Author's Note: Thank you to LadySunshine6 for your wonderful idea! My heart melted when I read it. Also, I experimented with writing in third person POV for the first time, let me know what you guys think! There is going to more Judson coming up! I didn't ignore anyone's wishes to see more of him! There is definitely more to come, the next chapter will have a lot going on! So enjoy this one in the mean time! I enjoyed writing it! Love you guys! Thank you so much for your continued support! Please leave a review! I love them and they give me direction with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any of its Characters, Emily is my OC.
"And you didn't see any of it?" Dean asked the grieving woman.
"No, he was… he was just gone."
"The doors were locked? There was no forced entry?" I asked.
"That's right."
"Does anybody else have a key?"
She thought for a moment before answering. "My parents."
"Where do they live?" Dean asked her.
"Florida."
Well… two suspects down. Dean and I shared a sigh as Sam walked out of the house towards us.
"Thanks for letting me have a look around, Mrs. Walsh. I think we, uh, got just about everything we need. We're all set." Sam told her.
"We'll be in touch." Dean added. The woman nodded and we all walked down the drive.
"Agents… " The woman called, stopping us. "The police said my husband might have been kidnapped."
"Could be." Dean answered honestly.
"Then why haven't the kidnappers called? O-or – or demanded a ransom? It's three days till Christmas. What am I supposed to tell our daughter?"
I looked over at the little girl on the swing set in the front yard, looking back at me like I'm just one of many unfamiliar faces that have entered her home over the last few days. Everything in me pitied her. I instinctively moved closer to my siblings.
"We're very sorry." Sam told her, she glanced at us with teary eyes before nodding in understanding and turning back towards the house.
"Find anything?" Dean asked once we were out of hearing range. Sam nodded and led us on the other side of the car before pulling something out of his pocket.
"Stocking, mistletoe… this."
"A tooth? Where was this?" I asked poking at it in Sam's hand.
"In the chimney."
"Chimney? No way a man fits up a chimney. It's too narrow." I told him.
"No way he fits up in one piece." Dean corrected. Sam agreed with a raise of his eyebrows.
"Alright, so, if dad went up the chimney—"
"We need to find out what dragged him up there."
"De. I feel like we need to go back and give her something… she should know there's no chance of her husband coming back."
"Emily if we do that then she'll go to the locals and they'll come snooping around, we can't do our job with cops in the way."
I crossed my arms… defeated.
"Sorry kiddo, c'mon. Lets get out of here." Sam said putting his arm around me. I looked back and gave the little girl one last glance… her daddy was never coming home.
Dean dropped Sammy off at the motel and he and I went on a food run. As much as it drives Dean crazy I love to listen to Christmas songs this time of year. I quietly sang along to 'Dreaming of a White Christmas' as we sat in the car and waited for our food.
"You know… we should do a real Christmas this year." Dean said out of the blue, cutting my thoughts off.
"What?"
"Christmas. The tree. The presents. The singing… the whole shabam like when you were little."
"Dean, even when I was little it was just me you and Sammy with a tree branch in a bowl full of dirt." I told him, thinking back to the fond… yet oddly sad, memory.
"So? You never complained back then."
"I don't know De… we don't really… Do. Christmas."
"Well then this year can be the first!" He said excitedly. I stared at him for a long moment. It took me a second to catch on… but I kinda see it now. One last Christmas… this year will be the last. I tore my eyes away from him and plastered on my fake smile.
"Sure. Christmas sounds good." I said. Squeezing the words around the growling lump in my throat. My heart felt like it was being crushed- like it could explode.
"Alright!" He said excited. "Now… on my Christmas list I have the original record of Metallica's Greatest Hits. The new edition of Busty Asian Beauties and a-"
"Ew! Dean… I'm not gonna buy you porn for Christmas!"
He burst into laughter as our food was delivered to us. He handed me our drinks and the bag before pulling back out onto the road, a smile still pulling at his lips. As painful as any of this is for me… for Dean. I'll do it.
"So, was I right? Is it the serial-killing chimney sweep?" Dean asked as we came in and plopped the food down in front of Sam.
"Yep. It's, uh, it's actually Dick Van Dyke." Sam said sarcastically.
"Who?"
"Mary Poppins?" I added.
"Who's that?"
"Oh come on— never mind." Sam groaned.
"Well, it turns out that Walsh is the second guy in town grabbed out of his house this month."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"The other guy get dragged up the chimney, too?"
" We don't know. Witnesses said they heard a thump on the roof." I told him sitting down at the table. "So, what the hell do you think we're dealing with?"
"Actually, I have an idea." Sam said. "Uh, it's gonna sound crazy."
"What could you possibly say that sounds crazy to me?" Dean asked.
"Um… evil Santa."
I choked on my drink. Dean rolled his eyes and patted my back while I tried to catch my breath.
"Yeah, that's crazy." Dean said.
"Yeah… I mean, I'm just saying that there's some version of the anti-Claus in every culture. You got Belsnickel, Krampus, Black Peter. Whatever you want to call it, there's all sorts of lore."
"Saying what?" I asked as I finally was able to breathe again.
"Saying ... back in the day, Santa's brother went rogue and now he shows up around Christmas time, but instead of bringing presents, he punishes the wicked."
I turned to look at Dean and smiled at him.
"If I was Santa then you'd be my evil brother."
Dean shot me a wink and Sam rolled his eyes at us.
"Seriously, can you two be serious for like 5 minutes?"
"So what? He's punishing them by hauling their ass up chimneys?
"For starters, yeah."
"So, this is your theory, huh? Santa's shady brother?" I asked, making sure I was understanding this. It seems a little out there even for us.
"Well, ah – I'm just saying, that's what the lore says."
"Santa doesn't have a brother. There is no Santa." Dean grumbled.
"Yeah, I know. You're the one who told me that in the first place, remember." Sam said, Dean looked guilty for a minute. "Yeah, you know what, I could be wrong. I ... gotta be wrong."
"Maybe, maybe not." I said. If Sam thinks this could be serious, then I'm gonna go with it.
"What?"
"I did a little digging. Turns out both victims visited the same place before they got snatched."
"Where?"
