•Phantom Traveler; Part Three•
As the moon rested high in the sky, the trio plus one rushed into the airport to check the Departure board.
"Right there," Emilia quickly pointed out the times for the plane on the head board.
"They're boarding in thirty minutes." Sam said with urgency.
"Okay. We still have some cards to play. We need to find a phone." Dean picked up a courtesy phone. "Hi. Gate thirteen. Yes, I'm trying to contact an Amanda Walker. She's a flight attendant on flight, um...flight 4-2-4."
"What are you doing?" Emilia whispered to her boyfriend. Zoe looked around the big airport, she was getting scared. The child hated big spaces with lots of people. She wrapped her arms around Sam's legs. Sam smiled as he ran his fingers through her curls, bringing her some comfort. He picked her up for her to lay her head on his shoulder.
"Amanda Walker, Amanda Walker, you have a phone call. White courtesy phone, gate thirteen." The speaker announced.
"Come on," Dean said impatiently. "Miss Walker. Hi, this is Dr. James Hetfield from St. Francis Memorial Hospital. We have a Karen Walker here. Nothing serious, just a minor car accident, but she was injured, so—" Dean paused, causing Em to roll her eyes. "You what? Uh, well...there must be some mistake."
Sam went around Dean to try to hear what's going on as he placed Zoe on her feet. Emilia grabbed the girl's hand.
"Guilty as charged," Dean played along, he didn't really have a choice at the point.
Zoe tugged on her mom's pants leg, Emilia looked down at her. "What's wrong bug?"
"There's something bads on the plane, mommy."
Em gave her a strained smile, "I know, sweets, we're trying to figure it out."
"It's reallys on there mommy," Zoe started to get scared. What her mother failed to realize is that the child is confirming the presence of evil, it gave the small child anxiety. Em picked up her daughter and held her so she wouldn't be scared anymore.
"No, no. Wait, Amanda. Amanda!" Dean slammed the phone to the booth. "Damn it! So close."
"All right, it's time for plan B." Sam said to the two other hunters.
"Obviously," Em stated, still comforting her small child.
"We're getting on that plane." Sam thought out loud. He looked at his brother, finalizing his idea.
"Whoa, whoa, now just hold on a second." Dean's eyes got wide. It was obvious he didn't like that idea.
"Dean, that plane is leaving with over a hundred passengers on board, and if we're right, that plane is gonna crash."
"I know."
"Okay. So we're getting on the plane, we need to find that demon and exorcise it. I'll get the tickets. You and Em get whatever you can out of the trunk. Whatever that will make it through the security. Meet me back here in five minutes." Dean looked at him anxiously, clearly not okay.
"Dean, are you alright?" Emilia asked her lover, she was genuinely worried because Dean's face went pale.
"No, not really."
"What? What's wrong?" Sam asked him.
"Well, I kind of have this problem with, uh..."
Sam and Em looked at each other. "Flying?" They asked in unison.
"It's never really been an issue until now."
"You're joking, right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking? Why do you think I drive everywhere, Sam?"
"All right. Uh, me and Em will go."
"What?" Dean and Emilia asked him.
"We can do this one on our own."
"What are you, nuts? You said it yourself, the plane's gonna crash. My baby is not getting on that plane!"
"Good point." Sam said realizing he didn't want to bring harm to his niece. "Dean, you and I can do it together, or I can do this one by myself. I'm not seeing a third option, here."
Dean obviously didn't want his brother alone on this one. He groaned. "Come on! Really? Man..."
~Supernatural~
"And you'll meet us at the other airport?" Dean asked Emilia for the third time as he gathered his things while Sam collected the tickets for them both.
"Yes, don't worry. I'll take good care of your baby."
"Both of them!" Dean gave her the car keys. "My baby and my BABY...literally my daughter."
"Dean, I'm not that bad of a driver. You're being dramatic."
"Okay, okay," Dean mumbled before he leaned over to kiss Emilia. "Be safe. Let me buckle my girl." Dean snap the buckles on Zoe's car seat. "Be good for mommy."
Zoe looked scared. Her big baby eyes were searching her dad's emerald orbs. "Daddy..."
"What's wrong Zoe? You have a plane fear too? So does daddy, but I promise you that me and Sam will be back."
"It's in the man daddy."
Dean paused. "What?"
"It's in the man."
Before he could question her more, Sam was at the entrance way of the airport doors. "Dean! We gotta go... now!"
Dean kissed his daughter's forehead, a little puzzled by what she was just saying.
~Supernatural~
Emilia drove the car as careful as she promised. She was also in a hurry. She wanted to make sure she was at the other airport before they landed.
