John knew that Dean wasn't happy with him, but he couldn't help it at the moment. If Johnny was who they suspected, there was no way he was going to allow someone to hunt him down without him at least knowing why. He had taken a chance to ask the clerk about Johnny and found out that the bookstore wannabees had already asked her and the answer was the same; West. He already knew that Mary was on board the whole way, but he had to wonder about Dean. After all, his son may not have tipped his hand, but that didn't guarantee that he was ready to jump head on into the unknown either.
"Dad, chill. I don't know what's going on, but it stinks!" Dean said as he continued to look out the window. He didn't like seeing a different side of Johnny, and he sure as hell didn't like to think that someone was out there hunting him down like some mangy dog. Unfortunatly they had no idea where he was heading and couldn't help but feel a little resentful that out of everything that they had talked to the kid about, he'd never once volunteered his plans.
Looking at her watch, Mary knew that they had been on the road for over an hour with no sign of the young man they were looking for. Having only a direction to go on was better than nothing, but not by much, and now as she looked in the side mirror she thought they might have another problem.
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Knowing that his luck wouldn't hold out for very long, Johnny was thankful for the reprieve from walking when he came across a small car on the side of the road. Knowing that a lot of times cars would overheat, but would start after having cooled off, he managed to open the door and bypassed the ignition, smiling when he heard the engine come to life. "Let's see how far you'll get me." He said softly, praying for the whole way, but willing to settle for a hundred miles down the road.
Turning off the odd techno disco that had been blaring through the speakers, Johnny settled on driving and thinking about the last conversation he had with Dean. He had known that they wouldn't be able to keep with their end of the bargain and he was right, when proof was presented in full Technicolor, Dean straightaway started flinging Sammy in his face. Although he had to give the guy credit, he lasted a lot longer than what he initially thought.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts and where they could easily lead, he instead focused on the money in his pocket. Normally he would have wired it, but sometimes it was a good excuse to stop in. He couldn't wait to see Ellie again and see how much she'd grown. He hoped that she was having a good day when he got there; he hated to see her when she was…
Turning on the radio again, he found a static ridden country station but figured that anything was better than what was playing in his head at the moment.
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John knew they were being followed, but he had been hoping that they would be in a better position when they confronted them. What he wasn't expecting was them to get bold enough to motion them off the road as if they were long lost friends. He knew that they were almost into Winslow which meant they would get bolder if they didn't get the response they wanted, but the problem was, John already knew that they wouldn't get the answer they were looking for.
Seeing that Mary was buckled tight and already hanging on, John tromped on the accelerator and allowed the Impala free reign; enjoying the feel of her humming as they sped down the road. As he looked in the rear view mirror he saw the Blazer get smaller and smaller until it was almost gone from sight. Breathing a little easier, he smiled at Mary. "Remind you of anything?" he asked, wondering if she felt the same way now as she did many years ago. As she smiled, he knew that she did and they shared the moment when they felt a lot younger.
"Ok you two, what's the big secret?" Dean asked, wondering at the looks being exchanged, but couldn't believe the answer he received.
"Oh, your dad used to drag race the Impala; I forgot how much fun it could be." Mary said as she allowed her mind to drift to a much simpler time.
Dean couldn't believe what he heard, his dad, Mr. Responsible, drag racing? What's next, eighty year old bungie jumping grandmothers? Shaking his head, he decided to let that one die a quick death and resumed his position looking out the window, anything was better than the line of thoughts that was sure to be next.
John knew that they were cutting it close fuel wise, but he was hoping to actually get into Winslow before having to find a gas station, but after what just happened he knew they were running out of options. Seeing what he hoped was an open gas station, he quickly pulled in and jumped out to put in as much as he could before actually seeing the other vehicle again. He had just seen the reflection of the windshield on the horizon, and after telling his family that it would be quicker for them to stay in the car, he ran in to pay the clerk for the gas. By the time he got back outside he noticed that their pursuers had been going a lot faster than what he thought. By the time he got to his door the Blazer was sliding to a stop, and before he could open the door, a bullet struck the ground at his feet.
"Don't even think about it Winchester." The man they knew as Barnes said as he got out of the passenger side. "We're all going to have a nice long honest discussion about what you know."
Noble had gone to Mary's side and helped her out of the Impala while motioning Dean to get out the other side. "Now, we know that you're going to meet dear old Johnny, the question is: where?"
Mary was shaking her head trying to make sense of what she was hearing, but what came out was, "What do you want with him, he's just a boy!"
Both men laughed as they watched the family before them ask for answers, neither one of them saw the person walk up behind them until the sound of a gun being cocked, and a voice echoed under the gas pumps canopy.
