Having spent close to an hour sitting in the middle of an IHOP next to two police officers had Sam at first feeling nervous, then fairly cocky. After all, if they couldn't figure out who they were, as close as they were to them, then who was he to complain? Of course it didn't help that Dee had wiggled out of the seat and walked straight up to the officers demanding to know if they were good guys. After the initial shock, both men assured the little girl that yes, they both were good guys and would never dream of hurting such a sweet baby like her. Not fully satisfied, she had immediately crossed her arms over her tiny chest and studied each man before giving her approval and returning to the table with her Daddy apologizing to the officers.
Now though, they were getting ready to leave another motel room to head towards Bobby's, and Sam couldn't help but feel that they were actually in the home stretch. He knew it would be a long drive, but now he thought that maybe they could actually make it without having to look over his shoulder every couple of seconds. Then again, he knew better than to take anything for granted.
Having already put the weapons in the cab of the truck, hidden under the jump seats, as well as under the seats and taped to the roof of the glove box, he didn't have to worry about anyone stumbling on them when they stopped. Of course knowing that he didn't have to worry and actually not worrying were two different things. It was something he did naturally, and couldn't seem to stop; in fact it had only seemed to get worse now that he had Dee.
"I's ready Daddy!" Dee exclaimed as she made her way out of the bathroom, proud that she got ready all by herself. Unfortunately, she couldn't get the tangles out of her hair, and her sandals were on the wrong feet, but all she care about was she was a big girl.
Smiling, Sam watched Dee walk into the room and he couldn't help but be proud of her. "Come here Baby Girl, let me help you a little." He said, as he reached for a brush and started on the tangles, making a point to tickle her if a knot seemed to be too stubborn.
Finally, they were ready to go, and Sam couldn't help but feel relieved; they had definitely been there too long. Scooping his little girl up in his arms, he looked around the room again to make sure they hadn't left anything and walked out into the morning.
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There were some days that Hendrickson definitely hated his life, and coincidently today was one of them. He had been in Baltimore when the paper pushers had insisted that unless he had a solid lead, then he needed to scale down his operation ASAP, and they weren't taking 'NO' for an answer. That had been bad enough, but then he found out that most of John Winchester's friends and or acquaintances were dead, and shouldn't that just narrow down the hunting grounds? However, those who were alive were often on the move, and those who weren't didn't seem to be too friendly towards the Winchester family.
He hadn't believed the team's surveillance specialist when he said that a call that had been recorded suggested animosity towards the brothers. Having heard the recording himself he was inclined to agree if it hadn't been the way the man on the other end of the conversation had actually answered the phone; with a great amount of concern. Knowing what he heard, and convincing his supervisors were two different things, and something that he obviously hadn't been able to do.
Taking the location of Singer Auto Salvage, he had decided to check things out for himself making a point to advise the higher ups, but making sure not to request additional men. After all, everyone knew that he hated being in the office as much as they hated for him to be there. He knew that they would agree to him going, and he had even managed approval for a flight and a car rental. Now he just had to show that there was a lead there.
Pulling into the salvage yard, he knew that he would be met with resistance; however he wasn't prepared for a large Lab by the name of McCain to keep him from getting out of the car. It wasn't until a definite good ol' boy came out to see what the fuss was about that he wondered what he had actually walked into.
"So, I can tell you're not here for parts, and you don't look like an encyclopedia salesman, so who are you and what do you want? Damn it McCain! Go lay down!" Bobby yelled at the dog, but was secretly happy that the mutt had put long scratches in the rental car's paint job.
Showing his badge, Hendrickson got out of his car and watched the dog warily. "I'm on the trail of a couple of fugitives; Dean and Sam Winchester. I had been told that…"
"You know if I had a nickel every time those boys and their daddy got in trouble or needed something, I'd be rich. What did they do now, besides that business in St. Louis, I heard about it already."
Hendrickson wasn't sure what to make out of the man before him. The file they had on him said that he knew the Winchesters for about twenty years. You don't just stay friends with someone for that long if you didn't like them. "Look Mr. Singer, let's cut the crap. Those boys are dangerous and it's my job to bring them in. I know that you have a connection with them, and I'm pretty sure you had contact with them in the last week. I need to know where they are so I can prevent more deaths."
