Chapter 2: Close Encounter
Cos it seems to matter where I go, I will always let you know
That the place where I am is never far
You know, you're not alone, don't be alarmed
I'll find you no matter where you are
So please remember that I'm gonna follow through all the way
Oh my love, if it's all I can do, I'll take the fall 4 U
Cos I will soar when I lay down with you and give my all 4 U
"All the Way/4U" – Poets of the Fall
Jo swallowed in fear. Then something hit her hard in her side and pushed her out of the way knocking her over to the side of the road. The dust clouded around her and she couldn't see. Her mind was in a daze from the impact of whatever pushed her out of the way.
Suddenly she felt someone brush the hair out of her eyes. Their hands were warm and calloused from working, but soft and gentle all the same. She coughed and opened her eyes slowly.
Dean! His big green eyes were staring down at her. His expression was worried. How odd! Jo thought he hated her. But why would he look worried then. "Dean," she croaked out.
"Thank god, you're okay! For a second there, I thought…" he paused. "Nevermind." Dean grabbed her hand and helped her up. "You're okay right?"
"Ya, I'm fine. Just had the wind knocked out of me though," she chuckled.
"Nice to see you've still got your sense of humor. Your Mom & Dad are probably gonna be wondering where you went off to so let's get you back." Jo brushed the dirt off her dress, and they took off in direction of the farm. They walked in silence before Jo couldn't take it anymore.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. So why were you in the middle of the road anyway?" Dean said while kicking at a rock lying in front of his shoe.
Jo laughed at how dumb she had been. "There was this dog. He looked all dirty and hurt and I wanted to help him. It's kinda stupid when you think about it. I should've been paying more attention."
Dean turned and looked her right in the eyes. "It's not stupid, Jo." They stared back at each other before Dean looked away quickly. "It's nice that you care."
That was weird, Jo thought. Dean's never looked at her like that before. "Well, I never had a dog or any kinda pet before, so I thought maybe I would bring him back to the farm. I probably could convince my Daddy to let me keep him."
Dean smiled. "Your Dad just goes along with whatever you want, doesn't he?"
"Pretty much, yeah." They both laughed. It was nice to clear the air of that awkward tension that had been there before.
They continued walking until they made it back to the farm. Jo stopped at the verandah. She turned to Dean and hugged him. "Thanks for saving my life today. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't have been there." Dean rested his head on hers and wrapped his strong arms around her tightly. They fit together perfectly. "Your welcome."
The door opened. "Jo! Jo, where have-" Ellen paused seeing Dean & Jo in their embrace. When Dean spotted Ellen looking rather angry, he quickly separated himself from Jo.
Ellen eyes them suspiciously. "What's going on here, boy?"
Dean opened his mouth to talk, but Jo spoke up first. "I took a walk and there was a carriage coming. I wasn't paying attention and Dean saved me."
"You almost got run over!" Ellen grabbed Jo and hugged her baby girl till she was breathless.
Ellen let go and looked her over. "Well, are you alright?"
"Mom, I'm fine. Dean saved me."
Ellen turned to Dean. "Thank you, Dean. That was mighty kind of you."
"Your welcome, Ellen. I'll just be going. Bye, Jo." Dean took off for the fields.
Ellen turned back to Jo. "Why were you in the middle of the road, you idiot? Are you tryin' to get yourself killed?"
"Mom, relax. I'm fine. Dean's fine. We're all fine. You don't need to worry."
"Yeah, well you and Dean looked a little bit more than fine if you ask me."
Jo snapped at her. "Nothing's goin' on between me and Dean. You should be more grateful. If it wasn't for him, I'd be dead right now."
Ellen walked inside the house. She lingered and paused in the doorway. "I didn't say I wasn't grateful. I'm just saying Dean Winchester ain't in the cards for you, so don't be getting any ideas. He's a good man, but he ain't the right kind of man for a Harvelle." Ellen walked inside the house leaving Jo alone on the verandah with her racing thoughts.
