Tyler and Dean had driven to their destination almost immediately after they decided to go on a hunt together. It took them about a week, filled with awkward silences and conversations that stopped and started more often than not. Still, Dean thought that the rift that grown between them because of everything that happened after he called her out about the usage of her watch, might still be able to be repaired.
Once, while Tyler had gone inside a rest stop, Sam had called Dean. He was irate that Dean had gone somewhere and only left him a small note, not explaining his whereabouts. Dean had done so, because he was sure Sam would be even angrier if he knew he was hunting alongside Tyler. Dean had made up some excuse about needing some space and time for himself. Whether or not Sam bought it was none of his concern. As long as his younger brother wasn't going to go after him, he was all good.
Dean looked across the table, watching Tyler read through the newspaper she had bought at the hotel's front desk. He was waiting for his breakfast, while Tyler's cheese croissant was steaming in front of her. The case they were on top of was a strange one. Six newlywed brides had been found around the area, dead. So Tyler had decided they were going to pose as newlyweds and find out what the hell was going on. Tyler had put her money on a ghost. Dean wasn't yet sure. They'd not been able to take a look at the bodies, unfortunately.
"Here you go, Mr. Dale," said the waitress as she put down a plate of pancakes. Dean rewarded her with a smile. Tyler hadn't looked up from her newspaper, engrossed in the comics section. He attacked his breakfast with a speed he forgot he once possessed. After a while, as he paused to take a big gulp of coffee, he realised Tyler was watching him with an amused look on her face. Probably in awe of my speed, he thought to himself. Or-
"You want some?" he pointed at his left overs with his fork. Tyler snorted and said, "I'm not a pancake kinda girl."
"What? What's wrong with pancakes?" he asked incredulously.
"Spoken like someone who never had any of the General's," she replied. "Trust me, you'd never want another pancake after…that."
"Come on, it couldn't be that bad."
"It was. It still haunts me to this day," Tyler bit into her croissant.
"Take a bite of mine, you'll see what you've been missing," Dean said as he pushed his fork towards her.
"No thanks."
"Oh, come on!"
"I'm good."
"I'm not gonna let this go."
"Yes, you will."
"No, I won't."
"Honey," she said with emphasis, "people are looking at us."
"Well, sweetheart," he said with a grin. "There's one way to make me stop."
"God damnit," Tyler mumbled. "FINE."
She leaned over the table as he speared a piece of pancake on his fork and made ready to feed it to her. As her mouth closed around it, suddenly a low voice spoke her name.
"Ty?"
Tyler looked over to the man standing in front of their table, then chocked in her pancake. Dean quickly slapped her on the back. Instead of thanking him for his help, or cursing him for making her eat the pancake, Tyler ignored him completely. She only had eyes for the man in front of her.
"Tommy?"
Before he could properly react, Tyler had moved away from the table and stood to hug the man. Dean took this chance to really take a good look at the man. Dean thought him to be Hispanic. He had dark brown eyes, full lips and black hair that was tied back into a ponytail that fell over his shoulders. A handsome man, no doubt. An old friend perhaps?
"How've you been?" she said. "And how are you here?"
"Well," said Tommy, "to answer both your questions at the same time: this is my hotel."
"Wha- You actually did it? You accomplished your dream?" Tyler said, admiration in her eyes. "I can't believe it. Or actually…I can. You were always driven."
Tommy smiled at her in such a way that Dean had no doubt that these two had history together. His stomach clenched. Then Tommy's eyes settled upon Dean.
"Um?" Tommy said, to which Tyler said, "Oh, right. I should introduce my-"
"Husband," said Dean. Tyler glared at him, but Tommy only smiled at Dean and offered a hand.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Tommy. An old friend of your wife."
Dean frowned at the way Tommy said wife, but apparently that was a reference to something between them, because Tyler pulled a face and started laughing.
"I know, I know. But hey, a girl can always change her mind, right?" She spoke to Tommy again.
"I guess you'd know best," Tommy replied as he touched her elbow. Then he turned to Dean and explained, "She always said she was never going to get married."
"Is that so?"
"Oh yeah, she often railed against the uselessness of matrimony. Drove the other girls crazy. How are the others, by the way?"
Tyler's face fell. The loss of her siblings was still a sore spot for her. How was she going to explain it to this guy who had actually known them? Dean jumped in instead.
"I'm sorry to tell you this," he started. "There was a house fire. The only reason Tyler is here now, is because she was somewhere else. My condolences."
Tommy's face drained of colour. So he'd really cared for the kids. Tyler grabbed him by a shoulder as he swayed, and gently sat him down next to Dean.
"Tyler," said Tommy as he grabbed her hands. Dean tried very hard not to stare. "I'm so sorry. If I had been there- Well, I don't know what I would've done. Could've done…"
He turned to Dean.
"I'm glad Tyler didn't have to go through such a hard period by herself."
Dean nodded in the man's direction, not quite knowing how to feel. It was true he'd tried to be there for Tyler, but she'd mostly dealt with it alone. Then Tommy stood, still holding on to Tyler's hands and planted a kiss upon them. Then he frowned.
"No ring?" he said.
"We're saving up for a matching set," Dean hurriedly said. "There's been some money issues."
"If you need a loan-"
"No," said Tyler decisively.
"Seriously, Ty. It's no big deal-"
"No, you're my friend, not my bank. But thank you for the offer," said Tyler. "Now, I'm guessing the hotel manager has more to do than pester his guests…"
Tommy smiled at Tyler's grin and bowed mockingly. "Your wish is my command, milady. I'll leave you be. But please, don't hesitate to look for me if you need something. Anything really."
He once again turned to Dean and held out his hand. Dean shook it and said, "Nice to have met you."
"Likewise."
Then Tommy stalked out of there. Tyler's green eyes followed him, an unidentifiable look in them. She quickly sat down again, her face a mask.
"Does he know?" Dean asked. She shook her head.
"Not about the hunting, and not about my….origins. And I'd like it to stay that way," she said, a warning in her eyes.
"He won't hear it from me," Dean said.
"Good."