Dean, always the obedient son, followed his father's directions, per the note he had left. He stayed at the motel for the rest of the week. He healed up and rested, hoping daily to hear from his father. He wanted to rejoin the hunt and had started leaving voice messages after three days of boredom.
By week's end, Dean was climbing the walls. He packed up and started loading the car, unable to stay here another minute. Dad's note had only said until the end of the week, he reasoned while he busied himself. He checked out and headed to the nearest diner to get a bite to eat. Thankfully, he received coordinates for his next hunt by the time he finished his meal.
He pulled out onto the highway feeling lighter than he had all week. He cranked up some AC/DC and drove toward his next destination, enjoying his baby's feel. If he drove through the night, he could make it to his dad's location by noon tomorrow.
About an hour after dark, thunder started and thirty minutes later, rain peppered his baby's sleek body. He switched to some Metallica, having already listened to all his AC/DC and some Moterhead. He heard his phone go off so he turned down the radio a bit and answered his phone. "Yeah?"
"Dean?"
"Maybe," Dean allowed the man on the other end. "Depends on whose calling."
"It's Derek."
Dean smirked, "Hey, Derek. What's up?"
"Just checking up on you. Still have that urge to get a beat down?"
"Nah, that passed pretty quick." Dean grew serious and told him earnestly, "Thanks again for that." Then he paused before muttering under his breath, "I guess."
"You healed up?"
"Mostly. Took the week off but I'm headed out again. You?"
Derek answered, "Just finished dropping Scott off and moving him in. Headed back home now."
"Well, if you're anywhere near Springfield, Illinois, watch out. It's turning into a full fledged torrential thunderstorm," Dean warned loudly. Another loud rumble sounded as if it was agreeing.
"Nowhere near me but you be careful, you hear?" Derek responded while lightning cracked over head, almost drowning out Derek's voice.
Dean was about to respond when the flash of light showed him a solitary figure appearing directly to the front right side of his car's headlights. Dean cursed and slammed on the breaks as he swerved to avoid the figure. His fist automatically hit his horn and his phone fell back on to the front seat of the car.
The Impala stuttered to a stop and he cursed violently while he turned to look behind him. He could barely make out the white figure in his back window. He rolled his eyes and ran a hand over his face in an attempt to calm his racing heart.
As his heart calmed, he heard Derek calling over the phone for him. With a tired sigh, he picked up his phone and turned his car around. There was no way he was leaving anyone out on a night like this. Whoever or whatever it wasn't safe being left out at this time.
Derek yelled for him then cursed violently, causing Dean to smirk. Dean interrupted cockily, "Keep your pants on, dude. I'm good, as always."
"What the hell?"
"Some idiot is out hitching and I barely missed them," Dean explained briskly as he scanned the road and finally found what he was looking for. "It's good, Derek, but I'm going to have to let you go." Dean slowed down to pull up beside the figure.
"What? No. Dean, what fool thing are you going to do now?" Derek snapped.
"Well, I can't just leave her on the side of the road on a night like this," Dean commented wryly, getting a good look at the figure. "Or any other night. Wow. She's . . ."
"Dean," Derek interrupted forcefully. "No. Don't do this. Do you have any idea how many crazy nutjobs there are out there? You know, out and out psycho-sociopaths? Slit your throat for fun, if you're lucky?"
"She's a babe," Dean drooled softly.
"Could still be psychotic," Derek insisted.
"Hanging up now."
"Dean."
Dean sighed heavily, "You're worse than Sammy used to be. I'll call you back in an hour." That was the best Dean would do and he flipped his phone closed while he rolled down his window. He called out to the woman trudging in the rain beside him, "Hey, lady. You need to get in now before you drown."
She glanced over at him and argued with enough force in her voice to carry, "No, thank you. You are going the wrong way."
Dean rolled his eyes and ran his hand over his face to wipe the rain out of his face. He couldn't leave her here and she obviously wasn't a Woman in White since she didn't immediately get into the car. Women in White don't argue with the men that try to pick them up.
