"You don't think he could have found a closer idol?" Dean asked with a laugh. It was a few hours away, and in the scope of things, it was an easy drive for the Winchesters. But it was the furthest they'd driven in the last few weeks, because of their self imposed vacation.
And surprisingly it was relaxing, and a vacation. Though they never used the 'v' word. Because that would jinx it, they were sure.
"Yeah well, he's a lot closer than any of your idols. That would take us back out to California." Sam said with a chuckle. "But hey if you cant handle the driving..." He teased.
"Dude, I'm just saying, this far from home base...there's a lot of trouble I could get into." He teased back as the college came into view, where the lecture was being held in one of its lecture halls.
"I am pretty sure we will be safe enough attending a college lecture." Sam said with a laugh. "It's either that or we sit at home and watch the pre election crap on the TV."
Dean chuckled. "There is that too." He said. "So we'll go to a lecture, see if we can pick up any college girls...hey, what kind of girls do you think attend this sort of thing?"
"Goth... maybe pagan... a few creative writing majors who are into horror... might find a true believer or two."
"Nah, not interested in that stuff." Dean said. "Looking for cuteness, and...openess. Some friendliness and flexibility are also good."
"Right... you might want to avoid anything resembling women's studies, cause the other lecture hall is filled with women hearing a lecture on THAT subject. Trust me... just... don't. Angry chicks hyped on girl power... not friendly... Other than that... we'll find a bar while Ash is fawning and Bobby is interrogating the lecturer."
"Poor guy. Can't believe Bobby is going to interrogate him. He's going to break out the holy water too, isn't he?" Dean asked with a laugh. "A lecture just can't be a lecture for him."
"Oh probably. It's Bobby. If it wouldn't cause chaos and destruction, he would probably doctor the water supplies of major cities with holy water. "
"That would be funny." Dean said. "Hey, you think Allen can drink holy water? I mean, you can." And Sam had at different points of his life. "Not sure how I feel about a president who can't drink holy water."
"I don't know." Sam said, only because he had never seen him drink it. He knew that the word Christo made his eyes turn black, but who knew what else it meant? Who knew what point in his own life that would happen to him? "I don't care at this point. I want to get our names cleared and then we can move on from there with what ever needs to be done."
"Like co eds." Dean said seriously. "Dude, all that work, no play, they need to be rescued. And I am all about rescuing damsels in distress you know." He said as he found a parking space.
"You are all about getting laid after rescuing damsels in distress. I swear you would be happiest where they sacrificed virgins to dragons. Could see you with your own little shop set up with a sign saying 'virgins deflowered here'."
"Now there's an idea. Think they still sacrifice virgins to volcanoes somewhere?" Dean asked with a grin. "Think of all the people I could save! Come on, brainiac, time for a lecture."
Sam laughed. "I'm actually looking forward to a lecture. Never thought I would say that again."
"Yeah, I forgot, you get off on this school thing." Dean said with a laugh. "Well, he's probably older than dirt, and creaky cranky on top of it, so we might as well go in and see if we can find Bobby and Ash."
The lecture hall was full but it wasn't hard to find Bobby and Ash as they were seated near the front of the room. Ash was seated with his hands between his knees, as though trying to keep them still, unfortunately that didn't stop his knees from bouncing.
Dean chuckled at the sight as he sat down in a seat. "Ash, relax. It's just a lecture." He said, shaking his head. Though he didn't expect the lecture hall to be that full for an occult lecture. Usually only weirdos and hunters went.
"This 'just a lecture. This guy is something else. He is ... you're just going to have to see. Man... I'm here sober if that tells you anything. I want to hear everything."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Hey Bobby, you got the holy water?"
"You know I do." The elder hunter said with a nod.
"Why don't you give Ash a shot of that, I think he might be possessed."
"Man, I am seriously not possessed, I'm excited. I've been talkin to this guy for years. He is amazing."
Dean shook his head and shot his brother an amused look as some guy introduced the speaker for the night, and a dark haired man came out and sat on the stool on the stage. More like perched, like a bird about to take flight, as he started off his lecture, getting right into demonology and its history, complete with a surprisingly interesting slide show.
"Now, everyone thinks they can spot a demon. Truth is, they lost their God given form, and exist as nothing more than a vacant abyss of energy. Not to say that's not powerful. These same demons have brought plagues and wars. Hmm..sounds like angels actually. Which makes sense. All your higher demons were once angels, basking in the light of God's awesomeness before being banished. Point is, that's where we come to possession..." He said as he flipped to the more famous cases of possession in history, going on about his subject for three full hours. "Okay, Q&A session in the community hall. Or at least beer." He said as the lights came back up.
"Wow." Sam said looking over at Dean. The man was impressive. And he could tell that Bobby thought that he was far too good at his job. He figured the poor guy's drink would get watered down at some point during the night.
"He's too young." Bobby said, practically glowering as he allowed himself to be dragged to the community center. He'd expected someone older. He should have been older, given some of the dates of some of the books he had.
"Botox?" Dean suggested as they grabbed their beers, still laughing at Ash, who was like a star struck kid,
"He could just age well. You never know. Wouldn't guess this guy here was pushing 70 either, would you?" He said indicating Bobby.
"I'm not pushing 70." Bobby said with a glare. "I'm barely sixty. When I get to seventy, there will be no pushing. There will be kicking and shoving. I'm just saying I've got books dating back to before you two were even born."