The next morning we drove out the Christmas tree farm where both vics had charges on their bank accounts from within a few days of going missing.
"This place is lame." I groaned.
"Yeah, and they charged me ten bucks a head." Dean added.
"Will you two shut up… its Christmas and this is the only place in town to get a tree. If anti-clause is real and stalking out his victims. This is where he's gonna be."
"Hey, speaking of Christmas, we should have one this year." Dean said casually. Trying to play off how bad he wanted it.
"Have one what?"
"A Christmas."
"No, thanks." Sam scoffed.
"No, we'll get a tree, a little Boston market, just like when we were little."
"Dean, those weren't exactly Hallmark memories for me, you know."
Dean's face fell slightly.
"What are you talking about? We had some great Christmases." I quickly added.
"Whose childhood are you talking about? Do you not remember the year that YOU found out Santa wasn't real? Cause that one was fun."
"Oh, come on, Sam." Dean tried.
"No! Just… no."
"All right, Grinch. I'm gonna go check in with the ticket lady, see if she's seen anything." Dean said before walking off. I turned and to Sam and crossed my arms.
"Sam."
"What?! Are you serious right now? You want to do Christmas?"
"No. I don't. But Dean does. And its his last one. I'm not gonna take that away from him."
"Emily. No. You know how you didn't wanna be pushed into singing again? Well I don't want to be pushed into Christmas. I'm not just gonna sit around and pretend like the end isn't near! I can't believe you encouraged him on this."
Sam turned and stalked off… I stood there. Thinking back to that Christmas. The one that really ended all the rest of them.
(FLASHBACK THIRD PERSON POV)
Sam sat in front of the motel window for the3rd hour in a row. Searching for any sign that his Dad might show up. Christmas was tomorrow and he's not missed one yet. Granted he's came close, crawling through the door Christmas morning, telling Emily a long story about how Santa broke down and Daddy helped fix his sleigh so he sent presents back with him, and that's why he was late.
She was only 6. Sam knew there was no Santa. Dean had ruined that for him many years ago, but both the Winchester boys were damn determined to keep the secret for their little sister.
Dean took apart and reassembled his gun over and over again… timing himself. He wasn't worried. He knew his dad would always show up at the last second, Sam just needed to relax in his mind, or Emily would start to get curious if he didn't get out of that windowsill soon.
"De!" A squirmy little voice called running towards the bed and leaping at him.
"What are you doing monkey?" Dean smiled as he lifted the little girl up over his head and brought her back down to plant a kiss on her cheek.
"I wanna play airplane!"
"But… you're… so… heavy." Dean teased as he lifted her up and down again before taking off with full speed to send her sailing up into the air on his feet. She giggled and her smile lit up the room. Whatever worries Dean had were gone when that laughter filled his ears.
"Whatcha lookin at Sammy?" Emily asked when Dean finally put her back safely on the ground.
"Um, just watching for reindeer." He smiled.
"They only come at night silly!"
"Oh! Well that explains it then."
"Sammy come play cowboys with me!" She said with big eyes, pulling him away from the window by his arm.
"Alright alright… go find your hat."
Emily ran to dig through her bag in the other room, Sam walked over to Dean at the table.
"He's not here yet."
"He'll be here… he said he would be."
"Dean. The older she gets the more she notices. He's not here."
"So go play with her and distract her, she's fine. You're the only one sweating this. Just chill out. He'll be here."
(PRESENT TIME EMILY POV)
"You'd think with the 10 bucks it costs to get into this place, Santa could scrounge up a little snow." Dean's voice called me out of my memories.
"What?"
"Nothing. What are we looking for, again?"
"Oh. I don't know… Sam's over there, just ask him."
"You okay kiddo?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. Sorry… I just kinda spaced out."
"Alright, c'mon. Lets go bug sasquatch." He said throwing an arm over my as we walked towards Sam.
"Hey. What are we looking for?"
"Um… lore says that the anti-Claus will walk with a limp and smell like sweets."
"Great. So we're looking for a pimp Santa. Why the sweets?" I asked.
"Think about it. If you smell like candy, the kids will come closer, you know?"
"That's creepy." I told him. He laughed.
"How does this thing know who's been naughty and who's been nice?" Dean asked.
"I don't know."
Just then the sound of an old man saying 'ho ho ho' caught our attention. I turned and looked to see the man in a santa suit taking pictures with kids.
"So, Ronny, come sit on Santa's knee… Ah, there you go. You been a good boy this year?" Santa asked the little boy.
"Yeah."
"Good. Santa's got a special gift for you."
"Okay… did that creep out anyone else?" I said as we watched the boy walk away with his mom.
Before the boys could reply a woman in an elf costume walked up to us.
"Welcome to Santa's court. Can I escort your child to see Santa?" She asked Sam and Dean.
"Uh… " I was speechless. Seriously? Do I look six?
"No. See she uh, she gets a little skiddish around Santa."
"Oh I see." She said sympathetically.
"He's kidding." I quickly told her. "I'm a little too old to sit with santa."
"Are you sure?" She asked. "The line is short and it wouldn't bother santa a bit."
"Yeah, c'mon sweetheart, go see santa. I bet he smells like candy." Dean said sending me a wink.
"Well if you insist." I told the elf with a tight smile, she led me away from the boys, I turned back and sent them a death stare and middle finger, they both just laughed.
"Well well well, look who we have here." The Santa chimed as I was led, I carefully placed myself on the extreme edge of his knee, despite his efforts to move me closer.
"What do you want for Christmas my dear?"
"A new rifle would be nice." I said sweetly, it seemed to catch him off guard.
"Well, I'll have to see what the Winchester factory has on hand." I almost couldn't contain the urge to bust out laughing or return with a pun, but I did. I quickly made my way back to the boys.
"So? Smell like licorice?"
"More like Ripple. But yeah. He's a creep for sure." I turned just in time to see him get up and walk away… with a limp.
"Well, that's a good sign for us." Sam said.
"I feel a stake out coming on." Dean replied.
"Ughhh…. What time is it?" I groaned from the back seat. We've been on this stake out for HOURS.
"Same as the last time you asked. Here…Caffeinate."
"Ew. Sammy… you know I'm not gonna drink that."
