Chapter 25 – We've got a rhythm
Dean woke up with Lisa's belly in his side and her leg on his. Her head was almost off the bed. Dean reached around and grabbed her ribcage and hauled her back onto the bed. She whined and tucked herself into his side and mumbled some nonsense. Dean shut his eyes again and woke to Ben banging on the door. "We're up. We're dressed. We're hungry."
"20 minutes!" Dean called back. "Lis? You hungry?"
"Yes." She croaked out.
"You want to get dressed?"
"No."
"How about I take the kids to breakfast and you sleep and get ready when you want and I order you some room service?"
"They have that here?"
"They might."
Dean got in the car and let Ben drive them to wherever Emma wanted while he tried to catch like 10 more minutes. They ended up at a place with tablecloths and menus on heavy paper. Dean would have felt like he was out of place except the men were dressed "like" him… only Dean's jacket was real leather and his torn jeans were wear and tear, not by design. There was hardly anything on the menu he'd touch. Emma took over and ordered for them all. Ben and Dean ended up enjoying themselves and Emma had a plate of fruit and yoghurt that made Dean's head spin.
When they got back to the hotel. Lisa was dressed and eating off three plates at the foot of the bed. Bacon. Eggs. Fruit. Bread. Butter. Ben hugged her and handed her a napkin. "Her breakfast looks better than mine was."
"Where'd you go?"
"Little place about seven blocks from here. Fancy people trying to look world-worn." Dean shrugged and sank onto the couch.
"It was really good." Emma told her and hovered. "Can I…"
"What?" Lisa looked up at her with her fork full of food.
"Touch… your… stomach?"
"Um… sure." Lisa pushed the cart away and wiped her hands on a napkin. Emma put her hand on Lisa's stomach. Lisa adjusted her hand. "There's not much to feel right now that you can feel. I can feel him… or her… turning somersaults sometimes."
Emma leaned her head on Lisa's shoulder and waited. Lisa shot Dean a look. He shrugged. Then both Lisa and Emma sat up. Lisa laughed and grabbed Ben's hand. "You feel that?"
"Is that…?" Emma moved her hand a bit so Ben could feel.
"Dean… come over here." Lisa put his hand over theirs. "That's our kid and he's raring to get going."
Dean felt that thump under his hand. He looked at Lisa's still hungry face, Ben's weirded out face and Emma, eyes closed and leaning on Lisa. "This is our family guys and I'm sorry I'm not better at it. We have to keep each other safe. We have to be prepared but we're also going to make sure that we have this… the quiet and happy stuff."
They spent the day walking and shopping and eating. Dean spent the evening, sitting up and listening to Emma thrash through the wall, Lisa's hand on his thigh keeping him in bed. The next day, they picked up Alex, Claire and got a cooler full of food to hike the falls. Emma led the way and Dean was relieved at her confidence in leading the family down the path. Dean carried the cooler on his back. Ben carried blankets and extra water. Lisa brought up the rear, refusing anyone's help as she groaned up inclines and held her belly over uneven footing. Atop a waterfall, they stopped and broke down to eat lunch. Alex shut her eyes and leaned back against a tree. Ben and Emma ate together near the edge. Lisa and Dean sat with Claire and ate in silence.
Claire looked up at Dean. "I've never been up here before. Jody has tried to get us out here but either she's busy or we don't want to."
"I came up here with Bobby… years ago… before it was so damn touristy. Caught hell from Dad about slacking on training for our trouble but I learned to track out here… learned to hate mosquitoes out here."
"It's so beautiful." Emma called over her shoulder, feet dangling over the edge.
"Get your feet back on solid ground." Dean nodded to her.
"I'm not going to fall."
"I don't care what you think. Get back from the edge." Dean got to his feet.
"Emma, honey… Your dad is about to have a heart attack, scoot back." Lisa called over.
Emma rolled her eyes and spun so her feet were on solid ground and scooted forward. "Are you okay, now?"
"You're a brat." Dean told her and sank down on top of the cooler. "You don't get what you want for dinner."
"Like I ever do."
"You've been running breakfast the last two days." Ben cut in.
