Chapter Sixteen – Winchester-Style Christmas
Dean sat up restlessly in the hospital bed. It had taken him twenty minutes to be admitted into West Star Hospital. He wore the required attire – a white night gown – and his hand tapped annoyingly against the uncomfortable wool blanket. The room smelled of clean rubber. He was so frustrated and Dean wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
Amy…I can't believe I almost hurt her. I can't believe I almost…Dean closed his eyes. Thank God for Sam. I almost killed her…she's never going to look at me the same way…
He turned his head and looked out the small window that allowed him to see the hospital hallway.
Sam and a doctor were talking quietly outside. Sam smiled and nodded and he shook hands with the doctor and then slowly came inside Dean's hospital room.
"Are they letting me go?" Dean asked.
"Hold your horses," Sam waved his hands, "the doctor is going to come back and talk to you about painkillers and so on…you're lucky he's letting you go…he wants you to stay over night…"
"I just want to get out of here soon…" Dean grunted. "I need to talk to Amy…God…I can't believe-"
"Stop that," Sam snapped. "Stop blaming yourself. You couldn't help it. You were infected. And the infection knew that it had to work faster to fulfill its purpose…otherwise it would have taken you a week to attack Amy…"
"I just…" Dean thought. "I can't believe what I tried to do to her…I could have raped her…I almost shot her…"
"She's fine…" Sam reassured. "And she won't see you differently…she knows it wasn't you for a moment…you were demon-Dean…she understands…you saw the way she aided you after she burned you and I punched you…"
"Yeah, thanks for that too…" Dean remembered. "I was possessed…not to mention stabbed with a Christmas ornament…burned…and punched – you hit like a girl, by the way."
Sam laughed and said, "Yeah, I'm really glad you're back."
Dean sighed and leaned his head back. "I just can't believe I hurt her…" He sighed and closed his eyes.
"You know what this means though, right?" Sam whispered.
He looked at his youngest brother and Dean sighed. "What?"
Sam crossed his arms over his chest and said, "The wolf attacked you…and you attacked Amy…it's now out in the open…you have feelings for her…"
Dean rolled his eyes and rubbed his face with his hand. He remembered all the things he said to Amy…
"Sam…it can't happen…" Dean muttered.
"And why the hell not?" Sam snapped.
He looked up, angry, and shouted, "'Cause look what I almost did to her tonight! Amy may possess psychic ability but she's not fully into our world…she's one of the youngest professors at Northwestern and she lives in a nice apartment and she has family and friends…she's out of my league, Sammy…she lives the apple-pie-life you used to have…you want Amy to be exposed to that-"
"She already is!" Sam shouted. "Stop trying to protect her so much…she's a big girl, she can take care of herself…Amy is already involved with all of this…she is involved with our world…whether we're a part of it or not – she is -…Dean…"
"I don't want her getting hurt," Dean reminded. "And it's better to be alone, remember? I don't want Amy meeting Jessica's fate. I'm sorry Sam…I couldn't bear it if Amy got hurt…or worse…and plus we're on the road! What type of relationship is that-"
"You guys can work it out…" Sam whispered calmly. "You need to talk to her about this. I'm just trying to help you Dean…you know that I love you and I would die for you…Amy is willing to do the same…and know that we both want you to be happy…and I love Amy too…do you really think if I thought she would be in great danger in being with you, I would be pushing this?
"Dean…don't ignore all the grand possibilities in your life because you're terrified…Mom wouldn't want that…Dad wouldn't want that…I don't want that…" Sam whispered. "You keep feeling sorry for yourself…I know you wished you could have lived a normal life and gone to college…but right now you have your chance at that 'apple-pie-life'…"
Dean took in a deep breath and sighed.
Sam stared at his brother sadly. He took a deep breath as well and slowly exited the room. Closing the door behind him, Sam slowly sat outside the room in one of the chairs.
He stared after Sam sadly and Dean rested his head against the pile of pillows behind his back.
Sam was right. I hate it when he's right…Dean did keep a grudge about dedicating his entire life to wanting to kill every evil thing in the world. He held a grudge against the fact that he had never experienced the types of joy and happiness Sam had. A scholarship to college. A girlfriend. Normal routines.