"Let them go, they have nothing to do with this." Johnny said calmly as he watched Noble break from Mary but kept his gun trained on her. "You're after me, so why are you going after them?" he asked, really trying to follow their reasoning, but coming up short. He walked more to the side so he could see everyone and he wasn't pleased. Dean and John were on the driver's side of the car next to the pump, while Mary was on the passenger side out in the open. "What is it that you really want?"
Barnes sneered at Johnny, he couldn't believe the nerve of the kid to pull a gun on them, they were the ones with the right to do such things. "You know the score Johnny, you have a destiny. No one before you has been able to resist it, and you know how it's turned out. So we can make it easy, a bullet in the head and all the pain you're going to cause won't happen. Or we can keep playing these games and eventually you'll betray everyone who's ever helped you."
Dean wasn't following the conversation at all except the part where they wanted to kill Johnny right now on the spot. He knew his dad was thinking the same thing, and his mom didn't look like she was taking the news well at all. "So, let's get this straight… how does all this pertain to us?" he asked, hoping to buy a little more time because from the looks of it the clerk was just waiting for reinforcements.
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He knew his luck wouldn't last, and it definitely hadn't disappointed. Just when he thought that the little hatchback would pull through and get him at least to Winslow where it would be easier to either find a ride, or acquire one, the damn thing started spraying water all over the engine giving him just enough time to pull off the side of the road before the engine blew. It hadn't taken too much time to get to the gas station, but he was still thankful that the clerk kept a fully stocked cooler in the back with iced down water and sodas. He had heard the Impala pull up and couldn't believe that his luck was really that bad, he was sure he had gotten rid of them. When he saw John jump out and look down the road, a cold feeling spread out through his body and he knew what had caused that worried look on the man's face. Stepping into the back again, he waited until he saw John clear the door and try to make it back to the car. He watched as Mary was pulled out of the car, he watched as the Winchester family was threatened because of him.
After making his presence known, he knew that he didn't have much time. These guys were serious, someone had upped the ante on him, and he didn't have anything to bargain with. Trying to get the gunmen to answer his questions seemed like a great idea to distract them from what he was doing; too bad it was just making them more agitated. Then he heard Dean start with his questions and Johnny wanted to pull his hair out, especially when he saw the guy close to Mary take another step back as if he didn't want to get sullied and brought up his weapon even with her head.
"You know, we've been more than patient, but this has got to end. Just because we have to set things right doesn't mean that we all can't be civil." Barnes said reasonably, "I mean really, do you expect us to believe that you don't know each other? Come on, that would be just too big of a coincidence, and none of us believe in them, now do we?" he asked, and seemed surprised when no one answered. "It's time, we need to get this done quick, make it look like a robbery gone wrong."
With those words it seemed as if all the players were animated again. Angered, Dean charged Barnes forcing him back as they struggled for the gun. Johnny rushed Noble and managed to clip him in the jaw with his gun causing the other man to fall unconscious. John had rushed to help Dean and as they wrestled the other man towards the ground he pulled his arm up and pulled the trigger.
Time seemed to slow as the bullet made its way towards Mary, and John felt his heart stop as he saw her standing one minute then being tackled by Johnny the next. "MARY!!!" he yelled, praying that she was alright. Seeing that the other man was unconscious and unarmed, both John and Dean wasted no time getting around the Impala to see Mary lying on top of Johnny, both trying to catch their breath.
"Oh my God, Mary!" John said as he reached down and picked her up, "I thought he shot you, oh God Mary, I thought I lost you."
Dean helped Johnny up and was about to say something along his normal wit when he noticed the grimace on Johnny's face. "Hey kid, what's wrong, you ok?" he asked, while at the same time turning Johnny around to check him over. "Uh, Dad… I think we have a problem."
As soon as John and Mary saw the bullet hole in Johnny's back, they wanted to rush him to the hospital and weren't taking 'no' for an answer. It wasn't until he pulled his gun back out that they stopped in mid sentence and started to listen.
"I can't go to the hospital; it's the first place they'll look. So why don't you all go on your merry way and leave me to get where I need to be." He said while putting his gun back in his bag, he knew the cops were going to show and he needed to get out of there.
Mary looked at the young man in front of her, she could tell he was in pain and he was still acting as if this was a normal occurrence. Finally she put her hand on his cheek, "Where do you need to be Johnny?"
"Anywhere but here."
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Dean couldn't imagine how they got to this point. Narrowly escaping two lunatics who apparently thought that Johnny was some sort of evil personified, was bad enough, but to leave the scene before the cops got there was just this side of insanity; he had no doubt that the clerk already gave out the description of he car, and now all they had to do was wait to be picked up.
