Moving, Supernatural, NC-17, Broken!Verse
Fandom: Supernatural
Title: Moving
Characters/Pairings: Sam/Dean, John, Ellen, Bobby, Caleb, Pastor Jim, Jo, Ash, OMC, OFC
Rating: NC-17 (for thematic reasons)
Word Count: 3196
Summary: Broken!Verse, chapter 46 ( Click here for Index of all chapters)
Summary: The hunters weather the night, and break into groups to get out of the woods and back to civilization without getting caught. Sam and Dean are reunited with the Impala. Jo works a little harder to get Gabe's attention.
A/Ns and Warnings: Very dark. Includes memory of torture and rape and very dark violence.
It was a cold morning. John had already hiked out to determine their relation to the road. Ellen and Jo were curled together next to Gabe, who was sleeping with his backpack as a pillow, his arms tucked under his arm pits for warmth. Allen moved among the group, shaking people awake. Bobby groaned as he sat up. “I’m getting too old for this shit.”
Allen smirked and moved to Gabe. “I’m awake.” Gabe murmured before Allen touched him.
“Good. You have your GPS?”
Gabe nodded and pulled his backpack out from under his head. “In there.” He nudged Caleb with his knee and Caleb moaned. “You up?” Gabe asked.
Caleb rolled over toward Gabe, then opened his eyes. He blinked and shifted to sit up. “I am now.”
“What time is it?” Jo asked, sitting up and moving away from her mother.
“Almost seven.” John said as he returned to camp. “The road is that way.” He pointed behind him. “The nearest town is that way.” He pointed back toward the cabin. “I figure that isn’t going to be safe.”
“I’ve been thinking. Our best bet is to break into small groups, maybe hitch in the opposite direction. Meet up in Loran, east of here.” Allen said. He stood up with the GPS and switched it on. “If we stagger our trips out to the road, we should do okay.”
“You think we’re far enough away that we don’t have to worry about it being Ash or Billy or Andrew picking us up?” John asked, peering over Allen’s shoulder at the instrument.
“I’m not saying it isn’t risky. Just beats walking the….13 miles to Loran.”
“Thirteen miles?” Jo groaned.
Ellen chuckled. “I’ve walked further for less, Jo. It isn’t bad.”
“We should try for non-threatening groups then. Me and Caleb, John, Ellen and Jo, Gabe and Allen.” Bobby said, kicking dirt over what was left of their fire.
“I’ll go with Gabe.” Jo said brightly.
Gabe turned to Caleb, his eyes wide. Caleb chuckled. “Maybe we should keep the parents with their respective offspring for now.”
Jo’s face fell and Ellen held up her hands. “You’re with me young lady.” Ellen said. “I’ve had you out of my sight long enough this last week.” Jo pouted. “Okay, who’s first?”
“Gabe and I will go last. We’ll keep our ears to the ground, make sure we’re not being followed.” Allen said, handing the GPS back to Gabe.
“Caleb and I will take point then.” Bobby said, slapping Caleb’s arm. “You ready to hit it?”
Caleb nodded, his eyes flashing to Gabe’s. “You be careful.” He said it softly as he stepped past him and he briefly felt Gabe’s hand on his elbow. “There’s a diner in Loran. We’ll meet you guys there.”
The all night diner was mostly empty at 10am when Sam sat Dean down in the booth. Pastor Jim joined him, slipping onto the opposite bench. “I hate Tulsa.”
Sam looked up, surprised. Jim smiled. “I had a really bad day here in Tulsa when I was…younger than you.” He looked at the menu. “Order whatever you want, my treat. We’ll head down to the impound yard after we eat.”
“Did you get a hold of them?”
Jim nodded. “Yes. Storage fees are going to be steep, but nothing I can’t handle. We should have you two on the road by noon.”
“Good.” Sam looked up as the waitress came over.
“What can I get you boys?”
“Coffee to start.” Jim said.
“Yeah, and I’ll have two eggs, over medium, bacon, hash browns.” Sam said.
“I’ll have the same.”
“And what about you sweetie?” she asked, looking at Dean.
Dean’s hand squeezed Sam’s knee under the table, and Sam looked at him. There was panic in his eyes. “Um…he’ll have the waffles.” Sam said without looking at her. “You like waffles, right Dean?”
