KNIGHT IN TARNISHED ARMOR
Disclaimer and Story Summary:
See Chapter 1
Beta:
Msokiedokie
Chapter Notes:
Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter. I'm very pleased that the long wait didn't stop you from reading and reviewing. Which brings us to chapter 11 and the last chapter of Knight in Tarnished Armor. Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Just Deserts
Leopold DeClerque was angry. No he was more than angry he was furious, apprehensive and yes he admitted it frightened; frightened of what The Winchesters would do with the damning information they now held in their grubby hands. He hadn't been frightened since… he couldn't remember when. It was their entire fault. First they had road blocked his casino plans championing that stubborn spinster Amelia Hart. They had the nerve to come to his office and told him so. Then and this was the frightening thing they had broken into his apartment to spite the security the management sprouted as the best in all of Texas and taken his most cherished possessions and it was those very things that could end everything for him.
In his haste to not be late for his dinner date with longtime friend, business partner and Dallas newly elected Mayor Julian Tate he'd left the proposal papers for his next business venture that Julian had expressed an interest in being a part of on the desk in his apartment.
He'd sent Bruno back to the apartment in the Limo with his chauffer to pick up the proposal and bring them to the restaurant. An hour after Bruno had gone and half way through an excellent spaghetti marinara his cell phone rang. Leo's chauffer's tinny, strained voice came down the line. The apartment had been broken into and who ever had been there had knocked Bruno out cold.
"Sir what do you want me to do? Should I call the police?" He finished.
Leo's guts twisted, "No, no don't do anything until I get there."
Disconnecting the phone without listening to the chauffer's reply he wiped remnants of the marinara from his mouth with a tablecloth sized napkin, pushed up and away from the table, "I'm sorry Julian something has come up that needs my immediate attention."
Julian had stammered confused by his friends sudden change of demeanor, "Of course," before Leo turned away Julian added, "Leo, anything I can do?"
Leo ignored Julian's question. "I'll call you tomorrow and reschedule, dinner's on me."
Leo had told Gino to give the mayor anything he wanted and to put it on his tab. Then he hurried as fast as he could out onto the street and hailed a passing cab. He speed dialed Byron. He answered curtly after 2 rings.
"Yes sir,"
"Meet me at the apartment now," He growled down the line.
15 minutes later the cab pulled up behind his limo parked in front of his apartment building. He threw some money in the direction of the cab driver and struggled out of the cab through the doors and into the foyer brushing off the security guard who said something to him that Leo took no notice of as he hurried into the elevator.
His own heavy breathing combined with his heartbeat pounding in his ears blocked out the music piping through the elevator.
What he found in the apartment made his blood run cold. He ignored the chauffer and Bruno who was seated at the kitchen table with an ice pack pressed against his jaw going straight up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom noting as he hurried past his office the overturned chair and the opened draw that he always kept locked.
The room was a mess the safe was open and its contents were strewn across the bed the canopy lying across it. The plaster of the wall opposite the door was cracked and broken. Shoving the fallen canopy aside he searched through the envelopes looking for one in particular. It was the only one missing.
Puffing from his exertions his face covered in sweat and beet red he went back down the hall to the computer desk the contents of the open draw were gone. He slammed the draw shut with a furious growl.
"Sir?"
Leo turned towards the enquiring voice. Byron stood standing in the apartment doorway; his long tailored coat clung to his small frame. Leo noticed that it was buttoned up wrong in his haste to answer his employer's summoning. He was running his leather gloves through his hand nervously.
"The safe has been broken into. The DVD's and the photos are missing," DeClerque said to Byron.
The words Byron was about to speak were cut off by Bruno, "Mr. DeClerque sir it was those two from the other day," Bruno said pulling the ice pack away from his swollen reddened jaw, "They were here when I arrived to pick up the papers you asked for."
Byron looked at Bruno, "What two? Not the two at Amelia Hart's?"
"Yeah them two." Bruno answered placing the ice pack back against his jaw.
Byron looked from Bruno back to Mr. DeClerque, "The Winchester's."
DeClerque's voice was low and filled with barely suppressed fury, "Winchester? You were supposed to take care of that. How could you let this happen?"
"I was I am, I… I'm sorry sir." Byron replied.
"Do you have any idea what this could mean? It could spell the end of everything I've worked for," His eyes like black beads pinned Byron, "Find them. NOW!"
- KITA -
When the Impala's powerful engine shut off Sam opened his eyes sitting up from where he was slumped against the cool glass of the passenger side window.
"We stopping?" he asked glancing at Dean across the car's dim interior.
His brother looked tired and drawn in the neon light spilling into the car from the vacancy sign of the hotel he'd pulled up in front of.
Looking across Sam at the hotel reception office Dean answered, "We can't do anything more tonight, besides I don't know about you but I'm beat and I want to fix your head," Dean answered, eyes drifting to the still weeping cut on Sam's head.
"I told you I'm fine Dean it's not even bleeding anymore," Sam said dabbing at the still weeping cut with the blood stained handkerchief. He looked at the handkerchief, adding, "Well not much."
"Sam you were unconscious, you might have concussion. I need to keep an eye on you. You know the rules," Dean stated as he got out of the car. He closed the door with the familiar squeak of hinges then leaned in through the open window. "Don't move until I get back," he ordered before he rounded the front of the car heading into the office.
Sam watched Dean through the window as talked with the man at the reception desk, organizing them a room.
He hadn't quite told the truth about being fine. He had a doozy of a headache centering behind the split skin over the swelling on his forehead. And knew Dean had to be tired and sore from their latest encounter with Bruno and Co.
After booking a room Dean had returned to the car, pulling open Sam's door he took his elbow and helped him out escorting him through the hotel foyer to the elevator. He handed him the room key card and more or less ordered him to go up the room on the third floor.
"What about you?" Sam asked as Dean turned back to the hotel entrance.
"I'm gonna park the car and get our stuff. Just go on up I won't be long,"
Dean parked the Impala in the parking basement threw a few things into the weapons bag and grabbed both his and Sam's duffle's along with Sam's laptop bag and the bulging buff envelope before taking the elevator up to the third floor. Sam had left the door unlocked and open wide enough for Dean to enter without having to use the door handle.
