Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and the plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 22

"The Mob Museum?" Scarlett asked staring up at the building she was standing in front of. The building itself had "National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement" written in all caps at the top while two long banners hung on either side reading "The Mob Museum". The stone building peaked her interest and she was happy that there weren't too many people around today for it would be easier to walk around and see all the exhibits up close.

Dean stood beside her with his arms crossed, his hat was on and pulled low to keep his face somewhat hidden. She turned to him and he gave her a sideways glance, reaching up to fix her scarf when he noticed the knot coming loose.

"Oh trust me, it's going to be fun," he said, flashing her his trademark smirk and leading the way up the stairs. They stepped into the building and Scarlett looked around with interest at the various signs and posters that had been put up while Dean went to get their tickets, the museum only semi-empty. She was reading a poster they had of Edgar J. Hoover when he returned.

"Tour starts up on the third floor, come on," he said. Her head was swiveling from left to right trying to read as much as she could before they took the elevator up to the third floor.

Some point on their way up, Dean's hand had made its way to hers and Scarlett found that she quite liked the feeling of their hands clasped together. More so now that her right hand was not adorned with a glove. She could feel the years of training in the roughness of his hand as he held hers. It was oddly comforting.

As the doors opened, Scarlett shifted her attention from their entwined hands to the man that was waiting for them. He was a young man roughly in his late twenties with stunning green eyes and sandy brown hair. He smiled at them as they approached and Scarlett found herself looking at Dean in confusion.

"Welcome back, Mr. Ambrose! It's good to see you again," he said politely, shaking Dean's hand once they were close enough.

"Welcome Miss. My name is Travis and I'll be your tour guide," he continued. Scarlett shook his hand and nodded at him. Travis turned on his heel and asked for them to follow him.

"Aren't we going to wait for more people?" Scarlett asked. Both Dean and Travis turned to look at her and she felt her face get hot at the sudden attention on her.

"Mr. Ambrose prefers private tours, Miss," Travis told her. Scarlett's gaze snapped to Dean and he grinned at her. "This way, please."

She said no more and allowed Dean to pull her along as they followed Travis towards a glass window.

"Private tours, huh? Just how many times have you come here?" She inquired as they walked.

"A fair few. This place is fascinating," he answered, squeezing her hand. Travis stopped in front of a glass window behind which there was a black wall with white markings.

"Guilty as charged," Dean said and he pulled her along. It was then that she realized that it was meant for a line-up and she let out a laugh as they posed in front of the wall facing the camera that was already set up. Once that was done, they headed back out and Travis led them off down another hallway.

"The construction was completed in 2011 and the Museum opened to public on February 14th, 2012. February 14th is also known as Valentine's Day and one of this museum's key artifacts is this wall right here," Travis told them as he came to a stop.

"Oh my god," Scarlett gasped as she read the inscription on the wall behind Travis' head. She inched closer to inspect it and let out a shudder.

"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre Wall," Travis said. "This was a key moment in American history."

As Travis talked them through the history behind the wall, Scarlett listened intently; soaking up all the information greedily. He slowly began to lead them throughout the third floor, explaining every artifact on display. From Edgar J. Hoover to Elliot Ness, Travis told them the history behind the families of Organized Crime as well as the origins of the FBI.

Scarlett had always hated history due to her high school teacher's monotonous voice and found it to be a tedious course. But now, as she listened to Travis, she realized that she enjoyed history more than she'd anticipated. Travis managed to keep her attention throughout the entire two hour tour with his recounting and he seemed extra pleased when she would question him about the Chicago Outfit or the Five Families.

"I must say, Mr. Ambrose. Out of all the people you've brought here, I've had an excellent time giving a tour to Ms. Rayer!" Travis exclaimed happily as they came to the gift shop that marked the end of the tour.

All the people? Scarlett stared at Dean dumbfounded with this new information. He didn't look at her but instead grinned at Travis.