His thoughts went to what occurred earlier this evening. He thought about Amy.
O.O.O.O.O
Amy stood in the center of the Walker Manor. She wore jeans and her brown leather jacket. Bending down to the black duffel bag on the floor, Amy pulled out a red container of gas fluid and she took out a small box of matches.
The wooden crate, holding the dead wolf, sat lifelessly in front of her.
She stood up and Amy quickly removed the top and placed it on the wooden box. The smell of the gas fluid was sickening. Quickly but carefully, Amy began to pour the fluid onto the wooden box. She spread it around the top and allowed some drops to go along the floor of the box. She was wary not to get any on her or near her.
Once the container was empty, she carefully placed the empty container down on the box. Amy took the box of matches and took out a small match from the small cardboard box.
She scratched the head of the match against the side of the box and watched as it lit on fire.
Amy stared down at the small flame for a moment and backed away as she tossed the match onto the top of the box.
The box quickly erupted into flames. Amy grabbed the duffel bag and took several more steps back to watch the crate being absorbed into the fire.
Amy sighed and she said, "It's finally over…"
"Thank goodness," a voice whispered. Amy didn't turn to see Mary Winchester join her side.
On Amy's opposite side now stood Jessica. The three women watched the wooden box burn within the orange and yellow flames.
Amy crossed her arms over her chest and turned to see two new figures standing beside them, also watching the flames.
"It is finally over, right?" Amy asked.
Billy Walker was dressed in his war uniform but he no longer had the grotesque appearance. He was a good-looking man and he turned to Amy and gave her a small smile. Beside Billy stood Ana Maria, she looked beautiful against the light of the fire. Her pink dress was no longer torn nor did it contain blood stains.
"Thank you…" Ana Maria whispered.
"So, you two are going to stick around the manor for a while, huh?" Amy asked.
Nodding, Billy sighed at the sight of the flames and his voice echoed, "Yes…Ana Maria and I wish to stay a bit longer…" He paused and bowed his head to Amy. "You and your friends are welcome whenever you want…thank you so much…"
Amy bowed her head slightly in return and watched as Billy and Ana Maria's ghosts slowly disappeared until Amy stood there with just Jessica and Mary by her side.
"Sam's psychic powers are growing…" Jessica whispered. "Things will come quickly to him…soon he'll understand…"
Mary turned to Amy and rested a hand on Amy's shoulders. Amy couldn't feel the touch but she turned anymore and smiled at the woman.
"You handled tonight well," Mary noted. "Don't worry…Dean will be okay…"
"He feels guilty," Jessica echoed, "he's worried what would have happened if Sam didn't come…"
"I know," Amy admitted. "Poor Dean…he's worried about what I'll think of him…I better get back to the hotel and wait for him and Sam to come back…"
"Things are going to be just fine," Mary whispered. She gave Amy a warm smile and Amy nodded back.
The young woman bent down to pick up the duffel bag. She slung it over her shoulder and walked out of the manor alone. The flames continued to grow and the sound of the black Impala was heard taking off down the road.
Mary and Jessica's voices faded into the air… "Merry Christmas…"
O.O.O.O.O.
Sam and Dean sat in the back of a taxi cab. Dean carried his jeans in his arms – a new hole, stained with blood, now part of his old jeans. He wore his black sweatpants Sam had brought to the hospital. He also wore a white T-shirt given to him by the hospital. The burns on Dean's side were only minor and they would heal quickly. Dean's leg had been stitched up rather quickly and a large bandage was around it. The doctor even put gauze around Dean's wrist where the wolf had bitten him.
Dean sighed as the two brothers remained silent in the car.
"Things will be okay, Dean," Sam whispered, staring out the window.
O.O.O.O.O.
Amy sat waiting impatiently on the edge of her bed. She wore black-gray-white checkered pajama pants and her white tank top. She wore her gray zip-up hoodie over her tank top. Her hands rested on her knees as Amy wished Dean and Sam would walk through the door any minute.
Her wishes came true at the sound of Dean and Sam's hotel room door opening.
She waited as Dean and Sam came slowly into her room. Sam gave Amy a soft smile and Dean barely looked at her. He stared at her for a moment but quickly looked down at the carpet. Dean limped as he and Sam came toward Amy.
