The ride to St. Paul is a long and quiet one. Even with Metallica playing on the radio. Dean's the driver so Sam and Jo have no choice but to listen. Dean looks into the rear-view mirror at Jo who is looking out of the side window deep in thought. He then glances over to find Sam looking at him with a strained look on his face.
"What?" Dean asks, irritated.
"Nothing." Sam says as he shakes his head and turns back around.
"Hey," Jo chimes in. "Can we make a stop? I need to use the restroom and some food wouldn't hurt—I'm hungry.
"Sure thing, I'm hungry myself." Dean then spots a local diner off the highway and takes the exit.
As Dean pulls into a parking spot and turns the car off, Jo gets out first and heads to the diner. Dean is about to get out before Sam grabs his arm pulling him back into his seat.
"What!"
"You and Jo really need to talk. I know you don't want her to marry this guy, so just tell her already."
"This is none of your business Sam; stay out of it!" Dean yells at Sam.
"I like her. I think she's good for you and you're about to screw it up."
"Look, I'm planning on it alright! Now is not the right time."
"It will never be the right time. Not with what we do, so you need to just say it. I know you Dean; I know you care about her."
Dean sighs as he throws his head back and looks at the roof of the Impala, "Yeah, a little too much. Frankly, it scares the hell out of me."
"I know." Sam replies as he looks at Dean. "Just don't take too long. You're on limited time here. Better speak up soon or forever hold your peace." Sam says before he gets out of the car and heads toward the diner. Dean follows suit a few minutes later.
Dean joins Sam at the table when the waitress comes over ready to take his order. "I'll have the special with a slice of apple pie for dessert." Dean tells the waitress.
"I'll be right back with your orders." The waitress smiled and walked off as Jo walked towards the table and sits next to Sam facing Dean.
"So, tell me about this doppelganger." Jo insists. "Isn't it a replica of another person?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Sam begins. "It's German for "double goer". It's said to be a person's alter ego—predominately male. It usually morphs into the other person and commits crimes of violence and sex. Dean and I ran into one of these before."
"So, how hard will it be to find this thing? How do we kill it?"
"We?" Dean looks at Jo. "We include me and Sam. I don't want you in this." Dean says condescendingly.
"Here we go again." Jo rolls her eyes. "If I remember correctly, a certain "serial killer" would still be killing petite blonds if it wasn't for me."
"And if it wasn't for me and Sam, you would be one of those dead petite blonds. One successful hunt doesn't make you an expert; you're still an amateur."
"Ahem." Sam clears his throat, tapping on the table.
"Shut up Sam!" Dean and Jo say in unison.
Jo looks back at Dean. "We'll see about that when we get to Minnesota. I'm sure Ryan wouldn't have a problem with it."
"Please! Why do you think he left you at the Roadhouse instead of taking you with him?" Dean counters but soon regrets when he sees the hurt on Jo's face.
"Look Dean, if you're so ready to get rid of me just let me know. I'm a big girl remember? I'm sure I can get to Minnesota by myself!" Jo gets up and storms out of the diner almost knocking over the waitress who was bringing their food.
"Shit!" Dean chases after Jo almost knocking the same waitress who just got her composure back. Sam watches them storm off and shakes his head.
"Jo! Wait a minute." Dean chases after Jo.
Stopping in front of the impala, Jo whips around and faces Dean with her arms crossed and speaks. "Open the trunk please. I'd like to get my suitcase."
"Would you just stop for a minute?"
"You know, I actually thought that there was something between us but maybe not. You don't have to worry about me trying to contact you for anything anymore." Jo turns back around and is about to walk off again but, Dean grabs her elbow and pins her between him and the Impala. He's close enough to feel her quickened heart beat and the sweetness of her breath against him. All he can do is look at her while he figures out what to say.
Jo is about to speak when Dean puts his finger on her lips to stop her. The daggers in Jo's eyes begin to fade as she starts to relax.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm sure he didn't want to risk you getting hurt—I wouldn't." Dean lowers his hand and moves back to give her space to adjust.
Jo looks at Dean and sees sincerity in his eyes. "Do I detect a breakthrough?" Jo smirks.
Dean, taken aback, averts his eyes and gives a nonchalant laugh. "Just don't go alright. We only have a few more hours before we reach the Minnesota state line."
"Yeah ok but we're not finished here." Jo says as she steps around Dean and walks back toward the diner.
Dean turns around and leans on the impala as he watches Jo walk into the diner. "I'm on limited time." He says to himself before he heads back to the diner.
