Chapter Nine –Understanding
It was three o'clock in the afternoon. He waited patiently, like he always did, sitting on the fancy beige couch with a small glass of whiskey sitting beside him. He worried. Most of the time his sister would arrive back during the night, sober, and she would plainly rest the thick wad of money on the table. Nowadays, she would come back, drunk, smelling of previous passion shared with another man, and she would bring a large garbage bag filled with more cash.
There had been no word from Jezebel for a full day. She usually checked in. She used to check in. Her brother, Tobias, sat quietly in the couch as he stared at the nice-looking hotel room. He had actually gotten used to the place. Normally they would move from location, but for once, he felt like he was in a home.
Tobias looked to be in his late twenties. He had dark black hair and brown eyes. He wore a plain black sweater and his arms were crossed firmly against his chest.
"Jezebel, where are you…" Tobias whispered aloud.
He reached for his drink and took a long sip. Tobias breathed quietly as he relaxed his eyes.
Jezebel…sister…where are you…
He could see her now. She wore her long golden brown trench coat with the collar wrapped tightly around her neck. Her curly brown hair flew beside her cheek as she walked down the street with a confidant smile.
His eyes opened and Tobias slowly placed his glass back on the table beside him.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Minutes later the door opened and Jezebel strolled in. She sighed and locked the door cautiously behind her. She dropped her card key on a nearby dresser and walked into the living room.
She spotted her brother sitting on the couch with his eyes looking out the window.
"You really need to get out," Jezebel giggled. She removed her coat, revealing tight black jeans and a red halter top.
Tobias looked up at her plainly. "Where the hell have you been?"
She pouted her bright red lips playfully. "Dear Brother…I was out…"
"You're out a lot more now…" he snapped back. He stood up defiantly with his hands on his hips. "So, I turned on the news today…three guesses what I saw…"
"Hmm…lemme think…" she whispered. Jezebel shot a cold glance toward her sibling. Green eyes enraged. "You saw ol' Cliff Chaplin on the news?"
"Your handy work?" Tobias barked.
Her green eyes were like lasers. Jezebel's gaze impaled him. "I'm taking care of us."
"Sister," Tobias fought back. His rage had melted away from his face. Now it was a look of concern. "Three men are dead…"
"They weren't innocent…" Jezebel rolled her eyes. "These men were the types who would take advantage. I'm doing all the females in this world a favor. I keep those scumbags gone while every little girl can go to bed, safe, knowing that she won't be harmed by a filthy man-"
"It's not your job," Tobias repeated. "It's not your place to decide who lives and who dies. It was hard at first for me to accept your night job…but now…killing-"
"They did it to themselves."
"SISTER!" Tobias shouted angrily. Jezebel backed away against the wall. His dark eyes were focused on hers. "It's bad enough you and I must take an innocent life every year to survive…" He swallowed guiltily. "For the last century…I've had to deal with that. But killing for fun, pleasure, or what you call justice…I can't stand for it."
"How can you stop me?" Jezebel snapped. "C'mon Brother…why don't you stand for justice…why not stop me…" She smiled at her sibling's silence. "See…I can't touch you and you can't touch me…we need each other, Brother…you die, I die, remember?"
Tobias looked away.
Jezebel stared at her brother with soft eyes. She approached him slowly and placed her hand on his chest.
"We have a few days before we must find ourselves a decent heart…and it'll give us more time in this world…you know I'm not ready to join our dear family…" Jezebel reminded. Her whispers were tranquilizing. "I promise…once it's done…we can leave this place. We can go back to the old country if you like…I promise we'll even donate some money…dear Brother, Tobias…it's your job to take care of me…we may not be immortals…but we have a chance – an opportunity! And I'm not willing to give it up…now you must stand by my side, Brother…you are my Guardian and Protector…do not disappoint your sister…"
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Amy and Missouri sat outside on the back porch. The younger woman drank a glass of ice tea while the wiser psychic gazed at the scenery. She took in a deep breath and Missouri smiled.
"It feels like a good day…some trouble, yes…but good…" Missouri whispered.
She nodded and Amy stared through the trees.
"I want to understand," Amy muttered underneath her breath. Her hands were folded awkwardly in her lap. "I want to know…what's happening…what's happening to them…and me…"
Missouri nodded slowly. "You're having mixed feelings about things."
Amy nodded. "I want to tell Dean and Sam the truth about everything-"
"But you've been warned," Missouri reminded. "John's dead wife and Sam's dead girlfriend…they talk with you…a lot…and they have already advised that Dean and Sam remain unknowing of your abilities."
"But for how long?" Amy sighed. "I mean…if I was in their place…I would want to know…I would have to know…"
"Amy, dear," Missouri tried sadly. "You know that everything happens for a reason. Dean and Sam are meant not to know yet…these types of things take time…"
"And Sam?" Amy asked. "I know he's a stronger psychic than I am…maybe even stronger than you…but-"
"It'll come to him, in time…" Missouri comforted. "I know you worry for Sam…you know that he and Dean are targets of that horrible thing that killed Mary Winchester…" She rubbed her hands nervously together. "Trust me, darlin'…the only helpful thing you can do is to be a good friend…"
Amy made a short grunting sound and protested, "But I want to do more…it's not fair for either of them…"
"You'll understand soon," Missouri whispered. "Everything will come down to the main point and you'll understand…you play a very important role in their lives…"
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Dean, Sam and John reviewed the printed articles once more and then they discussed the plan for the evening.