She stood up from the bed and quickly went to Dean. Her arms went underneath his and she wrapped them around his body. Her head rested quickly against Dean's chest and she embraced him in a tight hug. Dean, overly-surprised, wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on hers.
"Are you okay?" Amy asked, staring up at Dean.
Dean nodded slowly and gave a fake smile. "Are you?"
"Yes," Amy replied quietly. She took Dean's hand and brought him over to her bed.
"Sit, relax," Amy ordered.
Doing what he was told, guilt told Dean to follow her and so he sat down on Amy's bed. She gestured for him to get underneath the covers.
"I'm going to order some tea and hot soup for you," Amy offered.
Sam thought for a moment and said, "Damn, I forgot…Dean, I'm gonna head out real quick and get you some painkillers for you leg."
"Oh ok…thanks…" Dean muttered.
Amy dialed for room service and she turned to see Sam once again leave the hotel room.
Dean sighed as he watched his brother leave. A part of him felt awkward with Amy tending to him.
The pain did seem to grow in his leg.
"Hi, this is Amy Cromwell in Room 208…I'd like to order a cup of tea and a bowl of hot soup…oh yes, that'll be fine…thank you…"
She hung up and Amy turned to Dean on the bed.
Sitting down on the edge, close beside him, Amy asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," Dean whispered. "I'm worried about you-Amy, Christ, I am so sorry – I can't-"
"Shut up," Amy laughed. She leaned over and hugged Dean once more. He was taken back by this and hugged her back.
Amy, trying to fight back the single tear that seemed to want to escape, whispered, "I'm so glad it's you…"
Dean sighed and whispered, "Me too…I'm sorry Amy…"
"Don't be," she hushed. She pulled away and smiled.
Her hand rested beside his face and Amy smiled.
"Did I hurt you?" Dean asked. "I remember…but some stuff is a little fuzzy…"
"No, you didn't…" Amy repeated. "You got the worst out of it…"
She tried laughing but Dean didn't go along. He reached up slowly and pulled at the sleeve of Amy's hoodie. Dean studied her neck and found a small red mark on her skin.
He closed his eyes at the sight of it and Dean apologized, "I'm sorry…"
"It wasn't you…it was evil-Dean…" Amy whispered. "Besides, it's just a hickey…"
"I would have done a lot worst if Sam hadn't come-"
"Stop that!" Amy laughed. "Stop getting angry at yourself, okay? If I was angry I would be angry. But I'm not. I'm so happy that you're back…I'm so glad that you're alright…"
Dean nodded and he let out the first real smile since he left the hospital.
"See…there you go…" Amy whispered.
"Pretty lucky Sam forgot my painkillers," Dean grinned. "Otherwise I'd half to put up the tough-guy persona."
Amy nodded and said, "Sam knows the hotel has a drug store downstairs."
Dean gave her a questionable glance. Amy said, "Sam has something he needs to work out."
O.O.O.O.O.
The black Impala was parked by the Summer Stream Park sign.
O.O.O.O.O.
Sam came out of the darkness in the woods carrying a flashlight. The moonlight provided enough light and when Sam reached his destination, he turned the flashlight off and walked up to the old gazebo.
He walked up the steps slowly and stood in the center of it. He smelled cold pine in the air.
Taking a deep breath, Sam sighed and looked around the gazebo and in the woods.
His eyes went up to the moon and when they came back to eye level…Jessica was standing in front of him.
It was odd to see her like that. She wore her thin silvery nightgown. It was cold out. A part of Sam wanted to remove his jacket and offer it to her but found it was of no use.
Surprise and joy filled him when Sam saw her. Although there was more joy than surprise.
"How is it I knew I'd see you here…" Sam whispered sadly.
Jessica smiled warmly and took a step toward Sam. She was barefoot and she made no noise as she walked across the wooden floor.
"You just knew…" she whispered back.
O.O.O.O.O.
Dean couldn't eat the soup but he did drink the tea. He eventually had to take off his shirt for Amy wanted to see the burns on his side. He continued to tell her the burns were nothing and he would heal in no time. But Amy still had to see them.
She removed the white bandages for a moment and opened them up until she could see the parts of Dean's skin that were in bubble-form.