Sam’s hand slipped under Dean’s and squeezed. Dean turned to hide his face. “It’s okay, Dean. She’s gone.” Sam whispered. He didn’t let go of Dean’s hand though. He felt Pastor Jim’s eyes and looked up. “It’s not exactly the same as when I first found him, but it’s close. During his last months…there…he was kept with pretty much only James for company…and then ignored except when James required service.”
“So people are…frightening.”
Sam nodded. He inhaled sharply. “I’m not even sure I can get him to eat.”
“We can take it with us if he won’t. He can eat later.”
Sam smiled at the waitress when she set three cups of coffee down. “Could we get some water also?”
“Sure thing sweets.”
“So, Sam…when you first…found Dean…how did you deal with him?” Jim asked, settling back against the bench.
Sam shook his head. “I tried to talk to him like nothing had changed…and I tried to give him what he needed at the time. Security, something to do. It was…hard. But, he had routines…they kept him calm…and gave him structure. We may have taken him too far from those for them to help much now though.”
“You did good work, from what I’ve seen. Maybe you missed your calling.”
Sam shook his head. “No…I couldn’t do this for anyone else.”
Jim lifted his coffee and tested it, then set it down and reached for the sugar. “You know, the first time I ever met you boys, you were three. Dean was seven, and already a cheeky kid. He was defiant and mouthy, except to your father. I figured him for trouble. Until I saw him with you.”
Jim stirred his coffee and smiled at Sam. “Your Dad was hurt, and you were crying. Dean took your hand and walked you over to a pew and calmed you down, gave you exactly what you needed to be able to deal with the situation.”
Sam stroked a hand through Dean’s hair. “He’s always taken care of me. Now it’s my turn.”
“Are you ready to have to do that the rest of your life Sam?” Jim asked softly.
Sam looked aside at Dean. His brother’s hand was still on his knee, but he was staring vacantly out into the parking lot. Sam sighed and thanked the waitress as she set glasses of water on the table. He put one in front of Dean. “Here, Dean. Are you thirsty?”
Dean looked at the glass but didn’t move. “It’s here if you want it, okay?”
Sam sighed again. He was tired already…and they weren’t even alone yet. He had to wonder if he even had what it was going to take to see it through. He nodded though, looking back at the older man across the table from him. “Yes. Forever. Even if this is all I ever get in return.”
Bobby and Caleb got a lift to the bottom of the hill, and were back on foot, keeping an eye out for truckers or anyone who looked like they might offer a lift to two men whose luck had run out.
“So…you doing better these days?” Bobby asked without really looking at Caleb.
“Yeah, smooth, Bobby.” Caleb said with a laugh. “I’m better, yes.”
“Is that because you’ve gotten over it…or because you’ve gotten in to something else?”
Caleb looked at him, mouth open. “I-what?”
It was Bobby’s turn to chuckle. “Why is it everyone thinks I’m blind?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Caleb said, turning as a semi came toward them, sticking his thumb out.
“I’m talking about Gabe.” Bobby said and Caleb just stopped, his hand dropping. The truck roared past them, then started slowing.
“I’m not…I…come on, we got a ride.” Caleb said.
“Yeah, that’s smooth too.” Bobby said with a grin. They both jogged to the truck and Caleb climbed up, opening the passenger side door. “Hey.” He smiled at the blond woman behind the wheel. “Got room for two beat up farmers on their way to Loran?”
“You boys lose your ride?”
“Yeah, his old woman kicked us out of the car a few miles back.” Caleb said, hitching his thumb over the shoulder at Bobby.
“Climb on in. Can’t take you all the way to Loran, but my freeway is just a mile or two outside it. You can ride with me that far.”
“Thank you.”
“You ready?” John asked, wrapping one arm around Jo’s slender shoulders.
She dragged her eyes off of Gabe and nodded, swatting at an imaginary bug. “To get out of this bug infested forest? Yes. A world of yes.”
John chuckled. “You boys be safe.”
“You too.” Allen said. “See you in Loran.”
Gabe waved goodbye while keeping his father between him and Jo. Allen chuckled. “Looks like you have an admirer.”
Gabe made a face. “Yeah, I noticed.”
“She’s a good kid.”
“Operative word: Kid.”
Allen chuckled again. “You could do worse.”
“Not interested Dad. Can we drop it?”
Allen nodded, then gestured at the radio in Gabe’s hands. “You getting anything?”
