Blind Date ↳ Jared Padalecki

2 | a hard day's night

"JENSEN, WHAT DID YOU DO?"

THE NEXT MORNING, on the set of Supernatural, Jensen brings Jared his coffee in his trailer, just like he does most mornings. But on this particular morning, Jensen is excited to tell Jared about the date. He honestly believes that Jared would love Emma, if not at least like her. After knowing her pretty much all his life, he can see that she has an awfully bubbly and beautiful personality that is easy to fall in love with.

"Morning, man," Jensen greets his friend upon entering the trailer. Jared is sitting on the small chair, looking tired and distant. Jensen would be lying to himself if he wasn't concerned.

Jared only hums in acknowledgment, raising his hand in a small wave.

"I brought you coffee," Jensen tells him, placing the steaming mug in front of his friend.

"Thanks," Jared replies, taking the coffee and sipping slowly at it. Jensen stands above him, watching him for a moment and wondering how to bring up the subject of the date. Jared notices Jensen staring and lifts his head, raising his eyebrows. "What?"

Jensen shakes his head, snapping out of his gaze and moving to sit in the chair opposite of Jared.

"I called you yesterday," Jared says, taking Jensen off guard. "After work. You weren't home."

"I went out for beers and pizza," Jensen explains. "With Emma," he adds, hoping that Jared asks about her, so that he gets a chance to ask about the date. But Jared doesn't say anything, only nods and continues sipping the coffee, eyes going back to the newspaper in front of him.

"She's really great, you know," Jensen says. Jared looks up for a moment, confused. "Emma. She's really fun to hang out with." Jared doesn't say anything. "Hell, we've been going out pretty much every night since we started the show. Probably longer."

"Oh?" Jared says, flipping the page.

Jensen nods, fighting a smile. He really wants Jared to go out with her, not so much because he wants them to get together, but because he is positive that if Jared is exposed to Emma, his attitude will get better. He has been sulking around the set for a few weeks, which is extremely unusual for him. Jensen just wants him to feel better.

"Go on a date with her," Jensen blurts out, impatient with the slow pace of the conversation. Jared looks up again, surprised.

"What?"

Jensen sighs. "I mean, it seems like you could use a little pick-me-up, and I think Emma could help with that."

"Dude, I don't even know her," Jared argues. "And she doesn't know me either, right? I doubt she'd even go out with me."

"Don't worry, it's already taken care of," Jensen says, smirking. Jared gives him a pointed look.

"Jensen, what did you do?" He asks in an accusing tone.

Jensen raises his hands defensively. "Nothing. All I did was tell Emma that you've been moping around here for a while, and that you're a good guy, and that a date with her is just what you need right now."

Jared scoffs. "Unbelievable. What did she say, anyway?"

"That she's free Saturday," Jensen tells Jared. The younger man looks up at his friend, eyebrows raised.

"Really?"

•••

Emma sits in the spinning chair in her small office, reading over a manuscript and rubbing her temples. Normally the stories that she had to read over were at least a little bit interesting, but this one makes the art of banging her forehead against the edge of the desk really tempting.

A short knock at the door makes Emma lift her head, and she's thankful for the second she has away from the awful story. However, when she sees that the woman at the door is her boss, she internally panics.

"Mrs. Davies," Emma says.

"Oh, hello, Emma," her boss says. Her voice indicates that she is surprised to see the employee still here. "You haven't left yet?" Emma furrows her eyebrows, lifting her left hand and glancing at her watch, realizing it is already past seven. She was supposed to leave over an hour ago.

"Oh!" She says surprised. "I guess I lost track of time again." Her boss chuckles a little.

"That's the fifth time this month, Miss Black," Mrs. Davies says. Emma stands up, putting the manuscript in her desk drawer for tomorrow and then cleaning off her desk. "You've been working hard, Emma. I'm very proud to have you working for me."

Emma smiles, flattered. "Thank you. That really means a lot to me."

"Well it's true." Emma takes her purse from beside her desk and brings it with her as she approaches the door. She is confused to see her boss still at the door. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Davies, was there something else?" Emma asks.

The boss sighs. "You know, I hate to ask you this, given that you already work so hard and so much, but I want you to work next weekend."

"Sure, of course," Emma agrees, happy that it won't interfere with the date she has this weekend. "Is there a problem?"

"Oh, one of your coworkers has to take off next weekend because they're going on vacation." Emma sighs, relieved to hear there isn't a problem. Her work is very important to her, and if there was a problem, it would weigh heavy on her heart.

"Well, good night, Emma," Mrs. Davies says. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, Mrs. Davies," Emma says, before walking out of her office and then out of the building. She gets into her car and notices that she has a few missed calls from Jensen.

She lets her head fall back against the seat and takes a moment to breathe, completely exhausted from her long day. Then, she starts her car and dials Jensen's number, hoping that he's not upset that she didn't get a hold of him earlier.

"Well, it's about time," Jensen's irritated voice comes through the phone. "Where've you been?" Emma sighs deeply.

"I got held up at work," she replies. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can meet you tonight. I'm just gonna go home."

"Oh," Jensen says, voice deflated. "Okay, I guess we'll do something tomorrow?"

Emma feels guilty for ditching him, but she is so tired, the only thing she is in the mood for is sleeping.

"Yeah, definitely," she replies, running a hand through her hair before hanging up the phone, ending the call.

Right now, she just needs a very long, very overdue nap.