"Look, lady, I'll take you wherever but I can't leave you out here. It's not safe," he offered.
She paused and turned to stare into his eyes then sighed, "Very well."
He motioned her around and opened the door for her after rolling up his own window. He reached into the back and grabbed up a couple of towels. He tossed her one while using one for his face and car door. He turned back to her and studied her clinically.
She was really beautiful, even wet. She had dark brunette hair which probably had waves when it wasn't soaking wet. Her blue eyes captured his attention with deep they held. He felt himself swimming in them. The rest of her features appeared to be filled in by one of the goddesses because they looked like they were taken from the statues he'd seen in the museums.
God, he was already aroused and he hadn't even touched her. He felt such intense desire that it surprised him. Hell, he hadn't even looked at a girl since Cassie, with good reason, but now, his body demanded that he pay attention to this woman.
He didn't really need to check out the rest of her body but couldn't help it. She shivered slightly and he could practically see through the sodden white summer blouse. It was a ruffled, puffy off the shoulder type thing that tried to just fall off now that it was wet.
Oh, God, he so didn't need to see that. Luckily she shivered slightly, distracting him from the fact that he suddenly saw that she definitely wasn't wearing a bra. He shifted to reach into the back and grabbed one of his over shirts then handed it to her. During the shift, his body in the form of one part of his body let him know that he was definitely fully aroused now.
"Here," he offered politely. "Put this on. It should warm you up some."
"Thanks," she stammered weakly.
"Where are you headed?" he wondered, still trying to distract himself from immediately jumping the woman beside him.
"The next town. My car broke down a few miles back and I couldn't get a signal but I have to get there tonight," she stressed urgently.
Dean started up the car and threw it into gear in response to her plea. He pulled back out onto the highway and glanced over to check on his passenger. He saw that she was trying to change into his shirt and out of hers. He shook his head and tried to glue his attention to the road in front of him. Last thing they needed was a wreck. He attempted to distract himself with conversation. He prodded, "Why tonight? Why not wait until this blows over?"
"My sister is missing. She's my younger sister. I don't know if you know what that's like. I've looked after her my whole life until I moved away to pursue a career but now . . .," she trailed off despondently.
Unfortunately, he totally got that and had a sudden urge to check on Sam again. He continued softly, "Why tonight?"
"I got a message from someone who warned that she was going to be killed by tomorrow if she is not found," she explained.
"How do you know it's real?"
"Would you take that chance?" she huffed.
"Touche," Dean conceded. "So I take it that you've contacted the authorities about this and they are handling it."
"Yes, but I'm not sure they are taking it seriously. That's why I'm going to be there."
"What are you going to do?" Dean wondered with dread.
"They, the people who took her, said that they would release her if I gave them something," she answered slowly.
"What?"
"A-, A-, well, sort of a family heirloom," she stammered out weakly.
"What kind?"
"Some kind of barouche or pin," she answered hesitantly as she pulled it out and showed it to him. "It's really ugly so no real loss there."
Dean glanced at it, making a mental note to research it later, then he realized that he wouldn't be there later. He still needed to meet up with his dad. He still continued the conversation, "There's more to this, isn't there?"
"Well, they did say that I had to be the one to bring it."
"Why?"
"I don't know, okay?"
Dean frowned then shook his head. "No, that's not okay. It sounds like they want to switch you for your sister. Any reason why they might want to do that?" She shrugged and focused her attention outside the passenger side window.
Dean frowned more and prodded, "Hey. Know what? I don't even know your name. I'm Dean, by the way." He held out his hand with a slight smile. She returned his smile shyly and touched his hand. He felt an electric jolt shot through his body and had to control his baser desires again.
"I'm Korey and thanks for the ride, Dean," Korey smiled wider and he was almost stunned into a trance.
