The Carnival "Date"
Hi everyone! Another chapter, finally. This chapter was hard to write as I tired to dive further into Holly and Dean's relationship. I hope you all like this chapter. Please let me know what you think. I hope I don't get it wrong. I debated about weather I should post this or scrap it and start again, but I decided to give it a try.
WARNING: There is talk of SPANKING of an adult female by an adult male. If it upsets you, don't read.
Dean looked over at Holly from across the table taking in every curve of her face and settling his eyes on her small scare right above her eyebrow which was hardly noticeable unless one was really looking. He cocked his head to the side wondering how she got it and how it was just one of the many things that made this woman unequivocally unique. Her brown eyes blinked softy as she looked at the menu. Her thick brown hair was braided to one side, like always, dangling over her shoulder with small pieces of hair hanging loosely around her cheeks framing her soft feminine face. Her skin was tanned with a golden tint to it, almost like honey. She wore no makeup or jewelry, expect a single small pinky ring on her right hand that she never took off. She had no embellishments on her at all. She had a simple natural beauty about her that Dean found mesmerizing and intriguing. She was not flashy nor attention seeking like many women Dean approached. Those women were simple and easy for Dean to understand. But, not Holly, no, she was a mystery who he felt was far superior to himself in many ways and was ultimately unattainable to a hard man like himself.
Sam turned his eyes towards his brother in anticipation of saying something, but stopped when he saw his brother's attention was solely on Holly. His eyes were focused and firm with his eyebrows pushed together almost in confusion, but there was clear admiration in his gaze towards the woman. Yet, anyone else looking at his brother would probably see his studied gaze as simple sternness. There was much more to it than that and Sam saw it.
Holly glanced up at Dean who immediately cast his eyes down to his coffee mug picking it up and taking a hardy sip.
Holly bit her lip slightly as she saw Dean's eyes cast away from her. She always took way too long to figure out what to order. So, as to not aggravate Dean further, she quickly decided between her top two candidates and settled on a choice.
"I'm gonna go, healthy today and order the omelet." Holly announced putting down her menu.
Once the food came everyone ate quietly making small conversation here and there, but mostly it was quiet. Holly was feeling a bit awkward by the silence. They usually were very chatty during mealtimes, but she supposed everyone was simply tired after the long drive yesterday.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Holly asked sipping the last bit of her orange juice.
"We're going to try and interview some local people and see if we can't get some answers as to why the town's children are disappearing." Sam announced looking over at his brother who had been oddly quiet. Dean simple looked at his brother to continue.
"This sounds like our kind of job. We'll have to do some digging into the towns history since there really isn't any clear connections in just the local news. But interviewing some people today may give us some insight on where to start." Sam explained looking fairly confident and eager to get started on the case as soon as possible.
"So, we going to be cops or FBI agents? Or are we a troubled family looking for answers?" Holly asked knowing that they are going to have to impersonate to get the true answers that they needed. She never really liked doing that seeing as it was lying. She found it hard to be so blatantly dishonest to grieving families, but then again it was all to get vital information they needed to try and stop whatever supernatural son of a bitch was causing the tragedies.
"FBI agents will probably be our best bet." Sam nodded knowing it was Holly's least favorite part giving her a small smile of encouragement.
Holly nodded. "I hope this will be a quick case." Holly said genuinely hopeful that it would be a simple case. Holly always feared more lives would be taken which was true if they weren't quick and efficient about it. It was especially worrisome since it was children who were the victims in this case. It made it far more dire.
"We will." Dean said reassuringly nodding at Holly with confidence. "We probably should start with Jenny Grey's family. She was the last to go missing."
"It might be best if we split up today." Sam said abruptly catching Dean and Holly off guard since they rarely split up. "I'll go talk to Jenny's family and you and Holly can go to the Carnival that's starting at noon."
"What?" Dean stated shocked snapping his head towards his brother.
"Why?" Holly asked just as dumbfounded.
"You both can interview some kids there while I interview some families. I'm sure the kids will have a different perspective on this and we will be getting twice the work done if we go separately." Sam explained casually blinking his soft brown eyes suddenly seeming much younger than he was.
Holly nodded at Sam's logic it did make sense to her and began to think that it was a good idea to split up after all. "You know we could all three split up and then get three times the work done." Holly suggested but that was immediately shut down by one fiercely stern glare Holly was getting from Dean.