"Okay... I doubt that he was writing books at 8 or 9." Sam said with a frown. "But why would one of the bad guys be giving out information for the good guys?"
"Good question." Bobby said. "Why don't you go ask him? And slide some holy water into his beer while you're at it too."
"Nice, I love you too." Sam said as he took the holy water from Bobby and pocketed it. This was going to be fun. Oh well. time to get their feet wet again he supposed.
Dean moved with his brother, and Ash. Who was nearly jumping up and down. Ben was having an animated conversation with a history professor when he saw the three hunters approach him. A glimmer of amusement in his eyes he held out his hand.
"Shouldn't water down a beer. That's rude. So just give it to me." He said, meaning the holy water.
Sam blinked and actually blushed as he handed over the flask. "Sorry." He said with a weak smile. This had to be a good sign, that he was willing to drink the holy water up front and in public. Although it was a bad sign that they were so transparent that he caught on just from them walking across the room.
Ben shook his head and drank the flask, handing it back empty and picking up his beer. "What tipped you off was him." He said, gesturing to Ash. "Remember when you got really drunk and IM'ed everyone on your buddy list that pic of you and that girl?" He asked with a grin.
"Oh yeah!" Ash said with a laugh. "Man, she was hot too." Which got Dean laughing.
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Yeah well... the reason it seemed necessary is you look way too young to have written all the books the man back there has by you."
Ben merely smiled. "Thank you." He said. "We'll cover all that once everyone is gone. It's best, don't you think? Besides, you both need some beer if you really want to hear my life story. It's quite long you know."
"Alright." Sam said with a nod, and it was true he could use a beer.So he took a seat at the table and waited for the others to decide to join him. "I'm Sam Winchester by the way, this is my brother Dean, and that is Bobby."
Ben nodded and waited until the rest of the hall had cleared out before he spoke again on that subject. "So, I don't know. You want to ask questions or something?"
Dean sighed. "Um...when were you born?"
"I wasn't." Ben said with a shrug.
Sam nearly choked on his beer. "Come again?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. That usually meant one of two things. One the guy he was talking to was full of it, or two, he was not human. But he had managed to down the holy water straight, so that ruled out demon.
Ben just grinned. "Ah, got you there, didn't I? You're waiting to do an exorcism or trap me in the key of Solomon at this point. Could be interesting. Except, of course, I'm not possessed, nor am I black and evil so the trap won't hold me. But hey, knock yourselves out!"
"What do you mean you weren't born?" Dean asked.
"I wasn't born. I was created. One day I didn't exist, the next day I did. I think I'm number nineteen out of them all, but I'm not sure. Michael was the first, he'd know. I bet he kept track. You think you have an older brother complex, you should see his!" Ben said with a laugh.
"Another angel." Sam said with a sigh. Well at least this one had a personality. And was taking a daily active part in the war. That won him points as far as Sam was concerned.
"Not quite." Ben said. "Oh I was. But then the war broke out. And anyone who wasn't on God's side got banished. Even those like me thatabstained and didn't choose a side, preferring insteadto be an objective recorder of possibly the most momentous and important moments in history. But once we were banished, we were suddenly cursed with free will. The ones you're used to dealing with, Tamiel, Azazel, Lucifer, and all their brethren, they made the choice. By fully turning from God, they lost their God given form, and were forced to possess the very creatures they despised to have any form...you. There are others like me, hoping one day the doors will swing backopen for us. And we do our part. I happen to like you guys. You're great fun. With all your choices and decisions."Sam looked to the others, remaining silent for a moment. "Well at least we won't hear how it's all our own fault because we have free will." Sam said with a roll of his eyes.
"Michael...he's still well within the grace of God. So he sees the big picture. He doesn't see trees, he sees a whole forest." Ben said apologetically. "That's just how he is."
"So you're trying to buy your way into heaven by helping us?" Bobby asked.
"Well, yeah." Ben said. "And it's buy my way back into heaven, actually. I liked it there, it was home. Besides, it's not completely self serving, it's not like you guys aren't getting anything out of it. Who do you think made sure the key of Solomon, which you love to use, was passed down?"
"That was you?" Sam asked with a raised eyebrow. "So... are there many of you guys around? Angelic concientious objectors?"
"There are a few. Unfortunately, more than a few went all 'dark side' once they heard the gates slam shut." Ben said sadly. "It's...hard...to try and find the light when you can't feel it anymore. You have no idea."
"No... not to the degree you do... But I have a little bit of an idea." Sam said with a slight frown. He knew heaven wasn't in his future and through no fault of his own. The priest could try and tell him otherwise but he was tainted. That taint wouldn't just go away because he said a few prayers and performed acts of contrition.
"You have a better shot at it than me." Ben said. "So if I have hope, there is absolutely no reason for you not to have hope, don't you think? I mean, I was escorted out personally. You were never there. Big big difference."
"I was born with the other side running through my veins." Sam pointed out, and sighed. "Well... the debate is pointless really. I'll get there or I won't. And with the choices I get to make, who knows where that will land me?"
"You're right. Neither here nor there. We'll both eventually end up where we should, whether we like it or not." Ben said with a wave of his hand. "The important thing is that there is an Apocalypse coming up. Quick too. Quicker than it should. Azazel moved up the whole time table, and it didn't just get dropped just because he was destroyed. Things are set in motion, you have no idea."
