They followed the directions for hours until finally they were on a dark back road. Dean was out of the car before Bobby even stopped and the next thing everyone heard was Dean punching the window out.
"Son of a bitch!" He yelled, though it had really nothing to do with the pain in his hand, and all about the lone cell phone on the front seat of an abandoned car, no sign of Sam.
Bobby took quick steps to Dean's side and swore softly. "We're gonna find him." He said to Dean, resting a hand on the young man's shoulder. He had no clue how they were going to do it but they would. They had to. Not just for the boy's sake either. Sam goes down and the others at the compound would fall apart.
Dean's whole body was rigid as his jaw twitched. "We got nothing." He said. "I have no idea how to find him. I can't...we can't lose him, Bobby." He looked at Mickey. "Tell me you have something, or just get your ass back to the pearly gates."
"I might know someone who does." Mickey said not liking this idea in the slightest. It was obvious that the conversation alone was making him uncomfortable.
"Then let's go." Dean said and headed back to the car. "Come on, you know someone, about time you started pulling your weight on this one. Let's go."
"No... you two wait here or drive back to the base. I'll go alone. He won't stick around long enough for me to ask any questions if I walk in the door with a pair of hunters. No matter how drunk he is."
"Come on." Bobby said to Dean. "We'll get some coffee, and some food. We're no good to Sam if we're strung out and passing out from hunger. You knowhow to find us Mickey."
Michael nodded. "I won't be long." He said andstarted walking down the road, fading from view as he went. He reappeared on the other side of the country, and strode into the bar. And sighed. It was much as he had expected. He walked over to the bar and took a seat. "It's been a while." He said to the man in the next seat over.
The man looked at him briefly before signalling for another shot. "That's putting it lightly. A while. How do you define a while? A year? Two years? Three eons? What's a while?" He said as he tossed the shot back. "You know what really sucks? I can drink and drink and drink. I never black out. I never pass out. I've been working on this bender for a month now. Can't seem to get the hang of it."
"That's a long standing problem with you. Can't seem to get the hang of a lot of things. " Mickey said. "Can't even get the hang of this whole evil thing. Word is you are looking to get brownie points with the Almighty."
"I was never evil. You're so black and white, Mikey." He said, slamming down his shot glass as it broke. "Dammit, another one. Okay, look, all I did was not take a side. You know what I did in the Kingdom? I recorded. I was a record keeper, a history writer, what did I know about wars other than how to write them down? Though I sure learned, didn't I? Give me credit, I picked up fast on that one. What do you want?"
"It is that black and white up there. You know that." He sighed. "Look... I need your help. Azazel has taken some one... and I need your help tracking him down."
"You need help. You need my help. That's...well, that'ssweet." He said as he pounded the bar to get everyone's attention. "Hey everyone! Look who stopped by to see me! It's my brother Mike. He hasn't spoken to me in ages. But now he wants me to help him rat out our other brother that he doesn't speak to either. Everyone, three cheers for Mike!""Come on... don't do this." He said in hushed tones. "Look around this room, Vretil. These people, this place. Humanity at its most mediocre. Yet you love it, you love the idea of humanity... do you want to see it all end? "
"Ben." He corrected. "You got a name that would blend. I didn't. So I changed it. It's Ben for this mortal lifetime, got it? What do you want from me? What are you going to offer me? False promises of putting in a good word for me? I'll pass. So unless you want me to buy you a lap dance, leave me alone. You were good at that for ages upon ages."
"Ben... if we don't find this boy, armageddon is going to start. Is that what you want? And no one has to put in a good word for you, He sees everything you do. I thought you would be willing to help since you care so much for these people, but I guess I was wrong. Guess you've fallen further than I thought. " He turned to walk away then.
Ben got up and grabbed Mickey, dragging him outside. "I didn't fall. I was kicked out. You just lump us all into the same category." So did Lucifer for that matter. "I don't interfere. I can't. I don't know if interfering is the smart thing or the really stupid thing. His guidance has been turned from me for a long time now. I just observe. Ever recording. You think I haven't wanted to stop things from time to time, help other things along? But unlike you, I don't have guidance. I'm stuck with this free will, and the fear to use it. Go home. At least one of us can."
"You want guidance... have you asked for it? Have you tried to earn it back? This kid... his brother holds the sword. He is barely trained, but the kid is tainted, I can't find him because he is tainted. Azazel's chosen. And you know why. If this kid is turned, or killed, humanity hasn't got a chance. Because his brother is so co dependent on him that losing him will break him. I'm sorry this all interferes with your inability to get drunk. But I need your help... humanity needs your help."
"Have I asked? For longer than I'd like to remember. But even I got sick of hearing my own voice." Ben scoffed. "Fine. Azazel has him? That really sucks. Could be worse, could be Tamiel, or one of the others. And his chosen one is the brother of your chosen one. And Lucifer always thought he was your biggest rival."
"Vre- " he sighed, "Ben... please." He said. "The boy's life may not be hanging by a thread... but his sanity is, and the fate of this world is handing by that same thread."
"You have no idea what my immortal life has been like the last few millenia, never mind the last century. Maybe I want it all to end." Ben said. "Fine, I'll see if I can find him. If you do me a favor."
"Yes, if I can." He said, meaning it. He couldn't give definites. He didn't have that much free will.
"There was a woman...her name was Abigail. Where did she go?" Ben asked. "And I'll know if you're lying to placate me."
Michael's face softened. "I took her home myself." He said honestly. He had thought of talking to his brother at the time but it was too soon. It wouldn't have been received well.
Ben looked away. "They've been using her, you know. At least her name. To get me down there. I've never been, never wanted to. And sure, they lie. But sometimes they don't. I had images of them interrupting your process to lure me. It's picked up lately, they're trying to solidify all the forces they can. They count me in their numbers, because you don't. Armageddon? This is worse than armageddon."
"You have free will... I can't even begin to imagine what that is like... but I think the lack of guidance is the price of free will. You can still choose. You can still make a stand for what you believe."
"If she was...down there...I would have gone." Ben said. "I think I'm the only demon who still talks to God. Hoping one day He'll answer, but not really expecting it. This brother, your little soldier. Can he do it?"
"Yes... if he had time to prepare... and a cool head about him, yes." Michael said. "And you aren't a demon. Not really. You have to fall all the way for that. You aren't an angel either... you're stuck in between. I don't envy you that."
"It does suck. Big time." Ben said. "I'll go look for him. See what I can find out. Like I said, they consider me family. Though I actually think I'm more like that third cousin who no one talks about or something. Where will you be? My locating skills are...rusty." From disuse and no need or want to use them.
"I'll wait around here." Mickey said. "Easier that way." He figured there was a chance he could trust Ben, but anything that followed him out, could follow him back to the compound "Maybe I'll see if there is anything behind that bar that will do me any good." He sighed.
