Title: You and Me (Chapter 3)

Author: WistfulGuy

Fandom: Pan Am

Rating: PG

Pairing: Full cast

Disclaimer: I do not own Pan Am the company or the TV series. I am not associated with ABC TV in any way. I am just a huge fan of the show and like to write. Also, please don't sue me…I don't do well in jail and I have no money. Void where prohibited.

Dean thoughtfully jostled his glass, listening to the ice cubes clinking. Gazing intently at him, Colette remarked, "Okay, you know about my childhood...as fractured as it was, anyway. What about you, tell me about your family and how you grew up!"

"Fair enough. Well I'm what you'd call a good old fashioned farm boy. Grew up in a small town outside of Des Moines. My family has been farming there for generations. Corn, mostly."

"A farmer...how quaint!" Colette replied, smiling sweetly.

"It was and still is honest work. Lots of fresh air and exercise. Since I was old enough to hold a plow I was out there with my parents, brothers and the field hands."

"Brothers? How many?"

"Two, one older and one younger. John is the older and Mike the younger."

"Big family, that sounds nice." she sighed.

"Well we got along as well as any siblings would. They're great. John is still working the farm and Mike is in college right now, planning to become a doctor."

Taking a slow sip of her wine, Colette gazed serenely into Dean's eyes. As she watched him talking about his family and his hometown, she began to catch herself in the emotions of the moment. Maybe it was her shaking herself to come out of the haze the day's events had been. Maybe it was a defense mechanism honed from years of having her heart ravaged from one romance to the next. After all, she hadn't had stellar luck in love for the most part.

Furthermore, Dean was someone that she would be having contact with regularly through work. Also, there was the issue of Bridget. Even though Dean seldom mentioned her as of late, Colette could not help but wonder if Dean had truly forgotten Bridget and moved on.

And while the thought of being with him physically seemed very appealing; she had to put the brakes on. At least for now. Let this develop more slowly at first.

Setting her glass on the bar, Colette casually glanced around the bar. Dean had noticed her expression had changed from warm and inviting to something indicating slight trepidation. "You okay?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm fine." She said reassuringly. "I just think that maybe we should take this slow."

Shifting in his chair, Dean nodded slightly. "I think I understand," he replied.

"You do? I hope so. Dean, I like you. You know me well enough by now to know that I don't hide my feelings. I think you also know that I need to have a little time to sort through things. There has been a lot of pain in my life, and I've learned to be cautious about affairs of the heart."

Dean smiled and reached his left arm out to touch Colette's right shoulder. "I know. I really like you as well. You are, well, amazing. I don't mind taking it slow with you."

She smiled at his words and said, "Thank you, you are a sweetheart."

Dean looked at his watch. "Tell you what, why don't I take you out to dinner in town next weekend? I know a great place in Little Italy. We can have some wine, conversation, and see how it goes from there."

Smiling brightly, Colette sighed "Sounds like a perfect start to me!"