"Okay. Ben's turn for dinner. What do you want?" Dean declared.
"Pizza."
"Of course." Lisa nodded. "A person cannot live on pizza."
"I can try."
Dean got them all back to the car safely. Emma carried the cooler and Dean carried the blankets and extra water while Ben guided his mother back to the entrance. They crammed back into the impala and met Jody for dinner. Alex told Jody about the hike. Emma gushed about the view. Dean sat back and enjoyed everyone talking and eating. Lisa ate and did little talking. She was tired. She leaned on Dean in the booth, when she wasn't excusing herself to pee. Jody had antacids for her when she got back on one trip. Jody's radio squawked a few times but she sent it to her cellphone and stayed put.
The kids started talking about Vampires and Dean noticed that after a while, Ben stopped contributing. Dean remembered that look. "Kids, let's stay off the monsters during dinner."
"What else is there to talk about?" Claire made a face. "School?"
"For a topic." Jody gave her a look.
After dinner, they went back to the hotel. Lisa paced up and down the landing as her dinner digested. Dean watched a movie with Ben and Emma in their room. He sat between them and had an arm around each. Emma with her thoughts and Ben with his. Emma passed out with her head on Dean's shoulder, holding his arm around her. Ben started talking. "I never told Mom how you looked that night."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come home that night. I thought I was going to say goodbye but…" Dean pulled Ben against him. "I'm so sorry. I was trying not to hurt you. I'm not like that anymore."
"But you're different."
"Yeah."
"I remember that thing… inside her."
"I know." Dean kissed the top of his head. "We saved her, though. She's safe. You're safe. Emma's safe. We got a little one coming. What do you think? Boy or girl?"
"I hope it's a girl."
"What do you think we should name her?"
"I don't know. What was your mom's name?"
"Mary. I should probably talk to Dad if that's the route we go." Dean cleared his throat. "And if it's a boy?"
"Um… Maybe after my grandpa. The one I didn't meet." Ben cleared his throat.
"You're named after him but… I think his middle name was David… that's a good name." Dean nodded. "We'll ask your mom about that. How is your grandma?"
"She still hates you. She remembered you after Mom remembered. Mom called her when… anyway."
"Well, Grandma probably has a point."
"Dean." The door opened.
"Yeah." Dean nodded and extricated himself from Ben. He picked up Emma and put her in her own bed before following Lisa to bed. She was burping and uncomfortable. Finally, Dean had to have her lean against him so she was reclined and upright. Dean fell asleep with her drool on his chest.
He woke with a crick in his neck and an elbow in his bladder. "Lis…"
"mmmf?"
"I gotta get up." Dean gently sat her up so he could get up. She settled back onto the pillows without opening an eye.
Dean got his morning done before climbing back into bed. Lisa was awake by then. She touched his face. She gripped his chin. She kissed his mouth. "I still don't forgive you."
"I know."
Emma spent the day with Claire and Alex. Ben and Dean went to try out guns. Lisa slept. Dean and Jody showed Ben how to shoot the gun. It was a good afternoon. Dean returned to the hotel to find that Lisa had eaten lunch and had already started packing for their trip back the next day. Claire brought Emma back to the hotel that evening. Hair done, clothes different. Dean looked her over and prayed hard that Emma was a lesbian.
They ordered in, ate in the kid's room. Lisa oversaw their bags got repacked. They went to bed and Dean was allowed to cuddle. Woke up to her hair in his face. They got up and packed up the car. They all met with Jody and the girls for breakfast. Then they were on the road. The kids stretched out on the bench, arms over legs. Emma wasn't sleeping though. Dean could hear her fiddling with the army man stuck in the ashtray back there.
Lisa's feet in his lap, Dean turned the radio up a bit and sang along as they made it to Chicago before pulling off for dinner and good rest in a bed. Double beds in a single room. Emma slept through the night. Dean didn't really sleep. In the morning, they ate and then he taught Emma to drive. Let her drive their way to the last rest stop then let Ben drive the rest of the way home.