"Arnie!" Ben said, waving over the bouncer. "Tell Stella to give him whatever he wants." He looked at Mickey. "See you soon." He said as he walked down the alley and disappeared. Reaching out and finding Azazel, because he could. Because according to the powers that be, they were on the same side. "Now, I thought you had a thing for women. This is quite the surprise."
"Well, well, well. Never thought to see you around here. This is just... an errant child." He said as he left Sam Winchester in the care of his less than human minions. "What is it you want?"
"Haven't heard from you in a while. Considering the harassment I was getting from you earlier, silence bugs me. Makes me wonder what you're up to. No good I know." Ben said as he lit a cigarette. "Covering my bases as best I can, as usual."
"Well I'd start covering your ass as well, brother mine. You keep saying no and when the time comes, you'll get shut out of there too. That'snot a place to be."
"Well, wow, when you put it like that." Ben said. "No. Besides, how great a place can hell be if you keep crawling out of there?"
"Doesn't matter much how bad it is down there. Hell is coming up here, course maybe that's what you want, all things considered."
"Still running that line." Ben said, shaking his head. "I'd hoped you'd come up with something different. But imagination has never been your strong point. Just checking in. Now that I know where you are, I can stay far away."
"Enjoy it while you can. It's not going to last much longer. " He said as he turned to go back to the semi-conscious Sam Winchester. "Now where were we?" He said.
Ben rolled his eyes and walked out, and back into the bar. "Is his special kid tall, dark floppy hair, big feet?" Ben asked as he settled on a stool.
"Yeah, that's Winchester." Mickey said, setting aside the alcohol that had absolutely no effect on him. "Please tell me the kid is still breathing." He didn't think even he could salvage Dean if Sam were already dead or turned. "And not sporting yellow or black eyes."
"He was breathing. That's all I can tell you. He was unconscious." Ben said. "So does the brother know that he's pretty much damned to hell through no fault of his own?"
"No." Mickey said. "It's possible for him to redeem himself... but he has to want it and right now, Samuel doesn't want it. He isn't embracing evil... he's fighting it with all that he's got but there is so much anger in there."
"What can I say? Daddy's big on the tough love." Ben said, taking Mickey's discarded drink and finishing it for him. Then he grabbed one of the waitresses' pads and wrote the location down. "This is where they are. They're not alone. Lots of minions around. Hey, didn't I hear about Tamiel AND Azazel possessing two brothers? Same brothers?"
"Same brothers. Their father gave his life exorcising both of them the same night." Mickey said. "Tamiel is out too, keeping a low profile, and with him that worries me. But that's another battle for another day. I need to get back to Winchester so we can go and get his brother."
"Good luck." Ben said. "Keep me appraised. I'm...interested...in how this turns out. Might get another book out of it." He wrote history books for a living, a skill he'd been divinely endowed with.
"I will. Thank you." He added and turned to leave, fading away only to reappear next to Bobby and Dean. "Here's the location."
Dean gulped down the coffee he'd been nursing and took the paper from Mickey, getting up in one smooth movement. "Then let's go." He said, heading back toward Bobby's car.
Bobby shook his head. "What are we walking into?" He said as he too got up, just much slower than Dean.
"My source says he has minions around. Sam is unconscious, I suspect demonic minions not merely human ones."
"Sounds like fun." Bobby said with a sigh as he saw Dean pacing impatiently outside the car. "Is that sword going to cut through everything? Nice short cut if we can use it."
"It can." Mickey said. "Me going along will chase away the lesser minions. Unfortunately I am forbidden to take on Azazel. Things are set in motion that I can't stop now."
Bobby scoffed. "Stop now? You haven't made much of a move to stop anything in this whole mess on your own. Why should you start now? As long as Sam's alive, Dean will do his job."
Mickey sighed. "You know... my involvement on earth... has set boundaries. Unlike you, I don't get to go say, 'Sorry Dad, won't do it again', and get my slate wiped clean." Mickey said as he started walking toward the car. Things were happening at the wrong times. Someone was messing with the divine plan and it was going to send things spiraling downward. There was no stopping it.
"Fine." Bobby said, accepting that. "Doesn't make it any easier on him though." He said as they got to the car. "Come on, you ready or not?" He asked Dean, who got into the front seat.
"Your source says Sam's okay, though. Right?" Dean asked.
"He said that Sam was unconscious. Didn't get a chance to see more than that. But Sam plays heavily in Azazel's plans... He won't kill him."
"How do we know we can trust your source?" Dean asked. "Just asking. Because obviously he's not one of you, or you would have been able to find him without help. Means he's either human or demonic. Either of which probably shouldn't rate high on the trust ladder."
"He rates high enough. Higher than most, not as high as he should have been." Mickey said. "If by some strange quirk it turns out to be false information, then I know our next stop." And it would be a strange quirk. Vretil may have lost his place in heaven but he stayed out of hell's ranks better than most humans he knew. And that was noeasy feat for an outcast angel.
"All right." Dean said as he reached back and grabbed the sword as Bobby drove. Made sure his shot gun was loaded with holy rounds. All the little preparations to keep his mind off where Sam was and what was happening to him.
Sam groaned as he came to and looked around. His blood chilled as he realized he was in a room full of demons, hanging from his hands in the center of the room. This was not good.
"Finally you're awake. Just in time for the fun to start." Azazel said, his eyes glowing golden in the dim light. "I've invited some friends over, I knew you wouldn't mind."
"Actually I'm not in the mood for a party." He said tugging at the chains attached to his wrist, even though he knew it was futile. "So I think I'll just go onhome if you don't mind."
"Don't mind at all, even if you are the guest of honor. We've even provided entertainment. But if you want to leave, go ahead. Leave." Azazel said, mocking Sam.
Sam swore softly and paused to try and focus. "What do you mean entertainment?" He demanded not liking the sound of that at all.
"Family reunion." Azazel said with a smirk and glared at his minions. "You stand your ground, no matter who walks through the door. Or what."
"No." Sam growled and the walls around him seemed to shake. He knew what was coming... or more to the point who. Sam didn't know if he had faith in Mickey, but he definitely knew he was real, and knew the reaction the prayerhad on Azazel in the past. "Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio. contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen." He managed to get out.
Azazel grimaced and winced, taking a step back. And his minions cowered. "Stand up!" He said. "Michael is powerless here. He can't do anything but watch!"
"Would you prefer something else in latin?" Sam said lashing out with his mind atAzazel, willing him backwards. "I will not allow you to hurt him."
"What makes you think I'm going to hurt him?" He asked with a smirk. "And your abilities don't work on me. I gave them to you. I am your master, if you want to think of it that way."
"Go to hell." Sam growled.Mickey looked up from the back seat and smiled. "He's awake." He said. "And he gave me a loop hole. I can keep him safe until the job's done... " He said feeling the pull of the prayer from Sam.
Dean gave Mickey an unbeliving look. "Then what are you waiting for, dude?" He asked. "Go do it."
