A/N Sorry folks, I got distracted. Here's another chapter in honor of The World series, tonight. Go Houston!
SUP' 21
(The next morning Jody texts Sam for the address, and he has it all ready for her. Just as she is putting her phone in her purse, Stephen pulls into her driveway in his brand new car, a Lightening-Blue 2018 Ford Mustang Premium GT Convertible.)
Jody: Seriously?
Stephen: What?
Jody: I'm a mother to be, I can't ride around in a death trap.
Stephen: It's brand new, and has all the latest safety features!
Jody: We'll take my truck.
Stephen: No way, now get in.
Jody: Hell no.
(Stephen revs the engine. The sound booms past Jody's ears.)
Stephen: I'm driving my woman in my car, if you don't like it, get yourself another man. Now Get In!
(Jody gulps. She never heard him speak in such a tone to her before, but her hormones are dancing in her head, and she doesn't want to refuse. He pushes the door open for her. She throws her bag in the back and sits her ass down into the premium leather bucket seat. It's very comfortable. She closes the door. He revs the engine again, waiting impatiently for her to belt in. She grabs for the seat-belt as fast as she can, but it's difficult to get it around her expanding tummy. Stephen however, has no trouble fastening it for her. He puts the Mustang into drive, and takes off. Shortly thereafter, he gives her a look, it's not quite a smile, but she can tell he's content. They stop at a convenience store for food and drinks for the trip. Four hours later, the morning looms on into day, and he puts the top down. He's only halfway there, but the sunshine on his body and wind in his hair is enough to spur him on. Jody can't believe how much she too is enjoying the ride.
Sam and Dean are surprised when Jody calls from outside the bunker only eight hours after she left, even though Dean has made that pace many times. Sam goes up the steps and outside to show her the way to the garage. Surprise is an understatement, when he sees her sitting in this unknown car with a strange man.
Dean is waiting in the garage and almost has a heart attack when he hears the roar of the convertible's engine. Never in all his days, has he felt almost bested in his own abode. He goes over to Baby, and strokes her.)
Jody: Hi, Dean. Where do you want us to park?
(Dean points to a vacant spot, and Jody relays it to Stephen. He pulls the car in with a swift turn, he's positioned perfectly; no need to back up and straighten out. Dean is almost pissed. When they get out, Jody's jacket is folded over her arm in front of her belly.)
Sam: Jody, thank you for coming. (He smiles.)
Dean: Yeah, thanks. (He smirks.)
Jody: Well, you're welcome. Guys, this is my boyfriend, Stephen Oliver. He's a cop, like me. Honey, this is Dean Wesson, and Sam Smith.
(Dean now takes a good look at Stephen. His looks beat Dean's in a very masculine way and it's unnerving for Dean because he's unaccustomed to not being the best looking guy in the room.
Stephen knows he's got these guys beat, and he knows he really shouldn't care. He doesn't have a thing for Jody; it's all pretend...or is it? It feels so real.)
Sam: So, I see you have a fancy new car here. Why don't you tell Dean all about it?
Stephen: Happy to. (Dean knows exactly what Sam is doing, so he goes along with it. At first he was happy to oblige, as Stephen shows off his pride and joy, but the more he finds out how powerful it is; the more Dean resents it. Her specs say she can out perform Baby, and that makes Dean a very unhappy car owner. In the meantime, Sam has pulled Jody off to the side.)
Sam: Jody, I wish you told me you weren't coming alone.
Jody: Sorry, Sam. Is there a problem?
Sam: Well, yeah. This place is a secret, and we need to keep it that way. You need to ask him to erase it from his GPS the moment you leave town. And another thing, I'm going to find you two a motel to stay at, Jody, he can't be here.
Jody: I don't understand, but okay, if that's what you want.
Sam: Yes, look, we will explain it to you, all of it, but not to him. He can't know. Can you get him to wait at the motel?
Jody: I'm not sure, but I can try.
Sam: He's not a hunter, right?
Jody: Oh, Heavens no!
Sam: Good. Now, why don't we find you a motel, you get him settled in, we'll come back here, and explain everything to you.
Jody: Okay, Sam.
(Sam uses his cell phone to find a motel, and book it online. Then he gives Jody the information. She goes to tell Stephen, and Dean goes back to Sam. They lean on the hood of the Impala.)
Dean: Well?
Sam: They are going to a motel. We will drive over with them; drop him off, and then she'll come back here with us.
Dean: We are going with them?
Sam: Yeah.
