CHAPTER THREE: The One With The Rescue Mission
"Ash, have you seen the package we were gonna send?" Xavier asked with urgency, shoving his cell phone back in his pocket as he entered the office where his brother was sitting on the desk.
Ash smiled a toothy grin, hopping off the metal surface. "Put it in the mail this morning. Rush delivery. You're welcome." He slapped his older brother's shoulder, about to walk out, when Xavier grabbed the back of his grey t-shirt collar and yanked.
"You sent it?" He growled, turning Ash around so he was forced to look at him. "Dad just called and told us to wait another week!"
Ash scoffed with disbelief. "He wants to wait another week to get his revenge?" When he saw Xavier's stern look he held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Look, I'm sorry. I figured he would want to get this over with as soon as possible." He shrugged casually, trying to write it off as no big deal.
"I'm not taking the blame for this. Dad's gonna kill you." Xavier said unsympathetically, shaking his head. "He already hates you for getting Mom and Jake killed and now you messed up his chance to make Kate pay for what she did?" He smiled bitterly. "I hope he kills you quickly."
"Mom and Jake weren't my fault!" Ash yelled angrily, not wanting to remember that dreadful day.
"Ash, as soon as you see Jake grab the girl, you come out and take care of the brother." Julian reiterated, having gone over this with his son about ten times as they waited patiently in the warehouse.
Ash nodded, giving his father a reassuring look. "I got it, Dad."
With a thin-lipped smile, Julian left his son in a side room that branched off of the main area they'd be in.
Ash stood there impatiently, eventually beginning to whistle and to tap his feet. He didn't even notice when the window in the room he was in was slid open and a slim figure climbed in.
"Don't move." A voice ordered as they silently spread out a rug, straightening when the demon turned around slowly.
"Kate Lavalette. What a pleasure." He quipped, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips as he eyed her up and down appreciatively.
She arched a brow, seeming impressed he knew who she was. "Ash Carter. Too bad I can't say the same."
He chuckled before unknowingly taking a step right into the devil's trap that was painted on the underside of the rug she had placed. "You've got balls coming in here by yourself."
"I don't need balls to place a quick trap." She said with pride right as Ash realized his mistake and brought hate-filled black eyes to look at her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have the rest of your family to take care of." Kate gave a little wave to the fuming demon right before climbing out the window to meet her family back at the car.
"If I were you, I'd just hope this all works out." Xavier said with a threat evident in his words before leaving the office.
….
Kate bounced her leg anxiously as she rode shotgun with Sam driving her red bug. He had insisted to drive since he thought she was too amped up to do it safely.
"So, do you still hunt?" Sam asked suddenly to try to make conversation after they had been riding in silence for an hour. He glanced in the rearview mirror, making sure that Bobby was still following them in his truck.
Kate shook her head, picking absently at one of the holes in her jeans. "No, I work at the state FBI headquarters and if I see a case that seems like it has to do with anything supernatural, I pass it on to Bobby who gives it to another hunter." She explained, seeing Sam nod out of the corner of her eye. "This is a lot, isn't it?" She wondered gently, knowing he must be beginning to feel overwhelmed.
He sighed deeply, smiling slightly. "If it had been coming from anyone else besides my brother's girlfriend, I probably wouldn't have believed it." He said, glancing at Kate who rolled her eyes. "But uh… yeah. It is a lot. I mean, I'm just worried I'll mess something up once we get there." He confessed, keeping his eyes trained on the road.
Kate grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, let's get you educated!"
….
"Come on, princess. Don't make me lick your face." Ash threatened as he stood over Dean's sleeping form that was slouched against the cement wall when it was obvious nudging him with his foot wasn't doing anything. "Dammit, come on!" He encouraged before slapping him across the face.
Dean's head snapped to the right as his eyes flew open, a disgruntled look on his features before he focused his gaze on the demon. "What the hell?"
"Listen, your girlfriend is going to be here soon." Ash said urgently, taking a small pocket knife from his jeans and shoving it into the wide-eyed man's hand as he ignored his questions. "Just, pay attention. I'll make sure Kate gets to her brother first. You need to free yourself and then get yourself across the hall, understand?" He stated slowly to make sure Dean could process it.
"Why can't you just free me now?" He asked, seeming suspicious of the demon's intentions. "Wait, they took Tyler?"
Ash growled with aggravation, not having the time to explain. "Yes and because someone might be coming in to check on you and we can't risk them knowing about my involvement."
Although Dean was still a little hazy on the details and why Ash was helping him, he nodded and put the blade in his front pocket.