He disappeared from the car with the sound of rushing wind, and appeared in the warehouse with the same sound, striding through the lesser demons, ignoring their shrieks as he moved to stand behind Sam.
Azazel, through his host, glared at the archangel. That was the price for falling as far as he did, the loss of the heavenly body given to him by his creator. That was fine, he and the others had found ways around that one. "Leave." He bellowed. "He's not yours."
"He's called upon my name." Michael said ashis wings unfurled. "He is mine to protect. Tainted or not... he is human, and redeemable."
"Who's going to protect your little soldier?" Azazel shot back. "Poor Dean...his whole life he's been someone's soldier. First his father's, now Father's. And you've left him defenseless to protect my tainted, warped creation. All I need is Dean to die, get out of the way permanently, and then I win."
"If that were all it took... you would have won by now. " Michael said as he closed his wings around Sam, protecting him. Dean and Bobby would be there shortly, and things would escalate. It was the entire reason sam was trussed up as he was. It was for Dean's benefit, to distract him.
"It breaks Sam all the more if Dean dies either defending him or by Sam's own hand." Azazel said with a grin as he watched Mickey. "Your boy is going to come at me with a sword and I'm going to gut him."
"I thought it was Luc who had the problem with Pride." Michael said. "Don't worry about Dean. He will be better able to handle things if he is not distracted by what Azazel tries to do to you." He told the younger Winchester who made motions to object to the Archangel's protection. "If it were as easy as he seems to think, he wouldn't be spouting his drivel. He would leave it stand."
"It doesn't matter. Once Dean is out of the way, everything is doomed, right? Isn't that what you've pounded into that poor boy's head? You're worse than his father. He's mortal, Michael. And like all mortals, he will fail."
"You aren't the first to plan this, Azazel. Those who have come before you have failed and died at the hands of mortal men. You will be no different. " Michael said.
Dean and Bobby came in then, and Dean saw how Michael was sheltering Sam. And appreciated it. Throwing off his jacket he raised an eyebrow at Azazel. "No more talking. I heard you talk enough in my head."
"You think you can take me on and win?" The demon asked. "You've had that sword what... a week now? Have you figured out which end is the pointy one yet? I've got millenia of experience killing with a sword. Put it away, for once in your life, make the smart decision."
"Not likely." Dean said. "So why don't you just shut your mouth and let me show you which end is the pointy end."Azazel took a few steps forward his own weapon materializing in his hand. "You always were the one with more guts than brains."
"Blah, blah, blah." Dean said. "Oh I'm sorry, did you say something?" He said with a smirk as he swung at Azazel, not a real swing, just enough to get Azazel to move.
Michael watched Dean carefully, nodding as the combat continued, watching as the two danced around each other. baiting each other physically and verbally.
One thing in Dean's favor...he knew how to fight dirty. And actually preferred it most of the time. So even when Azazel managed to knock the sword out of his hand, Dean managed, through low down tricks against a mortal body the fallen was wearing, to retrieve it before he lost his head. Literally. Azazel wasn't pulling any punches, and neither was Dean.
Though he did imagine this battle occuring in a wide open field, maybe with a few tufts of fire about for decoration. Possibly a scantily clad hottie waiting in the corner to wipe his brow and give him words of encouragement. But no, he was in a building. No mistakening that as he was shoved to the wall time and time again. But Dean lived most of his life with his back against the wall, fighting his way out. This was no different, even if the stakes were a lot higher.
Every bone and muscle and fiber in his body was aching. This wasn't some fifteen minute fight choreographed for the big screen. This was more a test of endurance than anything else. He swore even his hair was feeling pain. His hands were numb, but clenched around the sword as he swung and ducked and jabbed until finally one of his jabs hit home in a big way.
Azazel looked at Dean in shock then over to Michael, for the first time questioning the wisdom of his choice. The blackness that had once been a literal child of God, created by His hands and welcomed into His presence, erupted from the man's body, and fell to the ground as bits of ash.
Dean coughed and rolled onto his back. He was gasping like a man who had just run a marathon for hours, his hands finally relaxing and releasing the sword. "Sammy?" He managed to get out as he tried to catch his breath.
"Dean!" Sam yelled out, struggling against the chains, impatient for the angel to release him. Once the chains were free from his wrists, Sam nearly sank to the floor with his first steps, but managed to keep going to his brother's side. Mickey and Bobby exchanged glances and simply nodded. They had to get the brothers out of there and quick.
"Hey." Dean said to Sam. Okay, his brother was all right. So he passed out. Bobby cleared his throat.
"It's just a nap, Sam." He assured Sam. "We got here a little past 6. It's almost midnight now." Letting Sam do the math on just how long that fight had gone on. Dean, for lack of a better word, was simply tired.
Sam nodded and placed a hand on his forehead. He had a concussion and some aches and pains himself but nothing that he hadn't endured before without so much as a glance in the mirror. "Let's get him home." Sam said as he knelt down to help pick up his brother. "Let me... please." Michael said, resting a hand on Sam's shoulder. He picked up Dean's sword and sheathed it, where his own usually hung, obscured, and hefted the young man into his arms.
Bobby watched and fished his keys out of his pocket. "Come on, we've got a bit of a drive ahead of us. You all right Sam?" Bobby asked the younger Winchester.
"Concussion, bruised ribs, couple scrapes. I'm good. Not up to driving though, sorry." Sam could have driven if he had to but right then he wanted to stay in the back seat with his brother.
"Don't worry, I've got the driving." Bobby said as Michael put Dean in the backseat. "I've seen how you and your brother drive, and I like mycar. You coming with or going off?"
"I need to go ahm... see my own brother." Mickey admitted. "I'll pick up the Impala on my way back to the compound."
Bobby was surprised that Mickey was coming back, but didn't argue as he got Sam into the car and sat alone in the front seat.
Ben was in a coffee house that had internet hookup, with a lap top, chatting with an online friend.
ProfessorV: I'd say your friends were successful.
DrBadAss: Huh?
ProfessorV: LOL. Trust me, I got sources just like you. Your friends are coming back, safe and sound.
DrBadAss: How did you know they left?
ProfessorV: I have my sources.
DrBadAss: That's my line.
ProfessorV: I'm older. I said it first. Deal.
Mickey took a seat across from Ben. "ProfessorV, huh?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
Ben raised an eyebrow in return.
ProfessorV: BBL. My brother stopped by for a chat. For someone who hasn't wanted to know me in nearly forever, he's certainly friendly.
DrBadAss: Maybe he wants money.
ProfessorV: LMAO. TTYL.
DrBadAss: Catch ya on the flipside.
"To the mortals, I'm pretty much a professor. Been writing their history their whole existence." Ben pointed out. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
He nodded. "Thank you." Mickey said meaning more than just for the congratulations. "Figured I should hang out for a bit just in case some one figured it was open season."
Ben sat back and lit a cigarette, then took a drink of his coffee before speaking. "I'm nearly touched by your concern. Your boy make it out all right?"
