Chapter Three

02:54, 1 June 2024

Warnings: heartbreak, angst

Summary: Dean and Clarissa go on a small trip together doing something you know she won't like. When they come back earlier than planned, you panic when she says he's been injured.

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After years of going to school and learning everything there is to know about being a nurse, you finally get to put your knowledge to the test. You still have a year left of school that your local hospital is helping pay for, but this internship will help you get experience for the job you want when this is all over.

Your parents are wealthy people who give you and your sister a good allowance to live off of, so you're not worried about paying your bills while you go to school and do the internship. You don't get paid for it, but it'll be worth it in the end when you get to make your own money.

The other nurses were so friendly to you when you arrived that it made the fifteen-hour shift go by quickly. You still have five more hours to go when Sam walks onto your floor and over to the nurse's station where you're at.

"Sam!" you smile and hug the tall giant. "What are you doing here?"

"Just here to see you on your first day. I dropped Eileen off at her mother's house and decided to stop by. Congratulations for making it here."

"Yeah, it's been a really crazy day but I'm glad I'm here. Just another year and I graduate," you smile.

"It's a good thing you work here because Dean and I might have to come here to get patched up after a hunt," he jokes.

You look around the room to see if you can see the older Winchester, but it seems Sam is the only one here.

"Where is Dean?"

"Bunker. He and Clarissa are together." Your heart sinks when you hear your sister's name but you pretend like this doesn't bother you. "When I saw them go into his bedroom after drinking, I knew I had to get out there if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I get it," you sigh and grab some patient paperwork.

"I don't know why they're together. They have nothing in common. I think he's with the wrong twin."

"Sam, don't."

"Why not? You two are better suited for each other."

You have to get out of here. You can't be hearing this shit because you know it's true.

"Listen, I have to get back to work. Thanks for coming here."

You quickly leave his side and continue with his work. The last five hours go by so slowly since all you're thinking about is the possibility of you and Dean. When you get home, you drop your keys into the bowl by the front door and kick your shoes off. You change out of your scrubs into something more comfortable before walking into the kitchen. Clarissa is in there making herself something to eat.

"Hey, how was your shift?" Clarissa asks.

"Long and exhausting, but fun."

"I don't know how you do it. I could never," she chuckles.

"How was your day?" you ask and grab a water bottle.

"Fun. Dean and I are going away for the weekend."

"Doing what?"

"He's surprising me. I hope it's somewhere luxurious," she grins. "I'm gonna go get ready."

She leaves the kitchen with a flip of her hair, and you grab the open bottle of wine in the fridge. You take your extra-large glass and practically fill it to the top. You take this solo party to the couch where you put on your favorite TV show. Halfway through the show, someone knocks on the door. Clarissa still isn't down so you assume this is Dean. Your heart races when you think about seeing him, especially knowing he's kissed you twice.

You set your glass down so you can open the door and not look like an alcoholic. Dean is dressed in his usual clothing minus the three jackets he usually wears. He's wearing a thin T-shirt that enhances his muscles. Damn, Clarissa really doesn't know what she has.

"Hey," you say. "Come in. Clarissa isn't ready yet. She should be down shortly."

Dean walks in and you close the door behind him. You two stand in the hallway awkwardly. You don't know what to say to him after what happened a couple of weeks ago. He hasn't kissed you again but you always feel his eyes on you.

"Sam told me he saw you at the hospital."

"Yeah, he just came by to say hi."

"I would have been there but I was with..."

"Yeah, I know. Sam told me."

"So," Dean clears his throat, "how did it go?"

"Really good. I'm going to help a lot of people."

"I don't doubt that," he smiles.

You walk into the living room and sit on the couch with Dean following.

"So, where are you taking Clarissa?"

"Camping." You tip your head back and let out a loud laugh. Maybe the wine is making you a bit loose, but the thought of your sister camping is hilarious. "What?"

"Camping? You must be out of your damn mind. She cries when her nails get ruined and you're taking her where there is tons of dirt? All she wears are high heels."

"I don't know. This could be fun. She's been interested in a lot of the things I'm into."

"She's not gonna like it."

You're not going to tell him that you love camping and to get off the grid. It'll make things more awkward for you two.

"I think she will."

All you can do is shake your head. Clarissa comes down with a suitcase full of items she won't be able to use. You bet all your money that she has things she needs to plug in like her hair straightener and a curling iron. Everything she won't be able to use. Still, Dean takes her to the car in hopes she will like where he's taking her.

You're left alone in your house with your thoughts. Why are they still together? She loves luxury and is very high maintenance while Dean works on his own car and doesn't mind taking showers at a truck stop. Dean loves beers and Clarissa loves cocktails. Dean has no problem sleeping in his car while Clarissa needs a hotel room. You look down and realize your wine glass is empty so you go to the kitchen for a refill.

You wake up the next day with a slight headache, but it's nothing ibuprofen won't fix. It's Saturday which means you have a day off from the hospital. You started your internship late in the week, and since you're a Monday through Friday intern, you won't have to go back until then. You can take the peace and quiet to study for your classes.

First, you have to get out of bed and do some light cleaning to help yourself wake up. After making your bed and brushing your teeth, you walk downstairs and clean the kitchen. Your wine glass and pizza boxes are still out, evidence of your night. Once cleared, you take a Clorox wipe and clean the counters and the kitchen island.

The front door opens and closes, and you stick your head out to see who it is. Not many people have a key to your place. The only thing you see is blonde hair, and you step into the hallway with a confused look.

"Clarissa? What's going on? Why are you here? I thought you weren't going to be home until Sunday."

"Yeah, we had to come back early."

"Where's Dean?"

"Your hospital."

"What?!" your eyes bug out of your head in concern. "What the hell did you do to him?"

"It wasn't my fault! He's the one who slipped."

"Doing what?"

"Carrying me up the hill. There was no way I was going to ruin my shoes."

"You're un-fucking-believable," you groan angrily. You grab your car keys and phone and slide your Crocs on. "You just left him there?"

"He told me he didn't need me."

You roll your eyes and leave the house without thinking that you still have your pajamas on. You speed over to your hospital and walk in, ignoring the many stares you're getting for your attire.

"Y/N? What are you doing here? You're not scheduled to come in," your boss asks when she sees you.

"I'm not here to work. A man named Dean Winchester came in. What room is he in?"

Your boss looks over the papers and tells you his room number. You quickly head to the elevator to get to the right floor. You knock once to be respectful but you barge in without hearing their permission. Dean is sitting on the bed with a surgical intern stitching his hand.

"What are you doing here?" Dean looks at your attire and smiles. "What are you wearing?"

"Clarissa said you were in the hospital so I came right away." The intern finishes with his stitches and leaves the room to give you two some privacy. "I told you not to take her there."

"It's just a scratch. I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I've had worse."

"That's not the point, Dean," you groan in frustration.

"Then what is the point?"

"You two are not right for each other!" you blurt out. If you're going to do this, then you're going to lay everything on the line. "She's using you!"

"I happen to like her. A relationship is about compromise. You think she's worse than she is."

"Then why did you kiss me?" you shout. "Not once but twice. Answer me that."

Dean gets off the bed and stalks over to you. You have to crane your neck back to see him but you're not backing down now.

"That was a mistake. I was drunk the first time, and I thought you were Clarissa the second time."

His words hurt you. Tears well in your eyes but you won't let them fall.

"That's bullshit."

"It's the truth."

You nod once and take four steps away from him.

"Fine. Tend to her every need while she bleeds you dry. See if I care."

You grab the doorknob and open the door, but his words stop you.

"Why do you care?"

You look at him with those same tears in your eyes.