"Alright, I'll knock on the door when Kate has Tyler." With that, Ash ran from the room, silently hoping everything went according to plan.
….
Kate shut her car door after getting out, meeting Sam at the trunk of her Bug. She lifted it open and pulled up the floor, revealing her impressive collection of any weapon a hunter could need.
"Who are you?" Sam asked incredulously as he was passed a handgun loaded with devil's trap bullets and a flask of holy water.
Kate smirked, mischief flashing in her gaze as she grabbed her own gun and tucked it in her waistband before retrieving a long silver blade that had been her mother's.
"You kids ready?" Bobby asked as he approached them, similarly armed.
With curt nods, the group began the walk to the warehouse. They had parked a little way away as to not tip them off, but Kate begun to regret it once she realized they wouldn't be having any quick getaways.
A few minutes later, they were standing outside the large building, Kate getting a strong déjà vu feeling.
"Follow me, I know a better way to get in." She instructed as she led them to the side of the warehouse, coming to a stop under some large window a couple feet off the ground.
The hunter's feet landed on the floor of the small office noiselessly after climbing in, unlike Sam who ended up sounding like an adult elephant.
"Sam, just a word of the wise," Kate began in a hushed whisper. "This whole hunting thing only works well if you're quiet."
He gave her an apologetic smile just as Bobby joined them, the group collectively moving toward the door.
With a look to make sure everyone was ready, Kate opened up the door and hurried in the hallway, pointing her gun in both directions to make sure the coast was clear.
Kate motioned for the boys to follow her down the corridor, pausing mid-step when she spotted someone walking into a room at the end of the hall.
….
"Follow me, I know a better way to get in."
Ash took a deep breath as he watched Kate and her two friends make their way along the side of the building, coming out from behind a tree once they were out of sight. With a blink, he vanished and appeared in the warehouse, right outside of the room they were keeping Tyler in.
The demon waited a few minutes and the second he heard the door opening at the other end of the hall he went into action. He hesitated long enough to make sure the group of three would see him go in the room before he entered.
"What do you want?" Tyler spat, rustling his chains as he yanked on them in a desperate attempt to get free.
He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Just thought you would want to know your little sis is here. Don't worry, she'll be in to visit soon enough." He added the last bit when he saw Tyler's face drop with utter horror.
"If you touch her-" He began, only to be cut off.
Ash waved a hand dismissively, not in the mood for a protective older brother talk. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't waste your breath." With a quick wink, he was gone.
Tyler barely had time to process anything before the door was slowly creaked open.
…...
Dean felt on edge as he eagerly awaited Ash's signal. He sat there in the dark room, his hand draped on his left front pocket, when the door opened.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure." A blonde with curly hair purred as she walked over to him, cruelty flashing in her eyes. "I'm Caroline."
"If you're another demon, bite me." He spat harshly, regretting it when she grasped his throat and pressed him up against the wall.
"I would show me some respect." She said a little too sweetly as she tried to keep her composure, ignoring Dean's fingernails that were scratching at her wrists. "Especially since I was pushing to have you killed before Kate got here but unfortunately, my brothers didn't feel the same way." She hissed, releasing him with a shove.
"You guys honestly think you can get the better of Kate?" Dean asked tauntingly. His throat was throbbing with pain as he tried to stall for time so he could formulate a plan, hoping to whatever God was listening that his girlfriend was safe.
Caroline lifted one shoulder lazily as she crouched in front of him. "Kate killed my brother, Miranda killed my mother, trust me when I say, anything is possible if you've got enough motivation." The demon said darkly before her eyes roamed up and down him with a suggestive look in her eyes.
"You know," She whispered, her lips grazing his ear as she leaned in close. "I bet you're dying to get back at Kate for lying to you. I know you're probably hurting."
"You don't know anything about me." Dean snapped as he sat helplessly while Caroline straddled him.
She raised a brow with an amused smirk. "Oh, I don't?" She pursed her lips in thought for a second before draping her arms over his shoulders. "Mommy died when you were four due to a car accident and Father dearest bit it because of cancer five years ago. You and Kate met three years after that, quickly fell in love, and… here we are." Caroline turned her head to the door when there was a loud knock, her brows scrunching in confusion. When she returned her attention to Dean, she saw a hint of realization and worry in his features. "Something wrong?"
Instead of responding, Dean just stared at her in silent defiance, not willing to answer the demon on top of him.
"Caroline, she's across the hall. Grab him and let's go." Xavier insisted after he barged in the room, eyes pitch black.
