I don't own Supernatural, characters, or plot lines – only my own additions and OCs
Make sure to go back and read the first two chapters if you're a returning reader - made some changes and edits! :)
Chapter 3 – I Hate Clowns Pt 2
CHARLOTTE'S POV
"I can't believe you talked to the blind guy about phantom homicidal clowns," Dean said to Sam as they parked, annoyed as he slammed on the breaks and threw the van in park. Sam had just finished telling us about his encounter with the creepy blind knife thrower before Dean and I came across him.
"What?! I told him there was an old urban legend about a homicidal phantom clown. He didn't seem all that interested, anyway," Sam replied. I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached into the floorboard for my bag, pulling out the binoculars as Dean huffed.
"Whatever happened to being inconspicuous, Sammy?" he asked, reaching over my lap for the glove compartment. I leaned back as he invaded my space, catching a whiff of his signature scent: peppermint, leather, and man. He grinned at me as I tried to hide my arousal, and he opened the compartment, removing his gun. He sat back and cocked it, checking the clip.
"Dean!" Sam exclaimed from the backseat, "Come on, keep that down! We don't want the neighbors calling the cops about random people with guns in a busted up van!" I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, turning to face both of them.
"Y'all cut it out," I huffed, annoyed with their incessant bickering. "You sound like an old married couple." Dean looked affronted. "Look, I talked to the carnie at the food tent for a few minutes and get this...I mentioned the Bunker Brother's Circus in '81 and the mysterious clown deaths and guess what he told me?" I said. "Before Mr. Cooper owned Cooper Carnival, he worked for Bunker Brothers…as their lot manager."
"So we're thinking that whatever the spirit is attached to, Cooper just brought it with him?" Dean asked.
"That's what I think," I replied. "Strange part is, I don't remember coming across him last time…"
"I just can't believe we keep talking about clowns…." Sam faded off, visibly shuddering.
I laughed as Dean smirked at his brother, then turned and winked at me. I felt hot all over, his piercing green eyes and dimples sending my hormones into overdrive. He was so hot it wasn't fair. But he knew it, which was normally a turn off for me. But Dean was different…
"Look, I'm gonna catch a few winks. Let me know when something happens…" Dean said, setting his gun on the seat by him and reclining his seatback, his green eyes closing.
I turned to my window and settled in, raising my binoculars and focusing on the upper floors of the house where we last saw the girl. I felt Dean's arm come to rest next to me on the center console and could feel his radiating warmth. I felt butterflies in my stomach, my brain warring with my hormones. I knew what he was doing and I wanted to try my damnedest to shut it down. I didn't have time for a man and it needed to stay that way. But that was before Dean…
DEAN'S POV
I had just fallen asleep when I heard Charlotte whisper loudly, "It's go time!"
She was already across the street by the time I grabbed my gun and opened the door and Sam and I hurried to catch up to her. Charlotte already had the door jimmied open by the time we reached her. She had her gun pointed at the ready, safety off and her face determined. "Couldn't wait for us?" I asked, out of breath.
She shook her head and motioned for us to take the lead.
The house was dark, except for the a nightlight at the top of the stairs. Sam motioned for me to move ahead as he looked for any motion downstairs; Charlotte was on my heels as Sam closed in behind her. I navigated the stairs as quietly as possible and when I reached the top, I peeked around the corner and saw the little girl leading the clown down the hallway toward what appeared to be the master bedroom.
I turned and motioned to Charlotte and Sam, as Charlotte took flank against the wall across from me, Sam close behind her, both ready to go. Charlotte's eyes flashed in the dark, her beautiful face set in a hard look. She meant business and it was sexy as hell. She peeked around the corner again, then motioned to Sam, whispering, "On the count of 3, you get the girl…I got Giggles."
"What am I doing?" I whispered harshly.
"Just stand there and look pretty, handsome," she sassed me, a quick grin flashing across her face for a brief moment. I wanted to grab her and either kiss that pouty mouth or spank her firm ass, maybe in that order. She turned serious again. "Just back me up if needed. Duh." Yeah, she needed that spanking for sure.
"This is Mommy and Daddy's room," we heard the little girl say, "want to see them?" Charlotte looked around the corner and put her hand up with three fingers, counting down… 3…2…1…
We all entered the hallway quickly, Sam leaping out and grabbing the girl around the waist, as Charlotte sent a bullet straight through the clown's chest. I was surprised…and a little turned on. The little girl screamed as her new creepy friend fell backwards, then got back up. Charlotte stood up taller, confusion on her pretty face when he didn't stay down or smoke out. The clown lunged toward Sam as Charlotte aimed at him again.
