WHERE THE ROAD LEADS
AN: I really liked the whole 'Dean, Lisa, and Ben' relationship arc. It was heartbreaking how the writers ended it.
It had been a long time. Ten years in fact, since Dean had seen Lisa and Ben. Sam and Dean had not had any cases close to Battle Creek, Michigan. That made it easier for Dean to…forget, though he had never really forgotten anything. Time was supposed to heal wounds. But, as was with most of the things with Dean, the wounds never healed, not really. They were just waiting raw and festering, under the surface. They were just waiting, to be opened and to be made to bleed, yet again. Dean still remembered that day in the hospital. It was still painfully vivid in his mind. He remembered the looks on Lisa's and Ben's faces when they saw him, after Castiel had wiped their minds. He remembered how it tore at his heart to see no signs of recognition in their faces.
Dean shook his head and cleared his throat as they did their usual routine. They got a room at some no-tell motel. They then carried all their crap into the room to prepare for the hunt and to do research. Then Dean usually headed out…scoping out the best diners and bringing back the food, plus pie, of course. All while Sam sat at the tiny dingy, dirty dinette table doing research.
Sam noticed the change in his brother's demeanor as soon as they had entered the state. It had gotten worse the closer that they had gotten to Battle Creek. The younger Winchester knew what Castiel had done. And he understood the reasons, Dean had too, at the time. But that didn't' make the situation any easier to deal with, even all these years later.
Dean knew that Sam had wanted to talk to him. Ever since they both had seen the sign that signaled that they were entering Battle Creek. But Dean was sure that Lisa Braeden had moved past him, long ago. She was probably married. She might even have more kids. And, Ben, he should be about 18 or 19 years old now. He would be either in college or applying to colleges, getting ready to go. Their lives were so full now….
"Dean…do you…?" Sam started.
Dean just stared at his brother for a moment. "I will not have this 'chick flick' moment with you, Sammy." He shook his head. "Not now…not about this." It had surprised Dean, a little, that it was still so painful.
Dean had even considered, for like half a second, not taking the job period. Then, once they got there, he considered just letting Sam handle it. He could, Sam could handle most anything. But, the elder Winchester didn't like sending Sam into situations alone. Thing could change in a heartbeat, and there Sam would be, without backup.
Dean knew he could do this. He and Sam…3, maybe 4 days, in and out, tops. That's what he figured.
But…when did anything ever go the way Dean Winchester planned?
TBC