A malicious grin tugged at Caroline's lips as she took out a key from her pocket and unlocked his bindings, not prepared in the slightest for any complications while she stood up.
Seizing his opportunity, Dean straightened and quickly lashed out with his left hand, landing a hit to her nose. Caroline shrieked and stumbled back but composed herself much faster than Dean would've liked.
She lunged and latched on to his still broken right wrist and twisted it behind his back, earning a small yelp from their captive. "It's a shame we were interrupted." She whispered in his ear, chuckling softly.
Dean's lips twitched in anger as Xavier approached them, taking a piece of cloth from his pocket. "You two are going to wait in the hallway, nice and quiet." He stated, acting as if the choice was up to them before he gagged him. Dean tugged at Caroline's hold but stopped when she yanked on his wrist, causing sharp pains to shoot up his arm.
"Come on, get ready." Xavier ordered before they all went out in the hallway, Dean being pushed along by Caroline who still had his arm twisted behind his back.
….
Kate, Bobby and Sam all rushed down the hallway where they just saw a familiar looking blonde go into a room. Being sure to not waste any more time, Kate grabbed the door handle and pushed it open slowly.
Instant relief flooded her features when she saw the relatively whole shape of her brother. Besides a nasty black eye and a split lip, he looked to be unharmed. She rushed over and dropped her blade in order to begin to undo his bindings, making sure to keep her emotions under wraps as she did so. After all, they still had a job to do.
"Katie, you can't be here." Tyler warned, his voice desperate as he watched his little sister.
She looked at him in disbelief before moving to the other side to finish freeing him. "If you honestly thought I wouldn't come then you're more stupid than I thought."
Once she had finished, Tyler stretched out his arms as he tried to regain feeling in them before eyeing the pair by the door. "Bobby Singer?" He asked, a lop-sided grin forming on his face as he walked over and gave him a hug.
"Good to see you, boy." Bobby greeted gruffly before pulling away.
"Have we met?" Tyler asked, glancing over at the floppy-haired giant next to him.
Sam shifted almost uncomfortably before he cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah, once. I'm Sam… Dean's brother." He clarified when just his name didn't clear up the confusion on the other man's face.
Tyler's jaw clenched at the mention of Dean. "And where is he?" He asked, malice lacing his words.
"Ty, they grabbed him too." Kate explained, giving him a glare filled with disappointment. She wasn't in the mood to deal with another one of her brother's lectures about how Dean wasn't good enough for her.
"Well isn't this just cute."
The group of four all spun towards the door, grips tightening on their weapons as Xavier walked in the room. Kate looked panicked as she remembered her blade was a few feet behind her on the floor.
"You're outnumbered." Kate said matter-of-fact, trying to seem unaffected by everything. "Might as well give up now." She insisted, being cut off by the demon's obnoxious laughter.
When he finally stopped, Xavier gave her a patronizing look. "You really think I would have organized all of this, get you here, and not have planned that you'd bring help?" He chuckled as Kate's hard look faltered. "Sweetheart, I've got leverage."
As if on cue, Caroline came in the room, dragging a struggling Dean along with her.
….
Ash made his way to the warehouse's office after knocking on Dean's door, swiping his long bangs out of his face. Xavier had approached him earlier and asked him to meet him here before everything went down. Even though the request seemed strange, the demon went with it anyways.
He grasped the doorknob and opened the door, flicking the light on as he did so. He glanced around at the empty room with skepticism, wondering where the hell his brother was.
"Didn't think we'd find out?" A gruff voice accused from behind him, the demon spinning around to face the newcomer.
Ash was greeted with a swift punch to the jaw, causing him to retreat backwards into the office right on top of a decorative rug.
Xavier glared at his brother, obsidian orbs shining with rage as his body radiated hatred. "You helped him!"
"I was just trying to make it a little more fun!" Ash tried to explain as he began to feel concern for his own well-being. "Come on, man. Why would I help them?"
Xavier just shook his head, at a loss for words for why his brother would do this to their family. "I don't know. But, what I do know is that you're going to stay there until Dad gets here and then he can deal with you." He spat with venom lacing his words as he eyed the family disappointment.
Ash glanced down and cursed under his breath. When he lifted his gaze, Xavier was gone.
….
"Dean!" Kate screeched frantically, taking a step forward only to stop when Caroline brought a knife to her boyfriend's throat. She looked Dean up and down, her eyes welling with tears at the sight of his swollen nose and the purple bruise on his cheek.
Kate wasn't sure whether or not Dean was purposely avoiding eye contact with her, but he seemed to all of a sudden find the floor very interesting.