(Dean smirks; then gets into Baby. Stephen opens Jody's door from the outside, and helps her into the Mustang. Sam gets into the Impala also, as Stephen gets into his car. Dean waits for Stephen to start his engine. It roars to life. Dean hits the gas four times, to push extra fuel into Baby, knowing she will sound louder, and when he turns the key, she does just that. Stephen gets a glint of anger, but all he can do is pull the car out, however, he's not as accomplished at backing up, as he is at going forward, he has to change from reverse to drive twice, to straighten her out. Dean is a craftsman with Baby, in one smooth motion; he is out of the garage and onto the street. Now Stephen is really pissed off. He follows directly behind Dean, leaving very little space; it's a macho thing; daring Dean to make a mistake, Dean smiles at the car in his rearview mirror. He goes faster, just as a tease. But Stephen catches up to him and matches his speed, which is now well above the limit. But it's a short drive on a somewhat busy road, so they can't take the challenge as far as they'd like. Dean pulls into the parking lot of the motel, only one bay over from the office. Stephen takes the spot next to him. Sam gets out and checks in for them, being it's on one of his cards. He comes back with the keys. The room is only three doors down and it doesn't pay for Dean to move Baby, but Stephen insists on driving them, just to show off. By the time he parks there, Sam already has the door open.)
Jody: Are you going be alright?
Stephen: You're asking me? You're going into a strange house all alone with two men I don't even know! I'm more worried about you.
Jody: Aw. That's sweet. (She kisses him on the cheek.)
Stephen: Are you sure you want to do this?
Jody: Yes. I have to. I always intended to spend some time with them. I need to know if I can pull this off. I need to know what I should do.
Stephen: Alright, but the minute you start to feel uneasy, call me, I'll be there fast!
Jody: Thanks, Stephen.
He gets out of the Mustang, and then helps her out. Then he retrieves their bags from the back. Sam sees her profile, and notices that she's much plumper, than the last time they were together. They go into the room. Sam walks back over to the Impala and leans into his passenger side window.)
Sam: Does her body look different to you?
Dean: Now that you mention it, yeah.
(Sam raises an eyebrow. Dean's eyes go very, very wide.)
Dean: Sam, you don't think she is, I mean, we didn't...
Sam: Stranger things have happened, Dean.
Dean: Sam. I can't, I can't go through that again.
Sam: It sure would explain why Jody took so well to Hunting, makes it much easier when you're an Amazon.
Dean: That's not funny, Sam.
(Sam starts laughing so hard, he can barely contain himself.)
Dean: No, that's really not funny, Sam!
(The more Dean protests, the harder Sam laughs. Jody comes back through the open motel door, and goes up to Sam. His laughter is warming her heart.)
Jody: Why, Sam, I don't believe I've ever heard you laugh before. You should do it more often.
(That shuts Sam up. He opens the back door for her; she gets in, and then he closes it. As Sam gets into the car, Dean notices that Stephen is watching them, intently. Once again, Dean pushes extra fuel into Baby, before he starts her up; then pulls back, turning the wheel to make a perfect half circle, and with seemingly no effort, he re-cuts the wheel into another perfect half circle, to pull out as smooth as butter. But just to add to Stephen's misery, he toots the horn, which sounds deep and ominous like a train, or a ship, Stephen sneers.)
Dean: So Jody, how long have you and Stephen been going out?
Jody: Oh, gosh, it seems like an eternity.
(Dean takes a deep sigh of relief.)
Sam: Should we, Dean?
(Dean does the head roll,)
Sam: Jody, there's something we need to ask you.
(Dean swallows hard; his look goes dead serious. Jody thinks Sam is going to ask the big question. She grits her teeth.)
Sam: When Dean and I die... we need you to carry on, for us.
(Dean loses control of the car for just a second. He didn't think this would impact him so.
Jody gasps, and wonders if they know whose children she is carrying.)
Dean: Critter.
(He pretended. But Sam knew there wasn't one. Jody is too terrified to speak.)
Sam: That garage is part of a massive structure. It's a secret bunker built by a society called "The Men of Letters". Unlike their British counterparts, The American Division was founded and overseen by men who were revered, and trusted. And although they were superior; they still held some respect for Hunters. But these Men of Letters, created this wondrous facility, which has and is everything Dean and I needed to keep fighting, after Bobby died. And we feel it would be a shame, to destroy it.
Jody: Destroy it?
Dean: We can't let it fall into the wrong hands.
