The Road Trip
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or it's characters. I'm only responsible for Melissa and Jamie.
Chapter 1 - The Excursion
"You sure we should take a left, the directions say take a right?," Jamie Mahoney, a tall brunette with long curly hair asked her roommate Melissa, a shorter brunette with chin length hair and glasses.
Melissa sighed, "Yes, I'm going the right way. You act like I'm making the drive for the first time. Just trust me. Map quest has this all wrong. Do you remember who you're supposed to be tonight?"
Jamie frowned, "Dee Decker, TJ's sister, who's never managed to go to a football game so that's why no one should recognize me. You told them I'm coming right?"
Melissa gave a bit of a smile, "Don't worry…you'll be fine. The game will be awesome and TJ's team will win…besides you're missing the best part…Regan will be there."
Melissa gave out a little squeal of joy and Jamie rolled her eyes. After knowing Melissa for two years, she was used to the squeals that seemingly came out of nowhere. She knew that Melissa missed her dog Regan, a miniature Schnauzer, but she didn't think she could ever get so excited over a dog. Sure she liked them, and she had two of her own, but she didn't think she'd ever quite understand.
The whole trip in Melissa's Dodge Neon, "Big Red", took just a little bit over two hours to get to the stadium. Once there, Melissa and Jamie each grabbed a blanket and headed towards the entrance gate.
Despite all the rehearsing, Melissa was quick to jump to the point, "Melissa Stone and Dee Decker we're with TJ Decker."
The girl didn't even give them a second glance and then handed them the passes and in they went. Just rounding the corner, they meet up with Melissa's family, Uncle Mark, and his girlfriend as well as TJ's mom, Cathy Decker. Regan perked up when he noticed Melissa and soon they were fawning over one another. Jamie awkwardly just smiled and set up camp.
Mark was quick to send Melissa off for drinks and a program and interrogated Jamie, "So, Jamie, right? (quick nod from Jamie) So how is Melissa fitting in?"
Jamie unsure how to answer just gave an unsure smile, "Well…as well as any of us I suppose…she's made several friends on the Team this year, and well…people are always saying hi to her."
Cathy smiled and then smacked Mark, "See I told you that you worry too much."
Mark, "Does she brush her teeth and how much pop is she drinking?"
Jamie looked a bit like a deer in headlights, but swallowed quickly, "She brushes every night, and the only time I see her drink a pop is at the cafeteria."
Mark frowned, but just nodded. Melissa came back and with a smile handed out drinks and looked over the program quickly. After a quick look, she handed it to Cathy who immediately flipped to TJ's picture and asked Jamie, "What do you think of my son."
Jamie, "Well…"
Melissa jumped in laughing, "He looks like a Stocker!"
Cathy pulled the program back and said, "He's not cute at all…looks just like his dad! What was he thinking…growing out that beard?"
Melissa, "I think he was doing it for a dare or something."
Cathy thankfully put the program up, and the game began. Jamie shot Melissa a thankful look for jumping in. If there was one thing you didn't do it was insult a son in front of his mother…well…you didn't hit on them either.
When the game finally started, all attention was focused on TJ and Regan. Every time a touch down was made, the cannon would go off. This of course seemed to really bother Regan. For most of the game, Melissa cuddled him, covering his ears when the cannon went off, and gave him encouragement. Not being one for football, or even really understanding it…Jamie was enthralled with it. The game was exciting and TJ's team proceeded to stomp the opposition in the game ending with the score set at 24-3.
After the game, Melissa dragged the awkward Jamie down with her family and Regan to meet the player of the evening. After a short team prayer, they waited for TJ to talk with his father, before walking over and looking every bit as awkward as Jamie felt. Jamie had to fight back a laugh…TJ was short. At 6 foot tall, it wasn't all that odd for her to be taller than most guys, but she had imagined him a little taller. At least he was still taller than Melissa who stood at 5'8". Not only was she marveling at the fact that he was short, but he was clearing trying his best to size her up. The questions were clear on his face. Was he suppose to know her? Was she a stocker?
Melissa had warned him that she was bringing Jamie along, but it appeared that it had slipped his mind. During the ride up, Melissa also tried to warn Jamie that he had a lot of fans. So, it was no surprise to Jamie seeing TJ's leeriness of her, the strange girl.
Both Melissa and Jamie were struggling to keep smiles off their faces at seeing the absolutely relieved expression when Melissa reminded him that the strange girl was Jamie, the girl that she had told him about. After the brief and odd meeting with TJ, it was time to head on out and pack up.
Regan excitedly drug Melissa to Big Red, and sat at the driver's door waiting. The girls were taking him back with them to hide him in their dorm room for a week. It was technically illegal to have a dog, but the girls had a good feeling about it. They had successfully hidden a rabbit, and a pair of ducks in their room without getting found out. A moderately well mannered dog should be no problem. Well, in theory.
Both girls seemed to find it funny that Melissa's uncle asked if Jamie was old enough to drive, and even going as far as to suggest that she take over part of the way. Both Melissa and Jamie had a clear understanding. Only Melissa was to drive Big Red. Jamie, despite being a few years older was completely fine with that, and it worked for them. All too soon, they were saying their goodbyes and heading down the road.
Feeling hungry, and more than a little sleepy, Jamie suggested that they try to stop at the next town and get something to eat. It was like a sign of fate to see the golden arches not long after that, but apparently they were already closed. Jamie suggested, "Road Pizza", but unlike Jamie, Melissa didn't quite fancy the idea of Pizza of questionable quality. So they drove on.
Finally around midnight, they started seeing really odd signs…signs that didn't make sense. They were in Kansas, and last they checked, neither of them had ever seen a Sioux City sign in Kansas…especially not on the road back to the college. The only Sioux City that either of them knew was several hours away…clearly impossible.
