Farther Away
By : Swissalo
Disclaimer : I don't own these boys, though I really wish I did.
Timeline : Mixed up, but after Asylum.
"Right place, correct town." Dean muttered as he parked his car in front of a small café on Main Street. Glancing over at Sam Dean struggled with having to wake Sam up or not; his brother had been through a lot in the past week, especially after their trip to Lawrence, they both had. But, Dean thought with a shrug, Sam probably would be a whole lot more huffy at being thought of as delicate. Besides, it had been a while since they had stopped for food. Running a hand over his head, Dean smirked before pushing on Sam's shoulder. Sam grumbled slightly as he shifted away, Dean raised an eyebrow before rolling his eyes, it seemed stupid, but they had always had problems getting Sam to wake up in a car. "Sam."
"What?" came the muffled reply, Dean shook his head the 'serious' voice always worked, especially when their father used it when they were hunting. Glancing over at Sam who was staring up at the car's ceiling with a glazed look, Dean figured it was time for a break. Granted they'd find something that needed their attention, but not for the moment at least.
"Lets go." Dean ordered as he pushed the car door open after a quick check to see if anyone was driving by. He'd never forgive himself if he caused damage to his own baby; a quick glance at the front fender was enough for him to remember just why he never let anyone else drive his car. Shutting the door, Dean could hear Sam pulling himself out of the car, still slightly asleep but mostly they were just lost especially after their trip to Lawrence and Rockville. Dean glanced over at Sam, who appeared to be normal after the Rockville Asylum, but he needed this break more than anything. Pocketing the keys, Dean stared at the café as he stepped onto the sideway next to Sam, who was staring at the shop's name.
"Sounds like something you'd think of." Sam commented as he glanced between his brother and the café. Dean could see the slight smile on his brother's face as he glanced at him and then back at the store. Dean gave a half laugh as he stuffed his hands into his leather jacket.
"Maybe it's because I did." Dean laughed as he strolled forward, granted the sign said the café was closed, at least until school let out but it meant nothing to him. Sam stared at his brother as Dean pushed open the door, regardless of the closed sign. "You coming or are you going to stand there all day?"
Sam grunted as he followed Dean into the Small Café on Main Street. Best make sure his brother didn't get himself killed for trespassing in a store that probably had the owner somewhere in back. The store was comfortable, Sam noticed as Dean moseyed his way towards the bar. This was his brother's turf, Sam decided as he turned to the entrance wall that was covered in photographs, fliers and news paper clippings all announcements of persons from the town. However, there was one photograph to the far left of the wall that Sam was drawn to, a quick glance in Dean's direction informed Sam that his brother was more into making himself out to be an idiot than watch his surroundings. Closing in on the photograph was enough to make Sam stop, studying the picture Sam slowly reached up pulling the push pin out Sam stared down at the photo in his hand. Glancing over at Dean again, Sam closed his eyes before flipping the image over, there was no date, turning it back over Sam studied the small group in the photo. Shaking his head Sam studied the blonde in the photo, who's long blonde hair was whipping around her as she held an old radio in her hands and a large trumpet smile on her face as she gave a sly glance over at his brother. His brother who looked exhausted but completely satisfied as he stared down at the blonde and the radio. It was however, the person standing in the corner of the photo that caused Sam to falter, his father was standing off to the side, leaning against a white wall watching his brother and the blonde with tired joy. Turning back to Dean, Sam opened his mouth to question his brother but froze, shaking his head; Sam glanced down at the photo in his hand before pocketing it.
"We're closed!" a woman hollered from somewhere in the kitchens, Dean just laughed slightly as he dropped the metal napkin holder he had been tossing around back on the countertop. Sam watched from his vantage point as the blonde from the photo came storming out of the back, her hair pulled into a messy bun as she dusted her hands off with a green dishtowel. Glancing at his brother, who was studying the woman who had yet to realize exactly who was in her café, Sam couldn't help but wonder what exactly was going on in his brother's head. Turning his attention back to the blonde, Sam closed his eyes, swallowing he nodded to himself before awaiting the melodrama. It was quite anti-climatic to Sam as he watched the woman freeze when she noticed his brother, but more than enough for him to realize that something had happened between his brother and the blonde.
"You know, they say that you're dead." She uttered softly as she tossed the towel on the back counter, it hit the marble top with a plop the only sound currently in the room. She was angry, Dean knew, just from how her brown eyes kept him in her line of sight as she made her way around the bar. Dean just gave a suave smile that wouldn't save him and held up his hands in surrender, he could hear his brother snort in the background at his coward-ness.
"Well, you can't always believe everything they say." Dean answered, smirking slightly as he tried to defuse the bomb that was currently standing right in front of him. It didn't help one bit, he probably should have called her when he changed his cell phone number.
