Babes in Toyland Chapter 6
Title: Babes in Toyland Chapter 6
Author: JCRGIRL
Banner: emeraldheiress
Pairing: Dean/Sam
Rating: R
Warnings: Wincest, AU, BabyFic (Non-MPreg),
Word Count: ~ 3000
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Just playing in Kripke's sandbox.
Summary: Christmas with new and old friends.
Author Notes: Joey Verse and chronologically follows 'I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus' though a few years have passed. Title from the story "Babes in Toyland".
Master Post of Fics
A/N: Everyone thought I forgot this verse, but see I didn't. I've attached the Master Post link for those of you who need to refresh their memory on where I left off. Sorry for the delay. I needed a break so I thought I'd write a short little story for imogen_lily and it's turned into a 15 chapter (so far) mega story. I apparently can't write something small.
The chilly December air, warmer than he was used to, nipped at his exposed feet as he padded across the porch to the blanket wrapped girl curled up on the swing. A sock clad foot against the railing gently propelled her in a lazy back and forth.
“Morning.” He stood next to the swing, eyes surveying the landscape. Fog hung heavy across the pastures, a blanket of haze that obscured the world until only silhouettes were visible. He had yet to see the ranch clearly, but had the distinct feeling that it was beautiful to behold. Cradling his coffee between his hands, he shivered when cool air snuck under the collar of his sweatshirt.
“Morning, Sam. Have a seat.” Casey tucked her leg further under her body to make room and patted the vacant portion of the swing. When he sat, she disentangled herself from the thick afghan and threw it across the both of them. “Did you sleep?”
“Some,” he tucked the edge under his thigh and back to cocoon in the warmth that her bundled body had created, “Mainly watched Dean sleep.”
Sam had been certain his heart stopped when the explosion rocked the foundation of the hotel and Dean still hadn’t appeared. When the doors to the elevator slid open to reveal his wide-eyed brother, his relief was tangible. Right up to the moment that Dean’s knee buckled and he collapsed, Casey’s arms catching him just before he hit the ground. Scooping him up, she assured him that Dean was just exhausted, his mind forcing his overtaxed body to rest. It wasn’t until he felt the strong pulse under his fingers and soft exhales on his face that he dared believe her. Once Dean was conscious, Sam fully intended to invoke his right as little brother and make sure Dean knew he had been carried bridal style to the car…by a girl.
Nudging her with his elbow, careful not to slosh his nearly full cup, he asked, “Wanna tell me what happened up there last night?”
“I honestly don’t know. It was…God, I don’t even know how to explain it. He grabbed my arm and it was,” she shook her head, trying to think of the right words, finally settling on, “protection. Pure unselfish unadulterated protection.”
“Protection?”
“Yeah, it was like…”
“Like what, Casey?”
“Like an avenging angel.” She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “It was powerful. I’ve only met two other beings with that much power. You and Joey.”
“What does that mean?”
“Not sure.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Not yet. I stayed up and did some research which turned up…basically nothing. I really don’t think it’s something to be worried about. It may just be a Winchester thing.”
Sam took a sip of his coffee, thumb on his right hand spinning his ring. Avenging angel. For some reason, those words forced a shudder through his body. A soft chuckle brought his attention back to the girl beside him.
“What’s so funny?”
“Josh.” She pointed toward the barn where he could just make out the tall man surrounded by the two large dogs. Shelby and Stang bounded around Josh’s feet, knocking him backward with their enthusiastic energy.
Sam volleyed his gaze from the girl on the swing to the boy at the barn. Casey had a fond smile on her lips, her eyes softened with affection. “Casey,” he began hesitantly.
“Hmmm.” She pulled her eyes from Josh and the dogs to regard him with bright, curious eyes.
“Are you and Josh seeing each other?” He didn’t know why he asked, it wasn’t any of his business, but there was something in their interaction that screamed familiarity.
“We’re just friends.” She smiled, lifting her steaming cup of coffee to take a sip.
