En Passant - Jean-Jacques Goldman
(Passing by)
When Dean woke up, he was still nested around his brother's arm. A peek at the alarm clock told him it was half past four, a.m.. That was to be expected, he was no longer used to sleep well.
He disentangled slowly from Sam and grabbed a shirt and trousers. No need to wake Sammy so early, but since he was awake for good, he could as well put himself to good use. He had the laptop in hand and was about to leave when he heard mumble behind him.
_ Dee? You leave?
_ Nope, just going downstairs. Sleep, it's still early.
_ Don't like it when you leave." Sam whined like a little boy.
That was when Dean realized he was still mostly asleep. He went back to the bed and brushed some hair.
_ It's ok Sammy, I'm not leaving, just doing some research downstairs. You can sleep. I'll wait for you to breakfast." He whispered.
_ Mmm...okay...
And he went back straight to sleep like that. Dean couldn't help but smile, Sam was such a child sometimes, it was both sweet and heartbreaking. But if what Sam needed was a "brommy", then he would be that.
_ Sleep tight baby boy, love you.
_ Luv ya too Dee...
His adorable, grumpy baby Sammy was still there, under all that anger and sorrow and self-loathing. It was good to know.
He went down and took a table in the lobby; the place was quiet, almost empty, and mercifully devoid of any 'conventioneer'.
Sam woke up to some banging in the hallway, one hand already on the knife before realizing it was just careless banter between two customers. The second and third things he was aware of were that Dean and his laptop were gone.
It was about eight, and a surprise that Dean had let him sleep so late. They had a long road ahead of them; and Sam was pretty sure his brother would have wanted to start early. He freshened up, changed clothes and went down in search for his other half.
The sight that welcomed him in the lobby was quite unusual: Dean and a few other guys, hunched over their laptops, a map sprawled across a table with lots of markings in about every colors.
_ What is that all?" he asked when close enough to the nearest researcher. It was 'Lanky Sam'.
_ We found your partner there when we woke up, searching for as many demonic omens, or weird things he could find, we asked if we could help. Others joined too. I think they are taking it as some new event, but they did find some interesting things." He whispered back.
_ And the colors on the map?
From this close, he realized it was a full map of the States.
_ Time scale. That guy," he pointed toward some Asian type dude Sam had not noticed before, "said that would be a good way to light up their moves, or if there are places where they tend to stay.
Sam nodded, that was a smart move. He was still surprised that Dean had agreed to that. That was as far from their habits as he could imagine.
_ Hey, you said we could use as much help as we could get. And this shouldn't put them in danger." Dean greeted his curious look.
_ I thought it would take you more time to agree with it. Good morning by the way, has eaten?
_ Nope, was waiting for you, then got caught up in the thing. What time is it anyway?
_ A little past eight.
Dean's eyebrow rose up. That late? He was not usually into search parties, but he really hadn't seen the time fly. Sam offered to bring him food but Dean declined and got up: time to make a break. He turned toward the Asian as a natural second to get him to take the temporary lead of the search party.
Sam followed him toward the dining room, bewildered. Could two nights and some long needed talking change Dean that much?
_ So you know, I did not ask anything. The dudes from yesterday just came and bugged me about what I was doing, I told them, to make those idiots go away. And they decided they hadn't had enough or... I don't know; that it would be fun? And before I knew; people had organized things around.
Sam smiled at the surprise Dean was showing about people organizing themselves around him. Dean was a natural leader, in the sense where people were easily drawn to him, looked up to him.
That was why, even knowing they were doomed, many people had united under the apocalyptic future Dean. Despite his obvious lack of mercy and callous lead.
They picked up trays and started loading them; Sam picked up some fruits for Dean, and allowed himself some bacon and cheese. This time, Dean didn't even glare at the extra food. They waited to be installed at a corner table to start discussing Dean's findings.
There was not much, yet, a few concentrations of omens over some cities. Big ones like New York, Chicago or Washington were no surprise, but a few concentrations over smaller places, with a priori no real interest were worth checking through.
Dean's first though was that, even if they had no real lead to follow concerning Famine and Pestilence, both of them must be escorted by a bunch of demons at their orders. So he went after demonic omens. And he found quite the number...