"Exhausted but alright. He's on his way back with his brother. So how long have you been filtering information to hunters?"
"Long enough." Ben said as he typed a bit on his laptop. "Does it really matter? Just because I'm damned doesn't mean they should be."
"No I don't suppose it matters. " Mickey said. "It's a big risk you were taking. Not that you care but ... I'm proud of you."
"Of course I care." Ben said. "Along with the free will comes the need for validation. Besides, what am I risking? I'm already in limbo. And they can't exactly kill me, cause I'm not exactly alive. If the hunters even knew who I really was, they have no idea how to deal with me."
"It's not the hunters you would have to worry so much about. It's the others... and there are worse things than Death." Mickey said. The fact that he was taking a risk to do the right thing, that impressed Mickey.
"What are they going to do? Kill my cat?" Ben asked witha chuckle. "They can't come up with any good torture. Torture is watching the woman you love die, and be unable to help her. Torture is knowing you're going to live forever outside Heaven's gates without her. I did that to myself. Nothing they can come up with to beat that. Trust me. Anything else would be a relief because it would make me forget everything else. So Azazel is gone. Can't say I feel bad. Tamiel's making noise up here you know. Might want to let him keep the sword a bit longer."
"I was considering that." He said honestly. "With the battle done there are other duties I have to perform, things that will take me away from them... maybe you wouldn't mind peeking in on them every once in a while."
"And how are you going to explain that? Here's a fellow angel I helped kick out of heaven. Yeah, like I did Lucifer, Tamiel and Azazel, but don't worry. He's not really evil." Ben said with a chuckle. "Like they haven't heard that one before, or at least along those lines."
"No reason for them to know much of anything." He said with a shrug. "Just find a reason for Ash to find out who ProfessorV is."
"So I have to do all the dirty work to take a job you asked me to take. Nice." Ben said. "I was never an archangel, Michael, listening to you was never my forte, as you can see by my current lifestyle. I don't know, there's a lecture I could arrange or something. Bring Ash to me."
"I can do that. I don't need you to be an archangel. I need you to be who you are. If nothing else the people there might relate to you better than they do me, even if they do find out."
"Fine." Ben said with a sigh. "I'll pull some strings, not that hard. The local university has me on retainer. I'll give a lecture on demonology throughout history, Ash won't be able to help himself."
Mickey nodded. "Good. He might even bring a couple of the others with him. I could see Bobby Singer being there as well, but expect him to be full of questions and opinions. The man is... different."
"I can't believe I'm covering babysitting duty for you." Ben said as he turned back to his laptop. "Let's see if he buys it."
ProfessorV: Back. Anyway, talking to a guy who donates a lot of money to my university. He's sponsoring a series of lectures on the occult and demonology. Of course I get to test the waters. If mine sells out, he'll organize the rest of them.
He looked at Mickey. "You get to use your powers of persuasion to make that happen. And my standard fee is 20."
"I'll see that it happens." Mickey said with a smile.DrBadAss: Where you gonna be giving these lectures?
ProfessorV: The University, MacAuley Hall. Guiness afterwards. Faculty Association tried to get me to do the lame chips and soda. Luckily, I won.
DrBadAss: Dude, I am so there. Might bring someone with me if you don't mind.
ProfessorV: Cool. As long as every one pays their 25 a head, you can bring a whole rugby team. TTY tomorrow, 7 sharp.
Ben grinned at Mickey. "Once you know how to talk to a human, they're amazingly easy to talk into things. You should try it once in a while." He said.
Mickey made a face. "Talking to them isn't my forte." He admitted. "In fact, the less I talk to them, the better they seem to like me."
"Well, it's because you don't like them." Ben said. "Oh you might admire their fortitude, their perservereness, and all that. But you don't really like them. You're the big daddy of all babysitters and they're the world's worst toddlers you've been saddled with. That's your problem."
"They have so much and they take it all for granted." Mickey said. "They beg and bargain and whine for things and aren't willing to do anything for themselves to get them, but just ask them and it's all HIS fault that they aren't all millionaires with supermodel wives."
"Now, see, you're generalizing. This kid, Ash, that I've been passing information to...he doesn't want to be a millionaire. He just wants a good supply of weed and beer. And he's got it. I'm not sure he'd know what to do with a supermodel wife. What he wants is his friends to stop dying from the demons and monsters and things that go bump in the night. He wants protection for them while they do the dirty work. Because he knows they don't really have a choice. Sure, they can stay home all safe and sound...but how safe and sound are they if someone's not out there fighting the good fight? Dean...he wants his brother to be safe. So he's going to risk his life to make that happen. Sam would like Dean to have a little help along the way. They're not asking for things that are outrageous, just things they need really. You're taking the MTV and BET culture and running with it in your mind. Not all mortals are like that. Humans are actually...extraordinary."
"Individuals are extraordinary. The species as a whole is like Sodom all over again." Mickey pointed out. "They revel in their darkness. Have you ever watched the evening news? How often do you see the extraordinary things broadcast there? Instead if they can't find anything vile to report they tell you what happened on the television program that is popular. Or what celebrity is sleeping around or in rehab. "
"So don't watch the evening news. I don't." Ben said. "Observe them in their element. Go into a city neighborhood, sit on a hay cart in a farm, go to the mall. The news is nothing but a grab for ratings. Seriously, Michael, humanity is so vast and unpredictable, you can't generalize it. You can't compare the Tibetans and their quiet piety to the rowdiness of the young Eurotrash and expect to make sense."
"The least annoying part of humanity I have found, other than one righteous priest... oh I know there are more but I found one willing to do what he was called to do, even if it didn't fit into the realm of normal... other than him... or perhaps inclusive of him... is the compound full of tainted souls that I can't do anything to help."
"Ah, because you can't lay your angelic hands on them and make all their cares go away?" Ben asked with a laugh. "You could...I don't know...talk to them. Watch TV with them. Smuggle them in some good booze and black market DVDs. You're already doing a lot. While you were there, no demon was attacking the compound. Not even the true Fallen. That's something. Of course, you're arrogant. And condescending. So maybe that's why they don't like you."
"I'm not here to be liked." Michael pointed out. "I was here to train Dean Winchester for the battle that just took place. Of course I haven't recieved a call home yet, so I don't know... "
"So maybe it wasn't just that battle." Ben pointed out. "Tamiel would like Dean for himself. And after the training you gave him...can you imagine? Tamiel's good with a sword. Slap him in a body that knows how to use a sword...he might even be able to take you on. How's that for a happy thought? Or maybe you're just here to arrange my lecture series and ensure that I get paid. Because that's always nice. Pays for rent, cat food, that sort of thing."
"You really own a cat?" Michael asked finding it amusing some how that his little brother, the book worm fallen, owned a cat.
