Tom entered the apartment with heavy breath. Sam and Dean were sitting at the table with beers in front of them.
"Jesus!" Tom took a moment to catch his breath. "What happened? It's been hours!"
"It's okay, Tom. He kind of ditched us, took your car. What about you? Are you okay?" Dean asked.
"Yeah." Tom sat beside the boys and sighed "I'll survive. I'll go over the surveillance, see if—"
"About that. He and Dean went on an adventure." Sam tried to explain.
Tom stood in shock "You let him out? Voluntarily!"
"We needed him for something. Something pertaining to the Dan Carew case. We can positively say he didn't kill anyone." Dean looked the stressed man in the eyes. "You have our word."
"Fat lotta good that is. You said he ditched you? What if he terrorized someone? Right? Demons do that, right? Stalk someone like a clown or something?"
"Tom. He's not a demon. We're certain he's something… else." Sam told him. "And he's not the terrorizing type. He's more…"
"He's a kid." Dean continued. "A child. One who likes to drink and get laid. You should talk to him. He's not that bad of a guy. Just needs some discipline. Like all kids."
"A kid? Really?" Tom was scratching his head "I mean, I guess I could… Record myself when I feel myself turning into him… Do you think he's dangerous?"
"To tell you the truth? Yeah. I think everything about this situation is dangerous. I hope to God you don't have a family because shit might hit the fan sooner or later." Dean said.
"I do. Wife, kids. Two beautiful kids. I hide my ring from him in a safe. He doesn't know." Tom explained.
"Good. Keep it that way."
"So that's it? That's all you came up with? He's not a demon and he's dangerous?" Tom began to bite his fingernails.
"We're not Thomas Magnum, okay? We ruled out demon. This is something else. Something way out of our league. I have an idea, though. A few. Write these down." Dean ordered.
Tom nodded and searched some drawers for a pen and paper.
Once found, Tom wrote everything Dean told him.
"Hire a private investigator."
"I don't have the money for that." Tom shook his head and crossed out the sentence.
"Better you than someone else. Your actions are suspicious, Tom. You spend half your day locked up here, you don't think someone will notice?" Dean asked.
"I'll think about it."
"Next. Hire a nanny."
Tom looked at the man "You're joking."
"He's dead serious." Sam replied. "Your alter ego, he needs someone to talk to. Bide his time so you don't wake up in a strip club. Someone to report to you."
"A babysitter?"
Dean nodded. "Oh, and don't lock him in the chair so much. He helped us when we needed it. I think he'll do the same with you once you get to know him."
Tom shook his head "I don't believe this. You're treating it like an actual person."
"He is. Do yourself a favour. Reread Jekyll and Hyde, okay?" Sam spoke softly.
Tom took a breath. "Okay…. Okay. I'll… read that book. Hire a nanny. Is there anything else I need to do?"
"Yeah, actually. Take a break from work." Dean answered.
"What? I need a job! How am I supposed to pay for everything?"
"Take vacation time. Anything. Just… avoid that place." The oldest Winchester instructed.
"If you say so."
"Hey." Dean placed a hand on Toms shoulder. "I don't think he's your enemy. Okay? That's a good thing."
"Right, it's a good thing that you guys don't know what he is and he's essentially a superpowered horny child living in my body." Tom said sarcastically.
"We've seen worse. He could've been a demon." Sam responded.
"I wish he was. Then you guys would've gotten rid of him." Tom sighed. "Sorry. I don't mean to antagonize. I… really hoped you guys could answer me."
"We're sorry. But believe us. We wish we could."
Dean stood up. "There is something we can tell you. There's a guy. Benjamin, do you know him?"
"No…?" Tom answered.
Before Dean left, he nodded. "Good. Keep it that way. That guy's bad news."
"If you need us, we left our number beside your phone. We'd be happy to help once you figure everything out." Sam gave the man a slight smile and left.
In the rental car, Sam and Dean sat in silence. Until it was broken by Sam's sigh.
"I hated that."
"I know." Dean replied.
"We didn't help jack."
"We ruled out demon. He's something else." Dean started the car "You heard that Benjamin guy."
"Yeah. He said Jekyll and Hyde was a book."
"He was lying."
"Of course, he was."
"I feel for Tom. Dude has a family." Dean sighed.
"Yeah. Family and monsters don't usually mix."
Dean shook his head. "Hey. Hyde… isn't a monster. He saved your ass."
"He took the car and ditched us, Dean."
"Only because he knew that institute wasn't safe. I mean… people are so quick to antagonize him. I don't think he deserves all that negativity."
Sam chuckled "What're you Zen now?"
"I'm telling ya Sam, if Tom treats Hyde badly Hyde'll treat him bad. Same with kids."
"What do you know about raising kids?"
Dean looked at his brother "I practically raised you, boy."
"True" Sam laughed. "True… Reap what you sow, Tom."
"They'll be okay. I didn't tell you but while Hyde was in the car with me, he had some music playing on a CD." Dean smiled.
"Metallica? Alice Cooper?"
"Beauty and the Beast soundtrack." Dean laughed. "Now that's a metaphor."
Sam laughed along too. But he still couldn't help but think that Tom wouldn't listen to them. He hoped he did, but he still had a feeling. Maybe a psychic thing, maybe not.
While they drove away, Tom changed the password on the chair so Hyde wouldn't get out the next time he locked him away. Which, despite the Winchesters warnings, was almost all of the time.
Guess the only important thing Tom retained from their conversation was that Hyde was a danger to his family. He just wanted to make sure they were safe.
Hyde, on the other hand, spent every tortured second wanting Tom and everyone he knew to die a very, very painful death.