"Gotta confess, Meg, I've never felt so sick on a call as I did when I watched you pull away today. God, I wish I'd gotten in that rig with you." Dean whispered against her hair. His hands shook as he rubbed them up and down her back, belying how shaken he still was. Meg's own hands were clasped together and resting against his chest, trembling in their own right. Her nose was nuzzled against his clavicle, demonstrating just how different they were in height. Her breathing was even and measured, odd until one noticed that Meg was concentrating on keeping it that way. "Meg?" Dean tilted his head to the side to get a better view of her face.
Lifting her chin, Meg let Dean see the tears glistening on her lashes. "It was rough but necessary." she admitted, her voice soft but clear. "I didn't say anything to him during the ride to the ER but I thought about it. I thought about things I've wanted to say to him for so long but haven't had the chance or guts to. I thought about how different the two of you are, even though we've said I'm not going to compare you. In every comparison you'd win hands down anyway. Then I recognized how different I am with you." The tears that had been welling in her eyes finally spilled down her cheeks. Dean opened his mouth to speak, to quiet and comfort the woman in his arms. Meg shook her head and continued to share her revelations. "No, I need to say this, Dean. I didn't say it to him but I need to say it to you. See, I wanted to ask Chris a question. I wanted to ask him why, in the years we were married and supposedly a couple I felt so alone but now that I am an independent and single woman, I feel so free and alive when I am with you." Dean clutched the back of her head as he tried to conceal the emotions welling inside. Meg seemed to be on a cathartic release. "Chief says it's because we are right for each other and our quirks match. I think that's a pretty good description of us." Meg's fingers started absently tracing Dean's collar. "I've learned to be strong, hold my head high and try new things. I also learned that I am capable of being loved and I'm worth the risk… that I'm not out on that branch by myself. Fear makes me want to run. I mean, right now I want to run. I want to go to find some place quiet and sit in solitude, but then I realize that being in your arms brings that same peace. It's even better, Dean, because I know that no matter how much I cry or how bad I feel, I'm not alone." A gentle kiss stopped her rant.
Dean leaned his forehead against hers and spoke quietly. "Meggie, I love you. Loving someone means living life to the fullest with them and beside them, not sucking the joy of life out of them. You and me, we are right for each other and our quirks do match. Is our life perfect? No and it never will be. We can't expect it to be. What we can do is figure out how to lean on each other and get through the tough stuff together." He kissed her again. "I know that when I hold you in my arms the day seems brighter. The day of the fire; that was a long-ass day that kicked our butts. I had to stay on my feet to get to you, to kiss you and hold you and fall asleep in your arms." Meg raised her arms to encircle his head, caressing the back of his neck gently. "That's teamwork, Meggie. That's being a couple. You say that you are single and independent but I say we are committed to each other. You even said it; I have a goal to meet so you and I can get married and you aren't allowed to go back on your word." Recalling the sexual bar that was set, Meg's head dropped to his chest as a deep blush covered her face. "That's cute, Meggie. You look adorable in rosy pink." He lifted her head and looked into her eyes. Dean's tone lacked any joviality. "I'm serious about this. You're not single and independent anymore. You are one half of a couple, hon. Yes, we have our own lives but I can't think of anything I want more than to come home to you. That's why this" he gestured between their bodies "is different than before. This includes mutual respect, concern, cooperation, and care."
Meg whispered, "I love you." She rubbed her thumbs around the edges of his ears. "Let's go home."
A small smile crossed Dean's face. "I like the sound of that. 'Home.' Reminds me that I need to move some things in so that really is home." At her questioning look he bent far enough to sweep one arm behind her knees and lift her up into his arms. Striding confidently towards his truck, Dean explained his intentions to Meg. "There's no need in keeping my apartment if I am spending every night with you anyway. I might as well start moving my clothes and little things into the house instead of running back and forth between the two places."
"So we're…"
"Living life, just living life." Dean said, sitting Meg in his truck. Leaning against the doorframe, he continued to speak quietly. "No need to put labels on this. We love each other and we're a couple. We're sitting on that branch together." Then he closed the door and walked around the truck. 'Sitting on that branch…' What did he…? Oh! Dean's nervous too. He's not sure that I'm going to let him move in. Meg watched as Dean opened his door and slid into the driver's seat. He's got an early day tomorrow, going back to work. I could…Yeah, I could. That would be perfect.