Sam: It would be disastrous. And as Legacies, it's our responsibility to see to it that never happens.
Jody: Legacies?
Dean: Our grandfather, Henry Winchester was A Man of Letters.
Sam: So, Jody, we were wondering, if you would pick up the reigns and carry-on our family tradition. Then maybe, you could pass it on down to someone else worthy of the cause, the trust and the tradition.
(Dean looks at Sam, with an expression of sadness and pain. He sees Sam looks exactly the same, and Sam can't speak anymore.)
Dean: You don't have to decide right now, but is that something you would be interested in?
Jody: Yes, yes I think it might.
Dean: Here we go.
(They park out in front, so Jody can see the building, and they show her where the lock is. Dean opens the door, and they all go inside. Sam escorts her around the main room and the library. Dean shows her the armory and the dungeon. Sam takes her to the control room, and shows her the computer, while Dean puts some burgers on in the kitchen. As they walk back, he shows her the living quarters and then they end up in the main room where they started, and sit down. Dean brings in plates of food; the table is already set with utensils and various types of drinks.)
Sam: So, Jody, what do you think of our home?
Jody: I think it's perfect; a Hunter's dream come true.
Dean: So, uh, you get why we need to protect it; why Stephen couldn't be here?
Jody: Yes, I get it. Thank you for sharing it all with me.
Sam: Jody, if I may, are you pregnant?
Jody: You have a good eye, Sam. Yes.
Dean: Boy or girl?
Jody: Boys.
Sam: Congratulations.
Jody: Thanks. I'll pass that along to Stephen.
Dean: To Stephen, of course.
(Sam can tell something was off about the way Dean said that, he makes a mental note to ask about it later.
Sam: When do you think you can give us your decision?
Jody: I think I can give it to you right now. Dean, Sam, I would be honored.
Dean: There's just one more thing. If we die, before we can mail you the key. We need you to find it. Never stop looking;try to retrace our steps, or try to find our bodies. Either one of us may have the key.
Sam: That's right, Jody. You see this key is magic, and is the only one that can open the door. There can be no copies.
Jody: Okay.
(She nods with tears in her eyes. Then she starts to full out sob. She reaches up; hoping one of them will give her a hug. Oddly, it's Dean who complies. He holds her as closely, and yet as tenderly as is possible. He whispers calming sounds into her ear. It must be a good half hour later before she finally stops. When Dean releases her, she goes to Sam for another hug. )
Sam: I'm so sorry, Jody. I didn't mean to upset you with all this.
Jody: I'm only upset, because I can't stand the thought of you boys dying.
Sam: I get it. Sometimes I can't stand it either.
Dean: Listen, Jody. It's not our first choice, but we need to be ready for all eventualities.
Sam: That's right; sooner or later, everyone dies.
Jody: Yeah. Can you take me back to the motel now?
Dean: Sure, sure. Let's go.
(No one speaks during the drive. The darkness and the silence made it a long and lonely road. But Dean is accustomed to that. As he enters the parking lot, he revs the engine. Stephen goes running to the window, to see them pull up to the door. He helps Jody out of the car. Dean looks at him with his most serious and deadliest expression. It is a look Stephen will never forget.
He takes her inside, and once the door is locked, Dean revs the engine one last time, and drives away.)
Sam: Dean? What was that all about?
Dean: What, Sammy?
Sam: First, you didn't like it when she said she'd tell Stephen congratulations, and then there was the hug, Dean, I know that wasn't like you. What's going on?
Dean: Sammy, Sam would you just leave it alone.
Sam: Oh, now I know I'm right. What is it Dean?
Dean: Something in my gut tells me, something is just not right, Sam.
Sam: Dean, You have the best instincts of any Hunter in the world, so if you say something is amiss, I want to know what you mean.
(Dean turns his head towards Sam for a quick moment, but it was long enough.)
Sam: He's not the father, is he Dean? That's what you're thinking, isn't it?
Dean: I said leave it alone, Sam.
Sam: Just because-
Dean: Oh here we go!
Sam: -you once produced a child, doesn't make you some kind of expert, Dean!
(Dean shakes his head no three times.)
Dean: Don't. Don't do that, Sam. Don't build me up one minute and tear me down the next.
Sam: Dean...
Dean: She's lied; Sam. Couldn't you see that? Couldn't you feel it?
Sam: So, what are you going to do, Dean? Demand a paternity test?
Dean: I could ask you the same thing. No. Let it go Sam, just let it go.
TBC