Heh - I just can't write a family fic without some Dean angst. It just isn't possible!!
Chapter 5
Dean ran full tilt up to the movie theater straight from the cab. Sam and Rae had better be inside, whole, safe and sound. He darted around the ambulances parked out front and raced toward the doors.
"Whoa! Sir, you need to stand behind the barricade, sir." A cop blocked his path.
"No. My kid and my brother are inside." His eyes took in the scene around him. Paramedics loaded a gunshot victim into the back of an ambulance. "They better be," he muttered.
"You'll have to wait, sir. The front doors are locked from the inside. We're trying to find a way to get to the wounded inside."
Dean met the cop's eyes as his gut clenched. There were wounded inside. "I can fix that," he offered. "Just turn around, and we'll find an unlocked door."
The cop, a fairly young kid basically charged with area security, looked at him curiously. "Really? You sure about that?"
Dean nodded, encouraged by the response. "Just let me go inside to find my family."
The cop glanced around, nodded toward the far doors. "Try those," he whispered.
Dean walked casually over to the doors the cop indicated. He waited a moment, checking to see if anyone was watching. The cop followed him, stood with his back to Dean blocking anyone else's view. Dean slipped his lockpick kit out, unlocked the door, and slipped it back in his pocket before nudging the cop. "Gee, this one does look open," he said, pushing the door wide.
"Hurry up," the cop shoved him inside, following closely. A number of bodies lay unmoving on the floor inside, pools of blood forming. He could hear a few moans, indicating at least some were alive. Dean stepped through them, checking for anything familiar. Relief washed over him when he realized that he did not recognize anyone.
Dean raced down the hall, wondering what freaking chick-flick Sam and Rae would have picked. Unable to remember, he decided to just check every damn one. He raced inside the first door he found. An eight foot dog stared down at him from the screen when he bounded up the stairs. "Sammie!" he shouted. "Sammie!" No response. He tried two more before there was an answer.
"Dean?" Sam's voice came out of the dark.
"Get the hell down here!" he barked, unable to reign in his fear and frustration, sure it was coming out as rage. He heard a number of hushed whispers and the sound of people moving toward him. When Sam and Rae stood in front of him, he grabbed Rae and hauled her out to the hall where there was proper lighting. "Come on," he growled, hoping Sam was tagging along. Dean really did not want to have to go back in after his brother.
"Dean, what the hell are you doing? You can't just barge into a movie theater like this." Sam's nagging reassured him that he would be able to check out his entire family within seconds.
Just outside the door, Dean spun around on Rae. "Sammie, you okay?" he demanded, his hands searching her arms and legs for any injuries. When she did not answer, he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook gently. "Sammie! I asked if you're all right!"
Wide eyes looked into his. "Yes, sir."
Dean looked up at Sam. "You?"
"We're fine, Dean. What the hell are you doing here?" Sam demanded.
Dean pulled Rae into a tight hug, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "I came to bring you both home. No more movie theaters. If you want to watch any of that chick-flick crap, you'll have to rent it and watch it at home."
He heard footsteps. Glancing over, he saw Amy's mother and the rest of Rae's history group. "What's going on?" Amy's mother asked, concerned.
"Everyone needs to go home. Now," Dean insisted, clutching Rae's hand in his. He started walking toward the exit.
"Dean! We're parked this way," Sam pointed to the front lobby. "Uh, why are there cops blocking the lobby?"
"Because you don't need to go that way. We're going this way," he pointed at the exit sign on the far side of the building.
Sam jogged to catch up to him and Rae. "Dean, what's going on? Why are the police here?" Dean shook his head. He did not trust his voice not to crack during an explanation. "Dean? How the hell did you get here, anyway? Your date bring you?"
"Cab. Amazing what a cab driver will do for a hundred dollar tip." He tried to shoot Sam a smirk, but Sam's shocked face kind of killed it.
The exit let them out on the backside of the building.
"Where did you park?" Dean asked.
"Near the front entrance," Sam said, glaring at him.
Dean held out his hand for the keys. Sam shot him another strong look, but handed them over. "I'll pull the car around. All of you – Stay. Here." He gave Sam another look, one that dared his brother to argue with him. Sam crossed his arms over his chest, glaring, but appeared to be willing to stay put. His eyes dropped to Rae. "That's an order," he said softly. He watched as her face registered what he said and knew, beyond any doubt, even if Sam walked around to the front that she would not.
Dean ran toward the parking lot, intent to skirt the cops and emergency vehicles. When he saw a police officer running toward him he slowed, not wanting to be shot. The cop waved at him and Dean recognized the young officer who helped him get into the building.
"Mister!" The young officer called out. Dean headed toward him. "Hey, I just wanted to thank you. There won't be a commendation or anything, but I want you to know that I appreciate it." He held out a hand. "Most of the people inside were still alive. Now they have a chance."