"I'm sorry," Amy cringed, putting the bandages back on.
"Don't forget stabbing me with a plastic icicle – very resourceful by the way, I was quite impressed," Dean grinned.
Amy smiled and turned to the clock.
"It's nine-thirty…" Amy sighed. "Time does fly during the holidays."
Dean nodded and gave her a small smile.
Amy removed her hoodie; the room grew warmer with the fire.
She tossed the gray zip-up on the chair and sat down on the side of the bed. She smiled at Dean and Amy asked, "How's your leg?"
"Fine," Dean repeated, "you're not going to make me take off my pants so you can see it, are you?"
Amy laughed and blushed. "No, no need."
Dean took a deep breath and leaned his head against the back of the headboard.
"Well…we've had another Winchester-style fun-filled Christmas…" Dean sighed.
"Yeah…who needs Christmas movies or caroling or whatever…" Amy grinned.
"Oh, that reminds me," Dean remembered. "Can you grab my jeans for me?"
Amy nodded and got up toward the chair. She lifted Dean's jeans and came back and sat down beside him.
"By the way, you made a hole in my jeans," Dean muttered.
"What pair of jeans do you own that don't have holes?" Amy mocked.
He gave her his cocky grin and reached into the pocket of his jeans.
Her lips curved into a smile when she watched Dean pull out a green-white striped candy cane with plastic mistletoe attached to it.
"We stopped at a gas station…" Dean explained. "No red-white candy canes and no real mistletoe…but hey, the candy cane is Starburst flavor – sour apple…"
Amy smiled and laughed when Dean handed the small gift to her.
"Thank you, Dean…" Amy whispered.
He stared at her with a warm smile and said, "You're welcome."
She played with the plastic mistletoe with her fingers and then she placed her present on the nightstand beside the bed.
Facing Dean, Amy folded her hands in her lap and asked, "So…tonight was interesting…"
He knew what she was leading to...
"Amy…" Dean whispered.
"You attacked me tonight, Dean," Amy said softly. "Which means something…it means…you have feelings for me…" She spoke in an awkward way; she was unsure of how to choose her words.
"Amy…" Dean repeated. "I…you know I can't apologize more for what I did tonight…I just want you to know…"
She waited for him to choose his words.
"I don't want you getting hurt…" Dean said gently. He was unsure of what to do next so he quickly climbed out of Amy's bed. She looked up at him and watched as he seemed to pace the hotel room.
He covered his mouth with his hand for a moment and then he put his hands on his bare waist.
"I'm not sure what to do, Amy," Dean admitted. "I know that the wolf only attacks guys who really care about the girls in their lives…"
"Dean…" Amy said softly. She got up from the bed and walked toward him.
She looked so beautiful in the dimmed light. Just wearing a simple tank top and pajama pants, Dean couldn't help but gaze at how gorgeous she looked.
"I know that you're terrified…" Amy whispered. She stood in front of Dean and she reached down and held his hands in hers. "I felt what you felt…and I know what you mean…I'm scared too…"
Dean gulped and nodded.
"But," Amy continued, "I'm not afraid of what almost happened tonight…I'm afraid that we're going to let this skip right pass us…"
"I don't want you getting hurt," Dean muttered. "I could never live with myself…"
"I'm part of this too, Dean," Amy interrupted. "I know the evil you face…I've dealt with it myself…I'm in the same danger that you are…tonight you admitted of being scared that us being together would just bring worry and fear…I admit, I am too…"
O.O.O.O.O.
"You've been feeling guilty…" Jessica whispered.
Sam nodded slowly and admitted, "Yeah…Jess…I am so sorry…"
"You Winchester men apologize too much," Jessica laughed. She flashed a beautiful smile. "Sam…I love you so much…there's nothing you could have done…this is my fate…"
"I miss you…" Sam whispered softly, his eyes sparkling in the moon light.
She stared at him sadly and said, "You'll learn to love again…I promise, I guarantee it…Samuel my love…"
"I can't imagine being with anyone else…but you…" Sam fought back.
