Chapter Twenty-Seven
The car has become a secular sanctuary for the
individual, his shrine to the self, his mobile Walden Pond.
-Edward McDonagh
Bobby had turned up bust on getting a number for Frank Black, so they had no choice but to show up unannounced.
The road trip had been stressful for Sam, Jess having insisted on riding with Dean. Dean had managed to shake off his fever and come out of the entire frozen forest mess without anything worse than a runny nose and some mild coughing -to Sam and Jess's endless disgust.
Sam, driving behind them, had half expected to see the Impala go swerving off into a ditch at any moment and was prepared to possibly leap out and break up a fight. Both Jess and Dean were of the somewhat volatile sort and the situation was already stressed, between the events and potentially life-changing agreements of the last couple of days, and the fact that they were on their way to inform a man about his daughter's death. Sam would have preferred to keep a buffer between them, at least until they had some down-time to get a little more used to each other.
But a few hours later, when they stopped at a gas station, things had seemed calm enough. Jess sitting in the passenger seat, flipping through an atlas, while Dean stood across the pump from Sam, filling the Impala's tank up. Dean seemed lost in thought, not volunteering any information about how the trip was going.
"Everything okay?" Sam finally tried.
Dean raised an eyebrow at his brother. "With what?"
"You know, the trip," Sam nodded towards the car.
"You mean have Jess and I tried to kill each other yet?" Dean interpreted. "I have to ask you, Sam, how do you expect this to work out between us if you don't even trust us alone in the car for a few hours?"
"I trust you both fine," Sam muttered, "I just don't want you to get off on the wrong foot when things are such a mess right now and you haven't had a chance to get to know each other. This situation sucks, Dean."
"Yeah," Dean shrugged, "but Jess and I are doing fine. She's a smart girl, and we both have plenty of incentive to make this work out."
Sam nodded, unconvinced, but resigned.
"It helps that she's smokin' hot."
"Dean!"
"What, Sam? It's not exactly a subtle sort of thing. And I thought I was allowed to talk about things like that now."
"Yeah, I guess," Sam squirmed mentally, "but maybe ...not so loud."
Dean's expression was pure amusement as he finished filling up the car and re-hung the nozzle.
"See you at the next stop, Sammy."
Sam's face twisted in irritation, but Dean closed the door before he could protest the nickname.
"What was that all about?" Jess asked as Dean pulled back out onto the highway.
"Sam being Sam," Dean said dryly, "he seemed concerned we might not be getting along very well."
Jess nodded and looked back down at her maps. "Better than being concerned we are getting along too well, I suppose."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just, you know, the whole learning-to-share process." She shrugged. "You know Sam, and I know Sam, and he certainly knows both of us, but we don't know each other. This relationship isn't going to work well like this. You and I need to get to know each other very well, and we need to be able to do it without Sam being jealous of it. I'm willing to work to have a real threesome sort of deal here, where we are all equals and with each other, but I'm not willing to have a relationship that's you-and-Sam, and me-and-Sam, and we just trade him off between us in the middle."
"Like having two bedrooms and we flip a coin to see where he sleeps?"
"Exactly. I'm not doing that."
"What's your vision like then?"
"We each have our own spaces, but we share the bedroom all together."
"So …we can't just fool around in pairs?" Dean asked skeptically.
"That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that if you and I want to share a shower or 'fool around,' Sam needs to be as okay with that as he's asking me to be about you and him."
"Is that something you see yourself wanting to do?"
"Have sex with you one-on-one? I'd like to get to know you a little better before I start asking you to help me get my bra unhooked, but I'm not opposed to the idea. I certainly don't see this working any other way."
Dean nodded.
Jess hesitated for a moment. "What about you?"
"I have to be honest, you being Sam's fiancée is giving me more problems in my head than Sam being my brother is -which I find entirely disturbing- but you're hot, you're smart, you kiss like it's a competitive sport, and we have one really big thing in
common-"
"…We both want what's best for Sam," Jessica finished.