"Just take a good wihiff. You'll be fine."
"Hey, Sam." Dean perked up.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you the boy that hates Christmas?"
"Dean ... " He sighed. I sat up. Interested in the conversation.
"I mean, I admit it. You know, we had a few bumpy holidays when we were kids."
"Bumpy?" Sam said with raised eyebrows.
"That was then. We'll do it right this year."
"Look, Dean. If you and Em want to have Christmas, knock yourself out. Just don't involve me."
"Please Sammy." I said with my best puppy dog eyes, blaring them through his chest right to his heart, he couldn't tear his gaze away. He sighed and finally looked away… he didn't say yes, but he didn't say no.
We went back to watching the house, there was a little movement, then Santa came over and closed his blinds. Lovely. We're gonna sit out here all night and he's gonna get to sleep. I'm so jealous right now.
"What's up with Saint Nicotine?"
"He's probably going to bed. Maybe we should follow."
A sharp sound of a woman's voice caught our attention.
"Oh my god!" She screamed, we all jumped out of the car and ran towards the trailer, guns blazing. We stopped at the door and Sam tried to look in through the window but couldn't see anything, then he chuckled briefly.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. It's just that, uh… well, you know, Mr. Gung Ho Christmas over here might have to blow away Santa."
"Oh shut up." Dean groaned. He flung open the door and in we all charged. I wish I could truly explain the disgusting sight in front of me. Santa was tipping back his bottle of whiskey… sitting in front of his bong… with his Christmas porno blaring on the tv.
I might puke.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He said turning, we all quickly tucked away our guns.
"Uh, well.. I uh.." Sam stuttered.
Dean began to sing- extremely off key. "S-silent night… Holy night."
I quickly joined in as did Sam.
"All is calm… all is bright"
The boys quickly fell off and allowed me to take lead, the Santa began to smile and sit back, swaying to the music as he took another big swig of whiskey.
The more distracted he became the quieter I sang until we all were able to sneak out and hall ass outta there.
"Nice save De."
"Hey, you're the one that made it convincible. Could you imagine had it just be me and tone deaf over there? Yikes!"
I laughed a little.
"You know Em, I saw a piano bar downtown that was gonna have Christmas eve Karaoke, cash prize and everything." Sam taunted, he looked back at me with an evil smirk… he knew Dean would love this, and I would hate it.
"Oh you've totally got that one in the bag! You know every Christmas song ever invented!" Dean don't even like cheered excitedly.
"Yeah, ya know… I don't think that's such a good idea. I mean you don't even like Christmas music Dean. It gets on your nerves every year when I sing it."
"Yeah but this year is different, I'm embracing it."
"Well lets embrace it together, in the car, while we drive."
"C'mon kiddo. Do it for me?"
"…Maybe." I sighed. I leaned back and discreetly pinched the shit out of the back Sam's arm from behind the seat. He flinched and shot me a bitchface, I shot him one back. He knew what he was doing. Asshole.
We got back to the motel, and I went straight to the bed, in hopes of passing out and spending the night dreamless, but we all know that's not gonna happen.
Lately my dreams have been less about hell… more about… Judson. Some nights I have these horrible nightmares, other nights the dream starts off bad but then there he comes, saving the day. Weird right? He… so. Sexy. But dammit he's so frustrating!
Thankfully another attack happened during the night and we were up early to interview the vics.
"So, that's how your son described the attack? "Santa took daddy up the chimney"?" Dean asked for the 3rd time now. The woman winced as she blinked, her new black eye was swollen and multiple colors.
"That's what he says, yes."
"And where were you?"
"I was asleep and all of a sudden… I was being dragged out of bed, screaming."
"Did you see the attacker?" I asked.
"No. It was dark, and he hit me. He knocked me out."
"I'm sorry. I know this is hard." Sam said reaching up and laying his hand on her shoulder as she began to cry. "Mrs. Caldwell, where, where did you get that wreath above the fireplace?"
Me and Dean exchanged confused glances… what the fuck?
"Excuse me?" The woman asked, looking as confused as Dean and I were.
"Just curious, you know." Sam smirked.
I quickly exited the room and waited for the boys by the car.
"What the hell Martha Stewart?" I asked when the boys approached. Sam rolled his eyes.
"Wreaths, huh? Sure you didn't want to ask her about her shoes? I saw some nice handbags in the foyer." Dean laughed.
"We've seen that wreath before, guys."
"Where?"
"The Walshes'."
"I know. I was just testing you." Dean quickly said. Sam and I scoffed as Dean pulled out onto the road.
"What did Bobby say?" I asked as Sam came back in the motel room. We decided to bunker down and do some research before making our next move.
"Uh, that we're morons. He also said that it was probably meadowsweet in those wreaths."
"Wow! Amazing. What the hell is meadowsweet?" I asked sarcastically.
"It's pretty rare and it's probably the most powerful plant in pagan lore."
"Pagan lore?"
"Yeah. See, they used meadowsweet for human sacrifice. It was kind of like a… Chum for their gods. Gods were drawn to it and they'd stop by and snack on whatever was the nearest human."
"Why would somebody be using that for Christmas wreaths?" Dean asked.
"It's not as crazy as it sounds, Dean. I mean, pretty much every Christmas tradition is pagan."
"Christmas is Jesus's birthday." I quickly corrected.
"No, Jesus's birthday was probably in the fall. It was actually the winter solstice festival that was co-opted by the Church and renamed "Christmas". But I mean, the Yule log, the tree, even Santa's red suit – that's all remnants of pagan worship."
"How do you know that? What are you gonna tell me next? Easter bunny's Jewish?" Dean asked. Sam shot him bitchface. I laughed.
"So you think we're gonna dealing with a pagan God?" I asked getting us back on track.
"Yeah, probably Hold Nickar, God of the winter solstice."
"And all these Martha Stewart wannabes, buying these fancy wreaths…"
"Yeah, it's pretty much like putting a neon sign on your front door saying "Come kill us"."
"Great." I groaned.
"Huh… When you sacrifice to Hold Nickar, guess what he gives you in return."
"Lap dances, hopefully." Dean smiled.
"Ew… Dean. Real life. Not porn."
"Mild weather."
