Miserable At Best –Mayday Parade

Let's not pretend like you're alone tonight
(I know he's there and)
You're probably hanging out and making eyes
(while across the room, he stares)
I'll bet he gets the nerve to walk the floor
And ask my girl to dance, and she'll say yes
Because these words were never easier for me to say
Or her to second guess
But I guess
That I can live without you but
Without you I'll be miserable at best

"You know, I don't think I ever realized there were that many flavors of pie in the world," Dani joked fumbling for her keys as Dean carried her guitar case for her up the stairs to her apartment.

"Stick with me, Dani, I can show you the best pies in town," Dean chuckled softly as they reached the doorway.

"I really appreciate..you…well you know..it would have really sucked coming straight home after such a miserable scene," Dani replied turning to face him as they reached the doorway. "So…thanks."

Dean shrugged "Everything will work out."

"One way or another," she agreed as she turned to open the door and walked through.

Dean moved to follow but stopped at the threshold. Dani looked at him curiously as he handed over the guitar case without crossing into the apartment.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"If I walk into your apartment at 5am, even if it's innocent, and it gets back to Cas..well, you know…I'd rather be able to say truthfully that nothing happening." he explained hastily.

"Nothing is happening. We ate pie. You walked me to my door."

"I know," Dean assured her "Let's just say my reputation doesn't make it easy for everyone to believe that."

She nodded at she placed her case down in her foyer "Makes sense."

Dean was a little stung at her easy acceptance of his reasoning. He shook it off. "Hey so I was wondering, I mean, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to be my date to the wedding?"

Dani's eyebrows went up in surprise "Date?"

"You know just as friends. Thought it would be cool if we both had each other to keep the adults from asking us when our turn was coming," he replied giving an frustrated look just thinking about it.

"What about Jo?" Dani asked intrigued by the idea. It would keep everyone from looking at her with pity while Castiel walked around with Meg on his arm.

Dean ran his hand over his jaw. He hadn't thought about Jo since he'd been thinking of it as a way to get Dani and Cas together in a calm environment. He realized she had a point. Jo would flip out and accuse him of trying to steal Cas' girl. "Let's just say she'd probably be happier that I brought you rather than Anna."

She seemed to think it over but nodded "You know, we're asking for trouble showing up together."

"I'm Dean Winchester, I'm always asking for trouble," he laughed.

"Then you've got a deal, Dean Winchester," she replied before planting a kiss on his cheek.

His eyes widened a bit before he blurted "That never happened."

"Nope, never did," She said before closing the door.

Castiel spotted the Impala as soon as he pulled into the parking lot in front of Dani's apartment building.

He had been driving around trying to clear his head from the evening's incident, first driving to his parents and then straight to Dani's. He had to see her, explain everything, that is until he saw the Impala.

Leaning against the hood, he waited patiently until he saw Dean make his way back to the car.

"Hello Dean," he offered as calm as he could despite how he felt.

"Cas," Dean nodded casually as placed his free hand in his pocket, almost as if he expected to find his best friend lounging haphazardly against his car at 5 in the morning. He waited for Castiel to speak but words seemed to escape the blue eyed man so Dean added "What are you doing here?"

Castiel's brow furrowed as his blue eyes stayed focused on Dean "I think the more important question is what are YOU doing here?"

"Nothing happened. I didn't even enter the apartment," Dean shook his head "Seriously not what you're thinking, Castiel."

Castiel frowned confusedly. Dean rarely called him Castiel unless he was trying to impress a point on him. "Really? Not what I'm thinking? Because experience tells me that it is. Your MO is to take advantage of…"

Dean's feathers ruffled and his voice became harsh"Now wait a minute Cas, I know what you think but I can't believe you'd think I'd do that to you. To you of all people, my best friend…my only real friend."

Castiel looked down "Dean, you rarely if ever come home alone."

Dean shook his head "C'mon Cas, I swear nothing happened. She was sad and waited for the club to clear out before coming outta the back. I closed up. We went to Dot's diner, had a couple of slices of pie and then I drove her home. End of story."

Castiel shook his head finally meeting his best friend's eyes. "I don't know what to think. Dean, I know I messed up. I know you have a history of picking up broken pieces."

"Ok, that's true but Dani? She'd never go for that shit. She knows what I am," Dean admitted, his voice quieter.

It was funny that even when he was angry with him, Castiel still had an innate tendency to want to defend Dean's honor. "I'm sorry, Dean. I overreacted. I know…you would never. I just…I'm angry….at Meg. And I'm taking it out on you. I should know better."

Dean ran his hand over his tired jaw. "She needs time. Some space. You need to fix your situation with Meg, if you ever want to be with her."

"I know," Cas replied quietly.

Dean looked around nervously and blurted "I asked her to be my date to the wedding."

"You WHAT?" Castiel asked incredulously, his blue eyes wide,"Why would you do that?

"Relax, Cas," Dean said soothingly as he patted the other man's shoulder, "It's an opportunity."

"An opportunity for who?"

"For you. Who else?"

"It doesn't sound like an opportunity for me," Castiel replied petulantly. "Sound like it's for you."

"It's a chance for you two to be together in a public environment where she can't run away. Get it? And do you really think I would have told you I asked her if I meant to try something? Do you think I'm that stupid?" Dean asked, his feelings hurt.

"Yes," was the one word answer that caused them both to chuckle.

"I'm tired, Cas. It's been a long night. I want to go home," Dean said tiredly. "Let's go home."

"I can't. I think Meg is there. I'm not ready for that yet. I'm headed to stay at Fairfield. Family brunch for Michael tomorrow."

Dean nodded again "Awesome. I get to wake up to the two females that love me most in the world."

Cas blew air through his nose and Dean knew it was his tired version of a laugh. "You could come with me," he offered.

"You just accused me of making the moves on one of your girl's and now you're asking me for a sleep over."

Castiel pursed his lips as he moved toward his Mustang "One of my girls? You make me sound like you."

"Maybe I'm rubbing off on you after all this time."