Sam was sitting on the bed furthest from the door; minus his jacket, shirt and shoes. He had the heels of his hands pressed against his eyes. He pulled them away looking up at Dean when he entered.
Dean's eyebrows pulled down in a worried frown, "Headache?"
"Oh yeah." Sam answered truthfully.
An hour later by the order of his big brother Sam was lying on his bed, eyes closed against the pain still thrumming through his head, finger tips massaging his temples. Dean had cleaned the cut and taped a square of gauze over the broken skin, but the headache hadn't diminished; if anything it was worse.
"You know they're gonna' come looking for us." Sam stated unnecessarily.
He heard the bathroom faucet turn on briefly and then off again before Dean's answer came to him from the bathroom, "I'm counting on it."
Eyes still closed Sam frowned at Dean's response, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Here take these," Dean's voice was now much closer.
Sam opened his eyes. Dean was standing over him with a glass of water in one hand and 2 capsules in the other. Sam noted with concern the pinched look and tiredness around Dean's eyes the new bruises forming across Dean's throat and jaw overlapping the fading ones from 2 days ago. It had only been a bit over a week since his brother had been in an explosion almost drowned in the creek had a major fever from infection, bashed on the head with a rock and then beaten up by three of DeClerque's thugs. And Dean was worried about him with a bump on the head and headache.
Sam examined the pills suspiciously, "What are they?"
"Tylenol, take 'em," Dean answered.
"What about you?" Sam asked.
"I'm good… just tired is all," Dean answered, rubbing at his eyes with the sides of his index fingers.
Sam sat up looking at him critically before downing the capsules with half the water. He then placed the glass on the nightstand in between the beds.
Dean sat down on the side of the other bed facing Sam. Untying his boots he toed them off then tipped sideways lying down on his side with an exhausted groan his feet still on the floor.
Dean was asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow of the still made bed.
Sam smiled and not wanting to wake him whispered, "So much for keeping an eye on me."
In this last ten days Sam had come close to losing him yet again and had actually thought him dead for a horrifying few of those days. He didn't want to go through that again. He couldn't lose him not now not ever. Those dark days were like a nightmare and still vivid in his mind. He lost his anchor, his rock, his constant. And now that Dean was beside him again it just felt right. It hadn't taken long to get back in their old routine side by side fighting evil in whatever guise it presented itself at the moment the guise was human.
Sam stood looking down at his battered and bruised sleeping brother. Memorizing ever feature. After a couple of minutes he lifted Dean's legs onto the bed. Dean immediately rolled onto his stomach pushing his hand under the pillow. After Dean had settled again Sam pulled the comforter around him cocooning him in it as best as he could with Dean lying on top of it before going back to his own bed. The Tylenol was kicking in taking the edge off his headache bringing it down to a manageable level. Pulling his own comforter up to his chest he settled back to sleep. He was drifting off when a thought came to him. Dean hadn't answered his question when Sam had asked him what he'd meant by, "I'm counting on it."
- KITA -
When Sam woke his headache had all but gone and Dean's bed was empty. He could sense that Dean wasn't in the room. Sure enough he keys to The Impala and the bulging envelope containing the photos and DVD's were gone from the table where Dean had thrown them last night. In their place was a note.
Sammy,
Taking care of some stuff. I'll bring back food.
Dean.
Sam scratched at the back of his head and glanced at his watch he was surprised to see it was after 9 he'd slept for almost 10 hours. He wondered how long Dean had been gone.
After he was showered and dressed Dean hadn't returned so Sam booted up the laptop taking advantage of the hotel's free WIFI. At least he could do some research while Dean was out. He hacked into the Dallas police department's missing person's records. He didn't need the photos or tapes to remember the faces of those boys they were burned into his memory. He went back to 1988 the year DeClerque arrived in The US. It was in 1994 that the first of the faces he recognized came up.
Which Sam calculated meant that DeClerque had been doing this for 18 years possibly longer. All of the boys he'd seen in the DVD's and photos and many more that weren't were listed as missing.
A lot of the boys were thought to be runaways, others street kids and child prostitutes and a few were from good homes and families. None of the boys or their bodies had ever been found.
He heard the key card in the lock. The door opened and Dean backed in juggling a cardboard tray with takeout coffee in one hand paper bags in the other and the key card in the other and the envelope tucked under his right arm. A savory smell wafted from the bags to Sam making his mouth water. He was hungry.
"Where you been? Sam asked shutting the lid of the lap top as Dean turned and kicked the door shut then put everything filling his arms on the table next to Sam.
"Taking care of DeClerque," Dean answered as he shrugged out of his jacket and threw it in the direction of the table as he crossed the room it landed on top of the stolen envelope pulling his colt from the waistband of his jeans dropping it on the bed as he stood in front of Sam.
"How?" Sam asked, looking up at Dean.
"First things first I'm starving. I bought Chinese," Dean said going into the bathroom.
Sam opened up the bags and peered inside before taking the containers out and laying them on the table. He heard the faucet turn on and the splashing of water.
Opening up the container of fried rice he dug the plastic spoon into it, "You've been gone all morning."
"Well it takes time to arrange the demise of a perverted sicko like DeClerque Sammy."
"While you were out I did some research. I think he's been doing this for a long time 18 years at least," Sam said as he peeled the lid off of some beef chow mein. Glancing over his shoulder at Dean, face dripping with water stopped in the bathroom doorway holding a beige hand towel.
"Yeah, why doesn't that surprise me?" He said as he patted dry his face before he began drying his hands as he turned disappearing into the bathroom.
There was a knock on the door. Sam dropped the chops sticks he was in the process of unwrapping and stood going to the door. Unlocking it he turned the handle pulling open the door for a moment he was looking into the barrel of a silencer a split second before it descended swiftly colliding with his forehead.
Dean heard the knock and Sam unlocking the door and then nothing. Dropping the towel onto the vanity he moved back towards the bedroom, "Sammy who is-"
The room seemed to be full of people. His eyes going first to Sam who lay on the carpet opposite the door and in between the table and the beds. His eyes were shut and he wasn't moving.