"I knew she'd enjoy it," he said, his hand squeezing hers once more. Scarlett narrowed her eyes and wiggled her hand free from his grasp, choosing instead to wander over to a shelf lined with books. Her eyes raked over the titles and she happily pulled out one that picked at her interest.

While she was busy in the books, Dean had a small conversation with Travis. Dean had first met the guy when Roman, Seth, and him had come down to Vegas and taken the tour of the building. Since then, he always counted on Travis for the tours should he ever need them.

"Mr. Ambrose, I hope you don't mind me asking, but is Ms. Rayer going to be in town for long?" Travis asked.

"She'll be leaving next week if I can't get her to stay another week," Dean answered nonchalantly.

"She's very interested in all of this, I would love to share more of the organized crime history with her," Travis said. Dean's eyes snapped to the young man next to him. All of a sudden, Dean realized he didn't like the way Travis' eyes would stay fixed on Scarlett for too long.

"I think we're done with history lessons until further notice," Dean growled, his voice had gone menacing and Travis looked at Dean. He saw the man's eyes widen when he understood that he may have crossed the line.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ambrose. I didn't know you two were…Sorry," he stammered as Dean's cool gaze remained fixed on him.

"Were you that blind to not notice she was wearing my shirt or that we were holding hands the entire fucking time?" Dean asked, his voice was gruffer and Travis swallowed. Rage was coiling within him and Dean's hands fisted by his side, the tour guide's nose looking very breakable at that moment.

"Honest mistake, Mr. Ambrose. Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoyed your tour," Travis said quickly before he scurried off; all the while Dean kept glaring at his back until he disappeared behind the doors. He stalked up to where Scarlett was standing, holding on to two books.

"Did you have to be so interested in history?" He snapped causing her to jump slightly.

"What?" She asked, confusion filling her eyes.

"Why the fuck did you have to be so interested in history?" Dean asked, his annoyance more towards the man than at her.

Scarlett had been reading the back of another book she'd picked up when Dean had appeared beside her in what appeared to be an extremely sour mood. The sudden shift making her both confused and worried.

"I know you've taken the tour before but I haven't. I genuinely like this stuff," she said turning back to the book in her hand, her back to him. It looked as if she was reading the back of the book; but in reality, Scarlett was trying not to feel so disheartened at his sudden outburst.

She'd enjoyed the tour a lot and she had thought Dean had too. They'd had a good time. Him staying close to her, no encounters with any fans, taking pictures with the simulations and what not. She turned around to ask him what exactly made him tick but he was standing a couple of feet away looking at some souvenirs. She let out a sigh then shook her head before collecting the books she wanted and heading to the cash counter, mentally calculating the expenses.

"$70.85 please," the lady said sliding her purchase into a bag and handing it to her. Scarlett handed over the money and took the bag turning around to find Dean walking towards her.

"I'll meet you at the car, have to speak to Travis about something," he said. He didn't look at her and Scarlett raised her eyebrow at him but decided against saying anything; knowing his mood was yet to return to normal.

As she waited for Dean near his car, Scarlett pulled out one of the books she'd picked up, Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires by Selwyn Raab, and began reading. She'd gotten about eight pages in when Dean came strolling towards her. Noticing his eyes sparkling their usual sapphire, her lips quirked up into a smile.

"I don't know about you but I'm starving," he said.

Men and their food. Scarlett resisted the urge to roll her eyes as the reason for his mood being so sour earlier became evident.

"Esme's bringing the chicken later in the evening and I was thinking of roasting it," she told him.

"Great, we're eating lunch out then!" He said climbing into his side of the car. Scarlett followed suit and once she was buckled in she returned her attention to him.

"Or I could whip up something if you take me home," she offered.

"As much as I love your cooking, I think you'll enjoy the Thai food in town," he said grinning at her. Scarlett shrugged and turned back to stare out the window as Dean drove them towards their destination.

Thai Wok turned out to be a pretty nice and cozy restaurant that was empty save for an old man enjoying his soup in one of the booths. The staff welcomed then and soon they found themselves seated at a private booth in the seclusion of the corner.

