Chapter Ten – Love Story
Dean tensed, his shoulders pressed low into the back of his seat while his fingers gripped the armrest, as he waited for the spirit to slink back into his body and assault him. He'd felt dirty and out of control each time the damn thing left him, and he only now understood why. It didn't help much. The main thing Dean had going for him in this twisted life was control. He was a master at controlling the situation whether it was in the hunt or protecting his family. Knowing what he knew about the dark forces at play, he knew it was all an illusion, but it was all he had, his confidence and commitment to doing the job at least giving him a focus, giving his life meaning.
He held firm to the idea that he was a hunter capable of conquering any evil, and that he would protect his family at all cost. Now the tables were turned, a spirit was gaining control over his body and he was dependant on Sammy to save him. He hated the idea of anyone having to protect him, but most especially his kid brother. That just wasn't the way the game was supposed to play out. This friggin' freak had changed the rules and Dean didn't like it. Not one bit.
Sam had Dad's journal resting on his lap, the page with the exorcism tagged, ready to open up to vanquish this spirit. He kept shooting looks at his brother, trying to determine his state of mind, but Dean was a master at hiding his thoughts, his bold façade locked down firmly in place.
They were two hours into the movie and there was still no sign of a supernatural presence. The recent pattern they'd been able to piece together indicated the spirit was waiting for the final panic to overtake the passengers as the last of the lifeboats were cast off. Both brothers tensed, teetering on that edge, dreading the coming showdown, but anxious for it to finally be over.
Dean pulled out his mini-flashlight and tapped his brother on the arm offering it up to him. "Here. Just in case you forget the words and need to check 'em."
Sam took the flashlight, but reassured his brother. "I've got it covered. Don't worry, Dean."
"Worry? You kidding me?" Even in the darkened theater, Sam could hear the smirk on his face from the tone of his voice, Dean's familiar bravado again comforting. "I know you got it, dude. I'm not worried."
I hope so. Please, don't let me screw this up. Sam nervously rolled the flashlight back and forth on his thigh, trying to divert his attention from the importance of his job. This was the first time he was the critical piece of the puzzle. The first time success was laid squarely on his shoulders, his brother's fate resting in his hands. It was a heavy burden for a kid of fourteen.
Screams from the frantic passengers filled the theater as the massive ship broke in two and they scrambled to the stern as it rose up into the air, Rose and Jack managing to position themselves at the railing at the upper-most point. Dean's breathing quickened and his hands gripped the arms of the seat in anticipation. Dread filled his heart, but he was a hunter and although he was basically the chum in their little fishing expedition, he wouldn't hesitate to do his part. The job always came first.
The safety lights on the side wall of the theater started flickering as a frigid breeze settled around them, embracing them and making the action on the screen feel even more real, the movie now playing in sense-surround. Dean shuddered as he felt a cold essence filling him and then his mind was blanketed, trapped within the spirit of this ghost again possessing his body, ready to act out the anguish of the moment.
Sam silently watched as his brother rose from his seat and walked two rows up to stand beside the row of seats where Shelly sat. This time the movie continued playing and since he was standing in the aisle to the side, not blocking any views, no one seemed to pay any attention to him. That is, no one except Shelly. She turned and gazed at him before rising and silently moving to the aisle to join him standing mere inches from his side. Shelly's eyes looked distant and that's when Sam knew.
Damn, it all makes sense now!
Sam placed his dad's journal on the seat and walked down to where his brother and Shelly stood. He calmly spoke to the spirit inhabiting his brother. "Jackson, Rosanna always loved you."
Dean turned to him with tears welling in his eyes. Anger and hurt spewed from his mouth, "She left me alone to die."
Sam found it unsettling to be staring into the face of his brother, deep emotion playing out across his features, while the words spoken were in a tone and cadence that was definitely not Dean. He shuddered under the realization Dean was lost to him now, there, but not there. He truly was alone in this fight. God, I already miss you, Dean. Hold on, bro.
Sam attempted reason, calmly talking to this spirit, even as his insides trembled. "No. She wanted to come with you, but her family stopped her. You have to understand… "
"NO. I have to win back her love. Show her I was great. She never knew. Never saw me on the stage."
Sam was subtly shaking; uncertainty now gripping him tight and he found himself struggling to breathe. He'd decided in a moment of clarity… insanity?.. to throw their plan out the window and go with his gut feeling. Jackson didn't want to hurt anyone. All the previous incidents had been minor, indicating a spirit at unrest, but certainly not violent. At least he hadn't been violent yet. Sam was gambling with his brother now, and he hoped he was right about this. The pressure of being responsible for him was overwhelming and he wondered how Dean managed it all this time. He'd always depended on big brother, looked to him for support, and Dean had never failed him. Now it was his turn to save Dean.
Sam reached down to the floor where Shelly had the bag containing the diaries and pulled out the second one. He opened it up, quickly thumbing through the pages until he came to the passage and started reading, thankful for the illumination from Dean's flashlight.
