Disclaimer: Still not mine *sigh*.
3. Forks
Sam and Dean flashed their badges at the shocked looking lady behind the reception desk at the Forks County Memorial Hospital. She was absolutely frazzled at the sight, probably never seen a Fed before. Well, she wasn't seeing any now, but that was beside the point.
"Ma'am," Sam said with an authoritative voice. "We're looking to speak to Dr. Cullen. Is he in today?"
"Y-yes." She stammered. "He's the duty doctor today." She pointed down the hall to her left. "First floor, A-Wing. You can't miss it."
Dean glanced at her nametag. "Thank you…Joyce." Both brothers turned down the hall she had indicated. Both were well aware of Joyce watching them.
More sterile-white hallways. It was enough to make Dean want to go out and get a bucket of blue paint or something and run through the halls splattering them. Hell – pink would be better than this never-ending white nightmare. They found the walk-in clinic. Just like Joyce said, they couldn't miss it. It was a waiting room full of orange molded plastic chairs – uncomfortable to sit in for ten minutes, let alone for a couple of hours waiting to see a doctor. There were several people in the awful chairs. Two were women with a couple of young and squirming children in tow. The young mother's were obviously strained trying to keep the kids entertained and quiet while they waited their turn to be seen by the doctor. One patient was a teenager with a make-shift sling around his arm and road rash on his leg. He had a buddy next to him and the two of them were passing a PSP back and forth killing time. And the last couple in the room was an obese old man nest to his obese old wife. The man was wheezing into a red handkerchief while his wife sat knitting next to him. All in all, a typical hospital waiting room. The only difference was, these people who were waiting to see a doctor, were actually in line to sit in a small room with a supernatural creature/deity/monster-thing that may or may not be exceedingly dangerous.
Both boys scanned the room. The waiting room receptionist looked up from behind the glass partition that separated and protected her from the masses of ill and dangerous Fork-onians. Dean and Sam both ignored her, still scoping out the waiting room.
Sam nudged his brother, "Dude," and nodded towards a short hallway off the waiting room. There was Doctor Ageless, speaking quietly to a tall, good looking kid with bronze hair even shaggier than Sam's, and who had his arms wrapped protectively around the waist of a slender girl with long chestnut hair. Both looked high-school aged, and had strained and worried faces.
"They probably just found out he knocked her up." Dean whispered jokingly to his brother. Sam snorted in quiet laughter, but the bronze-haired young man glanced up, and sent a quick glare at them –almost as if he'd heard the insult, which was impossible. Even though the eye contact had only lasted a second, Dean had noticed the young man had yellow eyes, much like that of the Doctor they had come to see. And he was crazy pale too.
What the hell… He thought, confusion and apprehension running through his mind.
It was then that he felt a faint brush against his mind. Had he not experienced the sensation a million times over his lifetime with Caleb, he never would have noticed the feeling. But Damien had been reading his mind since they were kids, and Dean knew when someone was touching his thoughts.
He half turned away from the kid, giving a fake stretch and yawn, mouthing the word 'blocks' to Sam, while idly scratching his temple. He hoped to hell Sam got the message. Dean instantly put up his own walls, protecting his mind the way they'd been trained to. He wasn't sure who was reading his mind, or how strong they were, but smart money was on the Doctor or the golden-eyed kid he was talking to. Were they a family? Brothers perhaps? Maybe they were shapeshifters, that would explain the non-aging dilemma and the mindreading. Dean could feel the weight of his nine millimeter tucked into the small of his back, hidden from view by the suit jacket. Silver bullets would mess them up pretty quick if it came to a fight. Dean knew Sam was strapping a silver blade on him somewhere, and Sammy was hell's fury in a knife fight. But what about the girl? She looked normal enough, was she one of them? Did she know they weren't human?
Dean looked at Sam and saw that his jaw had a tight set to it. A dead giveaway that he got his brother's warning and had put his blocks up too. The kid and Doctor didn't look at them, just continued on with their discussion, but both hunters were aware that the Doctor knew they were there, and he recognized them from yesterday in the hospital morgue. It was the little things that gave him away. The way his shoulders were tensed, the set of his jaw while he talked to the kids, and the fact that he did not look up and acknowledge them. This was not going how they had hoped.