Gabe shook his head. “No…and yes…some local chatter about the fire…they’re reporting it as an electrical fire. It’s burned to the ground.” He held the ear piece tighter to his ear. “Oh. They found the body.”
Allen frowned at him. “What?”
“Gorlian…um, Michael. They’re saying that the owner’s brother in law was staying there…found dead….they’ll need dental records to confirm…” He listened. “They say they’ll never know if there was anyone else in the house itself, fire burned extremely hot. There isn’t enough left.”
“What are you listening to?”
Gabe grinned. “Gotta love geeky town gossips. I think the one is called Mabel and the other one is Tessa…Mabel lives in town. Tessa used to, but I haven’t figured out where she is.”
Allen shook his head. “You’re listening to the local gossips?”
Gabe shrugged. “Good source of information. That’s all I got, they’re talking about American Idol now.” He shuddered and pulled the ear piece out. “How long should we wait?”
“At least an hour.”
Gabe shoved the radio into his backpack and sat on the ground.
“Don’t suppose you’ve got any food in there.”
“Not anymore. I used to have some trail mix, but I took it out to make room for my PDA.”
“Only my son would pack survival gear that includes a PDA, but not food.”
“Hey, I get my geek from you.” Gabe said defensively. “And don’t deny it. I’ve seen your survival gear too…and at least one of us walked away with some equipment. You left yours on the porch.”
“Touché.” Allen settled to the ground near Gabe, leaning against the tree. “So, there’s no elegant segue, I’m just going to ask.”
Gabe stiffened but nodded.
“You doing better?”
Gabe tried to suppress the frown and nodded. “Yeah, Dad. I am.”
“I can’t help but notice that working with Caleb has been good for you. Maybe when all this is over you and he can work out an arrangement to hunt together…I mean…if you still want to hunt…and not…you know…go back to school.”
Gabe smirked and stopped him. He wasn’t ready for the Caleb conversation, not with his father. Everything with Caleb was still so new and…he wasn’t really sure where it was going to go. School though, that he could do. “Dad…my school was all about the hunting, you know that right?”
“I just don’t want to see you throw away a future that would make you happy.”
“And you think that because I have above average intelligence and two bachelor degrees at 18, I can only be happy out there?”
Allen shook his head. “I’ve been out there, Gabe. I know how rewarding it can be. I’m not saying you have to…you know, work for NASA or anything.”
Gabe turned to face his father. “Dad. I know I freaked out a little for a while. But I’m okay. And…I’m better than okay.” He licked his lips. “For the first time in my life, I actually fit in. I can use my skills to help people, Dad. To save them. I…I’m happier right now, sitting here in the woods with you than I ever was at school. Okay?”
Allen nodded. “Okay. I just…I’m your father. It’s my job.”
Gabe put a hand on his shoulder. “And you’re doing an excellent job….you know…for a guy who never finished his PhD.”
Sam could hear the Impala long before he saw it, and when he did, when Jim pulled out of the yard in it, Sam felt a rush of something like comfort. She was dusty from the weeks in the yard, but seemed intact. “Look Dean. It’s your car.” Sam said.
Jim pulled out onto the street and did a U-turn to park behind them. Sam had the car door open and was standing, reaching for Dean before Jim was even out of the Impala.
“You’re going to need gas.” Jim said as he came around to help Sam manage their bag, his crutches and Dean. “You sure you’re going to be okay to drive?”
Sam nodded. “Yeah…I’m fine. Glad it’s my left leg.”
“Okay, let’s get you going.”
“Out of the car, Dean. We’re leaving Pastor Jim.”
“You boys be careful.” Sam nodded and tucked his crutches into the back seat.
“You too, Pastor Jim. We’re…really grateful.”
Dean was in the passenger seat, one hand on the dash of the car. Sam climbed in beside him and sighed. It felt a little like home to feel the familiar leather against his back. “Where you want to go Dean? Got an idea?” He put on the blinker and pulled out into the street. They had a quarter of a tank of gas, but there was a gas station on the corner.
Dean didn’t move as Sam filled the gas tank, and Sam hurried to get them on the road, to get them on the first interstate he could find. It seemed like forever since it was just him and Dean. He covered Dean’s hand with his own. “Just us, okay, Dean? Everything’s going to be just fine.”
“Fine.” Dean said in echo. Sam looked at him, but nothing had changed.