A Mariah Carey jam was playing in the background, Emilia almost laughed at the fact that this moment was the first time she heard other music rather than classic rock in the car.
"Rare occasion lady bug," She said to her daughter. There was no response.
Emilia looked in the rear view mirror. She could see Zo almost in a trance. She was so still, looking into the air of nothingness. The hair on Em's arm stood still. "Zo?" The mother asked.
"Mommy..."
"Yes? Are you okay?"
The toddler looked at her mom, she was struck with fear. "Pop is going to die."
"John?" Emilia asked. The little girl nodded her head. "Why would you say that bug?"
"I could see it mommy. When I close my eyes..."
Em tried to focus on the road but also made sure to look at her daughter. "Like a nightmare?"
Zo agreed, "but for pop, the bad dwream won't ever stop."
"Don't think like that baby. We're going to find your grandpa, and everything will be fine."
"What about the man that wants my uncle?"
"Zoella Claire," Em said sternly. "None of this is funny. Okay? None of it."
"But mommy–"
"Just hush, now. Sit back and calm down." Em turned up the radio slightly. "Just enjoy the music. We'll be there to pick up the boys soon."
~Supernatural~
The passengers from the flight were disembarked to an area milled with uniformed agents such as FBI, paramedics, etc.
Through what felt like a sea full of people, Dean couldn't spot his girls.
"They were supposed to be here already." Dean said as he checked his phone again. "Leave to it Em, ya know? Always late."
"Daddy!" Zoe screamed happily as she ran throw the crowd. Dean's face lit up as he opened his arms to embrace the small child.
"Zoella Claire, I told you not to run off," Em stated as she caught up to the girl. She looked at the boys. "You two look like hell."
Dean scoffed, "Heh, tell me about it." He switched Zo to his other hip. "Let's get the hell out of here."
The trio plus baby walked to the exit. Em looked at Sam, "You okay samwise?"
Sam stopped and turned to the two adults.
"It knew about Jessica." Sam thinking out loud.
"The demon knew?" Em asked. Dean nodded as confirmation.
"Sam, these things, they, they read minds. They lie. All right? That's all it was." Dean stated.
"Yeah."
"It's cold out. Let's go." Em said as she guided the boys out the door. "Come on."
~Supernatural~
"Nobody knows what you all did, but I do. A lot of people could have been killed." Jerry thanked them right before shaking the boys hands. "Your dad's gonna be real proud."
"We'll see you around, Jerry." Sam said.
"Have a good one, Jerry," Em smiled. Dean nodded at the man agreeing with the goodbyes.
Dean had a thought. "You know, Jerry."
"Yeah."
"I meant to ask you, how did you get my cellphone number, anyway? I've only had it for like six months."
"Your dad gave it to me." Jerry told him.
The trio looked at each other. "What?" Sam asked.
"When did you talk to him?" Dean asked. Em could hear the hope behind his voice.
"I mean, I didn't exactly talk to him, but I called his number. His voice message said to give you a call. Thanks again, guys."
~Supernatural~
A plane with a red maple leaf on the tail flies overhead.
"This doesn't make any sense, man. I've called Dad's number like fifty times. It's been out of service." Dean dialed a number. As the voice message began, he turned it so Sam could hear too.
"This is John Winchester. I can't be reached. If this is an emergency, call my son, Dean. 785-555-0179. He can help."
Sam fumed and got in the car. Dean stared off, not believing the fact that John just might be avoiding them.
Em got out the car, her arms crossed from being cold. She leaned next to Dean. "Lady bug is about ready to go."
"Yeah, we're going," Dean mumbled as he got up from his car. Em grabbed his arm.
"Hey, remember when I told you John talked to Zo last?"
"Yeah," Dean nodded. "Why?"
"I think he called from a pay phone. And when I asked Zo about it, she said he told her he'd be gone a while."
Dean scoffed. "And you're telling me this now?"
"Zoe talks in pieces, you know that. But with the voicemail thing, it makes sense. I don't think John wants to be found."
Dean paused for a moment. He shook his head as he walked to the drivers door. "Let's just go."
Emilia sighed as she made her way to the backseat.
She should have told him about the things their daughter have been saying recently, but that conversation would lead to an even bigger one. It would lead to the history of her family and the gifts passed down to another. And she wasn't ready for that. She'll never be ready for that talk.
•Phantom Traveler, Deleted Scenes•
Emilia stood in the shower. Her breathing quickening as she felt a wave of emotions overcome her body.
15 years ago
Little Emilia ran down the stairs of her Uncle Bobby's house. She had her doll in hand, quietly walking towards the kitchen.