"Like no snow in the middle of December in the middle of Michigan." Dean asked looking out the window.
"For instance."
"Do we know how to kill it yet?" I asked.
"No, Bobby's working on that right now. We got to figure out where they're selling those wreaths."
"You think they're selling them on purpose? Feeding the victims to this thing?"
"Let's find out."
Sam took us to a local Christmas shop in the center of town, hopefully this place can give us some idea of who might be selling these things.
"Can I help you?" The apparently bored shop keeper asked.
"Uh, hope so. Uh, we were playing Jenga over at the Walshes' the other night, and, uh… well, he hasn't shut up since about this Christmas wreath, and I don't know, you tell him." Dean said gesturing to Sam.
"It was yummy." Sam said awkwardly. Geez… idjits.
"I sell a lot of wreaths, guys." The guy said fully annoyed. I stepped up to recover.
"Right, right, but – but you see, this one would have been really special. It had, uh, it had, uh, green leaves, um, white buds on it. It might have been made of, uh… meadowsweet?"
"Well, aren't you a fussy one?" He said to me, my face must have reflected my annoyance. Sam bumped me and I quickly recovered it to a polite fake smile.
"She is…" Dean laughed, I elbowed him in the ribs.
"Anyway, I know the one you're talking about. I'm all out."
"Huh. Seems like this meadowsweet stuff's pretty rare and expensive. Why make wreaths out of it?"
"Beats me. I didn't make them."
"Who did?"
"Madge Carrigan, a local lady. She said the wreaths were so special, she gave them to me for free."
"She didn't charge you?" Sam asked suspiciously.
"Nope."
"Did you sell them for free?" I asked.
"Hell no. It's Christmas. People pay a buttload for this crap."
"That's the spirit." I told him with a heavy curve of sarcasm. I turned and walked out the door. We got all we needed from this asshole.
"How much do you think a meadowsweet wreath would cost?" Dean asked as we walked back into the motel.
"A couple hundred dollars, at least." Sam answered.
"This lady's giving them away for free? What do you think about that?"
"Well, sounds pretty suspicious." I added as I laid across the bed, all of my limbs stretched out. "Hey how bout you two share a bed tonight."
"Yeah. Nice try kiddo. I don't think we'd even fit in one bed." Dean said laying on top of me.
"Ughh! De! Can't… breathe!" I chuckled. He pretended to make himself comfortable, using me as a mattress. "Sammy! Save me!"
Sam rolled his eyes as I continually tried to roll over and knock Dean off of me, finally he gave up and I was able to breathe again, but then he laid back down and shoved me off to the side, I landed in the floor with a thud, when I came up I grabbed the pillow and began wailing on him with it.
"Hey! Hey! Watch it!" Dean yelled between laughs. After we both stopped to catch our breath Dean moved off the bed and walked to the fridge, tossing me a water bottle before cracking open a beer.
"Remember that wreath Dad brought home that one year?" Dean asked with a smile tugging at his lips.
"You mean the one he stole from, like, a liquor store?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, it was a bunch of empty beer cans. That thing was great. I bet if I looked around hard enough, I could probably find one just like it."
"All right. Dude… What's going on with you?"
"Sam don't." I pleaded.
"What?" Dean asked, they both ignored me.
"I mean, since when are you Bing Crosby all of a sudden? Why do you want Christmas so bad?"
"Why are you so against it? I mean, were your childhood memories that traumatic?"
"No, that has nothing to do with it."
"Then what?"
"I-I mean, I-I just… I don't get it. You haven't talked about Christmas in years."
"Well, yeah. This is my last year."
My heart cringed. Hearing the words come out of his mouth never becomes easier.
"I know. That's why I can't." Sam sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I can't just sit around, drinking eggnog, pretending everything's okay, when I know next Christmas you'll be dead."
I instantly felt like I could puke. I swallowed down the wave of emotion and pulled my knees up to my chest, refusing to look either brother in the eye… I don't want to be part of this conversation. And I'm glad they aren't dragging me into it.
Nothing else was said for the rest of the night.
(FLASHBACK THIRD PERSON POV)
"Alright babygirl, time for bed." Dean said as he tucked the blankets in around his freshly bathed baby sister, he wiped the damp stray hairs away from her face as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
"I wanna stay awake until Daddy gets here." She whined.
"Well what if Santa comes before Dad? He won't stop if he sees your awake."
"Well maybe when Santa comes I can pretend to be asleep!" She said with a tiny burst of short lived excitement, still battling to keep her big brown eyes open.
"How about this, if Dad comes home I'll wake you up."
"Promise?" She mumbled.
"I promise." He whispered in her ear as her eyes fluttered closed. He placed a soft kiss on her temple before slowly climbing off the bed and walking over to the couch to join his little brother.
He sat down, handing Sam a coke.
"He's not gonna make it Dean." Sam stated grumpily.
"Dude. Chill out already. He'll be here. Presents in hand, just like every other year."
"And if he's not? What are we gonna tell her?"
"Just don't worry about it, I'll handle it."
Sam huffed in his seat.
"I don't understand why you're so okay with him bailing on us for Christmas. You heard him on the phone, he said it could be days before he finished."
"Sam, he'll take a break, run home, and go back and finish."
"You think Dad's gonna skip out on a hunt for Christmas?"
"No dipshit. I think Dad would take a quick break from a hunt to make sure his little girl has a Christmas. You know how he feels about her finding out about stuff. He's gonna keep this Santa thing going for as long as he can."
"Yeah well he certainly wasn't worried about us finding out."
"We're different man, she's just a little girl."
"Whatever, you always take his side."
"Sammy, shut up and watch Rudolph."
"No! I'm tired of this Dean! You always just do what Dad says, what about us?"
"Keep your voice down!" Dean whisper yelled as he turned back to see Emily stir slightly in the bed.
"Or what? Christmas will be ruined? I mean I don't know why we do this anyways! One day she's gonna find out that Santa isn't real, and when she does Dad will quit showing up! Might as well start now!" Sam yelled. He wasn't truly angry at his brother, but more hurt that his Dad was cutting it closer and closer every year. He knew once Emily found out that all this was a ruse and there won't really be Christmas' anymore. Sam wasn't prepared for that.
