A/N: This is a short story while I'm in between stories. I thought it was only going to be one chapter, but it has turned out longer than expected. Some may not like this story, it probably going to be hunt free. I wanted to try and capture the human side of the boys for a change. Would like to know what you think and if I should post more. Please review and let me know good or bad.
NC
Chapter 1
The scenery was a blur as Dean steered the Impala down the back roads of the Missouri mountains. There had not been much traffic since getting off the interstate and he liked it that way. It was just him and his Baby on the open road, wind blowing in your face, music blasting your favorite song...
"Could you turn that down, I'd like to be able to hear when we stop." Sam whined like a kid. "Watch your speed, you know how these country cops can be and close the window. It must of dropped ten degrees in the past hour."
And your bitchy little brother who just popped your bubble. Dean sighed as he turned the radio down a click and eased up on the gas pedal as he rolled his window up. He was right about country cops; they didn't take kindly to folks speeding through their territory. He thought back on that one time they were stopped in the middle of the Mississippi no where for going six miles over the speed limit. What a trip, they were jailed in the back room of a country store and the judge was the owner of the store. Good thing their locks were child's play and they were out of there before it got dicey.
"Where are we anyway?" Sam asked looking at the rural scenery as he sat up more in the seat.
"Middle of Missouri."
"We goin' to stop for gas or food soon?"
"Yeah figured I would."
"At least stop at a place that has more than greasy fried food on the menu."
"You and your delicate stomach Samantha."
"Bite me."
"Bitch."
"Jerk."
It wasn't long before Dean found a small town and a family diner to suit their needs. He parked the Impala away from the cars at the front and got out. Sam followed suit stretching his long frame trying to get the kinks out of his back. They had been driving for too long without a break and he was ready for a rest. Maybe Dean would agree to get a motel room for the night, if this town even had one. He pulled his jacket tighter around him and looked up at the low hanging grey clouds surrounding the place.
"Think we can see if there's a motel around and call it a day?"
"Yeah maybe." Dean said as he pulled his cell from his jacket. "Bobby, how's things?"
"Have you boys been watching the weather?" he gruffed out without introduction.
"Er-r no, we've been on the road for nearly eight hours. Why what's going on?"
"There's a hell of a storm coming down from Canada in the next twenty-four hours suppose to dump a load of snow from Canada to Texas. Could turn real nasty real fast. You boys better burn rubber and get your asses to my place 'fore it strands ya somewhere."
"When's it suppose to hit you?"
"Less than eight hours; already colder than blue blazes here."
"We're probably nine from you. If we only stop for gas we should be able to just beat it if I break a few speed limits." Dean said signaling Sam to get up. Sam looked at the bill and left money on the table as he followed his brother from the diner and into the parking lot wondering what was going on. "I'll let you know when we're close."
"You boys be careful, some places may get snow and ice before others."
"We will." Dean said getting into the Impala.
"What's goin' on?" Sam asked as he settled into the passenger seat.
"Bobby says there's a major ass storm heading down from Canada and wants us to get to his place fast." Dean said heading across the road to the gas station. "Go grab some waters and power bars just in case."
"Right." Sam said heading inside now on high alert knowing they did not want to be caught out in a blizzard.
Dean was in the car and waiting impatiently for Sam as he trotted from the store and quickly slipped into the Impala. He nodded and Dean headed for a main interstate to head north-west.
"You wanna check the map; see what's the shortest route that we can make the best time on."
"Right, I'll see if I can find some weather on the radio too." he said pulling a map from under the seat and flipping on the radio slowly turning the dial.
"The National Weather Service has issued a severe snow storm warning to all of the central United States from Canada to Texas the Rockies to the Appalachians for the next forty-eight hours. It is recommended that everyone stay home and be sure to have water and food that doesn't need cooking available in case of power outages. If you know any elderly that might need assistance, please contact your local emergency agencies. Shelters will be set up in all cities, contact your local Red Cross for locations in your area. I repeat a major snow storm warning is in effect..."
"Wow." Sam said turning the volume down and turning up the heat.
"No joke, we'll be cutting it close, but if there's no problems we should make it to Bobby's before it hits." Dean replied pressing harder on the gas pedal pushing his Baby harder toward Sioux Falls. He listened to her engine growl as the car picked up speed.