"Yeah," Dean nodded. "So you guys keep telling me it's okay, and I'll work around to the rest."
Jess suddenly grinned. "Just based on the stories Sam tells, it never sounded like 'smart' was exactly something you look for in a girl."
Dean smirked. "You don't need smarts for the kind of fun most of those girls and I were getting into. I wasn't asking them to help me win a science prize, just keep me company for a few hours …or minutes."
Jess snorted.
Dean's expression grew more serious, "But for a serious thing -something that could hurt Sam this bad? When we are talking about maybe a permanent sort of arrangement? Yeah, you bet your ass I want a girl with smarts."
"More than you want one with curvy hips, a nice rack, and legs up to her armpits?" Jess asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I want Sam to be happy, I want …I want this thing we've all concocted to work."
"Though, since you asked," Dean added a moment later, "do you know where I can find one of those?"
Jess smacked him with the atlas.
"What the hell have you people done to this car?"
"Can you fix it, or not?"
"Yeah, and I can also sneeze sunshine and crap-"
"I take it that's a 'no', then?" Jess cut in.
"I didn't think you could drive a car in this kind of shape!"
"It's a 'no,'" Sam told her while they watched Dean duck back under the hood, cursing.
"It's not a 'no!' I could totally fix this, piece of junk that it is -I just can't fix it without a few days and a shitload of parts."
"How many parts is that exactly?" Jess asked innocently.
Dean glowered at her and scratched at his cheek, smearing grease across his winter pale skin, which neither Sam nor Jess, after a quick glance at each other, felt the need to tell him about.
"We're on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. We can probably take the time, but are we going to have it towed somewhere? Where are you going to be able to work on it?" Sam wondered.
Jess frowned. "And how much is this going to cost? We have funds, but they aren't limitless."
Dean looked at them speculatively, then wiped his fingers off and dropped the battered hood down. "How attached are you to this car?"
"It came third-hand down from my great Aunt Mildred who used it to ferry her five leaky dogs to the pet-sitter every day for fifteen years."
"So -what? Sentimental value?"
Jess stared at him.
"We're not attached to the car, Dean. What did you have in mind?" Sam huffed on his fingers for warmth then jammed his hands back into his coat pockets.
Dean shrugged. "Not sure yet. Why don't you guys get all your stuff out of it and toss it in the Impala. We'll find someplace to shack up for the night, and I'll make some calls."
"He's been out there with the cell phone for almost an hour now. Is he ever coming to bed?"
Jess had made the room reservation, and as a result the three of them were sharing one with a king bed. No one had said a word directly about it, though there had been a few skeptical glances at the size of the mattress as compared to the size of the people expected to sleep together on it.
In deference to the uncertainty of the new situation, both Sam and Jess were wearing more to bed than they usually bothered with. Sharing the bed was new enough. Sharing it naked would be a different sort of step, one which they were hesitant to take.
About the same time Sam and Jess had decided it was bedtime, Dean had received a phone call and slipped back out the door. They could still hear his voice rising and falling through the glass, though the words were indistinct, and his shadow through the window was illuminated by sodium lights outside. He had also had a long phone conversation when they had first stopped for the night, before Jess had chased him off to go bring back dinner. None of them had felt like facing other people even to the extent of going to a diner, so more take-out it was.
Sam shrugged from where he was sprawled out across half the mattress. "He'll come in when he's done."
"I don't want him working on the car. It's cold and wet outside and will probably be that way for months. He's already getting over being sick, and I'd think we would all prefer it not turn into pneumonia. I'd rather pay for the labor and keep him out of the weather."
"I'm not sure the idea of paying someone else to work on a car won't be just as bad for his health." Sam rolled onto his stomach and threw his arm over the middle pillow.
"I can see you're really waiting in agony for him over there." She commented dryly from the edge of the bed, where she sat with her arms around her knees, back resting against the headboard, looking out the window watching Dean's shadow pass back and forth.
Sam gave her a sleepy smile. "I'm keeping it warm."
At just that moment the door opened and Dean sauntered in with a supremely self-satisfied look on his face.
