All night Traci thought about her options. It would make some sense to stay with the Winchester's. It would save her money and stress if she could depend on others. They are going through the same thing. And her dad must have trusted them if he wanted John to take care of her. Some many choices went through her mind. It would be nice to have some company and talk with John about her brother and try to get some answers.
Traci woke the next morning to find Dean still asleep but John awake. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"Better tan I had for a long time. Thank you."
"It's no problem. You know you could get use to that kind of thing."
"Yea."
"So its morning. Have you decided?"
Traci sighed. "I guess I could watch you guys for a little while. I mean as long as you two don't mind?"
"Of course we don't mind." said Dean popping up. "It'll be nice having someone new around."
"So your tired of me is that it son?"
"No dad."
"So where do we go now?" Traci asked as they ate breakfast in a small diner.
"Well there have been these murders over in Ohio. People's organs have been taken out." John said. "Mainly men and women in their thirties."
"It could just be psychos selling the stuff on the black market. Or like that urban legend where you wake up in a tub of ice and your liver is gone." Traci said.
"Yea but would they put this tattoo on them." John flipped the article around to show an Arabic symbol meaning pain.
"Okay that's weird."
"So I guess that's where we're going." Dean said.
"Yea."
The three headed back to the hotel and picked up their things then headed over to the bar. Traci quickly ran in and told Max she had to leave. He handed over he pay then she returned to her bronco to find Dean in the passenger seat. "What are you doing? I thought you were riding with your dad"
"I thought it would be good to get to know one another. Since we're working together." All the while he had a sly grin on his face. Traci could tell what he was thinking. Dean was going to try and find out if she was available or would be willing to get with him.
"Look Dean I know your type and I know what you want. And your not getting it from me."
"Hey I didn't say anything."
"I'm just letting you know ahead of time. Okay?"
"Sure." Dean sat there and smiled. She was smarter than he first gave her credit.
For a while there was a strange silence as Traci trailed John who was constantly going over the speed limit. So she decided to put in a music tape. Lynyrd Skynyrd started playing. "You like Skynyrd?"
"Yea. Any southern rock and country."
"Metallica?"
"A little. I'm more into Cash, Nelson, and Jennings."
"That's cool." Farther down the road Traci felt comfortable with Dean. He was like the few friends she had back home. The conversation mainly stayed on interests and dislikes. Traci hoped to keep it that way. She wasn't ready to talk about her past with him. John maybe because her father trusted him. But she still wanted to get to know Dean first.
Curiously was eating away at Dean. He wanted to know about her. What she had been through during her childhood? If she came close to finding this thing? But at the same time did not want to intrude. So rather than make the ride awkward they conversed over movies. It amazed Dean that she had never been to the movies and rarely watched television.
"You don't watch tv."
"Sometimes. I like wrestling and X files. But that's it."
"Wow you're definitely going to have to watch more. It amazes me how little you know of pop-culture." The next few hours Dean explained some of the more impressive shows and movies he had seen. The three finally stopped to pick up snacks and fill their tanks.
"So how much longer till we reach Ohio?" Traci asked as they ate on the hood of their vehicles.
"If we stop for sleep tonight, then around tomorrow afternoon." John answered. Once they were done Dean hopped in Traci's passenger side and they followed John to Ohio.
For the next four years the three hunters grew into a close family. Traci learned their techniques regarding the jobs they chose and their fighting habits. John and Dean went after anything strange rather than staying to house fires. Several times they found clues leading to the fires. But nothing on the thing that killed their families.
Traci became close with Dean. At first she thought he only had one personality as the cocky good-looking guy. But she soon learned that he had many dimensions. After they became close she learned about his insecurities, his hopes, and his past. He confided in her things his father didn't even know. And told her about his relationship with Sam. In the same Traci told him of her past and her dreams. Eventually, she told Dean about her brother still being alive and the embarrassment she felt for not finding him. He helped her understand it was okay. It surprised her how Dean would change. Sometimes he treated her like a little sister, other times, like a possible lover. Dean would make attempts at her but when she declined he would back off.