At that point, a young woman, disguised as Bobby, with beard and all, came to their table. Dean introduced her as "some geek who was in the search party" and let her eat with them. She had an idea: since the convention was about to close, and the search would take much more time to accomplish, they could make an online copy of the map so they would complete it as time goes on.
_ No way, not gonna let chucklehead add any crap on our map.
_ I can put a password on the site, and make sure we have to add the link to the corresponding article before the point is activated.
Sam mulled over it for a while, that was sound, but required quite a lot of work to create for a make believe.
_ Isn't it a bit much for some roleplay?
She gave him a look and lowered her voice.
_ I know there are things. I don't know how much of those books are accurate. But those things, they exist. And you know that too.
_ Ok." He turned to his brother: how many of them 'know'.
Dean shook his head: he did not have the answer to that. But, somehow, he was thinking it worth the shot, as long as he could let Sam handle this from now on. Then he dug vigorously into his eggs.
Sam exchanged a few technicalities and mails with Donna, half an hour later; they were on the move once again. To Sioux-fall, hoping they wouldn't be side-tracked again.
Less than a quiet hour after their leave, a flutter of wings startled Dean and made the car sway with some swearing. Gabriel was sprawled on the backseat, a lollypop rolling from cheek to cheek.
_ Hya kiddos. Had fun?
Sam drew a quick look toward his brother, ready so see him explode. He only got an unimpressed look back.
_ Your angel Dude, you handle it.
_ It? Not very nice of you Dean-o, and I am an archangel, very different. Much better too if you want my opinion.
_ I don't.
Sam heaved a sight. It was going to be a long road if Gabriel insisted to do the whole trip in their backseat.
_ Just tell me it wasn't you who decided to organize a convention in a real haunted house.
_ I can tell you, but you wouldn't know if it's true or not." Singsong the archangel. "Hey ! No need to be sarcastic Sammish. Woke up bad? Your partner frustrates you? Not enough petting?
_ Just...
He was about to tell the brat in the backseat to shut up. Probably not a smart move. Sam heard some snickering behind him. Of course, he could hear that too, but Sam decided it shouldn't count.
_ Why are you here? We've got nothing for you actually.
_ Fiscal fraud is boring. There is always some fun with you.
_ Sorry to disappoint you, but a long drive is the most boring thing ever. Why don't you fly somewhere else and find us back when we get to Bobby's?
Obviously, Gabriel was already getting on Dean's nerves and he was showing his grump.
_ Nope, don't wanna fly.
_ Seriously, if all your siblings are like you and act as four years old brats, no wonder your family is a mess.
If looks could kill, Sam would have stabbed his brother a dozen times in seconds. Then threw a panicked look in the rear window, ready for some massive blown up. But instead of furious, those honey eyes looked pretty sad, before Gabriel averted his gaze toward the left, on the grasslands.
_ Maybe. Maybe that's precisely our problem. We are a bunch of kids, desperate to have daddy's love and approval but never learnt to grow up.
_ Is..." Sam hesitated... "is there some mother somewhere?
That earned him a piercing look. But no answer. Meaning there might be some digging to do there. But later.
Silence fell. Or more like, the sound of Metallica and the roar of the engine were the only heard in the Impala. Gabriel had made himself comfortable and was reading some book, probably snapped from nowhere. Sam made a face when realizing it was one of the Supernatural series.
_ I didn't know it was so badly written. Almost as bad as dad's writing skills. I should have insisted for some proof reader, in the contract.
_ I did.
Gabriel dropped the book beside him and crossed his arms on the backrest of the front seat, his head so close to Sam's that he could feel hair brushing his neck.
_ Did you?
_ It's our lives he is using to earn his money. I asked (Dean snorted) him a percentage of any future income, and the right to have a preview look on any further publication. And to change some things if we don't want it known.
_ Like your bad trip?
That was blunt and made Deans temper flare. Sam squeezed briefly but firmly his knee to shush him down.
_ Not really. I made some huge mistakes I am not proud of. But this is not what I care about.
_ I see..." It was both soft and teasing and unnerving Sam a little.
Well since they had about ten hours' drive before them, he could at least make some use of it. Some internet research was out of question but...
He turned toward Gabriel who had made a strangled noise and sported a horrified look.
_ Ten hours? That long?!