He lifted the hand to brush over Dean’s hair. “Maybe we’ll get you a hair cut. Would you like that?”
Dean’s hand reached up and took Sam’s, bringing it back down to the seat. Sam wasn’t sure if that was an answer or Dean telling him to stop being such a girl, but it was enough…for now it was enough.
The road sign said that Loran was two and half miles away when the truck pulled over on the side of the road. Caleb thanked their driver, while Bobby opened the door and climbed out. “Hope it all works out for you.” Caleb said with a smile. They’d gotten to listen to her life story in the short trip…all about the drama with her ex and her sister and…Caleb was glad to be getting out of the truck.
After she’d pulled away, and the dust had settled, he and Bobby started walking. “So, you gonna answer me?” Bobby asked.
“Do you not know how to mind your own business? Caleb asked, shaking his head.
“You know me.” Bobby lifted his baseball cap and scratched at his head. “I see stuff. I notice.”
“Well, stop.”
“Can’t. Gabe’s just a kid.”
“Is this going to be a discussion about age? Because I seem to recall you like pretty girls about twenty years younger than you.”
“That’s not fair. She came on to me.”
“We were working, Bobby.” Caleb said.
“And you’re trying to change the subject.”
Caleb stopped walking, grabbing Bobby by the arm. “Okay. Look. I don’t know what this is. I mean…it’s not like I was looking for…anything, especially not after…” He shook his head. Not where he wanted this to go. “We’re going slow, okay?”
“He’s fragile.”
Caleb laughed at that. “Gabe? Maybe you’re not blind, but you should have your eyes checked.” He shook his head. “He’s a lot stronger than any of you have given him credit for.”
“You be careful with that boy.”
Caleb nodded. “Okay. We done now?”
Bobby smirked. “Yeah…I think so.”
” You…you’re safe…okay? Safe to do whatever you need to.”
He didn’t know the voice right away, but the words cut through the fog and made him think maybe he should…maybe he should open his eyes again. Maybe he should see…do….something.
But he didn’t know what…and he felt safe in the dark, with his eyes closed and the feeling of moving…moving…it felt familiar and warm, yet…frightening. He opened his eyes slowly.
Car. A different car from before. He vaguely recalled getting out. There was food…no, something else.
He glanced aside at the man driving. Like the voice, he was supposed to know.
Sam. It took a long time, but there it was. Sam.
Sam smiled at him, and he looked away. He didn’t know how to react to a smile…not that kind of smile.
“Dean?”
He blinked and stared out at the highway. Dean. Sam called him Dean. He sort of remembered that too. Not everyone did. Slave. Whore. Cocksucker. Brother-fucker. Son. Dean. Nothing. No one. Alone.
It was too much to try to put right. Made his head hurt. Made tiny sounds in his throat. Sam touched him then. His skin was hot on his hand.
No one touches a slave but his Master without Master’s approval.
He twitched, almost pulled his hand away. Never flinch. Almost.
“Yours, Sam?”
“Yes, Dean. Mine.”
“Always.”
“Always.”
His free hand slid up to his neck, where there had been a collar. There wasn’t now. It had been taken away.
“A slave earns the right to wear the collar. I…was good enough once. I could be again.”
“Dean? What’s wrong?”
They were slowing down. Dean blinked and distantly realized he was crying. He shook his head as the car came to a stop and Sam turned to him. “Dean, look at me.”
He didn’t hesitate, couldn’t not obey. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
He didn’t have words. His breathing sped up and he shook his head. “Don’t…can’t…”
Sam’s hand touched his face, brushed away the tears. “It’s okay Dean. You don’t have to. I just want to make it better. Can I?”
Dean frowned. “Mine, Dean. You belong to me…always…”
“Sam.”
Sam nodded, his green eyes so open and Dean felt like they could swallow him whole if he could just make himself small enough to fit inside them. It terrified him.
“Tired,” he said finally…lowering his gaze.
Sam looked away and nodded. “You want to lay down in the back seat?”
Want. He didn’t understand want. Sam sighed beside him. “Get in the back seat and lay down, Dean. We have a long drive.”
Dean opened his door and got out of the car, then climbed into the back. “Lay down and get some rest, Dean.”
He turned toward the back, turned his face in to the leather of the seat, tried to make himself smaller, tried to make himself disappear. Not good enough for a collar, not strong enough for Sam.
Dean. He knew that name. Once upon a time it had even been his name. Like the collar…it wasn’t his any more.