They unloaded Lisa and Ben's things. Then Dean drove to Claire's. House was empty. Dean got the laundry going. Emma hugged him and didn't let go for a long time. Emma slept in her own bed. Dean started drinking and passed out on his air mattress in the living room.
" .sh." Dean heard and opened his eyes. The front door had opened. His father was carrying a sleeping Erica. "Don't wake her. I got her. I got her."
John took the girl up the stairs while Claire locked up. Then John came back down the stairs. Dean could hear giggling from the kitchen. Then smacking. Then zippers. Then grunts. Then Claire's gasps and moans. Then urgent gasps breathing out his father's name. Dean wished it had been the first time he'd heard that. Then came the dirty talk. His father's special brand of dirty talk that came just before… and there it was. The big O… complete with cabinet kicking.
Dean stared at the ceiling. He wasn't getting back to sleep now. Claire rushed up the stairs, jeans in hand. Then John walked around doing a final sweep. Then John was standing over him. "Sorry, son."
"No, you're not." Dean shook his head.
"You're right. I'm not." John leaned on the wall. "How was the trip?"
"Good. Good. We've… got a… rhythm. We um… got to know each other…" Dean took a breath. "Em's… confused… about… a lot of things."
"She's a teenaged girl. I'm told that comes with the territory."
"It's… a bit more than I figured on, I guess."
"You boys were a bit more than I figured on and you two were normal."
"Sam was not normal."
"Yes he was… up until he started having visions, he was normal." John straightened. "Get some sleep. Erica missed you and I'm sure she'll be up early to tell you all about it."
Dean woke to Erica laying on his stomach staring at his face. "You were gone too long."
"Erica, I can't breathe."
"I'm not that heavy."
"Bring me a cup of coffee."
"Will you play with me?"
"After I get coffee."
Erica let him up and they let the air out of his bed before going in search of coffee. Claire was sitting at the table making a list. She smiled at him. "I didn't hear you guys come in last night."
"I heard you guys comin' last night." Dean winked at her.
Claire made a face at him. "Anyway, I was thinking lasagna for dinner. I have Lisa's recipe."
"Let me talk to Lisa… I don't…"
"You didn't clear anything up?" Claire sagged.
"Yes and no. She… cares about me… she doesn't forgive me. That's fine." Dean shook his head.
"I have an attic. I don't use it. It's… shorter than you."
"I miss my room." Dean sipped his coffee and stared at his arm. "Is it weird that the crushing responsibility that comes with a woman who despises my actions, two teenagers who don't know how to talk to me and an unborn child are crushing the feeling of wanting to commit mass murder?"
"Are you okay?"
Dean kissed Erica's head when she forced herself onto his lap. Claire gave her daughter a look. Erica added sugar to Dean's coffee and took a sip. Dean sighed. "Well, I have now forfeited my coffee to a nine year old. My morning could go worse."
"Your dad was going crazy. Just the three of us in the house. Erica was punishing him because you went off with your kids… it was pretty funny."
"What did you guys do without my drama?"
"I might have a lead on a new day job. John might think… think about getting a job with a car outfit outside of town. Erica nailed that triple she's been working on. I got this house sanitized… We also got Lisa's house sanitized and… your dad bought a crib. Hid it in her attic. Don't let her buy one."
"Got it."
"I'm going to slip birth control into your father's food. I think it'll diminish his libido some."
"What's that mean?" Erica took her face out of Dean's coffee just long enough to add more sugar.
"That Mommy needs a nap."
"Why don't you just tell him you need a break from your kitchen cabinet kicking habit?" Dean covered the top of the cup so Erica couldn't put anymore sugar in it.
"You're not a woman so I don't think I can explain. I start to put him off. I do." Claire twirled her pen between her fingers. "Then he smiles. The slow half smile and then I give in a little and then he touches me and I remember… I remember that it's good. It's real good and then it's too late. And then it's dawn and I have to get the kid to school and I need a nap and… I'm getting a job. Once I have a job, then I have a good excuse."
"That doesn't work." Dean scoffed.
"You do it. I've seen you do it. "Hi, couldn't help but notice you drink margaritas." Then half smile. "I learned how to make them in Mexico. Beautiful beaches and the only thing missing… was you." Then you touch. An arm, hand, neck…" Claire looked at him. "You do that."
