"Hey it's Sam; actually this is my voicemail (laughs). Leave a message and I'll call you when I can." Beeeeeeeep.
"Dude, that's gotta be the stupidest message I've ever heard. Anyway, you are so freaking dead when I get my hands on you. You better be enjoying yourself college boy cause next time I see you I swear I'm gonna …………." Dean slammed the phone shut when John walked in the room.
"Who was on the phone?" He asked handing Dean a steaming cup of black coffee.
"No one. Thanks." He said placing the phone in his pocket and gratefully accepting his favorite thing on the food chain. His dad would be pissed if he knew he had called Sam.
John eyed his son suspiciously. "You ready?"
"You fix my car? (sadistic bastard) Just so you know that was totally un-cool dad. Guys don't mess with other guy's cars, especially ones like the Impala."
John just shook his head as he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed outside. "I think I'm gonna talk to the Doc about this unhealthy obsession you have with that damn car."
"Shhhh, not so loud, she'll hear you." Dean scolded as he walked anxiously up to his pride and joy. "Mornin sweetheart. You're looking good today. This ol man here didn't hurt you last night, did he?"
John rolled his eyes. Yeah, this appointment; definitely a good idea and in his mind, long overdue. At least Dean was speaking to him this morning and he did appear to be in a fairly decent mood. He wondered how long it would last.
The ride to town took about two hours. John had called ahead and asked Bobby if they could crash at his place for a few months while they took care of some business. John didn't go into any details and Bobby didn't ask.
Caleb was already there working on a new hunt so Dean would at least have someone closer to his age to hang with. Maybe Caleb could help fill the gapping hole Sam had left in Dean. Right, who was he kidding? Well, at least it would be another pair of eyes to watch Dean and keep him out of trouble. Not that Caleb was the best role model in the world but Dean was the closest thing Caleb had to a kid brother and he was protective of him.
The Impala and John's truck both came to a halt in front of Dr. Bales building. Dean sat and stared out the window. "Man, this is going to suck. What the hell am I suppose to talk to this chick about for a full hour"??
John approached his son. He could see the apprehension in his eyes. "Want me to go in with you?"
"Come on Dad. It's embarrassing enough just being here. Last thing I need is my Daddy holding my hand and escorting me in. I'm fine. I don't even know why I'm here. I told you the drugs weren't mine and I promise I'll…..
"Alright, that's enough; listen to me." John placed both hands on Dean's shoulders and bent his head down slightly to look him straight in the eye. I'm only doing this cause I care about you; you know that right? You've been tail-spinning for the past few weeks and you need help." "Now;" John said straightening up. "Don't be a pain in the ass. Open your mouth and talk, but don't be disrespectful. Give her a chance and listen to what she has to say. And last but not least, for the love of God Dean, do NOT hit on her! Do you hear me???"
Dean had to smirk. His dad knew him too well. He placed a hand over his heart and shot his father a look of disbelief. "Dad, honestly, I'm hurt that you would think…."
John ruffled Dean's hair and gave him a small shove towards the door. "Shut up and get your butt inside. I'll meet you back at Bobby's at 10:30, not a minute sooner.
As Dean headed towards the door a feeling of dread swept through his body. He couldn't wait to get this morning over with. He glanced one last time over his shoulder at John who was leaning against the Impala, arms and legs crossed. He wasn't moving until he saw Dean enter the building with his own two eyes. There was no escaping.
Reluctantly he placed his hand on the door knob and paused. He contemplated one last time about making a run for it but the thought of his father finding out made him shake that idea out of his head once and for all. John had already warned him once. There wouldn't be another.
"Come on Dean, stop being such a wussy. The sooner you start the sooner you'll be done. Just go in there, nod your head every once in a while, throw in a couple "uh huh's" and "I understand's" and get the hell out. You'll be happy, Dad will get off your case and you can go back to finishing your list of "101 Ways to Kick Sammy's Ass". Great….just great, now I'm talking to myself. Christ, maybe I do need a shrink. Damn you Sam, this is all your freaking fault.
Frustrated, Dean pushed on the door a little harder than he intended to and it slammed open knocking a picture on the wall off one of its hooks. All eyes in the waiting room flew from the door to the swinging picture and directly back to him.
Nice one Dean, way to go. Leaning over to fix the picture Dean tried to apologize to the room.