_ That's why I told you to get some fresh air." Dean interjected testily.
Gabriel opened his mouth, most probably for some witty retort. Sam prayed it wouldn't. Really, Gabriel might be able to fly away anytime if he got bored. But Sam would be the one to bear Dean's subsequent bad mood for hours.
He must have been heard, because what finally came next was directed at him.
_ You wanted to ask me something.
_ Yes: do you happen to have a Bible in one of your jacket's pocket?
Gabriel leaned his head on one arm and used the freed one to poke Sam in the cheek.
_ You know I'm right there, and I know much more than what that book can say.
_ And you made pretty clear that you don't want to be involved unless we have something solid to offer.
The smile Gabriel gave him made the corner of his eyes crinkle a bit.
_ Stubborn man.
A snap later, an ancient, heavy volume was weighting on Sam's knees.
_ It's the most accurate one I know written in modern English.
_ Thanks.
Sam was already flipping through the tome, marveling at the crinkling pages and faded ink.
_ By the way." Gabriel was so close it made him jump a little. "You can keep it. I have plenty others.
His thanks might have been a bit distracted, but he was quite fascinated by the book. And leafed through it a while longer before heading toward the section he wanted: The Apocalypse.
At one point, Dean might have sent him a derisive 'geek' his way. Sam might have answered with a 'nerd' on his own. Gabriel has retreated back in his seat humming in tune with the lowered music, but a hand was still playing with Sam's long hair.
The quiet ambiance lasted for a little more than an hour. Dean wouldn't know what surprised him the most: the archangel staying quiet or Sam letting him pet his head while reading. It was so... domestic.
With a freaking archangel, no less. Well, he had to admit that when he was not trying to teach them a lesson; he was acting pretty human, especially compared to Cass or Raphael.
Finally, Sam closed the heavy tome with a poof. But no "so get this" followed.
_ Found anything?
_ A lot: interesting, obscure, and... absolutely not helpful for us at the moment." A silence, then: "there might be some, but there is so much symbolism I can't make out anything useful right now. Seriously Gabriel simplified?
_ Still: a little summary?
Sam gave his brother the asked summary; loads of numbers : 1 lamb, 2 witnesses, 28 old farts, 4 winged things, 7 spirits..., no time or place precisions, even remotely vague, the Horsemen were mentioned but with absolutely no specifics, except for their mounts and weaponry.
Then the reign of Heaven, New Jerusalem.
_ At least you've got one place named.
He could see his little brother's brain suddenly tick and this big body of his come alive.
_ Where's your map? The one you draw this morning.
_ With your laptop, in the trunk. Shall I pull over?
Sam nodded but it quickly proved to be unnecessary. A snap later, the map was spread over Sam's lap and the headboard. And the Trickster's head was again popping over the backrest, resting on his crossed arms.
_ What is it?
Sam already being buried between the map and some pieces of paper he had fished out of... somewhere. Dean took on him to explain how he has spent the early hours of his morning.
Gabriel hummed softly in approval. It was strange, giving the nature of their previous encounters, but somehow it... felt good to earn approval from a zillion years old being. Other than Cass.
The guy was so awkward most of the time that it was difficult to imagine how long he has been around.
_ So, Sammy, what you're getting at?
_ New Jerusalem. New York... Nouvelle Orleans... Naples. Most of our cities are named after cities from the old continent. And the whole Bible is set around Middle East, the Roman Empire.
_ So?
_ I wanted to see whether the cities you pointed out, those with large amount of stagnant omens, could be amongst thoses.
_ And?
_ Some are, indeed: Troy, Antioch, Carthage, Hesperia refers to a Greek sort of Eden, Ramah, Hephzibah is a biblical name and apparently one of Zion's name too, and it just goes on... I'll text Bobby, ask him to dig up whatever book he has about those places. Hopefully, there will be some link with Death, or the two others. I'll search the net when we get there too.
_ So... how do you plan on thwarting my dear bother's plans?
_ Still working on it.
_ Let me hear that.
_ First part : gather information about his next move. Find out when, where and how he would summon the last Horseman. Second part : find a way to disturb his plans.
_ Is that a way to tell me off Sambo?
His tone was mildly playful but Dean suspected that the Trickster was also quite annoyed at his brothers derisiveness.