"No." Was his simple clipped response.
"But if we…"
Holly stopped as Dean's eyes narrowed in on her making her lose her courage to finish her thought. She pressed her lips together and swallowed leaning back in the booth feeling frustration build up inside her.
"It's just interviewing." Holly mumbled feeling frustrated by Dean's immediate dismissal of her idea which she thought was not a bad one considering they would get three times the work done and be all that closer to solving this important case. She was not incapable of doing her part of the job and she did not need Dean breathing down her neck about everything. She'd be careful. It seemed as if all her ideas were shut down quickly without much consideration. Anything that has to do with her being on her own Dean dismissed without a second thought which was overbearing to Holly.
Dean hearing Holly very clearly, considering his close proximity to her, glared at her making her sink a little in the booth. It had only been a week since she had her backside spanked and the memory was vivid in her mind and decided to keep her mouth shut on her thoughts about splitting up. To be fair, the last time they tried to spit up, it wasn't her most shining moment when she came running back to the Impala with a Werewolf on her tail. She supposed she could understand Dean's reasoning, but still, it wasn't like she planned on finding the Werewolf. She doesn't look for trouble, trouble finds her.
"I said no, Holly."
Holly gritted her teeth slightly struggling to push away the irritation she was feeling. "Yes..." Asshole. "Sir." She moved her tongue around in her mouth like what she had just said tasted bitter. Dean gave her one last stern look before turning to Sam.
"We can't just go around chasing kids at a carnival, Sammy. We'll look like creeps." Dean explained obviously not liking Sam's suggestion.
Sam rolled his eyes like it was apparent that's not what he meant. "Don't chase the kids around. Act like any other couple at a carnival. Play some games, go on rides, buy food. Act like you're there to enjoy the day and casually make conversation."
A couple? Did Holly hear him right? She nearly shook her head at the idea, but despite herself, Holly felt her heart rate pick up at the notion of her and Dean together. It brought a blush to her cheeks and an odd sense of shyness overcoming her.
Her and Dean? A couple? No. No way they would pass for one. They don't click and most of the time they are at each other's throats for one thing or another, not to mention Holly annoys Dean to no end putting him in a state of continuous irritation which she was neither proud of or entirely sure to how to lessen that. However, she couldn't help but allow herself to relish in the thought of Dean and her together. It would be nice to be more to Dean, but it just simply wouldn't work. Dean's not looking for that type of relationship and she was certain that he was not looking for a reckless woman like her. Holly's heart began to feel heavy with sadness as a sense of disappointment began to consume her. She could never hope to be more than just friends with the man.
This simple suggestion made Holly's mind go into a whirlwind opening a flood of emotions on her heart that made her body tighten with anxiety. She simply couldn't make sense of it all. Holly took a deep breath and tried to calm her foolish mind. Nearly slapping herself at her ridiculous and unnecessary thoughts on the matter. It wasn't even a real date. For goodness sake, it was an assignment part of an important case they were working on. This had nothing to do with her and Dean as a couple. It was just part of a job.
Pull yourself together, Holly and start acting professional about this. You got a job to do.
Holly swallowed and let out a small sigh trying to mask her initial bashfulness about the matter. She looked over at Dean who was silent for a long while giving his brother a sharp glower like what Sam suggested was manipulative in some way.
Well was it that horrible to pretend to be a couple? Holly was slightly hurt by Dean's expression and body language that gave every indication that he disliked the idea of them being together on the case.
Sam alternated glances between Holly and Dean perhaps hoping to get some sort of support for his suggestion, but all he saw was annoyed and confused looks from the two of them. Sam shook his head a little annoyed himself.
"Don't look at me like I'm crazy. It's a solid plan. It's the best way to get twice the work done and still be able to interview some kids. Plus, Holly won't be alone." Sam said defending his case blinking innocently at Dean and Holly.
Before thinking, Holly spoke. "I can do things on my own, you know." She said suddenly feeling the desire to interview on her own without the company of an irritable Hunter.
"I'm not saying that you can't. It's just a dangerous town we're in right now and it would be safer if you were with one of us." Sam explained looking over at Dean who he was sure would not object to that.
Dean simply glared at Holly letting his eyes do the talking for him. Holly returning the favor rolling her eyes in response. Yeah, they'd do splendidly as a couple.