She took a step toward him and Jessica continued, "You have a responsibility…to your brother…to Amy…and to yourself…you stopped blaming yourself for my death a long time ago…now you just have to let yourself be happy…tonight may be one of the rare nights we get to speak like this…so listen carefully…I love you…and I won't rest until I know that you're happy…so please…Sam…be happy…"
Sam nodded slowly. "I love you Jess…'
"Sam…" her voice echoed. "You will love again…my love…"
O.O.O.O.O.
"What can we do?" Dean asked softly. He held onto Amy's hands and he looked down toward the floor. His eyes looked back into hers and he whispered, "What kind of relationship could we have?"
"Defining things is not important right now…" Amy smiled. She reached up and slowly touched Dean's face.
She stared up deeply into his eyes and whispered, "I care about you Dean…"
"I care about you…"
Her fingers moved across his lips. She touched his chin and Amy felt Dean pulling her closer to him.
Her hand rested on his bare chest and Dean reached up and touched Amy's face. His finger trailed down her cheek and then his thumb rested underneath her chin while his fingers rested on her neck.
His face leaned close to hers and Amy wrapped her hand around his neck. Her fingers combed through the back of his hair.
She pulled him closer to her and Dean leaned down further more.
Their lips met slowly. His brushed against hers so softly. Amy opened her eyes and she met Dean's gaze. He smiled down at her and Amy returned the grin. He held her tighter against his chest as Dean's lips found Amy's again. Dean could feel their lips pressing against one another's more forcefully now. He felt her tongue slowly slide inside is mouth and he accepted it. His own tongue found entry into Amy's mouth. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder and while Dean kissed her he slowly held Amy's body up several centimeters from the floor. Amy felt Dean's hands on her waist and she continued to keep her hand behind his head. Their lips continued to move against each other and their tongues moved gently across one another.
Dean pulled away slowly and Amy and he took in deep breaths. Their foreheads touched while their lips were just an inch apart.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that…" Dean said as he cocked his head to the side, giving her that debonair grin.
Amy smiled said, "You Winchester men talk too much."
She quickly pulled Dean's face down to hers and their lips met once again. Dean smiled as he continued to kiss and Amy couldn't help but smile too.
They were finally in each other's arms. They were finally kissing.
O.O.O.O.O.
Sam leaned against the gazebo as he stared at Jessica with a small smile.
"Merry Christmas Jess…" Sam whispered.
"Merry Christmas, Sam…" Jessica whispered. She raised her hand to her mouth and blew a kiss at him. Giving one last smile, Jessica gave a small wave and she faded into darkness.
Sam smiled as he watched her disappear. He looked upward and stared at the starry night.
"Merry Christmas…" Sam repeated.
O.O.O.O.O.
Dean sat on the bed with his back against the headboard. Amy sat in between his legs and Dean's arms were wrapped around her waist. Amy's fingers stroked his arms as her head rested gently against Dean's. He kissed her neck softly and Amy smiled at his touch. She turned her face slightly and met contact with Dean's lips again. They continued to kiss and Dean reached up and placed his finger underneath her chin to tilt her head up.
Amy smiled up at him and sighed when the two pulled away.
There was no talk of how their relationship would work. They didn't discuss on how much time they could possibly spend with each other. All that mattered was now. The moment. Amy rested in Dean's arms and she leaned against him as the two stared into the fireplace.
"Merry Christmas, Amy…" Dean whispered into her ear.
Amy, turning her head and giving Dean a sly grin, whispered back, "Merry Christmas…" Her hand reached up and she pulled Dean's face down to hers once more. They smiled as they kissed and they continued on as night seemed to deepen. The two never seemed to notice that just outside, the temperature dropped, the grass stiffened, and snow began to fall from the sky.
.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.
A/N: Well, A Blue & White Christmas is finally complete…it t'was a sad and happy Christmas, wasn't it? (get the title?) I hope you've all enjoyed the Second Part of my story! The Third Part of the Meant To Be series is just around the corner. I can't wait for the new episode coming soon (next week, right)…and after that episode I hope to be writing again. I have many ideas and I still like Spuffyshipper's idea of Dean, Sam, and Amy going back in time somehow and facing their younger selves…it'll just depend on my mood and how the new episode works out…thank you all for reading and pppplease REVIEWS/FEEDBACK APPREICATED!
Thanks again! And remember to keep an eye out for the Third Part of the Meant To Be series…