God, Dean thought as he let out yet another jaw cracking yawn. This has to have been the longest night of his life. Okay, maybe not the longest, but hey it's got to be up there. He can see the sun just rising from behind the horizon. "Hey Beak, are we there yet."
"Soon, almost there." Beak called over his shoulder.
Dean nodded and shifted the weight pulled on his shoulders. "I got to say Sam you really outdid yourself this time. I think this is the best litter you ever rigged." Dean looked over his shoulder at the canvas tarp that Myrtle reclined on. Dean shook his head and said "How pathetic is that I can rate the different litters you've rigged."
"What's pathetic Dean is that most of them have been travois', after all normally I end up lugging your ass out on my own." Sam said with a laugh.
"If you two are done patting yourselves on the back, you might want to start walking again. The little guys is pulling ahead." Myrtle called from the canvas litter that Sam had rigged from scavenged supplies left at the house.
Dean looked forward and noticed that Beak was indeed pulling away. "Yo Beaky, give us a break. Just how long is this shortcut of yours going to take?"
"Almost there now, Almost there." Beak replied never taking his eyes off the land in front of him.
"He's pretty handy to have around Dean." Jeanie said as she walked up alongside Sam, she was still holding Shawn's hand and Sam could see the embarrassed grin on the kid's face. "Maybe I should deputize him, he'd do a great job keeping people from becoming lost. Would you like that Beak, I could set up some kind of house for you. You could patrol the park keep everyone on the straight and narrow."
"Straight and narrow?" Beak asked with a question in his voice. "Straight and narrow is not the best way to go."
Jeanie laughed and said "we can work out the details later."
It had taken Dean, Jeanie and Sam close to two hours to get everyone out of the pool. Myrtle had been the trickiest due to her ankle. Shawn had been the easiest, as the sheriffs power had been crushed he'd found that he could move again. Slightly unsteady at first he'd quickly recovered.
They'd been about to hike back towards the jeep, when Beak had stepped forward and suggested following him instead. The promise of a shortcut had overcome any objections. Dean let out a sigh of relief as the ranger station and the Impala came into view.
Three hours later saw the missing reunited with family and safely escorted to the hospital. The state police and reporters had all cleared out and Sam and Dean finally felt it was okay for them to emerge from Jeanie's office.
"So, boys should I even ask who you really are? And why you hid in the office?" Jeanie leaned against the counter and sipped a cup of coffee.
Dean reached out and pounded Sam on the back, "he can explain everything. I've got places to be. Catch you later guys." And with that Dean slipped out the door and into the morning air.
Dean headed out, anxious to be on his way. Just as he reached the car, he saw Beak slip out from an old shed that sat next to the station. Dean approached the small creature and took a knee. "So, Beak are you going to be okay here?" Dean asked.
Beak nodded solemnly "I'll lead them to safety." Beak answered.
Dean nodded and patted the little guys back. "I have no doubt that you will Beak, take care and watch out for Jeanie."
Dean stood and headed for the car, at the last moment he looked back to see Beak, lit hand raised in a wave. Dean returned the gesture and climbed into the classic black car. Turning up the radio to an earsplitting roar, he grinned and gunned the car out of the drive.
Sam turned towards Jeanie smiling self-consciously. "How about grabbing a bite to eat and I'll fill you in."
Sam listened to the sound of the Impala as it exited the parking lot, even in here he could hear the stereo thumping. He had to grin at Dean's not so subtle ways.
Jeanie smiled and said, "you bet," She moved to grab her keys and let out a moan. "Shit," Turning she self-consciously smiled "Jeep's in the woods." She said.
Sam began laughing and found he couldn't stop.
"What, Sam, what's so funny we're trapped here you know. Call Dean and get him back." Jeanie reached out and lightly hit Sam in the chest.
Sam snaked his arms out and drew her close, his face still alight with laughter. "We're stuck Jeanie girl, Dean didn't forget about the Jeep. He ditched us. You want to find him; you better give Amber a call."
Jeanie felt her breath hitch, as Sam smiled down at her. "Well, we could hang around for a while, maybe he'll come back." Jeanie said as she leaned up and kissed the hunter softly.
Sam grinned and said "Yeah, maybe."
The End