John and Traci became close, if not closer. She talked with him often about her brother. From John, she learned her father had found several descriptions of a spirit or something that matched Alex. This spirit had been found all over the country sometimes destroying things, other times just being a haunt. John develop into a second father to her. He taught her what she didn't already know about fighting and was always there for her to talk to.
During those four years Traci learned about the Winchester's faults. Rather than get jobs, the two would run credit card scams or hustle pool. Traci was able to get temporary day jobs in most of the places they stopped. Dean often criticized her for it. On one occasion Dean set out to prove he could make more money than her.
"The only way you could make more money than me is if you were a striper or something."
"Sorry Dean but there are other ways to make money with out taking clothes off."
"You probably don't even make that much money."
"I bet I make more honest money than you do."
Dean fell silent and a smile appeared. "Is that a challenge?" Traci nodded. "Okay then. This week if you make more money than I do then I'll start trying to get normal jobs."
"Okay."
"But if I win then you have to do something for me." At this point john intervened. He saw Traci as a daughter. And he knew the things Dean did with girls. He was not going to let that happen to her.
"Wait a minute. The only way that is going to happen is if I approve." Dean whispered in John's ear his plans. John smiled. "That's a good idea."
"I don't like surprises." Traci said worrying over the things she may have to do. It comforted her to know John approved. He would not put her in harms way.
For the next week Traci worked hard during the day at her three jobs. Both were temps and easy but the pay wasn't too bad. Dean on the other hand slept most of the day and hustled pool at night. And when Traci wasn't working she was helping John with their new case. Finally Friday came around.
"Okay so how much did you make?" Dean asked sure he had beaten her.
"Four hundred. You?" Dean then dropped his head. He had only made 350 because he had to pay for gas and other necessities.
"Damn it. How did you make four hundred? You didn't strip or anything."
"Yea Dean between the three jobs I worked, the research I did on that stupid cursed house, and then helping John destroy the spirits, and the three hours sleep I got, yea I had the time to waste it on men gawking at my body. I told you. You can make good honest money. "
"Wait a second there Traci." John said. "Now I owe Dean a couple bucks because I had him get some things for me. So here you go Dean. How much do you have now?" Dean counted carefully.
"You gave me sixty dollars. So I have 410. Ha ha ha. So who's the winner now."
"John that's not fair at all. You cheated."
"What's wrong with that? Now go and clean up." John said smiling.
"Why?"
"Now that would take the surprise out of it." Dean was smiling ear to ear, which worried Traci.
Traci went and got dressed into some jeans and a Led Zepplin t-shirt. Dean was sitting on the bed in his regular clothes with is keys in hand.
"You ready?" He asked.
"I guess."
"Bye Dad. Thanks again."
"Welcome. And Traci enjoy yourself." Traci turned and gave him a sarcastic smile then hoped into the Impala. The ride was quiet except the music Dean had playing. Traci had no idea where they were going. Dean turned into a half empty parking lot.
"What's this?" She asked looking at the tall unmarked building.
"You'll see." Dean then led her into the building to reveal a movie theater. Traci stared in amazement at the posters, lights, and popcorn. She had never been to a theater so it was all new to her. Dean ordered their tickets then got popcorn and soda. Traci went to pay for the food when Dean stopped her. "No I got this. You earned your money so just keep it."
"Thanks Dean."
The tow went into the number six theater and found seats off to the side at the top. "So what are we seeing?"
"Planet of the Apes. Is that okay? I wasn't sure what you wanted to see."
"No its cool. This is awesome. Of all the things you could have had me do, why this?"
"Cause you've never been to the movies and you needed a break from the three jobs, hunting, and stripping."
Both of them laughed. During the movie Traci thought about Dean. He really put thought into this. The movie was wonderful and afterwards they got snowballs. Traci had the best time. She was comfortable and didn't feel she was on a date. Dean was her friend and he was okay with that. So it was easy to have a good time not worrying about the little things.
That was four years ago. Together they hunted and killed anything and everything evil. Sometimes they would split up following two different leads. They had been getting along wonderfully, except John. The last month he had been acting strange, but Dean and Traci could not figure out what it was.