"Maybe once."
"Once. "Hi. My name is Abe. Not like the president." Half smile. "You drinking beer? Awesome, let me get you another. Did I hear you talking about yoga? I spent this weekend with the best instructor and I could…" Oh my god." Claire stared at him. "You used your weekend with Lisa to get girls to sleep with you. How am I just piecing this together now?"
"It was just that once. I felt bad. I never did it again."
"You never did that one specific line again. You and your dad have the same pick up style. You only have four avenues of attack and most of those work most of the time." Claire motioned to the stairs and Erica pouted.
"Come on. Shower time… and wake up Em." Dean set Erica on the floor.
"Knock on the door for Pop-pop, too." Claire called and cringed. "I hate that nickname."
"You're the one fucking a grandpa." Dean picked up the paper.
"Says the man working on his third illegitimate child with a woman he loves but whose memory he stole… twice."
"That was dirty, Claire. I'm hurt."
"Good."
"Jerk." He gulped his coffee and got up to refill it with the pure stuff. It still tasted sweet but he endured. Poured in more and sat down. "Emma's romantic feelings are curious. I'm taking a hands off approach. All I have is a dead friend who would have known what to say."
"Did you tell her that she's okay?"
"Yes."
"Then it's not that hands off and it was the best you could have said."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. We'll go have a girl's day. I'll see if she wants to talk."
"Maybe." Dean sighed. "Can she just be a grown-up who only calls when she wants money?"
"That time will come soon enough."
John wandered in, jeans slung low, scratching at his belly. "Morning."
"I'm going to check on the girls." Claire scooted past him.
"Is it hot?" John pointed to the coffee pot.
"Yeah." Dean held his cup out for more. It should even out the remaining sugar in his cup.
"How was the trip really?"
"We had fun. Took the kids to the Falls for some hiking. Emma is a natural hunter and tracker. She led the way." Dean rubbed his arm. "Jody remembered some stuff that I didn't about the last year or so… says I got rid of the mark."
"So why's it still on your arm?"
Dean stared into his cup. "I'm scared to know why… if I have it… again… I messed up or… it got worse without it."
"Would you voluntarily take it back?"
"I don't know. I wasn't coping so well with it before… I feel like… I'm getting better or something." Dean took a breath. "I haven't killed in a while. Not since Lisa found out…"
"I don't understand how you can be okay with killing like that."
"I'm not. I… try to direct it. Someone who deserves it."
"People deserve what you do to them?"
"Some do." Dean looked at his father. "I see people. Their… dark parts."
"That last one you killed, what was his dark part?"
"He liked to kill homeless kids."
John took a breath. "You tell your brother?"
"Yeah."
"He looking into it?"
"We agreed not to… which means he will anyway but I told him not to." Dean sighed. "If I'm here. If I'm with Lisa… I can keep it down. I can… channel it. I can't…" He looked to his father. "I'm beginning to think that I did this to myself. I took it back and everyone I needed was given back to me."
"You think you got a support system in exchange for taking that thing back?"
"Maybe… I just… wonder where we hid the blade. I don't feel that it's nearby but… I know it's out there. I want it."
"What are your plans?"
"To settle."
"Settle, huh."
It was a one-bedroom. It was small but Dean made sure it was in the district. It was relatively safe. They had no furniture but the air mattresses that Dean took from Claire's. They ate macaroni for dinner and practiced pick-pocketing. Emma did her homework and hung her clothes up in the closet. Dean listened to her breathing all night from the other side of the wall.
Morning brought a rush to school and sent Dean to the grocery store. He stocked the kitchen and lifted an armchair from behind a dumpster, a couple of bar stools from an open back door of a bar. That night, Dean taught Emma cards and laid out the expenses for the apartment. He laid out three months worth of rent and utilities and they agreed to put the money in the back of the pantry, in the oatmeal box they probably would never eat. Emergency money… in case something happened to Dean.
They watched a movie on Dean's phone, Emma fell asleep on his shoulder. Dean let her.
