Chapter Nine: Back to Work

The boys had almost five full days of relative peace at Missouri's house. Sam spent much of his free time looking through Missouri's library and talking with her about her experiences with her power. Dean, when he was not resting, discovered that his car was clean and set out to clean and repair their weapons and supplies.

They didn't talk about it but, as Dean mended and Sam learned, they developed a feeling of contentment and even safety. Missouri watched them both and felt her own satisfaction grow; she was thrilled to have family in the house again, and she could tell the boys were happy too.

All of them were taken by surprise when, during lunch on the fifth day, Dean's cell phone rang. Dean got up slowly and went to find his phone. He kicked himself mentally, angry at his own reluctance. Grabbing the phone, he opened it and found a set of coordinates on the screen. Pushing away the disappointment, he reminded himself that they had a job to do. They had obviously been idle too long. They were getting used to a somewhat normal life – a life that was never meant to be theirs.

In spite of this conviction, Dean had trouble meeting his brother's eyes when he returned to the kitchen.

Sam watched his brother for a minute. When Dean didn't speak, he asked, "Who was it?"

Hearing the resignation in his voice, Missouri looked at them both. Although it was an answer she expected, her heart sank at Dean's words.

"It's Dad. Coordinates."

Sam sighed, pushing away from the table. "Finish eating. I'll go pack."

"I'll help, Sammy."

"No," Sam shook his head. "You're still hurting. I'll bring you the laptop. You can look it up while I get our stuff together." He started across the room.

"Wait. You don't have to go." The words were out before Missouri could stop them. Sam froze in the doorway. His back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. Dean sat, staring at the table.

"I'm sorry." Missouri started over, trying to get rid of the sudden tension in the room. "You know I won't try to stop you. I just don't want you to go rushing off before you're ready. I don't want either of you to get hurt." She didn't even want to consider her own hurt. She had known this day would come, and she didn't doubt that the boys would respond to their father's message. Once again she found herself mentally cursing John Winchester for his callousness. While she didn't have any grounds for her suspicion, she couldn't shake the belief that this was one of John's little games. He had allowed five days of rest and recovery, but wouldn't let the boys get too comfortable. This was his punishment for her actions and comments – letting her get close to the boys, then stealing them away, reminding her that they were his sons and their first loyalty would always be to him. She couldn't fight that.

Sam sighed, turning back to face her. He knew it was too much to expect Dean to handle this – Captain Tact would probably just make the situation more tense.

"Missouri, we have to go. We can't just sit back and let a chance to find Dad pass us by." He met her eyes and silently pleaded for understanding. "If we miss this one, there might not be another."

"I understand," she told him, trying to give the reassurance that he needed Realizing that arguing would just drive the boys away, Missouri decided to give in easily even as she kicked herself for her own weakness. "You boys do what you have to do, and know you're welcome back her anytime."

Sam nodded and disappeared down the hall. He returned with the laptop, then went back to the bedroom to pack.

Dean made no move to open the laptop. He sat, staring at his hands, and Missouri could feel the turmoil of his thoughts.

"There's nothing wrong with you, Dean," she told him softly. "There's no shame in enjoying a normal life for a little while."

Dean sighed, shaking his head, and pulled the laptop across the table. "I got too comfortable; forgot about the dangers, forgot about what's important, broke Dad's rules." His face hardened in determination. "Time to get back to work."

Missouri watched him pull up information on the laptop for a minute then set about putting together a snack for the boys to take with them. She could sense Dean pulling away, distancing himself from her, but she couldn't think of anything to say to make him stop. John Winchester had taught his older son to be blindly loyal, and had also passed on his stubbornness. Now Dean was convinced that he had been disloyal – in thoughts if not by actions – and he was closing himself off emotionally in self-punishment.

As she reached to collect the lunch dishes from the table, Missouri rested her hand briefly on his shoulder. She sighed in frustration when he stiffened at the touch, but moved away quickly without comment to give him his space. She was almost relieved when Sam returned with their bags.