"Sam, watch out!" I yelled.
The clown waved and then leapt out the window, turning invisible as it hit the window. The little girls parents ran into the hallway then, and I pushed Charlotte toward the stairs, grabbing Sam's shoulder.
"HEY! What's going on here? Get away from my – " the Dad yelled, moving toward Sam.
"Oh my god, what are you doing to my daughter?!" the Mom screamed. Sam dropped the little girl to the floor and turned, as I shoved him after Charlotte, who was already at the bottom of the steps and running toward the back door we'd come in.
"Who the hell are you? Get out! Get out of my house!" the Dad continued to yell at us, trying to catch up as Sam and I ran as fast as we could.
"Mommy, Daddy, they shot my clown!" I could hear the little girl cry as we ran out into the night.
CHARLOTTE'S POV
Dean pulled off to the side of the road, slamming the van in park as we all got out. "Get your stuff and help me wipe this shit down," he barked at Sam and I as we followed his lead. "Take the plates off too. We don't need this traced back to us."
"You really think they saw our plates?" Sam asked as I grabbed my bag from the floor board of the passenger seat and used a cloth to wipe down finger prints from the handles and interior.
"I don't wanna take the chance. Besides, I hate this friggin' thing anyway. Stupid mommy van…" I almost laughed, but suppressed it due to the look on his face. I closed my door and walked around the van, wiping down the exterior handles as Sam unscrewed the plates.
After all was said and done, we abandoned the van and made our way down the street, Dean and Sam flanking me. We walked in silence for a mile or so when Dean finally spoke up. "Well, one thing's for sure…We're not dealing with a spirit. I mean, that rock salt hit something solid."
"No shit," I replied. "I hit it center mass." Dean grinned at me, his perfect white teeth shining in the dawn light. I smiled, proud of my marksmanship skills, but also thoroughly irritated that the thing lived.
"Yeah…so is it a person? Or maybe a creature that can make itself invisible?" Sam asked from the other side of me.
Dean scoffed. "Yeah, and dresses up like a clown for kicks? Did it say anything in Dad's journal about this?"
Sam shook his head and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
"Who are you calling?" Dean asked.
"Maybe Ellen or Ash'll know something." I nodded my approval. "Hey, you think, uh, you think Dad and Ellen ever had a thing?"
I started dying laughing, thinking about how ridiculous that question was, and I had to stop walking. Tears threatened to fall down my face.
"What's so funny?" Dean asked as he stopped next to me. "You don't think Ellen would like our old man?" He looked offended. John was hot, no denying, but that was not the case at all.
I shook my head as I reached out to and touched Sam's arm, glancing at Dean, whose eyes flashed with jealousy. "No, no…that's not it at all. Your old man was definitely a DILF!" Sam looked confused and Dean looked grossed out, which made me laugh again. "Ellen loved Bill; they were like soulmates. I don't think Ellen has ever even been with anyone else." I composed myself and removed my hand from Sam's arm. "It's funny because Bill would have dismembered John. No one flirted with his woman or messed with his family and lived to tell the story!"
"Then why didn't he tell us about her or any of you?" Sam asked.
"They had a falling out. But that's all I can tell you. You'll have to ask her… not my place." I shrugged. Dean looked irritated while Sam looked contrite.
"You ever notice Dad had a falling out with just about everybody?" Sam asked Dean. Dean nodded casually, shrugging and looking deep in thought. "Don't get all maudlin on me, man."
"What the hell does that even mean?" Dean asked. I stepped back as they squared off, knowing this was not my business and suddenly wanting no part of the family drama that was about to unfold. I walked a few feet away, staring at the ground and wishing it would open up and swallow me.
"I mean this 'strong silent' thing of yours; it's total crap." Dean rolled his eyes. "No, Dean. I'm over it. This isn't just anyone we're talking about, it's Dad. I know how you felt about him…"
Dean got loud. "You know what, back off, all right? Just because I'm not all 'let's hold hands and share' like you want me to, doesn't mean – "
Sam cut him off. "No, no, no, that's not what this is about, Dean. I don't care how you deal with his death, BUT you DO have to deal with it. I'm your brother, all right? I just want to make sure you're okay."
"Dude, I'm fine. I'm okay, okay? I swear, the next time someone asks me how I'm doing, I'm gonna start throwing punches. Quit dumping your issues on me!"
"What are you talking about?" Sam asked quietly.
Dean rubbed a hand down his face. "I just think it's really interesting, the sudden obedience you have to Dad. Suddenly, you're all, 'what would Dad do?' Sam, you spent your entire life arguing with that man. I mean – HELL - you picked a fight with him the last time you ever saw him. And now that he's dead… now that he's gone….. now you want to make it right? Well, I'm sorry Sam, but you can't… it's too little, too late."
