CHAPTER 12

"That was Dean," Paige said placing her phone on the table "he said Sam talked to the roommate yesterday and he's going to see the coroner today then he's coming over tonight. We're gonna try and work together to solve this one."

"Tonight; we can't do it tonight!" Piper said stressfully.

"Why not?" Leigh asked.

"It's Valentine's Day! I have to be at P3 and you all told me you would be there too!" Piper fretted.

"Well, can't we give this one a miss? This is kind of important." Phoebe said.

"No." Piper said sternly "Valentines Days at P3 never work out and I need you all there."

"Fine." Paige sighed.

"We'll be there." She said, referring to her and Coop.

"Good. What about you Leigh-Anna?" she said more gently.

"I don't have anything else to do, besides, it'll be fun I guess. I'll just dance with some cute guys; it should take my mind off everything for a while at least."

"That's the spirit!" Paige smiled "I might even follow your lead; I could handle some stress-relief right about now."

"I could always find you two a date each," Coop offered "maybe even find you a soul mate?"

"Uh, how?" Leigh asked sceptically.

"Oh, I'm a cupid." He said with a smile. Leigh resisted the urge to laugh.

"A cupid? Seriously?"

"Seriously. So, soul mate?"

"Thanks but no thanks." Paige said "I'd rather find mine on my own."

"I second that. If I'm gonna have a soul mate I would rather he was of my choosing." Leigh agreed.

"Great, now that's all settled I have to get the boys ready for day-care and go decorate P3 with lots of paper hearts." Piper said, satisfied with everyone's answers. "See you tonight." She said and with one last overly-broad smile left the manor.

Dean was sitting at the table in the hotel room; feet propped up comfortably, coroner's report in front of him. He heard the jingling of keys and realised that Sam must be back. He'd gotten back from the morgue not long ago and he could definitely live with never having to see anything like that ever again.

Sam stepped into the room, paper bag in hand and sipping on some sort of fast-food drink.

"How'd it go?" Dean asked.

"No EMF, no sulphur. Ghost possession and demonic possession are both probably out."

"Hm, that's where I was putting my money."

"Nope."

"Well what then?" Dean asked, rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Oh! Dude, the coroners, you didn't see these bodies." Sam cringed and turned to take his jacket off and place it on his bed. "These two started eating and they just...kept going. I mean their stomachs were full. Like thanksgiving dinner full. Talk about co-dependent." He finished and took a swig of his beer.

"Well, we got our feelers out, not much more we can do tonight." Sam said and grabbed his laptop, taking his seat at the table. "Alright, I'm gonna go through some files you can go ahead and get going."

"Sorry?" Dean asked with a questioning glance.

"Go ahead, unleash the kraken." Sam replied in mock seriousness. "see you tomorrow morning."

Dean looked confused as hell. "Where am I going?"

"Dean, it's Valentine's Day, your favourite holiday remember? What do you always call it, uh, 'Unattached Drifter Christmas'?" Dean nodded and looked away.

"Yeah well, be that as it may, I don't know." He said cracking open another beer. "I guess I'm not feeling it this year."

"So you're not into bars full of lonely women?" Sam asked suspiciously.

Dean shrugged. "Nah guess not." He said and took a draught. "What?" he added noticing Sam's shocked look.

"It's when a dog doesn't eat; that's when you know something's wrong." He replied.

"Remarkably patronizing concern," Dean nodded, "dually noted. Now are we gonna work or not? Oh I told Paige that we'd swing by and discuss the case." He said casually and Sam smiled a knowing smile. "What?"

"So that's what this is about." He stated.

"What?" Dean repeated.

"You like Paige."

"What? No in don't."

"Denial; it's a dead giveaway."

"Sam, I've known her for like, two days and she's a witch."

"So? Are you still going on about the 'witches can't be good' thing?"

"No I'm just saying witches aren't my type and I don't like people, I sleep with them, there's a difference."

"Whatever man, you may not like her –yet – but you're definitely interested."

Dean just shook his head in annoyance. "Let's just go okay."