A/N: I'm not a good sick person...thus no update yesterday. I remain determined to finish by Silverspoon's birthday...and will double down on updates to get there if I have to. Consider yourselves warned!

Steph says this one's sweetness made her smile...

Special thanks to stephaniew for friendship, betaing and encouragement. Check out her profile and show her some love!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.

The Way to a Man's Heart

There is a hustle and bustle in the small restaurant. Wait staff twirl like choreographed dancers, shuffling between tables and serving patrons. Silverware clinks against glassware and plates as customers stir coffee and cut into their meals.

Two men and a woman sit in a corner booth waiting to be helped. The blue vinyl of the seat is well worn, tufts of white filling fluffing through cracks. The furnishings, much like their waitress, appear tired and old. Her orthopedic shoes creak along the sticky tile floor until she comes to stand at the end of their table. Her stern bun and tight expression are as no-nonsense as the way she quickly barks, "What'll it be, hun?"

Ever the charmer, Dean gives the old girl a wink. "I'll take a chili bacon burger, sweetheart," he answers with a grin.

Sam and Jo roll their eyes, but both notice the way the older woman softens. Sam shakes his head disapprovingly at his brother before turning back to the menu and quickly ordering a salad. Jo orders a baked potato, loaded with everything, and, just as Flo is about to walk away, she adds, "And a slice of cherry pie, please."

Dean looks at his girlfriend. It's not unusual for them to order dessert, but they usually wait until after the meal if they're not ordering take-out. "Ordering dessert first? What gives, Harvelle?"

Jo's eyes flick around the restaurant. "Do you see how busy this place is? I'm not taking any chances."

Dean scoffs. "There was plenty over there," he chuckles.

Sam pulls out the file and they talk until their food arrives. He watches his brother's eyes as the follow the pastry down to the table in front of Jo...and as she tucks it well out of his reach at the opposite end of the table. The relationship between his sibling and the young, female hunter is playful. She brings out a side of Dean that Sam has rarely seen.

They make small talk. Jo tells them about her talk with Ellen. Sam mentions Bobby's theories regarding their current hunt. Dean grunts, nodding around his burger. The conversation winds down as the meal progresses, Dean pushing fries around his plate and coating them with ketchup as Jo pulls the plate with the triangle of pie closer to her.

Dean flags Flo down, eager to prove to Jo that there was no need to order dessert in advance. He licks his lips as he watches her mouth close daintily around the blob of flaky crust and gooey red filling on the end of her fork.

"Can I get a piece of pie, too?" he asks on her arrival.

Flo frowns, tucking her notepad into the pocket of her ruffled apron. "I'm sorry, sugar," she says shaking her head. "We're all outta pie. I'm afraid your lady-friend here got the last piece."

Dean grumbles, his face falling into a pout.

Standing on tiptoe, Flo glances at the rounded formica countertop before turning back to the group. "Looks like I could get you a slice of chocolate cake though," she says hopefully.

Dean shakes his head. "Just the check," he answers.

Jo is about to take another forkful when she sees her boyfriend's sullen expression. She rolls her eyes and slides the remainder of the pastry in front of him. He grins like a fool and, for a moment, she shares in his delight. And then he says it.

"Aww, ya see Sammy? She loves me..." he moans around the fork. He quickly eats a second forkful and then a third. It was good. So good. "Nothing I love more than a good slice of pie..."

Jo swallows hard. Her eyes briefly meet Sam's and she stumbles to get up. "Um," she says. "I...I'll just be a minute..." she tells them before hurrying to the ladies room.

"Dude," Sam says, "What the hell's the matter with you?"

"What are you talkin' about, Sam?" he asks.

"Did you see the look on her face?" Sam fires back.

"What look?" Dean searches his memory, the dessert momentarily forgotten.

Sam laughs uncomfortably. "She's crazy about you," he says softly. "And you just professed your love for baked goods. Smooth, Dean, real smooth."

"I'm not like you," Dean snaps. "I don't do this chick-flick stuff."

"I suggest you better learn then," he answers. "Because you're practically living in one."

Confusion and a hint of wonder cross Dean's features. He realizes Sam is right. He and Jo have been practically inseparable for months now. "How?"

Sam runs his hand through his hair. "Do you really need me to give you a biology lesson?" he asks, a blush staining his cheeks. "Certainly sounded like you were doing just fine last night..."

"That's messed up, Sam," he answers, shaking his head. "I mean how am I supposed to tell her how I feel? I'm no good at..."

Jo slips back into the booth. Dean pushes the last two bites in her direction. They smile at each other. Across the table, Sam can't help but wonder if his older brother will ever figure things out. They'll have to take it one day at a time.