When they noticed a rest stop, and Melissa asked, "Do you want to drive…I'm must be more tired than I thought."
Jamie just frowned, "Nope. I think we should just pull over and reevaluate in the morning. Nothing's adding up. We should be somewhere near school, or at the very least still in Kansas."
Jamie moved the seat to recline, and grabbed her blanket from the top and draped it over her, and turning on her side, and was fast asleep in nearly two seconds. Melissa on the other hand sighed. She didn't have any answers, but she wasn't needed anywhere until around five the next day anyway, so it was perhaps best if she just go ahead and follow Jamie's example and fall asleep. It was stunning for Melissa to believe how fast Jamie could fall asleep, but she wasn't going to waste time thinking on it long. She grabbed a blanket, and then reclined her seat and raised the steering wheel. If she was going to sleep, she might as well be comfortable.
Melissa bunched up a hoodie from the back seat, and tucked it under her head and said to Regan, "If you're staying with me, then fine. If not, find your own little spot. But be nice to Jamie."
Regan seemed content to snuggle and soon everyone in the car was fast asleep.
A few hours later, Regan was whining to be let out, and the early morning sunlight was shining in Jamie's face. Both girls reluctantly woke, and with a heavy sigh, Melissa took Regan out to potty, and Jamie got out of the car for a well needed bathroom break. After a quick switch of Regan care, the two were back in the car still finding things didn't quite add up.
Finally Jamie snapped, "Look, I'm hungry, and we don't have a clue where we are. Let's just continue on to Sioux City, and see what we can see…if nothing else…get a bite to eat."
Melissa just nodded, "Might as well."
Continuing into town they happened on a nice little diner. As Melissa was parking, she noticed a wrecker with "Singer's Salvage" written on the side and whacked Jamie in the arm and giggled, "Check it out. Maybe Bobby's inside."
Jamie ever the pessimist shrugged, "Doubtful, but weirder things apparently happen. Especially to us."
Melissa frowned, "You mean when you're involved. Who else sings in their sleep to the radio and knows every song? Or plays board games in her sleep? Or talks about Equine reproduction in their sleep? Do you see a pattern?"
Jamie grinning sheepishly, "Um, good point."
They made sure to leave Regan inside the car, with the windows vented, and headed inside. The hostess looked them over, and seated them next to someone who looked like Bobby Singer, of all people.
The coincidences were a bit too much, and Melissa and Jamie shared a look of silent communication, before Jamie said, "Fine…I'll do it."
The waitress breezed by and took their order. While Melissa ordered a simple short stack, Jamie, it seemed was intent on playing a bottom-less pit. She had a plate of hash browns, a plate of eggs and sausage, and a pork steak.
Melissa, the waitress, and even their look-a-like neighbor looked over to see if she really meant it. The waitress just penned everything down and headed off, promising to bring their drinks back soon.
Food came, and they both dug in. Melissa deciding that she'd waited long enough kicked Jamie in the shin when Bobby was just about finished. Jamie rubbed her leg, knowing that it would likely soon turn into a nice bruise asked, "So…you wouldn't be the guy with the wrecker, would you?"
The look alike seemed immediately suspicious retorting, "Yeah, that's me."
Jamie, "So, You're name Bobby Singer?"
Bobby, "Who wants to know?"
Jamie opened her mouth to say all the things she's wanted to say to him when she first saw him on tv, including all the events to date hoping that he might have answers for them, but chickened out telling him everything right then and there. Instead, she opted for, "Well, we're apparently having a bad day and things just aren't adding up."
Bobby, "And that affects me how?"
Jamie frowned, "Well…I suppose it doesn't. But it was nice talking with you… Um, you have a good day. I'll be leaving you alone now."
He eyed her oddly, but said nothing more just finished up, paying his tab and leaving. Once he was gone, Melissa started in in a hushed whisper, "I thought you were good at this sort of stuff. What the hell was that, Jamie? What the hell?"
Jamie then twirled her hair in frustration, "Well, he may or may not be who we think him to be….but even if I was, I doubt that he'd be interested in me just bringing up paranormal shit out in the open. Nothing just came to mind. It's not like they teach us how to talk about this sort of thing in school. I for one have no interest in doing something that will have the paddy wagon after my ass for a one way ticket to a crazy house."
Melissa asked, "Well, then now what?"
Jamie, "Finish what you're going to eat, I'll pay, and then we'll play it by ear."
Melissa finished quickly and Jamie finished a few moments later.
Melissa, "I'm going to go start the car and check on Regan."
Jamie, "I should be out in a moment."
She went to the cashier, and went to use her credit card, only for it to be declined, and grumbled when she pulled out cash to pay the tab.
Once she got outside, she was moderately intrigued to see Bobby and Melissa standing there…Neither one of them talking really.
Bobby sighed, "Well, I don't know what sort of shit you're trying to pull, but those tags aren't legal, and I don't know anyone your age who would be driving one of these, if they've just rolled off the line. And if you could afford one, no doubt you'd be driving something else. You have two options, either you drive on out of here, and hope the cops don't pick your ass up, or we can tow this back to my place and the three of us can have a little heart to heart."
Jamie, "Option two seems to be something of a no-brainer so we'll go with that."
Bobby, "Grab the dog, and I'll hook the car up. You can get in the front of the cab and wait."
Jamie gave a nod, and Melissa gathered Regan up. Jamie slid into the middle with Melissa sitting next to her with Regan held tight up on her lap. Regan usually didn't like men, and not wanting to piss off as possible helper, Melissa kept Regan in check. It seemed to take next to no time, to hook the neon up to the wrecker, and then were heading off to points unknown with a deadly hunter next to them.