Part Eleven: Hey Brother: Part One
Reese sat in her motel room staring off into nowhere as her thoughts plagued her mind. So much had happened over the past month, she didn't know how she could keep up with it all. Her sister coming back to life, being cursed with an arousing spell from the horseman of the apocalypse Famine. To dying and coming back to life. All of that didn't come close to what had happened two days ago. Her and the boys ended up fighting along side a cult of newbie hunters. Sworn on a path by a prophet. Turned out it was the Whore of Babylon, dragging all of them to hell for Lucifer. She saw the change in Dean that night. Everything had changed. He was talking more and more about saying yes to Michael. She had scoffed at the thought. They had just gotten Sam to stop wanting to say yes, then Dean goes and does the same thing. Only this time, he left. Didn't take his duffel, didn't say goodbye, he just left.
Reese could remember their private moment before he had gone. He held her by the car, telling her that he wished things could be different. That one decision could change everything. Reese could remember the green in his eyes fade to a dull gray. "When I do picture myself happy, it's with you." he said to her. Those words ringing through her head brought tears to her eyes. She winced, knowing that she should've left when she had the chance. She could have avoided all the heartache. But she had fallen for Dean Winchester. She had fallen hard. As one tear rolled down her cheek, Sam walked through the door. She quickly wiped away the dampness on her cheeks and looked up at the younger Winchester.
"Did you find him?" she asked quietly.
"I know where he's headed. Bobby asked Jody to put out an APB on the Impala." Sam said, grabbing his duffle to pack. "Hopefully he stays put long enough for us to catch up." Reese nodded and starting packing herself. Her and Sam hopped in their stolen car and headed for Dean's location.
Sam and Reese pulled up by the Impala and stood at the door of Dean's room. Sam heard the sound of a gun cocking, and then tape scraping across cardboard. Sam picked the lock quietly and opened the door. Reese stayed outside, out of eyesight. Sam stepped through, leaving the door open for her.
"Sending someone a Candygram?" he asked softly. Dean turned to see his brother standing before him. He cut his eyes behind him, looking for Reese.
"How'd you find me?" Dean asked,
"Well, you're gonna kill yourself, right?" Dean remained silent, Reese tried to keep her tears at bay but she failed, miserably. "It's not too heard to figure out the stops on the farewell tour."
"I'm not gonna kill myself." Dean said, his voice cracking slightly.
"No? So, Michael's not about to make you his Muppet?" Again, Dean remained silent. "What the hell, man? This is how it ends, you just walk out?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"How could you do that? To Reese?"
"How could I?" Dean snapped back. "All you've ever done is run away! And Reese? She's better off without me."
"And I was wrong every single time I did! And Reese deserve so much more. You promised her!" Dean didn't say anything. Reese decided it was time to make her presence known. She stepped into the room and stood beside Sam. Sam looked at her with a sad look on his face. He turned back to his older brother.
"Just—" he breathed. "Please. Not now. Bobby is working on something." Dean nodded.
"Oh, really? What?" Dean asked, walking to the bed. Both Sam and Reese stayed quiet. "You both got nothing and you know it." he finished off his drink with one gulp.
"You know we have to stop you." Dean sat his cup on the box and walked back to the center of the room.
"Yeah, well, you can try." he kept his eyes on Sam, not risking to look at his former lover beside him. "Just remember, you're not all hopped up on demon blood this time." Sam nodded.
"Yeah, I know…" he took a deep breath.
"We brought some help." Reese said through clenched teeth. Dean finally looked at her, saw her pain in her eyes. His heart nearly broke, until he heard the flutter of wings behind him. He turned and saw Castiel as him hold up his hand and put him to sleep. Sam and Cas hauled him into the Impala while Reese packed Dean's things into the trunk. Sam handed her the keys and she took the driver seat. She hadn't got to drive Baby yet, and she really didn't want to at that point in time. But Dean needed help and they needed to get to Bobby's.