"Well if you do, it might be a good idea to share the info." Bobby said. He wasn't sure what he thought of this not entirely fallen angel seated before them.
"You would think so, wouldn't you?" Ben said. "But it's amazing, positively amazing. See, the kids like Sam...they're watched. You know that. And the disgraced angels that haven't quite fallen, we're watched too. Because we're dangerous. We know way too much for either sides' comfort, sad really. But there's more than one force at work. You know about Azazel, he was brash. Bold. Always was. Impulsive even. The others, they think far more long term, and far more covert. Not all the special kids are from Azazel. He just took credit for them."
"Do you... do you know if I was his or not?" Sam asked, starting to get worried about another bastard out there trying to control his life. Regardless he was going to have to protect the others... his brothers and sisters really, in an oddly round about and somewhat twisted way.
"You were definitely his." Ben said. "His favorite actually. Believe me, if you were someone else's, you wouldn't have been. That could have been good or very verymuch worse. There are worse ones than Azazel. Some like to fool with the plan of heaven. Like Tamiel for example. He targeted your brother because Michael chose him first."
"Okay, two male type people fighting over me, so very not cool." Dean said with a shake of his head.
"And I was chosen as well because of Michael's choices, so they were both fiddling with God's plans. He's not the best ofdemons to have in your head, you know. Lousy roommate. But okay... so there are others like me controlled by other demons... wonder if that is why Allen is different?" He said looking over at Dean.
"Oh no, Azazel beats everyone for worst roommate." Dean said.
"Actually from what I've heard, you beat them all out for worst roommate." Ben said dryly, which got a chuckle out of Bobby.
"But it could explain it." Dean said about Allen.
Sam laughed at that as well. "You dont know the half of it." He pointed out but refrained from going into details. But then sobered. "You see... another one like me... another generation of kids like me... his eyes change like a demon when you say Christo."
Ben sighed. "Now, most of the time, it's a good sign. For possession and such. But other times, watch this. Someone say it."
"Christo." Bobby said, and Ben's eyes flashed black.
"Now say pepperoni."
"Pepperoni." Ash supplied, and again his eyes flashed black.
"And the kicker, watch this. Christo." And Ben's eyes didn't change. "He might have just been signalling what he was to you is all."
"We can do that?" Sam asked with a curious tilt of the head. That could come in handy for undercover work... well... if he weren't the favorite topic of conversation amongst demons seeking revenge.
"I guess so." Ben said. "The big problem with your brother offing Azazel, is that he was holding a lot of the demons together under his rule. Now he's gone and there's chaos."
"Which means someone is going to be fighting his way up to be the big bad." Sam said. "Even demons like order. Rules."
"They do." Ben agreed. He looked at Ash. "So we still friends even though I'm not human?"
Ash looked confused for a moment. "Well yeah. You're not one of the bad guys. HellI get my best information from you. I'd have to be an idiot to hold you being an angel against you."
"Just checking." Ben said. "Look, I've been helping hunters and people like them for as long as there has been humanity. But I'm not on the inside track for information on this. I can give you an idea, some theories, of who the ones to watch for are going to be."
"That's better than nothing." Sam said. "Every little bit helps." He was starting to get used to this gray area that he existed in. He used to see himself purely as one of the good guys, then the whole demonic taint came along and twisted that image. Certainly twisted it for other hunters, as was evidenced by Gordon and his bunch. There was a faction of hunters that considered him the antichrist after all. Who was he to decide who was on what side of the line?
"Everything helps. Believe me, I've been in this business longer than I'd care to remember. No, I don't hunt. BecauseI just can't bring myself to hunt my brothers. I can't do it. It's a weakness of mine,that I let others do it for me. I'll admit it."
Sam looked over at Dean, knowing that his brother had the same hang up. God knew theyhad argued over it long enough. "Yeah I get that.But hey... you aren't an archangel either. You aren'tGod's sword arm."
"Actually, I was a holy historian. And sure, after I was banished I had the free will to become whatever I wanted. But you know what? I like it. Plus I have this awesome memory on top of it." Ben said with a grin.
"Memory, huh?" Bobby said. He hadn't said much, just always observing and piecing it all together in his head. "Might not be a bad idea for you to come with us then. You said you've got some theories."
Sam thought about it for a moment then nodded. It was ultimately his decision after all. "Yes. You would be welcome if you wanted to come with us."
"I got some time." Ben said with a shrug. "Besides I miss the classroom. The problem with being immortal, every so often you have to take a step back and build your resume back up fromscratch.""I bet." Sam said. "So yeah... I think we can arrange for people to teach. In fact I think we have a whole complex full of people that are going to need an education." They were stuck with the reality of it all they needed to learn about it all.
"Awesome." Ben said. "Give me directions and I'll drive over there in the morning."
"You drive?" Dean asked.
"Leonidas doesn't like that whole angelic travel thing. Takes him forever to calm down after." Ben said with a shrug.
"Who's Leonidas?" Sam asked, figuring it might be more of a what but you never knew with people, much less angels.
"The bane of my existence, and lately the only one I've ever really had to answer to. Needy, manipulative, hungry, greedy..."
"Dog or cat?" Bobby asked, amused.
"Cat." Ben said with a laugh.
"Yeah, holding a freaked out cat and shifting into a ball of energy would really not be a good thing when the time comes to get back into a human form. I suspect even you can feel the scrape of cat claws."