"Why are you saying this to me?" Sam asked so quietly I could barely hear. I looked up and saw the sadness and raw emotion on his face and I wanted to hug him. Dean's shoulders were tight with tension and anger, which just pissed me off. How could he be so cruel to his brother?
"Because I want you to be honest with yourself about this. I'm dealing with Dad's death! Are you?" he threw his hands out to the sides.
Sam swallowed hard and I clenched my fists. "I'm going to call Ellen." He walked off down the road, opposite of where we were headed. Dean stood there and watched him, a look of disappointment on his face and I knew he was disappointed in himself in that moment, not Sam. I unclenched my fists as he turned toward me.
"Anything to say?" he asked me accusingly, his eyes flashing, but I could see the pain and shame he was trying to hide
I shook my head. "Not my place," I replied softly. He rolled his eyes and walked past me. He stopped at the edge of the woods, his hands in his pockets as he kicked at the dirt. "But, for what it's worth," he looked at me, "I would give anything to have my sister back…and I sure as hell wouldn't argue with her over something so stupid, when we could lean on each other to get through the loss of a parent." He stared at me. I shrugged. "And that's my two cents…" I turned away from him and made my way toward Sam.
As I got to him, he was ending his phone call. "Thanks a lot, Ash. Yeah, she's good. I'll tell her. Gotta go. Thanks." I smiled as he hung up and smiled at me. "Ash says hi and he loves you." I laughed, shaking my head.
"He's a mess. What did he say we're dealing with?" I asked as I heard Dean approaching.
"Rakshasa."
"God bless you?" I replied, confused. Sam and Dean laughed.
"I'm with her. What the hell is that?" Dean asked, bumping into my shoulder with his. I looked over at him as he gave me a smirk. I forgave him on the spot, his earnest green eyes melting my anger away.
"Ash and Ellen's best guess… It's a race of ancient Hindu creatures. They appear in human form, they feed on human flesh, they can make themselves invisible, and they cannot enter a home without first being invited."
"So, they dress up like clowns, and the children invite 'em in." Dean asked. Sam nodded. "Why don't they just munch on the kids?" I gave Dean a look.
"No idea. Not enough meat on the bones, maybe?" Sam replied.
"Ew, y'all are gross. Come on!" I replied as they both laughed. "What else'd you find out?"
"Well, apparently Rakshasas live in squalor. They sleep on a bed of dead insects," I gagged, "and they have to feed a few times every twenty or thirty years. Slow metabolism, I guess." I felt bile in the back of my throat. I can do a lot of things…but anything or anyone eating human flesh and bugs freak me out.
"Well, that makes sense. I mean, the Carnival today, the Bunker Brothers in '81…Probably more before that." Dean said.
"And who do we know that worked both shows?" I asked them, swallowing the vomit in my throat.
"Cooper," they both replied. I grinned.
"You know, that picture of his father in his office that looked just like him…was probably him." Sam said. I nodded in agreement. Sam was so smart it was scary. I could easily see myself hunting with them more in the future. "And we need something made of brass to kill it."
"I think I know where to get that," Dean replied. I looked at him, surprised. "I saw some brass knives in the knife throwers tent. We'll steal some and gank Cooper. Case closed."
"Well, before we go stabbing things into Cooper, we're going to want to make damn sure it's him," I said. "It could be anyone. We gotta check for bugs." I shivered. Bugs. Yuck.
"Oh, you're such a stickler for details, Char," he grinned at me, his eyes flashing as I felt my body warm up. He stepped closer to me and bumped shoulders with me again. "All right, I'll round up the blades, you go check if Cooper's got bedbugs."
DEAN'S POV
The Rakshasa – which was NOT Cooper, but the blind knife thrower - proved hard to kill, but we got the job done thanks to good, solid teamwork. Char and I got caught by him when he went invisible, but in the end, Sam was able to kill him with a brass pipe in the funhouse. That kid is resourceful, I'll give him that.
That night, we went to the bar next to the hotel where Charlotte ordered shots for all of us.
"Okay, boys!" she announced to our table as she lifted her tequila shot in the air. "Here's to great teamwork – and one dead Rakshasa!" she smiled at Sam as she added, "and no more clowns!" We all laughed as Sam turned red, a shiver going down his back. Charlotte threw her shot back and slammed the glass on the table. Sam made a face as he took his shot. I knocked mine back and turned to Charlotte on my seat.
