Calling in a favor

I called Missouri earlier today. Boy was that a fun conversation. I swear the woman enjoys making things hard for me. She does it to entertain herself whenever she gets the chance. You'd think that psychic thing of hers would have tipped her off to the seriousness of the situation… maybe it did. I just don't know.

She made me spell it out for her in detail. The whole story from the very beginning. The Morgans, the werewolves, the history, Annie and Jack… Funny how the only time she sensed anything was when I tried to hold something back. Anyway, I asked her very nicely (all things considered) to take Annie in for a couple of days until Sam and I could finish the job here. For what may possibly be the first time ever the woman agreed with me on something: Annie should be somewhere safe far away from this whole mess.

"Well of course I'll take care of the dear girl for you. You go on ahead and send Sam down here with her like you planned. She'll be safe here with me, I'll see to it." Of course she was right about my wanting Sammy to drive her down, but I hadn't mentioned it. Typical Missouri. Still, she'd agreed and so Annie would go. Oh, she'd be more than a little angry about it…

Kansas is an entire day's drive away and I know Annie wanted a hand in the fight. She and Missouri could plot my demise together for the few days it would take and then follow through when I come back to pick her up and bring her home. As long as she was out of harms way I didn't care.

"Oh and one more thing honey. Don't you dare go out and act on that damn fool idea of yours. You know the one I'm talking about… the one you hatched up to give yourself an extra advantage over those horrible things. Mark my words boy, it will end badly." Oh sure, so now she knows exactly what I'm thinking. Where was that when I had to spill my guts about my childhood memories? "Thanks Missouri. I'll give it some thought. See you in a few days."

Calm before the storm

That last night went by quietly. We ate like kings, thanks to Annie. Steaks in mushroom sauce, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, a huge salad and fresh baked rolls... and the still-warm cookies for dessert. We must have eaten twice our weight in food. I even went back for a third helping… of everything. What was I supposed to do? I was hungry and she really knows how to cook.

When Annie was sure we were all stuffed, the leftovers (what little there was left) were stored in the fridge. She would have started on the dishes too, but I wouldn't have it. I sat her down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee instead and dragged Sammy over to the sink. I figure if Frances can make coffee and pancakes he can probably find his way around drying a dish too, right?

Well he wasn't too happy about it. Didn't take him long… he'd thought up a little pet name of his own for me. Sammy seemed to think it was funny that I knew how to wash a dish… something about my being a natural at it and that he'd never seen a dish so clean before. Smart ass. So dude decides it would be funny to call me 'Hazel'. Ha. ha. Not so much. I just shot him a disgusted look. It was a waste of time though. He was laughing so hard there were tears in his eyes. I thought he would pass out from lack of oxygen or something. I swear he never learns. He just gave me a reason to think up something to top the 'Nair' incident. Heh heh, he who laughs last still has a full head of hair. I swear I will never wash another dish in front of him again.

Sam went up to bed early. I think he just wanted to give us some space since he walked in on us kissing before supper. Annie and I went up to bed early too. We didn't sleep though, at least not right away. Now, I know I'm nothing near being a gentleman but when it comes to stuff like that… let's just say we both fell asleep smiling and leave it at that, hm?

I was up in the clearing again. The beast was snarling above me, trying to sink its teeth into me. I didn't give it the chance. I couldn't feel my hands, but I could see them gripping the knife and slashing away. Blood everywhere… Dad's voice calling out my name… I had a moment's hesitation. I'm not big enough to kill it, I'm only ten years old…

I woke to darkness in Annie's room and in a panic when I realized the bed beside me was empty. I shouldn't have worried. She came through the bedroom door seconds later as I sat up ready to go off looking for her. There were two steaming mugs of something in her hands. The 'something' turned out to be warm milk with just a bit of honey. "I was wondering if you'd wake up. You were tossing and turning in your sleep. Figured if you did, you might want something to help you relax."

Being with Annie is peace. Who else would think to make me warm milk in the middle of the night? That's why I'm being so stubborn about sending her away. I can't risk losing her. I won't.

We curled up under the blankets together, our stomachs warm and full from the milk and I just held her. There were stars blinking lazily in the sky, and the light from the almost full moon fell across the spot where we lay. It played in the golden highlights of her hair turning them silver in the weak light. "I love you Dean." She whispered softly into the darkness. For the second time that night my heart stopped beating. "I love you too Annie." I whispered back, pulling her a little closer against me. She dozed off on a blissful sigh. I followed her a minute or two later. There were no more dreams for me that night.

A single step/ momentum begins

Sam woke us up just after sunrise like I'd asked him to. They had to hit the road if he was going to make the drive before nightfall. The miserable cold drizzle outside seemed to reflect our moods as I walked them out to the car. Sam couldn't understand why I was staying behind and he was really vocal about not liking it. Annie didn't want to leave…at all. I wasn't looking forward to two days alone in that empty house, the prospect of which was making me moody. It had to be done though. There was no other way.

We kissed as if it would be our last, trying hard to make it enough to last us both through the days ahead. When we finally parted I opened the passenger side door for her. I'll see you in a couple of days, when I pick you up… okay?" voice hoarse with emotion I mercilessly held back the tears. It was ridiculous to act that way. I was going to be picking her up in four days for crying out loud. Who knew saying goodbye would turn out to be so damned hard?

"Okay, a couple of days. I'm holding you to it Dean. Be careful!" She was worried I wouldn't make it through this and neither she or Sam knew where they were headed yet. It didn't matter to her though because she trusted me. I had promised her I'd finish this and then come and get her. I would.

"So where am I taking her Dean?" That expressive face of his didn't even try to hide the frustration he felt. "Missouri Moseley's. You better get going too 'cause I'm going to need you back here by tomorrow night." His mouth fell open, he hadn't been expecting it. "Missouri's? But…have you lost your mind? That's all the way in Kansas!" "Yeah I know. How many werewolves do you think'll travel all the way out to Kansas just for one meal?" "But Dean…" "No buts man. You don't have the time for them. I called her to let her know you're coming and she's expecting you before dark." He said nothing. Just stood there staring at me in disbelief. "I'd get going if I were you. The woman's got a temper… I wouldn't want to keep her waiting if I were you. Her mean streak comes out when she's irritated. Trust me, I know from experience." That got him moving, but he didn't get in the car, just leaned on the roof.

"So what exactly will you be doing while I chauffer your girlfriend halfway across the country?" I was hoping he wouldn't ask. "I… uh…" how to dodge without tipping him off? "I have an idea I'm working on that might give us an extra edge when the time comes." What? I told him the truth… just not all of it. "Now get going already! You're wasting daylight." I didn't want her anywhere near outdoors after dark. Not even in Kansas. Not until this was over.

Sam must have understood because he didn't argue or ask any more questions. He got behind the wheel and the Impala roared to life. "Call if you run into any problems on the way there Sam. Oh, and call me when you get to Missouri's so I know you made it there alright." Sam chuckled to himself and Annie waved as the car began to move. He was driving away with my girl, and my baby. It almost killed me. The sooner he got there and came back here, the better.

The first step had been taken. It wouldn't be long now. The next few days would fly by as momentum built and soon it would all be over.