"What's up?" Jess asked.
"Not much, took some wrangling, but I got you about a grand for that piece of crap you've been driving."
Jessica blinked. "My car? You sold my car?"
"Hey! It's not like it was going anywhere fast ...or at all," he pointed out.
"This might have escaped your attention, Dean, but I'm not exactly rolling in the kind of funds it would take to just walk out and buy a new car. Not without making some severe inroads into the money that's letting us live this life of luxury" she ground out.
"You've been the one who's all, 'Let's be together,' and 'Yay! team spirit.' I just figured -you know, if we're going to be together and travelling all over the country, we don't need two cars anyway. Keeping one gassed up is bad enough."
"And you just decided this without talking to me at all?"
"It wasn't exactly the plan," he snapped. "I was looking for parts and a yard that would rent me some space. Do you have any idea how much it would have cost to get that thing running again? Even just long enough to get it to Bobby's? You could probably buy a new used car for that. I had the guy on the phone, he said he needed a yes or no, and he needed it right then. Some project of his kids' that your piece of junk is perfect for." Dean shrugged. "You want me to call him back?"
She looked at him helplessly.
Sam sat up and checked the alarm clock by the bed. "What about transferring the title and stuff? Do we need to work this out tonight?"
"He's only going to use it for parts. Don't need to worry too much about a title or anything. And he said we can pick up the cash at that diner we passed in the morning. I figure we can eat breakfast on our way out of town and handle whatever we need to on the business end then. Problem solved."
"Sorta," Jess grumbled.
"Hey, I thought the best deal he would give me was an offer to haul it off the road in exchange for scrapping it. A thousand bucks? His son must really love whatever he's trying to fix up with parts from that heap you've been limping around in." He narrowed his eyes at his brother, "And don't think I didn't see you laying all over my pillow, Sam. I swear to God, if you drooled on it, I'm going to make you eat it."
Sam obediently scooted back into the middle and away from the pillow in question.
Dean grumbled a little more and went into the bathroom to make his own preparations for bed.
When he emerged a few minutes later he gave Jess and Sam a critical look. "Do you guys usually keep a whole extra wardrobe on hand for bedtime? Because I have to say, this looks more like a slumber party than an exciting new adventure in dating."
"I tried to get Sam to wear the negligee," Jess offered promptly, "but it really wasn't his color, and after he tried it on, it didn't fit me anymore."
"Jess!"
She grinned down at Sam where he was struggling back into a sitting position.
Sam scowled at her, then gave Dean an equally accusing look, "And don't you even start! You don't sleep naked either. Dad ran too many middle-of-the night drills for either of us to want to risk be caught without pants on a regular basis."
Dean shrugged and pulled his t-shirt off, making sure to drag it out enough to give both the people on the bed ample time to admire his rock-hard abs and general build. Even underweight, scarred, and liberally decorated with bruises in various states of healing, it was an impressive sight and Jess made a definite sound of appreciation.
Sam rolled his eyes, and then looked confused when Dean just stood there in his boxers with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at them.
"What?"
"I'm not suggesting we go digging around for lube and break out the handcuffs tonight, but I think a little less of a dress code wouldn't be completely out of place."
Sam felt a blush burn over his cheekbones at Dean's mention of handcuffs and lube, and knew damn well Jess and Dean could see it, which made him blush even harder. He was totally happy to contemplate both of those items, and frequently had - in connection with Jess. Adding Dean to the visual they produced, and doing it with Dean staring at him - well, that was new territory, and not something he was entirely comfortable with yet.
Jess was watching him with an amused expression when he dared look back up, but she didn't say anything. Instead she gave a sort of shrug and then grabbed the hem of her own t-shirt, peeling it up in one smooth motion and tossing it onto the floor. She moved like she wanted to cross her arms over her naked chest, but after a moment deliberately relaxed back against the headboard. The look she gave Dean was pure challenge.
Dean gave her a lingering look of assessment and grinned. "I'm rethinking the sleeping arrangements, Sam. I vote Jess gets the middle, she looks entirely more fun to cuddle up to.