“Oh.” He should’ve stopped, but he couldn’t make his mouth shut, “You looked pretty cozy last night.”
“Sam,” she deliberated for a minute before continuing, “Josh plays for the home team.”
She did not just give him a stupid baseball analogy. Casey knew he hated baseball, preferring any other sport to that one. And the home team? Really? What did that even mean? The home team? Oh. Oh!
“Josh’s gay?” He blurted out needing to find some kind of filter between his brain and his mouth.
“I believe I just said that.” The tone was casual but there was an underlying finality to it like the subject wasn’t open for further discussion. Her eyes moved back to the barn where one of the horses now pranced around in the small paddock attached to the side.
Sam blushed, color rising to his hairline and flushing down his neck. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…I…”
A warm hand rested on his forearm and he raised his eyes to see her smiling warmly at him. “It’s okay, Sam. It isn’t the first time someone has thought that Josh and I were more than we are. Even people who know better. He’s really like a brother to me.” She leaned over and set her mug on the small table beside the swing. “Zoe and Josh made me part of their family, treated me like a sibling. I love Josh, but I’m definitely not in love with him. Plus I think he’s already spoken for.”
“Steve.” Realization hit and pieces fell into place. Josh and Steve were together. He looked at the ceiling and shook his head at his own oblivious stupidity.
Winking, Casey pulled the afghan further up her chest. “Speaking of epic gay love, how are you and Dean doing?”
“We’re good,” Sam answered, wincing at the overly quick response. Next to him, Casey quirked an eyebrow in expectation of a better response. “Seriously, we’re good. I just graduated…thank you for the diploma frame by the way and Dean’s on the fast track to make Lieutenant. Joey is amazing as always. He’ll start attending Excelsior Academy next fall for pre-K and I’ll take over for the retiring English teacher.”
“But…I hear a but in there somewhere.” Casey prodded, picking up her coffee again.
“But…” Sam let out a long sigh, he shifted on the swing to face her fully. “Dean and I have been trying to adopt a baby for about a year now and nobody seems to be willing to give us one. I think we’ve been turned down four times so far.”
“Any particular reason they’re giving you?” She rested her cup on her bent leg.
Buying time, Sam took a sip of his own cooling brew. Shrugging, he set his cup on the arm of the swing and traced the rim with his index finger. “Different reasons, but it all boiled down to the fact that we’re gay.”
Casey looked horrified. “They actually said that.”
“Not in so many words, but yeah. I never realized my sexual orientation made me a bad father.” Sam circled the rim over and over. It was the first time he’d voiced this thought, not wanting to upset Dean, but that was how each rejection made him feel.
“Samuel Winchester, you are not a bad father. I would not let you raise our son if I believed that. You are a wonderful, kind, caring parent and you want to know how I know that?” Casey’s eyes were stormy and he felt small under her reproach. “Because of Joey. That little boy in there is a loving, giving child and those don’t come from bad dads.”
“I know. It’s just…I feel like these people are judging us. Like they think that Dean and I are screwing up Joey with our relationship - not even taking into account the incest - and don’t want to inflict us on some unsuspecting, innocent kid.” He squinted against the weak morning sunshine breaking through the fog cover.
“Sam,” Casey’s harsh tone tempered, “You and Dean love each other, truly love each other. Most people spend their entire lives just hoping for a touch of what you have. That is nothing to be judged, it should be celebrated. It’s my dream that someday our son will find it as well and if he does it will be because of the example you two have set.”
Sam looked over at her and smiled. “How do you do that?”
“What?” She returned his smile, a laugh in her voice.
“Know exactly what to say.”
“Haven’t you heard? I’m blessed.” She bumped his shoulder with her own and took another sip from her mug. Using the foot still perched on the porch rail, she gently swung them back and forth, each lost in their own thoughts.
They sat in companionable silence for a while, the haze lifting revealing the beauty that was Hartfield Haven. Sometime during their conversation Josh had gone into the barn, the dogs coming up to the porch to lie at their feet.