"Yeah. And they hurt." Ben said. "If I had any sense, I'd get the bastard declawed. Okay, so when do you want me there?"
"Whenever you want to show up." Sam said as he wrote down the location on a napkin and showed it to Ben. He said he had a good memory. Guess they would find out.
Ben glanced at it and then picked up his beer. "Got it." Ben said. "Now, I'm going to go schmooze the administration." He said as he got up and headed toward the group responsible for setting this all up.
Dean watched him go. "Definitely different than Mickey." He said."Yeah that he is. Kinda... humanized." Sam said as he put the napkin in his pocket then downed the rest of his beer. "But right now I think I need something a lot stronger than this."
"Bobby." Dean said with a laugh as the older hunter produced a flask.
"This more up your alley, Sam?" Bobby asked.
"They don't have a kareoke machine here, do they?" Dean asked with a smirk.Sam took the flask. "No thank god, Don't you have some bimbo to seduce or something?" He asked with a grin.
"I am shocked, shocked that you think bimbos attend a deep and insightful lecture on the occult, possession and demons." Dean said. "But I'm sure I'll find one." He said with a wink."You're here... I am sure there are female hunters here too. Who knows, you might meet someone that you can actually talk to." He said and took a drink of the whiskey.
"Sam, really..." Dean said, about to argue with common opinion of him, then decided to forget about that. "You're absolutely right. Call me when you're ready to split." He said witha grin, getting up to work the room.Sam started to tell his brother that he had said that wrong, but Deanwas off before he had a chance. He sighed and eased back in the seat. "Well... that came out wrong." He said to the rest of them. "Sort of."
Ash laughed. "No itdidn't." He said, taking the flask for himself. "I think it came out just about right actually. So you wanna grab a ride back with us then?"
"Yeah, I'll leave Dean a message on his cell phone." He said, figuring it might not do to actually interrupt the process of Deans shmoozing. He had been hovering over Sam since the abduction. He needed a night out just having fun.
Bobby nodded. Dean needed a break. He'd been wound tighter than Sam knew since, oh, New Orleans at this point. Maybe before, from that first call from Ellen about John. If he relaxed while having casual sex, then more power to him. "Besides, you should warn Andy. Not to mention Josh." He said with a laugh.
"Josh really should go back active duty." He said, shaking his head "He so much wants to be in command of something" He started to pull out his cell . "You know... I think I'm gonna get a hotel room in town." He didn't like the idea of leaving Dean alone out here.
"Dean's a big boy." Bobby said gently. "He's been screwing bimbos for nearly half his life. You could use some sleep you know."
"Might be able to sleep better in a hotel room than back at the compound." Ash said with a shrug. "It's what he's used to. I get it. I sleep much better on the bar or a pool table."
"It's not the screwing the bimbo thing I'm worried about. He still has that sword...things are gonna come looking for it and him." Sam pointed out.
"You have a point." Bobby said. "We should stick around too. In case you can't handle it as well." It could happen. Very easily after all.
"Besides... who wants to drive home tonight?" Sam said, instead calling Andy and filling him in on the evenings activities and what to expect.
"So we'll get some rooms, and drink." Ash said. "Discuss current events and pop culture, maybe have a pillow fight." He said with a grin. "Just kidding."
"Dude, that was weird, even for you." He said as he hung up the phone. "Let's go get those roomstaken care ofand I can leave a note for Dean on the steering wheel. "
"You're better off pinning it on the backseat." Bobby said with a laugh. Boys would be boys after all. And Winchesters would always be Winchesters.
"Nope he would just toss it aside. If it's on the steering wheel he will notice it when he gets around to driving." Sam said.
"You've put too much thought into that." Ash said with a laugh as he dug out the pad he was taking notes on and handed it to Sam. "I think there's a sheet or two toward the back." He'd hung onto the lecturer's every single word, and tried to jot them all down as well.
"No... no thought involved. Mistakes made and lessons learned. By the way, never assume the back seat is empty in that car. Always look." He added as he took the sheet of paper and jotted the quick note to Dean.
Dean got the note the next morning. Well, afternoon. And drove over to the hotel they were staying at and walked into the room. "So, decided not to head back after all?"
"Yeah, didn't seem like a good idea." Sam said as he closed the journal he had been writing in. "Don't need to ask how your night went. You would have been here earlier if it wasn't worth your time."
"Definitely worth my time." Dean said with a smirk. "Even if I had to pick up your slack and fend off the co eds all by myself." Though, truthfully, there was no fending off. More like beckoning.
Sam laughed. "Yeah, sorry I left you undefended like that. But hey, I figured you could handle it."
"Someone had to." Dean said as he flopped in a chair. "So Bobby trashing his books yet or is he holding out final judgement for now?"
"Nah he is holding out. Which surprises me actually." Sam said. honestly. "Ash is still neck deep in hero worship."
"Hero worshipping a banished angel. That has to be sacreligious somewhere." Dean said with a chuckle.
"Depends on your religion, I guess. Hunters don't tend to worship anything that doesn't save thier ass. Accurate information saves your ass." Sam said with a shrug.
"Do we have a religion?" Dean said with a laugh. "Even on Dad's dog tags, it didn't list a religion. Guess we're agnostic." They couldn't be atheist, not with the powers they called upon in certain rituals. That required an amount of faith, however small.
"Sounds about right. God exists... we exist... any thing beyond that really doesn't matter." Sam said as he finished up the packing. "So... ready to head home?"