"The cops aren't going to arrest you." Johnny said softly from a chair by the window, making Dean really start to wonder if this kid was a mind reader or something. "The clerk won't want any trouble, and the goons are already gone."
Mary and John looked at each other and continued to worry about this young man who saved Mary from a bullet. He continued to refuse a hospital, but allowed them to take him to a motel room until they could find a way to get the bullet out. When asked, he said simply, "It won't be that easy" leaving them to wonder how he knew that. They had caught him napping in the chair, but he wouldn't take a bed, instead he'd ask the time with ever increased urgency until finally he snapped.
"Look, I appreciate the concern, but do you think you could go elsewhere for awhile, you're driving me crazier than I already am."
It was Dean who answered, "Nope, don't think so, you could disappear again. This time you're stuck with us." When Johnny looked at him, he could tell that Dean meant business and finally relented after a two minute stare off.
"Fine, but do you think you could hand me the phone?" he asked, watching them warily as they pulled it across the room for him. Taking the calling card out, he made his call and wasn't disappointed at the shout on the other end.
"God damn it, it better not be you – you hear me? I can't get that lucky, tell me you aren't in Winslow."
"I'm not in Winslow."
The cursing on the other end made Johnny smile a little and helped him keep his mind off the pain; it was a good thing he had a decent med kit in his bag otherwise he'd be totally screwed. "Not funny kid."
"You wanted me to tell you I wasn't in Winslow; I can't help it if you can't make up your mind." Johnny smirked, and then stopped suddenly realizing that the Winchester's could hear everything because of the loud receiver he was holding.
"How bad?"
"Between the ribs and the shoulder blade."
"Damn it Johnny, you're going to be the death of me. Alright, where are you exactly, we'll be there in four hours."
Johnny looked horrified at the phone, "No, no way Cade. Stay there, you can't bring Ellie out here."
They heard a muffled "Don't see any other way. You've got to be stoned to the gills to be sitting upright much less talking, so how else are you going to get out here?"
"Well take him!" all three Winchester's chorused, completely ignoring the protests that were coming from Johnny.
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The pain meds had worn off two hours ago and even Johnny wasn't stupid enough to try his luck with doubling up with what he already took. Ok, he was, but not when he was about to see Ellie, she'd be upset, and she was the one person he would never intentionally screw up with. He knew that John was trying to hurry, that much was more than evident; as soon as he got directions they had made sure he was as comfortable as possible and then they were leaving Winslow in the dust. He still couldn't figure them out, but then again he could barely remember his name at this point. Feeling that thinking was highly over rated, he allowed the darkness to sweep over him.
Dean felt thankful that the kid had finally passed out, he really didn't know how he had lasted this long; Morphine or not. He felt the same urgency as his parents and he continued to sit vigil over Johnny, hoping that whoever it was on the phone would be able to help. Thinking over the conversation they heard, he couldn't help but wonder who Ellie was and why Johnny was so upset with the idea of her going with this Cade guy to pick him up. Somehow he knew that he was about to find out, and he wasn't sure he really wanted the answer.
Mary was taking quick looks in the backseat to check up on her boys, and knew that Johnny had to be in a bad way for him to look like that. She thought about him as her son, even if he turned out not to be Sammy, she figured that if a young man is willing to take a bullet for you, it only makes sense for him to be part of the family. She knew that the bandage on his back probably needed changed, but she couldn't bring herself to ask John to pull over to do it, if they were where she thought they were, then they should be pulling into Cade's driveway in about half an hour thanks to her husbands need for speed. Daring to glance in the back again she noticed the concerned look on Dean's face, and she had agree, no one should ever be in that much pain. She had noticed the amount of Morphine Johnny took, and couldn't help but wonder if it was because he was hurting that much, or if that was his normal amount, either way it had her worried.
Normally John would had enjoyed being able to let the Impala loose on the open road, and even enjoyed the thrill of her humming as all cylinders reached full potential, but today wasn't a normal day. Today, he was using the Impala to take an injured boy to God only knew who in the middle of nowhere. He had originally tried to swing by a hospital after getting Johnny in the car, but after he saw where they were going he had tried to get out and if it hadn't been for Dean's quick thinking, they would have been scraping the kid off the asphalt. Thinking about the conversation they heard, it was obvious whoever this Cade person was, Johnny trusted him, and he didn't even want to think about who Ellie could be. Glancing in the rear view mirror he saw the pained expression on the boy's face and couldn't imagine how that was possible, the kid took enough pills to drop an ox, which made him worry that Johnny was worse off than they thought.
"Over there John." Mary pointed to their turn off and was relieved to see what looked to be a house on the horizon. 'Hang on Johnny, we're almost there.'
