Okay so here's the thing... I'm not so fond of this story. While I think it is cute and I still like the idea, I'm not happy with my writing. This is why I stopped posting the rest of the story.
Today I got this really nice review from "Laura" and while I couldn't respond to her privately I wanted her to know that I had read and greatly appreciated her review. I figured since she asked so nicely for me to post the rest, it's the least I can do to oblige her so here I am.
I ask that you do not judge me on this story lol. I'm not trying to say it's crap cause it's not but for some reason I don't feel as proud of this one as I do some of my others.
Thanks so much for everyone who is reading and I do really hope you enjoy it. Just and FYI... I did have the "what John didn't teach his boys" part written but again, not sure I like it so it's possible I will change it (if anyone as any suggestions or wishes for the chapter I'm listening). Either way, thanks to Laura, I promise that you will see the last chapter of this story.
#3 Dean Learns to Drive
"Okay, Dean," John breaths, taking a minute to adjust to not being in control of the car. "The gearshift is right there near your right hand and-"
"Please, Dad," Dean sighs, rolling his eyes. "I think I know where the gearshift is. Were you going to tell me which pedal was the gas and which was the brake, too?"
The two just stare at each other for a few seconds before Dean swallows and turns his head forward again, realizing his defeat. John clears his throat and again settles back into his seat.
He's not exactly sure why his son seems so comfortable behind the wheel and he's not sure he even wants to know. If he knows his son, though, he's pretty sure Dean has no concept of a speed limit.
Dean's eyes drift up to the rear view mirror and he catches his brother's gaze from the backseat. He lets his eyes fall back to the empty parking lot in front of him before something dawns on him and he quickly twists in his seat to face Sam.
"Since when do you wear a seatbelt?" He asks, eying Sam suspiciously.
"Since you're driving," Sam laughs. "And I'm really not ready to die."
"Real funny, Samantha!" Dean reaches his arm out to slap his brother but Sam sits back in the seat, out of Dean's reach. "Just wait till we get home, you'll be wishing you had died in the car instead."
"Dean!" John yelled causing his eldest to snap back in his seat and put his hands back on the steering wheel. "I want your seatbelt on too."
"You don't trust me either?" The look on Dean's face has John looking away, feeling the betrayal in his son's eyes. "You think I'm going to crash?"
"It's just a safety precaution, Dean," John looks back toward Dean but Dean's eyes remain focused on the still road ahead of them. "You're in the driver seat son and you're inexperienced. Anything can happen and I'm not in control so I'd appreciate it if you at least give me the comfort of wearing your seat belt."
Finally Dean sighs and pulls the belt around his lap and clicks, looking up at John when he's done with a petulant look. John smiles and then points toward the road to advert Dean's attention back to their task.
Without another word Dean's hands are back on the steering wheel just like John had showed him, ten and two. He slowly takes his hand off of the two-o-clock position to rest it on the gearshift, glancing toward John to see if there would be any argument.
"Keep your foot on the brake and put the car into drive," John watches as Dean puts his foot firmly on the left pedal and gently pulls the gearshift into drive. "Very good"
"Now slowly take your foot off the brake and let the car drift forward," Again Dean does as he's told and the car slowly drifts out of the parking spot. "It doesn't take much to make the car move so gently put pressure on the gas pedal."
Without any warning Dean puts his foot on the gas, forgetting completely about his father's warning about the pressure. The car jerks into a sudden movement sending them halfway across the parking lot in less than three seconds.
"Dean!" John calls on instinct, watching the car fly closer to a light post he had purposely kept them away from.
Again without warning Dean slams on the brake, reacting to John's shouting. John reaches out to catch himself on the dashboard, cursing under his breath. When he looks back at Dean, who is smiling innocently, he tries to keep his cool as his heartbeat starts to slowly drop back to normal.
"And that's why I'm wearing a seat belt," Sam lets his own arms drops from their death grip on the back of the front seat. "If you don't mind, I would really like to make it to fifteen too, Dean, thanks."
"If you don't shut up," Dean warns, eyes glaring at Sam in the rear view. "You won't even live to see twelve, bitch."
"Dean!" Again John intervenes, stopping the argument he knows is coming. "Watch your mouth, and for God sakes please watch the speed."
"Yes, sir." Dean slowly takes his foot off the brake and lets the car drift forward once again. This time he turns the wheel to the left and heading in the direction of the broken down strip mall.
The second time around goes much smoother as Dean is able to control the car better and eases up on the gas pedal. After six or seven times around the parking lot without any major problems, John tells Dean to slow the car to a stop and put it in park.
Sam lets out a breath and slouches a bit more in his seat, no longer worried about watching what was ahead of him. He assumes his father is about to take over the wheel and safely drive them back to the motel, but he assumes wrong.