Only his fierce determination and stubbornness kept him from having a wreck. He cleared his throat and refocused his mind. He remembered his question. "Is there anything else you know about your sister's disappearance that might help find her?"
Korey frowned and answered hesitantly, "She had made some new friends recently and went on a trip with them. They said that she was taken when they stopped in the next town. All that was left by her phone was the request for this barouche and for me to bring it."
"Have any enemies?"
Korey's eyes widened in shock before she replied weakly, "No. You think someone took her to get to me." Dean shrugged. "But the police never once asked me about that. Are you some kind of cop?"
Dean scoffed lightly, "Not likely. Let's just say I've seen a lot of cop shows."
"Can you help me?" Korey requested hopefully.
Dean took in her hopeful gaze and felt like the worst demon scum ever. "Sweetheart, I wish I could but I'm on my way to a job right now and unfortunately people are counting on me. Otherwise, I'd help you in a heartbeat, Korey."
"Is this other job also life or death for someone?" Korey cajoled.
"As much as I hate to say this, yes, and, no, I don't think one person's life is worth more than your sister's," Dean elaborated slightly. "Hell, if I could be in two places at once, I'd totally do both but honestly I think you have the right people on this already."
Korey studied him for a long moment then finally acknowledged, "I believe you, Dean."
"Yeah?" He verified and she nodded slowly. "Well, that doesn't help much. Look, I'll try to wrap up the other thing as soon as I can, then I'll hurry back here."
Korey smiled softly. "Promise?"
Dean smiled back and agreed, "Promise."
By now, they had entered the town and she directed him to the motel her sister had stayed at. He let her out at the door and told her that he was going to wait for her then drive her to her room. The rain had tapered off but it was still coming down hard.
He watched her talk to the night manager then she fumbled with her clothes. He wondered what the hell was going on. Then he saw the manager leer suggestively at her. Dean was out of the car and inside the office before he even realized how angry he was.
"Is there a problem, Korey?" Dean demanded as he walked up next to her and stared at the man like he wanted to dissect him slowly. The manager squirmed in response and stumbled over his tongue, trying to worm his way out of an obvious beating.
Korey placed her hand gently in his hand and explained with some embarrassment, "Apparently, I dropped my wallet when I fell down before you picked me up. I don't have anything with me."
Dean quickly surmised the problem and the manager's seedy solution. Mentally shaking off a twinge of déjà vu, he pulled out his wallet and inquired, "How much?"
"How long and how many?"
"Two people for one night," Dean answered swiftly, hoping Korey played along.
"One hundred and thirty."
Luckily, Dean had just recently replenished his spending money. Although he normally used fake credit cards for his rooms, he didn't want her to get into any trouble while he was away. He placed the cash on the counter and filled out the form, requesting a back room. He snatched the room key away from the manager and ignored the knowing leer sent his way. He hurried Korey out of the office and back into the Impala.
Once he started her back up and started to their room, he asked, "Did you really leave everything? Including the barouche?"
Korey shook her head. "No, I have the barouche in my pocket. Just everything else. Honestly, I slipped about five minutes away from my car and fell down. It had already started raining and I just . . . "
He parked in front of the room which he noticed didn't have a clear view of the office. He felt only slightly better that way. He checked out the immediate area then told her, "Come on. I'm going to make sure you get into your room okay. I didn't like the look of that manager guy. Once you are inside, be sure to lock all the locks and call the police in the morning for a car. Maybe they can carry you back out to your car that way. Actually, you might want to call the cops now and let them know the situation so that they will be ready for it in the morning."
He was glad that she followed his orders and quickly checked the room and phone line for her before turning to head back out. She stopped him at the door and offered, "Thank you so much, Dean, for everything. I'll leave the money with the office. I promise."
He smirked and countered, "Might want to leave that with the cops instead. Don't really trust the manager too much."
She gave a half smile and agreed, "Yeah, I can see that."