"Home." Dean said with a laugh. "Thought that was the Impala. At least that's what you say when you get pissy." He teased as he grabbeda bag. "You can even drive. I could use a nap. Really, really use a nap. Girls these days..."
"Wimp." Sam said with a laugh. "You're getting old. Used to be you play all night and drive all day." He teased as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
"Dude, if I was still there, I'd be playing." Dean said with a laugh. "But since I'm not, no reason not to recharge the batteries. Old? I should smack you, ungrateful snot. I took on the co-eds so you wouldn't have to and I get repaid with insults."
"Oh is that what you were doing?" He said as he tossed his bag into the back seat. "Get in the car, old man."
Dean laughed as he tossed his into the back. "Just for that, you're not driving." He said, snatching the keys back. "Because you're obviously too young for such responsibility as this car. Run the fellowship, fine, but not the car."
"No, no, I wouldn't dream of letting you drive after you sacrificed so much to keep those co-eds away from me."
"Now that's nice." Dean said. "Honoring my sacrifice like that, but you know when duty calls..." He said. "Seriously, I got it. You still look tired anyway. You still not sleeping?"
"I'm fine." Sam said. "Sleep is over rated." He said with a faint smile. But he didn't argue any more and got into the passenger's seat.
"That's my line. You need to get your own." Dean said as he shook his head. "You need to sleep. Don't make me drug your Sasquatch ass."
"Yeah, cause that works so well." Sam said with a laugh. "I'm alright. It's just insomnia. " He told his brother. "Can't clear my head enough to sleep. Keep feeling like the sword of damocles is hanging over my head."
"Well, it'll have to go through my head first. Andwe all know I got the hardest head around." Dean said. "So that's one thing at least."
Sam laughed softly. "Yeah, that's what I'm worried about." He said and sighed. "It's alright.A lot of new things on my mind. Like what the newbig bad looking to rule the world is going to want from me and the others."
"Well, we'll deal with that when we haveto." Dean said. "Till then it's nothing but speculation and random guessing, enough to drive you crazy but not enough to get an actual plan in order."
"Yeah, I know. Just not looking forward totelling them it isn't over after all." He said.
"I think they know." Dean said. "I knew it wasn't over. Dad's mission was finally over, Mom was avenged and all that stuff, but it wasn't really over."
"And just think...Mom said she had grandkids coming. Wonder what other sons she has out there to provide those. We don't have time for pets, much less children."
"You never know." Dean said. "Dad always said it was useless to argue with Mom, because she was always right." He said with a chuckle. "So keep that one in mind."
"Oh that's so reassuring." Sam said with a chuckle. "Maybe she meant you are dropping little Winchesters all over the country and don't know it." He teased.
Dean laughed. "Hey, you never know." He said, shaking his head. Quite possible, scarily enough. And that would just be his luck too!
"And that... is the scariest part of it." Sam pointed out. "You know... it really is."
"Dude, I could have started my own ethnic group." Dean said with a laugh. "Imagine that. Enough to start a small country. Hey, maybe we can elect you president yet!"
"Oh yeah, that would be great. As if taking care of a horde of demon tainted kids isn't enough you want to throw YOUR's into the lot? I'll pass." He said with a chuckle.
"You're right. That many good looking kids in one place, it would drive everyone else crazy." Dean said with a laugh. "Besides, I'm not taking care of the horde. I'm just there providing back up. This is your show entirely, Sam. And you know what? You're doing a good job. Dad would be proud."
"I feel like I'm floundering. Like I'm missing major things some where. " Sam said with a sigh. "But I guess that is normal... since I dont know what all the things are I am supposed to be doing. "
"Okay, well, how would Dad break it down?" Dean said. "Let's see. Shelter? Check. Food? Check. Transportation? Check. Stabilization of community? Check. Did I miss anything?"
"No...it just ... I don't know." He said shaking his head. He felt as though he were walking along the edge of a cliff in the dark. He could feel the chasm to his side but couldnt see it, or the dangers that lurked below.
Dean laughed. "It's all right. I think most of the time Dad didn't even know what the hell he was doing." He said. "But that is one hell of a community you've got set up. Hunters, children like you, now angels wandering about."
"Yeah. I guess so." He said with a smile. "Josh always makes that whole leadership thing look effortless. Bobby is just instinctive at it. Me... not all that authoritative."
"You're doing all right." Dean said. "Now all we have to do is get through this freaking election so we can get our names cleared. Do you realize there's a whole section of the population I'm missing out on? Female postal workers."
"Oh, we can't have that." Sam said with a laugh. "And well... there is always the option of going back to school near by. " After all there was a lot to be done locally. And they could do weekend trips to take care of the more mundane monsters.
"Let's see if your boy gets elected first." Dean said with a laugh. Sam was jumping into 'counting his chickens before they hatched' territory.
"Yeah I know." Sam said. "I get to have a few dreams left though, that don't involve demons trying to control or kill me."
Dean nodded. And wasn't entirely sure that he, himself, even had dreams beyond that. His life goal was to kill the demon that killed his mother. Well, he did that. The bastard was dead, both his parents were at peace, Sam was settled a bit...what else did he really have to achieve? "I'm thinking we'll get you to that point. Of course, the actual course work and passing and shit is completely on you, dude. I'm no help."
