AN: OK, so I had fun with this chapter, and am starting to realize, a lot of my writing is probably going to be dialogue.. Ah well. That should get better once the story gets moving... I hope.
When Charlie pulled up to the store, she was surprised to see Gabe's van out front. She parked next to it, and walked in the store, hearing the jingle of the bells tied to the bar on the other side of the door. "So Gabe, how long are you gonna drive that van before the cops decide it looks like a creep-mobile?"
"Well, hi to you too, Charlie." The blonde man looked up with a broad smile, complete with a lollipop. "What do you mean?"
"Really, dude? You're driving a bright red van covered in candy decals. Need I say more?"
"Eh, you know, having a brother on the force helps you know. How's he doing by the way?"
"You know, you should just go to his place and talk to him. It'd make life a lot easier for all of us." Dean said, "Hey, actually, I've got a party on Friday at the Roadhouse, why don't you drop by? Cas'll be there."
"Sure, if you don't think it'll be a problem."
"Nah, just please don't create a scene, OK?"
"Me? Never. So why isn't the party at The Black Dog?"
"You think I'm gonna let you fools near my place? Ellen's used to a rowdy crowd."
"And you're not? You've broken up how many fights?"
"OK, OK, guys... Gabe. I need some gear, dude. Think you can hook me up?" Charlie broke in before the two went too far.
"Sure. What kind of campaign are you guys running? Middle ages again?"
"Nah, we're going more steam punk this time. So basically I need like mid 18th to early 20th century garb. Whatcha got?"
"More like what don't I got." He said, with a chuckle, as he came out from behind the counter. "Milady."
After spending a good hour and a half looking through all the costumes Gabe had available, Dean and Charlie finally found some outfits for themselves, along with a couple extras for players who couldn't afford the costumes. When they'd paid and were on the road back to the Bunker, Charlie looked at her friend, and smiled. Dean was asleep again, he really must have been up all night worrying. She sighed to herself, thinking back to the stupid fight they'd had.
************************************FLASHBACK***************************************
"Hey, anyone home?" Dean asked as he pushed the door open. Not getting a response, he knocked on the wall next to the door and walked into the living room. He wasn't ready for what he saw, Charlie was on the couch making out with a brunette. "Charlie?! What the hell?"
Charlie quickly turned and saw Dean standing there. "Dean."
Dean turned to leave, and Charlie followed him, "wait, Dean, hold up. It's not what you think."
"It's not what I think?!" He exploded, turning to face her once they were outside. "What I think is that my best friend is fucking cheating on her fiancée with... I don't even know who!"
"Dean. You don't understand." Charlie was on the verge of tears, but couldn't bring herself to explain more.
"Whatever. Go back to sucking the face off that bitch. Don't come to me when everything falls to pieces, Charlie." With that, Dean sped off.
********************************FLASHBACK ***********************
"Dean." She said, loud enough to wake him up. She sighed as she tried to figure out where to start. "I wanna explain what happened yesterday. Gilda dumped me two weeks ago. Apparently LARPing wasn't her thing anymore, and she wanted me to stop too. I met Dorothy at a con in Topeka over the weekend, and it turns out she lives in Kansas City, so she stopped by on her way home. I really like her, Dean, and I want you to like her too. Please give her a chance."
Dean looked at her, eyes wide. "Of course I will. Fuck, Charlie, I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you last night, rather than blowing up. Forgive me?"
"Already done. I know you well enough that I can't hate you forever for saying stupid shit."
"Well, thanks for that."
"No probs. Anyway, please don't tell anyone about all this. I want to be the one to tell everyone, once I figure out how serious it is with Dorothy."
"OK. Hey, why don't you bring her on Friday, if you want. I mean, you don't have to, but-"
"Dean. Chill. I'll talk to her, see if she wants to, how does that sound?"
Dean sighed, chuckling lightly at his own embarrassment. "OK, sounds good."
With a smile, Charlie pulled into the drive of the Bunker, this time though, she saw Sam's truck. "I thought Sam wasn't due home for a couple days?"
"He wasn't." Dean said, his voice filled with worry.
A/N: Sorry for the cliffie... please don't hate me! I should have another chapter up soon.