First Solo Flight

Chapter Ten

Refer to disclaimers in previous chapters.

A/N: It's a story within a story! The young Winchesters have been rescued but don't forget we still have to deal with the mystery surrounding Aidan's parents' death. What did he see in his house that affected what happened here?

I'm overwhelmed by the response to this story. I don't have the words to express my thanks – which is why I'll probably never be a professional writer! If you're inspired to jot me a few words, I'd love to read them. Thanks for sticking with me!

ooOOooOOooOOoo

John forced himself away from the boys as they sat together on one of the beds, drinking the broth Raven had prepared. He leaned against a far wall and Christopher approached him.

"You're not going to eat?"

"Screw the broth, I want a cheeseburger."

John smiled. "Maybe we can send Aidan out for food."

Christopher glanced at the young man. "He's hurting, you know."

"When did you get so sympathetic?"

"I have my moments. He really feels bad, John."

John rubbed his beard-stubbled face. "I know. What the hell happened?"

"I don't know. This whole thing has something to do with his parents. I told him I'd help him figure it out."

"His parents?"

Christopher nodded. "The servant demons killed his parents. That much I know for sure."

"I investigated his parents' death –"

"What do you remember?"

"Not much, but it's all in my journal."

"I'd like to read it before I get inside his head."

John nodded. "Sure. Of course."

"But later, okay? I'm exhausted."

"You and the boys should get some sleep." John said as he watched his boys whisper amongst themselves. They didn't seem to notice anyone else in the room.

"That sounds like a great idea." Christopher said.

"Christopher," John began, somewhat uncomfortably. "Thank you. For everything."

"Look, I know we've had our differences but – I – I respect you and I was glad to help your boys."

ooOOooOOooOOoo

"Sammy?" Dean began as he finished the last of the broth. "I – uh – I don't know how you did what you did, but if you hadn't found me – I don't know what would have happened."

"I don't understand it either, Dean. I just knew something was wrong and –" he shrugged.

"You brought my knife. And my Metallica shirt –"

"Your car."

"My car?" Dean raised his eyebrows. "Why, Sam? Why did you bring this stuff?"

Sam shrugged. "They felt like you."

"I don't know what that means."

"Your knife, your shirt, your car." Sam shrugged again, unable to explain any more clearly.

Dean hesitated. "Thank you, Sammy. You saved my life."

The younger boy beamed as he stifled a yawn.

Raven had gone to the office after giving the boys the broth and rented the room next to the one they already occupied. All of them were in desperate need of sleep and there were too many people for one room. Sam and Dean fell asleep in the bed they shared. John stayed with them and the others moved to the adjoining room.

ooOOooOOooOOoo

When John woke up after only a short time, he lay in bed watching his children as they slept across from him. The night he found out the truth about the evil that existed in the world, he swore he would always protect them. It was eating away at him that due to languid research, he not only failed to protect Dean, he put his oldest son in danger. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel pride for the way Sam managed to save him. These budding psychic abilities scared him, though, and he wondered how – or if – they fit into what happened to Mary. There was still so much he didn't know and he worried that those things were more important than what he did know.

John managed to fall back to sleep, but was startled awake when Sam shook his shoulder roughly.

"Dad!" Sam whispered harshly.

"What's wrong, Sammy?" John opened his eyes. Sam was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand still on his father's shoulder.

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean?" John asked, confused.

"When did we get here? When did Dean get here?"

John sat up. "You don't remember?"

Sam shook his head. He looked frightened.

John rested his hand on Sam's arm. "Tell me what you do remember."

"We were driving here. You asked me if I wanted anything to eat or drink, but I was too tired. I guess I fell asleep."

"And that's all you remember?"

Sam nodded. "Is something wrong?"

John pulled him into an embrace. "No, Sammy. Everything is fine."

A moment later, Sam pulled away. "Is Dean okay?"

"I think so. Let's check on him."

Sam moved to his brother and gently shook his shoulder as John threw his legs over the side of the bed. Dean slowly opened his eyes.

"Sammy –" he looked around. "Where am I?"

"A motel room." Sam said.

John leaned forward. "You okay?"

Dean nodded, but grimaced when he tried to sit up.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Just sore." he saw the bruises on his wrists. "What happened?"

"What do you remember, Dean?"

He looked thoughtful. "Aidan and I were at the bar – I got taken from outside, just like we planned."

"Anything else?"

Dean shook his head. "How did I get here?"

"Aidan and Christopher." John said. "They found where you were being held and destroyed the demons."

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"Me too." Sam added.

"I don't know, boys."

"Why are you even here?" Dean asked.

"We were worried about you." John said. "Sammy here was too smart to buy the story and wanted to be here."

Dean looked from his father to his brother and back again. "What doesn't Sammy remember?"

"Most of the drive here." John said. "I guess he was pretty tired."

Dean looked disbelieving but said nothing. He looked back to his brother. "You okay?"

"Yeah. You?"

Dean shrugged. "I guess so."

Sam reached for one of Dean's hands so he could examine the damage to his wrists. Dean stopped him, instead looking at his bandaged hand. "How's the cut?"

"Okay, I guess." Sam shrugged.

"Why don't I check both of you out?" John suggested. "Aidan and Christopher are asleep next door."

He got the first aid kit from his bag and set about examining his son's injuries. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, but thought his sons' memory loss might be for the best.

ooOOooOOooOOoo

The Winchesters and their friends decided to stay in Milton for the night. No one felt like going out for food, so they had pizzas and sodas delivered. Away from the boys, John talked to Christopher about the rescue and found he remembered everything, though he had no explanation for why the boys' memories were blocked. Raven was also at a loss to explain it.

After getting his fill of pizza, Christopher settled in a corner of the room to read John's journal entries regarding the death of Aidan's parents. He occasionally glanced up to see Sam and Dean watching television together and John pretending to be interested in the show. Aidan was sitting near them, also pretending to be interested in the show, and Raven had gone to sleep in the next room.

ooOOooOOooOOoo

"Did the journal help?" John asked as he and Christopher stood outside.

"Maybe. I figured I'd take Raven home tomorrow and come back to your place – if that's where Aidan is going to be."

John looked away.

"John, come on. He needs you."

"This sensitive side of yours is really starting to piss me off."

Christopher smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure the real me will come shining through soon enough."

"Fine. I'll ask him to come home with us. So what? Do you think he knows what happened to his parents?"

"I think so. I think he probably saw something in that house before you got there, but he blocked it out."

"Speaking of blocking things out – the boys?"

Christopher shrugged. "I read them earlier. There truly is no memory of what happened."

"Do you think Raven did something? Was there something in that broth?"

"She's one of us, John." Christopher grinned. "Well, one of you."

"Oh good. The sensitive side is already disappearing." John smiled.

"I'm kind of tired. I think I'll turn in. Maybe you should stay out here for a few minutes. I have a feeling Aidan will be joining you."

"You reading him?"

"No. I'm going to send him out here to talk to you."

John shook his head and smiled as Christopher walked back toward the room. A moment later, Aidan joined John in the parking lot, his hands in his pockets and a nervous expression on his face.

"Christopher said you wanted to talk to me."

John hesitated. "Yeah. Look, I want you to come to our place when we leave tomorrow."

"You've got to be way pissed at me."

"No more than I am at myself. Christopher read my journal entries about your parents. He said he'd meet you at the house after he takes Raven home tomorrow. Maybe we can finally solve the mystery."

Aidan looked relieved.

"Thank you, John." he whispered.

John nodded and put a hand on his young friend's shoulder. "Come on, let's get some shut-eye."

TBC