"…Sammy." A soft voice called from behind the couch. Sam and Dean both turned to see a teary eyed little girl in her favorite pony pajamas. Sam knew by the look in her eyes that she had heard him.
"What's wrong babygirl?" Dean said as he walked over and picked up the small girl, she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and her small legs as far around his torso as she could, he sat back on the couch. She turned her face and laid against Dean's shoulder as she stared into Sam's eyes.
"There's no Santa Claus is there?" She asked so softly it was almost a whisper. Dean immediately pulled her down to straddle his lap.
"What?! That's silly. Of course there is!" Dean quickly said pushing her hair back again. She looked at him for a moment before turning back to look at Sam. He was heartbroken. He knew that he had ruined her Christmas. She was too smart for her own good, she knew. He did the one thing he prayed his father wouldn't do.
Now there was no need to put on the show. There was no need to tell stories before bed every night leading up to Christmas Eve, there was no need to bake cookies and leave them for Santa. There was no need for his father to make sure he was there every year.
"Tell her, Sam." Dean pushed.
Sam couldn't bear to lie to her again, not when he knew she wouldn't believe it anyways. Emily's doe eyes watered again and Sam reached up and wiped the tear as it rolled down her cheek. He held open his arms and she crawled from one set of arms to the other.
Sam stood and she wrapped herself around him the same she did Dean. He carried her back to the bed and tucked her in, he hated the way her broken heart reflected on her face.
"When you wake up, there'll be presents under the tree, and we can make pancakes, and eat the rest of those cookies."
"Will Daddy be here?"
"Yeah, of course. He wouldn't miss Christmas."
"…So if Santa isn't real where do all of the presents come from?" She asked curiously.
"Well, dad, and me and Dean."
"Can I buy you guys presents?"
"Sure sweetheart." Sam smiled. His sister's innocence and kind spirit always impressed him. She was stronger than any of the Winchester men combined; a trait he assumed came from their mother.
"Go to sleep. It'll all be better when you wake up."
"I love you Sammy." She sniffled.
"I love you too."
Sam walked back over to the couch and the brothers attempted to ignore the soft sniffling that came from the other side of the room, eventually she fell asleep. When she did, Dean stood and put on his jacket.
"Where are you going?"
"Well… her Christmas is looking kind of lame at the moment so I'm going to the store. Lock the door behind me."
(PRESENT EMILYS POV)
"This is where Mrs. Wreath lives, huh? Can't you just feel the evil pagan vibe?" Dean teased as we walked up to the large white house the rich suburb area. I stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" A cheery plump woman answered.
"Please tell me you're the Madge Carrigan who makes the meadowsweet wreaths." Dean charmed. Her face lit up.
"Why, yes I am." She blushed.
"Ha! Bingo." Dean said patting Sam roughly on the back.
"Yeah? Uh, well, we were just admiring your wreaths in Mr. Sylar's place the other day?" Sam said.
"You were? Well, isn't that meadowsweet just the finest-smelling thing you ever smelled?"
"It is, it sure is. But the problem is, is that all you wreaths had sold out before we got the chance to buy one."
"Oh, fudge!" The woman said putting her hands on her hips. This lady was way too friendly to me… somethings off.
"You wouldn't have another one that we could buy from you, would you?"
"Oh, no, I'm afraid those were the only ones I had for this season."
Sam nodded disappointedly.
"Tell me something, why did you decide to make them out of meadowsweet?" I asked. Before she could answer, she was joined by a man with an old fashioned pipe and a cardigan… together they were so old fashioned that I had to remember what decade it was.
"Why, the smell, of course! I don't think I've ever smelled anything finer."
"What's going on, honey?" The man asked.
"Well, just some nice kids asking about my wreaths, dear. "
"Oh, the wreaths are fine. Fine wreaths. Oh, care for some peanut brittle?" He held out the tin, Dean went to reach for it but I quickly blocked him.
"No thank you, peanut allergy." I smiled politely.
"Oh what a shame, well I'm sorry we couldn't help you kids out." The man said sympathetically.
"Oh that's okay, there's always next year right!" Dean cheered, they nodded and bid us farewell.
"I don't like em. Somethings up." I said as we drove back to the motel to get weapons together.
"Yeah, something is a little too perfect." Sam agreed. "I'll dig around when we get back.
Once at the motel Dean and I began sharpening wooden stakes, Sam of course went straight to his laptop and hasn't said a word since.
"I knew it! Something was way off with those two." Sam cheered catching us off guard.
"What'd you find?" Dean asked.
"The Carrigans lived in Seattle, last year, where two abductions took place right around Christmas. They moved here in January. All that Christmas crap in their house – that wasn't boughs of holly. It was vervain and mint."
"Pagan stuff?" I guessed.
"Serious pagan stuff."
"So what, Ozzie and Harriet are keeping a pagan god hidden underneath their plastic-covered couch?" Dean asked.
"I don't know. All I know is we gotta check them out. So, what about Bobby? He's sure evergreen stakes will kill this thing, right?"
"Yeah, he's sure."
That night we prepared a plan and made sure we all armed and ready to go, guns don't really do us much good here so I swapped it out for an extra stake or two tucked away in my boot and my pants. It was almost Christmas and I couldn't stop thinking about this whole week… what Sam wanted. What Dean wanted… the last place I wanted to be was on stage right now, but for Dean. I don't know…
When we approached the house I looked around at the quiet neighborhood, every yard was filled with lights, including the one we were standing in. We'd be screwed if anyone came outside right now.
Dean picked the lock and lead us through the door into the living room… where the couches were covered in plastic. I stopped and looked at Dean. He just couldn't resist.
"See? Plastic." He smiled.
Dean cleared the room and spent a minute or two staring at the decorations while Sam and I explored. I entered the kitchen and found several plates stacked with cookies and small cakes, then next to the counter was a door with a large padlock on it. BINGO.
"Hey. Sam, Dean." I whispered, they both quickly entered and I nodded towards the door.
Dean picked the lock and we descended the stairway one after another, the boys of course shoved me into the middle, like always. Once at the bottom we find a large bowl, next to it are bones, and I can smell the blood from across the room. The further the light travels across the room the more I realize it looks like a human butcher shop.