"I don't know ... you helped pretty good when I was in school." Sam said. "Unless there were home work fairies that did my homework while I was sick that one time."
"Dude, you call me a fairy I'm seriously going to kick your ass." Dean said with a laugh. "I don't know, I guess I'll figure out something. Will have to, right?"
"Dude, just cause the demon is dead doesnt mean there isn't another job to do." Sam pointed out. "I mean even if I go back to school part time, and keep the order going... there are always going to be hunts for us to go on."
"Yeah, I know." Dean said. "I'm not too worried. I still got stuff to do." He said. Get Sam educated. Get Sam laid. Get Sam settled. Plenty to do.
"Especially since the latest recruit says there is just gonna be another one to take Azazel's place. " He pointed out.
"Can you really call a banished angel a recruit?" Dean asked with a laugh. "We'll see. And we'll handle it. We survived this one, right?"
Sam laughed. "Well, he is moving in. And he is supposed to help us so... yeah. He's a recruit. Better than saying the guy we are keeping an eye on in case he is lying to us."
"And what do we do if he is?" Dean said witha laugh. "Not much. I guess we could rat him out to his 'big brother' but you should know how much a little brother of sorts likes that!"
"I don't know. I suppose that's what Bobby is looking into. Sigils bind angels as well as demons, being two halves of the same coin and all that crap."
Dean laughed. "Yeah, that should be interesting. But who knows? Maybe he's completely above board. If nothing else, we can take his cat for ransom if we have to."
Sam laughed. "Yeah that works, but he also knows what your car looks like so we have to be careful about that because an exchange of hostages could get awkward."
"No, we've been assured he's not evil. And that would be evil." Dean said. "Very very evil. Like Satan evil."
"I get the feeling so would grabbing his cat." Sam said. "He sounded very attached to his cat."
"Okay, so no cat napping." Dean said with a laugh. "I'm sure he'll be fine. Even if he makes us spike the food with Ritalin."
"Yeah I noticed that too. Very hyper... reminded me of you that way. "
"I'm not hyper." Dean said. "Why does everyone think I'm hyper? Ever think the rest of you are just in slow motion or something?" Dad used to say that to him,when thenumerous teachers and arresting officers would start in on him.
"You didn't buy that crap Dad was spewing about that, did you?" Sam asked. "Trust me, you are hyper. When we get home, if you can sit still without twitching, or fidgeting or bouncing your leg up and down... I might believe you. On the hunt doesn't count. Thats training, not your natural state of being."
"I'm not twitching right now." Dean said. "But fine. We'll see about that. No twitching or bouncing for an hour."
"You aren't twitching right now because you are doing something. " Sam said. "But even that won't last. You'll be pounding on the steering wheel soon enough. Oh sorry... tapping " He said with a grin.
"Dude, only to the beat of a good song. Doesn't count." Dean said with a laugh. "You underestimate me. I can be as still as a statue when I want to be."
"Sure ... when you're hunting." Sam said. It was going to be fun to watch Dean try and prove him wrong. "And maybe for a few hours. Might even give you a day but you couldn't pull it off long term. There isn't any way."
"Why should I try?" Dean said with a smirk. "According to you, it's an inherent trait in my personality, and I'm a perfect big brother, therefore meaning I'm a perfect person and why should I change?"
"No... you are the best big brother. A perfect big brother would be annoying as hell." Sam said with a laugh. "I'm merely pointing out that you are ... seriously ADHD."
"Dude, that's lame. It's just an excuse to dope kids up on drugs so they act like perfect little zombies." Dean said. At least that's what their dad said when a teacher seriously recommended that Dean get evaluated for Ritalin use. It was all the rage then, after all.
"It was used as an excuse but that doesn't mean that there isnt actually a disorder. Dad didn't want to have to deal with the crap that came along with the doctors and the drugs. Besides... you didn't need drugs. Not everyone does. Now that kid next door to us when were little you know the one- when we were in Paris, Texas for the school year... That kid needed serious drugs."
"That kid needed a serious ass kicking." Dean said. "Even I can't run around for hours screaming about nothing. I swear, that kid probably ended up in jail. I had a nightmare once that Hendrickson caught me, and that kid was my cell mate. Except he was the same age he was when we left Paris."
"Now that would be hell on earth." Sam said shaking his head. "Gotta wonder what ever became of him. Who knows... maybe he's working for the FBI. Hendrickson seems a bit over the top as well."
"Dude, you've got a point. Though I was going to say something along the lines of a weird fixation with me. You'd think I was really the most dangerous person in America the way he carries on." Dean said with a shrug. "Okay, so we break in the new angel type guy, tell Bobby to chill...what else?"
"See what we can do about building up the community... branching out into other buildings... working on security. I just have a feeling we are going to need it."
"Okay, so we'll work on a wall of sorts. Set up surveillance, maybe do some guard posts in rotating duty." Dean said with a nod. "Training some of them that want to might not be a bad idea. I'm not talking setting up platoons like Josh wants, but if anyone's interested..."
"Exactly. " Sam said ."We need to find some way to be somewhat self sufficient too just in case we get stuck... I don't know. I can't shake the feeling. Probably just lack of sleep. Maybe I'll let you knock me out legitimately this time. A couple days sleep sounds good."
"Good. I'll punch you in your fluffy head after slipping you a mickey." Dean said with a laugh. "We can work on everything tomorrow. Right now, we'll just settle in and see how things go."