Dean shook his head. "That would be thanks to you," he nodded towards the ambulances, "and them."
The officer held on to his hand. "You find your family?"
"Yeah. I'm going to get the car now." He wrenched his hand from the other man's grasp as he looked around. He spotted the Impala two rows over. "Right there."
"There's a back road, you know." The cop pointed toward the back of the theater. "It takes you right to the feeder road. You can get out of here without your family seeing anything."
Dean nodded seriously at the man. "Thanks. I, uh, gotta go."
He did not look back as he made a beeline for the car. Dean jumped inside, fired up the big motor and drove around to the back of the theater. He rolled his window down as he pulled up to the people waiting on him.
"Rae, you and Sam are up front. Everyone else can squeeze in the back," he snapped at them, jumping out to open the back door. "Move!" Dean wanted this damn place in his rearview. Now.
They piled in, no words of complaint. He started to wonder over the complacency, but shoved it out of his mind. When he slid in beside Rae, Dean looked down. "Seatbelt," he said, maybe too forcefully. He saw her scramble for it, finally buckling it in place, Dean knew he would have to make this up to her later.
Tires spun against asphalt as he peeled away from the damned movie theater. A voice in the back of his head wondered if today's events would cause any vengeful spirits that would bring him and Sam back someday. A swift turn at 40 mph put them on the feeder road, at the expense of the people in the backseat who were slammed to one side.
"Dean!" Sam hissed. He could feel his brother's glare.
Relieved to be a good distance from the theater and headed home, Dean wrapped his right arm around Rae's shoulders, comforting himself. "Sam, give Brad and Kevin your cell," he ordered. "They need to call their parents."
"What for?" Sam demanded.
"Not now, Sam," Dean was overtaken by a sudden onset of weariness. He pulled Rae closer. "Just give them your damn phone."
"Here," Sam's voice had less of that pissed-off and more something-is-up tone when he handed his phone to the boys.
Dean peered into the mirror to see Brad was first to call. "Mom? It's me. Mom? Why are you crying? … Mom? … Dad? What's going on? … No, we're fine. Rae's Dad just picked us up. … Okay, I'll ask.
"Mister Cooper? My parents want to know when I'll be home." Brad sounded really confused. Thank god, that meant no one ventured around the building while he retrieved the car.
"Where do you live?" Dean asked.
"Just a couple of blocks behind the school."
Dean looked ahead. Their school would be coming up in a couple of lights. "Five or ten minutes."
"About ten minutes, Dad. … Yeah, I'm fine. … Okay, me too, Dad." Brad ended the call, staring at the phone. "Now that was really weird."
"Kevin, call your parents," Dean insisted, maneuvering through traffic with only one hand on the wheel.
"Hi, Mom. Mister Cooper is bringing me home now. … Mom? You okay? … No, Mister Cooper just made us leave. … No, he didn't say why. … Right after we drop off Brad. … I don't know. Fifteen minutes maybe? … Yeah, love you too, Mom. Bye." Kevin sat in silence for a moment.
"Brad, I think my call was just as weird as yours." Kevin admitted.
Dean turned toward the school. At least they were all safe.
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"Go on, Sam. Pick out one of those crappy chick-flick movies you and Rae like. We'll wait here." Dean insisted, leaning over Rae to shove him out the door.
Sam snorted. He had no idea what was going on with Dean, but it was pretty obvious Rae was stuck in his immediate orbit for the weekend. As he climbed out of the car, Sam wondered how going to a stupid movie could get his brother so worked up. Dean even left a date! With Dean, a date meant only one thing: the sure promise of sex. For Dean to turn down sex…
As he pushed open the door of the video rental place, Sam decided he needed a plan to get Dean to accept the fact Rae was going to start dating sooner or later. It was normal. He headed over to the new rental section, noticing that the employees were all crowded around something behind the counter. Disgusted with teens who watched television when they were supposed to be working, Sam specifically looked for a movie that would annoy Dean. The Lakehouse. Perfect. He snagged it and headed for the counter. Sam had to tap his movie on the gray surface and clear his throat several times before he was noticed.
"Uh, sorry." A teenaged boy with long, scraggly hair and slumped shoulders came over. "We were just watching about the movie theater. I bet that place has to close down now." He shook his head sadly as he reached for Sam's movie.
Sam kept a grip on his rental. "Why is that?" he demanded, leaning over to see the small television.
"The robbery. Haven't you heard about it?" The teen stared at him, shocked. "There are at least twenty people dead. The rest are all in ICU and they aren't reporting on those." The kid shook his head. "Worst part is, they think the robbers got the date wrong. Tomorrow three blockbusters are supposed to start, big draw, you know? So they only got a normal day's take." He tugged on the movie in Sam's hand again. "You getting this or what?"