Uncomfortably I stepped back and grabbed onto the bottom of Dean's jacket.
"Stay close." He whispered to me.
Sam approached a large bag hanging form the wall, I was terrified for him to open it. Just as he reaches for the zipper the bag moves and muffled screams filled the room, I gasped and clutched to Dean's side. Before Sam got the chance to open the bag Madge appeared out of nowhere and picked him up by the neck like a kitten.
"Sam!" I yelled as Dean and I went to charge her, but I heard Dean groan from behind me and spotted Mr. Carrigan with a large chunk of wood, Dean layed unconscious on the floor. I backed myself against the wall, stake held out in front of me. Ready for a fight.
Sam was struggling to breathe and was on the verge of passing out.
"Gosh, I wish you boys hadn't come down here." Madge scowled as Sam finally passed out.
"Drop him!" I said advancing her, but before I knew what happened she dropped Sam to the ground and threw me back against the brick wall, my head hit hard and I slumped to the ground.
"Sssmmm." I groaned as my vision blurred into blackness.
"Dean… Dean wake up." Sam's voice faded in and out of my mind. Everything was still black. Sam sounded far away.
"Dean? You okay?" Sam's voice rang.
"Yeah, I think so." Dean groaned. "Where's Em."
I tried to speak but couldn't form the words, it just came out groans and mumbles.
"Em, wake up."
I forced my eyes to open, they were so heavy, and the back of my head pounded. I quickly realized I was laying on the floor, hands and feet bound. I looked up and found my brothers each tied to a chair, back to back.
"So, I guess we're dealing with Mr. and Mrs. God. Nice to know." Sam said.
"Yeah." Dean nodded. "Kiddo you doing okay down there?"
"Mmmm… I'm alive." I groaned.
"Good." Dean said pulling against his ropes. Just then the Mr. and Mrs. Entered the room.
"Ooh, and here we thought you lazybones were gonna sleep straight through all the fun stuff." Madge giggled.
"Miss all this? Nah, we're partiers." I said from the ground.
"Isn't she a kick in the pants, honey? You're hunters, is what you are." Mr. Carrigan announced.
"And you're pagan gods. So, why don't we just call it even, and go our separate ways?" Dean said.
"What, so you can bring more hunters and kill us? I don't think so."
"Maybe you should have thought about that before you went snacking on humans, now, huh?" Sam said bitterly.
"Oh now, don't get all wet. Why, we used to take over a hundred tributes a year and that's a fact." She placed a napkin in Sam and Dean's laps. "Now what do we take? What, two? Three?"
"Hardy Boys here make five. And the girl will be 6 if we have enough room."
"Oh I don't know, we're a pretty big meal. Might as well let her off the hook. Literally." Dean smiled.
"And miss out on the chance to snack on someone so delectable? Have you seen that sweet girl? I can taste her from across the room. She's a special one!"
"Fuck you lady." I said coming out of my haze and becoming annoyed.
"Language!" Madge scolded me. "You, young lady, better show us a little respect."
"Or what? You'll eat us?" Sam mocked. I was impressed with his sass level tonight.
"Not so fast. There's rituals to be followed first." Mr. Carrigan added.
"Oh, we're just sticklers for ritual." Madge smiled. "And you know what kicks off the whole shebang?"
"Let me guess… meadowsweet." Dean said.
"Oh shucks, you're all out of wreaths. I guess we'll just have to cancel the sacrifice, huh?" I added.
"Oh, don't be such a gloomy Gus." She lifted two small wreaths and laid them on Sam and Dean's necks. "There. Ohh… Don't they just look darling?"
"A little gay if you ask me." I teased, Sam and Dean both shot me bitchface.
"Good enough to eat." Mr. Carrigan said as he lifted a knife. "Step number two."
He proceeded to walk over to Sam and cut his arm, draining some of the blood into a bowl. I reached up with my foot and kicked the back of his knee, he faltered and dropped the knife and bowl.
"Why… you little-"
"Now now now dear! I just told the youngens here to watch their language, we don't want to set a bad example do we?"
"Of course not dear." Mr. Carrigan smiled as he stood, sending me a death glare. He stands again and slices Sam's arm, Sam cries out in pain.
"Sammy?! Sammy?" Dean yelled unable to see what was happening.
"He's okay! He's okay Dean." I said quickly. They move over to Dean and do the same.
"Leave them alone! You bastards!"
"Hear how they talk to us? Heh heh. To Gods? Back in the day, we were worshiped by millions."
"Time have changed!" Dean yelled.
"Tell me about it. All of a sudden, this Jesus character is the hot new thing in town. All of a sudden, our – our altars are being burned down, and we're being hunted down like common monsters."
"But did we say a peep? Oh ho ho, no, no, no, we did not. Two millennium. We kept a low profile; we got jobs, a mortgage. Wh-What was that word, dear?"
"We assimilated."
"Yeah, we assimilated. Why, we play bridge on Tuesday and Fridays. (Holding a large knife) We're just like everybody else."
They continued their chatter as they added things into the bowls, picking up different tools for torture.
"You're not blending in as smooth as you think, lady."
"Well we've done pretty well for ourselves so far. You three are the only hunters we've seen in decades!" Madge cheered as she walked over to Sam with pliers. "You kids have no idea how lucky you are. There was a time when kids came from miles around, just to be sitting where you are."
"What do you think you're doing with those?" Sam asked panicky. Hearing his fear intensified mine, I looked at Dean whose eyes widened and I began to feel it build… It pushed against my chest walls.
"Stop! Stop it! I'm warning you! Leave him alone!" I screamed frantically, not sure if I was more afraid of what I was gonna do or what they were going to do to my brothers.
"No. No. Don't!" Sam begged as they ripped off his fingernail with the pliers.
"STOP!" I screamed, the glass dishes in the room burst and shattered. The Carrigan's stopped in their tracks, looking around the freshly destroyed kitchen that was spotless only a second ago. Dean and Sam looked around and then both looked back at me, I looked between them frantically, but then it felt like fire working its way down my hands and feet, the ropes that bound me burned in seconds, freeing me. I took advantage of the distracted Carrigans and stood, coming up behind Madge with the small stake I had hidden.