"Are you sure Dean and I can go out without killing each?" Holly mused sarcastically bitterness clearly in her tone.
Sam let out a frustrated sigh like this is not how he wanted this to go. "You're not going to kill each other."
"Alright, I've heard enough." Dean said sternly throwing down a couple dollars out of his wallet on the table for the tip. "Holly, I want to talk to my brother alone."
Holly would be lying if she said she wasn't hurt by Dean's dismissal of her presence. It was obvious that he did not want to be partnered with her. His stern eyes were burning with clear disapproval. Holly nodded trying her hardest not to look too disheartened as she stood up to leave. "I'll just be in the lady's room then I'll meet you guys at the Impala." Holly announced as she made her escape.
As Holly headed towards the restroom. Sam turned his head to watch her walk away, but was met with an abrupt smack to the back of his head. "Ah." Sam complained as he reached for the back of his head to rub the sting away turning towards his brother with an annoyed face which did not last once he saw his brother's angry scowl.
"What the hell was that?" Dean growled angerly feeling his jaw tighten with frustration.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked in automatic innocence something he learned from a very early age. Although it never really worked on his dad nor his brother.
"You know exactly what I mean, Sammy." Dean said leveling a punitive gaze at his brother.
Sam sighed taking in a deep breath before he spoke. "Look it wouldn't hurt either of you to do something normal and fun for a change."
"And it wouldn't hurt you to put a sock in it. You're pushing into territory you have no business being in." Dean was clearly angered by Sam's blatant interference.
"All I intended was to get double the work done and get you two doing something that doesn't involved hostility." Sam explained quickly in hope that his brother would calm down. Sam expected a reaction from Dean, but nothing quite this intense.
"Sammy, I know what you're trying to do. And I swear if you don't butt out on this, I am going to get very irritated with you." Dean eyes darkened slightly pinning his brother with firm scowl full of warning.
Sam gritted his teeth at his brother's stubborn nature as he tried to hold back the frustration in his own voice trying to speak language that Dean would understand. Sam was utterly confused as to why Dean was fighting so hard against being with Holly for one afternoon.
"Look Dean, you're making this way more complicated than it is. All you're doing is going to the carnival blending in as a couple to interview some kids. It's just another assignment, if that's all you want it to be. Then that's what it will be." Sam stated calmly in hopes that Dean would look at things logically.
"Yeah? And you're telling me you had no intention of putting Holly and I together just for kicks?" Dean asked with a stern glare practically daring his brother to lie to him.
"No…I…well…I mean it's just how things kind of worked out, but yeah, it just so happens that there was an opportunity for you two to have some fun together which would not do any harm for either of you." Sam stated feeling his own emotions rise in irritation at Dean's obvious backlash. Why was he fighting this?
Dean gave him an annoyed look. "Next time you got the urge to play match maker. Think about how it's none of your business and how your older brother will kick your ass if you do."
"Look I know it's none of my business, but you can't tell me you don't have feelings for this woman." Sam stated knowing very well that Dean had strong feelings for Holly and was utterly perplexed and annoyed at his brother's shielded nature on going on a simple outing with her. And his reaction showed Sam more than ever that his feelings for her were far deeper than he initially thought.
Dean simply glared at his brother with strong frustration, but there was clear hurt behind his eyes.
"It's okay to have feelings for her, you know. Just because we're Hunters doesn't mean we don't get to pursue what we desire." Sam stated softly in hope of giving his brother some hope.
"That's exactly what it means, Sammy." Dean snapped immediately taking Sam back at the abrupt dismissal of his words. "And now thanks to your opportunity, Holly and I will be pushed into something that can never happen." There was an unmistakable shake to Dean's angered voice as his emotions began to take hold. There was an underlining hurt in Dean words that made Sam's heart drop.
Dean had no desire to play 'apple pie life' nor did he want to drag Holly into a false fantasy. And the sad part about it, none of this would even be a big deal if he didn't have such strong feelings toward the woman.
The simple fact was he did not want to be burdened with hurt. His feelings about her scared him down to his very core. Dean knew very well if he pursued Holly, she would be taken away from him because that's what happens in this world. What is loved is lost. That was the harsh reality of it. Sam had an idealistic look on everything, but that was dangerous territory for Dean to cross into. Besides, Holly was a woman who deserved someone far better than himself. He could never hope to be the partner that she desires. By rights Holly should not be in this life, but she was. And there was nothing he could do to change that. If he could there was no doubt in his mind that he would regardless of her feelings on the matter.
