Chapter 2: The Night We Met
THEN
"I know what it feels like to lose someone you were supposed to protect, supposed to take care of, and in such a… such a way that you can't prepare for… and… and…" And Jody and Donna cry silently together, desperate to fit the pieces of their shattered hearts back together.
NOW
Claire only listens for a moment more after her adopted mother and mentor stop talking before whirling away from the kitchen door, heading upstairs as fast as she can.
She thought she'd managed to get her unwanted emotions under control, but overhearing Jody's heartbroken confession to Donna had brought it all back in a way that was far too real.
As she hurtles up the stairs, her brain latches onto the first thing it thinks of, attempting to take her mind anywhere but where it currently is. Her brain latches onto a song.
I am not the only traveler Who has not repaid his debt
She just needs to get away, to get somewhere safe, where she can let the tears pricking at her eyes fall in private. So she heads to her bedroom.
I've been searching for a trail to follow, again Take me back to the night we met
Breathing heavily, a few tears already sliding down her cheeks, she flings open the door to her old room, coming to an almost immediate halt. Because she'd forgotten one thing. Her room was no longer her room.
There sat Patience on the edge of the bed, a bewildered expressionon her face even before she looked up at Claire. I swear confusion is her only mode, Claire thought, irritated at this stranger seeing her in her current state.
And then I can tell myself What the hell I'm supposed to do
Before Patience could do more than open her mouth, Claire was already barging out the door with her hair flying behind her before an arm snaked out of an open doorway. Alex's hand grabbed hold of Claire's shoulder, spinning her in a 180º before yanking her into the room.
And then I can tell myself Not to ride along with you
Before she had even hit the floor, Claire was a mess. She started sobbing, overcome for the moment with the weight of her grief. Great, full-body sobs wracked her frame, her hands coming up to hide what little of her face that her blonde strands didn't.
I had all of and then most of you Some and now none of you
She soon found herself wrapped in a tight embrace, and for once, she let Alex hold her close.
Take me back to the night we met
Only for a minute though. Then Claire sat up, pushed herself away. Prolonged physical contact wasn't something she enjoyed. Alex sat cross-legged on the floor next to her, hands in her lap, while Claire gets herself under control. Her sobs lessen and her eyes opened, slowly turning into a quiet sniff every now and then. She takes the tissue held out by a stoic Alex gratefully.
I don't know what I'm supposed to do Haunted by the ghost of you
"I tried calling Castiel." The admission comes quietly, after she's blown her runny nose a few times.
"And?" asks Alex.
Oh take me back To the night we met
Claire shakes her head. "No answer. I don't get it, though. Sam and Dean didn't even mention him! If he isn't in trouble - which is the only reason he hasn't answered before - then why isn't he picking up?" Her blue eyes turn uneasily onto her sister's blue-green ones. "I'm worried he's in danger."
Alex swiftly holds up a hand. "Hey, whoa, slow down there." Her face takes on a soft, sympathetic look as she stares at her impulsive sister. "One thing at a time."
When the night was full of terror When your eyes were filled with tears
Claire just stares back, fully aware of how puffy and red her eyes must be. How full of pain. But she meets her gaze unflinchingly, because it's Alex. They've seen each other in far worse states.
"Not to sound rude, but why do you care this much? We only knew her for a day." Alex says softly, trying to understand.
Claire's really not sure how to answer. "I... I don't really know." She looks down at her hands. "I mean, I guess I understood her, or something, you know? We were both on our own for a long time. We didn't really have anybody... except ourselves." She finally looks up at Alex. "She just needed somebody on her side! And I..." She looked down again, playing with her hands in her lap. "I promised I would be that somebody."
When you had not touched me yet Oh take me back to the night we met
A hand stilled her own, as Alex gently rested her palm on Claire's fist, grabbing her attention.
"Hey. It's okay you know. I could see that you... maybe liked her." Alex stated the next with a smirk. "Maybe not Dean and Cas level, but..."
Claire snorted, a smile now lighting her splotchy features. "Please. No one can make bigger heart eyes at each other than those two."
I had all and then most you Some and now none of you
Now it was Alex's turn to snort. Which just got Claire going again and pretty soon they were both doubled over on the floor, laughing at their memories of the two hunters. It was a while before they could catch their breath.
"But for real," Alex said, a small grin still on her face. "If you need to like, blow off some steam, we can find a case together. I'll help you."
Take me back to the night we met
Claire frowned at her, making her confusion evident. "But you don't hunt."
"Not usually, no, but I figure any time you get cut up by monster claws is better than any time by your own blade," answers Alex, giving her chosen sister a look, which Claire pointedly ignores.
I don't know what I'm supposed to do Haunted by the ghost of you
Changing the subject, she retorts, "If you're coming, I won't have to worry about either." She gives her a soft smile, which Alex returns. They make eye contact for just a second before Claire's smile transforms into a smirk. "I'll be too busy keeping the monsters off your no-talent ass."
Pretend hurt appears on Alex' face. "You think I can't watch myself in a fight?!"
"Oh I know you can't, nurse-Barbie. Speaking of nurses, tell me working at that hospital is good for something! You scored any phone numbers yet?" Her eyes twinkle as she says it.
Alex splutters for a second, before retorting in kind, and pretty soon the two are back to talking about the usual things.
Because they don't need to talk about loss anymore. About who should've protected who, or guilt, or love, or sadness. No more pain, for now. Because that's what family does for each other. They help you through the tough times and the good ones, too.
Alex and Claire may not have been given the chance to choose much in their short lives, but they did choose each other. And they had each other when it mattered the most.
But little did they know, there was one person who didn't have that. Didn't know if they would ever have it again. And they'd been listening in the whole time...
Take me back to the night we met.