Title: Highway to Hell
Author: Hadlee May
Disclaimer: Don't own any of it. The carnivale plot line, Gilmore girls, supernatural or anything else I put in here.
AN: With the amount the amount of time I've been working on this story (and no. just because I haven't been posting anything doesn't mean it's dead. I've been dreaming up what happens next, filling notebooks of possibilities since it began). Apparently I don't post enough, though, because the lack of encouragement I get is astounding. I just happen to find it incredibly rude NOT to review, just because if you're going to spend all that time reading the story, you can at least tell them what you think about their writing, whether it's a long drawn out 'this is why your story either rocks or sucks' or a 'great story, keep it up'. Despite this, I don't pressure anyone to review (just beg, a bit, and only because my inner mind says I need everyone's approval for me to feel I've done a good job)
Anyways, that's not the point of an author's note. What I really meant to say is that I've been mainly been working establishing a time line and a reason as to why Rory HAS to go with Sam and Dean (because if not it would be some sappy romance…kind of like those NSYNC stories where they meet a girl and invite them on tour the next day). I'm sort of glad I waited, though, because the season finale of Gilmore Girls was easier to work with time line wise.
So time line: Post Series finale of Gilmore Girls and post season 1 finale of Supernatural (I needed the Demon, and plus I didn't like the Dean owes his soul bit in s2 finale). I'm planning the 'Gospel according to Knauff' on my LJ to explain the avatara plot line, and don't be shocked if I throw a bit of Silent Hill (I have become fascinated with the inner meaning of nearly every thing in the games, kind of like the pyramid head represents the main character in silent hill 2's main character's guilt over killing his wife…I wouldn't have thought of that)…come on ultimate battle ground. None the less, to remind myself that this is a Gilmore girls/supernatural crossover, I'm adding two characters from GG as essentially main characters.
Sorry for all the confusion. The last bit of the story is actually the preface of the deleted story post of 'highway to hell: avatara'
-Hadlee May
After nearly a month aboard the cramped tour bus provided to intrepid reporters such as herself, she'd never quite gotten used to it. There was nothing homely about it. There were six bunks, three on each side of a one way traffic walk way with a large recreation room in the back. The leather couch seemed worn, but comfortable. DVD's littered the space like it was someone's bed room. Carelessly forgotten amongst the new treasures received as they traveled. The small kitchenette towards the front was littered with coffee grains and stains caused by late night snacks and too many drinks during 'happy hour'.
Despite the absolute discomfort she lived in, even her bunk on the house on wheels was more comfortable then this. Her sheets were from home, Egyptian cotton, the highest grade along with her favorite pillow. Her comforter had become a source of reminders when she missed home. An object of hope that meant ONE DAY she was going to get to see her mother again. The thick wool blanket that covered her was hot and prickly, the leather beneath her sticking to her wet skin. Her knees were drawn up against her chest; her body burned like a thousand fires were licking her skin while her head pounded, the pain searing when the vehicle bounced along the gravel road they had been traveling down.
She was definitely not where she was supposed to be. She knew THAT for sure. The only question was: Where was she? Lost in thought, she never noticed the presence near her. She jumped a mile when a hand brushed her skin to raise the blanket higher up her body. "Oh my god!" The voice, oddly familiar to her ears, shouted. The car swerved and Rory reached up to grab her head as it screamed in pain.
"What the hell, man?" Another voice pierced through the utter despair she found herself in.
"She's awake." The first voice seemed slightly weary at the predictive.
"She was bound to do it eventually. It's time we stopped, anyway." There was a few more bumps as they got back on the road. Rory winced as she forced herself to sit up and was startled to see a very familiar face just as once more, the vehicle hit another bump.
Rory gasped, awaking out of the deep sleep she had fallen in. Her neck was stiff from the position that it had fallen in and she tried her best to loosen it up. It was night outside, the warm air rushing in through the open window on the driver's side. She sighed, her eyes adjusting to her surroundings. She gave a soft smile in seeing Sam Winchester still asleep, head resting against the window, body wrapped in the small blanket she'd found herself in the first time she'd woken up in the Impala. And then there was Dean, his eyes steady on his driving, occasionally looking over at Sam - ever the protective older brother.
She could hear the heavy sounds of Black Sabbath coming through the speakers, the volume down to a mere mummer, the words indistinguishable over the sound of the wind. The drives were always long, and she'd found quickly that there were times when she lost track of the days all together. With Sam and Dean, one day led into the next, lasting forever and nothing all at the same time. If she hadn't been the target of a unstoppable demon (the Demon), she might even find the long road trip relaxing.
But the burnt remembrance she was branded with was the constant reminder that this wasn't some relaxing vacation. There was serious danger out there, and she was in the thick of it.
The scars had been the first sign that she was in more danger then originally expected. When Dean and Sam had made the decision to take her prone form and lay her in the back seat of the Impala, they'd only known that there was a reason for the attack. When the scars began to appear on her skin a few days later, they'd made it their mission to make sure that nothing was going to hurt her. So far, they'd been successful, but Rory felt a stirring deep within that their luck wouldn't always be so lucky.
"Why are we going to the Road House, again?" Rory leaned forward, resting her head on the seat, her cheek a mere few inches from Dean's. Dean didn't turn to acknowledge her, nor did she look at him. She could feel his smirk, though and rolled her eyes.
