Hi! Thank you for all the reviews! I greatly appreciate the support! Here's the next chapter! This story is loosely based on season 6. Certain element of season 6 will not happen because it's my own version, though certain stories will definitely be involved since they were my favorite. I apologize for any grammatical errors that may occur through this story. I do not have a beta reader. Please review! I really love feedback and am willing to consider constructive suggestions!
Chapter 11
It had been weeks since the murderous hunters had taken her daughter and disappeared. Weeks that she hadn't been able to find her little girl. Weeks since she had lost her daughter's trail. Not that she had a trail to begin with, Hunters were elusive bastards.
Lydia searched the streets from a cafe porch in Whitefish, Montana. She had received a call from her amazon informer about a hunter who lived nearby and would quite possibly know the general whereabouts of the two hunters that kidnapped her baby.
She sipped on the latte, watching a red truck drive by. So far, everyone seemed to be civilians. None had a hunteresque appearance that would catch Lydia's interest. According to her contact, this particular hunter was well acquainted with the two she had been looking for. With a bit of searching, she had found that Dean's surname was Winchester. He hunted with his brother and was wanted on multiple accounts of fraud and murder. It made sense that the hunter was a wanted criminal, considering what he did to her people and her daughter. He could add kidnapper to the list of barbaric acts as well. She couldn't wait to get hold of Dean Winchester and drive the knife into his beating heart. Hell, she'd do the same to his brother for killing Charlene. The bastards.
"See anything yet?" Lydia glanced up, just as a woman with raven black hair and dark eyes sat next to her. A croissant in her hand as she took a bite. Arianna was one of the best warriors in her clan. She had slayin' many men and beasts who had threatened the development of her tribe. Nearly six foot three and all muscle, she was a sight to see. She intimidated most people with her grizzly, ominous appearance. A murderous gleam in her eyes. She hated hunters even more than Lydia probably did, reveling in the sight of their blood slick against her knife. She had immediately agreed to accompany Lydia on her mission to rescue her daughter in order to take down a few more of their enemies.
"No,"Lydia responded, indifferently. She sipped her coffee. She had been sitting in the same spot for two days, waiting for the damn hunter to drive past. After unsuccessfully searching the last couple of states for her missing daughter and finding absolutely nothing, they had landed in Montana. There, they decided a different tactic. They decided to track down local hunters in the Montana precinct. All hunters were connected in some way, interrogating one would make it easier in finding her kidnapped daughter. A couple days ago, they found a stationary one. He was a local hermit, according to Edda after she finished her detective work. The town's drunk. But, the amazons knew the information gained wasn't completely factual, considering the so called town's drunk was a murderous monster that went against the goddess. There were reasons why their goddess, Harmonia, created them. They were designed to kill pigs like these damn hunters."I haven't."
"Damn,"Arianna muttered, throwing the wrapper behind her back and leaning back in her chair. She received glares from the customers at the other table. Her sister smirked. "I was hoping he'd drive by today."
"Where's Edda and Circe,"Lydia asked, staring at her tribe sister. Arianna brushed a hand through her cropped hair.
"Staking out the north,"Arianna responded. "They're asking around." She picked a crumb out of her teeth. "Hoping to find someone who knows this guy." Arianna leaned forward. "Real hermit, this guy is. He tends to scare away the general civilians with his grumpy disposition. No one knows his general whereabouts."
"Well, isn't that just fantastic,"Lydia snapped. Not only was her daughter lost, stolen from her bed, now they couldn't find the damn lead. Arianna sighed, leaning forward. She grasped Lydia's hand, providing silent comfort. Lydia's light brown eyes met Arianna's dark ones.
"We'll find her,"Arianna promised. "And then she'll be able to complete the rite of passage." Lydia sighed, throat thick. She had to remind herself, desperate times called for desperate measures. The ritual was just a desperate measure in order to allow their kind to survive. Her daughter needed to grow up quickly and be part of their army, in order to fight the ancient monsters prophesied to escape. She had to keep reminding herself that a few causalities didn't matter compared to the threat ahead. They hadn't killed men, fathers, in a long time. Growing their tribe and warrior numbers hadn't been pertinent until now. Until the threat had made itself known a while back. No one knew how much time they had left. Neither did the priestesses.