"Or he owns me. It's a long argument." Ben said with humor as he pulled up some notes for his lecture. Sure, he had a photographic memory. That was part of his job. But notes helped him not skip from topic to topic. Otherwise he'd start with demons and end up with the history of spaghetti. "And I'm not sure I'm winning it either." He looked at Michael. "It's not amusing! Why are you looking like you're about to pat me on the head?"
"You are so human." He said with a chuckle. "You didn't slide all the way down to Demon, you're just a long lived human with extra abilities." He teased.
"Thank you!" Ben said with a laugh. "It's far better to be mistaken for a human than mistaken for a demon, don't you think? Especially with this crowd? They're probably going to make me drink holy water."
"Bobby Singer will. It's one of his security measures. It makes sense I suppose. Thankfully, it shouldn't affect you."
"Ah yes, I'm the exception to just about every rule, aren't I?" Ben said with a laugh. "I can't go into heaven, but I still have the body he gave me. That whole black smoky thing never appealed to me. I can even go to a church, even if I don't hear the choirs sing anymore. And in the black and white world, I guess I am a demon, yet you're going to drop me into a nest of hunters."
"In the black and white world... you aren't an angel." Mickey said. "Doesn't really make you a demon.You don't fit the black and white criteria of a demon either." He shrugged. "You are what you are. Have you tried approaching HIM the way humans do? You have free will.. maybe you have to wait out your redemption like humans do."
"I am waiting it out." Ben said. "Drinking's not a sin. Smoking's not a sin. As long as the other woman isn't married to someone else, premarital sex isn't even a sin. And I'vebeen very very careful not to create little nephalim of my own. Until He deems my redemption satisfied, if he ever does, I just stay my own course."
"I wish you well with that. I need to get going. Got to set up your lectures for you, then go back and check on Dean to make sure he doesn't need any healing."
"Have fun with that." Ben said. "No, really, try to have a little fun. The Almighty doesn't outlaw fun you know."
"It's not in the job description." Mickey said with a faint chuckle. "I'll see you around. " He said as he got up to walk out of the coffee shop.
"See you." Ben said as he went back to his notes. He had a lecture to prepare for.
S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S/S
Dean woke up the next morning. With a headache and overall general soreness. He groaned as he opened his eyes and found Sam staring at him.
"Seriously, dude, cut it out. Or I'll punch you in your fluffy head." He said.
"Starting to wonder if you were going to sleep for a couple of days." Sam said, still worried about his brother. He had seen the fight, he knew what Dean had gone through.
Dean sat up with a groan and rubbed the back of his neck. "I wish." He said with a chuckle. "Dude, I so earned it. And a couple of strippers too you know. You all should send me a strip-o-gram. It's the polite thing to do when I save all of humanity."
"I figure you can and will pick out your own strippers." He said. "Thanks... for coming, even if you shouldn't have." He knew that it had honestly been too soon for Dean to take on the demon, that was why Azazel had forced the situation.
"Dude, I always go after you. And find you for that matter." Dean said with a chuckle. "So what's that 'shouldn't have'? Sounds like crazy stupid talk to me." Even Sam agreed that was his job.
"He wasn't going to kill me, he wants ... wanted... me for some reason. I was just bait to get you there before it was time." Sam said. "He could have killed you. "
"But he didn't. In case you missed the big finish, I won." Dean said. "Relax. He's down. He's done. Fried burnt toast. All done. Finally."
"I know. Thank you for that too. I suspect a lot of nightmares around this place will go away. Expect to be fawned over around here for a while."
Dean shrugged. "It wasn't anything." He said as he stood up and cracked all his joints back into their proper position. He had bruises, and cuts, and scrapes, and more bruises. But he was alive. And he didn't do it to get 'fawned' over. Wasn't even an option as far as he was concerned. "You didn't tell anyone, did you? Not the whole story?" It was one thing to pick up a girl in a bar with a tale rife with heroics and danger. This was a whole other thing.
"No, Bobby did." Sam said with a smile. "And it wasn't nothing. It was a major something. You destroyed a demon. You destroyed the demon that destroyed these peoples lives, that killed our parents. Ruined our childhood."
Dean shook his head. "I don't know, tell them you did it. I'll completely back you up too. By the time I get done, they'll believe the demon was begging at your feet as you gave a mighty Viking laugh."
"Why would I do that?" Sam asked. "Come on. Let's go get some breakfast." He said with a laugh. "We'll even go into town to get it if you want."
"Dude! My car! Is my car back? What happened to my car? Sam, I swear, if it's scratched...or dented...I don't care if I just saved your ass. I'll kick your ass."
"Your car is back. It wasn't dented. The demon didn't even get near it." Sam said with a sigh. "Come on, you can go be reunited with your girlfriend."
"Dude, you flip out over your lap top. I flip out over my car. You having an affair with your laptop then?" Dean said as they headed to the car. Where he looked it over carefully from fender to fender before nodding approvingly. His baby was all right.
"My laptop is an it, not a baby, and I don't pet it." Sam pointed out. "Yes it's my favorite thing, but it's very different."
"Not a whole lot." Dean said as he got into the car. "I mean, come on Sam. This is like our childhood home! A means of transportation! Part of Dad's legacy! And a kick ass chick magnet on top of all that. How can you not love it?"
"Do you have any idea how that sounds? Our childhood home?" Sam said with a laugh. "The sad part is... it's not just a child hood home. It's our home now. Well... if you don't count the compound but I have a hard time imagining you are gonna want to stay in one place all the time."
"Come on, Sam. At the compound, I'm the freak." Dean said with a laugh. "One of the only non spoon bending people in the place. I don't know. Can I get a couple more nights' sleep first before deciding?" He teased, though his battle had taken a lot out of him.
"Take as long as you like." He said with a laugh. "I wouldn't mind staying put until the elections are handled. Talked to Allen the other day and he said if he gets into office he'll arrange pardons."
"Ah a promise from a politician. Is that along with cutting taxes, providing health care for all and keeping the aliens out?" Dean said with a chuckle as he drove. "I'll believe it when I see it. But I wouldn't mind keeping off the radar for a bit."
"Oh this is one promise I think he'll keep. He thinks he has plans for me." Sam said with a chuckle. "He can keep thinking that so long as he gets the feds off your back."
"Dude, that doesn't make me feel any better you know." Dean said. "Another chosen kid who's got plans for my brother? Oh hell no. Because somehow I don't think that he's thinking of you shuffling papers."
"He wants me involved in politics. Which involves alot of shuffling papers in the begining and finishing college. Not where I see myself any more." Sam said. He didn't think it was nefarious plans of any sort but truth be told he had one older brother, didn't really need another.
Dean laughed. "Politics." He said. "But you have such a problem with lying. Every time you have to do it for a case, you get all moody and guilty for days."
"Exactly." Sam said with a laugh. "High level politics is out for me." He shook his head. "I don't mind keeping in contact with him. Doing little grass roots things here and there.But you are not going to have a Senator Winchester any time in the future much less a president in the family."