Sam maintained his grip. "Which theater?"
"The one right up the road." The kid jerked his head toward the freeway.
Sam's gut clenched into a cold, tight ball. And he had been furious with Dean! "I need to find a movie. Can you help me?"
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"Dad, what's wrong?" Rae asked. Dad's hand rubbed her shoulder as he held her protectively close.
"Nothing." His voice was not entirely convincing. It might fool other people, but no one knew Dad like she did. That was the reason she knew any more questions would be deflected or ignored. Rae tried to remember if she ever saw Dad act this way before. The way he checked her out at the movie theater, that was familiar. Where did she know that from?
Rae watched the closed door of the rental place as she thought, leaning on her dad. He seemed to like that, because he pulled her closer. She knew he checked her all over like that before, but it was a long time ago. What was it? Why did he act like that? What could worry her dad like that? She saw him take down a Wendingo, right in front of her. He put himself between her and monsters. Once he even put himself between her and those scary people.
She looked up at him. That was it. The last time Dad acted like this was when the scary people kidnapped her. That was what was bothering her so much. She knew it scared him to lose her like that, even if it was only for a couple of days. Something scared Dad today the same way. When he dragged her out of that movie, he kept asking if she was all right. Dad thought something bad happened to them at the movies. Something happened at the movie theater, which was why she was not going to be allowed to go back. Rae leaned in closer, enjoying his protective embrace.
"What the hell is taking Sam so long?" he sighed, drumming his fingers over the steering wheel.
"There he is," Rae pointed out the opening door.
"About time." His arm left her, her shoulders briefly chilled by its absence while the motor started. They backed out of the parking space and pulled onto the road. Then the safe weight returned, settling over her shoulders like it belonged there, protecting her from the horrors of the world, and the night.
"What took so damn long, Sam?" Dad demanded once they were on their way, nearly to the apartment.
"I was looking for a special movie," Uncle Sam replied, not looking over.
"Oh, god. What are you going to make me watch?" Dad groaned, turning into the apartments.
"You'll see," Uncle Sam said. Rae wondered what her uncle was planning, if it was some sort of joke, but he was not smiling. She felt Dad's chest contract suddenly, scoffing quietly.
The arm left her again as Dad parked the car. "Come on." His voice was soft and weary.
She slipped out of the car on Dad's side. His hand rested on her shoulder the whole way to their apartment. Just the fact Dad was so obviously worried was scaring her. What the hell happened back there?
"I'm going to grab some stuff from the kitchen," Uncle Sam said, handing over the plastic bag to Dad. "You can put the movie on."
Dad rolled his eyes at Uncle Sam's back. "Let's see what torture your favorite uncle has in store." He pulled two DVD cases out of the bag. One was obviously a rental and the other looked like Uncle Sam bought a used movie. "No way! I don't believe it! Sam!"
"What?" Uncle Sam's voice echoed in the small kitchen.
"You actually bought Hell Hazers II, The Reckoning?" Dad stared down at the movie in his hand. Uncle Sam stepped out of the kitchen holding two beers.
"I told you I had to look for a movie," was Uncle Sam's reply as the sound of popping came from the microwave.
"And popcorn?" Dad's eyes narrowed. "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"
Rae was starting to wonder if it was possession or a shapeshifter. "Christo?" she asked.
Dad and Uncle Sam both looked down at her, then exchanged a look. Next moment they were both laughing. Okay, maybe not possessed, but something was definitely up.
"We'll watch the annoying one first. After Rae goes to bed, you and I can watch that Hell Hazers crap," Uncle Sam said, handing over a beer.
"Works for me," Dad smiled.
"Hey, wait a minute. What if I want to see it, too?" Rae demanded. "I can handle scary movies. And what's the big deal about it anyway?"
Uncle Sam looked embarrassed as he answered, "Well, your dad kinda worked on it. As a PA."
"We were working a case," Dad said before she could ask, "that was my cover."
"No shit?" She took the movie out of Dad's hand to look at it. "Hey, it's a Tara Benchley movie. She's one of your favorites, right, Dad?"
"Oh, yeah." Dad had a funny, faraway smile that made her not want to wonder about it any more.
"I don't want to know," she mumbled, dropping the movie on top of the television. She picked up the rental. "Oh, The Lakehouse. Cool. It's very chick-flick, but you might like it, Dad."
"Uh-huh." Dad did not sound convinced, but he smiled at her when she turned around and patted the couch next to him.
Rae settled next to her Dad on the couch and fast forwarded through the trailers while Uncle Sam brought out the popcorn. She still wondered what happened to scare her fearless dad, but at the same time she did not want to know. If it was enough to freak him out, it was way scarier than she wanted to deal with. Besides, they had movies to watch.