The growth elixir provided by their own priestess was just one component to the warrior ritual and required to be administered daily until the rite was completed. Considering that Emma was off of it for a few weeks, Lydia had no clue whether the ceremony could be completed for her daughter now. Her training hadn't been completed, nor the last part of the ritual, death to the father of the warrior. She could be useless to the cause. Therefore, useless to the tribe. That's what terrified Lydia.
"What if it doesn't work?"Lydia asked, glancing at Arianna. "What if it has been too long?" The butch woman's brows quirked before she shrugged her shoulders.
"Then she's useless to the cause,"Arianna answered, casually. "A defect. Our elders won't need her alive anymore." Lydia paled, squeezing her eyes shut. She willed herself to compartmentalize, allowing herself to feel indifferent towards Arianna's words.
"She'll still grow,"Lydia argued. Remembering what her mentor, Elena, told her about the Amazon way once. Without the elixir, growth would be at a sluggish human pace. Warriors wouldn't be created quick enough to protect their clan which was the biggest importance to an Amazon tribe. They would never be considered true Amazon warriors if they didn't complete the ritual. They weren't true servants to Harmonia, since they didn't sacrifice their childhood to the warrior ways. This state would never be acceptable to the clans. According to Elena, they would be useless without the elixir. Without the ritual. They wouldn't be the ultimate warrior. They would be considered frauds even though they shared the same blood. Nothing but halflings.
"The elders don't want children. They want warriors,"Arianna pointed out. "She would be a hindrance to our movement rather than help. She would be outcasted or worse-"
"Stop,"Lydia snapped, turning away from her tribe sister. She couldn't listen to this anymore. She had to focus on finding her daughter and deal with the consequences later. She knew she'd be stuck between two hard choices when the time came, her daughter or the tribe. She just had to hope the ritual and her daughter's growth into a warrior could be completed. Arianna shrugged, dark eyes roaming the streets.
"It's a shame that she was taken,"Arianna continued, ignoring Lydia's warning. "She would have made a great Amazon warrior." Arianna had observed the girl's quick learning and resourceful thinking skills back when they had Emma under their protection. A couple more days and she would have been ready.
"Quit talking about her as if she's dead,"Lydia ordered, glaring at her companion. "She's not dead." Arianna rolled her eyes, cracking her knuckles. Lydia had a soft heart. She couldn't see past the child in her arms and recognize the great warrior within. She saw a daughter, rather than a fellow soldier. In Arianna's opinion, that default would be Lydia's downfall. Motherhood.
"Whatever,"Arianna replied, picking at her nails. She was aching to kill somebody. To rip the nails out of a hunter's fingers before sliding the knife slowly across his throat. Hopefully her desires would be sooner satisfied rather than later, assuming if the bastard showed his face in town.
Lydia's phone rang and the amazon immediately flipped it open, standing to her feet. "Circe,"she greeted, walking away from the little cafe. "Did you find him?"
"Aye,"Circe responded. "Just a few blocks past where you're at currently." Lydia could practically hear the smug grin in her sister's voice. "Turner's shoppin'."
"He's with three children,"Edda added. "A boy and two girls." Lydia paled. She didn't like hurting children. For goddess sake, she didn't even know the hunter had children. Reports from her sisters back home hadn't confirmed that fact.
"We'll take all four down right now if you like,"Circe added with a bit of thrill in her tone. Lydia shook her head.
"No,"Lydia responded. "Too public." She glanced over at Arianna, who stood at alert. "Follow them and take them down somewhere secluded."
"Yes, Ma'am,"Circe responded.
"Oh, and Circe,"Lydia interrupted before her sister could hang up. She bit her lip, breathing in. She breathed out slowly. "Don't hurt the children. They aren't part of this."
"soft-heart,"Circe barbed, hanging up. Lydia had a bad feeling Circe wouldn't be heeding Lydia's request. She hated hunters as much as Arianna. As much as any Amazon who had run into the monsters did. But, Circe hated the offspring of hunters even more. They were the next generation of this barbaric group that would continue the hunters' work in slaughtering her people. She turned her gaze to Arianna, catching her eye-roll. Maybe, she was softhearted.