_ Just a way to remind you that, though we are aware of the tight schedule and the importance of it all, we are just humans and we can only go so fast.
There again, that weird casual tone Sam had already tried on him a few times, positively infuriating. And seeing Gabriel's expression, he was not the only one. Even if technically Sam was right, they couldn't be expected to find a solution to the apocalypse in just two days whilst dealing with a bunch of murderous ghosts kids on top of that.
To try and prevent further outburst, he turned the radio's volume up. Earning an indignant yelp from his right, and a slight huff from behind. Well to bad, Dean was fed up with arguments in that car.
Had been years ago.
Three times Sam tried to lower the volume. Three times he slapped his hand away, each time harder, until he gave up and folded the map with his notes in snappish movements. "Can't even hear my thoughts."
Sam brooded for about half an hour, then started to hum half consciously, even went to singing along mezzo voce. It made Dean smile. Until he realized what song was on and cut off the radio.
_ Hey ! For once I liked the song.
_ Nope, no way I am gonna let you sing that. Not in a million years.
The worst being that Sam looked like he really wasn't seeing any problem in singing "Freak" from Radio Head. With all the issues he has? Dean should bash him in the head; except that it wouldn't do any good.
_ On this on, I totally agree with Dean-o.
Strangely enough, Gabriel was still there, still reading sprawled in the backseat, just not toying with Sam's hair anymore. Still throwing some glances now and then at them.
That earned them another round of Winchester brooding, except that this time Sam had unfolded the map once again and was trying to squeeze some more information, scheme or whatever out of it. And judging by his increasingly frustrated expression, there was not that much juice to extract.
Until he slapped the map shut, exasperated.
_ What's wrong with that car! Can't it stop buzzing!?
_ Hoy, hoy, calm down, first: you're not talking about Baby like that. And second, there is no buzz except inside your noggin.
_ I am not hearing voices Dean. Gabriel you hear that too?
_ Erm... define what's that "buzz" to you? Probably not the couple of sparrows chirping in the wood.
Sam was about to explode, for no reason, and it was starting to rile Dean up too. And he still didn't want fights in the car. Time to get the volume up, again.
Bon Jovi, not his favorite but it would do. The question was why Sam was actually staring at the radio.
_ Got a problem with Bon Jovi?
But the little bitch didn't even bother to answer him, just started to play with the volume button. Up, down to bare minimum, then deafeningly loud until there were statics. And Dean was starting to worry about his mental health, or if Gabriel had mojoed him dumb.
_ I ... might have gotten an idea. Not much to do with Lucifer himself but...
_ And you care to share, or you just want to keep on playing with the buttons?
_ Not yet. I... That's just, kind of a thing... Have to think first.
Sam yelped when Gabriel slapped the back of his head.
_ Spill it big oaf.
Sam huffed, then took some time to order his thoughts before answering.
_ I wondered if we could... err... hide exorcism into radio waves, or TV's. Just low enough not to be noticed by humans, but high enough to do the job...
_ Soo... your buzz was the radio not completely offed? Should have said so." Sam glared at him.
There was a sounding silence following. Dean was speechless, that was both so farfetched and quite awesome.
_ You know what, just forget I said anything... It's stupid anyway. We would need to hack into heaps of relays, stay undetected... It's too big, we don't have the resources nor the knowledge. IF, ... if it's even possible in the first place. And that would render our only lead useless.
He was pointing at the map laying between them.
_ I still buy it. We could ask Cass to check out the places, and when we're sure there nothing of interest in it, we just wipe out demons in the area and move on.
_ Ask Cass, if we can distract him from his God's search long enough, is a good idea. It's still plenty of places to check out but less than roaming the whole states blindly. But we can't take them one town after another; they will find out quickly and manage some counter measure.
_ Well.. when we will have the first Horseman we find out they will know we are on their tail anyway. And if we manage to make it full scale in the end, they will still be gone.
_ Unless they find a way to nullify it. And we don't want to make Lucifer change his schedule.
_ I thought that was exactly the point.
_ Not before we know what the schedule is.
What to say?
Thanks for my 3 followers and 10 readers or so for keeping up.
For the record, I know exactly where this is gonna lead. I'll just have to type it.
Might take a while, the boys are not behaving and sidetrack me quite a lot.