“Sam?” Casey’s soft voice, breaking the relative peace of the rural morning, startled him.
“Yeah.”
“I think I can help.”
Dean woke slowly, eyes blinking open to an unfamiliar room. Brow furrowed, he looked around and let the memories of the night before slowly come back to him. He remembered passing out at the hotel and vaguely recollected being carried and Sam’s worried face swimming over him, telling him he loved him. He woke once to Joey lying on the bed bookended by his fathers, but now he was alone and the sheets were cool where the two loves of his life had slept.
Stumbling to the bathroom, he took care of his morning ritual and then made his way down the stairs. Hannah was playing with Joey on a blanket spread on the floor in front of the fireplace, Rolie Polie Olie playing on the flat screen TV above the mantle. Bleary-eyed he leaned over and dropped a kiss on his son’s head, receiving a 1000 watt smile that was all Sam in return, then staggered to the large picture window. Casey and Sam were on the back porch, talking animatedly. Sam was considering the petite girl with a look that was equal parts ‘you’ve lost your mind’ and ‘you’re so awesome.’
“Morning, Dean.” He jumped as Steve appeared at his side, handing him a cup of dark, rich coffee. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, I guess. Do I even want to know how I got upstairs?” He took a sip and groaned as the full roasted blend rolled over his tastebuds. “Thanks,” he murmured raising the mug to indicate what he was referring to.
“Probably not. It had to do with a super strong girl, a bridal carry and promises of future mocking.” Steve smirked, getting his slight jab in while Dean was undercaffeinated.
“Fantastic,” Dean groaned again.
Laughing, Steve patted him on the shoulder. “Excuse me. If we want breakfast sometime today, I need to get Casey.” He moved to the back door and stuck his head outside. “Casey? Everyone’s back and the troops are demanding food.”
Casey’s laugh floated through the partially open door and she unbundled herself from the heavy quilt. She came in followed by Sam and smiled at Dean. Moving toward him and kissed his cheek, giving him a soft greeting before moving to the kitchen.
Sam came over and cupped Dean’s cheek. “You okay?” His thumb caressed a path over the freckled cheekbone as he searched Dean’s face and waited for an answer.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Sam narrowed his eyes and stared at Dean, assessing the truthfulness of his response. “Okay. No more fainting spells for you though, little lady.” He leaned over to kiss Dean’s inviting lips, but met his cheek when his brother turned his head.
Glaring at Sam, Dean stuck his bottom lip out. “You really think you’re gonna’ get a kiss after that.”
“Yes,” Sam grinned, “You owe me. You scared the hell out of me last night and I think a kiss is a small price to pay.”
Giving Sam’s words a considering thought, Dean shrugged and leaned into Sam’s body, lips meeting in a tender kiss.
“Get a room.” Ariel snorted, walking passed them going into the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee from the new batch Steve had made.
Pressing another chaste kiss to Dean’s lips, Sam smiled. “Casey, you need a hand?”
“Nope.” Came the cheery reply. “Jon’s on cooking duty and Josh is on clean-up so I’m covered.”
Twenty minutes later, Dean found himself seated at the large dining room table, eighteen chairs squashed together to seat the entire compliment. Waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits were served and dwindled as loud conversation and even loud laughter drowned out the scrape of utensils on porcelain. It was surreal after the events of the night before, but oddly nice.
Dishes cleared, Dean and Sam stood at the bar that separated the open kitchen from the living room. Joey was balanced on Sam’s hip, bouncing in time to the country music that Josh had turned on while they cleaned up. Casey and Josh moved around each other - washing, drying and putting the dishes away - dancing to the twangy tunes echoing from the under the cabinet radio. Dean sang softly along with the song in that softly off-key way he always had, Sam humming in accompaniment.
Casey twisted a towel and snapped it at Josh’s ass as Ruthie dashed into the kitchen. She dodged Casey’s next flick, snagging the towel and pulling in out of her attacker’s hand only to replace it with a sheet of paper. “Take a look at this.”
