In the end

Chapter 16 - Lucky Bitch

~ Jared's POV ~
Saturday, Oct 31st

I drove to the set with butterflies in my stomach. I mean I know we technically had dinner together already but this was our first real date. I got there a bit early so I had time to put on my costume before I had to meet Bree. I was sitting in Misha's trailer with him and Jensen after we all got ready and were just hanging out talking. Mostly about me. Yay. "Soooo first date, you a bit nervous?" Jensen said with a grin. "Nah." I replied casually but too quickly to sound genuine. Jensen and Misha shared a look. "Listen man, we're your friends, you can be straight with us." Misha said softly. "I know. I don't know what's wrong with me. She makes me feel like I'm fifteen or something." I looked down almost ashamed of myself for sounding so pathetic. "That's a good thing man, it means you actually like her, and from what you've told us it sounds like she feels the same about you. Plus she's smokin hot." Jensen said in typical Jensen fashion. I eventually admitted to them that I was nervous as hell and between some kind words and more than a few jokes at my expense I was finally able to relax a little.

It was around 8:30 or so when I made my way to Liv's trailer and knocked softly before sticking my head in. Sarah automatically threw her hands up and shooed me out with a "tsk tsk." I heard Liv call out to me from behind the door. "Five minutes Jare." I was trying not to pout when Cliff walked over dressed like a caveman. "Nice club." I told him with a laugh. "It's bigger than your puny hammer." He said motioning to the styrofoam prop hanging from my wrist. We were still laughing and chatting away when Cliff nudged my arm and nodded his head towards the trailer behind me. I turned around and couldn't stop my mouth from falling open. Standing before me all spandex and pouty lips was a perfect version of Black Widow.

"Wow!" I said when I remembered how to speak. "You look..." I trailed off not figuring out the words. She blushed that perfect shade I pink and I went back to staring. "You too" She simply said. Jensen and Misha arrived with few others and Cliff started to take a head count for I assume transportation purposes. "Ok so Jared and Jensen with me and Misha, Mark and Rob with Adams" he said with his usual gruffness. I raised my hand to Bree to help her down the stairs and winded my fingers through hers, she looked down at our hands and smiled as we followed the others to the line of SUVs by the alley. It took a while for everyone to get situated due to various costume issues but we eventually we were all able to squeeze in.

Misha had been throwing this party every year for the last 6 years and it kept getting better. We pulled up to the venue and the doors were opened to reveal a red carpet and photographers lining the velvet ropes set up leading to the front doors. I looked over to Bree and her eyes were wide and she looked terrified. I squeezed her hand and rubbed little circles into her palm with my thumb. I could tell she wasn't comfortable with the flashes at all. "It's ok, just look down on the way in and I won't let you fall."

~ Bree POV ~

Holy Crap. When I was texting with Jules earlier and mentioned I had a date to a Halloween party I wasn't expecting this. We were at the Level for crying out loud (a fancy venue downtown). Someone opened the SUV door and I was immediately blinded by the flashes of cameras. I looked at Jared in a panic but he just tightened his hold on my hand and rubbed soothing circles into my palm. "It's ok, just look down on the way in and I won't let you fall." I was scared shitless but not wanting to be a coward I just nodded and tried to look brave. He let go of my hand to get out and immediately held his hand back out to me. Keeping my head down I tried to step onto the sidewalk as gracefully as possible. As soon as I was standing upright he put his other arm around my waist and all but carried me towards the doors and quickly ducked us inside. Once we were safely inside he withdrew his grip on my waist but kept his fingers interlaced with mine.

"Holy shit" I whispered breathlessly. "Is that normal." He looked me over and relaxed when he heard me swearing. "For this party yeah, Misha invites a lot of big names because it means more donations and the press always get wind of it." I was starting to freak out again. "Will they be taking pictures in here.?" I motioned around to the party. "No. It's a private event so security will keep them out." I shook my head. "How do they put up with it. I think it's horrible to be hounded like that." I nodded towards Jensen and Misha who were leaning on the bar. Jared looked a little uncomfortable and shifted around slightly. "It's a lot better in Canada than back home. More laid back." He looked around a bit before motioning to the bar. "So can I get you a drink?"

I was having a blast. Jared introduced me to so many great people and everyone was really nice. There was a silent auction and they raised a ton of money for Misha's charity Random Act which I was really happy about knowing about the organization from work. There were tables of food everywhere and great music. They played a lot of Pearl Jam, Radiohead and there was even a live band that Jared introduced me to. It turned out that one of the men in the band was also an actor on the show.

On a more irritating note it took me about 15 minutes just to use the bathroom. When I was finally all zipped up and ready to head back I stopped to wash my hands and check my makeup in the wall sized mirror above the sinks.
"Hi" I turned to see a beautiful blond dressed as Jessica Rabbit walking up to the counter. "Hi. I love your costume." She was every mans fantasy made flesh and I automatically felt like a little girl playing dress up. "So you're here with Jared right? He's quite the catch" She said pointedly. I was caught off guard and sort of blinked a few times. "Um, yeah he's really nice." She fixed her lipstick and ran her fingers through her hair. "You're so lucky. He so hot." I was shocked at her rudeness and just mumbled in agreement before excusing myself. On the way out the door I could have sworn I heard her whisper "Lucky bitch". What the hell was that. I felt like I had been time warped back to high school by her bitchiness.

I looked around and all thoughts of the blond melted away when I spotted Jared leaning against a table talking to Misha. He really was the perfect Thor, tall and broad chested with flowing hair. He was just so strongly built it was ridiculous. The way he ran his hands through his hair while he smiled made me shiver and start to imagine very unladylike things. I tried let my blush fade a little before walking over to him. He turned to look at me and when his eyes met mine it felt like we were the only people in the room. I heard the music change to a slow song and he took my hand pulled me closer. I stared up at him for a moment before wrapping my arms around him and pressing my face to his chest. I felt so safe and warm in his arms I would probably be content to stay there all night. He brought his hand up to my cheek and I turned my face upwards. He traced his thumb along my jaw and I couldn't help but close my eyes. He slowly leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. Without thinking I tightened my arms around him and started to deepen the kiss before I remembered we were a room filled with people. I pulled back and I'm pretty sure my face was actually on fire. He just chuckled softly and kissed me again lightly before pulling back. I looked around to see if anyone was watching but thankfully everyone seem absorbed in conversations or dancing. He pulled me back into his arms and we swayed to the music. When the song ended we parted and he continued to hold my hand. The guy from the band I had met, Rob stepped to the mic and the lights went up a bit. I saw Misha and Jensen walk up and stop next to us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Mr. Misha Collins, I would like to thank you so much for coming out tonight for such a great cause. Thanks to your generosity we have managed to raise over $100,000 thousand dollars for Random Acts!" Cheers and applause erupted around the room. He raised his arms in the universal sign for quiet down. "Now, on another very serious note. The results are in. This years best costume award goes to... The Avengers." I froze and Jared wrapped his arm around my waist again. Of course someone trained one of the stage lights in our direction. While I did my best to hide behind Jared, Jensen and Misha were bowing and fake Miss America crying. As horrified as I was at being stared at couldn't stop myself from laughing.