Chapter 5

Over a week had passed and Dean and Riley had settled into a comfortable routine. Riley trained with her team in the early morning hours before Dean was even conscious and when she returned home, they would grab breakfast and then occupy themselves by driving into the mountains or finding a pool hall or arcade downtown. Each afternoon they split up, with Riley heading to practice and Dean going to the hospital to spend time with Sam. Riley would join them, generally bringing dinner, when she was finished with practice and work. Each night, Dean slept beside Riley and her nightmares had become more and more infrequent.

Dean hadn't spent this much time with anyone else besides his brother and Dad and it felt good to have someone in his life that wasn't intrinsically linked to the tragedy of his past. Without meaning to, he realized he'd let his guard down with Riley. He wasn't much of a talker with women—at least not beyond superficial stuff and pick-up lines, but in all their time together, he had begun to really talk with her. He still hadn't told her the family secret, but he'd told her things he hadn't told anyone else, like how hard it had been to lose his mom and how important his, occasionally dysfunctional, relationships with Sam and his Dad were to him.

Riley, in turn had shared how she'd grown up trying to get attention from a father who spent all his time and energy at the office. She had thought that he was disappointed in having had two daughters and no sons so she had sought to gain his attention through playing sports and doing all the things that the boys in her neighborhood did growing up. She had strived to make the Olympic team in the hopes of finally earning her father's attention and approval so when she got injured and missed her chance; it broke her heart that much more. Since missing out on Athens, Riley had shifted her focus from doing Judo to make her father proud to doing Judo because she loved it and wanted more than anything to represent her country and hopefully win a rare Judo medal for the US in the Olympics. She told him how making that shift had given her so much more joy in her life and in her sport than she'd had before.

Riley had also shared her beliefs and her faith with Dean—that even if her Dad didn't seem to care much about her, she knew she had a Heavenly Father who loved her and listened to her prayers. When Dean explained his feelings and doubts about religion to her, Riley didn't try to convince him of anything—she simply listened and tried to understand his point of view.

"So your doctor just told me they're releasing you tomorrow," Dean said with a grin as he walked into Sam's room Wednesday afternoon.

"And not a moment too soon!" Sam exclaimed. "I've been climbing the walls, and I feel about 90 normal."

"Dude, you're not even 5 normal," Dean teased. "Seriously though, it'll be good to have you back."

"Seems to me you've been doing alright without me," Sam said with a knowing smile.

Dean averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"I'm just saying you look happy, and I think we both know the reason" Sam told him.

"Riley's become a good friend—and I haven't had very many of those in my life."

"So you're still sticking to that 'just friends' thing?"

"Uh, yeah I'm sticking to it because it's the truth."

"Look, its obvious there's something between you two," Sam said slowly, "are you holding back because of Cassie?"

"Cassie…" Dean shook his head. "Man, I don't even know what to think about that whole thing. One minute she was telling me we should make things work and stop making excuses, and the next thing I know she's saying she's a realist and doesn't see much hope for us. Talk about doing a 180."

"So then, what's the problem?" Sam asked.

"I can't tell her the truth and drag her into all this, Sammy. First of all, I've been there and done that with the telling the truth thing and it obviously didn't go well. And second, she's got this plan for her life that doesn't include a demon hunting boyfriend. It's just better all the way around if I don't go there."

Sam nodded, understanding Dean's reasons better than anyone else in the world ever could.

"Come on in guys," Riley said as she led the boys into her apartment Thursday evening. "Let's get Sam set up on the couch," she said to Dean who was watching Sam worriedly. Sam was moving a bit gingerly but under his own power.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," Sam said as he lowered himself onto the couch.

"Oh, no problem," she replied. "I just feel bad that I have to kick you guys out tomorrow when I leave for my tournament."

"That's alright, we need to be moving on anyway," Dean told her.

"Did you get a lead on your Dad?" she asked.

"No, but we're not going to find him if we're standing still," he replied.