Morning rush. Dean found part-time work. He gambled some pool. He picked up Emma and Ben for Ben's game and then dinner at Lisa's. Lisa still looked surprised when Emma hugged her. Emma and Ben dominated conversation. Dean ate. Lisa asked questions. They sat together after the kids took to video games. Dean talked a bit about the place he had. Lisa only nodded. Lisa talked about her doctor's appointment. They talked about school ending soon.
"I've got a lead on a hunt, nearby. Em's going to stay at Claire's. Dad's coming with."
"Okay." Lisa nodded. "Um… Could you… help me with something upstairs?"
That was how Dean ended up on top of Lisa, hunched and thrusting when her bedroom door opened and he couldn't even look up. "I'll be down in a bit." Lisa's fingers clenched in his ribs. "Git!"
The door slammed and Dean tried to chase that last bit of pleasure while Lisa's hands traveled to get him closer. Spent, he tried not to crush her. Untangled, Dean collapsed and laid his hand on her belly.
"Who do you think it was?" Lisa asked, her hand on top of his.
"Emma. I could smell her perfume." Dean groaned. "We should go."
"Okay." Lisa nodded. "When do you leave?"
"Thursday. Should be back by Saturday night." Dean reached down and tucked himself back into his pants.
"Dean…"
"I know… we aren't fixed." Dean cleared his throat as he sat up to find his shirt. "I know… we got… a long road but… thanks… for this… I… needed it as much as you did, I think."
Lisa sucked in a huge breath and let it out slowly. "We'll talk more when you get back."
Dean took a breath at the door and let it out as he descended the stairs. Emma and Ben were sitting on opposite sides of the couch. Dean squeezed Ben's shoulder in farewell and Emma took herself to the car. It was a silent drive to their little apartment. Emma disappeared into the bathroom. Dean pretended to be asleep when she crept to her room. The next morning was awkward. Dean drove her to school. "You okay?"
She only nodded.
"You know I wasn't mad. I was just… busy."
"Yeah." She nodded. She picked at her knee when the car came to a stop. "You know I have superhearing, right?"
"I didn't."
"I thought… I could hear her." Emma fiddled with her bookbag. "I thought she was in trouble."
"She's fine."
"I guess."
"Feel free to ask her." Dean took a breath. "Do you think I would hurt her?"
"I don't know. I can hear your heart just before you grab your arm. That scares me."
"So… you would be willing to protect Lisa from me?"
"Yes." She looked up at him.
"Good. I like that." Dean nodded. "I won't."
"Does it hurt?"
"Sex?" Dean's eyes got wide. "I mean… not in any bad way."
"Does that mean that she forgives you?"
"No. It definitely does not mean she forgives me." He glanced at his watch. "When you're in as deep and Lisa and me… there are no quick fixes. I may never live inside her house again."
"Then… why…"
"I don't want to talk about this with you." Dean sighed and looked out the window. "We all have those urges. To touch and kiss and… go… all the way. It's that urge your tribe uses to get their babies. I won't say that men have it more than women but we act on it more, I think. Women need it to be more… more often than men do. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, you know?"
"Amazons are from Mars." She reminded him.
"I guess so. Anyway… when you love someone and they're mad at you, those urges get… complicated. So… now I know she still loves me but she's still mad. I'm okay with that. Gives me hope."
"We don't… I think… until we're older. Love isn't…"
"I know." Dean looked her over. "I wasn't hurting Lisa. I promise. The things you feel when you're… they make you make sounds that… well, can be mistaken."
"I like her a lot. Even before everything she was nice and even after she knew… she's still nice."
"She's that kind of person. You're going to be late." Dean took a breath. "Just… knock before you enter an adult's bedroom."
"Ok. Ben has a game."
"I have to miss it. Go. I'll see you when I get home. You have the keys to pick up your bag?"
"Yes." She rolled her eyes and exited.
Lisa cheered and winced when the baby didn't like the sharp movement. Claire yanked her down. "Sit, cheer from a seated position and eat more nachos."
"Shut up." Lisa shook her head.
"Mom." Erica tugged on Claire's arm. "I need soda money."