Bruno and the other 2 thugs they'd encountered at Amelia's crowded the room inside the doorway. One of them had a 38 pointed directly at Sam where he lay on the floor. Bruno's and the other thug's pistols were aimed in his direction. All the weapons had silencers attached. Bruno was smiling.
"What did you do to my brother?"
"Nothing much… yet. He's taking a little nap."
"If you hurt him I'll kill you," Dean's voice was full of menace. His eyes slid from Sam to the bed where his .45 lay well out of his reach and much closer to Bruno and co.
Seeing Dean's eyes fall briefly on the Colt his smile widened, "Go on give me a reason."
Byron who's much smaller frame had been hidden behind the 3 hulks filling the room closed the hotel door and stepped in between Bruno and the third thug.
"Any time."
Byron spoke for the first time, "No Bruno."
"Yeah Bruno down boy." Dean ducked his head looking at Bruno's red, swollen jaw, "How's the jaw by the way?"
Bruno took a menacing step towards Dean.
Byron stopped him, "Bruno I said no, now back off."
"Better do what the man says," Dean said angering the big man even further.
"I owe this bastard and Mr. DeClerque said he wants him taken care of. Let me do it I'll wipe that smug smile off his face for good."
"You do as I say," Byron said looking up at the big man.
Surprisingly Bruno did as he asked.
Byron turned back to face Dean, "How'd you find us?" Dean asked.
"It was just luck that Karl here spotted you coming out of the Chinese takeout," Byron indicated the man holding the pistol on Sam.
"Mr. DeClerque is very, very angry with you. You took something of his and he wants it back."
"Your boss is a sick, twisted, murdering pedophile and that evidence is gonna bring him to justice," Dean paused for a second, "No you're not getting it back." He added with small shake of his head.
"You give it to me or… your brother gets a bullet between the eyes, Karl," Byron answered.
Karl moved forward a step leaned down and pressed the silencer against Sam's temple.
Dean had no doubt that they would go through with the threat and Sam's life for some photos? There was no contest, "Alright on the table, take them and leave."
Byron went to the table where the buff envelope was hidden by Dean's jacket. Pushing the jacket aside he tipped the contents onto the table. Once satisfied it was all there he stuffed it back into the envelope.
Sam was beginning to stir his eyelashes fluttered, his head rolled on the carpet.
"If you want to keep on breathing I suggest you leave town and don't come back. Is that clear?"
"Crystal." Dean replied.
"Let's go." Byron said turning, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway.
"You gonna let em go?" Bruno said frowning, "Mr. DeClerque wants 'em dead."
"And I said let's go."
Karl lifted the gun away from Sam's head before he and the still nameless thug backed out the door leaving Bruno facing off with Dean.
"Your master is calling Bruno, off you go like a good little boy."
Bruno took a step towards Dean his face flushed with anger.
"Bruno!" Byron's voice called from outside the doorway.
With one last hate filled look Bruno turned and followed the others out into the hallway.
In a heartbeat Dean was at Sam's side, he placed his palm against Sam's cheek and patted it gently, "Sam, Sammy."
Sam's lashes fluttered and opened. His hazel eyes focused on Dean's concerned face above him,
"Ow." He said blinking.
"Your head again huh? How does it you feel? Dean asked.
"Like it got pistol whipped for the second time in 24 hours," Sam answered, his fingertips going to the rapidly darkening circular spot on his head beside the bandage, "Hurts." He added in a small voice.
"Looks like it missed the stitches. Lucky for you you've got a hard head."
"That's very helpful… thanks." Sam said as Dean helped him to a sitting position, "How'd they find us so soon?"
"Saw me coming out of the Chinese." Dean replied with a hint of a smile.
Sam's eyes went from his brother's face to the open door and then to the table. Seeing the envelope was no longer on the table he tried to struggle to his feet.
Dean's hand on his shoulder stopped Sam from rising, "Whoa there tiger I gotta make sure you're alright."
"Dean I'm fine. They took it. We can't let them go."
"Yeah we can."
"No. We can't."
"Yes we can."
Sam looked at Dean exasperated, "Dean this is getting us now where, man. Why are you just letting them go? We've got nothing to bring him down."
"Sam trust me DeClerque is taken care of. He's never going to hurt another human being ever again."
It was then part of the conversation he and Dean had last night came to the forefront of Sam's mind. "You know they're gonna' come looking for us," And Dean's answer, "I'm counting on it." "Wait you wanted them to find us. Dean tell me what's going on or I'm going to beat it out of you?"
"It will be a cold day in hell when that happens Sammy boy." A custom Dean Winchester smirk crossed his face.
- KITA -
More than 24 hours had gone by since Byron, Bruno and Co. had stolen back the evidence against DeClerque and Sam was annoyed big time. And as always it was because of Dean. He had refused to tell him anything about where he'd been yesterday morning, why he'd let DeClerque's goons purposely find them and why they were here.
Sam swallowed another mouthful of coffee, "What are we doing here Dean? This is crazy cuz in case you failed to notice this is DeClerque's office building?" Sam said annoyed, "What are we waiting for huh?" He stared daggers at Dean, who shoved the last piece of his third iced donut into mouth, "Dean!"
It was late afternoon and they were sitting in the lounge area outside the coffee shop in the lobby of Rosewood Court. And they'd been here for nearly 2 hours.
"Patience Sammy, patience," Dean answered licking the sticky icing from his fingertips, "all will be revealed."
Sam's less than flattering reply was cut off when Dean sat forward looking over Sam's shoulder towards the entrance, "Here we go. It's show time."
Sam twisted in his seat and saw two men in suits and coats striding with purpose and authority towards the security point. Sam instantly knew they were police or detectives by their baring. In a seemingly choreographed move they simultaneously pulled badges from their inner pockets and flashed them at the security guards. After exchanging a few words with the guards they passed through the checkpoint the metal detector went off causing all eyes to turn to the men as they strode across the foyer passing by the brothers on their way to the elevator.
As the doors slid closed Sam looked at Dean, "Detectives? What are they doing here?"
Dean grinned lifting his hands in front of him he splayed them out and away from to either side of his body mimicking a headline banner, "Watch this space."