I will never forget you, Jackson. You are the love of my life. I never realized the depth of our love until you were lost to me. I let them separate us in life, but I will always hold you close in my heart.
Never again will I let anyone tell me what to do. You have freed me from the confines. You showed me how I want to live my life. My love for you will never die; it will go on and on.
Sam had the complete attention of both Dean and Shelly. Dean's expression was one of surprise, followed by comprehension and inner peace, Jackson finally realizing he had not been abandoned as eighty-five years of a solitary prison had convinced him. Shelly only had love in her eyes, love and longing for that which had been denied her all these years.
Sam continued reading, hoping the words of the past could let them both rest in peace and move on, his voice slightly cracking at the emotional moment.
I know we'll be together again in the next life. I have to believe that. Wait for me, darling. I will come once my journey here is through.
Sam closed the journal and watched as a single tear rolled down his brother's face illuminated by the safety light mounted on the wall beside him. He gasped from the sight of Dean crying. He had never before seen Dean shed a tear. Not once. Even though he knew it wasn't his brother's tear, it tore into his heart to think of the anguish that moved this spirit to tears and he wondered if his brother could somehow feel it too.
The movie sputtered and stopped and the audience fell silent waiting. It was as if a spell had been cast over the entire theater as the silence encircled them and it felt like time itself stilled, patiently waiting for the world to resume spinning.
Dean and Shelly linked their hands together, her fingers entwined within his strong grip, and slowly walked to the front of the theater, the light from the projector their spotlight as they prepared to act out the final moments of Jack and Rose.
The emotions they invoked as they called forth the passion of love too long denied were staggering. A wave of love and loss swept out across the theater drawing each member of the audience deep into the reservoir of their longing, the promise of a blissful life together that was extinguished long ago by a ripple in time starting with Titanic's tragic sinking and spanning eighty-five years of separation. With one chance to recapture his glory and prove his love, Jackson gave the performance of a lifetime. His lady, Rose, there by his side to witness his devotion as they assumed the roles of the movie lovers.
Shelly knelt down beside Dean who was already posed on the floor, the still ocean cold beneath them, threatening to swallow them up as Rose balanced on the floating wooden frame. "I love you, Jack," she whispered, her eyes filled with total devotion.
Love and hope and desperation filled Dean's low voice as he pleaded with his lover, "Don't you do that, don't you say your good-byes."
Shelly was shaking and her voice was subtly breaking from the frigid conditions of the Atlantic. "I'm so cold."
"Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on and make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... " Dean stuttered, the cold stealing his ability to speak before sheer determination forced the words from his mouth, "you're gonna die an old lady warm in her bed, but not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?" Dean was holding tight to Shelly's arm, tenacious in his tone, refusing to surrender to the elements, not allowing his lover to give up. Willing her to live, to live for both of them.
"I can't feel my body," Shelly gasped.
Jackson was in full-on performance mode earnestly acting his heart out, finally able to reach out to his Rosanna. "Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me… it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor, Rose. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise."
Shelly reached over and touched Dean's face, tenderly caressing his strong jaw. The love Rosanna felt for Jackson flowing through her fingertips to touch the essence of his spirit. "I promise."
"Never let go."
"I'll never let go. I'll never let go, Jack."
The stage actor and the movie actress acted out the final moments of the screen lovers, capturing the poignant time they themselves had been denied, the bodies of Dean and Shelly at last giving them the means to reconnect. Jackson was the first to deviate from the script. All the hurts and love left simmering for eighty-five years finally released, flaring out in a white-hot flash of emotion threatening to incinerate the lovers.
"Rosie, I've loved you all these years. I've longed for you."
"I'm here, Jackson. I'm finally here." Shelly was softly stroking Dean's face, tears flowing from her eyes as she placed her cheek against his and sighed from the contact, passion and bliss taking Rosanna back to her youth.
Dean wrapped his arms around Shelly's waist, his embrace promising to never again let her go. He pulled back from her tender touch and gazed into her eyes and slowly connected his lips with hers, Jackson's desire bursting forth as the years fell away and they were young again. Young and desperately alive and facing a glorious future, a life of their own choosing.
The display before the screen was mesmerizing and the audience was devouring it. It looked like maybe the embrace might become more as their passionate love ignited, the embers flaring up again into a raging lust, burning bright as eighty-five years melted in the flames of their fervor. From the exploits noted in her diary, anything was possible at this point, including an X-rated public display of affection.
Sam was contemplating how to break their hold on each other before things got out of control when the audience started wildly applauding and thankfully startled them out of their rapture. Dean and Shelly rose from the floor, their hands bound together as if they would never let the other go, their faces beaming as they took their final bows, basking in the limelight. Dean gave Shelly one last sensual kiss and with a quick wave to their adoring fans quickly pulled her along as they exited the theater.
Sam grabbed Dad's journal from his seat and ran after them catching them in the lobby. Now his only concern was getting the spirit lovers to vacate their host bodies and move on to the afterlife.
TBC