"Where are we going?" Emma asked. Her head was resting against Ben's shoulder. Feet drawn up on the seat. She yawned, placing a fist against her mouth. Her dad was driving, eyes focused on the road ahead. Uncle Sam was dozing in the front passenger seat, forehead leaning against the impala window. Alec was next to her, head lulled at an uncomfortable angle as he slept. She knew he'd be suffering from neck problems when he woke up.
The sun was rising. The sky was a brilliant pink as the impala cruised along the freeway. The drive had taken all night. Dean had only stopped once for gas. Soon her brothers would be waking up. The only reason she woken up was because of a pothole that the impala wheel had hit a few moments ago. It had to be around 6:30 am, maybe 7:00 am. She lifted her head, taking a look at the impala's clock, 6:45 am.
"Cicero, Indiana,"Dean answered with a yawn. He looked exhausted, but his eyes were completely focused on the mission ahead. Getting to this woman, Lisa. Emma really didn't understand the importance of her, but the way her father dropped everything to help her, Lisa must bare some importance. Dean glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "We'll be there in another few."
Emma pouted, pulling the blanket up to her chin again and using her brother as a pillow once more.
"Why is she important?" Emma asked, watching her father closely. She gauged his reaction, noticing his lip twitch and eyes sharpen. These minute details told her a lot about the way her father felt. Currently, he was worried about this unknown woman. Alec had guessed she was a girlfriend. Their father tended to be tight lipped about personal emotional affairs.
"We used to be close,"Dean answered. His hand came up, brushing his hair back. "We, uh-" His voice went dry and he finished his sentence with a- "yeah." Emma's brows popped up before furrowing, trying to understand what her Dad was getting at. Alec rolled, slightly shoving her in his sleep. Maybe, she'd wake up her brothers. She was bored. At least if they were awake, they would entertain her.
"Close,"Emma mumbled, glancing out the window. She noticed Alec stirring, knowing Alec wouldn't be asleep for long. Their talking would probably wake him up and he was just fighting against the inevitable. Ben was twitching awake as well. She stared, noticing the clamminess of her father's hands. "You're scared."
Dean sighed, nodding his head slowly. "I'm just hopin' nothin' bad happened to her,"Dean stated. Emma knew her father would blame himself if something bad happened to this woman. He had a habit of taking full responsibility for bad situations out of his control.
"I'm sure she's fine, Daddy,"Emma answered. She wanted to crawl into her father's lap and comfort him, but knew with him driving it wouldn't be a wise action. "We'll save her."
Dean smirked, amazed by the determine look on his daughter's face. She was something else. The power of an amazon and the spirit of a Winchester. She'd be unstoppable.
"We will,"he agreed. He just wished Lisa had told him what was stalking her. His brain was wracking through his mental list of all supernatural monsters. She was pretty damn sure it was supernatural. The other issue was the kids. He needed a way to explain Ben, Alec, and Emma to her, considering two to three years ago he most definitely didn't have children. Damn, had it already been three years since the changeling nightmare? He glanced over at his three kids, thinking about Ben Braeden. The little 8 year old boy, he had believed to be his son once. Ben had to be eleven now. Just a year older than his Ben and Alec.
"What are you thinking about?"Emma asked, still watching her father. Dean smiled, shaking away his thoughts. There was no use stressing over introductions, especially since they were heading to a hunt. The hunt, like any hunt, would be a quick in and out. Only difference was this hunt struck closer to home on more personal matters.
"Nothin', sweetheart,"He responded to his curious daughter. A groan caught his ear as Alec sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He blinked, trying to gauge his bearings and general position. Ben had dove further into the blanket, hating the sunlight that hit his closed eyes. Ben wasn't a morning person. "Just wonderin' how I'm gonna explain you three to Lisa."
"Why does it matter?"Alec questioned. He sat up straighter, glancing at his father intently. Reaching over Emma, he poked Ben, who slapped his hand away, grumbling incoherently. "She wasn't involved with us. Her opinion or judgment shouldn't effect you in any way." Sam's own grayish hazel eyes opened, looking blearily out the window. A trail of dried spit ran down the side of his chin. Sam tended to sleep with his mouth open. His hair was mussed, bangs falling in front of his eyes as the much taller hunter sat up straight, stretching his sore limbs.