Bobby looked at the agent and understood the instant dislike Dean and Sam had with the man. "Look, you got your information from some pencil pusher behind a desk with an outdated file and deadline. The last time I saw John I told him I'd load his ass with buckshot if I ever saw him again, and the boys usually followed his lead. So I really doubt if I'll see those boys here anytime soon."
"What about parts for that car of theirs? Not too many places carry parts for it, and I have a feeling that you've provided more than a few. So how about we just lay our cards on the table. If you don't know where they are, you know that they'll show up eventually, and you'll call me as soon as you do." Hendrickson said as he continued to scope out the place. He knew there was someone else around, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing at attention, but he couldn't place where they where.
Smirking, Bobby couldn't believe the audacity of this guy and was tempted to let McCain eat the man after all. "Look agent, you can demand whatever you like, but I can't tell you something that I don't know. If you want to waste your time, fine, I can't stop you. But if you think about interfering in my business I'll be on the phone faster than hungry fleas on a hound to your bosses. Am I clear?" Bobby asked, leaving Hendrickson to contemplate what he said.
The sound of a car driving away was the only thing they heard for a few minutes before Ellen asked, "So, how much does he know?"
Looking over at her Bobby answered honestly, "A little too much for my comfort. I'll make sure to send Sam the coordinates of the place they need to go, until then I only hope those boys are smart enough to lay low until they get here."
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Today was not Sam's day, and even though he was happy that it hadn't been worse, he was still shaken up but what occurred. He had only turned his head for a moment, three seconds at the most and it had almost changed his whole life.
"Hey Baby Girl, it's time to get gas. How about we grab some lunch while we stop, maybe stretch our legs for a few minutes?" he asked, glancing at Dee who had spend the whole time telling him and Page stories that she had made up.
Dee looked over and watched her Daddy for a minute before answering, "On'y if you hung'y Daddy 'cause me 'n Page wan' get there soon!"
Smiling, Sam was sure that he hadn't mentioned where they were going, but Dee was determined that wherever it was had to be someplace special. Pulling into a truck stop, he quickly filled up the tank, and took Dee by the hand so they both could to in and have some lunch. Everything had gone smooth, the waitress was nice, the service was great, and even the food was edible. It wasn't until they went to pay the cashier that Sam felt true fear, and it had to do with his little girl, a stray ball, and a speeding car just coming off the highway.
He had told Dee that they were ready to go when he was suddenly called back because the cashier had given him the wrong change. Three seconds, that's all it was, three seconds and a dollar forty five, and it had almost cost him everything.
Turning back to take Dee's hand he realized that she was already outside and was chasing down a bright yellow ball with Elmo on it in the middle of the parking lot. By the time that he rushed outside and cleared the sidewalk, the car was only moments from his baby who was looking straight at the car, frozen like a deer caught in headlights. Praying he could get there in time, he was already running when he dove and caught her around the middle sending both of them to the ground hard. Thankfully Dee landed on him instead of the pavement, but Sam couldn't get the image of his baby girl being splattered on the asphalt out of his head. It had taken him five minutes and the help of several people to get up with her still in his arms, and another hour and fifteen minutes to calm her down and get his nerves under control so he could drive again.
That had happened close to four hours ago, but he still couldn't get past it. Every time he thought he's moved on; the image of the speeding vehicle so close to Dee had him fighting the urge to hurl.
Knowing that he couldn't take another incident like that, he made the decision to drive straight through, stopping only for gas and the necessary potty breaks. Having received a text from Bobby stating where to go when they got close, he replied and gave him a new ETA stating something happened and he couldn't be on the road anymore than necessary. He knew Bobby would be chomping at the bit to know what happened, but there was no way he was going to get into a text fest while rushing down the highway. He just had to trust that their friend had been able to find something and that Dee would be safe, the clock was start to tick a little too fast for his liking.
AN: So... how many of you were cursing my name? C'mon... tell the truth...