"Look, if you want to leave me something, leave a note to let me know you and your sister are okay. That you can leave at the office for me," Dean bargained.
She cocked her head to the side slightly and pried, "So you were planning on coming back this way? Even if your other job doesn't get finished in time?"
He stared deep into her eyes and promised, "I definitely am now."
She smiled wide and leaned up then kissed him on the cheek. "You are a good man, Dean."
He scoffed loudly at that. "Lady, you are a horrible judge of character. Lock and bolt the door. Good luck, Korey. I really hope everything works out for you." He closed the door behind him and waited by it until he heard the locks fall in place.
He hurried back out the Impala, keeping an eye out for any witnesses to his departure. He was uncomfortable leaving her this way, well, really, at all. He sighed and hoped desperately that things worked out for her. As much as he needed to see his dad and get back into the hunt, he couldn't help but feel that he really shouldn't be leaving her.
He forced himself back onto the road and tried to make up time now that the rain had lightened up to a fine mist. He kept an eye out for her car, remembering about where he'd picked her up. He knew he was getting close about the time his phone rang. He quickly answered it, "Yeah?"
"Dude, an hour fifteen."
Dean smirked and harassed, "What can I say? I like to take my time and, God, was there so much to cover." He could almost hear Derek rolling his eyes in his tone of voice.
"I take it that she wasn't the serial killer from April Fool's Day," Derek commented dryly.
"As if," Dean slowed down more seeing something shiny reflecting his headlights up ahead of him. Dean's phone buzzed again and he pulled off the road. Between Derek, the text, and Korey's car, he was taking a break. "Hold on, Derek. I'm getting a text. I need to check it."
Dean lowered his phone and flipped to his text. He read it and cursed softly before he put the phone back up to his ear. He heard Derek calling him again. "Dude, I told you to hold on."
"What are you cursing about?"
Dean sighed heavily then admitted reluctantly, "Dad changed his mind. He has someone else helping him now. Doesn't need me anymore." Dean gave a slight laugh. "Guess I should be used to that by now, huh?"
"Dean," Derek started.
Dean shook himself and interrupted quickly, "Know what? This is good. See Korey, you know the girl I picked up, she needs help."
"Thought you already did that," Derek snarked lightly.
"Get your mind out of the gutter," Dean commanded stiffly as he got out of the car and started looking for Korey's wallet. He had positioned the Impala the best that he could and was going to creep his baby along until he found it. "It's not like that."
"Yeah, right. How so? You're involved," Derek taunted, keeping his mind off of things.
"How dare -," Dean started with major affront before he laughed, "Yeah, you're right. That's totally like me but not this time." Dean continued to relay Korey's story to Derek as he kept searching.
Five minutes later, he called out in satisfaction, "Yatzee."
"Pardon?"
"Found her wallet."
"Thought the term was eureka?"
"Yeah, well, I'm original, one of a kind, baby," Dean taunted cockily.
"Ain't that the truth," Derek snarked wearily. "So you headed back there?"
"Yeah, going to see if I can help out since Dad's covered and . . . you know," Dean trailed off as he climbed back into his baby then started his baby back up.
"Okay. Why don't you give me the info and I'll follow up with you tomorrow," Derek suggested.
Dean rolled his eyes but agreed reluctantly, "Whatever, Mom." They exchanged information as Dean headed back to the motel. When he was finished, he ragged lightly, "Anything else, Mom?"
Derek scoffed then offered, "Look, according to you, everything is supposed to happen tomorrow evening, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Call me as soon as it's over, okay?"
"What are we, man? A couple? I don't think so."
"Dean, friends don't let friends worry," Derek instructed gently.
"You are such a girl, Derry. Told you already that I don't do chick flicks but I'll make an exception and talk to you tomorrow night, princess. I'll call as soon as I find out something definite. Take care and good night, Mom," Dean signed off.
"Good night, nutcase, and be sure to wrap up tonight," Derek returned lightly.