"Considering I saw her a couple years ago and had no kids,"He glanced back at his three children. "And now I have three-" Two ten-year-old miniature hims and a few-week-old that appeared to be seven, yeah, there was bound to be questions. "She's gonna have questions." His eyes reverted back to the road. "A lot of questions." Sam nodded in agreement, having caught the end of the conversation. He cracked his neck, loosening the kink.
"We can tell her the truth,"Sam suggested, though he wasn't keen on revealing his family secrets to a woman he barely knew, Dean did have a history with Lisa, which made this particular hunt tricky. Dean grimaced at the suggestion and Sam rolled his eyes. "Or not. Look you know she's gonna ask, so either come up with a good story or just let her in on the secret."
"She knows about the supernatural, correct,"Alec asked. He didn't like the idea of telling his life history to an ordinary woman who wasn't involve in his rescue either. He didn't even like that so many people knew about Manticore. That was a life he wanted to keep buried and away from ever surfacing again. But, hunters were different. They weren't ordinary either and had seen their own share of crap over the years as well. They knew how to keep secrets too. Maybe, Lisa wouldn't be any different.
"Yes,"Dean answered. "She does." He thought about the day he saved her and her son from the changelings. He had sworn to protect her afterward, giving his long ago fling his personal number. If she ever needed him, all she needed to do was call, and he'd be there.
"But, you didn't contact her when Manticore fell,"Ben inquired, finally pulling the blanket from over his head and risking the blinding light that passed through the impala window. "Why?"
"I didn't want to burden her,"Dean explained, uncomfortably. "I already came to her steps once, telling her I was gonna die." He glanced down, guiltily, remembering her watery eyes and horrified expression. He had told her if his life had been different, he'd have chosen her and Ben. He left her with that thought as he drove off in the impala ready to face his demise. Even after Lucifer was imprisoned once more, he didn't return. He wanted to give her the chance to move on. Get away from the supernatural life. He'd only drag her in if he stayed. But, fate seemed to force her into this terrifying life without his help.
"You didn't want her involved in the supernatural world anymore,"Ben guessed, wisely. His boys were always capable of understanding his thinking behind actions. Part of being genetic clones, he supposed.
Dean nodded his head, confirming his son's analysis of the situation.
"Because you loved her?"Emma questioned, playing with the hem of her blanket. Her hair was a rat's nest after sleeping in the impala all night. He'd have to pull over soon for food and bathroom breaks.
"yes,"Dean answered his daughter. He remembered his perfect dream world with Lisa, Ben, and a picnic. Her beautiful dark eyes adoringly staring at him as they discussed the mundane, domestic task of picking up Ben from baseball practice. He loved her, even when he left her in 1999, after their glorious time together, to continue hunting with his Dad and brother. He had been twenty years old then. Just a kid with a bad attitude and a penchant for trouble. He glanced at his two boys in the backseat, a smile gracing his lips. A year later, Ben and Alec would have been born.
"Well,"Alec drawled, leaning forward. "Looks like she successfully found trouble without your help." Dean snorted, meeting his boy's eyes before focusing back on the empty road. Most people didn't drive anymore since the economy collapsed. The only reason they were able to keep their head above water was due to their already existing nomadic ways. They held no attachments that would bring them down to the squalor most of the US faced with exception to a handful of areas. Plus, Uncle Richard's generosity helped them immensely when times got tough. "So, what's the game plan, Daddy-O?"
"Find out what we're hunting,"Dean answered. "Kill the son-of-a-" He glanced at the three kids in the backseat, gulping down the final word he normally would say.
"Bitch?"Alec supplied. Dean rolled his eyes, ignoring Alec's smirk and Sam's disapproving glare and sharp, 'Alec'. His brother had been attempting to enforce better communication habits, trying to limit the amount they swore around the kids. Dean didn't really give a crap, but it was important to Sammy, who wanted to enforce some normal rules among their strange family and build a stronger foundation. Alec just grinned back at his uncle, being the little rebel he was.
"Yeah,"he answered. Making a turn off the freeway. A sign had informed him that a cafe was a couple miles away. His kids were hungry and being transgenic and amazon meant they had fast metabolisms. They hadn't eaten since Ellen's in South Dakota. A while back, they had crossed the state line informing the hunters that they had just entered Indiana.