Title: Moving
Characters/Pairings: Sam/Dean, John, Ellen, Bobby, Caleb, Pastor Jim, Jo, Ash, OMC, OFC
Rating: NC-17 (for thematic reasons)
Word Count: 3196
Summary: Broken!Verse, chapter 46 ( Click here for Index of all chapters)
Summary: The hunters weather the night, and break into groups to get out of the woods and back to civilization without getting caught. Sam and Dean are reunited with the Impala. Jo works a little harder to get Gabe's attention.
A/Ns and Warnings: Very dark. Includes memory of torture and rape and very dark violence.
It was a cold morning. John had already hiked out to determine their relation to the road. Ellen and Jo were curled together next to Gabe, who was sleeping with his backpack as a pillow, his arms tucked under his arm pits for warmth. Allen moved among the group, shaking people awake. Bobby groaned as he sat up. “I’m getting too old for this shit.”
Allen smirked and moved to Gabe. “I’m awake.” Gabe murmured before Allen touched him.
“Good. You have your GPS?”
Gabe nodded and pulled his backpack out from under his head. “In there.” He nudged Caleb with his knee and Caleb moaned. “You up?” Gabe asked.
Caleb rolled over toward Gabe, then opened his eyes. He blinked and shifted to sit up. “I am now.”
“What time is it?” Jo asked, sitting up and moving away from her mother.
“Almost seven.” John said as he returned to camp. “The road is that way.” He pointed behind him. “The nearest town is that way.” He pointed back toward the cabin. “I figure that isn’t going to be safe.”
“I’ve been thinking. Our best bet is to break into small groups, maybe hitch in the opposite direction. Meet up in Loran, east of here.” Allen said. He stood up with the GPS and switched it on. “If we stagger our trips out to the road, we should do okay.”
“You think we’re far enough away that we don’t have to worry about it being Ash or Billy or Andrew picking us up?” John asked, peering over Allen’s shoulder at the instrument.
“I’m not saying it isn’t risky. Just beats walking the….13 miles to Loran.”
“Thirteen miles?” Jo groaned.
Ellen chuckled. “I’ve walked further for less, Jo. It isn’t bad.”
“We should try for non-threatening groups then. Me and Caleb, John, Ellen and Jo, Gabe and Allen.” Bobby said, kicking dirt over what was left of their fire.
“I’ll go with Gabe.” Jo said brightly.
Gabe turned to Caleb, his eyes wide. Caleb chuckled. “Maybe we should keep the parents with their respective offspring for now.”
Jo’s face fell and Ellen held up her hands. “You’re with me young lady.” Ellen said. “I’ve had you out of my sight long enough this last week.” Jo pouted. “Okay, who’s first?”
“Gabe and I will go last. We’ll keep our ears to the ground, make sure we’re not being followed.” Allen said, handing the GPS back to Gabe.
“Caleb and I will take point then.” Bobby said, slapping Caleb’s arm. “You ready to hit it?”
Caleb nodded, his eyes flashing to Gabe’s. “You be careful.” He said it softly as he stepped past him and he briefly felt Gabe’s hand on his elbow. “There’s a diner in Loran. We’ll meet you guys there.”
The all night diner was mostly empty at 10am when Sam sat Dean down in the booth. Pastor Jim joined him, slipping onto the opposite bench. “I hate Tulsa.”
Sam looked up, surprised. Jim smiled. “I had a really bad day here in Tulsa when I was…younger than you.” He looked at the menu. “Order whatever you want, my treat. We’ll head down to the impound yard after we eat.”
“Did you get a hold of them?”
Jim nodded. “Yes. Storage fees are going to be steep, but nothing I can’t handle. We should have you two on the road by noon.”
“Good.” Sam looked up as the waitress came over.
“What can I get you boys?”
“Coffee to start.” Jim said.
“Yeah, and I’ll have two eggs, over medium, bacon, hash browns.” Sam said.
“I’ll have the same.”
“And what about you sweetie?” she asked, looking at Dean.
Dean’s hand squeezed Sam’s knee under the table, and Sam looked at him. There was panic in his eyes. “Um…he’ll have the waffles.” Sam said without looking at her. “You like waffles, right Dean?”