Less than 10 minutes later the doors opened and DeClerque was escorted out a detective on either side out they marched him across the foyer of his own building. DeClerque's hands were cuffed behind him. Dean thought he looked even more like Jabba the Hut as he protested loudly, multiple chins wobbling, "Do you know who I am? I'll have your badges for this."
His eyes landed on the brothers as he passed where they were seated his shocked flushed, sweaty face turned redder with anger when Dean flicked him a 2 fingered salute off his temple.
After DeClerque was hustled past the shocked people in the lobby and out through the doors onto the street disappearing from view. Sam turned to his brother.
Dean was smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary, "You did this?"
"Yep."
"How?"
"You wanted to know what I was doing yesterday morning. Well I found an internet café in Dallas scanned all the photos into a computer, uploaded the videos and put it all onto flash drives. I sent one to the police crime squad and one to the Dallas Morning News."
"But why did you let DeClerque's goons find us when we had the evidence we needed? All we had to do was hang onto it."
"Because when the police searched DeClerque's apartment they would have found the video's and photos, there'd be no doubt that the stuff on the flash drives is genuine and not photo shopped or manipulated in some way. The story should headline the evening edition of Dallas Morning News, which in itself is a contradiction for a newspaper that calls itself the Morning News."
Sam nodded his head in approval, "So you did want them to find us?
"Yes Sammy I was as conspicuous as possible." Dean answered.
"Very clever. You think that up all your own?"
"I've told you before Sammy, you don't have go to college to be a genius."
"Shut up jerk." Sam said with a warm affectionate smile.
"Hey think DeClerque might lose a few pounds in the slammer."
"I don't know about that but he'll most probably get the death sentence for what he's done." Sam speculated.
"Just deserts, Sammy just deserts," Dean said thoughtfully. Rising from the chair he added well naturedly, "Hitch up your skirt Samantha and let's get going. But first I'm gonna get some more of those delicious iced donuts… for the road."
"Speaking of just deserts. If you keep on eating those you'll soon be as big as DeClerque." Sam answered.
"Me? Never… good metabolism."
- KITA -
The sun was sitting low just above the western horizon. The tall buildings of the Dallas CBD emptying of workers at the end of another business day cast long shadows across the teeming streets as the brothers made their way back to The Impala.
Later Sam had stepped out to pick up food and a copy of The Dallas Morning News at a newsstand a block away from the hotel.
Sitting at the end of the bed Dean flicked on the TV. A commercial for Budweiser filled the screen it was followed by a car insurance commercial fading from the screen the Dallas evening news returned. In the bottom left corner of the screen was the station logo KDAF-33 beside that a scrolling news bar ran in a loop. The newscaster a middle-aged woman with hair an impossibly unnaturally shade of red and a high pitched nasal voice grinned toothily out of the screen:
"Welcome back to channel 33 evening news.
Reviewing our lead story.
South African born Dallas businessman Leopold DeClerque was arrested this afternoon.
A Dallas police spokesman said Mr. DeClerque was taken into police custody after evidence from an anonymous source was submitted to the police department and further investigation uncovered evidence at Mr. DeClerque's luxury Dallas apartment.
DeClerque has been charged with sexual intercourse of a minor without consent and more charges are likely to be laid for the disappearance and suspected murder of approximately 23 male youths aged from 12 to16.
Business partner and friend of Mr. DeClerque Mayor Julian Tate made a statement earlier this evening in which he said he was shocked by the allegations leveled at Mr. DeClerque.
At this stage Mayor Tate is not a suspect in any wrong doing. And we'll have more on this story as details come to hand. In other news-"
Dean flicked off the TV as the door opened and Sam came in carrying a plastic bag with takeout containers inside and a folded newspaper tucked under his arm.
As he closed the door behind him Sam said."You were right."
"About?" Dean asked.
"About everything," Sam answered; placing the bag on the table he pulled the paper out from under his arm and spun it across the room in Dean's direction.
Dean caught the paper against his chest, "Yeah, I just saw the evening news," unfolding the paper he studied the front page.
Splashed across the evening edition was: HIGH PROFILE LOCAL BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF PEDOPHILIA AND MURDER.
The paper was sprouting about how they broke the story after receiving information from an anonymous source. The story wasn't the only thing Dean had been right about. The police had found the photos and videos at DeClerque's apartment after they also received information which had subsequently led to the South African expatriate's arrest.
"What did you get, I'm starving." Dean said. Standing he threw the paper onto the bed came over to the table.
Sam was taking colorful boxes and plastic containers from the plastic bag and placing them on the table. "Chicken, fries and coleslaw."
"Fried?" Dean said sitting at the table.
"The chicken or the slaw?"
One side of Dean's lip curled. "Very funny, smart ass."
"Yeah Dean the chicken is fried."
They ate in silence. Dean was extraordinarily quiet and picking halfheartedly at the chicken and fries. Sam surreptitiously watched Dean as he ate. There had to be something wrong for Dean not to attack the chicken with his usual enthusiasm and gusto.
Dean had something on his mind that was obvious. Sam had to find a way to get Dean to open up.
"Something wrong with the chicken, Dean?"
"What?" Dean looked from the chicken he held in hand to Sam.
"The chicken? You're not eating."
"No the chicken is fine. I was thinking about… Amelia." Dean said throwing a half-eaten drumstick back into the box and wiping his hands together.
Sam was surprised by his brother's statement. He hadn't expected this. He waited for Dean to elaborate.
Dean traced a fingertip over the wood grain pattern on the table top. His thoughts turned inwards.
He couldn't get Amelia's sad face out of his head as they'd driven away from her place. He knew she believed they wouldn't return and although they had only been gone for 3 days he wanted to get back. He didn't want Amelia to think he had abandoned her. He wanted see her face light up when he told her that DeClerque wouldn't be bothering her ever again and that she could stay in her family home for the rest of her life… alone. Because when he and Sam left and they would leave because they had the apocalypse to stop meant she would be alone again. Her soft gray eyes would fill with tears when her storybook hero Damon Knight, her knight in shining armor would leave her to her lonely existence with only her animals for company.
"Dean?" Sam's tone was soft and enquiring.