She turned just as I went to plunge it through her back and shoved me backwards against the counter, my head smacking against it corner. I reached back and felt the hot sticky red mess flowing through my hair.
"Dean…" I whispered, trying to focus on him but seeing 3 instead of 1.
"Emily! Emily get up babygirl! Get up!" He yelled. His voice, the fear, it pushed me to try and focus I vaguely saw Mr. Carrigan coming at me, I reached my hand forwards, and he was immediately out of my line of sight. Everything was fuzzy, yet something was controlling my body. Pulling me up off the ground and lifting the stake without actually touching it.
My vision blurred in and out as I watched the stake fly through the air and nail Mr. Carrigan straight in the chest. Madge's screams felt like they were far away, but they were getting louder. Everything was getting louder. Too loud.
"Ahh!" I cried covering my ears. Falling to the ground.
"Emily!" Sam and Dean's calls made me feel like I was in a tunnel, suddenly I was awake, fully aware and able to focus. Madge's eyes were red, she stared at me, moving quicker than I thought she could really, she charged me and I took three steps back.
Three steps. That's all it took for her to advance me and the stake in my hand to pierce her. As she collapsed to the floor I turned and began to untie my brothers.
"Emily look at me, are you hurt?" Dean said grabbing me and pushing my hair back as held a rag to my bleeding nose. I looked up at him but I don't remember giving him an answer.
Sam pulled me against him as he looked between the two bodies.
"We're good Em, we're okay." He whispered out of breath.
"Dean… It. It wasn't me… I don't know what happened."
"You saved our asses kiddo, I don't know what it was but I'm gonna just be thankful for it tonight." I leaned heavily against Dean as he walked us out the back door and to the impala.
"Hows the head?" Sam asked when we began to drive back to the motel.
"Throbbing." I groaned. "Hows the hand?"
"I think I'll survive. Nails grow back right?"
"Yeah, right."
When we got back Dean went to shower and Sam cleaned up the back of my head.
"Hey." He said as he washed the blood out of my hair.
"What? Is it bad?"
"No, no its fine. Just a cut, you know how head wounds bleed, I'll stitch it up and you'll be good to go. But uh, listen. I know its been a long night, but. If you could get Dean out of the room for a couple hours. I've got some decorating to do."
Surprised I turned to look at him.
"Really?" I asked teary eyed.
"Yeah. One more Christmas? For Dean?"
I nodded my head unable to speak the words. I am amazed daily at the great people my brothers are.
(FLASHBACK THIRD PERSON POV)
"Sammy! Sammy! Its Christmas!" The hyper voice called in his ear as the bed bounced up and down over and over again.
"Okay, I'm up…" Sam groaned as the little girl jumped off the bed.
"Look Sammy! Look at all these toys!"
Sam was unsure of what she meant? He knew they only had a few presents set aside for each other when he went to bed last night, Dean had left to go to the store, but he didn't have a lot of money. He pushed himself out of the bed and walked over to where the branch in the pot was set on the table. All around it were bright colors and shiny objects. Then entire table was filled with toy after toy, mostly for his sister, which was perfectly fine with him. Sam smiled.
He looked over and found Dean slumped on the couch asleep, no doubt he tried to stay up and wait for their father, who was very obviously absent on this cheery morning.
"Dean. Dean." Sam repeated as he shook his brother awake. "How much of this stuff was on a five finger discount?"
"Shut up." Dean laughed as he sat up.
"He never showed up did he?" Sam whispered as Dean's eyes open and fell on Emily going through her presents. He smiled.
"No. He didn't. But it doesn't matter… look at her."
"Yeah. You did good… here." Sam held out a small newspaper wrapped package. "Its from me and Emily. It was gonna be for Dad, but. I think you should have it."
"You sure man?"
"DE! De! Look! I got a pony!" Emily squealed as she ran at him and jumped in his lap. He caught her with a huff.
"You sure did!"
"Thank you De." She said with a smile before kissing his cheek.
"Hey Em, tell Dean to open his present." Sam said, pointing to the package in Dean's hand.
"Open it De! Open it!" She cheered.
Dean slowly pulled the paper off and opened a small dark box. Inside of it was an amulet on a leather string. Dean held it up and smiled.
"I love it. Thanks guys." Dean smiled as he placed the amulet over his head and let it drape down his neck. Emily wasted no time fiddling with it while she sat in his lap. Dean knew this was quickly going to become her new habit.
"Merry Christmas." Sam smiled sitting next to his siblings on the couch.
(PRESENT EMILYS POV)
Dean and I pulled into the semi-full parking lot of the local piano bar. It was busier than I thought it would be on Christmas Eve. But I wasn't going to let any size crowd make me second guess my decision tonight.
"What about Sam?" Dean asked as I forced him to pull in and park.
"He'll meet us here, c'mon."
"Em, what are we doing here?"
"Ugh. Quit asking so many questions! Just come in here with me."
I dragged Dean in through the doorway and sat him at a table.
"Wait here, Sam will be here soon, I'll order you a beer." I kissed him on the cheek and skipped over to the bar. I haven't been this excited to sing in months.
"Hey! Can you get the guy at the table in the corner a tall glass of whatever's on tap, please?"
"Sure thing kid." He smiled taking my money.
I made my way down to the edge of the stage and signed up on the list. The cash prize wasn't much, bout 200 bucks. But at least its something.
(SAMS POV)
I caught a ride down to the bar and spotted Dean at a table in the corner. I was really against this whole night, but… all he wants is one more Christmas, who am I to deny him?
"Hey man, where's Em?"
"Hell if I know, she sat me at the table and ordered me a drink. Demanded I not move until you get here. What's going on?"
"I think maybe she's feeling the Christmas spirit." I chuckled. He shook his head while downing the rest of his drink.
A woman on stage caught our attention, talking about how the open mic night was fixing to start. Dean stopped listening and rolled his eyes over to me suspiciously.
"Seriously? How did you talk her into this?"
"I didn't. She did. She wants you to have a good Christmas."
"Well I'll be damned." Dean smiled as the first girl came out on stage.