Sam’s hand slipped under Dean’s and squeezed. Dean turned to hide his face. “It’s okay, Dean. She’s gone.” Sam whispered. He didn’t let go of Dean’s hand though. He felt Pastor Jim’s eyes and looked up. “It’s not exactly the same as when I first found him, but it’s close. During his last months…there…he was kept with pretty much only James for company…and then ignored except when James required service.”
“So people are…frightening.”
Sam nodded. He inhaled sharply. “I’m not even sure I can get him to eat.”
“We can take it with us if he won’t. He can eat later.”
Sam smiled at the waitress when she set three cups of coffee down. “Could we get some water also?”
“Sure thing sweets.”
“So, Sam…when you first…found Dean…how did you deal with him?” Jim asked, settling back against the bench.
Sam shook his head. “I tried to talk to him like nothing had changed…and I tried to give him what he needed at the time. Security, something to do. It was…hard. But, he had routines…they kept him calm…and gave him structure. We may have taken him too far from those for them to help much now though.”
“You did good work, from what I’ve seen. Maybe you missed your calling.”
Sam shook his head. “No…I couldn’t do this for anyone else.”
Jim lifted his coffee and tested it, then set it down and reached for the sugar. “You know, the first time I ever met you boys, you were three. Dean was seven, and already a cheeky kid. He was defiant and mouthy, except to your father. I figured him for trouble. Until I saw him with you.”
Jim stirred his coffee and smiled at Sam. “Your Dad was hurt, and you were crying. Dean took your hand and walked you over to a pew and calmed you down, gave you exactly what you needed to be able to deal with the situation.”
Sam stroked a hand through Dean’s hair. “He’s always taken care of me. Now it’s my turn.”
“Are you ready to have to do that the rest of your life Sam?” Jim asked softly.
Sam looked aside at Dean. His brother’s hand was still on his knee, but he was staring vacantly out into the parking lot. Sam sighed and thanked the waitress as she set glasses of water on the table. He put one in front of Dean. “Here, Dean. Are you thirsty?”
Dean looked at the glass but didn’t move. “It’s here if you want it, okay?”
Sam sighed again. He was tired already…and they weren’t even alone yet. He had to wonder if he even had what it was going to take to see it through. He nodded though, looking back at the older man across the table from him. “Yes. Forever. Even if this is all I ever get in return.”
Bobby and Caleb got a lift to the bottom of the hill, and were back on foot, keeping an eye out for truckers or anyone who looked like they might offer a lift to two men whose luck had run out.
“So…you doing better these days?” Bobby asked without really looking at Caleb.
“Yeah, smooth, Bobby.” Caleb said with a laugh. “I’m better, yes.”
“Is that because you’ve gotten over it…or because you’ve gotten in to something else?”
Caleb looked at him, mouth open. “I-what?”
It was Bobby’s turn to chuckle. “Why is it everyone thinks I’m blind?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Caleb said, turning as a semi came toward them, sticking his thumb out.
“I’m talking about Gabe.” Bobby said and Caleb just stopped, his hand dropping. The truck roared past them, then started slowing.
“I’m not…I…come on, we got a ride.” Caleb said.
“Yeah, that’s smooth too.” Bobby said with a grin. They both jogged to the truck and Caleb climbed up, opening the passenger side door. “Hey.” He smiled at the blond woman behind the wheel. “Got room for two beat up farmers on their way to Loran?”
“You boys lose your ride?”
“Yeah, his old woman kicked us out of the car a few miles back.” Caleb said, hitching his thumb over the shoulder at Bobby.
“Climb on in. Can’t take you all the way to Loran, but my freeway is just a mile or two outside it. You can ride with me that far.”
“Thank you.”
“You ready?” John asked, wrapping one arm around Jo’s slender shoulders.
She dragged her eyes off of Gabe and nodded, swatting at an imaginary bug. “To get out of this bug infested forest? Yes. A world of yes.”
John chuckled. “You boys be safe.”
“You too.” Allen said. “See you in Loran.”
Gabe waved goodbye while keeping his father between him and Jo. Allen chuckled. “Looks like you have an admirer.”
Gabe made a face. “Yeah, I noticed.”
“She’s a good kid.”
“Operative word: Kid.”
Allen chuckled again. “You could do worse.”
“Not interested Dad. Can we drop it?”
Allen nodded, then gestured at the radio in Gabe’s hands. “You getting anything?”