She seemed to be showing Dean more and more everyday bits and pieces of herself that was slowly gaining his admiration and affection. He didn't know how or why, but it was happening and it was terrifying. He had this intensely powerful urge to protect this woman and keep her safe. Dean had always felt the unyielding desire to protect women. It was an instinct embedded into is mind for as long as he could remember, but for some reason with Holly it was different. It was more personal and painfully intense. So intense, in fact, that he even went as far as spanking the woman. A punishment that was deeply personal and intimate in itself. He never showed this kind of attention to any other woman before. It was a new experience for him. Dean ultimately felt like he was sucker punched. He did not even see it coming. And now that he was faced with the reality of his feelings. He wanted nothing more than to burry them.
Sam's eyebrows cut into a deep frown. His eyes held sympathy for his brother. "Dean, seriously just…take this opportunity to be with her. That's all it is."
That's all it is? No, it was far more complicated than that.
"Sammy, you're lucky we're in a restaurant or I swear I would kick your ass right into next week." Dean growled not hiding one ounce of his anger towards his brother's interference. There was no question that he had to go with Sam's plan now that Holly had heard everything. The cat was out of the bag and there was no getting out of it at this point. And Dean absolutely despised his brother for it.
"Alright, get up." Dean ordered jerking his head to the side indicating for his brother to get up so Dean could get out of the booth.
Holly was leaning against the hood of the Impala waiting for the men to finish their private chat. Holly couldn't help but think that Dean had no desire to go to the carnival with her and was chewing Sam out for suggesting it. Holly shook her head upset with the thought of Dean not desiring her company which sparked a sharp emotion that hit her heart. She felt a tear beginning to line her eye. Holly immediately swiped it away and scolded herself. Really? She felt like a teenaged girl who was being rejected by her crush. Her feelings felt young and immature and Holly hated feeling that way. Immaturity was something she had that she was exceedingly unproud of. Sure, she was mature in somethings, but she began to notice that in other things she acted very childish. Perhaps it was the spankings. What else could make one feel more like a child then that? So, she concluded that it was Dean who brought out that side of her. All the scolding and orders made her push back in the only way she knew how to when confronted like that and that was like a child. Being alone was giving Holly the opportunity to overthink things and she soon began listing of all the Hunter flaws in her head. Her defense walls were rising to protect herself and wanted nothing more than to counter her feelings about the man. Holly knew she wasn't Dean's ideal person and she seemed to piss him off more times than not, but was it really so bad to go to one carnival with her?
Holly saw Sam and Dean walking steadily towards her and from the look on their faces it appeared like the conversation they had was not a real pleasant one. Once they were close enough to hear her Holly asked the question.
"Everything okay?" She asked a bit concerned as both the men did not look happy.
Both of them walked past her towards their respective doors. Dean opened the driver's door and quickly answered Holly.
"Peachy." Dean replied abruptly. "Get in the car." He said as he got in flinging his door shut.
Holly blinked in surprise as she felt her throat become a little dry. If it wasn't obvious before it was undoubtedly clear now that Dean had no desire to be stuck with her at the carnival. Holly bit her lip and felt her chin quiver slightly as a pain spread throughout her chest. She got in the car without a word and Dean drove off. A tear slowly slipped down Holly's cheek which she immediately wiped away. Why did this bother her so much? Pull yourself together, Holly. It's just some carnival that they need to go to for interviewing. It should not matter.
Once back at the hotel while Sam was getting dressed into a nice suit and tie. Dean was cleaning his Smith and Wesson at the table and Holly took this opportunity to approach Dean with her suggestion that she thought would make everyone happier, well at least Dean.
"Dean." Holly began in a soft kind of meek voice that she did not recognize nor approve of.
Dean looked up from his work giving her a curious look as he continued to clean the barrel.
Holly took a deep breath finding her most diplomatic voice and spoke. "I was thinking that instead of you and I going to the carnival, you and Sam could trade places and you can do the family interviewing."
Dean gave her a stern rather confused look pushing his brows together firmly. There was a small moment of silence before he spoke. "No, I'm going with you."
"But you don't want to go." Holly stated bluntly with a bit of bite to her voice.
"Yes, I do." Dean graveled out his face still scrunched up into a confused frown.
