A/N: Hi All! This chapter is brought to you by HailstormJen. Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. We really appreciate it!
After we helped Jody prep the lasagna, her and Dad asked us to sit down at the kitchen table for a "talk".
"So, we know you two have a thing for each other," Dad stated awkwardly as he paced behind Jody who was seated in front of us.
"A thing?" I questioned, just because I wanted to be a wise ass.
"Yeah, you know, girl likes boy, boy likes girl," Dad commented as he rolled his eyes.
"We get it," Curtis mentioned as he looked over at me and smiled.
"That, that right there, needs to stop," Dad groaned as he pointed at Curtis. "She's 12. You don't need to be making googly eyes at her." I could tell he was half joking, half serious.
"What Dean is trying to say is that you two are both young and well, we think it would be better for you to just be friends," Jody said. "There will be plenty of time for boyfriends and girlfriends. No need to rush it."
"Don't worry Sheriff, that's what we are...friends, no need to worry," Curtis replied with a smile. (Ugh! Friends? Now we were just friends? Friends didn't kiss!) I watched as he looked at up my Dad and nodded his head. My Dad nodded back, but he didn't look convinced.
Even though I was slightly irritated with Curtis, I still wanted nothing more than to help him and Quinn. All through dinner I racked my brain on places to hide them in the bunker. One place in particular came to mind. There was a little room off of the garage that Dad and Sam never used. They only used it to store the manuals for the collection of cars that were in the garage, but there was plenty of space in there for both Curtis and Quinn. I would just have to gather up some blankets, pillows, and food for them. It was the perfect place.
I glanced across the table to see Quinn squished up against Sam. Her little right arm was intertwined with his muscular left arm and she was eating with her free hand. She had really taken to him. (Maybe they would like Quinn better and trade me for her. Ugh! Listen to yourself Libby. Why are you jealous?) I glanced across the table at Curtis. He was jabbing a piece of lasagna with his fork. I could tell he was worried. If our plan didn't work, he and Quinn would be separated. I couldn't imagine how that must feel.
"Libby, eat your food," my Dad interrupted from beside me as he gently nudged me in the ribs.
"Ow Dad," I grimaced. I looked down at my food and suddenly didn't feel hungry anymore. I was about to lie to my Dad and Uncle Dean again. The thought made me sick to my stomach. I was tired of disappointing them but this was for a good cause. I was breaking the rules for the right reasons. Plus, I would make sure they never found out. "May I be excused?" I asked quietly as I turned toward my Dad. "I'm not hungry and I'm feeling tired."
"Sure kid," my Dad replied. After I scraped my plate and put it in the sink, I hurried off to the linen closet. I quickly grabbed a few blankets and pillows before anyone saw me and then ran for Curtis and Quinn's new hideout. I threw the supplies into the hideout and then hurried back to my room. My mattress was still in my Dad's room. (How would I ever explain to Curtis that I couldn't sleep unless I was in the same room as my Dad? I was such a baby.) There was a knock on my door and I looked to find Uncle Sam.
"Hey Libs, everything ok?" he asked as he stepped inside. "You seem a little out of breath."
"I'm fine," I replied. "I was just feeling sick to my stomach."
"It's been a long day, maybe you should get ready for bed," he suggested.
"Maybe," I replied. "Where's your little shadow?"
"Jody's helping her to get ready for bed," Sam replied. He studied me for a moment. "Are you sure you're ok Libs?" he questioned as he placed his large, calloused hand on my forehead. (Ugh! He could always see right through me!) "You feel a little warm."
"I'm fine Uncle Sam, but I think I'm going to get ready for bed," I replied. "Can we move my mattress back to my room? I think I'm ready to sleep alone tonight." There was no way I'd be able to sneak out of my Dad's room without waking him up and I needed to help Curtis and Quinn get settled into their hiding place.
"Are you sure honey?" he asked.
"Yeah, I can do it," I replied confidently. "Dad was gone 30 minutes today and I was fine."