"You need a water." Claire pulled the bottle out of her bag. "Drink that then you get soda money."
"But Dean lets Emma drink soda."
"Emma is not my daughter." Claire bopped her nose. "Drink your water… right here."
"Mom." Erica groaned.
"Where is Emma?" Claire scanned the crowd.
"Flirting with those boys over there." Lisa pointed. "Or… I think they're flirting with her and she's busy watching the game."
After the game, Ben and Emma went with his friends to eat. Lisa and Claire took Erica for pizza. Claire got really excited when Erica made a friend in the ball pit. The combined enthusiasm kept all the other kids out but the other kid's dad also looked ecstatic. Claire moved over to him. "Claire Reid, that's my kid Erica."
"Kelly, that's Ricky." He motioned. "He freaks other kids out. This… is good."
"Mine, too. She… also tortures her teachers." Claire covered her mouth. "I picked her up from school one day, she's sitting on top of the swing set and a teacher is shouting at her to get down. She's just up there swinging her feet."
"That was your kid?" Kelly laughed. "I heard about that. He's 10."
"She's nine. Jesus… she'll be ten this summer."
"We need to do some playdates." Kelly gestured to the kids, slowing down in fatigue. "I see some naps in my future."
"My kid doesn't nap."
"I'm talking about me. I need a nap. Since his mother…"
"I'm sorry."
"It's been several years but he is a handful."
Claire hauled her daughter out of the pit and helped Ricky out of the pit. They exchanged numbers and everyone headed away. Lisa pulled up at the pizza place and texted Ben. Then she noticed the crowd near the door.
Lisa got out of the car and approached the crowd. A paramedic was at work on a kid with a broken nose. Ben and Emma were talking to a cop. Another cop was talking to a few other kids. The police cruiser and ambulance were in the alleyway where she couldn't see from where they parked. "Ben Braedan."
"Mom! It's not as bad as it looks." Ben immediately jumped in.
"He's right." The cop told her. "Owner called us about a ruckus. Seems that young man was bothering Emma here. He was told to stop by seven different people including the owner. He followed her outside and laid his hands on. Emma has a bruise on her arm. She broke his nose and went back inside to ask for help. That's when we showed up. We're done here. They can go home."
"Lisa." Emma wrung her hands together. "I didn't mean to break his nose, I swear. I just… wanted him to get away."
"It's okay. You… did what you had to. You don't need to be sorry." Lisa pulled her under her arm.
"Do you have to tell Dean?"
"I have a feeling that your dad will love this story. Come on. Time to go." Lisa let Ben lead the way.
"Do you have to tell him?"
"Yes. When cops are involved but trust me… he'll be okay with the story. He'll be okay with what you did."
Lisa walked them into Claire's house. Emma pulled Lisa upstairs with her to the room she was sharing with Erica. She paced. "That kid. We go to school with him. Jeremy. He… caught me staring at the waitress. He followed me outside to tell me he was going to tell everyone. I said I didn't care but…"
"Kids are dumb." Lisa stopped Emma from pacing. "Dean is not going to be mad at you."
"I think I want to drop out."
"I think… you and Dean will have to talk about that but I also think that if you drop out, you'll miss out on the mingling. High school is all about mingling and finding out what you like. College is for experimenting with your life, your education. Your life."
"It sounds better than it is."
"I know. Talk to your father." Lisa watched Emma heave herself onto the top bunk and flop into her pillow. "Em…"
All she got was a deep intake of breath. Then Erica came in, rubbing her eyes and tugging off her shoes. Lisa helped Erica into bed and shut off the light. Ben and Claire unloaded the car and Claire looked at Lisa. "She's scared?"
"Yes." Lisa nodded. "She wants to drop out but I told her that was between her and Dean."
"Dean's a drop out." Ben pointed out and shrank away when his mother looked at him.
"I'm not her mother but I'd think getting her socialized would be the best thing for her."
"If she were younger, I'd agree." Claire took a breath. "I think… she needs more… organic socialization than the school. I think she's scared. Of the things that wouldn't have been an issue if she were still with her tribe."
"Oh." Lisa breathed out. "They would have taught her… specifically."