"We need to stop for gas soon, I'm goin' to stop at the next large town, see if they have a military surplus store pick up a few things." Dean told Sam about five hours later. He had been pushing hard wanting to get to Bobby's as soon as possible.
"Think we have the time?" Sam asked glancing at this watch.
"I'll run in while you fill her up with gas." he said seeing a road sign for a large city one mile ahead. "We're 'bout five hours out from Sioux Falls. Check on your phone for surplus stores in Kansas City."
"Got it." Sam said pulling out his phone and going online quickly searching. "Ok, there's one on West Avenue and 3rd, go left at the light, then right onto Hill Street, that will dump you on West Ave."
"Got it. I'll run in, you go to the nearest gas station and fill my Baby up." Dean said following Sam's directions. "Then come back and get me."
Dean pulled into the parking lot of the surplus store and jumped out. Sam slid across the seat and headed back out and to the gas station they passed a block away. The air was already full of small flakes of snow as he pulled back onto the road.
Dean ran into the store and began going down the isles looking for gloves, watch caps, parkas and under armor. He wanted to be ready if they did get stranded before getting to Bobby's and if they needed to be out in the storm once they got to Bobby's. He gathered his items and headed for the checkout to pay. Sam was waiting for him when he stepped out of the store to be smacked in the face with the coldest wind he had ever felt. He shielded his eyes as he tried to plow his way to the Impala. Dean opened the back door and tossed his purchases inside before jumping in the front.
"Sonofabitch!" Dean growled as he held his hands in front of a heat vent. "You ok to drive for a bit?"
"Yeah, the sooner we're to Bobby's the better, it's really getting bad out there." Sam said steering the Impala back toward the interstate.
The strong wind buffed the Impala causing the heavy car to weave on the road. Sam white knuckled the steering wheel as he tried to keep control of the car. The snow was coming down heavier now and visibility was getting worse. He got behind a semi, staying a safe distance, but following it toward Sioux City. Sam's whole body was tense as he concentrated fully on keeping the Impala on the road and moving forward. One thing he didn't want to do was wreck Dean's Baby. She had been their home for most of their lives and had always been a constant for them when everything else was gone.
Dean watched the road ahead of them with a worried look on his face. He knew Baby could make it through just about anything, but if this turned to ice they might be in trouble. His Baby had already been totaled several times over the years and he had always found a way to put her back together always keeping those special touches that was hers alone. He made sure the green Army man Sam had crammed into the ashtray in the back was there, the legos he stuck down the vents in front still rattled when the heat was on high and their initials they had carved into the back shelf is what made the car their's. If his Baby could talk oh the tails she could tell.
"Stop in Sioux City and fill up in case we need to use the car." Dean instructed pulling himself out of his trance.
"You sure, it's pretty bad out there."
"Yeah, I'll drive the rest of the way."
"Hopefully the snow plows are out and they're sanding and salting the roads." Sam mumbled to himself as he kept a close eye on the road not caring if he was driving in the middle of the road.
"Wonder who pissed off Mother Nature for her to throw this at us?"
"I don't know, but she is royally pissed." Sam grunted as the tires hit a slick spot. He got the car under control and kept going. He tried to keep a steady pace to keep up with the truck but not too close. Dean watched out the window as the snow beat against it some sticking and melting leaving trails of water down the warm glass. He noticed sleet mixing in with the snow now, but the road was still fairly passable.
Sioux City exit was three miles away as they continued down the interstate. Traffic was very light most people heeding the warning to stay home and off the roads. Sam gripped the steering wheel tightly keeping his eyes glued on the road trying to see around the wet snow that was falling. The windshield wipers were doing a poor job keeping it cleared. It was coming down so hard and fast visibility was getting worse.
"Take the next exit and pull in at a gas station. We'll fill up and head straight to Bobby's." Dean said pulling a bag from the back.
Sam did as Dean told him and pulled off at the next exit that advertised gas. He slid to a stop at a red stop light and looked both ways judging what was open and what was the easiest to get to. When the light turned green he slowly gave Baby some gas easing her out onto the road and sliding into a gas station parking lot. He tapped the gas and got up to the pump and stopped releasing the breath he was holding.
"Here, put these on." Dean said pulling a parka, watch cap and gloves from the bag.