"Don't think I didn't notice your reactions to the bugs, baby girl," I said to her as she signaled the bartender for a second shot. She cut her blue eyes at me, her brown hair moving to her shoulder and I smiled wider. I found myself wanting to know everything that made her tick.
"As you can see, I worked through it," she replied, leaning toward me as Sam ordered waters from the bartender who was putting more shots down in front of us. "You should know that I don't back down." My pants got tighter, the scent of her perfume and tequila washing over me. I reached out and moved her hair from her shoulder. She smiled at me, her blue eyes flashing with lust.
"Good to know," I replied, moving my mouth closer to her ear. "And you should know that I don't either. Not my style," I whispered against her ear, feeling her shiver despite the warmth in the bar. I loved knowing I had some effect on her too.
She leaned over and put her lips to my ear, her warm breath bringing goosebumps. "Good to know," she whispered, swallowing hard. She reached over and squeezed my upper thigh, then leaned back and turned to Sam. "Sam – you need to drink more. I wanna see you shit-faced drunk!" I smiled watching her, knowing that she was trying to put her walls back up by moving away from me and changing the subject.
Sam put his hands up. "I don't know. I've never been drunk – "
She slapped the table and gestured to the bartender, her smile bright across her face, her dimples deep as her perfect teeth flashed. "Even better! I get to be the first to get you tequila-drunk." She leaned toward him, putting her hand on his arm. "I love being a guy's first…" she winked at him and he blushed, as I felt a rush of jealousy. She looked over at me and winked again. She knew what she was doing…but so did I.
I smiled back and gestured to Sam to drink up.
SAM'S POV
We headed back to Harvelle's the next morning in the Cutlass that Dean had stolen, with me still nursing a massive hangover thanks to our new friend, who was currently asleep across the backseat while I rode shotgun.
I smiled to myself thinking about her. I really liked Charlotte. She was smart, funny, cunning, and a great hunter; plus she was incredibly hot. She was also giving Dean a run for his money, which was her best attribute in my book. Dean needed a girl like her around: she wouldn't take his bullshit and wasn't afraid to call him out. She was great. Dean turned onto the road leading to the bar and I took a swig of water, my stomach rumbling.
We pulled up to the bar and I glanced over my shoulder to see Charlotte opening her eyes and sitting up to stretch as we parked. Dean checked her out in the rearview mirror and I smiled, my head letting out a sharp pound for my effort. I groaned and opened my door, sunglasses on, ginger ale in one hand and water in the other. I stood up and stretched my legs as I saw Charlotte climb out of the backseat beside me. She looked at me and giggled and I couldn't help but smile in return, her blue eyes knowing.
"Oh, Samuel… how you doing, sugar lips?" she asked as Dean walked around the car toward us and grunted at the nickname she had given me.
I mustered up a smile. "I'll make it," I replied. Dean laughed as he grabbed her bag from her hand. She smiled shyly at him and looked up at me.
"Awesome. Let's head in and get you some of Ash's patented hangover cure." She put her arm around my waist and I put my arm around her shoulders and smiled down at her as she grinned up at me as she led me to the door of the Roadhouse. Dean made another grunting sound in his throat and I looked over my shoulder at him, grinning. He rolled his eyes at me and threw her bag over his shoulder as he followed us.
CHARLOTTE'S POV
"Charlotte, boys – y'all did a hell of a job out there. Your dads would be proud." She leaned down and hugged me to her side as I returned her affections.
Sam smiled brightly up at her, looking way perkier than he had when we got here, thanks to some Ibuprofen and Ash's hangover elixir. "Thanks, Ellen," he replied. I winked at him and patted him on the shoulder as I got up and walked past Dean, lightly running my hand over his upper back. He looked surprised. I winked and turned to walk over to join Jo at the bar.
"So," Jo asked, her hand on her hip and giving me a stern look, "did you hit that?"
I laughed out loud, as Dean, Sam, and Ellen turned to look at us. "Sorry, y'all!" I said out loud and looked at Jo, lowering my voice to answer her, still laughing. "No, JB, I didn't. Gotta make him work for it." I smiled at her.
"Which one?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
I laughed again. "That's a tough decision!" I laughed as I drank some water and glanced over at the brothers. "On the one hand, Sam is tall, dark, handsome, sensitive, and smart…" Jo giggled, "but Dean…" I faded off. Jo smiled at me, encouraging me to continue as I watched the boys talk with Ellen. "Dean is funny, and rough around the edges, and smart, and low key, and rugged, and infuriating, and pushy, and smokin' hot… God is he hot." I fanned myself as Jo threw me a surprised look.
"Dang… I've never seen you like this over one guy before. You're normally a flirt with 'em all, second date sex, and forget 'em kinda girl. Really more like a dude… What's up?"
