Real Life

Chapter 2

Dean Winchester followed his brother, reluctantly, through the bar and into the small booth; he was still having trouble believing Sam and couldn't wait to collect on his bet, however his swaggering gait was soon pulled up short by the man who leapt up from the booth and embraced his brother then turned to Dean, a smile playing on his lips, his hand held out ready to shake Dean's now trembling paw.

The man was about six feet tall and very broad, he had blond spiky hair, high cheekbones and a perfect (well Dean thought so) mouth. It wasn't quite a mirror image, the man was very smartly dressed and he wore wire rimmed glasses that seemed to make his eyes look greener, alert and intelligent. Dean swallowed "You – you must be Jensen?"

"Yeah – and you MUST be Dean!" the man took his hand and shook it firmly, Dean swallowed and reached into his pocket, drawing out his wallet and sighing deeply, Sam, a smug grin dimpling his cheeks said nothing for a moment but held out a huge paw and waited whilst his brother counted out the notes and lay them on his palm "Easiest $50 I ever made!" Sam chuckled and Dean huffed moodily, squashing into the booth and staring at Jensen with something resembling resentment.

His mood was not lightened by the appearance of his brother's double who came staggering back to the booth carrying a tray of beer and shots, the same dimpled grin and puppy dog eyes making Dean feel, immediately, like he was now big brother to two geeky, gigantic twins! He looked across at Jensen, who caught his eye and grinned, Dean felt his anger begin to evaporate and he grinned back – maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Both men were forced to review those thoughts as the night went on and the barman insisted on putting awful country music on the juke box. One huge shaggy haired man doing bad line dancing was punishment enough, but two took the fucking biscuit and Dean buried his face into his hands, unable to watch his brother's long legs failing around the dance floor whilst Jared waved his arms and bent his body in time to Sam's, blatantly awful, dancing.

"He never used to be like this" he muttered to Jensen "Sometimes I wonder why I ever encouraged him to loosen up – I wonder if I didn't prefer moody geek boy who argued and moaned about every single fucking thing!"

"Nah – let him have some fun" Jensen smiled down at the two younger men with an expression of amused affection "Jared's always like this man – he's a happy dude – and your brother is entitled to a bit of fun – lets face it – so are you – things haven't been exactly a picnic for either of you"

"I didn't believe him you know" Dean shook his head "Even now I can't actually think of it as real – how did it happen? Why did it happen? – I've seen some strange things in my life – but this…this is too strange!"

"Maybe its fate" Jensen laughed "But you killed it dude – you totally nailed that demon – maybe now you can have some R & R – some down time – we can take you out – show you the sights of Vancouver if you like"

"Sure dude – that'd be cool" he sighed "Sam mentioned you might have a little ghost hunting for us?" his eyes were hopeful

"We might have" Jensen's eyes gleamed in the darkness of the bar "But – well – I did have an inkling of an idea "

"Yeah – what sort of idea?" Dean was beginning to like this man "Would it involve getting one over on line dancing Sam over there – cos if it does –I'm up for it – he's never let me forget that – when he was in 'my world' whatever that means – your friend Jared managed to fool me for a few weeks – whilst you – you managed to catch Sam out pretty fucking quickly"

"Powers of observation Dean" Jensen grinned wider "You probably had a lot more to notice than Sam acting strangely" he leant closer "I think your gonna like this idea then Dean – you see – I sorta envy Jared for having a chance to actually BE his character for a while and I quite fancy my chances at being" he leant closer still and Dean felt hot breath on his cheek "YOU"

"I like the sound of that plan" Dean could barely hold back his smile "That is a peach of a plan" he glanced down to where Sam and Jared were now entertaining the bar with a whole new line dance that seemed to involve very little dancing and no line "My brother just cost me 50 bucks – just imagine how sweet it would be to get one back over him – it's prank wars revisited! I've still not paid that little creep back for gluing my fucking hand to a beer bottle – shit – I've years of Sam pranks and Sam smugness to repay – this could be the answer to my prayers – but tell me – how are we gonna do this thing?"

"My suggestion is that 'Dean' takes Jared to do a little ghost hunting – and 'Jensen' takes Sam for a tour of the exciting sights of Vancouver – I can write those down on a postage stamp dude – the only problem is it will involve me driving the Impala!"

"Shit!" Dean paused for a moment, then glanced at the line-dancing and instantly made his decision "Jensen – if it stops this for at least one night – you can drive my baby anytime" he laughed "So what next?"

"You tell Jared how much you'd like to investigate his buddy's ghost problem – I don't think there's anything in it dude – we'll probably just sit in the house waiting for paint to dry" he grinned "I'll give you a map of Vancouver – lend you my car – and give you a few pointers on what Sam might like to see" he leant closer again "There is this cool museum just south of here – should suit him down to the ground – bore you to tears – but man – as you say – if it stops the line-dancing and smug dimples – it will be worth it"

"Jensen" Dean threw his arm around Jensen's shoulder "You are more like me than me! – Let's get this show on the road!"