"Typical game plan then,"Ben stated, indifferently. His head had perked at the thought of food when he noticed the sign. A warm breakfast of hot cereal or pancakes sounded wonderful.
"Correct,"Dean replied. He ignored Sam's gaze, knowing his brother was only gleaming for a chick flick moment. A heart to heart that would nearly rip his heart out. Sam wanted to know more about Lisa. He had met her once, heard snippets of details from Dean, but knew absolutely nothing about the woman that made Dean drop everything in order to drive to Indiana and save the day.
"What are we hunting?"Emma asked. She had perked up too, the moment her eyes landed on the cafe and they pulled into the parking lot.
"No idea,"Dean answered the little girl.
"That's what makes hunting fun,"Alec added. Ben glanced over at his brother before unbuckling and sliding out of the car. He stretched his limbs, working out the kinks in his muscles. Sleeping in the impala always left him sore. They wandered towards the neon open sign, ready for a quick meal before they hit the road again.
"Lisa,"Dean called, rapping on the motel door. His eyes darted, taking in the appearance of the cheap motel setting and the sleazy men that leaned against the balcony, smoking cigarettes. His eyes returned to the impala, down below, where his brother and kids waited patiently inside. He returned, knocking on the door again. He really wanted to get her out of here. This was no place for Lisa and her son. She must have been terrified to run and hide in place like this. "Open up. It's Dean."
he heard shuffling behind the door, before the lock clicked. The door opened, revealing a pair of terrified brown eyes. "Dean,"Lisa asked, a tremble to her voice. He noticed the metal bat she held in one hand, ready to bash any intruder's head in.
"It's me,"He reassured her skepticism. Ever since the changelings, Lisa had trouble trusting people, which was wise on her part considering all the shapeshifting monsters out there. "1999-" Dean continued, hoping to remove the unsure glare in her eyes. "Bendiest night of our lives." She still wasn't completely convinced that Dean was who he said he was. Dean sighed, brushing fingers through his short hair. "Two years ago, I told you I was gonna die." Lisa's brows shot up, eyes still suspicious.
"What did you tell me?" She asked, slightly shaken by the man in her proximity. She had believed he had died when he didn't return. She had believed he had accepted his death like the martyr he was. She had cried, knees drawn to her chest and arms wrapped around her legs. She had sobbed in grief. The only reason she had called that number was out of desperation. A niggle of hope had made her dial that number. Fear drove her. She didn't expect him to pick up the phone. She didn't expect him to be alive. Part of her was angry about his disappearance act, abandoning her again. The other part was just relieved to see him alive.
"I told you,"Dean began, leaning forward. He towered over her, all lean muscle and looming height. "That when I pictured myself happy it's with you." He lowered his eyes, lips quirking. "and the kid."
Immediately, the skepticism left her eyes and the door closed, unhooking the chain. The door swung open. Her arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing him close as she breathed in the cologne that scented his neck.
"You're alive,"She whispered into his ear. His neck felt moist and he knew she was crying. "I thought you were dead, but-" She had talked to him on the phone the other night, but part of her still didn't believe that he was alive. He told her everything would be alright and he was coming. She had completely believed she had gone crazy last night. That her fear and desperation made her hear the voice of his ghost. She paced all night, wondering if he'd even arrive. If his voice of reassurance was actually real. But, here he was, standing in front of her. Holding her close.
She pulled away, smacking him hard in the arm. Fiery in her eyes. Dean looked at her stunned, mouth gaping as her brown eyes licked with flames. Her brows furrowed and mouth gaped in anger. "I thought you were dead,"she repeated, again tears rimmed her eyes. Dean knew she was about to break down, but was being strong for her own sake.
"I'm sorry,"he, immediately, apologized as Lisa clasped her mouth, still watching him stunned.
"You didn't come back,"she accused. "You didn't come back and I thought-"Her voice hitched as she turned her gaze away from the man that had turned her world upside down. She wiped at her eyes, shaking off the emotional turmoil. "I mourned you."