"Ok, you got it," Uncle Sam replied. "I'll go get it." Uncle Sam disappeared and then reappeared within minutes. He carried the mattress like it was nothing and plopped it onto my box spring; sheets, blankets, and all. Suddenly, Quinn came dashing into my room dressed in her Elsa pajamas. She grabbed Uncle Sam's hand and motioned for him to come closer to her. I watched as he lowered himself to his knees so that Quinn could whisper in his ear. "Oh," he smiled when she finished her whispering. "You want me to read you a bedtime story?" Quinn shook her head happily up and down. "I would be honored." Quinn smiled happily. Uncle Sam stood back up and looked in my direction. "Do you want to join us?" he asked.
"No thanks," I replied. "You guys have fun."
"Ok Libs, I'll check on you in a little while." Quinn grabbed his hand and led him from the room. I was adjusting the blankets on my bed when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Hey Kansas," said Curtis' voice from behind me. I spun around to face him, blushing as he pushed his bangs away from his eyes.
"Oh hey Curtis," I replied, trying not to sound excited to see him.
"There's something I wanted to talk to you about," he mentioned. (Hmmmmm...could it be the fact that you told my Dad and Jody we were just friends?)
"Sure," I replied. (Come on, tell me how much you love me!)
"I was wondering if I could use your phone to talk to my Dad," he replied as he sat down on my bed.
"What? I thought your Dad was in jail?"
"He's been out for a few months now," Curtis replied. "We've been talking over email...but since we've been in state custody, I haven't been able to talk to him."
"What was he in jail for?" I questioned worriedly.
"Attempted murder and domestic abuse," he replied. "But, he seems like he's really learned his lesson and he wants to see me and Quinn...maybe Quinn and I could live with him and then we wouldn't be separated. I mean, it seems like the perfect solution." I wanted to tell him how worried I was about his idea, but then I thought about my Dad and how much I wanted to save him even though he was a monster. I could certainly understand where Curtis was coming from. "So, is it ok?" he asked while I was deep in thought.
"Of course," I replied as I grabbed my phone off of the nightstand. "Just make sure you delete any evidence, my Dad and Uncle check my phone every now and then." I handed it to him with a smile.
"Thanks Kansas," he replied. I watched for a few minutes as he futzed around with my phone and then headed out to give him some privacy. I wandered into the main room to find Dad and Jody sitting at the table both with a beer in their hands. Dad was laughing hysterically while Jody told him a story. They didn't notice me so I continued back down the hallway. I peered in the TV room to find Sam and Quinn. Quinn was sitting on Sam's lap while he read an Emilia Bedelia book to her. She was smiling as she peered down at the pictures. She was so sweet and innocent, I felt bad that she had been through so much at such a young age. I made my way to the bathroom and brushed my hair and teeth for bed. When I finished, I headed back to my room to find Curtis finishing up his conversation. "Ok Dad, sounds good, goodnight."
"So, the plan's still on for tonight, right?" I questioned as he lowered the phone from his ear.
"Yeah, at 3am, I'll get Quinn and we'll head to the hiding spot," Curtis replied, looking up at me. "I already wrote the note and I'll leave it on my bed."
"Perfect," I replied, proud of our plan. "Once I'm sure my Dad and Uncle are asleep, I'll bring some snacks and waters to you." He stood up from my bed and set my phone on the nightstand and grabbed my hands. I could feel my cheeks get hot and my heart was racing inside my chest.
"Thanks Kansas," he said gently as his lips gently touched mine. I quickly stepped back when I heard footsteps coming from the hallway. (Ugh! Someone always had to ruin the moment! There would never be any romance in my life.)
"Bedtime," my Dad announced as he poked his head into my room. His head was soon followed by the rest of him. "Don Juan, you can sleep in the spare room with your sister. She's already asleep in the bed." (Who the heck was Don Juan? He thought he was so funny.)
"Ok boss man," Curtis replied with a smirk, except for my Dad didn't smirk back. His face was stone cold serious. Sometimes he was so unpredictable.
"I'll just wait here until you head off to bed," my Dad stated as he took a seat on my bed.
"D...a...d," I whined. "Just a few more minutes. We were just talking. And it's the weekend. Come on...you're such a party pooper."