Dean didn't look up from the table. "She's been alone nearly her whole life Sam. She's got no one. Except for her nephew who died 18 years ago she's lived in that house alone."
Sam stayed silent he watched Dean wondering where this was going.
Dean at last looked up from the table at his brother. Sam noted Dean still looked tired dark circles shadowed his green eyes and his posture silently screamed; exhausted.
"The night before we left when I followed Amelia out to barn I overheard her talking to Blossom."
"Blossom?" Sam asked.
"Yeah. You know her horse."
"Right her horse… Blossom." Sam's voice held a note of amusement.
Dean didn't notice. He continued as if Sam hadn't spoken. "She was so sad Sam, she said… she'd gotten used to me being around and she felt like she was alive for the first time since Nick died. When I go all she's got is her animals."
"Dean it's more than a lot of people have." The amusement was gone from Sam's voice.
"Yeah I know but…"
"What Dean?"
"She saved my life Sam. I owe her… everything."
Sam leaned forward across the table. "What are saying Dean? You want to stay or something?"
"No of course not it's just I wish there was more I could do… you know?"
"Dean you saved her home. You saved her from DeClerque's thugs. You saved her life Dean. There's not a lot else you can do." Sam tried for reason.
"I know… you're right." Dean shook his head then picked up the drumstick he'd discarded earlier. "I'm being…"
"Human?" Sam finished.
"I was gonna say stupid. But human is… good." Dean answered before he bit into the drumstick.
- KITA -
"You want a drink already man? It's a little early don't you think?" Sam said glancing at his watch, then peering around Dean to the closed sign hanging inside the front door, "It's not even open."
They had left Dallas early as the first rays of the sun broached the horizon. Dean had only stopped once for food and gas just over the Oklahoma boarder. They'd made good time and it was only 1pm. Dean had driven into Ada and pulled up on the main street across from Maurie Mack's Tavern.
"I'm not here to drink Sam. I'm here to talk to Maurie." Dean answered as he turned off the engine.
"How do you know Maurie?" Sam said surprised.
"He's a friend of Amelia's."
"That doesn't explain why you want to talk to him."
"I want you to meet him and I have something else I want to discuss with him. Dean explained opening the door getting out and closing it behind him.
Sam stared at his brother through the open window as he crossed the street stepped up onto the sidewalk heading towards the tavern's front door. He had one hand on the handle when he turned saying over his shoulder loud enough for Sam to hear. "You comin' or what?"
Dean waited at the front door for Sam to get out of the car and make his way over to the stand beside him. When he stepped up next to him Dean pushed open the door and they entered the darkened tavern.
Sam stood inside the closed door letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. The bar at the back of the large room was lit from above and some light that filtered in through the windows to the right.
Dean called out as he stepped between the tables and chairs towards the bar. "Maurie you here?"
Sam followed Dean and jumped when a deep masculine voice emanated out of the darkness to the left of the bar." Damon?"
Both the brother's heads turned in the direction of the voice. Sam could just see the outline of a man as he stood from the table in the far left corner emerging from the dark corner into the light cast from above the bar.
His white teeth flashed in the darkness of his face as he smiled at Dean.
Maurie was around 70 and a giant a good 2 inches taller than Sam and twice as wide. His short wiry hair was shot through with silver and even Sam had to look up at the man that made Bruno look like a midget. The muscles of his biceps strained against his shirt sleeves as he clasped Dean's hand in greeting clapping him on the shoulder enthusiastically.
"It's good to see you Damon." He said smiling as he continued to pump Dean's hand.
"Actually it's Dean," Dean said as Maurie let go of his hand. Dean had to resist the urge to shake feeling back into the appendage, "And this is my brother Sam." Dean finished half turning towards Sam.
"Sam. A pleasure." Maurie said repeating the handshake.
"You got a minute?" Dean asked.
"Always and it gets me away from the damned paperwork."
Sam glanced at the paper strewn table Maurie had been seated at. Wondering how he could see anything in the dark.
"You want a beer? Maurie asked looking between the brothers.
"Yeah. Why not." Dean answered.
Lifting the bar break Maurie went behind the bar thumping 3 glasses down on the wooden top. "What about you Sam a beer?"
"Sounds good."
Dean sat at the bar as Maurie pulled the beers. Sam slid onto the stool beside him, his shoulder touching Dean's.
"As you can no doubt guess I got my memory back." Dean started.
Maurie nodded putting 2 of the 3 beers down in front of them. "Yeah I know. I saw Amelia a couple of days ago she told me you had gone to Dallas with your brother to take care of DeClerque. She also told me Sam was the man who was looking for you. The man you were dreaming about."
Before Dean could answer Sam said. "You were dreaming about me? You never told me that."
Dean looked from the beer he was nursing to Sam and shrugged. "It was all very… vague. I could never see you clearly your face was turned away and you were always out of reach like you were running from me." He said then took a pull on the beer.
Sam didn't know what to say. Dean dreamed he was running from him and although Sam regretted it had he had run away from Dean a few times in the past and Dean always found him and Sam was glad he always found him.
Dean shot him a sidelong look before turning back to Maurie. "Anyway we took care of DeClerque. He will never bother anyone ever again. That piece of filth will spend the rest of his miserable life in jail that's if he doesn't get the death sentence."
Maurie nodded. "I know about that too. It headlined the papers right across the country. Good job," Maurie paused glancing between the brothers, "that evidence that turned up anonymously was that for real or…"
"Did we fake it?" Dean finished.
"Well yeah."
"It was for real. DeClerque is a pedophile and he did kill those boys. I don't think I'll ever forget those photos."
"So that's the end of it then?"
Dean nodded. "The end of it for Amelia and the beginning of just deserts for DeClerque
"Amelia will be pleased." Maurie said lifting the glass to his lips.
"Wait. Amelia doesn't know?"
Maurie swallowed his mouthful of beer before answering. "No not yet it only hit the Oklahoma papers today and Amelia doesn't get any papers unless she comes to town she doesn't have a telephone and I don't think that ancient TV of hers has worked for years. I was going to take a run out to her place this afternoon to give her the news."
