Are We Meant to Be?

Chapter 46

"Hey Dean." I said as we got out there.

"Hey Miranda."

"I thought you were cutting back on the beer."

"I haven't had that many."

"Dean, there's 3 empty bottles on the counter and this one's half empty."

"Just-" he tried to start but Ethan came running in.

"Hey mommy, daddy, Dean. How'd the training go?"

"It went ok. We're done now." I said.

"Good. Why's Dean upset?"

"He's ok. He's just tired." I lied smoothly.

"Oh. Ok." He said. We all hung out for the rest of the night, and I tried to make sure Dean didn't drink anymore, but he had at least one more before we went to bed. I put Ethan to bed around 11.

"I'm going to bed Miranda. You coming?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. Give me a minute."

"Ok." He said before heading to bed.

"Why'd you tell him to give you a minute?" Dean asked. I took the bottle of beer from his hand and dumped it down the drain. "Hey. What gives?"

"Dean, what's wrong? You've been drowning yourself in beer again and you told me you'd cut back."

"I'm just upset at myself and the mark and I don't know what to do anymore. Just don't worry about it."

"Of course I'm gonna worry Dean. You're drowning yourself in alcohol and I don't want to see you do that to yourself. I know you are upset about it all, but this is not the way to deal with it."

"I know. I just don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt you or Sam again, or even Ethan."

"I know. We just have to take it a day at a time, Dean. It'll be ok. And I need to tell you something by the way."

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I told you earlier that I thought you actually wanted to kill me. I never should have thought that and I know you don't. I know you would never do that. I acted like you did it all intentionally and.. And..." I started as a tear slipped down my face.

"Miranda, it's ok. I'm not mad at you. Did you think I was mad?"

"No, but you should have been. I was stupid Dean. It was an accident and I should have believed you and Sam about that from the beginning. It's not your fault and if that's why you're upset too, don't beat yourself up."

"I'm not mad. I promise. Thanks." He said before standing up and almost falling over due to his borderline drunkenness.

"Come on Dean. You're going to bed." I led him to his room. "Dean, go to sleep. You're drunk.

"I'm fine. I only had a couple beers."

"Dean. You had more than a couple. You need to quit pushing your body with the alcohol. Go to bed." I said. He nodded. I shut his door and went to my room.

"Hey babe." Sam said.

"Hey. I just wanted to make sure Dean got to bed without passing out. He's pretty drunk."

"I know. I figured that's why you stayed. So, unrelated, and I have to discuss with Dean eventually, but I think we should all take a hunting break. A month or two maybe. It's just been a lot of us getting hurt and things have been tough on us all lately.

"I agree. That sounds like a good idea. What are we gonna do if you guys don't hunt though?"

"I don't know. I guess just hang out, do whatever we want really."

"Sounds good."