"Wow," Scarlett breathed as she took in the impressive art décor of the small restaurant.

"It's a hidden gem. Any idea what you'd like," he said as he flipped through the menu.

"What's good here?" She asked.

"Try the Pad Thai. It's their specialty," he told her and Scarlett nodded as she looked over the menu. After their orders were placed, Dean looked around and slipped off his hat once he was sure he wouldn't be disturbed.

"Is the attention that bad?" Scarlett asked in wonder.

"Not bad, just difficult when all you want to do is have lunch in peace. But I think we'll be fine," he said. Scarlett watched him as he ran a hand through his hair, only for it to fall back into his eyes. Without thinking, her hand reached out and swept his hair to the side so it didn't hinder her from seeing those sapphire eyes that she'd grown accustomed to seeing.

Dean froze at her touch and he would've leaned into it had she not pulled away so quickly. Not even he understood the effect she had on him. To hold her hand, her bare hand, the entire time they'd been taking the tour had been the best feeling he'd felt in a while. She made him feel certain things, things that scared Dean. He knew Seth was right the moment he'd felt the anger course through him when Travis had shown interest in her. He was getting possessive.

The arrival of the food cut through his thoughts and he watched as her eyes lit up at seeing the Pad Thai. Seeing that, he felt his own chest swell with pride knowing that it was his suggestion that she'd gone with. But his joy was short lived when she took her first bite by lifting the bottom of her scarf as opposed to taking it off.

"Hey, you can take your scarf off," he told her. She looked at him sharply but Dean didn't waver.

"There's nobody around here," he continued, a more selfish side of him wanting to see her face once more.

"Dean, please just enjoy the food," she said, an air of dismissal in his voice. He frowned, not liking the way she'd gone so curt with him.

"Scar, there's nobody here but me," he said. She looked at him, her eyes a mixture of frustration and agony.

"No," she said simply at last before she went silent and tucked into her food. Dean opened his mouth to say something but she sent him a look that had him going silent while at the same time he felt the quick burn of rage.

"I know you're getting angry, Dean," she told him in a defeated voice. Her words sent a wave of shock through him and he looked at her in surprise.

"Then why aren't you taking it off?" He asked, recovering quickly.

"Why do you want me to take it off?" She asked him in return. She was looking directly at him and Dean found, for the first time ever, he could not look at her in the eyes. He was acting selfish but Dean wanted to see her face. He wanted to see those lips he'd tasted…those lips. Those lips were a drug far worse than any of the existing ones, ensnaring your mind and never letting it go. He could feel those lips and Dean's fingers twitched, a sudden desire to just feel them again erupting so powerfully within him.

"Dean?" Scarlett's voice was almost down to a whisper as she noticed the darkening of his eyes. They were darkening like the night before and Scarlett found herself losing her appetite as she watched him. His hand twitched and she swallowed, not daring to move a single muscle. She knew what he was thinking, hell, she'd been thinking about it the entire night and the entire day.

The damn kiss.

Will he ever bring it up?

Does she want me to bring it up?

Will he ever do it again?

Will she ever let me do it again?

Has he really forgotten?

How am I supposed to forget?

He'll never want me.

I can never have her.

The Mob Museum is one of my favorite places to go whenever I'm in Vegas. I would recommend it to anyone who's visiting Vegas because like Dean said, the place is fascinating.

Let me know your thoughts in your Reviews because I love hearing from you guys and the Reviews feed the muse. ;)

x

-K.

Member reviews replied through PM, guest Reviews replies below:

To Marina: Welcome back! Hope everything's well on your end! :) You're definitely right in what you said about people changing and we'll have to wait and see who's going to accept the change first. Oh man, I'm stoked with Dean's reign. It finally happened! Girl, I'm with you on the Seth-Dean rivalry; totally epic! Thanks for the love and support Marina! Means the world to me! xoxo