Dean grunted as Caroline applied light pressure with the blade before Xavier spoke. "I expect full surrender or Ken doll over there is going to know what it feels like to have black smoke blown up his ass."
Kate stiffened, the idea of one of these monsters possessing the man she loved unbearable. "Please, just let him go." Kate pleaded, feeling helpless.
Dean finally lifted his gaze to look at Kate. He tried to hide the betrayal and hurt behind a mask but by the grief-stricken features of his girlfriend, he wasn't doing a good job at it.
"Drop all of your weapons. Now." Xavier ordered, taking a step toward the group of four in front of him.
With obvious reluctance, Sam and Bobby obliged and kicked their weapons towards the middle of the room.
Caroline smirked cockily and loosened her hold on Dean, lowering the knife just enough…
He reached into his pocket with his free hand and without any hesitation buried the knife hilt deep into Caroline's thigh.
The demon roared with pain and shoved him away, Dean quickly regaining his balance and swooping down to pick up the weapons they had dropped.
Xavier and Caroline both rounded on the now group of five, pitch black eyes flicking back and forth between them.
Dean ripped the gag from his mouth and didn't even process that Kate had stepped closer to him after turning around to pick up her weapons. Without taking his eyes off of the pair of demons, he held out the silver flask and blade to his brother and Bobby. "Where's your plan B this time?" He quipped, watching as Xavier clenched his fist in anger.
Tyler stood there and watched as Dean took control over the situation, eyeing him with narrowed eyes. He couldn't help but feel a little impressed, although he would never admit it.
Caroline yanked the small pocket knife from her leg that was now coated in blood and held it tauntingly toward Dean. "You'll pay for that." She hissed right before whipping it toward his head.
Kate let out a scream as she waited for the inevitable right before she heard a loud thump on the ground.
Dean was staring up at Tyler who had just tackled him to the floor, not even having time to say 'thank you' before Xavier launched himself toward the pair.
Sam didn't even know what was happening before Caroline was hurling herself his way, narrowly putting up his arm in time to block her flying fists.
Dean hauled himself up off the floor and grabbed a metallic blade that must've been dropped.
Xavier watched Tyler, who's split lip had started to bleed, begin to chuckle. "What's so funny?" He barked, rage evident in his voice.
"Dean Winchester's behind you." The elder Lavalette warned right as a sharp point was jabbing into the demon's back.
Xavier looked over his shoulder, making eye contact with his sister who was on the other side of the room in a similar situation except by Bobby Singer. As if on cue, both demons snapped their fingers and disappeared before anyone could stop them.
….
"Oh, you gotta be kidding me." Dean said with amusement as they entered the office, planning on going out the same way they came in.
Ash crossed his arms and gave the group of five the biggest bitch face he could muster before he rolled his eyes. "Alright, laugh it up. Will one of you make yourself useful and free me?" He asked, trying his hardest to sound polite.
"Why the hell would we help you?" Kate asked, her tone laced with resentment.
"He was the one who gave me that knife." Dean said without even looking at her before crouching down and lifting up the rug a bit. He flipped open the pocket knife and scratched some of the spray paint away.
With a sneer that didn't have much bite to it, Ash walked out the door and made his way to the actual entrance. "You guys going to climb out the window like a bunch of idiots or just use the front door?" He asked, not even bothering to look over his shoulder to see if they would follow.
Once the group got back to the cars, Ash promptly saluted them. "Not that I didn't enjoy your company, because I didn't, but I think it's time for me to head out." He said, gesturing with his thumbs behind him. "So thanks, you guys are welcome for helping Dean-o out there and risking my own skin, but I hope I never see any of you ever again."
The group just stared with a variety of emotions after the arrogant demon.
Sam, Bobby, and Tyler all started towards the older hunter's truck before Dean stopped them. "Sam, can I talk to you real quick?" He asked, looking beaten to hell.
Sam nodded, stepping towards his brother with a concerned look on his face. "You okay, man?"
Dean rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'm fine. I just wanted to say thanks for coming. I know it couldn't have been easy believin' all that demon talk. Hell, I barely believed it when they were standing right in front of me." He said, scoffing slightly.
"Kate didn't tell you anything before it happened?" Sam asked, his brows scrunching in confusion.
Dean just simply shook his head, his lips pressed in a firm line.
Sam clapped his brother on the shoulder reassuringly before heading over to Bobby's truck.
"You think they'll work things out?" Bobby asked once they were all in his pick-up, glancing in his rearview mirror to watch Dean get in the passenger seat of Kate's cherry bug, cradling his right wrist carefully.