"You'd never get elected. Come on, seriously. With me and Dad in your background? Not to mention some sketchy behavior on your own side?" Dean said with a laugh. "Glad you don't have those aspirations though."
"Thank god." He said with a grin. "Never been so glad for my embarassing childhood." He teased. "Went into tax law because I knew I'd never get elected as a DA."
"Childhood? How about two months ago? Like when we were in Oklahoma, and you were singing kareoke? That was embarassing." Dean teased back.
"You were the one that insisted that we go to a kareoke bar, and you were the one that kept refilling my beer. It's your own fault you got embarassed."
"I'm not the one embarassed. I'm the one with it all on my phone. Sasquatch Winchester singing Like a Virgin. Classic!" Dean said with a smirk. "Seriously, it's funny. And I sent it to Ash who said he could put it up on this site where people watch homemade videos. Not MySpace, that's the porn site. What's it called? Metube? Youtube? UsTube? Something Tube."
"If you did, so help me I will kill you." Sam said giving him a look. "Not just cause it's embarassing but that's not how we want the feds tracking us down."
"Oh, I don't know. Hard to believe we're this huge national security risk after seeing that." Dean said. "Don't worry, he didn't. He's holding onto it until after our official pardons. Then the Sam Winchester Hour will stream for all the world to see!"
"Oh well... insurance that I will never be elected to anything. Who knows? Even this place may rethink who they want leading after that." He laughed.
Dean laughed. "So we'll just not show it to anyone while they're sober is all." He said with a grin as he pulled up to a diner to get some breakfast. "Okay, my car is fine, you can live for a while now."
"I told you it was fine. The wall out behind the shop is in pretty sorry shape, but the car is fine." Sam rolled his eyes.
"I don't care about the wall behind the shop." Dean said with a laugh as he got out of the car. "Now, my car, I care about. I feel like eggs. Lots of eggs. And bacon."
"You can clog your arteries to your heart's content today, you've earned it." Sam said with a laugh. "Still think you are obsessed with the car and should probably see a shrink about that but what the hell, let's clog the arteries first."
"Dude, remember the last time we dealt with shrinks?" Dean said with a laugh as they grabbed a booth. "Unless it's my turn to shoot you with rocksalt, let's pass on that."
"That's what the priest is for." Sam said as he settled onto his seat and picked up the menu. "And no one seems to have any trouble pushing him my way."
"You needed to talk to someone. And you wouldn't talk to me." Dean said as he scanned the menu. "You're the one all into emoting. Not me. Don't push your issues onto me."
"Not pushing my issues, just acknowledging yours is all." Sam said, setting the menu aside to wait for the waitress.
Dean chuckled. "I'm fine." He said as the waitress came over and he gave his order. Which should come with a cardiologist on call, but Sam was right, he'd earned it.
Sam ordered something lighter but not completely in the realm of heathy food, then waited for the waitress to leave. "Yeah right... you're fine. So how much guilt did you pile on yourself because I got captured?"
"No idea what you're talking about." Dean said as he drank his coffee. "You're so melodramatic sometimes. No wonder I call you a girl."
"I can always just ask Bobby you know... " He said. "Might as well fess up now."
"I was pissed. That they letyou wander out with my car on top of it all, without any back up." Dean said with a shrug. "Supremely pissed."
"Dude, I'm not 16 anymore. I get to go places on my own. It's okay. Especially now." He said with a faint smile, although it would be even safer once that pardon came through.
"Don't give me that." Dean said with a chuckle. "Every time you go off on your own something happens. You get kidnapped, you get hunted, you get beat down, you get put in a cage for later beat downs...do I really need to go on? You're a trouble magnet."
"Yeah, like we get into less trouble together." He pointed out with a laugh. "Let's face it, trouble is bound to happen."
"Yeah, it is. At least the trouble that I look for is usually female." Dean teased as their breakfasts came. Dean's came on two full plates. "Now this is what I'm talking about. If only Josh or the good father could learn to cook like this."
"Then we would all die of heart attacks before our thirtieth birthdays."
"Dude, do you realize I'm turning thirty soon? Everyone was convinced I wouldn't live past 25. I knew I should have put seriousmoney on that one." Dean said as he dug into his breakfast.
"Yeah well, you stopped trying to prove yourself to Dad. I think that was what insured your life expectancy." Sam pointed out. "You were always throwing yourself into something's way just to prove you could do it."
Dean shrugged. "I still do." He pointed out. Except now the rationale was it was better that he took a hit, rather than his brother. "It's an adrenaline rush. And chicks totally dig scars."
"Dude, I need you around, okay? Be careful about those adrenaline rushes. I mean... you're the top gunfighter right now. Took out the big bad...you know they are gonna start coming around wanting to take you and that sword on."
"Well, that sucks." Dean said. "Because I don't think I get to keep the sword." He pointed out.
"Who knows? If you don't get to keep the sword, we are on the road again. " Sam said firmly.
"Dude, don't be so quick." Dean said as he finished off one of the plates, stopping to drink coffee. "We'll figure everything out as we go along, like we always do. It's kinda nice to be in one place more than a week in a row." Sometimes he was just too tired.
"Yeah... okay." Sam said. "But the first time they track you down, that's it. I mean it." He told him.
"Dude, hate to break it to you, but you're their leader. Not mine." Dean said with a chuckle. "I'm still the big brother."
"And if I decide to get in the car and just go... you gonna stay behind?" Sam asked with a smirk. He knew the answer to that question. "You still think I can't tie my own shoes with out help."
"You can't. And threatening to steal my car...dude, come on, I'm eating. I really don't want to put the fork down in order to stab you in the head with this butterknife." Dean said with a smirk of his own.
"It's not stealing if you are following after me to make sure I took my vitamins, said my prayers and tied my shoes with a double knot." Sam teased.
"The prayer thing...that's all you." Dean said with a laugh. "The rest, well, I guess it falls under the realm of big brotherness. Still doesn't mean I'm going to listen to you. Because I'm not."
"We'll see." Sam said, knowing that if it came to it he could knock his brother out, put him in the back seat and drive until they were well and truly off the radar again. But he wasn't going to have his brother become the next target for up and coming hot shot demons, or their minions because of some sword.
"Dude, no we won't." Dean said. "And don't even try to knock me out or anything, because that's cheap. And low. And I'll Nair your head."
"Dude, we are not starting that again. There is no practical joke war allowed. " He said firmly "This really isn't the place for it, you know."
"This is absolutely the place for it." Dean said with good humor. "You take life too seriously. All of life. And that's just wrong. You gotta lighten up a bit, stop convincing yourself that everything is going to go wrong all the time."
"I tried that once... Jessica died." Sam said with a frown. "It might change now that Azazel is dead. I hope it does, but dude, it's barely been 24 hours. Give me time."
"You always were slow on the uptake." Dean said with a grin. "Fine, I'll give you time. What was Ash rattling on about before we left?"