Sam snorted and pulled his own shirt off, leaving him in his sweats. "Only if you volunteer to be kneed and elbowed all night."
"I'm not sleeping well lately," Jess offered when Dean looked confused. "Sam's used to it."
"Whatever," Dean shrugged and flipped the switch for the light hanging over the small table, leaving the bedside lamp on his side the only illumination in the room.
Then Sam scooted back down flat and Jess slid down beside him to rest propped up on her elbow.
The mattress sank under Dean's weight as he sat down next to Sam and swung his legs up.
"You going to get the light?" Jess asked.
"In a minute," Dean muttered, looking down at Sam.
Sam went completely still at the serious look in his brother's eyes, and tensed a moment later when Dean's warm hand slid hesitantly over the skin of his stomach just above his belly button.
Dean felt the tension, and a look of uncertainly crossed his face. Before he could pull his hand back, a considerably smaller one slid over his, holding him in place, and brushed a thumb against his wrist.
Sam let his breath out and forced himself to relax under his brother's hand.
Jess scooted up a bit and leaned into him, so that her breasts pressed against his side and her hair draped over his shoulder. The boxers she was wearing were Sam's again, and in scooting up the bed, they had slid down enough to show the smooth pale skin at the flare of her hip. It caught Dean's eye for a moment, and he looked up to catch her gaze. "I've got his mouth; why don't you feel free to explore the rest?" she suggested steadily, squeezing his hand briefly, then letting go to turn her full attention back to Sam. She caught his lips with hers before he could say anything about her suggestion, and for a few moments he forgot about the novel nature of the entire situation.
Dean waited until Sam was distracted before he moved again. It was easier without Sam's attention focused on him, and watching Jess make a leisurely and thorough exploration of his mouth was certainly a reward in its own right. He leaned down and licked a broad stripe across his brother's stomach just above where the line of his sweatpants rode low on his hips. He felt Sam startle under his mouth and bit lightly at the soft skin before turning his head to meet his brother's eyes. Sam's pupils were dilated with pleasure and he watched Dean for a moment before he moved to catch Jess's mouth again.
Dean had wondered for almost ten years what Sam's skin would taste like, what kind of sounds his brother would make while he licked and nibbled his way across his belly and up towards his chest. He now had ample opportunity to indulge his curiosity, and found the reality wildly more satisfactory than even his most creative imaginings. Then, since he had leaned so far in that he was in easy reach of Jess at that point, he leaned that little bit more and swiped his tongue across her breast. When she gasped at the unexpectedness of the sensation and pulled back from Sam, Dean took the opportunity to steal Sam's mouth for himself. He felt more than heard her huff of amusement through the blood pounding in his ears -what little wasn't rushing south, and he felt one of Sam's arms wrap around his back to hold him in place while he let the desperation of his kiss speak his gratitude at being given the chance to be here, with them, in this place and time.
There wasn't the awkwardness of their attempt at intimacy in Townsend, or the angry viciousness of the kiss in Cookeville, but rather a sweet coming together that was all Dean could have imagined. Love, acceptance, passion. Sam was entirely enthusiastic, and in a moment Dean found himself flipped onto his back so that Sam could get a better angle on him. He felt the further evidence of Sam's enjoyment pressed against his leg, and wiggled into a position where he could press back against his brother's body and try to get some relief from the pressure in his groin.
Suddenly Sam let him go and flung one of his arms out.
Dean turned his head to follow the movement and saw that his brother had Jess by the bicep, she looked like she had been sliding off the bed.
"You're leaving?" Dean asked incredulously, voice rough with emotion.
"I just..." She licked her lips and tried again. "It's the first time, for you guys -I thought you might want some privacy. I don't mi-"
"No," Sam cut her off, "Together."
Dean nodded and reached his own hand out. "Come back here."
She crawled willingly back across the mattress and pressed herself tightly to Dean's side. "As long as you guys don't let me interrupt. If I'm staying, I definitely want to enjoy the whole show."