"You didn't have to-"His voice trailed, watching her enraged features. A mixture of relief, grief, and anger thrashed in her orbs. Confusion and betrayal flickered like a candle's flame. He didn't want her to mourn him. He wanted her to forget. Move on from him and make a happy life for herself and Ben.
"Well, I did,"she snapped, shaken to the core. She stared at him like he was a ghost. Like she couldn't believe he was there, actually talking to her. "I cried-" She pointed towards the motel room. Dean could make out a figure, standing behind one of the motel's double beds. "Ben cried." Her features were cracking again and she could barely compose herself. "I haven't been the same since-" Her thought trailed, a shiver running up her spine. He had already messed up her life with his own crappy shit show. "Why didn't you come back?" Why didn't you reassure us that you were alive, was her silent question. Why were you such a coward?
"I don't know,"Dean answered at a lost for words. He didn't think she'd be this upset. That his life mattered that much to her.
"You don't tell someone that,"She retorted, referring to his last words to her before he departed from her life. "and leave. That's cruel-" Fingers brushed through her hair. Her beautiful freckled nose wrinkled, eyes dazed with anger and shock. "Who does that?"
"I'm so sorry, Lisa,"Dean repeated. He felt like a broken record. He hadn't wanted to hurt her. He wanted to keep her and Ben safe. If he returned, she would have been endangered because of him. Someone was always gunning for a Winchester. He couldn't allow her to be mixed up in his life. "I didn't mean-" He trailed off, staring at a crack in the motel wall. He didn't mean to hurt her. He didn't mean to leave her in grief and fear. Wherever he went, he fucked up everybody's lives. He couldn't do that to Lisa and Ben.
"Why?"she quivered, meeting his green eyed gaze. If she didn't stop the waterworks, he would soon be joining her. His voice was already thick with unrequited emotions. He was losing his composure, just looking at her. He had thought leaving her was the right choice, maybe he was wrong.
"I wanted to protect you,"he answered, honestly. She scoffed, immediately wrapping her arms around her midsection protectively. She was protecting herself from him, a subconscious action meant to keep the hurt in. "I wanted to give you an out."
"An out,"she questioned. Dean nodded, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. He knew he was giving his brother, his kids, and the group of strangers a show that topped most soap operas. He knew his boys were probably absorbing this drama with curiosity and fascination. Noses pressed to the impala's glass window. There would be questions. Many questions.
"Yes,"Dean stressed. "This life-" He waved his hands in emphasis, allowing the righteous side of him to come out tenfold. "Would end up killing me or even you." She stepped back, noting the frustrated green flames. "I couldn't let that happen. Have you live through that hurt. So, I disappeared." He turned away from her. "It's not somethin' I'm proud about." His gaze met her's once more. "Or that I wanted to do. But, I couldn't let this world drain you." Like it had drained him. Like it drained his brother. And how it would one day drain his own kids. "It just wouldn't be fair to you...or your son." He stressed the word son, hoping that she would understand his sacrifice. That was the hunter's life, a long road of sacrifice and hurt.
"You didn't give me a choice,"Lisa responded, though the fight and frustration had died down. Now, she just looked tired. Like the past year had just kicked her in the ass a few times too many. She had suffered in her own way. "Maybe, I wanted-" Her thought again trailed and she choked down her words, bowing her head in bone-chilling exhaustion. It made Dean wonder when she had slept last.
"Can't change the past,"Dean stated, pocketing his hands. His eyes darted over to the parked impala. His three kids' noses pressed against the window with wide eyed wonderment.
"No, you can't,"Lisa agreed. She waved her hand forward, quirking her head towards the motel apartment. "Let's go in." She eyed the sleazy men that leaned against the rail of the balcony, giving them a cold glare. "I think we've put on a long enough show." Her mouth quirked into an easy smile as she tried to will away the remaining emotions that lingered under the surface. She had more to say, but yelling at Dean wouldn't fix the past. "We can discuss our problem inside." She cocked her head, including her son in the issue that the Braeden family was currently facing. "Besides, Ben wants to see you-" He spotted the boy and smiled warmly. Ben was just itching to greet his hero. Ben was taller than last time Dean had seen the kid. Three years definitely made a difference.
"Yeah,"he agreed, before pausing and pointing towards the impala. "Let me just round up my family." He turned away from her, jogging down the steps before turning back. "I promise I'm not ditchin' again."