"True, but then again when nothing came in the mail, figured something was up. Being dead works for you I guess." She answered a hint of southern in her voice, but a dark look past her features as she punched Dean in the shoulder. "Six months, Dean Winchester, six months haven't heard a damn thing from you or your father… where is John by the way? And who else have to brought for me to meet?"
"That's my brother Sammy, the college boy, and Dad's hunting." Dean answered a slight pained expression on his face as he studied the blonde, her brown eyes stared up at him defiantly and the only thing Dean could do was slump against the bar in defeat. "Abbie is that offer still good?"
Abbie gazed at Dean then over at Sam, who was watching them with a look of confusion on his face. Turning back to Dean, she smiled before rolling her eyes at the pleading look he was giving her. Flipping her wrist over, Abbie glanced at her watch, nodding to herself she looked back up at Dean.
"Marge watch the shop for me, I need to head home." Abbie called as she leaned over the counter, her head turned towards the kitchen as she tried to locate her co-owner in the back. Marge, the shop's baker, came clambering out of the back, Dean who had standing beside Abbie was pushed under the bar as Marge came into the café seating area, a look of concern on her flour spotted face.
"You're not sick Abigayle?" Marge asked as she stared at the younger woman. Abbie smile slightly as she cast a quick glance around the shop. Looking back at Marge Abbie shook her head.
"No, more like finalizing what the St. Louis Post said." Abbie answered quietly, fanning her arms around as she spoke, Marge shot her a sympathetic look. Dean who was still hiding behind the counter and slowly making his way towards the end so when the time came he could easily get out of the shop without Marge thinking she had seen a ghost, grunted slightly when he heard Abbie speak. Marge was suddenly a flurry of clucking mothering hen, as she fluttered around the back room collecting anything that Abbie had brought with her to the shop. With the handing over of Abbie's cell phone, Marge shooed Abbie out of the store with the promise of taking care of the shop for as long as she needed. Abbie smiled slightly as she waved off Marge's concerns, but thanked her friend for doing this for her. Abbie sent the confused Sam a smile, as she followed him out of the café. Abbie moved so that she was in the perfect location to watch Dean as he tried to make his escape without alerting Marge to his presence. Once the last Winchester was out of the café, Abbie smiled as she turned to Sam, ignoring Dean's sputtering. "I'm Abbie by the way, it's nice to meet you Sam."
"Likewise." Sam answered absently as he continued to stare at his brother. Dean rolled his eyes as he moved to stand next to Abbie, if his brother was going to complain it wouldn't be brought up before an unknown third party. Abbie stared uncomfortably between the two, whatever conflict the two were now in she didn't want to cause it to erupt in the middle of the street.
"Well," Abbie started breaking the uncomfortable silence with a forced smile, "Let's head over to my place."
Dean stared down at Abbie, she just looked up at him pleading with him to agree with the idea of going straight to her house. Besides, if most of the town thought he was dead, it would probably be a good idea to get out of plain sight until they found out the truth. Didn't want them to think that something else unexplainable was going on and have the cops brought in. Looking around Dean nodded before glancing over at Sam and shrugging, he would never understand women.
"You still don't have a car?" Dean inquired when he noticed that after Abbie's idea of going to her house, she still had no keys in her hand. Abbie who hadn't been paying much attention to what was going on around her spun around and glared at Dean.
"Now why do I need a car? I can get to wherever I need to go on foot. Besides, I have one radio loving creature in my house, I don't need him deciding that the car radio is a step up in luxury." Abbie shot back as she stood with her hands on her hips, her brown eyes blazing with annoyance and humor. Sam couldn't help but smile as he watched the two interact, Abbie was surprisingly able enough to put up with his brother but smart enough to keep him in check. Dean who was dangling his car keys in front of Abbie gave her a sour look as he flipped the keys into his palm with a snort.
"I can still get rid of that." Dean spoke as he stared intently at the blonde before him. Abbie just glared at him before shaking off his concerns with a wave of her hand. Dean grabbed her wrist and pulled her over to him, staring down at Abbie who was studying him with interest Dean smirked at the strong willed woman who had captivated him as he leaned down to speak in her ear. "What? You won't get a car fearing that he'll leave a radio, which he can't leave might I remind you. So why shouldn't I get rid of him. It might make you relax."
"He doesn't bother me, I'm happy with the creature in my radio, even if his taste in music is almost as bad as yours." Abbie shot back as she pulled herself away from Dean, he hadn't called her in over six months and she hadn't seen him in well over two years. Dean glared at her for a moment before dragging her towards his car, his attention was glued on his baby brother who was trying not to laugh at the fact that he wasn't the only one who thought his brother's musical tastes were lacking evolution.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up, but you're going to be listening to that mullet rock of the eighties when we leave." Dean shot back as he watched Sam climb into the passenger's seat, Sam just sent Dean a cheeky grin before shutting the door. Dean clucked at the force of the slam before shutting the backseat door and walking over to the driver's side. A quick glance of the street showed that no one was coming, actually that no one was outside period.