"Well you sure have a funny way of showing it." Holly found herself blurting out in stern scolding tone that had Dean's eyebrows raise up to his forehead.
"You don't have to spare my feelings on this you know. I know I'm not your ideal partner on cases, but I'm telling you now. You better suck it up and get over that fact because we have a job to do. Kids are disappearing and I'll be damned if we screw up because you and I cannot get along. You hear me?" Holly didn't know where this inner heat came from, but it was pouring out of her and it was all in the direction of the Hunter who wasn't known for taking orders.
"Yes, ma'am." Dean stated immediately looking somewhat surprised at Holly's sudden demanding outburst, if not a little daunted. He wasn't sure what to say at the moment, but that was all he could come up with at this point. He was at a loss for words.
"Good." Holly said firmly nodding her head at him as she slowly came to the realization of what she said and who she said it to. As she began to process everything, she found her bravado beginning to spiral down as quickly as it came.
Not wanting Dean to see her waver she quickly retreated to the bathroom with purposeful strides. However, as she was making her escape, she found her mouth opening again to give Dean one last order. Without looking back at Dean Holly expressed with the upmost authority:
"And don't think for one minute, Dean Winchester, that you're not going to at least buy me a funnel cake." And with that she closed the door behind her firmly.
Holly pushed her back against the door and let out a breath. Shaking her head at her choice of words and expectations for the Hunter, on this so called "date." She wanted to just disappear into the floor. For some reason she was feeling super embarrassed and anxious about this afternoon. Dean said he wanted to go, but Holly couldn't help but feel like he was simply trying to spare her feelings. And the scary part about all this is that Holly was having feelings, a lot of feelings that she saw as irrational and childish. She was as anxious as a school girl going out on her first date. However, this wasn't a real date, it was just another assignment for a case. Holly knew she needed to focus on the case and push her silly thoughts and feelings aside, but at this point it was feeling impossible and frustration was beginning to build on top of her anxiety. Holly was completely and utterly blaming Sam for this.
Dean stared at the bathroom door blinking still trying to absorb what just happened. Holly's sudden outburst left him bewildered at her abrupt change in attitude in mere seconds. He was both shaken and confused.
"What was that all about?" Sam asked rising an eyebrow at Dean.
"I was just ordered to 'get over it' and do my job." Dean stated still looking at the bathroom door like Holly would suddenly emerge again to express herself further.
Sam felt a smile begin to spread across his face his eyes twinkling down at his brother in amusement. Sam let out a chuckle finding it greatly amusing that Holly had his brother shaken by orders. Sam hadn't seen that look on his brother's face for a long time and that was when John Winchester was giving him orders.
Dean was taken off guard and completely dumbfound by not just Holly's orders, but his compliant rather vulnerable reaction to it. And it wasn't because he was accepting her as the one in charge all of sudden. No, he would always be in charge. However, despite himself being taking a back by Holly's outburst Dean found himself admiring her spirit. She had call him out and he shouldn't have expected anything less from the woman. Not to mention she was completely right. He needed to focus on the case and 'get over it'. She always managed to not only surprise him, but captivate him.
Dean looked up at his brother giving him a firm glare not at all appreciating Sam's humor knowing very well he was enjoying his vulnerability at the moment. "What's so funny?"
"You looked like you were afraid she was going to beat your ass? Kind of like when Dad would give you an order." Sam explained remembering back to their childhood.
Dean nodded looking down at his disassembled gun on the table and hummed deep in his throat taking himself back to memories of his own. "And what did this look mean, Sammy?" Dean said turning his head back towards Sam revealing his face to his brother.
Yep, Sam knew that look. "Right." Sam said nodding turning his heals and walking away. He already upset Dean enough with his carnival idea. He wasn't going to push his luck with his brother's temper.
Once Sam's back was turned Dean let a smile slip and shook his head and went back to working on cleaning his gun letting his thoughts consume his mind. Dean wasn't too worried about the carnival with Holly. It would just be another assignment…with a funnel cake, of course. He had every intention of focusing on the case and not allow his feelings to intervein. They had a job to do and they were going to get it done. There was no use in pursuing something that could never be and for the time being that falsely put his mind at ease.
TBC
Part 2 will be posted soon! Please let me know your thoughts. I'm not quite sure about this chapter and how I directed the story. Part 2 will go further into Dean's thoughts. Stay Tuned.