Dean had woken up in Bobby's living room. Legs sprawled on the couch and the room quiet. He could hear voices in the study as he got up and walked in that direction. He saw Cas, Sam and Bobby looking through books, papers, and more books. He turned to his right and saw Reese, standing against the door jam, arms crossed and eyes distant. He could tell by the look on her face that she was very upset. When no one acknowledged him, he spoke.
"Well, this is good, Really! Eight months of turned pages and screwed pooches but tonight, tonight is when the magic happens." he leaned against a desk and crossed his arms.
"You ain't helpin'." Bobby said, keeping his eyes on the papers before him.
"Yeah, well, why don't you let me get out of your hair, then?" Everyone stopped and looked at him. Reese just cut her eyes, she didn't move once.
"What the hell happened to you?" she spat.
"Reality happened." Dean snapped back. "Nuclear is the only option we have left. Michael can ice the devil and save a boatload of people."
"But not all of them." Bobby interrupted. "We gotta think of something else."
"That's easy for you to say. If Lucifer burns this mother down and I could've done something, guess what, that's on me!"
"You can't give up, son." Dean laughed at him and then shook his head.
"You're not my father. And you ain't in my shoes. Bobby looked down disappointed and bit his lip. Reese's jaw dropped and Sam just shook his head.
"You stupid son of a bitch…" Reese whispered. Bobby took a deep breath and pulled a revolver from his desk. He laid it down hard on the pile of books and picked through his shirt pocket. He pulled a silver bullet and twirled it in his fingers. "What is that?" Reese asked.
"It's the round I mean to put through my skull." he sat it down right side up. "Every morning I look at it. I think: Maybe today's the day I flip the lights out. But I don't do it. I never do it. You know why?" he kept his eyes on Dean. "Because I promised you I wouldn't give up!" he yelled, his voice breaking. Dean looked at him, sorrow in his eyes.
"Bet you feel like a dick now, don't you?" Reese said, crossing her arms and cocking her hip once more. Dean stayed quiet.
Suddenly, Castiel doubled over in pain, holding his head. Reese walked over to him and laid her hands on his shoulders.
"You okay, Feathers?" her voice changing to a softer tone.
"No."
"Tell me what's wrong."
"Something's happening." he looked at Reese, seeing the concern in her eyes. "Where?" Dean asked. Cas didn't answer him as he raised his wings and disappeared. Reese stood up straight and looked once more to Dean. He tried to speak, but no words would come out.
"So much for the hunter's happy ending, huh?" Reese asked, shrugging. She turned on her heel and walked outside.
"If you even plan on trying to get her back, you're gonna have to do a lot of groveling." Sam said. Dean looked up at the ceiling and shook his head. Dean glared at his brother before turning and following Reese outside. Sam watched his big brother not only struggle with his decision to say yes to Michael, but if he could also keep Reese, not only in Dean's life, but his own as well.
Instead of going into the mountains of old junked cars, where she normally goes, Reese made her trek around the back of the house. An old, worn oak tree stood proudly in the middle of the back yard. Reese liked to think. It made her feel like she had a little control in her life. She planted her foot in a nook of the trunk and pulled herself up on the nearest branch. She continued to climb until she was unseen within the colorful leafs. She leaned her back against the trunk and crossed her arms. Her head laid against the wood as she closed her eyes, listening to Dean's voice in the distance. She could hear him calling her name, asking where she was, and that he was sorry. She shook her head, knowing that if she took one look at his bright green eyes, then she would cave. She couldn't do that this time. Dean had considered saying yes to Michael. The one thing he said he would never do. Her eyes opened when she heard his voice getting louder. She turned slightly to see Dean come around the corner of the house, searching the acreage. She let out one last long breath before calling his name. He had a lot of explaining to do, and she would get to the bottom of why he wanted to go down the path he had chosen.