"I'm not fluffy." Sam said with a laugh. "And yeah, we'll see how things go. Not much else we can do."
"I didn't say you were fluffy. I said your head was fluffy." Dean said, reaching over and mussing his little brother's hair. "And it's fluffy. Seriously, you want me to drug you? I'll slip something into a bottle of tequila for you."
"Yeah... maybe I can stay asleep through the night that way." Sam said, and he wasn't one to like the idea of unnecessary drugs. He had taken enough for pain through the years that very little of it would make him sleepy any more.
"Good. I'll drug you. Sure I've got something to knock you out." Like his brother, he'd taken so many pain meds over the years that his tolerance was sky high. Besides, he would bet Bobby had something besides. "It'll do you some good, because watching me sleep can't be that entertaining."
"All depends on what you're talking about in your sleep." Sam said with a grin. "Sometimes it's really entertaining."
"I don't talk in my sleep." Dean scoffed. Then he paused. "Do I? Oh jeez, what do I say?"
Sam just grinned and slipped down in the seat, to rest his head against the back of it. He said nothing. It was better not to. Or at least more entertaining.
"Dude, I don't." Dean said. "I don't care what you say, I don't." He said as he drove, scowling at the road. "Now I might never sleep."
Sam just grinned and closed his eyes thinking about setting up thier voice activated tape recorder one night. Just to prove that his brother muttered in his sleep.
"You're such a bitch. Now I know you're putting me on, trying to look all innocent." Dean said as he turned on the radio. Sam had slept through it before. "I'll wake you up when we get there."
Sam didn't defend his position at all. He merely smiled "Thanks. I'm turning my cell off. They can call you if they need anything for a while." He added, reaching into his pocket to get the device.
"Wuss." Dean said with a chuckle. "I mean it. You are such a wuss. It's fine, I'll get you back. Don't worry about it."
"I'm not a wuss." Sam mumbled as he turned his head to prop it up on the window and the back of the seat. "You're just butch." He said with a faint grin. He loved pulling his brother's chain.
"Dude, someone has to be." Dean pointed out. He was right in his own mind at least. "Else everyone would think the Winchester men were all emoting and touchy feely."
"Oh please... It's the demon taint." Sam said. "It has to be. Neither you nor Dad could emote your way out of a wet paper bag."
Dean snickered. "Yeah, that's the master plan." He said. "Bunch of special kids who specialize in talking about their feelings and having group hugs." He said. "I don't know, might actually work."
"Jerk." Sam said laughing in spite of himself. "But hey... it's the world according to Oprah."
"And I've got Ash working on if she's connected to Satan. Or if she is Satan. Or maybe that's Martha Stewart."Dean said with a shrug. "One of them."
"More likely Martha Stewart. Remember the house in Texas? That place was straight out of Martha Stewart. " He said, referring to the place where they had found their father.
"Dude, I still swear it was the room giving Dad seizures, not the cipher underneath him." Dean said. "I mean it. I nearly broke out in hives."
"Yep, so Martha is Satan and Oprah is like... her second in command. We won't even discuss Laura Ashley or any of the other female icons out there."
"Let's not." Dean said. "I like keeping my breakfast down. So you're really going to try and get some sleep when we get back?" He knew Sam needed it. Like everyone else needed air, truth be told.
"If I don't... well... I'm afraid that I am getting paranoid, you know. " Sam was starting to think that the feeling he was hovering on the edge of doom was due to his lack of sleep.
"Is it paranoia if everyone really is out to get you?" Dean mused as he pulled into the compound. "I mean, there's Ash drinking all the beer. Me with a prank just on the edge of my mind...your torture never ends."
"That's just every day life though. This is... I don't know... too little sleep and not enough beer." Sam said closing his eyes, although he knew that wasn't it. There was something coming and it was going to be big. There just wasn't a demon directing his visions any more.
Dean nodded. "We'll figure it out. Tomorrow." Dean said as he parked the Impala in its normal space. It had an unofficial space, since no one, not even Andy, treated their vehicle as reverently as Dean did his. He joked with Andy that Andy's van was jealous, and Andy couldn't bring himself to honestly disagree either.
Andy met them as they got out of the car. "Your guy won the primary." Andy announced. "He's the official nominee for his party now."
Sam smiled. "Well something is going well at least." He said as he wiped at the sleep in his eyes. "We might be free to use our real names soon."
Dean laughed. "Bright side to everything." Dean said. "Listen, Sam's going to get some sleep." He said, directing Sam toward their room with a push on his shoulder. "So everyone gets to leave him alone."
"Yeah, Okay." Andy said with a casual shrug. "Things are pretty mellow around here right now. Sleep as long as he wants."
Sam smile a droopy smile over his shoulder at Andy in thanks and opened the bed room door to go inside. He was tired.
"Night Sam." Dean said and turned to Andy. "So did the latest guest show up yet?" Meaning the banished but not fallen angel. "And anyone see Mickey?"
"No to both." Andy said. "Not sure what to do with two of them, you know. Do they even get along all things considered?"
"You know, I don't even know. Mickey mentioned him, like, once. Apparently he was the one that found Sam, so that gets him a few points in my book." Dean said honestly. "He seems like an all right guy, a lot friendlier than Mickey, definitely."
"Yeah well... that doesn't take much since Mickey doesn't like humans because we have free will. Which I figure is why he keeps throwing it in our faces. "
"I think it's more because of the fact that he feels he has to keep cleaning up after us humans." Dean said thoughtfully. "I would think after a few centuries that would get tiring and make me cranky too."