"Makes sense," she said nodding. "Ok, I better go pack," Riley said heading toward her room.

"So…" Sam began when Riley was out of earshot, "If I'm sleeping on the couch, where are you sleeping?"

"With Riley—but it's not what you think," he quickly added when Sam raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I've been sleeping with her since the hold-up because she kept having nightmares. But nothing's happened. We just sleep."

"Nothing?" Sam asked quizzically.

"Damn-it Sammy, yes! Nothing! She was almost raped and she's freaked out about it. Do you really think I'd make a move on her? Is that really how you see me?" Dean hissed.

"No Dean, of course not. I'm sorry. I'm a jerk." Sam apologized.

"Yeah, you are!" Dean sighed. "Look, I'll see you in the morning Sammy."

"Good night Dean."

Dean walked into Riley's bedroom and found her sitting cross-legged on the floor in her pajamas zipping a large rolling duffel bag closed. "All packed?" Dean asked gesturing towards the bag.

"Pretty much," she replied. "We should probably leave by 6:15. Do you think you can handle getting up that early?"

Dean groaned. "Just make sure you have some coffee ready."

"Will do," she said with a smile. "Ok, I'm headed to bed."

"Me too. I just have to change and I'll be right back." Dean said heading for the bathroom.

Riley set her alarm then climbed into bed. Dean joined her a moment later, clicking of the lamp as he passed it. He slipped into bed and rolled onto his side to face Riley. He heard her deep even breathing and knew she was already asleep. When his eyes had adjusted to the darkness he was able to make out the contours of her face. He watched her until sleep overtook him as well.

Dean pulled the Impala to the curb at the airport. Riley climbed out of the back seat and slung her backpack over her shoulder. She poked her head into the passenger-side window and kissed Sam on the cheek.

"Take care Sam,"

"You too Riley," he said smiling warmly.

Dean had pulled Riley's duffel bag out of the trunk and hauled it onto the curb next to her. She turned to face him.

"I'm gonna miss you Dean. I've gotten really used to having you around." Riley said softly.

"I'll miss you too Riley. The circumstances sucked out loud, but I'm glad we met," he replied.

"So where are you two headed now?"

"Chicago."

"Do you have a lead on your Dad?"

"Nah, this is an unrelated investigation."

"I really hope you guys find him. And I know this doesn't mean much to you, but I'll be praying for you," Riley said, taking his hand and squeezing it.

"Hey, even though I don't think I believe in God, I know how strongly you believe, so it does mean a lot to me that you're praying for me," Dean said earnestly.

Riley hugged him tightly, willing herself not to cry. Dean hugged her back, drinking in the feel of her in his arms and the smell of her shampoo. They remained like that for several moments before Riley whispered, "I better go," and pulled away.

Stepping back, she looked into Dean's hazel eyes. "Stay in touch, ok?"

"Ok," he replied. "Now, go kick some ass!" he commanded with a smile.

"That's the plan!" she replied. "Bye Dean."

"Bye Riley."

Riley bent down to grab the handle of her duffel bag and began rolling it towards the entrance. As she walked away, Dean tried to commit every detail of Riley to his memory, from her silky strawberry-blond hair to her strong confident walk. As he watched her, she paused mid-stride, dropped her duffel bag and strode back toward him.

"Forget something?" he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, this—" she said before circling her arms around his neck and kissing him softly on the lips. He was caught off-guard but an instant later his arms had pulled her tightly to him and he kissed her back, reveling in the feel of her soft lips on his—her body against his. After a few moments she pulled away slightly, her forehead resting against his.

"I really have to go," she murmured.

"I know," he said, his voice husky. He saw a single tear trickle down her cheek and he reached up to brush it away.

"Bye Dean," she whispered. She kissed him once more before she reluctantly turned, picked up her bag and walked into the airport.

"Goodbye Riley," Dean whispered as he watched her go. He sighed, and then turned back to the car, walked to the driver's side and climbed in. Sam remained quiet, giving his brother the space he knew he needed.

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