Sam looked at the items before accepting them and slipping them on. That was what Dean had been buying, stuff for the cold.
"I'll go grab some milk and bread if they have any." Sam told him opening the door and quickly heading for the store fighting the strong wind aimed at stopping him. He took two steps forward before being blown back a step, the ice building on the parking lot not helping matters.
Dean pulled another coat, watch cap and gloves from the back putting them on before getting out to pump the gas. They were lucky to find a place open in this weather. Most of the stations were closed already and darkness was upon them early. Sam fought his way through the strong wind back to the car and deposited his bags in the back.
"Call Bobby, let him know we're an hour out." Dean told him as he pulled back onto the road to head to the interstate. He felt the car slide but kept it going forward. He drove with extreme caution noticing other cars stranded or wrecked on the sides of the road.
"Hey Bobby, yeah we're about an hour out just leaving Sioux City and heading your way." Sam relayed to Bobby. "We will, yeah, we will."
"He ok?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, says it's snowing pretty bad, he's says there's probably six inches or more on the ground already."
"Well the wind is kind of keeping it off the road some, but the slick spots are getting harder to see."
"Hey, looks like the salt and sand trucks are out so maybe the road won't be too bad." Sam noticed as a truck passed going the other way.
"With a full tank, Baby's heavier, so that should help, just have to keep a steady pace and not have to slow down."
"Just keep her on the road." Sam urged as the car slid toward the ditch. Dean quickly turned into the slide and got the car going straight again.
Two hours later Dean saw the sign for Singer Salvage Yard just ahead. He breathed a sigh of relief when he made the last turn. He stopped the car at the front of the house letting Sam get out and pull the bags from the back depositing them on the porch. Sam made his way to one of Bobby's garages and pushed open the door so Dean could pull inside. Dean parked the Impala and shut it off getting out.
"Anything else we need out of the car?" Sam asked grabbing their bags from the trunk.
"Get the weapons bag too, can't be too careful." Dean said accepting his bag from Sam.
They trudged quickly toward the front door through about deep blowing snow that showed no signs of stopping. They would not have been able to find the house except for the lights glowing on the porch. Bobby was standing at the door waiting on them as they stomped the snow off their boots and shook their jackets.
"Get yer asses in here 'fore all the warm air gets out." he fussed picking up a couple of bags from the porch.
"Thanks Bobby." Dean said taking his coat off at the door to hang it up and let dry. He unlaced his boots and slid his cold feet out of them before continuing into the house. Sam followed suit depositing his coat and boots beside Dean's.
"Was beginnin' to think yer got lost, roads must of been pretty bad."
"Yeah, starting to ice over now and snow is building up. Bunch of wrecks and stuck cars between here and Sioux City."
"I brought some extra milk, bread, chips, and juice, whatever I could get at the gas station." Sam said taking the bags toward the kitchen.
"Got some hot coffee made and pot of soup simmering."
"That sure sounds good, could use something hot to warm me up."
"Me too, can I help?"
"Grab some bowls and spoons Sam, I'll check the soup."
"You got a fire goin' in the other room?"
"Sure do."
"Well I'm for sitting round a hot fire and eating, can't feel my toes right now." Dean complained shuffling his feet.
"Go throw another log on and we'll get the grub ready."
Dean headed for the study and took an iron poker to stir the fire before adding a couple more logs. He positioned three chairs near the fire before going back to get his food and coffee. Bobby had dished out three large bowls of soup and several sleeves of crackers. Sam poured three cups of hot coffee and was doctoring his with cream and sugar.
"Smells good Bobby, I'm starved." Dean commented picking up a bowl and cup.
"Yeah really does." Sam agreed picking up his bowl and cup.
"Ain't nothing special, just whatever's in the cabinet." he shrugged picking up his bowl and cup and following the boys into the study.
They all settled down in overstuffed chairs and began to eat their soup. Sam and Dean shared a sleeve of crackers breaking them in the soup. Dean stretched his feet toward the fire wiggling his toes as the heat began to warm them up.
"Now this is how to spend a cold winter night." Dean sighed sipping his coffee as the wind buffed the house in its angry fury. Mother Nature was pounding the area with all her might causing white out conditions and dangerously low temperatures.
"Yeah a full stomach, hot beverage and warm fire." his brother agreed.
SPNSPNSPNSPNSPNSPN