"That's one," he warned. "Let's hope I don't get to three." (Ugh! How embarrassing! And in front of Curtis!) I felt my face flush red with embarrassment and crossed my arms against my chest. (Sometimes I really hated him. Why did he have to be so strict?)
"I was just leaving anyway," Curtis replied. "Goodnight Mr. Winchester, goodnight Libby," Curtis said, and then left my room.
"Ugh!" I huffed once Curtis was out of earshot. "Happy now?" I demanded, glaring over at my Dad. "I haven't seen him in a while and you just couldn't wait to ruin my good time." His face was stone cold serious again. (Uh oh.)
"That's two," he replied firmly. (Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!) He stood up from my bed and placed his hand on my head. "I'll be back in five minutes to tuck you in." He started for the door and then stopped. "Oh, and Libby," he said turning back to face me. "I don't want you and Curtis alone together. I was his age once too. And I'm not buying that you are just friends." (Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!) I just wanted to scream. I really wanted to protest, but I bit my tongue. I was already on two and I couldn't take any chances. I definitely didn't want to be embarrassed anymore in front of Curtis. "Am I clear?" he questioned when I didn't respond.
"Yes, crystal," I blurted out. (Whoops! Was that going to be strike three?)
"Good," he acknowledged and then left the room. (Phew.) I hurried and finished getting ready for bed. First Uncle Sam came in to say goodnight and then my Dad. Thankfully it was uneventful and then I was left to myself. I set the alarm on my phone to 2:50am so that I could gather Curtis and Quinn before the morning. As I snuggled down into my blankets, a text message came through on my phone.
"I really miss you. I'd like to come and visit you. Where are you staying?"
"Who is this?" I asked.
"Your Dad."
"My Dad is dead," I replied.
"Stop messing around kid. It's your Dad, Frank Monast."
"Ohhhh...you're Curtis' Dad," I replied. "He's not here right now and this is my phone. I'll have him call you later."
"Why don't you give me your address so that I can surprise him with a visit?"
"I don't know," I replied. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Ok. But I can assure you, my son would really like to see me."
I put down my phone and felt my heart beating rapidly in my chest. Something about the conversation left me uneasy. Maybe it was because I wasn't supposed to talk to strangers. I quickly deleted the conversation and put my phone back on my dresser. I would talk to Curtis about it tomorrow.
I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned until it was time to get Curtis and Quinn. I snuck quietly from my room and down the hallway to their room. Curtis was already awake. "Hey," he whispered as he sat up in his bed. "Are we ready to do this?"
"Now or never," I whispered back. I watched as he gently shook Quinn. "Does she know the plan?" I asked quietly. Curtis shook his head no. I was worried about how she would react. Her little eyes opened and she was immediately startled.
"Shhhh...Quinnie, it's ok," Curtis soothed gently as he rubbed her forehead. "Libby and I have a plan so that you and I can stay together. Do you trust me?" Quinn shook her little head in response. "Ok sweetie, I need you to quietly come with me." She shook her head again. She climbed out of bed and latched tightly onto Curtis' hand. Watching them together made me realize how much they needed this plan to work. They just couldn't be separated. After leaving the note on the bed, we made our way to the hiding place. I watched worriedly as Quinn's face turned fearsome when we told her that they would be hiding out in the closet. Tears filled her eyes. "It's ok Quinnie...I promise," Curtis said reassuringly.
"Sam," her little voice squeaked as tears dripped from her eyes. I felt horrible and I knew Curtis did too.
"Quinn...we need to do this," Curtis replied. "Or we'll be separated...forever."
"Sam...help us," she sobbed quietly.
"He can't Quinnie," Curtis replied as he wiped her eyes with his sleeves. "We need to help ourselves." She nodded and stepped into the closet with Curtis close behind.
"I got you covered," I replied, feeling guilty. Curtis leaned out and kissed me quickly on the lips.
"You're the best Kansas," he said. "Thank you for helping us." I handed Curtis a flashlight and then closed the door behind him. I felt horrible and I had no idea how long they would need to stay in the closet. What if the plan didn't work? What if Quinn couldn't handle it and freaked out? I worriedly made my way back to my bedroom. I had no idea what the morning would bring.