She could hear the two adults going back and forth about something.
"Bobby, I'm asking for this one favor," her mother, Diane, begged. She was distraught. She was paranoid and edgy. It's been that way for months. "I can't ask her father for a thing, that drunk."
"Asking me to take her in permanently is a big ask, Danny," Bobby noted as he took a sip of his beer. "Where were you when I called about Karen, my wife?"
"Bobby, our families haven't spoken in years... I thought you were pulling my leg." Diane sat in the seat in front of him. She began to scratch her skin, she was ill. The cancer spreading. She was overly sick. And it wasn't natural, her illness, it was done by the hands of a witch. "You know I would have came. Help you kill the damn thing."
Bobby stayed quiet. "Remember when we were kids? Our dads getting drunk together and we ran off–"
"To our secret place. Yes, I remember."
"You told me about your mom and her history. You told me about the Salem witches and how they were real, how they were a part of your history."
Diane laughed. "You thought I was crazy." She paused. "Now I look crazy. Done bit off more than I can chew."
"Your daughter... is she gifted? Like you?"
"She is. She connects emotionally, she can see the things that... connects. Her gift is the mind. It's not a sinister gift. It's pure." The mother teared up, her body starting to subtly shake. She was running out of time. "I can't raise her, Bobby. She needs you."
"I never wanted to be a father."
"No one is asking that of you. I'm asking you to be her friend. Her uncle." Diane got up from her seat. She grabbed her coat. She was getting tired, she was getting tired fast. "Please... take care of my girl."
"And when she asks about you?"
"Tell her the truth. You have my family book right?"
"I do."
Diane smiled. "Then you have the answers." And within a moment she was gone.
Emilia could hear the car drive off. She was so young, she didn't understand what just happened. Bobby walked into the living room, seeing the little girl sit on his couch.
"It's not nice to eavesdrop, you know?"
Emilia sniffed, she was feeling the sadness in the air. Her brain not being able to contain itself. "My mommy is gone."
"She is." Bobby sat beside her. "And she ain't coming back." He hugged the child. "But I got ya. I got ya."
Now
She knew the signs. She knew her daughter was also gifted. How would she tell Dean? How would she explain how she's lied to them for years?
Emilia turned off the shower and grabbed a towel for her to dry off in. She sat on the toilet with the lid down. She sat in her thoughts. Just her and her thoughts.
~Supernatural~
"That's not what I'm saying, Dean!" Em shouted from the bathroom.
"Oh yeah? Then what are you saying huh? That I'm not a good father?"
Sam came back with lunch in hand. He could hear the couple going toe to toe in the bathroom. He looked over to his bed and there she was.
Zoe playing with her dolls. The little girl looked up at her uncle. He could see she was just as upset. "Mommy and daddy are fighting again."
"They do that a lot?" Sam sat beside her. He got her a kids meal, he began to unload the little box of food.
"No, buts when they fight... mommy cries. And daddy yells. I don't likes them like that."
"Hey," Sam said softly. "Parents fight. They argue, they bicker. But they love you. Okay?"
"Okay." Zoe looked at the happy meal. "Did you get the one with the toy?"
"Of course I did!"
~Supernatural~
The Winchester family decided to stop at a hotel for the night, which was fancier than they were use to but there were no motels in the area. Since Em has a new credit card, they swiped that and paid for a conjoined room.
Sam was excited to finally get some time to himself in his own room.
The couple were just ready to get their kid to bed. Dinner, bath, then bed.
"Sam is out getting groceries."
Dean smirked at his girlfriend. "You cooking tonight?"
Em shrugged. "I don't see why not. We have the pots and pans. Zozo needs an actual meal sometimes."
Dean looked at his baby girl, her little eyes were glued to the TV screen watching Scooby Doo. He hated how she wasn't a normal kid doing normal things.
Even when they settled down, something always comes up and she's on the road again.
"Dean? You okay?"
He sighed. He walked over to the kitchen area of the room and grabbed a beer out of the fridge.
"The drinks cold yet? Been in the car forever."
"Yeah," he answered as he took his first sip. "I'm sorry, Em."
She crossed her arms, curious about how Dean was acting. "For what?"
"Everything. You two were okay without me for a while then I just dragged you back into this mess."
Em wrapped her arms around Dean's waist. She kissed me him. "I made the decision to bring my ass on the road. I made the decision to bring our daughter. I couldn't imagine you and Sam doing this alone."
Dean caressed her cheek with his thumb as he pulled her in for another kiss.
"I love you." He told her. "I love you and our baby."
Em smiled. "I know, Dean. I know."