"Okay. You two will take the Impala and head to New Mexico and check out that alien thing. If its okay with you Axe, I'll take the bronco and head to California." John said over his eggs. For the past two days the Winchester men were arguing over the next hunt. John wanted to check out the White Woman in Jericho California, however Dean thought the alien story in New Mexico was interesting.
"Sounds good." It was Traci's idea to split up.
"We'll meet at Phoenix Arizona. When we finish. Is that good for you Dean?"
"Sure the Axe and I can spend some alone time." He smiled.
"Yea Traci are you going to be okay with this?" He was always a little apprehensive to leave her with Dean. But nothing had never happened between the two.
"No problem. If he tries anything I'll just cut off a body part." Dean dropped his smile and it appeared on John's face.
That night John was leaving to go to California. John pulled Traci into a tight hug. This was strange for John. He held onto her as if they were never going to see one another again. When they broke apart she saw sadness in his eyes. John then turned to Dean and hugged him. "Geez dad. No chick flick moments alright." Both laughed stiffly. Something was going on that John was not telling either of them. After one last look John left the hotel and drove away in Traci's car.
"That was weird." Traci said as she crawled into bed.
"Yea but we'll see him in a week maybe two tops." Traci had an uneasy feeling Dean was wrong but kept her thoughts to herself. She didn't want to start anything so she turned on her side and drifted off to sleep.
An entire month had passed since that night and still no word from John. Traci and Dean had been camping out in the trailer park they were suppose to meet John at two week prior. Dean became agitated every night. He would do on ranting about his father being negligent or he would image possible perils his father was in. Traci tried calming him down from time to time but it rarely helped. She, herself, was constantly worrying about John. The two had called his phone many times receiving nothing more that a dial tone.
One night Dean was going on about them being left when all a sudden he went quiet. Traci was searching the web to see what she could find about the White Woman John had gone to hunt when she realized Dean was silent. She looked up to see Dean on the hood of his car with his head in his hands. Traci closed her laptop and sat beside him. She had never seen Dean break down like this throughout the whole time they had been together. Dean was the type to yell and become angry. Yet this was different. Dean had remained his normal self. Joking, arrogant, and daring. But now Dean was vulnerable. He had lost hope in is father.
"Why would he leave and not say something?"
"I don't know. But he must have his reasons. John loves you."
"Yea but everyone leaves me. My mom, Sam, and now my dad. Everyone leaves." Dean's head remained in his hands so Traci hopped off the car and stood in front of Dean. She carefully lifted his head and stared into his eyes.
"I'm still here. And I promise I'm not going anywhere. But you have to stick around too."
"I wont leave you either." the two looked into each others eyes until Traci had to do something to lighten the tension. So she smacked his shoulder and said "Now snap out of it and come up with a plan." Dean smiled then pretended to be hurt. He was back to his old self.
For the next week Dean called around to John's old haunts but top no avail. Finally he thought about something he didn't try before. "Traci I have and idea."
"Yea what is it?"
"We need help so for tonight let's stay at a hotel so we can clean up." Traci didn't argue but jumped in the passenger side and bounced happily in her seat. She hadn't had a good shower or nights sleep in the last month. The only shower she could take was in the parks which consisted of freezing water and dirty stalls. And the back of the impala was getting smaller every night.
Dean went inside while Traci waited in the car. "We got number three." Dean said as he drove to the spot in front of their hotel room. Traci grabbed her things and walked inside to find one large bed, couch, dresser, and television. "I thought we would save money by getting one bed." Dean smiled.
"Good idea. I guess you'll just have to sleep on the couch."
"What?"
"Yup." And before Dean could argue Traci was in the bathroom taking a shower. Her shower lasted twenty minutes as she soaked in the hot water. When Traci was done she found Dean watching tv. "So where is it that we are going?"
"College."
"What?" Traci sat down beside him while she brushed her hair.
"I figure dad may have gone to check up on Sam. You know. So may be he'll know something or he could help us find him."
"Cool so I finally get to meet Sam. Maybe he'll be the good looking one of your family."