"Dean." Reese called. Dean's head snapped to her direction. Just as his eyes met with the oak tree, he saw Reese jump to the ground and land on her feet.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." He said, making his way toward her. She crossed her arms once more before leaning against the trunk.
"Why?" Reese asked.
"Because I've got to explain to you..."
"No you don't. You didn't think that before." Reese stood up straight. "You left, remember? You left your brother, and you left me."
"I know."
"Dean, saying yes is not the answer and you know it."
"Reese, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Do you really think that if I were going to say yes, I wouldn't have conditions?" that statement took her aback.
"Conditions..." she repeated, not sure where he was taking their conversation.
"Yeah. If I were to say yes, You, Sam and Bobby would be my first priority. Nothing would happen to you. You would be safe."
"And what about you? Do you think once Michael is done with you you're just gonna go back to the old wise ass Dean Winchester? I don't think so! You'll be lucky if you don't turn into a drooling mess on the floor." She said, walking to the other side of the tree. Dean followed her.
"Reese, I'm serious. I can stop this. Lucifer is going to burn the planet alive and I have the means to stop it."
"You're not going to change your mind, are you?"
"I can't." he said quietly. Reese looked up and into his eyes. Her heart broke. She could see the truth in his eyes and it almost killed her. She sighed.
"Then we might as well make the most of it." she said, throwing her arms around his neck and her lips crashing to his. Dean's arms wrapped themselves around her body, holding her tightly against his chest. They let every bad in the world disappear as they took each other into blissfulness.
Dean and Reese walked back into the house. Dean pecked her cheek and walked into the kitchen to find Sam standing in front of the fridge, reading up on angel lore. When Dean came to a stop to reach for the door, Sam didn't move. Dean signed. "I'm gonna get a beer. Do you mind?" The tension between the boys was thick. Sam bit his lip and moved slightly so Dean could get his beer. Before he could get the bottle cap off the bottle, a gushing sound of wings fluttered in the library. Castiel's voice called for help. Bobby straightened as Reese and the boys made their way to them. Cas had a man hanging over his shoulders. He took two steps and practically threw him on the cot against the wall. They all looked at the unconscious man, wondering why he was covered in mud, and why Cas had brought him in the first place.
"Who is it?" Reese asked, tucking hair behind her ear. Sam took a step closer and gulped.
"That's our brother."
"Brother? You have another brother?" she asked, taking a few steps back. Dean turned and looked at her before looking back at his youngest sibling, Adam Milligan.
"What a minute. Your brother? Adam?" Bobby asked.
"Cas, what the hell?" Dean asked, turning toward the angel. Cas laid two angel blades down on the desk.
"Angels." he replied.
"Angels? Why?" Sam stepped in.
"I know one thing for sure." Cas made his way toward Adam and laid a hand down on his chest. "We need to hide him. Now." He began to brand his ribs with the same enochian sigils as the boys and Reese. Adam's eyes snapped open and he sat up. He looked around, not recognizing the people before him.
"Where am I?" Adam asked breathless.
"Just relax. You're safe." Sam said.
"Who the hell are you?" his voice became louder.
"You're gonna find this a little-a lot crazy, but we're actually your brothers." Adam looked clueless.
"It's the truth. John Winchester is our father too." Sam's voice changed to the soft caring tone he used when he didn't want to scare the person he was talking to. Reese found it sweet. "I'm Sam..."
"Yeah, and I'm sure that's Dean." Everyone remained quiet.
"How did you-" Reese began but Adam cut her off.
"I know how you are."
"How?"
"They warned me about you."
"Who did?" Dean asked.
"The angels." Everyone again remained quiet. "Now, where the hell is Zachariah!" No one spoke. Reese cleared her throat and stepped in front of Sam and Dean.