Gabe shook his head. “No…and yes…some local chatter about the fire…they’re reporting it as an electrical fire. It’s burned to the ground.” He held the ear piece tighter to his ear. “Oh. They found the body.”
Allen frowned at him. “What?”
“Gorlian…um, Michael. They’re saying that the owner’s brother in law was staying there…found dead….they’ll need dental records to confirm…” He listened. “They say they’ll never know if there was anyone else in the house itself, fire burned extremely hot. There isn’t enough left.”
“What are you listening to?”
Gabe grinned. “Gotta love geeky town gossips. I think the one is called Mabel and the other one is Tessa…Mabel lives in town. Tessa used to, but I haven’t figured out where she is.”
Allen shook his head. “You’re listening to the local gossips?”
Gabe shrugged. “Good source of information. That’s all I got, they’re talking about American Idol now.” He shuddered and pulled the ear piece out. “How long should we wait?”
“At least an hour.”
Gabe shoved the radio into his backpack and sat on the ground.
“Don’t suppose you’ve got any food in there.”
“Not anymore. I used to have some trail mix, but I took it out to make room for my PDA.”
“Only my son would pack survival gear that includes a PDA, but not food.”
“Hey, I get my geek from you.” Gabe said defensively. “And don’t deny it. I’ve seen your survival gear too…and at least one of us walked away with some equipment. You left yours on the porch.”
“Touché.” Allen settled to the ground near Gabe, leaning against the tree. “So, there’s no elegant segue, I’m just going to ask.”
Gabe stiffened but nodded.
“You doing better?”
Gabe tried to suppress the frown and nodded. “Yeah, Dad. I am.”
“I can’t help but notice that working with Caleb has been good for you. Maybe when all this is over you and he can work out an arrangement to hunt together…I mean…if you still want to hunt…and not…you know…go back to school.”
Gabe smirked and stopped him. He wasn’t ready for the Caleb conversation, not with his father. Everything with Caleb was still so new and…he wasn’t really sure where it was going to go. School though, that he could do. “Dad…my school was all about the hunting, you know that right?”
“I just don’t want to see you throw away a future that would make you happy.”
“And you think that because I have above average intelligence and two bachelor degrees at 18, I can only be happy out there?”
Allen shook his head. “I’ve been out there, Gabe. I know how rewarding it can be. I’m not saying you have to…you know, work for NASA or anything.”
Gabe turned to face his father. “Dad. I know I freaked out a little for a while. But I’m okay. And…I’m better than okay.” He licked his lips. “For the first time in my life, I actually fit in. I can use my skills to help people, Dad. To save them. I…I’m happier right now, sitting here in the woods with you than I ever was at school. Okay?”
Allen nodded. “Okay. I just…I’m your father. It’s my job.”
Gabe put a hand on his shoulder. “And you’re doing an excellent job….you know…for a guy who never finished his PhD.”
Sam could hear the Impala long before he saw it, and when he did, when Jim pulled out of the yard in it, Sam felt a rush of something like comfort. She was dusty from the weeks in the yard, but seemed intact. “Look Dean. It’s your car.” Sam said.
Jim pulled out onto the street and did a U-turn to park behind them. Sam had the car door open and was standing, reaching for Dean before Jim was even out of the Impala.
“You’re going to need gas.” Jim said as he came around to help Sam manage their bag, his crutches and Dean. “You sure you’re going to be okay to drive?”
Sam nodded. “Yeah…I’m fine. Glad it’s my left leg.”
“Okay, let’s get you going.”
“Out of the car, Dean. We’re leaving Pastor Jim.”
“You boys be careful.” Sam nodded and tucked his crutches into the back seat.
“You too, Pastor Jim. We’re…really grateful.”
Dean was in the passenger seat, one hand on the dash of the car. Sam climbed in beside him and sighed. It felt a little like home to feel the familiar leather against his back. “Where you want to go Dean? Got an idea?” He put on the blinker and pulled out into the street. They had a quarter of a tank of gas, but there was a gas station on the corner.
Dean didn’t move as Sam filled the gas tank, and Sam hurried to get them on the road, to get them on the first interstate he could find. It seemed like forever since it was just him and Dean. He covered Dean’s hand with his own. “Just us, okay, Dean? Everything’s going to be just fine.”
“Fine.” Dean said in echo. Sam looked at him, but nothing had changed.
He lifted the hand to brush over Dean’s hair. “Maybe we’ll get you a hair cut. Would you like that?”