"Why do you hate Jo, so much?" Dean asked, making no point to lower his voice the Rory had. "She's a nice girl."
"Hah. Nice girl, my ass." Rory scoffed. "Every time we walk through that door, she's all over you. It's practically disgusting."
"Jealous?" He teased.
"Hardly." Rory shook her head, "Because of her lust, she treats me like a plague…that or a woman trying to steal her man. Either way, she's evil." Dean chuckled at this, but she ignored him, "And don't get me started on her mother." Rory continued.
"God, you sound worse then Dean." Sam commented, finally waking up.
"Dude! The fear is real. Ellen Harvelle could set me on fire with one of her stares." Dean's comment was something of a premonition. Half an hour later when they pulled up to the road house, Ellen was standing there waiting for them; arms crossed, a rolled up piece of paper gripped in one hand.
"You're in big trouble now." Sam laughed. Dean's face went from it's normal smirking, smart ass expression to something akin to a look of fear. There was no telling what he'd done this time. Despite the fear that swirled inside him - especially in regards to what she planned on doing with that rolled up paper, Dean climbed out and met the woman with Sam and Rory flanking either side.
"You just can't help yourself can you?" Ellen asked, shoving the paper into Dean's chest. Dean looked dumbfounded before taking the offered object and unrolling it. He rolled his eyes in response to what he saw. It was almost funny how much he'd been dreading this. He'd thought it would have come much sooner, but had been thankful for the small amount of time it had taken for something like this to make it's rounds.
"It only means we have to be more careful." Dean argued.
"Careful my ass. You need to let this girl call her mother and tell her to call off the search." Ellen insisted, opening the door and dragging Dean in. Rory and Sam followed, curious as to what the exchange was about.
"We can't be that careless. We still don't know why the demon was after her." Dean set the paper down on the table, giving Rory and Sam their first look at the topic on hand.
"He's right, Ellen. The demon, we know, works in patterns - unless we're involved - and there was no reason for it to randomly attack her. Especially in a public place. It's possible someone knowing her whereabouts could tip off to who ever started this in the first place." Sam interjected.
"I just don't think you guys know what you got yourselves into." Ellen lowered her voice. "Do you know who this girl is? Her grandparents are from old money. Her ex boyfriend's father is one of the most notable men in the country." Ellen was cut off by Rory's angry cough.
"I'm standing right here, you know." She said, using the tone she'd used once while being editor of the Yale Daily News. A tone that commanded both attention and respect. "How about we deal with me later. You called us here for a reason other then this, right?" Rory asked, staring at Ellen.
"Yeah. Ash found something you might find interesting." She said motioning for them to follow her.
- - -
Despite his mother's protests, he'd diligently been there for her final days. Waiting and Watching with desperation as he saw the woman who'd raised him and birthed him whiter away. Loosing his mother this early, especially after loosing his father nearly two months prior had never been part of the plan. His plan had involved avoiding them at all costs, but his father's murder had brought him back to Hartford. The plan had been to take off as soon as he could. As quickly as possible without offending either his mother or the rest of society who'd seen neither hide nor tail of him since he was seventeen.
Plans never worked for Tristan DuGray. In fact, most of his life had been a complete deviation of anything planned. A plan would have been living a normal life somewhere quiet: Attend college, get a degree then take over the family business. Next step was to get married and have a couple of kids then die of old age.
College didn't work out, his father was hacked and his mother, who'd been so young, was now dead. He couldn't remember a time he'd seen her look so old. She'd always been refreshed and completely alive. Whether it was because of latest facial or the fact that pretty genes were the family blessings, she'd never looked a day of twenty five and that was pushing it. She had a big heart, and it seemed that her capability of love was endless. Unless, of course, your name was Tristan. She'd always had a right fear of him. The woman was right bonkers, but she was his mother and it seemed inbred in him to love her no matter what.
Reaching out, he traced the carved letters of the grey tombstone, fighting a wave of sadness that washed over him.
"Here Lies Elaina Christiana DuGray
Loving Wife, Loving Mother, Friend To All"
"Hi, mom." Tristan whispered. He was unsure of what to say. What was one supposed to say when speaking to their parent's headstone? It wasn't like he could carry on a conversation like she was right there. He couldn't ask her how her day was, how she was holding up. It was certainly too late to apologize for his teenage rebellion or for the fact that he didn't stop what had happened to his father or for what he was going to have to do now that the other was one step ahead.
I'm so sorry mom." He whispered, "I should have taken better care of you." A small tear drop ran down his right cheek. It was a strange sensation crying. It was something he hadn't done since he was a child, and these days he found himself wanting to do it more and more. "I could have helped you!" He stood up. Tears were falling freely from his face now, but he didn't care. "Goddamit, mom! I could have saved you! You know I could have! But you were so stubborn! So scared! Why couldn't you have let me save you?" He kicked at the dirt and turned around heading out of the cemetery. He had work to do.
AN2: If you want to see the missing poster - go to this link: h t t p / img. photobucket. com / albums / v248 / ladymariano / THEBEST. png probably worked on it harder then I did the actual story. for best results take all the spaces out.
Sorry for being all crabby. I was all emo at the time. None the less, I introduced an important character (you'll understand in chapters to come) and plan to introduce more.
Please Review or my dog will still give me that emo look he's perfected. (he actually does it better then I do.)