He listens as John gives Dean instructions to head out onto the road. Sam's eyes go wide and he's sitting straight again in seconds. There's no way he can be hearing his Dad correctly.
"Wait!" Sam hollers, feeling the panic rush through him. "You're letting him drive on the road? On a road where there might be other cars? On a road where there are other objects?"
"Sammy," John warns, trying not to let his smile break his stern tone. "Dean is doing just fine so quit your complaining. We're going to go the back roads so that there are less people on the road."
"Yea," Dean defends himself, already taking the car towards the road. "Shut your pie hole, loser."
"That's enough!" The car falls silent and Dean turns onto the deserted road. "If you want to drive then you're not going to insult your brother either. And Sammy if you want your brother to actually take you places when he gets his license, I wouldn't be insulting his driving."
"Yes, sir." Both boys remain quiet as John directs Dean back toward the motel.
John can sense Dean getting antsy and he sees Dean's right leg twitching as if to put more pressure on the gas. His son defiantly has a lead foot and he just prays Dean can control his need for speed a little longer.
On the right John notices a sign indicating a sharp turn up ahead but before he can even warn Dean the turn is approaching. He turns toward Dean, ready to take the wheel if he has to. However, steering from the passenger side is a little difficult, especially when the drive doesn't understand the concept of braking when turning.
"Tree!" Sam calls from the back seat, causing John to turn to him on instinct.
Dean tries to swerve the car away from the large stationary piece of nature but he didn't react in enough time. Luckily he only clipped the mirror but it was just enough to scare him and cause him to slam on to the brakes, pushing the gearshift up into park.
All three Winchesters sit in silence, calming their nerves from the recent adrenaline rush. John watches as Dean stares at his own hands before letting them fall from the steering wheel and rest in his lap.
Without a word, Dean unbuckles his seat belt and climbs out of the car. John realizes what he's doing and a second later John is out of the car as well, meeting Dean at the front. He places a hand on the teen's shoulder but Dean shrugs it off and just heads for the passenger side.
The rest of the way back to the motel is completely silent. Even Sam remains quiet as he sits in the backseat, still digesting everything that just happened. John's not sure if the younger boy looks more scared or guilty for ridiculing his brother's driving.
When the three finally reach their motel room, Dean is out of the car, slamming the door behind him. John shakes his head, noting to talk to Dean about respecting the car once the teen is over this little mishap.
Sam follows his brother out, trying to keep up with Dean's longer stride and John sees the boy reach a hand out and grab Dean's arm. Getting out of the car himself, John keeps his distance so that he isn't interfering but still close enough to stop any physical contact.
"Leave me alone," Dean orders, pulling his arm out of Sam's loose grip.
"But, Dean." Sam swallows when Dean's glare grows more intense but then he looks back up at his older brother. "You saved us."
For a second Dean continues to glare at Sam until the words finally sink in and his face turns into one of disbelief. John can't help the smile that forms on his lips as he watches the scene unfold.
"What?" Dean asks, eying Sam suspiciously. "How do you figure?"
"We could have hit the tree full on, Dean, but you swerved in time to only clip the mirror," Sam's logic amazed John sometimes. For an eleven-year-old boy, he was one heck of a smart kid.
"You're brother's right, Son," John walks over to his boys, letting his right arm drape around Sam's shoulders, the other grasping Dean's right shoulder. "The mirror is easily fixed but had you not known to swerve, we could have lost something irreplaceable."
Dean let a smile form on his lips as he glances up at John and then lets his eyes fall back to Sam who is also smiling. As scary as it had been, John knew Dean had handled it just as well as anyone would have. Things could have gone much worse had Dean not been thinking on his toes.
"So I'm still allowed to drive?" Dean asks.
"I don't know," John turns Dean around so that his left arm is now draped around Dean's shoulders, right arm still around Sam. "We'll see."
"But," Dean goes to argue as the three of them head toward their room. "You said I did a good job."
"I said it could have been worse," The smile on John's face grows wider. "What do you think, Sammy?"
John looks down at his youngest as the three of them stop in front of the door. With a smile Sam glances around John so he can get a good look at his brother. John drops his arms from the boys' shoulders and reaches for his key.
"I think my seat belt is my new best friend," Sam laughs ducking underneath his father's arm to get into the room before Dean can grab him.
"Just wait, Sam!" Dean hollers, looking around John's arm and into the room. "Wait and see if I take you to ballet practice once I get my license."
"Boys," John cuts the argument off again, knowing it was only going to escalate. "You'll be able to drive again, Dean, I promise."
"Really?" Dean follows John into the room, watching him for any sign that he's lying. "You mean it?"
"Yes," John laughs. "But let's just stick to parking lots for awhile until you and the brake pedal become friends."
~*~DontKnowMyName~*~