"Michigan," Dean said simply. "Lake Superior." He closed the laptop and pushed it away, still not looking at either of them. "You can figure it out while I drive."

Sam opened his mouth to object, but closed it and nodded abruptly as he muscled their bags through the kitchen and out the door.

Missouri set a bag of sandwiches on the table and moved back to the dishes in the sink. She struggled with her feelings. She was afraid for the boys, that they were once again being forced on the road before they were ready. She didn't want to acknowledge her other fear – it seemed too selfish. She had gotten used to having the boys there and, in spite of all of her insistences to herself that she would be able to let go when the time came, she was afraid of how empty the house would feel again without them.

Dropping the plate she was holding back into the sink, Missouri stared at her hands, willing her feelings back under control. She jumped when Dean spoke behind her.

"I'm sorry."

She turned and met his eyes, seeing his anger at himself and his determination, but it was coupled with understanding. Missouri marveled that he could close off his own emotions so thoroughly yet still be aware of other people's. She wondered if it was because of the years he'd spent taking care of Sam, if it was his brother who had helped him to hang on to his humanity. Or, maybe it was because he was used to being the one who was left behind.

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "You just take care of yourself and Sam. And let him take care of you too." She picked up the laptop and the bag of food. "I'll take these out while you get those filthy guns of yours out of my house," she said, smiling. She felt strangely gratified when Dean gave her a small smile in return before going to collect the shotguns.

Sam had pulled the car out into the driveway and was standing on the driver's side as they came out the door. Missouri gave Dean a quick one-armed hug as he passed her with a shotgun in each hand. He didn't respond, but she hadn't expected him to, and just accepted the warmth of his feelings for her as he walked to the car.

Tossing the weapons in the trunk, Dean brushed past his brother to stand by the open door. He turned to look at her with a grin on his face as Sam sighed dramatically and threw his hands up in the air before walking around to the passenger's side.

Missouri handed Sam the laptop and sandwiches before wrapping him up in her arms, unsurprised when he responded in kind. Releasing him, she stepped back and looked at them both.

"You boys take care of each other," she told them emphatically, "and come back when you can."

Dean gave a small wave before lowering himself into the Impala.

Sam smiled. "Take care, Missouri. I don't think we can ever thank you enough…"

She patted his cheek. "Family doesn't have to say thank you."

His smile widened as he turned away to open the door. He looked back at her as he climbed in. "We'll see you soon."

Missouri followed them as Dean backed out, walking to the end of the driveway to watch until the car was out of sight.

Climbing her front steps, she found herself reluctant to go back into the now-empty house and instead sat down on the stoop. Lost in thought, she didn't notice the approaching figure until he stood at the bottom of the steps.

"I have nothing to say to you right now," she snapped.

John Winchester sighed, and she steeled herself against the resignation and sadness in his face and thoughts. He'd brought this on himself.

"Can you just tell me if my boys are okay?" he asked hesitantly, making no move to come any closer.

"Why don't you ask them yourself?"

"I've told you – it isn't safe," he responded with another sigh.

"John, you've just sent them off on another wild goose chase. They weren't ready, but they went anyway because they keep hoping that one of your messages is going to lead them to you. And yet, five minutes after they leave, here you are." Missouri shook her head in disgust.

"Missouri, I can't explain it all, but you have to believe me when I tell you it's for their protection," he implored, taking a step toward her.

"I'm not the one you owe the explanation to," Missouri pointed out, climbing to her feet. "In fact, I don't think I'm interested in anything you have to say."

Turning away, she let herself into the house and closed the door between them.

The End (for now?)

A/N: Thank you again to everyone for the reviews! I realize that there is at least one loose end - what did Missouri sense outside her house? I'm planning to write a sequel if there's interest (shamelessly pleads for reviews), but knowing that my job will be crazy for the next few weeks I thought it was best to wrap this up now. I have ideas for a couple of one-shots that may get done in the next few days, but no more multi-chapter stories till late February.