"He's getting to meet one of his heroes soon. This historian that he gets a lot of his info from is holding a seminar in a week or so. He and Bobby are going. Apparently he even has Bobby all tied up in knots."
"Really?" Dean said. "Bobby tied up in knots? Must be some historian. Never thought of Ash as the history lecture attending type. But however he has his fun, right?"
"This historian is apparently some sort of demon expert." Sam said. "Bobby said Dad even had a couple of his books."
"Huh." Dean said as he gestured for a refill. Books plural was rare. Usually a writer in that subject spent their whole life researching and perfecting one book, never mind more than one. "Guess he's pretty good. Or full of it."
"If Dad and Bobby collected his work, I'm thinking 'full of it' is low on the list. Bobby can spot bull shit a mile away."
"I thought it was just my bullshit he could smell a mile away." Dean said with a chuckle. "Should we tag along? College girls..."
"Sure, why not?" Sam said with a laugh. He would probably spend more time caught up with the lecture than the girls. But that was fine. Dean should be able to handle his share as well. "Thatta boy." Dean said with a laugh as he finished his second plate. "Can't be all work. You turn into a dull Sammy then."
"I was born dull Sammy." He said with a grin. "Besides, I wanna hear what this guy has to say."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Fine. Guess I'll handle the co eds myself. Hard job...especially with absolutely no back up. I could be taken advantage of, you know."
"Oh please." Sam said. "That is so not the guilt trip to use. You live to be taken advantage of by women. " It was a stretch to see Dean as the one being taken advantage of, but Sam could just about twist his imagination that direction. After all... he did believe in demons, vampires and things that went bump in the night.
"Fine, leave me defenseless to the hungry hoardes of college girls." Dean said with a sigh. "I see how it is."
"Exactly how you like it." Sam said. "I'll date again... I promise. Don't worry about me so much." He knew what Dean was after.
Dean shook his head. "Who was talking about dating?" He said with a chuckle. "Come on, what else do we need in town before we have to head back. Because after you were taken and I took my nap, you really think they won't send out the calvary?"
"Had a request for videos before I took off, was going to get fresh food for the kitchen." Sam said. "But I think it can wait. " He didn't want to be out too long. Didn't really think it was safe justyet for Dean. Azazel might be gone... but Tamiel wasnt.
"Dude, food? No it can't wait. Come on, let's hit the stores and crap and see what we can find that people might not mind eating for once." Dean said. The being that had killed his mother and his father (once, and responsible for the second time) was gone. Forever. It was going to take a lot to spoil his mood, which was beyond good.
Sam wanted nothing more than to share in Dean's good mood. After all, Jessica's killer was dead, his own fate was his own to choose now, there were many reasons to be happy and relax. But Sam knew all too well that those were the times that hell seemed to boil up with the sole purpose of of making their lives miserable. "Yeah, okay we can go shopping."
"Okay, if you're going to make it sound like a chick thing, we'll skip it." Dean said with a laugh. He had the same thoughts as Sam. This calm wouldn't last long. Never did. But unlike Sam, who stayed tightly wound and looking over his shoulder, Dean made the most of the moments like this, grabbing onto them with both hands and wringing the life out of them while he had the chance. Before they slipped away and he was back drowning under the weight. Right now, he felt...weightless.
"Okay... how about we go shoot pool for a while before we hit the grocery store? To feed that many people, we'll need some winnings." Sam said, laughing in return.
"Definitely never going to get elected, encouraging me to do all this sharking and unethical activity that then eventually leads to some sort of assault and battery." Dean teased as he paid cash for the meal. They didn't have the check yet, but he laid down enough for the meal and tip. "Come on, before you start emoting again."
"I'm not emoting." Sam grumbled. "Just hovering, you do it all the time."
"Ah, but I have the God given right as the champion of all humanity. Which includes my baby brother." Dean said with a grin.
"Yeah, well, the champion of all humanity gets to cope. Dad told me to take care of you and that's what I'm going to do. "
"He meant until I was out of traction. Which I am. Been for a while." Dean said. "You so need a haircut if you haven't noticed that."
"He didn't say anything about traction. He said to take care of you. So until he comes around again to tell me otherwise, too bad. And you can't distract me with talk about my hair, I am not cutting it right now."
"Why? No time? Because I have time." Dean said with a smirk. "Amazing what you can make time for."
"If you want to get a hair cut, be my guest." Sam said. "When it's time, I will get mine trimmed."
Dean shook his head and laughed. "Aren't you a little old for a rebellion against a guy who's dead?" He joked. It was their father's insistence on hair cuts...regularly...that Dean was sure put Sam off hair cuts now.
"I'm also a little young to be badgered into something I don't want." He said in return. "Why the fixation on my hair?"
"Because you get that expression on your face. Your face gets all screwed up like you've been constipated for weeks, and I find it funny." Dean said with a smirk as he laughed. "Hey, I get my kicks wherever I can get them."
"You need to get out more." Sam said with a laugh.
"Not denying it. It's just hard, what with me being number whatever in the top ten list of most wanted fugitives by the FBI." Dean said with a laugh. "Kinda cuts down on where I can go out, not that I really ever hung out at the post office, but you get the idea."
"Yeah, I know." Sam said. "Things will look up soon." He had to believe that. Other wise every sacrifice they had made their whole lives was for nothing.
"I know. You already said we were going to go case a college. So that's looking up already." Dean said with a grin. "I just hope this guy is on the up and up. I don't want to deal with a maudlin Ash if his hero falls off his pedastal."
"Or an irate Bobby going through all his books and getting rid of anything that references this guy's work." Sam said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, that would be bad." Dean said. "So come on. Food shopping. Which isn't real shopping, therefore not a time for chick flick moments, because it's completely a guy activity."
Sam shook his head. "Where do you get these rules.?" Sam asked with a laugh. "Totally insane."
"Only cause you think like a chick." Dean teased. "They make perfect sense."
"No I don't think like a chick." Sam said. "You think like some out dated 1970s treatis on what it is to be a manly man.With foot notes byJohn Wayne."
Dean laughed. "And that's a problem...how?" Dean said with a grin. "Come on, I'm just not Mr Tickle Me Emo like you."
"Tickle me Emo? I'm starting to think you bumped your head some where along the way, Dean." Sam said, shaking his. It was familiar banter, and it felt good. It felt safe.
Dean laughed hard. "Hey, I was stuck watching skit comedy on late night TV while you were scoring with my nurse." Dean said. "You reap what you sow, dude."
"This from the man who is obsessed with making sure I score." Sam said, rolling his eyes. "Definitely one toomany bumps on the head."
"Oh definitely." Dean said as he parked the car and got out. "I lost counta long time ago. Anyway, just for that, you can be the shopping cart bitch."
"Nice." Sam said with laugh. "That makes you the guy who runs down the aisles getting crap. Do you know how long it's been since I have done real grocery shopping?"