Dean cleared his throat. "Maurie I need to ask you something, something personal, about you and… Amelia."
Maurie pulled his head back in surprise at the change of subject glancing at Sam. Sam returned his look with one that said 'I've got no clue' shrugging one shoulder to emphasize to Maurie that he didn't know where Dean was going with this.
"Well out with it then what's on your mind?"
"Here goes. I've seen the way she looks at you the way you look at her. You care for her don't you?"
Sam looked at Dean amazed.
"Yeah I care for her a lot. She's a good friend."
"I think it's more than that. You love her. Am I right?"
For a moment or two Sam thought Maurie was going to introduce his giant meaty fist to Dean's face.
The big man had a strange look on his face a mixture of shock and admiration for Dean's moxie. And then his face split into a grin and the white teeth made an appearance his eyes crinkled at the corners and he chuckled. A deep rumble that started deep in his chest.
"Yeah you are. I love her. I have done for a long time."
"I knew it," Dean said with a satisfied smile, "and I believe she feels the same way about you."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah I do. Okay so listen up I've got a plan." Out the corner of his eye Dean saw Sam roll his eyes. "Shut up Sam."
"I didn't say anything." Sam said defensively.
"Yeah but I could hear you thinking and you think too loud."
Maurie smiled at the brothers in turn amused by their good natured banter. He then leaned forward over the bar dark eyes narrowed getting in eagerness for Dean to continue. "I'm listening. What's the plan?" He almost whispered.
- KITA -
An hour later The Impala pulled up out the front of Amelia's house. Before Dean had even shut off the engine the front door opened and Amelia preceded marginally by Pearl or rather a white furry missile flew out of the door and down the steps.
Pearl reached him first. As Dean stood and turned from the car Pearl launched herself at him her large front paws on his shoulders forcing him back into the side of the car. Dean let out a startled, "ufff."
"Pearl down, "Amelia said breathlessly, stopping in front of Dean taking hold of Pearl's collar, "enough." She began tugging gently until the over enthusiastic dog's 4 feet were once again on the ground.
As Dean stepped away from the car Amelia took Pearl's place wrapping Dean in a bear hug any WWF wrestler would be proud of Pearl barking happily, dancing and prancing around them with pleasure.
"You came back." She said breathlessly.
"Of course I came back I told you I would." Dean said returning her hug.
With a final squeeze Amelia stepped back holding Dean at arm's length she scanned his face, "Let me look at you. You're all in one piece, you look tired though," her eyes slid to his neck, narrowing when she saw the bruises coloring his throat. Dean tugged at collar of his t-shirt belatedly trying to hide the discolored flesh. "Wait what's this? You have bruises on your neck?"
Dean heard the car door open and close behind him and could sense Sam's amusement. "It's nothing. I'm alright… really," he said embarrassed, "Sam had it worse."
Amelia looked over Dean's shoulder at Sam standing on the other side of the Impala. "Sam come here and let me look at you," her tone motherly and firm at the same time.
Pearl sat at Dean's feet looking up at him lovingly, tail thumping loudly on the ground sending puffs of dust into the air. Dean reached out and ruffled the dogs big head, "Yeah Sam, don't be shy," Dean motioned for Sam to come closer, "let Amelia look at you."
Sam gave Dean a sarcastic smile but came reluctantly around the front of the car kicking at the dirt with the toes of his boots looking for the entire world like an overgrown kid about to face punishment from his grandma for some childish misdemeanor. Your turn to be embarrassed now Sammy.
Stopping in front of Amelia he kept his head down looking at his dusty boots. Amelia reached up lifting his chin with the side of her finger then she gently smoothed the shaggy bangs away from Sam's forehead to examine the bandage and the bruise to the side of it.
"You poor boy does it hurt," Amelia said moving her hand to rest on his cheek.
Sam stammered out an answer in a small voice that sounded to Dean something like, "Its fine really it doesn't hurt anymore."
"Come inside and I'll put some witch hazel on those bruises." Amelia said taking Sam by the hand and leading him towards the steps, "You too Da- Dean." Quickly correcting the near slip of calling him by the name she had given him.
Sam looked over his shoulder at Dean who was still grinning from ear to ear at Sam's discomfort. Sam glared back his lip curling which only to make Dean chuckle.
With Pearl dancing at his heels he followed them into the house.
- KITA -
"DeClerque is in jail?" Amelia asked stunned, "really?"
"Really." Sam answered as Amelia dabbed at his bruises with a wad of cotton soaked in witch hazel.
"What for?" Amelia asked.
"Murder, for one." Dean answered.
"Murder?"
"Yeah amongst other things."
"Other things?"
"Do I hear an echo in here?" Dean said, smiling.
Amelia stopped her ministrations of Sam looking at Dean. "An echo? No I don't hear-"
Dean's smile turned into a grin.
Amelia put her empty hand on her hip. "You're sassing me." She said color flushing her face and barely able to contain her smile.
"About DeClerque being in jail for murder or the echo in here?" Dean answered with mock seriousness.
Amelia hit him lightly on the arm. "Stop teasing."
Dean chuckled, apologizing. "Sorry Am."
Amelia's face dropped.
Dean saw the change sitting forward. "What is it? I say something wrong?"
"It's… just that no one called me Am since…Teddy used to call me that." Amelia gave herself a mental shake, looking at Sam. "You're done Sam. Dean your turn."
Sam and Dean shared a look before Dean answered. "I'm good."
"No you're not. Now let me take care of you."
"Dean. Come on." Sam said.
Dean sighed. "Oh alright." He pulled the neck of his t-shirt down exposing the bruises to Amelia who was hovering over him with a fresh wad of witch hazel soaked cotton.
"How did you get these?" She asked as she dabbed at them gently.
"Umm had another set to with Bruno." Dean answered.
"Bruno? That thug that hit you?"
"That'd be him."
Sam interjected. "We were in DeClerque's apartment digging up some dirt and Bruno showed up. He knocked me out and did that to Dean."
Amelia now finished ministering to Dean's bruises straightened looking between the brothers. "So to spite of Bruno I gather you found what you were looking for?"
"Yep." Dean answered simply.
"How did you get DeClerque arrested?"