"Yeah, but aren't we cleaning up after them?" Andy asked. "I mean... demons being what they are and the war happening before we were created and all." He shook his head. "Seems a bit hipocritical to me."
"Hey, I don't get it either." Dean said. "Believe me, it's the height of hypocriticism, knowing now that Sam and I were pulled into all this bullshit before I was even born."
"Yeah I agree. Not just you guys, but all of us had no say in what we are, or even that we exist. He doesn't get it. Oh well. He isn't here either."
"Well that's one annoying blip off the screen then." Dean said good naturedly. "So Sam and I were discussing some security for this place. Not the unit that Joshua wants, where we're all doing PT and weapons training at dawn, but anyone that wants to volunteer, some sentry posts might not be a bad idea."
"I'll start asking around, getting people moving in the right direction. I think more will volunteer than you think. They are getting their feet under them, wanting to do more now. I think we have a good chance and pulling together a functioning community."
"That's a good idea." Dean said. "And all communities have some sort of security in it, right? So we'll get a list going, and see where we go from there. It'll be good to get them all doing something."
"I think so too. Make the rest of us feel a little less like refugees and more like they belong. "Andy had never been captured so it didn't feel that way to him. He had been one of the heroes in that story. But he could well imagine what it felt like to be the victim.
"Okay, so let's see what we can do with that." Dean said. "Some will have to be trained. Wouldn't be a bad idea for some of the more passive powers to learn how to shoot." There were a few that had only premonitions for example. Hardly a defensive power.
"Yeah I agree." Andy said. "Having seen about how effective being a pacifist is in this war. Look, you go see to Sam and I will go and start talking to people. Might just make Josh's day if some people want to go all comando with him. "
Dean laughed. "Yeah, you might get a smile out of him yet." Dean said. "Sounds good. I could use a good nap myself." After a rest, he'd look into expanding into some of the other buildings. But a rest would be good. Because if he rested, he could make sure Sam rested by trapping the door.
"Good luck" Andy said and laughed softly as he walked away.
Sam had cleaned out his duffle bag, and set up his lap top while Dean was out talking to Andy. He wanted to check on the situation with McKendrick.
Dean came into the room and shook his head. "Dude. Sleep." Dean said firmly. "Come on, whatever news there is about politician boy will still be there when you wake up." He said as he looked over Sam's shoulders, at the headlines of the fresh faced young politician grabbing the nomination. "Certainly some excitement over it, though, isn't there?"
"Yeah, a huge amount. Most people don't even take notice of someone before the primaries are decided, especially since he was just the running mate until this past year... this guy... he has people eating out of his hands already."
Dean never took much notice of politics. Didn't follow it, and he didn't vote. "Well he talks a good talk." Dean said. He knew that, he'd talked to Allen one on one about Sam plenty of times when Sam went missing. He did laugh when some commentator on a feed through the lap top started talking about McKendrick's 'sex appeal.' "That's what the American public is voting on?" He asked.
"The next Kennedy, they are saying." Sam shook his head. "I hope he meets a better end."
"Dude, if the American public votes on who's good looking and oozes sex appeal, remind me of this when I hit 35." Dean said with a laugh. "I bet I'd be a shoo in." He said with a grin. "Seriously, call him up, congratulate him, and then hit the sack."
Sam pulled out his cell phone and dialed Allen's cell phone number, waiting for him to answer.
Allen answered after a couple of rings, moving from the party to a quieter room off to the side. "Sam." He said, having a feeling it was the younger man. "I'm guessing you heard." His grin could be heard over the phone.
"I did, congratulations. You're half way there." He said with a smile. "How does it feel?"
"Like I'm halfway there." Allen said with a laugh. "Half the job is done, now all I gotta do is beat the other guy. Considering I just fended off four other guys, coming into it late...won't be so bad I don't think. Of course, I say that now. Ask me again when the thrill of victory is gone. How are you two doing?"
"Taking it easy, keeping our heads down for a while. You ahm... you know Azazel is dead right?" He asked, having not called him after his last abduction.
"I heard." Allen said. "Must not have been easy. But with that over, you should be able to get on with a good deal of your life now. And I meant what I said. When I'm elected, the legal issues with you and your brother will disappear quietly."
"Thank you for that." Sam said and chuckled softly "Glad to hear the note of confidence in that. " When not if, he had said. "I suspect there will be others coming after us soon enough. Winchesters have a huge target on their backs. Especially where demons are concerned."
"Well, you never know." Allen said. "But enjoy the downtime while you've got it. You've more than earned it."
"Yeah I suppose I should. Well I just wanted to call and say congratulations. Right now I have an older brother glaring at me, 'cause I haven't slept in a... few ... days... so I should probably go to bed before it turns into more than a glare."
Allen laughed. "Would hate for that to happen. Good night, Sam. Take care of yourself." He said before hanging up to go rejoin his victory party.
"A few days? You're such a liar." Dean said. But he was glaring. Seemed like Sam was stalling. And sooner or later he'd collapse. He wasn't anymore immune to that than Dean was, and though Dean had learned that the hard way, he didn't want his brother to. That whole lead by example thing.
"Yeah, like I'm going to tell him everything" Sam said as he set aside his cell phone and moved toward his bed to start removing his shoes.