"Adam, I'm Reese. Before we get into the dirty business, why don't you go get washed up. I'm sure you could use a good shower and some clean clothes." Reese put on her charming smile, and put her hand on his knee and rubbed it with her thumb. The tension in Adam's shoulders melted away as he nodded. Reese smiled sweetly at him before leading him to the bathroom with a set Dean's clothes, that were too small now, and a clean towel. Adam walked and shut the door. Reese stood by long enough to hear the water running before returning to the library. Dean narrowed his eyes at her. She shrugged at him. "What? You're gonna get anything out of him if you keep using your deep scary voice. Be nice." Reese said, walking through to the kitchen to get a drink for Adam when he returned.
Adam sat on the cot in front of the entire hunter crew. Reese stood behind Dean, with a hand on his shoulder, slowly working the muscle there. Dean shivered slightly before focusing on his youngest brother. "So why don't you tell us everything. Start from the beginning." Adam tapped on his knee, looking at each hunter before smacking his lips.
"Well, I was dead and in heaven. Except it kind of looked like my prom. Uh, I was making out with this girl. Her name was Kristen McGee."
"Oh, that does sound like heaven." Dean interrupted. "Did you get to third base?" Reese smacked his shoulder and Sam cleared his throat.
"Sorry about him. You can keep going." Reese said with a tight smile. Adam nodded. "Well, these angels, they popped out of nowhere and they told that I'm chosen."
"For what?" Sam asked, crossing his arms.
"To save the world."
"How are you gonna do that?" Dean asked, raising his brow.
"Me and some archangel are gonna kill the devil." Adam's tone was sarcastic but serious.
"What archangel." Reese asked, moving around to stand in front of Dean.
"Michael. I'm his sword or vessel or something. I don't know."
"Well-well, that's insane." Dean said shaking his head.
"Not necessarily." Castiel spoke from behind them. Eyes all turned to look at him.
"How do you mean?" Dean asked.
"Maybe they're moving on from you, Dean."
"Well, that doesn't make any sense."
"He is John Winchester's bloodline, Sam's brother. It's not perfect, but it's possible."
"You gotta be kidding me."
"Why would they do that?" Reese asked, uncrossing her arms and raising them into the air.
"Maybe they're desperate. Maybe they wrongly assumed Dean would be brave enough to withstand-"
"Blow me, Cas."
"Dean, enough." Reese said, placing her hand on his cheek to calm him down. "Listen, after everything that's happened, all that crap about destiny?"
"And now suddenly, the archangels have a plan B?" Sam said, straightening his back. "Does that smell right to anybody?"
"You know, this has been a really moving family reunion, but uh, I got a thing so-"
"Whoa whoa whoa. Sit down." Sam said, stepping in front of Adam. Dean tightened his back to get ready to move and Reese took a step back. "Just listen, okay? Please." Adam looked at everyone before shaking his head in denial.
"Unbelievable." he said, taking a seat anyway.
"Now, Adam, the angels are lying to you. They're full of crap." Reese said, sitting on the corner of the desk, next to Cas.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Adam laughed.
"Really? Why not?"
"Um, because they're angels."
"They tell you they're gonna roast half the planet?" Sam said.
"They said the fight might get pretty hairy, but it's the devil, right? So we gotta stop him." "Yeah. But there is another way." Sam said, keeping his voice low. Reese and Dean both looked at him, wondering where he was taking this conversation.
"Great. What is it?"
"Well, we're working on the power of love." Dean said, his voice thick with humor. Reese, Sam and Bobby shook their heads.
"How's that going?" Adam smiled back at him.
"Mm. Not good." Dean replied, smiling widely. He knew it wasn't the right time to be a smart aleck, but he couldn't help it.
"Look, Adam. You don't know me from a hole in the wall, I know, but I'm begging you. Please. Just trust us. Give us some time." Sam pleaded.
"Give me one good reason." Adam nodded, Bobby and Reese both looked to him, wanting to know the reason also. Adam had a look on his face that maybe he could trust his brothers. Reese could see the sadness in his eyes. Sam took a minute to think before nodding himself.