She snickered at the joke, gaining a reassuring grin from Dean. The hunter skipped the last two steps of the rusty staircase, before briskly walking towards the parked impala.
She leaned against the door frame. "Mom." Her gaze turned towards her son, who finally came into view. She wrapped her arms around Ben, holding him close as she rested her chin on top his head. He had grown tall. Soon he'd be taller than her. "Is Dean coming back?"
"He is,"She answered her son. She watched as the hunter moved around the impala. Immediately, she recognized Sam as he pulled his lengthy body out of the impala. "He's just-" Her eyes popped open, the moment three children followed. Two boys and a little girl. "What the hell." She watched as Dean guided them towards the motel, body stiff as he guarded the three children. Sam hovered for a second before making his way to the back of the impala and opening the trunk. He grabbed a dufflebag, slamming the trunk shut. As they approached the stairway up to the second story and her motel room, she began to notice small details. Hair color, face shape, freckles. All Dean. The twin boys even had Dean's brilliant green eyes and guarded features.
"What the hell,"she repeated again, stepping out into the open. Fingers combed her hair in silent shock. Last time she saw Dean, he was childless. Now, he was moving up the stairs, animatedly talking to three children. Sam covering the back with his large frame.
"Dean has kids?"Ben asked, glancing at his mother for answers. He hadn't known this detail and by the shocked expression on his mom's face, neither did she. Hell, the two boys were his age, maybe a year younger. Why hadn't Dean told them? Where were they hiding three years ago?
"Apparently,"Lisa replied, answering her son's question. She placed hands on hips as the family approached her motel room. At the top, Dean had pulled his kids closer, wrapping protective arms across their shoulders. "Dean-"
"Lisa,"Dean stated, brushing a hand through the little girl's wild mane. The girl smirked, nose wrinkled. "These are my kids." She stared at the trio gobsmacked. The two boys looked exactly like Dean. Uncannily like Dean and it was tripping her out. Sam stood to the side, surveying the area for any possible threats. Intent on ensuring the safety of his family.
"How,"Lisa asked, before gulping down her shock. Brows furrowed in suspicion. "When?" Her eyes blazed with suspicion. "What is going on?" and more quietly. "Why do those two boys look exactly like you?"
"That's a long story,"Dean admitted, shooting a look over at his brother. Sam shrugged, leaning against the railing. It was obvious they didn't like being out in the open with attentive ears around every corner.
"Then its a good thing we have time,"She stated, not allowing a counterargument to proceed.
"Dad,"one of the twins whispered, pulling Dean down to his height. "Just tell her the truth." Dean nodded, ruffling the child's hair.
"Come on,"Lisa stated. She waved them in, eyes darting back and forth, searching the surrounding one last time. She slammed the door shut, locking it tightly.
Dean told her everything. About his past year, finding Ben and Alec. Her eyes darted towards the twins once more. The boys had made themselves comfortable on the motel bed. Her eyes returned to Dean, who was waiting for an answer from her. About Manticore. Her stomach turned sour, upset by the horror show that Dean and Sam had taken turns describing. The twins had stayed silent, not wanting to relive the horror of the first half of their childhood. Clones, but not exactly clones. They contained different DNA as well. The other strong DNA template being feline. She didn't think her life could get any stranger, but it just did. They told her about Manticore's demise. She was starting to understand why Dean didn't return if he was dealing with this evil government conspiracy and protecting those two little boys.
Next, Dean explained Emma. How the little girl came to be a few weeks ago. That sent Lisa's head reeling and she had fallen into the old, rickety chair provided by the motel. She looked at her own Ben and her son was just as boggled as she was. Who would do that to children? Her gaze returned to Dean, admiration and respect growing for the hunter once more. He had saved these three kids. His three children.
"Lisa?" He pulled her out of her reveries. She shook her dazed head, her arm still holding her son close.
"Yes,"she answered. Her eyes bounced from one Winchester to the next. No longer were they a duo, but a team of five. "I just need time-" She noticed the fallen faces of the two boys on the bed. Those two little boys that had seen way too much in their young lives. She just wanted to tug them close and give them a hug, but knew that reaction wouldn't be appropriate. She was sure that Ben, she'd have to get used to two Bens now, and Alec wouldn't appreciate the gesture quite as much. They definitely didn't trust easily. The little girl sat next to one of the twins, head leaning against her brother's arm. "to wrap my head around this-" Her features were horror stricken. "It's horrible. I've never heard of something so horrible. Unbelievable even."