Dean’s hand reached up and took Sam’s, bringing it back down to the seat. Sam wasn’t sure if that was an answer or Dean telling him to stop being such a girl, but it was enough…for now it was enough.
The road sign said that Loran was two and half miles away when the truck pulled over on the side of the road. Caleb thanked their driver, while Bobby opened the door and climbed out. “Hope it all works out for you.” Caleb said with a smile. They’d gotten to listen to her life story in the short trip…all about the drama with her ex and her sister and…Caleb was glad to be getting out of the truck.
After she’d pulled away, and the dust had settled, he and Bobby started walking. “So, you gonna answer me?” Bobby asked.
“Do you not know how to mind your own business? Caleb asked, shaking his head.
“You know me.” Bobby lifted his baseball cap and scratched at his head. “I see stuff. I notice.”
“Well, stop.”
“Can’t. Gabe’s just a kid.”
“Is this going to be a discussion about age? Because I seem to recall you like pretty girls about twenty years younger than you.”
“That’s not fair. She came on to me.”
“We were working, Bobby.” Caleb said.
“And you’re trying to change the subject.”
Caleb stopped walking, grabbing Bobby by the arm. “Okay. Look. I don’t know what this is. I mean…it’s not like I was looking for…anything, especially not after…” He shook his head. Not where he wanted this to go. “We’re going slow, okay?”
“He’s fragile.”
Caleb laughed at that. “Gabe? Maybe you’re not blind, but you should have your eyes checked.” He shook his head. “He’s a lot stronger than any of you have given him credit for.”
“You be careful with that boy.”
Caleb nodded. “Okay. We done now?”
Bobby smirked. “Yeah…I think so.”
” You…you’re safe…okay? Safe to do whatever you need to.”
He didn’t know the voice right away, but the words cut through the fog and made him think maybe he should…maybe he should open his eyes again. Maybe he should see…do….something.
But he didn’t know what…and he felt safe in the dark, with his eyes closed and the feeling of moving…moving…it felt familiar and warm, yet…frightening. He opened his eyes slowly.
Car. A different car from before. He vaguely recalled getting out. There was food…no, something else.
He glanced aside at the man driving. Like the voice, he was supposed to know.
Sam. It took a long time, but there it was. Sam.
Sam smiled at him, and he looked away. He didn’t know how to react to a smile…not that kind of smile.
“Dean?”
He blinked and stared out at the highway. Dean. Sam called him Dean. He sort of remembered that too. Not everyone did. Slave. Whore. Cocksucker. Brother-fucker. Son. Dean. Nothing. No one. Alone.
It was too much to try to put right. Made his head hurt. Made tiny sounds in his throat. Sam touched him then. His skin was hot on his hand.
No one touches a slave but his Master without Master’s approval.
He twitched, almost pulled his hand away. Never flinch. Almost.
“Yours, Sam?”
“Yes, Dean. Mine.”
“Always.”
“Always.”
His free hand slid up to his neck, where there had been a collar. There wasn’t now. It had been taken away.
“A slave earns the right to wear the collar. I…was good enough once. I could be again.”
“Dean? What’s wrong?”
They were slowing down. Dean blinked and distantly realized he was crying. He shook his head as the car came to a stop and Sam turned to him. “Dean, look at me.”
He didn’t hesitate, couldn’t not obey. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
He didn’t have words. His breathing sped up and he shook his head. “Don’t…can’t…”
Sam’s hand touched his face, brushed away the tears. “It’s okay Dean. You don’t have to. I just want to make it better. Can I?”
Dean frowned. “Mine, Dean. You belong to me…always…”
“Sam.”
Sam nodded, his green eyes so open and Dean felt like they could swallow him whole if he could just make himself small enough to fit inside them. It terrified him.
“Tired,” he said finally…lowering his gaze.
Sam looked away and nodded. “You want to lay down in the back seat?”
Want. He didn’t understand want. Sam sighed beside him. “Get in the back seat and lay down, Dean. We have a long drive.”
Dean opened his door and got out of the car, then climbed into the back. “Lay down and get some rest, Dean.”
He turned toward the back, turned his face in to the leather of the seat, tried to make himself smaller, tried to make himself disappear. Not good enough for a collar, not strong enough for Sam.
Dean. He knew that name. Once upon a time it had even been his name. Like the collar…it wasn’t his any more.