"Because we're blood."
Adam's face fell. Sam and Dean had never met Adam before today. If you don't count his ghoul doppleganger. But Reese could see the conflict written all over his face.
"You got no right to say that to me."
"You're still John's boy." Bobby piped.
"No, John Winchester was some guy who took me to a baseball game once a year. I don't have a dad. So we may be blood, but we are not family. My mom is my family. And if I do my job, I get to see her again. So no offense, but she's the only one I give a rat's ass about. Not you." Reese looked at Dean, who was shaking his head. Sam nodded.
"Fair enough. But if you have one good memory of dad, just one, then you'll give us a little more time. Please." Sam was begging now. He was desperate. Adam took a minute to himself before agreeing. He didn't like it, but he would give them a chance. For now.
Reese had taken Dean downstairs for some alone time. But what Dean didn't know is that she was locking him in the panic room. Her and Sam had discussed it earlier before Adam had woken up. Reese had made it clear that Dean couldn't give himself up just yet. Not until she knew the real reason he was wanting to say yes. Sam agreed. So Reese played it through until they were through, and she nodded to the hidden Castiel to shut and lock the door behind them. Dean was not pleased.
Dean paced around the room, opening the doors to the gun safe, looking up at the spinning fan, but never once looked at Reese. After ten minutes of the quiet sounds of his boots on the floor, he turned to his lover and threw his arms in the air.
"Is this really necessary?" Reese shrugged.
"I don't know. We kind of got our hands full here, Dean. A house full of flight risks."
"I'm not letting him do it."
"Sam has taken care of Adam. I'm talking about you." Dean turned around and sat on the table.
"That kid's not taking a bullet for me." He said quietly.
"Dean..." Reese started, but Dean continued to speak.
"Think about how many people have died because of me. Mom, Dad, Jess, Jo, Ellen. Should I keep going?"
"It's not like you pulled the trigger, Dean."
"I might as well have." he shook his head. "I'm tired, Reese. I'm tired of fighting who I'm supposed to be." Reese snorted.
"Okay, first off, their deaths are not your fault, Dean. We're hunters, they knew the risks. And second, who you're supposed to be? An ass puppet for some pompous angel? Can you stop trying to sacrifice yourself for one damn minute and actually listen? Maybe we could actually have that future you seemed to talk about not that long ago." Tears pooled on her lids. All Dean did was shake his head.
"I don't think so."
"Why not!" Reese yelled. She had come so far with the Winchester's, that she couldn't walk away now. She was in it for the long haul. And she was going to save Dean's life, even if it killed her. Dean bit his lip. "Please, Dean. Tell me. I'm begging you. Please!"
"I just-I don't believe."
"In what?" Tears rolled down her cheeks as he looked up at her.
"In you." Her heart broke. She couldn't tell if he was saying it to make her leave or he was telling the truth. "I mean, I don't- I can't have the life you want. I'm a hunter, Reese. I don't get to be happy. It's the life I chose a long time ago. Yeah, a future with you sounds nice, but if I don't do this, there won't be a future to look too. So, I'm doing this for-"
"Don't you dare say it's for me. You know damn well you're doing this for you. An easy way out. You stupid son of a bitch." She sobbed. She threw her hand on her head before turning her back on him.
"I'm sorry, Reese."
"No. Don't you say you're sorry. We both know you're not. You'll say anything to get us to change our minds about you saying yes." Tears streamed down her face as she turned to face him one last time. "You're a coward Dean Winchester. And you can rot in here for all I care." She walked to the door, banged twice, and as the door opened, Dean saw Cas and Sam standing before him. Waiting for Reese to make her way out. She turned and stopped and looked at him one last time before shutting and locking the door. For the first time in a long time, Dean curled in on himself, and let his emotions flow from his eyes and drip onto the floor. He had lost the one good thing in his life, and he wasn't sure if he could ever get it back.