"I don't know JB. Dean is different. And I kinda want to find out what it is that seems to be super charged between us. Maybe we just need to have sex once and that will be it?" I shrugged. I was not one for more than a few dates and one hot night. I never jumped into bed with someone the first night, and I definitely wasn't a long-term girl, but thinking back to the first night in the hotel: if Sam hadn't been in the bathroom, I know something would have happened. Not like me at all.
Jo laughed. "Then I guess I'll take the tall one…" We laughed.
The back door opened and Ash came in carrying his huge laptop.
"Damn! Been waitin' for ya. Hey, Char!" he came over and hugged me close, kissing my cheek. Dean and Sam walked over to the bar, Dean's face looking like he had swallowed a lemon. I grinned at him as Ash leaned back to check me over the way he always did. "Least you brought my girl home in one piece," he said, glaring at Sam and Dean. "So what happened?"
"We were working a job, Ash. Clowns? Remember?" Sam said.
"UGH - Clowns? What the – " Ash started and I laughed. He was so forgetful sometimes….
Dean rolled his eyes. "You got something for us, Ash?" I glared at him for being so short and he shrugged at me, throwing me a lopsided grin.
"Did you find the demon?" Sam asked him.
"Negative, my tall, fluffy haired friend," he replied. I grinned. I love this kid. "The demon doesn't seem to be around. At least, nowhere I can find. But if this fugly bastard raises his head, I'll know. I mean, I'm on it like Divine on dog dookie."
Sam looked puzzled and I smiled harder, used to Ash's weirdness. "What does that mean?"
Ash looked annoyed. "It means, if any of those signs or omens appear, anywhere in the world, my rig'll go off. Like a fire alarm."
Dean reached for the laptop. "Do you mind..."
Ash gave him a withering look and Dean stopped mid reach, pulling his hands back. I barked a laugh as I went to stand between Ash and Dean, facing the latter, smiling up at him. He grinned at me, his green eyes flashing with lust and mischief. I turned my head to Sam, who was looking in awe at Ash. Dean put his hand on my back and I moved closer to him, enjoying the warmth of his hand. I heard him take a deep breath.
"Ash, where did you learn to do all this?" Sam asked.
"This? Oh…M.I.T. Before I got bounced for... fighting."
"M.I.T.?" Sam asked, surprise on his handsome face.
"Yeah, man. It's a school in Boston…" I laughed and moved to put my arms around my best friend, who grinned at me and pecked my hair. "It's where I met this beauty." Sam looked impressed.
Dean looked annoyed. "Okay. Give us a call as soon as you know something?"
"Si, si, compadre," Ash replied. He kissed me one more time and made his way to his room.
Dean took another sip of his beer and set it down. He put his hand on my shoulder and slid it down to my forearm, the warmth spreading further down my body. Sam started chatting with Jo and I gave my full attention to Dean. "So Sam and I were talking to Ellen. She wanted us to stick around for a while, but there's something I have to finish at a friend's house."
"Oh okay…" I replied, a little disappointed and trying to hide it, that it appeared he didn't want me to go with them and they weren't going to be around. "Where ya headed?" I asked, my eyes drifting down to his pouty lips and back up to his eyes.
"Sioux Falls. Bobby Singer's place."
"Bobby?" I asked, excitedly, grinning from ear to ear.
Dean looked confused. "You know Bobby?" Sam leaned back to look at me, Jo smiling.
"Hell yeah, I know Bobby! He's like my second father. He and Dad were thick as thieves – them and Rufus!" I smiled at the memories. "Nice! I didn't know you guys knew him. Tell him I said hey." I smiled over at Sam and looked back at Dean, who looked contemplative.
"Why don't you come with," Sam spoke up. "I'm sure he'd love to see you. Maybe we could pick up another case while we're there?" I looked up at Dean's face, and he broke out in a smile.
"Is that okay with you?" I asked him, tilting my head up.
He nodded as he reached out and stroked my upper arm, bringing goosebumps, as Sam looked uncomfortable with the shift in the atmosphere between Dean and me. "Yeah, sounds like a plan." Sam went back to talking to Jo as Dean leaned his head down toward mine, towering over me. "So…" he whispered, "can I drive Thor?" he asked, his green eyes searching mine.
"Ummmmm…" I leaned in closer, rising up on the balls of my feet to whisper in his ear, my breath tickling his neck, "not on your life, sweet cheeks." He groaned and leaned back as I slapped him on the chest playfully, his green eyes twinkling as he caught my hand. "Let's go, Winchesters! Road trip!"