"Yeah. I think so. We… keep seeing a teenager but she's… not that old. I don't know what her cycle would have been. Dean doesn't."
"Should we call him?"
"No. I think we should let her be and just let her know we're here. She's the only one like her."
"Em's okay." Ben cut in. "She just… gets… overloaded."
"Has this happened before?" Lisa looked at him.
"At school a couple of times. She just goes to the girls locker room and hides for a little bit."
"Why doesn't Dean know about this?" Claire pressed.
"We… changed the number his messages from school go to…" Ben winced.
"Home, now. We're talking to Dean about what you two did when he gets home."
Dean held the door open for his father, who was still steamed at him. John dropped the bags by the garage door and stormed up the stairs. Claire came around the corner and blinked at Dean. Dean shook his head. "Is Em ready to go?"
"Her bag is over there." Claire motioned to the table by the door. "Em… is hiding in the tree outside."
"What?"
"She might come down for you."
Dean groaned and marched outside. "Em! Let's go!"
"Did… she tell you?" The watery voice came down.
"Claire told me you were up a tree. I'm telling you that it's time to go home."
Emma jumped down and slinked past to get her bag and get into the car. Dean looked to Claire. Claire laughed. "We still don't know what she's so upset about. A boy got in her face and she broke his nose. No one's in trouble but the cops were called because it happened at a restaurant. She's fine. She has a bruise on her arm. The kid's nose bled until after the ambulance showed up but it's all fine."
"Kay." Dean shook his head and got in the car.
They hit a drive thru and then went home. Emma sat against the door. Dean just let her. He was too tired and hungry to find out. Dean dropped his bag on the floor, ate half his burger and went to shower. When he got out, she was still picking at her lunch. Dean finished his burger and his fries and washed it down with a beer. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"You got into a fight."
"I didn't start it."
"Did you win?"
"I guess."
"I heard he deserved it."
"Did he?"
"He was being a jerk, right?"
"Yeah."
"Threatening you?"
"Kind of."
"Then he deserved it. Good girl." Dean nodded.
"You're not mad at me?"
"Nah. You were worried I would be?"
"Yeah." She nodded and started eating, finally.
"You can take care of yourself. Don't let people treat you like crap."
"I want to drop out."
"Why?"
"It's too much. The kids are… mean. That guy kept saying he was going to tell everyone I was gay and a pervert but I don't even know if I am. I like to look. I know that. I just…"
Dean took a long deep breath and blew it out. "Let's roll this back."
"It's too much. There's so many people everywhere."
"The… episodes… like the one in Claire's back yard."
"They happen at school. I try to find Ben. Ben takes me someplace where it's quiet. Teachers have caught me a few times."
"They didn't call me."
Emma reached for his phone. He handed it over. She showed him how the number was forwarded to her cell phone. "Ben helped me do that."
"And the hellspawn do evil deeds." Dean sighed. He stared at her. "Maybe we consider it. You got two years left and I didn't finish. What are you going to do instead?"
"I could hunt, with you. I could… get a job. Start buying furniture for this place. Take it over when Lisa… maybe takes you back."
"A girl with a plan. I like that."
"You ever going to take me to the bunker?"
"Maybe."
"What if I'm good at that like Adam?"
"You might be."
"You gonna let me do it?"
Dean stared at her. It took a minute, a long one, for all the pieces to click into place. "You are pretty much your own boss. I'm just a grown-up looking person who makes this all look legit. I got no idea what I'm doing or what to do with you. I mean… I'm your dad. I participated in giving you life but… I'm no one's role model. I'm doing my best to make sure you got the things you need but… You're kind of running the show. In my head, dad's head, Claire's head… you're a little girl but you're not. If you wanted, you could leave and never see us again. You could go do whatever." Dean sighed. "You came to me because you were scared of your tribe coming for you if they found out you were back. You got some… mental scars from Purgatory but you're okay. You do most of the cooking. You're doing the cleaning. You wash your own clothes and you meter out your own lunch money out of what I give you but… once I teach you to gamble… you're self-sufficient. I mean… what do you want to do?"
TBC