Yelping as Josh snapped her with his own towel, she moved into the corner and motioned her hands into the football timeout signal. Her smile fell as she read the paper, lips dropping into a deep frown. Her eyes flew back and forth across the page, an imitation of an old typewriter. Sam exchanged a curious look with Dean and shrugged, Joey watching everything in rapt attention.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Casey flicked a glance to Ruthie. “I want them on a plane…today.”
“Understood.” The dark-haired girl hurried from the room.
“Casey?” She raised her head at Sam’s soft call. “What’s going on?”
“You’re going home.” Casey folded the paper and shoved it in the back pocket of her jeans. She excused herself quietly and took the stairs two at a time.
Ruthie was apparently a miracle worker as she got them plane reservations leaving that afternoon. Casey had been quiet the rest of the morning, saying her good-byes at the ranch since Jon, Steve and Josh were accompanying them to the airport. Standing at the terminal, Sam turned to shake Jon’s hand. Apparently, Casey’s crew was good at forgery and had IDs that allowed them to get past the tightened security measures imposed since 9/11.
“Thanks for the lift,” Sam said, hand feeling small in the man’s bear-like paw.
“No problem.”
Dean held his hand out to Josh, the fingers of the other resting lightly on his son’s head to keep him close by. “I couldn’t persuade you to tell me what’s going on, could I?” He’d unsuccessfully tried to get anyone on Casey’s crew to let him in on whatever Casey had read that made her ship them off like delinquent children. She’d even sent Rachel, Beth and Leah to their hotel to pack up the remainder of their things.
“Not a ch-“ Josh was interrupted by a chirping sound coming from his belt followed a moment later by the same chirping from Steve’s. As the two men pulled their pagers from the clips, Jon’s cell phone rang.
Frowning at the display screen, he flipped the phone open. “Ruthie?”
Small arms wrapped around Sam’s leg and he looked down to see Joey staring up at him with wide, scared hazel eyes. He leaned down and picked the small boy up.
“Ariel? What are you doing with Ruthie’s…Wait, what’s happened?”
Dean moved closer to Sam, hand resting against the small of his back. Bobby, Jenni, Mike, Hannah and John crowded around them offering support by presence. It was obvious something had gone wrong.
“How bad?” Jon’s eyes flashed to Josh’s when the man grabbed his forearm. “Who?” His eyes fell shut and he took a deep, calming breath. “I understand. We’re on our way.” He snapped the phone shut and held it to his mouth.
“Jon?” Steve put a hand on Josh’s shoulder.
“The girls were attacked. At the ranch.” He opened his eyes and slid the phone back into his pocket.
“That’s not possible. We have every ward invented on that property,” Josh protested.
“Well, something obviously got through,” Jon snarled.
“Guys,” Steve intervened.
Sam took in Jon’s tense stature and felt his heart constrict. “Was anybody hurt?”
Jon looked at him like he’d forgotten anyone else was there. “Yeah. Everyone sustained injuries, but Sarah and Ru -“ He cleared his throat. “Ruthie are in the worst shape.”
“And Casey?” Bobby’s question was soft like he didn’t really want to know the answer. Dean looked at him. He’d wondered the same thing. Casey never let anyone get hurt unless she was wounded worse.
“Taken.”
The color drained out of Josh’s face and Sam was sure if Steve hadn’t had a hand on him, he’d have fallen to the ground.
“You guys need to get on that plane. I have to get back to the ranch, tend to the girls, organize a search party.” Jon picked up Hannah’s carry-on and handed it to Mike, motioning to the gate their plane was boarding at.
Dean and Sam glanced at each other, mentally conversing in the way they always had. Nodding, Sam handed Joey to John with a kiss to his little boy’s head. Dean stepped forward and added his own press of lips to the baby soft skin.
John puzzled at them. “What are you doing?”
Running a finger down the round swell of Joey’s face, Dean met his father’s gaze. “Going to bring his mother home.”