"Dean put a sting on him." Sam answered, looking over at Dean, "I wish he'd told me about it though."
Dean shrugged.
Amelia looked between the brothers, confused. "A sting? Like a bee sting? I don't understand." She shook her head.
Dean answered. "You know like Redford and Newman… a sting?"
Amelia shook her head again wisps of silver hair falling loose from her ponytail. "I don't know what that means."
"We set him up. Basically made sure the evidence ended up in the right hands at the right time."
Sam interrupted. "You set him up, Dean."
Amelia stepped back away from Dean dropping the cotton swab into the bowl on the table, brushing the errant strands of hair away from her face. "Oh now I think I understand."
Dean let the t-shirt go tugging it back up over his throat.
"One of Dean's plans that actually worked." Sam said.
Dean looked affronted. "Hey my plans always work."
Sam raised one eyebrow. "Always?"
"Well… 99 percent of the time."
"Yeah? What about the-"
Amelia interrupted. "Boy's that's enough of that."
The brothers dropped their heads at Amelia's chastising tone. She looked at each of them before she continued. "I'm sure Dean's plans work fine and…" lifting their heads Dean smiled and Sam began to protest.
"But-" Sam began only to be stopped by Amelia.
"And I'm sure Sam's plans work just as well. Now you hungry?"
Before either could answer sounds of an engine accompanied by tires crunching in the dirt and stones came from out the front.
Amelia looked up in that direction and frowned. "I wonder who that is." Leaving the kitchen heading towards the front door as she spoke.
Sam and Dean exchanged a look. "Maurie," Sam mouthed silently.
A few seconds later they heard Maurie's deep voice. "Hey Amelia."
"Show time!" Dean said, standing. Sam followed Dean as he went through the doorway into the living area.
"Maurice come in please it's nice to see you. Sam and Dean are back from Dallas."
Maurie stepped past Amelia into the room. "Yes I know."
"You know?" Amelia said as she closed the door.
Maurie looked to his left at the brothers standing at the back of the room giving a curt nod of his head.
Amelia glanced at the brothers.
"Amelia I need to talk to you." Maurie said changing the subject.
"Of course come on through to the kitchen."
"Alone."
"Oh."
Dean stammered. "We've got to go… out the back and do…"
"Something." Sam finished.
"Yeah, something." Dean agreed with a flash of a smile.
With that and Pearl close behind they turned back into the kitchen and moments later the back door closed behind them.
"Maurice what's going on?" Amelia asked suspicious of the 3 men's strange behavior.
"I have something of the utmost importance to ask you."
"We'd better sit down then."
- KITA -
Obsi was once again sunning himself on the hood of the pickup his head resting on his front paws. His green eyes on the brothers as they approached.
"Hey there Obsi. You really like to suntan on this old truck don't you?" Dean said to the sleek feline.
"Prrrrr." Obsi answered as if in agreement.
Dean leaned back against the hood bent one leg back hooking the heel of his boot onto the bumper bar. Reaching to his left he ran his hand down the length of Obsi's shiny silky coat. The cat immediately began to purr his whole body vibrating with pleasure his front feet stretching out along the hood. Pearl looked up at Dean then turned in a circle before lying down resting her large head on her big paws.
Skirting around the dog Sam stood next to Dean facing his brother leaning his thigh against the vehicle. Looking back at house.
They were silent for a couple of minutes. Enjoying the warm afternoon late October sunshine. Listening to sounds around them. Obsi's purr, Pearl's breathing, the lite breeze moving through the trees a bird calling out nearby an answering call further away, Blossom from her stall in the barn gave a soft whinny.
Sam broke the silence. "You think this is gonna work?" His gaze sliding from the house to Dean's profile.
"Dunno Sammy we'll see soon enough. Keep your fingers crossed." Dean answered his eyes on the middle distance.
"She's a nice lady a really nice lady."
"Yeah she is. She deserves to have a happy ending."
Sam didn't say anything for a moment. "So do you Dean. You deserve a happy ending. More than anyone."
Dean turned his head meeting Sam's hazel eyes. "Don't think there's gonna be a happy ending for me Sam."
"What makes you so sure? You should be rewarded for all the good you've done in this world."
Not knowing what to say Dean continued to watch Sam's face.
Dean's expressive green eyes held Sam's. His brother seemed to be searching for something to say a way to deny Sam's words that he deserved a happy ending.
Breaking eye contact Dean looked towards the house. "I wonder what's happening."
"They make a nice couple, An odd couple but they look good together. "Sam said lightening the mood.
"Yeah," Dean smiled, "a match made in heaven."
From Dean's pocket came the strains of his cell phone ringtone. Dean pulled it out glanced at the caller ID before answering.
"Hey Bobby."
Sam watched Dean's profile as he listened to Bobby eyes cast down to the ground.
"You sure this is a case?"
More silence as Dean heard Bobby's answer. "Yeah okay we'll pack up and leave right away… we'll call you when we get there." Dean closed his phone pushing it back in his pocket.
"Bobby got a case?" Sam asked.
"Yeah maybe. He wants us to check it out."
Sam exhaled. "Another simple salt and burn like this one huh."
Dean gave a half laugh. "Yeah."
"So you right to leave?"
The back door opened and Amelia came out. "Depends."
"On what?"
"On her." Dean motioned with his head to Amelia as she came towards them.
"Hey everything alright with Maurie?" Dean asked as she approached.
Amelia stopped in front of them looking down at the ground at their feet. "Yeah err… he umm… told me he loved me and he asked me to marry him." The last part was rushed out.
Dean lowered his head trying to catch her eye. "And?"
"I said," She draw in a breath her gray eyes lifted to Dean's face, "I said I'd have to think about it."
"What's to think about, Maurie's a great guy and he cares about you Amelia, he cares deeply."
"Yeah I know he does and I care for him I have for a very long time… but…?"
"What Amelia. What's stopping you? You deserve a man like Maurie you deserve a happy ending Amelia."
"It's just that I'm…" her eyes lowered again to the ground. "I'm… scared."
"You scared?" Dean said. "No way you're the bravest person I know."