"Never an interruption," Sam mumbled, already seeking Dean's mouth again.
In a moment Dean forgot all about the break in momentum. Sam's lips were hard and demanding against his own, and Jess was a warm silken weight against his side, the fingers she trailed over his skin adding to the sensations wracking his senses.
"Jesus, Sammy," he groaned into Sam's mouth, grinding against him again seeking relief.
Sam pulled his mouth away, burying his face in Dean's shoulder, panting his brother's name.
Dean slid one hand down between their bodies, slipping his hand under the waist of Sam's sweatpants and down until he could wrap his fingers around the thick erection pressing against his belly, while he rocked his own hips against Sam's firm thigh.
Sam gasped and came as soon as Dean touched him, letting his overheated body slump down onto Dean as his orgasm washed over him, Jess's hand running up his back a distant counterpart to the pleasure.
"Kinda quick on the draw there, Sam," Dean panted, pulling his sticky fingers back and wiping them off on Sam's pants, not breaking his rhythm until his own release spilled out against his fever-hot skin.
"Bite me," Sam suggested faintly into Dean's sweat-slicked collarbone.
Dean heard a soft gasp from beside them and felt Jess tense up. He turned just in time to see her slide one hand out from beneath the waistband of the boxers she was only barely still wearing, body as flushed and sweaty as theirs. He leaned into kiss her enthusiastically through the fading rush of her orgasm.
"Jess-" Sam began from where he had half pushed himself up to see her, a hint of apology in his voice.
"Don't even start!" she exclaimed when Dean pulled back to let her breath. "That was the hottest thing I've ever seen, I've never come that fast in my life. I can't wait to find out what happens when we actually get naked."
"Glad we could be of service," Dean said dryly, easing onto his back again and running the fingers of one hand through Sam's sweaty hair.
"Oh, I wouldn't say you were of service yet, but I definitely have high expectations for the future."
"Does anyone mind if we just lie here for a few minutes?" Sam cut in before Dean could retort.
Wordless head-shaking answered him, and they lay there for a few minutes, just letting the magnitude of what had happened sink in.
"Wow," Jess said finally.
"I just want to know who's going to get some washcloths, because I'm not sure I can move," Dean replied, not so much as twitching a finger where he lay sprawled, one leg and an arm draped over his brother.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure that's you, Mr. I-don't-like-your-pajamas. You started this. And don't talk to me about being able to walk. I'm not even sure I have bones anymore."
"I'm in the middle," Sam mumbled, "If I get up one of you has to move anyways."
No one stirred for a few minutes, until finally Sam heaved Dean off and sat up. "Never mind, I'm getting up, there isn't anything you can do with a washcloth that's going to make me sleep in these pants. One of you move."
Jess gave a greatly exaggerated sigh and swung her legs off the bed, sitting to give Sam room to get up. "I don't know why I'm moving. Aren't you going to change, Dean?"
"Now that you're up? Sure."
Jess glared at him, scooting over while Sam slid past her off the bed and headed for the bathroom. But she couldn't maintain her ire through the languid hints of pleasure that still weighted her body and the teasing smile on Dean's face where he lay curled against the tangled sheets, watching her.
"What are we going to do about the wet spot -spots?" she asked, amending the question after glancing down at the mattress.
Dean shrugged, turning it into a stretch. "Toss the bottom sheet in the floor, lay down some towels, stretch the top sheet over it and sleep under the comforter," he offered.
"Have a lot of experience with this, do you?" she asked dryly.
"With sex in motel rooms? Sure." He caught her eyes and she was surprised by how serious he looked. "With this? Never."
She nodded thoughtfully, then stood to help him make the bed back up for sleeping.
By the time Sam left the bathroom a few minutes later, the bed was neatly remade and Dean and Jess were curled up together, half-asleep after a hasty clean-up at the sink.
He smiled sleepily at them, heart full in a way he had never experienced before. Then he collapsed onto the mattress on Jess's other side and was asleep in seconds.