"I know,"Dean agreed, his eyes hadn't wavered far from his kids. A constant worry vibrated through the hunter's core. To Lisa, it was strange seeing him as a father figure. He hadn't seemed the type many years ago.
"You should have called me,"Lisa stated, sadly. "I could have helped." She would have helped too. Provided money, shelter, anything to help children in need. It hurt a bit that Dean hadn't trusted her enough to tell her the truth a year ago. That hurt wouldn't go away, but she could forgive him a bit for not coming back immediately to her and her own Ben. He had bigger issues at stake. Maybe, one day that hurt would dissipate.
"It wasn't a slight against your character, Lisa," Sam stated, immediately moving in to defend Dean's character. "It was just a crazy situation. We were tryin' to keep it under the radar-" His eyes darted over to his nephews and niece. "It was a secret kept among hunters, and only hunters. We really didn't want more people to know about this-"
"Why?" Though she immediately knew the answer, the moment the question popped out of her mouth. They were dealing with the government and...clones...transgenics...she had no idea what to make of the little boys yet. She had no idea how dangerous or powerful they were. If the general public learned about their existence, it would be mass hysteria. A blood bath. That couldn't...shouldn't be allowed to happen to innocent babes. She understood Dean's past M.I.A. He was protecting what he loved. "I see."
"Lisa,"Dean stressed. He seemed worried by her reaction. Her judgment. She recognized his body language. He was a papa bear protecting his cubs, the same way she was with her own son. Any wrong move on her part, they would be gone. Nothing but a memory.
"I understand,"Lisa responded, reassuringly. She grasped Dean's hand, feeling the hunter tense. Warm brown met concerned green. "Your secret is safe with me." She quirked her head to the side when both older hunters let out a sigh of relief. She was still gobsmacked. Mind-boggled. Completely overwhelmed by the revelation of government evils and crazy amazon warriors, but she had survived the changelings. If she managed to survive the changelings, she could most definitely survive this weird turn of events. If time called for it, she would willingly help as well. Winchesters needed allies around every corner, if Lisa understood their life's work correctly.
"Thanks,"Dean answered, appreciatively. The tense look gone and body relaxed. His kids immediately relaxed too, the moment they noticed their father unwind. Sam's stance had loosened considerably as well.
"Well." The adults turned to face the green eyed little rascal. The kid's hair flopped in front, Lisa couldn't tell which one was Ben and which one was Alec yet. She'd have to learn their personalities and names to accurately tell them apart. "Now, that this happy little update is over-" Dean rolled his eyes, meeting Sam's smirk. This kid was sarcastic, vibrating with attitude. "We should really get to the actual issue at hand-"
Lisa's brown eyes popped open. Right, the reason she called them here. The supernatural that was stalking her and her son and the neighbors that had been disappearing out of her neighborhood for the last few days.
"There are two Bens-" The little boy exclaimed, gesturing to his own brother, then to her son. Obviously, the little boy speaking was Alec. "What the hell are we gonna do about this conundrum?" His twin, Ben, snorted, shoving Alec playfully. The comment had even elicited a surprised chuckle from her own Ben. Definitely not the reminder she was expecting. But, it brought a little humor back into the sullen atmosphere. The boy looked deadly serious though as if this situation was the greatest catastrophe ever presented to mankind. "I'm deadly serious-" He looked to his father, waving his hand in exasperation at the two Bens present. "They're gonna get confused when everybody's shoutin' 'Ben'!" He fell back into the mattress, allowing his inner diva out. "Too many Bens,"he mumbled, poking at his sister before flinging an exasperated arm over his eyes. "Not enough Alecs." The little girl swatted at him, just as twin Ben fell back, next to his brother.
Lisa chuckled. They would need to find a solution to that little problem as well.
Well, end of chapter. Next chapter shall continue with the mystery drama of 'What the hell is stalking Lisa and Ben?!' Until next time! Please review!