"Do you know how obscenely weird it is that you look like it's Christmas mornng or something?" Dean teased as they headed into the store. "Dude, we go food shopping all the time." In Quiki-Marts and such, but it was the same thing, right?
"No we grab road chow." Sam said. "This is really shopping. Jess had to teach me how to do it, I was still going for the boxed mac and cheese and canned soup."
"Nothing wrong with that." Dean said as he picked up a large bag of peanut M&Ms. "See? Look. Peanuts, which is protein. Chocolate, which has milk in it, so there's your dairy. Two food groups down already."
"Dude, it's a miracle you haven't died of malnutrition" He said shaking his head. He headed for the produce aisle. Josh and Andy took care of the major canned and boxed goods. They needed fresh.
"So I guess I shouldn't point out that if you have your M&Ms with a beer, you've taken care of grains, protein and dairy, huh?" Dean said with a laugh as he looked around the produce section.
"That is seriously demented. I prefer the pizza analogy." Sam said as he tossed in basic vegetables in large quantities.
"Hey, it's food and it keeps me going." Dean said with a laugh. "What more can you ask for?" He said as he threw some vegetables into the cart as well. He wasn't totally clueless on what 'actual' 'healthy' food was.
Sam laughed. It was hard to argue with that logic. So continued the banter all through the supermarket, as they tossed in things that were needed and things that were just for fun. Even people hiding out deserved things just for fun.
Dean was all stocked up on beer and M&Ms. Even if he knew he'd have to share the beer. Ash and Bobby certainly weren't going to turn it down, he knew. Threw in some harder liquor just in case. Along with all the healthy crap that Sam insisted on. And whipped out the credit card of one Maximillian Arthur to pay for it all. One of the last cards he'd gotten with his dad actually.
With their gear loaded into the back of the Impala, and in the trunk, they headed back toward the compound. "We have holidays coming up. "
"Oh right, we do." Dean said. "Well, how do we know everyone's christian? Are we Christian? Could have some Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, pagans, agnostics, atheists...so we should focus on New Years. That's a holiday that everyone celebrates, right?"
"Dude, how many people that celebrate Christmas are actually celebrating Christ's birth? Besides we have a priest and an angel in the group. Never was one to believe that you give everyone equal time by giving no one any time at all. People don't have to participate if they don't want to and anyone can add in their own two cents worth for what ever they believe in."
"Okay, well, my two cents is that I'll make all the drinks, but I'm not getting Christmas presents." Dean said with a laugh. "Gracing all of you with my presence should be present enough."
Sam shook his head. "Yeah, I always knew there was a reason I wasn't arrogant." He teased knowing that deep down his brother was anything but.
Dean laughed. "No, that's because I'm around to knock you down a few notches every now and again." He said. "Okay, did we get everything we needed to get for everyone? Or are we missing something?"
"The only thing I was after that we didn't get today was the movie. Father Reynolds thinks a comedy is needed." Sam said. He didn't think the movie was needed. Ash could download almost anything from anywhere. Although he figured the priest probably didn't want to know about that sort of illegal activity.
"Dude, Ash can download it." Dean said. "And if Mickey isn't against pirating movies from the internet, Father Reynolds shouldn't be either. Maybe we should get a tree. We never really had a tree." Never in Sam's lifetime. Dean had one or two memories of Christmas trees.
"Tree would be great." He said. He and Jess hadn't been able to afford a real tree when they were together, but they had a little table top tree that they had used. "We can talk to Bobby, Maybe he knows where we can go to chop one down."
"Think Zoe is better." Dean said. "She and Andy drove here, scouting for an area, odds are she took a real good look along the way."
"True. But we have to get through November first. Just a couple weeks till the elections. Who know... maybe we will be able to use our real names by Christmas."
Dean laughed. "Dude, I haven't used my real name on a regular basis in years. Since high school I think." He said with a grin. "Who do you think paid for your asparagus? It wasn't Dean Winchester."
"Yeah but I happen to like my real name." Sam said witha shrug. "Still it would be nice not to have to duck when the police drive by."
Dean grinned. "Dude, I'll still duck when the police drive by. That won't change. 5-0 make me nervous."
"That's because you have a guilty conscience." Sam said getting behind the wheel once more. "Me... I haven't done anything to worry about in recent history."
"Dude, I call bull shit." Dean said. "Recent history? Let's see...guilting your brother into a tub. The whole 'Like a Virgin' escapade. Not to mention trying to take over my car. You should feel guilty and or ashamed of all of the above."
"All done for your benefit... or because of your manipulations... I so am going to get rid of that video... " he grumbled the last in reference the song.
"I didn't pour the beer down your throat. And I didn't make you order whisky chasers after." Dean said, laughing. "No manipulations from me there. That was all you. Hey! We could all watch that tonight!"
"I will paint her pink and put in a cd player. I swear to God if you play that for anyone you will wake up with a pink car." Sam threatened.
"That's harsh." Dean said, shaking his head. "Fine, I won't play it on movie night. Killjoy. You take the fun out of everything, you know that? No Nair, no itching powder, no movies. What'sa big brother to do?"
"Other than that you're doing just fine." Sam said with a grin. "Besides, a little boredom is good for you."
"Dude, you are so misguided." Dean said. "Believe me, boredom is not good for me. Or you either really." They just had different ways of entertaining themselves was all.
"Okay... how about ... I could use a little peace and quite for a bit. Before I start bouncing off the walls myself." Sam said with a laugh.
Dean shook his head. "Okay, okay, the next field trip we'll take will be to the college to hear that lecture of Ash's idol. Okay? Nothing life risking or legally challenging in between. Promise."
"Nothing any more demonic than the late late show for a while, I'm serious... I'm getting burn out, ya know." Sam said with a sigh., He was so tired of this. Part of him had liked even the pretense of being normal while they had been scoping out Allen McKendrick.
"Okay, okay." Dean said with a laugh. "We'll hide out in the compound, watch movies, just hang out. It'll be fun. We hardly ever do that."
"Sounds like a plan." Sam said and visibly relaxed. It wasn't just his burnout he was worried about. It was Dean. He didn't want to lose his brother and he couldn't help feeling that if they weren't very careful for a while, that is exactly what would happen.
Dean chuckeld as they drove back to the compound with their goodies. "It'll be fine. Besides, if you and Andy team up, maybe Josh will back off."
"I almost feel sorry for Josh. Talk about culture shock. I mean most hunters even defer to him like Dad did. Except Bobby. Bobby was army not marines I think."
"Bobby doesn't defer to anyone. Even when you think he's deferring, he's not. He's just agreeing, which is different." Dean said. "And even Josh doesn't try to order Bobby around."
"Dad is the only person I have ever seen try and order Bobby around and that usually wound up with threats of buckshot." Sam said with a laugh.
"Exactly. And it might not have ended in a threat either, if Dad kept pushing." Dean said, laughing as well. "We've got some crazy friends, ever realize that?"
"That we do, but crazy or not they always come through for us when we need them."