Chapter Two: Brothers in Arms
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Bobby Singer was well known in Sioux Falls; mostly as a former drunk, and also as a man who collected hunks of junk that were formerly cars. Nestled amidst the rubble, his house stood, faded and worn, much like the man.
Sitting in his kitchen, with a half finished beer close by, Bobby cleaned a small piece of an engine he was rebuilding. His hands were already blackened with oil and grime, and the rag was tossed aside and forgotten.
When the phone rang, he huffed before looking at the line of phones nailed to the wall.
FBI.
CIA.
CDC.
Each phone had its own purpose, just like Bobby had his own purpose when he answered each one.
"Willis."
"Yes, hello, this is Amber Haynes from the medical examiner's office at St. John's, in Columbus. I got a man here who claims to be one of yours, and I wanted to confirm as to why the FBI needs to examine this body-,"
"Are you questionin' the FBI, ma'am?" Bobby growled. "If my man says he needs to see that body, then you will give him access and won't interfere with an FBI investigation. Or do I need to report you for insubordination?"
There was stammering, then a mumbled apology before Bobby hung up.
Sighing deeply, he ran a hand across his forehead. "Fucking summer weather," he muttered. The air was dry and stifling, and his A/C was busted again.
Picking up the part he was working on again, he continued working without noticing- or caring- about the smudge on his forehead.
Ooo0ooO
Lawrence, Kansas
Dean stared down at his phone, one hand resting next to it while the other rubbed the back of his neck.
For the past few days, him and Sam had been squatting in an empty house while on a hunt. The vampire nest had been taken care of but now Sam was down the hall again, resting. And resting meant nightmares.
He wanted to call Bobby, but he also knew Bobby was busy fielding calls for other hunters that, like him and Sam, were all over dressed up as cops or FBI agents. On top of that, Bobby was the center for information, since his house held the largest collection of lore books out of all the hunters.
Dean jumped when the phone rang, and he swore when his knee rapped against the underside of the table.
He answered with a sharp, "What?"
"What's got your breeches in a knot?"
Dean winced. "I- nothing. I was able to call you, Bobby."
"I know. You might not call, but I got others that do. How's Sam?"
Dean's eyes narrowed. "Who told you?"
"Sam told Garth, who told me."
Now Dean rolled his eyes. "Garth needs to keep his mouth shut."
"Don't be such a baby. Garth helped you with the vamps, and apparently Sam likes him enough to talk, unlike you."
"It's between me and Sam," Dean argued. "I have everything under control."
"Then why were you about to call?"
Dean was quiet for a moment, before Bobby continued, in a softer tone. "Look, you boys are like my sons. You know that, especially after your daddy passed. So if you need my help, my door is open."
"It's not easy," Dean admitted. "Having a job so close to... home." He rubbed his eyes. "I think it's bringing it all back up."
"Lawrence is a sore spot for you both," Bobby agreed. "After Mary, then Jess..."
"A new family moved into the house," Dean stated, even as a frown crossed his features.
"It hasn't been home to you in years."
"I know. It's weird though." Dean released a long breath, leaning back.
At that point, Sam shuffled into the room, running a hand through his long, messy hair. He glanced at Dean, giving him a questioning look when he saw that his brother was on the phone.
"Hey, Bobby, Sammy just walked in," Dean said, moving the phone away from his ear so he could press the speaker button.
"Bobby?" Sam asked, moving closer.
"Heya, Sam. Heard the nest was taken down easy."
"Uh, yeah, Garth was a big help, thanks for sending him our way." Then he glanced at Dean again. "What were you and Dean talking about?"
Dean opened his mouth, but Bobby cut him off. "About you, kid. We're worried about you."
Shudders came down across Sam's hazel eyes, shutting away any hint of emotion as he stared down his older brother. "I'm fine."
"Well, that's not what I hear."
"Garth needs to keep his mouth shut," Sam said flatly.
Although Dean wanted to nod, Bobby cut in again, as if he was anticipating Dean to agree with the same statement h had made only minutes before.
"Garth is a good guy, don't get snippy when it was you who told him what you did," Bobby scolded the younger Winchester. "My question is why you didn't tell me?" Bobby's voice was too gruff to sound hurt, but guilt did cross both brother's expressions briefly.
"I..." Sam hesitated.
"Don't give me that 'I have it under control' business, boy," Bobby said immediately.
Sam winced, since that was what he wanted to say. He had to hand it to Bobby, he knew Dean and Sam too well to put up with any of their bullshit. "Sorry, Bobby."
Again, Bobby's voice changed. "Look, I think I got a job close to Sioux Falls. Make sure the vamp nest is empty, then head up here. You both can stay with me."
"What do you got?" Dean asked.
"Zombies."
Dean and Sam exchanged a raised brow look. "We'll be there. Thanks, Bobby," Sam said.
Ooo0ooO
Lawrence, Kansas
Anna looked around the abandoned warehouse, and at the scattered bodies of vampires that laid everywhere. Castiel frowned when he looked around too.
"Looks like someone beat us to the punch," Anna commented.
Castiel glanced at her. "Hunters?"
She shrugged. "Looks like it." Crouching next to a vampire, she studied the clean way it had been beheaded. "They knew what they were doing."
"Then we should return to heaven."
"I suppose," Anna sighed.
Castiel didn't miss the way her wings drooped. "We have orders-,"
"I know what our orders are, Castiel," Anna snapped, giving him an irritated glance.
Suddenly, the sound of a car engine rumbling up to the warehouse alerted the angels that they had company. Anna tilted her head, trying to get a glimpse of the humans emerging from the black car, but Castiel grabbed her arm.
They appeared up in the rafters, silent and invisible, waiting.
Two men walked in, dressed in muted colors. One had short, dark blonde hair with vibrant green eyes, while his counterpart, who stood several inches taller than the first, had long brown hair and greenish brown eyes. They moved quietly, and both of them were carrying machetes.
"Our little vampire slayers," Anna murmured softly to Castiel.
Castiel gave her a confused look, and Anna rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Looking back down, Castiel's gaze remained on the one dressed in a worn out leather jacket. He moved with a precision of a hunter, and when he looked up to where Castiel and Anna were standing unseen, Castiel got a better look.
The man's face was dominated by those green eyes, as well as strong features- high cheekbones, full lips. Castiel's black wings twitched.
Anna noticed Castiel's apparent interest in him. When she arched her brow at him, Castiel looked away and jerked his chin, signalling it was time to go. Anna made a face, but they disappeared with a gust of wind.
Sam looked up. "What was that?"
Dean shrugged. "Nothing. Just the wind. Come on, it's all clear here. Let's get on the road."
Ooo0ooO
Disclaimer: This all belongs to the Supernatural writers. I'm just borrowing it.
Author's Note: Please review!