Dean had never liked zoos, not even as a kid. No matter how hard they tried to make the enclosures into something resembling the animals' natural habitat, they were still just cages, and you could see that in the animals' eyes, especially the predators and primates. The herd animals, maybe not so much, and Dean wasn't too sure about the reptiles. Reptiles were all muscle, right, and not much brain? If their stomachs were full, did they even care where they slept?

But, zoo or not, cages or not, this was something he owed, so, one hand brushing against Sam's, and the other clutching an ice cream cone, Dean stood at the front of the tiger enclosure, looking in at the big cat who'd saved his life.

The tiger lay dozing in the middle of a large, grassy enclosure, looking much as he had the last time Dean had seen him in the Glades. And, Dean was pleased to see, he wasn't alone. Two other tigers, one fully grown and one leggy adolescent, shared the enclosure.

To the delight of the children crowding the fence, the youngest tiger was chasing a big, red ball across the grass near the stretch of water separating the enclosure from the high fence. The other tiger lay not far away from the Glades tiger, a large pumpkin cradled incongruously between its front paws.

As the crowd watched the trio of cats, an enthusiastic leap by the adolescent took it into the water after the ball and sent a huge spray of water over the other two tigers.

Instantly the two adults leaped to their feet and bounded toward the rambunctious youngster. Cries of alarm from the watching tourists filled the air, but a nearby zoo employee didn't move, just grinned, knowing exactly what was coming.

In seconds all three tigers were rolling around in the water in a crazy mad rugger scrum that had everyone laughing in relief, dozens of cell phones recording the feline battle royale.

Watching the cats play, Dean leaned against Sam who was laughing uproariously. Dean's grin was big, way too big, clown big, but he couldn't help it. It was just too freaking awesome.

More tourists started jostling around the enclosure, trying to catch the impromptu show. In the confusion, a harassed-looking man with a screaming toddler on his shoulders knocked Dean's ice cream cone to the ground without even noticing.

"Let's get out of here, okay?" Sam half-shouted through the din.

With one last look at the roughhousing felines, Dean nodded and the two moved out of the crowd, continuing along the cobblestone path and following the signs directing them to the zoo's exit.

"You were right about not telling Fish and Game about the dead poacher," Sam said quietly. "I wasn't sure at first, but now, yeah. You were right."

Dean nodded in agreement. Personally, he thought the tiger deserved a medal and free sirloin for the rest of his life for removing the poacher from the gene pool. But, most people tended to get a little hysterical when someone got eaten, so he and Sam had kept their mouths shut.

And, since the tiger hadn't told anyone either, he'd be staying at the zoo, with others of his kind. Not free, but, hopefully, content. Maybe even happy.

A definite step up from being hunted by brain-dead asshats.

"Have you thought about what we talked about earlier?" Sam asked a few minutes later as the two edged past a group of tourists pushing into one of the zoo's many gift shops.

Dean cast a quick glance at his companion. Though he'd known the pilot for less than a month, and a good part of that had been tied up with their Everglades adventure, police questioning, and a short hospital stay, he could see that Sam's carefully casual question was anything but casual.

Truth be told, the man was a romantic, a total hearts and flowers kinda guy. Affectionate and caring, after the train wreck of Dean's ex, the Texan was loving the attention.

To show his appreciation, on the seventh day they were together, Dean had surprised Sam by waking him in bed with a tray full of scrambled eggs and bacon, toast, orange juice and, of course, coffee.

At Sam's look of astonishment, Dean had simply said, "I'm not much of a cook, but I can handle eggs and bacon. Dig in, dude."

Sam had nodded slowly and given him a sweet smile. He hadn't said much beyond thanks, but Dean had the distinct impression that the man hadn't been spoiled much, if at all, during his earlier relationships.

Lost in reverie, Dean had been a bit too long in answering. Sam's face fell, and he said awkwardly, "It's okay to say no, Dean."

Dean stopped abruptly and pulled the big man to the side, out of the flow of pedestrians. "It's not that, Sam. I've been thinking about it pretty much nonstop ever since you asked me," he said earnestly.

"Yeah?" Sam couldn't hide his swiftly rekindling hope.

"Oh, fuck yeah!" Dean reassured him.

"And?"

"Well, at first I thought it was too soon. Way too soon."

"You're worried it's a rebound from your asshole ex," Sam guessed.

"Sure, yeah," Dean admitted. "You and I, we've known each other, what, four weeks? Plus, there's my job in Austin. And my friends. Picking up and moving here would be a huge pain, but. . . uh. . ." He zoned out, eyes glazing a little.

Sam's eyes narrowed. He leaned in close to Dean and clasped the back of his neck, ignoring the curious glances of passersby. "You're thinking about last night, aren't you?" he whispered huskily into Dean's ear.

Dean's mouth went dry. "And this morning."

Sam's eyes heated.

"Sam. . ." Dean shook himself, trying to get back on track. "I dunno, I just - it feels like we might have something here."

"And?" Sam prodded, eyes intent.

"Well, I can always find another job." Dean shrugged. "And my friends can visit."

Sam's smile was huge. "So – that's a yes?"

"Life is short." Dean bumped hips with his hot pilot and smiled up at him. "Why waste it?"

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I wasn't planning an epilogue, but I got a few questions as to what was going to happen to the tiger. Which, of course, got me interested, so here you are! I love a happy ending!