The house would have been considered fashionable at one time, a two storied home with a large covered porch in the front supported by thick columns and intricate designs in the woodwork. Its glory days had been long gone however, and with most things after many years of neglect, it looked like a shadow of its former shelf to the point that the Winchester's wondered how it was still standing. Pulling to the side of the house they saw a small wooden porch with steps along the side of the house leading up to an open doorway. What grabbed their attention most though was a small girl about four or five with wide eyes that seemed to stare out into nothing, sitting on the porch rocking to a rhythm of her own coloring onto a page with no real pattern that they could determine.
As they got out of the car, a man younger than Dean walked out wearing only a pair of jeans hung low on his hips giving them a glimpse of his boxers, and a dish towel over his shoulder. "Well, bring the damn fool in. I can just imagine how bad off he really is if Ellie hasn't seen him yet."
Dean had no idea what to think, but he was more than willing to get Johnny out of the heat, they all had been thankful for the slight breeze during the drive, but even that hadn't seemed to help the kid. Cursing under his breath, Dean saw how the kid in front of him was still sweating profusely, and he wasn't too sure whether it was a good sign or not. Reaching over he touched Johnny on the side of the face and watched as dark green eyes opened questioningly at him. "We're here. You need some help?" he asked as he was already guiding Johnny out of the car.
Looking around he knew where he was, but there was one person he needed to see. Turning towards the house Johnny smiled, "Ellie" he breathed relieved to see her outside today; definitely a better day.
As they walked up to the house, Mary wasn't sure what they should do, but as they helped guide Johnny up the stairs and inside the doorway she figured that anything was better than nothing. Walking into the house she saw an eclectic array of items, some antique furniture, dusty nic nacs on shelves, books in piles in the corners, a couch that looked as if it could have been brought into the house after already having a full life.
"It's not much, but it's home, make yourselves comfortable. Johnny, sit down before you fall down, and since your not doing anything, make yourself useful and call Ellie in, she's been out there since your last call." Cade called out from the kitchen. "I didn't tell her, but she knew and I haven't been able to get her inside since."
Nodding, Johnny sat on the couch and propped his feet up on the old coffee table before he called out softly, "Ellie… hey Ellie, I'm getting lonely in here."
Nothing happened at first, in fact Dean wondered what they had really expected, after all the kid, while cute, didn't seem to be all there. Johnny didn't seem put out though, in fact it looked like he had expected it and leaned back further into the couch. As they watched though, Ellie put down her crayon and slowly made her way inside until she was crawling into Johnny's lap. "Johnny." She said quietly laying her head on his shoulder.
"Hey Ellie, you miss me?" he asked, already knowing the answer. He couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face when she responded with her patent answer… "Johnny."
Cade walked back into the room with a tray of iced tea for everyone. "I swear you spoil her rotten, kid. You know she only listens to you 'cause your hardly ever here." He said, brushing the bangs out of the little girl's eyes only for her to scream and jerk away. "Ok, ok I get it… Uncle Johnny's here and I don't exist… got it!" he said good naturedly then turned his attention to the matter at hand. "So, I know you weren't running away, which makes me think you got yourself confused with Superman again."
"He saved my life." Mary said as she watched Johnny and Ellie sit on the couch as if there were no one else in the room.
"Uh huh… so, let me guess… you're the people who insist he's some kid by the name of Sammy that you haven't seen in what… sixteen years?" Cade asked looking at each person in turn trying to determine what their scam was. "Look, we can discuss this after I get that bullet out of him. Stay here. Johnny, you know what we have to do, so…"
"Ellie, how about painting me a picture?" Johnny asked then watched as Ellie scrambled down and went to get her supplied from the shelf.
Looking at the Winchester's Cade said simply, "This won't be easy, but I'm hoping it won't take long. She'll be fine as long as you don't touch her."
As they sat there, none of them could wrap their head around what was going on. They could hear the faint conversation going on in the other room and they could tell it wasn't pleasant.
'Damn, you really did it this time… ok, found it, you got a good grip on that?... you sure you don't want… ok, ok, just asking man… hang on, just another… couple… got it. Johnny? Damn…'
The sun was starting it's decent onto the horizon when Cade helped Johnny back out to the couch and propped him up where he was more lying than sitting before motioning to the others into another large room, this one less furnished, but with more antiques than the other room.
"Look, I don't know who you people are, but you really need to get the message and leave him alone. Seriously." Cade began, and the look in his eyes made him look older and wiser than what the age on his license. Seeing the argument brewing, he held up his hand. "Not up for discussion. I don't know what you people are really up to, but it stops here and now. You all can stay the night, use the tank out back to fill up your car, and in the morning you're out of here."