29

A WARNING IS IN PLACE

Dean kept his horrifying nightmare to himself. He didn't want to worry Anna about it, especially after everything Zach put her through. He was sure she had dreams of the memories Zach implanted in her mind. Walking down the stairs, he set his bag by the front door and saw Sam loading some snacks into a grocery bag. Bobby was drinking a cup of coffee and looking over a map on the kitchen island. Anna walked out of the bathroom and joined them in the kitchen.

"All set boys?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just grabbing some food quick," Sam muttered. Turning, he gave her a quick hug. "We'll be back as soon as we can," the tallest Winchester said into her ear.

"Thanks," she beamed back up at him and turned to face Dean.

"Here," he said, pulling out a new credit card for her. "In case you need groceries…or whatever."

"I'm actually gonna order some baby stuff while you guys are gone. It should keep me busy," she said lightly.

"We'll be alright," Bobby reassured. Dean nodded with a small smile and brought Anna in for a hug.

"Stay safe. I'll be home soon," he whispered to her and kissed the side of her head before pulling back.

"You're the one who needs to stay safe," she chided and stood on her tip toes to kiss him. Sam was the one who finally cleared his throat to break up their kissing, and Anna blushed slightly. They'd come a long way from when Zachariah first zapped her into Bobby's kitchen. "I love you," she said.

"Love you too," he replied and kissed her once more on the forehead before grabbing his duffel and walking out the front door.


Anna walked into the kitchen later that day where Bobby was making himself a sandwich. Upon seeing her, he smiled and set the turkey package down. "Want one?" he offered.

"No thank you. I'll have some leftover chicken," she reasoned and moved to the refrigerator. She'd just heard from Dean. They stopped to fill up on gas and he checked in. They were planning on being in Phoenix by ten at night. Once she reheated her food, she and Bobby sat at the island together. "I think I'm going to get a lap top," she stated.

"Why?" Bobby's gruff voice asked. He was old school. Books and a piece of paper with a pen were more his style.

"Cause the only one we have is Sam's, and it's like his child or something. I need a lap top so I'm not using Sam's all the time. Plus, I could help out on a lot of research for the boys with the internet's help," she explained.

"Hmm. Whatever floats your boat darlin'," he drawled. "You want a ride into town?"

"Nah, I'm going to stop at the store too and grab a few things we need around the cabin. I won't complain if you help me bring everything in when I get back though!" she sing-songed as she finished her meal and went to find the keys to the spare car.

Walking into the department store, Anna saw a row of lap tops and desktops at her disposal. They were so expensive, but she reasoned that it was for hunting research. 'And maybe a little online shopping.'


Sam and Dean were nearing Phoenix around ten that night. Dean was driving, as usual, and Sam was looking out the window. It was super windy, and the rain was pelting the car from the force of the winds. It had been a while since the two brothers set out on their own for a hunt. Thinking of Anna, Sam wondered how she and Bobby were doing.

"How did Anna's appointment go this morning?" Sam asked, trying to make conversation.

"Everything checked out. Baby's fine, Anna's fine," Dean answered. His eyes were squinted while he tried to see the road. Even with the wipers on high, the visibility was pretty poor.

"That's good. I'm glad everything's going alright. She seems to be doing okay after Zach's whole kidnapping, huh?" he pried.

"Yeah. I guess," Dean didn't mention the fact that she had dreams about him in Hell, and he didn't say anything about his haunting nightmare from the night before. "You heard from Mandy lately?" Dean asked, trying to change the subject.

"Mandy? Uh, kind of. We text, check in every few days or so. She's doing well. So is Collin," Sam explained. It made Dean smile to know that Collin was doing alright after dealing with the angry spirit in his bedroom.

"He seems like a good kid," Dean muttered.

"He is. Mandy talks about getting together soon, but I just keep avoiding it. Not sure how I could even see her, since Zach is probably on a crazy hunt to find us I don't want to take any chances."

"You know we have the sigils," Dean started but Sam quickly interrupted him.

"I know Dean, I know. But you wouldn't send Anna out on a social trip to visit Niagara Falls, would you? No, you'd be scared shitless that something would happen, or that Zach would take her again." Dean was taken aback by his brother's statement.

"I think Anna and I are a little different than you and Mandy. You two aren't even dating for one. Zachariah forcefully married Anna and I, made us conceive a child, and now is trying to kidnap my baby before it's even born. I think you're sittin' in a better boat, brother," Dean declared.

"Whatever, you know what I mean. I just don't want to risk anything. Once this whole Zach stuff blows over, then I'll think about it."

"Sammy, if you keep putting things off and making excuses you're not gonna have anything to show for it. Hunter's life expectancies are pretty damn short. You gotta make the best of it with the time you have," Dean said. Words of wisdom and experience hit Sam like a semi truck.

"Maybe you're right."

"I'm the older brother. I'm always right," Dean decided with a laugh as he turned up AC/DC and continued driving through the pouring rain.

A half an hour later the brothers arrived in Phoenix and were holed up at a hotel. Dean was showering while Sam was looking for weather updates on the news channel. His phone buzzed, and he checked to see what it was. The name 'Mandy' was typed over the message icon.

Mandy: Hey you! How goes it?

Sam: Hangin' in there. U? Collin?

Mandy: We're good. Im thinkin about using my vacation hours soon. Up for a visit?

Sam: Maybe. Ill have to see when Dean and I can swing out there

Mandy: I can always come see u too Sam…

Sam: Haha. Ill let u know. Miss you.

Mandy: Miss u too. I want to see u soon-night

Sam: Goodnight Mandy

Sam sighed and threw his phone on the nightstand. 'Maybe Dean's right. I should just have her come to the cabin for a weekend. Anna wouldn't mind.' Sam was lost in his thoughts until a blaring noise came from the TV.

"Well Bryan, it looks like we're stuck with this thunderstorm all night. A severe thunderstorm warning is in place, so please seek shelter and review emergency procedures on our website. There have been reports of power outages throughout the state, but none in Phoenix so far. Stay tuned for further updates."