Amelia looked up at him though her lashes. "I'm a 67 year old spinster and the man I've loved for more than half of my life has just asked me to marry him. For the first time in my life I'm scared… scared that I'll wake up and I dreamed it."
Dean stepped away from the hood gathering Amelia in his arms. "Dear, sweet Amelia. It's not a dream, it's real and Maurie loves you he has done for a long time."
Amelia pushed away from him so she could look up into his face. "How do you know that?"
"He told me."
"He told you?" Then realization widened her eyes. "You did this?"
"Let's just say I convinced Maurie to show his hand."
Amelia pulled out of his arms. "Well then I guess there's only one thing left to do."
"Tell Maurie yes?" Dean guessed.
"Tell Maurie yes," She turned and began to run down the side of the house, "Got to catch him before he gets too far." She threw over her shoulder as she disappeared from view.
Dean turned his head. Sam's eyes were alight with a mixture of emotions, amusement, admiration, pride and love.
"What?" Dean asked.
Sam shook his head a smile playing around his mouth his hazel eyes laughing. "You. You're an awesome big brother."
"You got that right Sammy."
- KITA -
The day was almost done. It was being over-run by the onset of evening the sky darkening as they stepped down from the front porch towards the waiting Impala.
Sam made his way around to the passenger side but didn't open the door he looked across the hood. Dean had stopped a few feet from the Impala. He was looking down at keys dangling from his fingers. This farewell was going to be hard for his brother he knew Dean had grown very fond of Amelia. In the few Days he had known her so had he. Dean loved her in way he would love his mother or grandmother if he had either.
After a few awkward moments he lifted his eyes and turned to face Amelia and Maurie who had followed them out.
Maurie was smiling his dark face brimming with happiness even white teeth showing every time he looked down at Amelia.
Amelia's face on the other hand told a different story it was a strange mixture of expectations for her new future, happiness and sadness. And the sadness was there because him. Because Damon Knight her knight in shining armor was leaving and Dean could tell she suspected she would never see him again.
Her emotion filled gray eyes moved over his face memorizing every feature, every line, scar and freckle. His fine chiseled jaw, full sensual lips, high defined lightly freckled cheek bones the ever so slightly off center nose with a smattering of more freckles the strands of light brown hair that teased his smooth forehead and his eyes; his beautiful expressive almond-shaped, tapering, long-sooty-lashed green eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled or laughed.
Amelia's perusal of him made him uncomfortable. He began to squirm fidgeting with the keys in his hand scratching at the side of his neck with his index finger eyes darting around down at their feet.
"I wish you'd stay… both of you." Amelia looked over at Sam.
"We can't. We've got work to do."
"Do you think you'll ever come back this way?" Amelia's voice filled with hope.
"It's possible. Our work takes us all over." Dean paused glancing over his shoulder at Sam. "I'd better be going. We've got a lot of miles to cover."
Dean held out his hand to Maurie. "Maurie it's been a pleasure, take care of her won't you?"
Maurie grasped Dean's hand in a firm warm handshake, clapping a large hand on Dean's shoulder. "You can count on it."
He nodded as Maurie released his hand. Dean stepped up to Amelia holding his arms open. "Come here, give me a hug."
She fell into him wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug, burying her face in his chest. Dean's arms closed around her his hand rubbing up and down her hitching; quaking back he laid his chin against the top of her head his beard scruff catching in the silky silver strands.
"I want you to stay." She said into his t-shirt. Her voice muffled.
"I can't. Besides you don't need me. You've got Maurie."
"I know. But… you're Damon Knight my knight in shining armor."
"Thank you." Dean whispered loud enough so only she could hear.
Amelia pulled away sniffing back tears. "What for?"
"For saving my life." Dean looked down at her his eyes suspiciously moist.
"Thank you for giving me mine."
"Hey, happy to help." Dean replied in a lighthearted tone. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "Take care."
"You too."
A minute later they pulled away Dean lifted his hand in a farewell wave as he swung the car around in a U turn heading up the track towards the road a cloud of dust fanning out from the rear of the big car.
Neither said anything as the Impala bounced down the rough, potholed track.
Sam broke the silence after they turned onto the black top heading north.
Sitting slightly sideways on the bench seat, back against the door left arm resting along the top of the seat. "You pulled it off Dean," Sam said, "All of it. You did it."
Dean spared Sam a quick glance. "I did didn't I?"
Sam continued to watch his brother. "You alright?"
"Yeah I think I am."
"You are you know?" Sam said cryptically.
"I'm not following you. I am what?"
"Her knight in shining armor."
Dean gave a snort of laughter. "Yeah right."
"You are. It's just that your armor is… a little tarnished." Sam finished lips tipped up in a genuine smile.
Dean's expression was thoughtful his eyes focused ahead at the swath of light from the headlights cutting through and pushing back the encroaching night clearing a path as they headed towards their own uncertain future.
Leaning forward and reaching out he twisted the nob on the radio. Deep Purple's Hush blared from the speakers filling the car and bouncing around the interior.
Hush, hush thought I heard you calling my name now. Hush hush.
Leaning back Dean let out a pent up sigh and began tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the beat and then he smiled.
The End
Authors End Notes:
Wow I can't believe I finally finished this story. Chapter 1 was published on March 14 2010. Its only taken me 2 years and 1month to complete. EEK!
I hope you found the ending satisfactory and not too cheesy? Cuz as we all know ending are hard. The boys never have and probably never will have a happy ending and I can't give them one but I can give Amelia and Maurie a happy ending. So I did!
Thanks to all my loyal readers/reviewers and the lurkers who followed me through this journey; a journey that turned out to be much longer than I anticipated. Thanks for sticking with me. A special mention goes to Mason Dixon, thanks heaps!
I would love it if you would drop me a line and let me know your thoughts on Knight in Tarnished Armor.
I will continue to post the revised chapters of The Beast With No Name but I will be taking a short break from posting my next story (maybe a couple of months or so) it's called Crossing Paths and it's a Supernatural/Dark Angel crossover set in season 2 of Supernatural and Season 2 of Dark Angel. I want to concentrate and work on that for a while before I post any of it . If you add me to the 'author's alert' then you will be notified when the first chapter is posted.
Thanks for reading.
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