"Hey. Sweetheart I'm the best." Dean pushed her and that led to a wrestling match. Traci had Dean pinned.
"Geez you need a bath bad."
"Hey I could go take a shower is someone wasn't sitting on me." Traci let up which allowed Dean enough space to roll over and push her to the bed.
"That's not fair." when Dean didn't move she asked. "Come on let me up please. You smell awful." Dean just stared. But it wasn't his normal womanizing gaze.
"Traci I just wanted to sat thanks." He then let her up and went to the bathroom.
"What's up with the Winchester men lately." Traci said to herself.
When Dean came out of the bathroom Traci was in her bed and laid blankets on the couch. "Aww come on Traci."
"What? It was your idea to get one bed."
"Yea cause."
"Cause you wanted to share hoping I would fall in love with you and we would have sex. But that's not going to happen. I know you Dean."
"No I just wanted to get some sleep and save money."
"Sure. That couch looks comfy."
"Ugh." Dean gave up and rolled over. Traci smiled to herself and drifted off to sleep. The next morning they woke up early to head out to Stanford. Traci was excited. She had heard so much about Sam both equally good and bad. Traci came to the conclusion that John and Dean loved him but did not agree with his career path.
Dean, on the other hand, was nervous. It had been four years since he last saw Sam and they didn't part on good terms. But there was no way he would show his uneasiness to Traci. It took some time but they finally arrived in front of Sam's apartment at 3 in the morning. Traci began to stretch out in the back seat when Dena opened his door. "What are you doing?"
"Going to see my brother. Duh."
"Come on. It's early just wait until morning."
"No."
"What if he has a gun or something and thinks we're burglars?"
"I doubt that. Now are you coming?"
Traci rolled her eyes and sighed. "If you get me killed I'm coming back to haunt your ass."
"Yea. Ha." The two quietly walked to the door. "Can you pick it?"
"Of course." Traci removed a pin from her jacket and worked at the lock. It only took her a minute to open the door.
The house was silent and dark. Traci had no idea what Dean was planning. Traci went to sit down to get her bearings when Dena ran into a table. "Idiot." She mumbled. And then she heard it. Someone was awake upstairs. The person crept down stairs and approached Dean unaware of Traci. Dean and his attacker began fighting. Traci made her way to a side table lamp and clicked it on. The other person had dean by the collar. Traci noticed the other person as being taller than Dean with shaggy brown hair.
"Dean what are you doing here?"
"Just getting some beer Sammy." Sam let go of his brother.
"You could have called."
"Would you have answered?" Sam remained quiet. Then he noticed Traci.
"Who's she? Did you bring your girlfriend along?" Traci laughed.
"No. Sam this is Traci." Before Traci could speak a young woman descended the steps. Sam quickly made his way to her side. Dean's eyes light up as he saw the beautiful blonde. Traci stood beside him and smacked him in the stomach.
"What's wrong Sam?" The woman asked.
"Jess this is my brother Dean and his friend Traci."
"You didn't say they were coming."
"I didn't know." Sam glared at his brother. "What do you want Dean?"
"Maybe we should talk alone."
"Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Jess."
"Dad's been gone for awhile and we need your help."
Sam laughed. "He did this before give him a week and he'll be home smelling like the Miller Factory."
"Dad's on a hunting trip and he hasn't been home in a while." Fear and recognition showed in Sam's eyes. Like he knew this was coming.
"Jess why don't we go make some coffee or something and let the boys talk." Traci said. She knew Sam and Dean need their privacy. Jessica looked at Sam.
"Yea. I'm just going to be a little bit." Traci followed the blonde into the small kitchenette. At first glance, Traci assumed Jessica to be the typical dumb blonde. She wore tight skimpy clothes to show off her perfect body. But as she stroke up a conversation with Traci, she learned Jess maintained good grades, held a job, and still had fun.
Jess and Traci were talking about her psychology class when Sam came in. "Sweetie can we talk up stairs."
"Sure. It was nice meeting you Traci."
"Same here." Traci walked into the living room to find Dean taking up most of the couch and his feet on the coffee table. "So?"
"He's coming."