I went to refill our beers while their first couple acts played. They were decent, all singing popular Christmas songs. I knew Em would wind up doing the same since it seemed to be the trend for the evening.
"Next up, Emily Wilson." The host called as I sat down and slid Dean over his 3rd beer for the night.
"Here we go." Dean smiled excitedly. I lingered watching him a minute longer than I usually would. He was so… happy. Knowing his days were numbered didn't stop him, didn't slow him down. He truly lived for every minute he had left.
The crowd applauded as Emily walked out on stage and sat down on the stool in the center, the spotlight falling on her as she adjusted the mic.
"Hey everyone, Merry Christmas and all that junk… Um. This, uh. This is for my Brother. Love you De."
I looked over at a smiling Dean. Nothing in the world existed to him other than Em right now. Something about watching her perform just made him happy, I guess it was seeing her happy.
"I'll be home for Christmas… You can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe… And presents under the tree."
"Christmas Eve will find me, where the love light gleams… I'll be home for Christmas. If only in my dreams."
I bounced between watching her and watching Dean watch her. I was fixing to fix my gaze back on the stage when something glistened on the side of his face. He quickly reached up and wiped it away, before anyone else could notice.
I coughed, "you good man?"
"Yeah… Yeah. I'm good." He said softly. "I just uh. I'm gonna miss hearing her voice."
For the first time since this whole thing started I truly saw how sad he was… he finally dropped the charade. I didn't know what else to say, so I just went back to watching Em.
"Christmas Eve'll find me… Where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas…If only in my dreams."
The music started to fade.
"Ohhh, If only… In."
"My Dreeeams."
The room cheered, Dean stood and clapped loudly, cheering for Em as she took a small bow before exiting the stage. His eyes fell on mine for a moment, flashing between pride and heartbreak.
Dammit… how could he have made this deal.
(EMILYS POV)
I left the stage and wound my way through the crowd back to the table where I first left Dean. Once I got past the floor, it was easy to spot the two huge guys in the corner, they stuck out like a sore thumb. I smiled and jogged up to the table.
"Hey!" I said cheerily, reaching out to take a sip of the drink they'd ordered for me.
"You killed it kiddo! Nice job." Dean said wrapping an arm around me and kissing me on the cheek.
"Yeah well let's hope so, the money would be nice." I said taking another drink. I looked over to Sam and winked, he nodded. Signaling that the room is all set up and ready.
We only had to wait for 2 more acts to go before the winner was announced.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen!" The host called from the stage. "Our lucky winner tonight its… Mary Giffin!"
I clapped and smiled as I watched the cute blonde pop up on stage and accept her money.
"Man, what a rip off… no one likes jingle bells that much anyways." Dean whined.
"Eh, who cares. Lets get outta here!" I said excitedly. Dean shot me an odd glance but I ignored and pulled him back outside by his arm, much like the way I dragged him in.
"Hurry up slow pokes." I whined as I skipped to the car.
"Geez, you sure are cheery for someone who lost." Dean noted.
"Yeah well, win some lose some, I get to go home with the two best brothers in the world." I said with a wink. Both brothers laughed at me before getting in and driving us back to the motel. Once we got back, Sam rushed to the front door to make sure everything was plugged in and ready to go.
I let Dean walk through first.
"What's all this?" Dean asked in amazement as he took in the room. Complete with a Christmas tree, lights, and music.
"What do you think it is? It's – it's Christmas." Sam said.
"What made you change your mind?" Dean asked looking between Sam and I.
"Here, uh ... try the eggnog. Let me know if it needs some more kick." Sam said handing him a cup. Dean sipped it and coughed, obviously its not lacking in whiskey.
"No, we're good."
"Yeah?" Sam laughed pouring another glass and offering it to me.
"Oh, no. I'm good… I don't drink rotten eggs. I'll just take some whiskey."
Sam rolled his eyes at me but poured me a little whiskey in the cup and handed it over.
"Alright. Well, uh, have a seat. Let's do… Christmas stuff, or whatever."
"All right, first things first." Dean said excited. He reaches under the couch and pulls out two small gifts wrapped up in newspaper. He hands one to me, one to Sam. "Merry Christmas." Dean smiled
"Where'd you get these?" Sam asked with an equally large smile.
"Someplace special… The gas mart down the street."
We all laughed.
"Well, great minds think alike, Dean." I said pulling presents out form behind the cushion I had stashed.
"Yeah, same here." Sam chuckled.
"Really?!" Dean asked surprised. We all exchanged gifts.
"Okay Sammy, you first." I demanded. He began to open up his presents. The one from me being a new book on ancient languages I bought from a library a few towns back, and from Dean some porn mags. Nice De…
"Wow! Thanks guys…" Sam laughed. "I definitely won't run out of reading material. You next Dean."
Dean started pulling off the cheap paper that wrapped around the gifts, he opened Sam's first. Which was oil for Baby. Then mine, which consisted of a stack of those little apple pies Dean loves so much."
"Look at this. Fuel for me and fuel for my baby! These are awesome. Thanks." Dean wasted no time opening up one of the pies and tearing into it. "You're up kiddo." He said through a mouthful of pie. I chuckled as I reached down and opened the gifts.
The first was from Sam, it was an itunes card, he knows I like to download new music all the time but hadn't been able to lately. From Dean, I got a small silver ring. On the inside was an engraving, 'always my little girl'. I sniffled for a second before sliding the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. I loved it.
"Thanks guys, you're the best." I said leaning forward and wrapping my arms around Sam, kissing him on the cheek before going over to Dean.
"I love you." I whispered in his ear, feeling the stinging of tears. I clung to him a little longer and harder than really necessary, but I just couldn't stand to let go yet. Not yet.
When I was finally able to rip myself off of him, we all kinda sat and looked at each other. Savoring the moment. The last Christmas…
"Hey uh, you guys wanna watch the game?"
"Absolutely!" Dean said sitting back and getting comfortable on the couch. I leaned against him and waited for Sam to sit back down before digging my feet under his leg for warmth, his arm resting on my knees.
For one night I was determined not to be sad. Not to feel the dread. Not to acknowledge the fact that this was the LAST Christmas, but to instead enjoy the evening for what it was.
Family time.