashlight."

Dean's face fell and Sam laughed, taking the light from me. I walked back towards the house, replaying Dean's look in my mind.