John was upstairs creating fake IDs and business cards while Dean and Sam double-checked that they still had their old suits from the airplane demon incident.
The two brothers set out their matching black suits over the couch and Dean scratched his head.
"So, the Blues Brothers return…" he muttered. "Gah…"
Sam stuck his hands into his pockets. "Another fun evening. At least we're going on a hunt with Dad."
Dean nodded slowly. "Maybe Missouri knows some way to repel the Temptress – just in case…"
The younger brother nodded and he turned toward the closed glass doors. He could see Missouri and Amy deep in conversation.
Dean stared at the two women outside as well. "What do you think they're talking about?"
Sam shrugged. "Missouri's probably warning Amy about you." The twenty-two-year-old laughed.
He gave his brother a mock grin and Dean continued to stare at Amy. Sam noticed this.
"So, how are things with you and Amy…" Sam asked slowly.
Dean pursed his lips and shrugged. "Good…we've been 'together' for like what…a week? I dunno…things are fine…nothing's really different between us-"
"Except for the whole kissing thing," Sam added.
He put on a smug smile. Dean replied, "I like that part."
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Younger Dean and Amy were in an argument when they walked through the front door. Younger Sam dropped his bag and books by the door as he quickly left the hallway to avoid the loud shouts erupting from the teenagers' mouths.
The five – John, Dean, Sam, Amy, and Missouri – had been sitting in the living room when they heard the teenagers come toward them.
Younger Sam waved his hand at the group.
"What's going on?" Sam asked as he watched Younger Amy and Dean cross their arms angrily over their chests and they separated from each other.
"Amy made a date with that idiot Eric Trent," Younger Dean laughed. "Remember? That stupid, over-sized jock-"
"He's not stupid," Younger Amy fought back. "He's a nice guy-"
"He has more experience with his football than he does with dating!" Younger Dean shouted back. "I'm just trying to keep an eye out for you-"
"Ppplease!" Younger Amy screamed back. "You're totally jealous!"
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TO!"
"Whoa whoa whoa," Older Dean waved his hands in defense. He got up from the chair and stood in between the bickering teenagers.
"Eric Trent?" Dean questioned. "I remember that guy…didn't he…"
Older Amy nodded and she stood up too. "Yeah…he sort of…umm…went through a few changes during the summer after graduation."
"Such as?" Younger Amy asked.
Amy stuck her hands into her pocket and Dean finished, "Eric Trent's gay."
Younger Dean's eyes grew wide. His upset frown suddenly changed into a wide grin. He pointed at Younger Amy and continued to laugh.
"You're dating a gay guy!"
"Am NOT!" Younger Amy shouted. "Eric Trent is not…I mean…it's not possible-"
"Sorry sweetie," Amy whispered. "It's true. And don't worry…you only go on one date with him…"
Younger Amy sighed as Younger Dean continued to smile smugly at her.
"Well, umm, kids," John said as he stood up. He waved his hand to Missouri and introduced, "This is Missouri Mosely. My very helpful – at times – psychic contact."
Missouri smiled at the three young teenagers. She shook hands with Younger Sam first. Younger Amy was next and Younger Dean merely tilted his head at her as a greeting.
"So…" Younger Dean asked, "what's going on?"
"Our situation has been worked out, sorta…" Sam detailed. "But now we have other problems."
"We have a hunt to take care of," John announced.
Younger Dean looked seriously at his father. "Anything we can do?"
John shook his head. "I want you boys to stay out of this one. Okay? Besides, I got your future selves helping out."
"Except me…" Amy sighed annoyingly.
"Why's that?" Younger Amy asked.
"We're dealing with a Temptress," Dean explained. "Dad, Sam and I need to go to this night club tonight…men only, you know?"
"Ohh…" Younger Dean and Sam said in unison.
"I still want to help," Amy pouted.
Dean turned to her on the couch and sighed. "Amy…its best if you don't get involved-"
"Hello – psychic feelings?" Amy reminded. "I can make sure you guys don't get tempted-"
"Wait, psychic?" Younger Amy questioned.
"Amy," Dean continued, "I know you don't like the idea of me going to a strip club, but please-"
"Excuse me?" Amy snapped. "That has nothing to do with it. I don't want you guys getting tempted and – oh, what was that – KILLED."
"Jealous," Dean muttered.
"Am not."
"Are to-"
"Okay, stopping this NOW…" Sam said aloud. "Look…we're going to go and take care of this tonight. Plus, maybe my own psychic ability will come in handy-"
"Wait, your psychic ability?" Younger Sam questioned.
"Umm, hello?" Missouri shouted above them all. The room grew silence and she felt the pairs of eyes on her. "Good," she smiled. Missouri continued, "I really have to be going."
"No helpful advice on the Temptress matter?" John asked.
"Not my area, really," Missouri replied as she stood up. "Whatever plan you come up with…stick with it…and it won't steer you wrong…"
The woman grabbed her large purse and gave everyone a warm smile as she made her way to the door. John walked with her to the hallway.
The Deans, Sams and Amys remained quiet.
"We're going to handle this just fine, Amy, so don't worry," Dean whispered.
Amy sat back against the couch and crossed her arms over her chest.
Younger Dean looked at Younger Amy and mocked, "You still want to go out tonight?"
Both Sams looked at the two pairs of Amys and Deans.
Younger Sam looked up at Older Sam.
Sam smiled as he stared down at his younger self. "So, how was school?"
O.O.O.O.O.O.
A/N: Updating ASAP! I can't wait for "Faith" tomorrow night! Reviews/feedback appreciated.