"Hey there, uh sorry bout that. Don't worry; I'm not some psycho, nut job or anything like that. I mean (cough), not that there's anything wrong with being a psycho or a nut job; you know (cough); especially here, right? I mean who doesn't love nuts?? I love nuts!!!" Shit what the hell am I saying??
A tall, attractive, blonde in her mid thirties appeared from behind the frosted glass wall. She extended her hand towards Dean. "Dean Winchester I presume? I've been expecting you. I'm Dr. Alex Bales. Why don't you come with me?" She had a firm shake. Dean noticed as she turned to walk back towards her office that her handshake wasn't the only firm thing about her.
"Well, well, well." He smiled to himself. "Maybe this therapy thing won't be so bad after all."
Her office was warm and inviting. Pictures and Diplomas covered the walls and a small, rock fountain trickling soothing water was on her back credenza.
"Have a seat Dean. Anywhere you feel comfortable. I'm guessing from that little display out there that you're a little nervous. Is this your first time seeing a Psychiatrist?"
"Me? Nervous? Nah; just don't know my own strength is all. What, no couch?" Dean joked dropping himself into the nearest chair and placing his feet on the coffee table.
"Sorry to disappoint you but not all Dr. Offices are like what you see on T.V. Would you mind removing your feet from my table please?"
Sheepishly Dean lifted his boots and sat up in his chair. "Sorry. Hey, doesn't listening to that fountain all day make you want to pee?"
Dr. Bales rolled her eyes and sighed before turning around to smile at Dean. She sat in the chair across from him. Damn she was beautiful. Her long blonde hair fell loosely around her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled as she seized up her newest patient. Her voice was soothing, yet confident and strong.
"O.K, the only ground rule I have is that you're open and honest with me and yourself. Sitting here nodding your head and "uh huh-ing" me every now and then won't work. If all goes as planned you're going to be doing most of the talking. This is your time to get in touch with your feelings and to work out whatever issues brought you here in the first place. Everything you say in these sessions will remain confidential between you and me unless I think you're a danger to yourself or to someone else. Deal?"
"Sessions? Did you say sessions as in more than one??" The complete look of utter disbelief on Dean's face told the good Dr. that John had not been 100 straightforward with his son. Damn, why didn't that surprise her.
"Um yes, your father arranged for us to meet once a week for the next three months. Didn't he tell you?"
"Three months!!" Dean ran his fingers through his hair and sank lower into the chair.
"I take it from your reaction that you two didn't discuss this. You didn't think we were going to be able to address all your issues in one session, did you? I mean I'm good, but not that good."
"No he failed to mention your little arrangement." Dean snapped. "And just for the record, I don't have any "issues" to deal with.
Alex looked at the young man sitting across from her. He looked like he had just been sentenced to life without parole. "Well, this should be a fun three weeks." She was going to have to take it slow and easy with this one. She could tell from the start that he was not like any of her other patients. It was going to take some time to find the key to this kid's soul.
"O.K. then, why are you here?"
Dean laughed through his nose. "Let's just say I didn't have much of a choice. My father strongly encouraged me to come; but I'm guessing you already knew that since you two have obviously spoken."
"Look, Dean. Your family is worried about you."
"Family? You mean my Dad."
"No, I mean your family. Your Dad, Pastor Jim, Bobby, Caleb, Sam."
"Sam?? How do you know about Sam?"
"I spoke to him. Your Dad gave me his number."
"You spoke to Sammy? When did you talk to him? Where is he; is he alright?"
Bingo! Alex smiled to herself. Looks as though I had his key in my pocket all along. "He's fine Dean." "Tell you what," she said shifting in her seat and leaning in towards him. "I don't usually do this but I'll make a deal with you. I'll tell you a little bit about what Sam and I spoke about if you promise to give this a shot. A real shot. One month, four sessions. If you still want to end it after that then I'll support you when you speak to your Dad. O.K.?"
Dean looked skeptical but nodded his head in agreement. "O.K.; you first."
"Nice try." She smiled. He liked her smile. It reminded him a little of his mother. "So talk to me a little about your Dad Dean."
She noticed that he visibly tensed at the mention of his father. "What do you want to know?"
"Whatever you want to tell me."
"Not much to tell. He's, you know, Dad."