Tyler and Sam shared a solemn look, neither willing to answer the question.
…
"Are you hungry?" Dean asked Kate when they finally made it back to their apartment and he had been able to change into a black t-shirt and fresh jeans. "I feel like I could eat a horse. Or four." He looked at his girlfriend who still seemed in thought as if she hadn't had enough time to think during their completely silent car ride back. His wrist and nose were still throbbing, no doubt he'd have to get them checked out, and the bruises on his face had turned a nice shade of blue.
He glanced around the kitchen that was still a mess from his dinner fiasco and the demon encounter before his eyes found the empty counter he was positive he had left something on. "Hey, have you seen-?" He turned towards Kate and felt his heart in his throat.
She stood there with a watery smile, holding up the small, velvet box he had been searching for. "No." She said slowly, trying to keep her emotions under control as she saw a flash of doubt flicker across Dean's face.
"No as in you aren't hungry-?" He began hopefully, only to be cut off. He was trying to ignore the voice of panic in his head screaming at him as she spoke.
Kate shook her head, blinking back tears. "No as in…" She paused and took a deep breath, watching as the man she loves face fell. "I can't marry you."
Dean felt like the world was crashing down around him as he processed what she had just said. "What do you mean? Kate, I know we have some issues to work out but let's not throw this away because you lied to me."
"I lied to protect you." The young hunter clarified, keeping her tone even as she approached him. She grabbed his left hand and uncurled his fingers, placing the box on his open palm before closing his hand around it. She looked up at those brilliant green eyes she was so used to waking up next to and saw nothing but grief, still grasping Dean's hand. "That's also why I'm doing this. You're not safe being with me especially now that the Carter's are taking action. If something were to happen to you because of me…" She trailed off, not even wanting to go down that path.
"I can't believe you're doing this. I can take care of myself!" He yelled as he ripped his hand away from her grasp, masking how hurt he really was with anger.
She flinched at his outburst, wishing she could somehow explain her reasoning to him. "Dean, you almost died because you were associated with me! Monsters and others demons are going to find out about you and use you against me! I've pissed off too many supernatural creatures for comfort." She stated, wanting him to understand.
"Kate, you're acting like I'm a two-year old. I can handle a few monsters." Dean argued as he tried to hide the desperation in his tone. Just the thought of losing Kate made him feel like he was suffocating.
"I'm not willing to take that chance." She said softly, watching as his face turned to a mask.
"You mean, you aren't willing to for us?" He asked with an accusation evident in his words as he locked gazes with Kate, begging her with his eyes to change her mind.
"I'll leave in the morning. I'm sorry." She managed to get out as the tears started to fall, not even having the strength to look at Dean as her eyes fell to the floor.
"Don't apologize. You gotta do what you gotta do, right?" He said bitterly, shaking his head as his chest tightened. "You can stay here, I'll just go stay at Sam's until I find a new place." With that, Dean took off to the bedroom to begin packing, leaving Kate there in the kitchen, trying to tell herself she made the right choice.
….
"Don't lie to me." Dean said, smiling as he glanced over at the beautiful woman sitting next to him in a black bathing suit on the towel they set out on the beach.
"What makes you think I'm lying?" Kate asked as she turned her head to look at him, grinning broadly. "Girl Scout Honor." She promised, giggling when he raised a bemused brow at her.
"There's no way, that out of everything in the world, that you are scared of bees." Dean argued, shaking his head as he admired the outstanding view of the ocean they had.
"I swear!" She promised, sitting cross-legged and scooting closer to him. "They're yellow and black wrapped devils." She reasoned, running her hand along Dean's leg, starting at his ankle and gradually moving up. "Plus, I'm allergic to them so that may be part of it."
"Oh, is that it?" He asked teasingly as her fingers grazed his knee and continued moving up. He sat up a little and checked to see if anyone was around before he got distracted by a small hand gripping the inside of his leg. "We are in public." He said in a hushed whisper as she began to massage his thigh, smirking slightly while he pulled her hand away but still held on to it.
She gave him a look of disbelief before tugging her hand away. "Last time I checked your backseat in a Wal-Mart parking lot was a public place."
He laughed loudly as he remembered that day, Kate cherishing the sound before he brought lust-filled eyes to meet hers. "Touché."
Kate let out a small yelp as he suddenly pulled her on top of him and pressed his warm, soft lips to hers. She chuckled against his mouth and straddled him before allowing herself to melt into the man she loved.
….
TBC
Stay tuned. Background stories and more action to come. Leave a review if you feel like it.