Dean could feel someone brushing against his mental walls, looking for a way in, but he only sensed one would-be attacker, not more. He decided to test which of the ones down the hallway from them was the mind-snoop, and let a stray thought slip through.
She ain't bad looking. Wonder if she's legal?
The kid's lip curled slightly, and he tightened his grip around the girl's waist.
Yahtzee. He kept that one behind the wall. Dean let another thought out, just to make sure it wasn't a fluke.
Man I hope she's legal, eighteen year olds are always sooo eager to please. They'll try anything.
The tall kid swallowed thickly, and turned the two of them slightly so he could shield the girl a bit more from Dean's view. Dean laughed to himself. This was kinda fun.
What an overprotective douchebag. What's going to happen if he lets go of his grip on her? She runs for freedom? What a dick.
Dean actually saw the kid flex his shoulders and stifled a laugh. The doctor and the girl were still speaking, but Doc kept looking at the kid with a practiced neutrality on his face. Were they communicating telepathically? Could they do that?
"Doctor Cullen!" Dean called out forcefully, causing everyone in the waiting room to look up sharply at the commanding voice. He wasn't going to stand here and wait another second while this dude and the weird kid stood there and had a mental tea party. Dean was fairly certain that the girl was human, but he wasn't a hundred percent, so he wanted to get the doctor away from the other two and put the odds a little more in his and Sammy's favor. Dean strode up the short hall towards the trio with Sam not even half a step behind. "Doctor Cullen. Agents Green and Nicks from Seattle Mercy yesterday." The brothers stopped a couple of paces away from the three. Doctor Cullen adopted a friendly open face while the freak-kid narrowed his eyes at the big men in suits. The girl just looked confused and worried as her boyfriend angled her away from them a bit.
She's even better from this view. Dean let slip through. Imperceptibly, the boy's eyes narrowed even more.
"Yes. I remember." The Doc said in a friendly voice.
"Sorry to interrupt," he nodded at the young couple, man I would ruin that girl. The guy's jaw tightened. "But we have a few questions to ask you. It will only take a minute."
"Certainly Gentleman. How about in here?" He nodded towards an empty examination room. "Edward, Bella, we'll speak later." He gestured for the couple to leave. The kid nodded at the Doc and tightened his arm around the girl's waist to lead her away.
What? Can't walk on her own? The kid glared at him as he passed. What are you staring at, pussy?
"Right this way please." Doc Cullen turned and led the way into the exam room and closed the door. Dean felt a little claustrophobic in the small room filled with three tall men. There were only inches between all of them, and while he and Sam were used to close quarters, Dean didn't like being so near the Doc, especially seeing as how they still didn't know what the guy was. Doc Cullen smiled slightly and leaned against the paper covered exam bed with his arms folded across his chest. If it weren't for those freaky yellow eyes and the paleness of the dude, he would never have raised their suspicion. The Doc nodded at the plastic chairs next to the wall for them to sit, which neither brother did.
"So…they looked pretty worried," Dean nodded towards the hallway. "Did they just find out he got one past the goalie?" He tried to keep the smart-assed grin from spreading across his face.
The Doc narrowed his eyes slightly and looked a little insulted. "That was my son and his girlfriend."
"Well congrats Gramps." Dean couldn't stop the grin this time. But the good doctor had looked genuine in his shock at Dean's statement, and Dean surmised that he hadn't heard the insults he was hurling at the pair a few moments ago. Which meant the kid was the mind-fucker and not this guy.
The Doc frowned at Dean, and Dean seeing an opportunity to do some useful digging, said, "Wait. Your son? That kid?" Dean jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "What were you – like ten?"
Doc cleared his throat and stood up a little straighter. "My wife and I were unfortunate in that department. Our children are adopted."
"Adopted? Really?" Sam cut in, pressing for more. "Because you have the same color eyes." Sam shrugged. "Yellow is so uncommon that it's strange to hear that you're not blood related."
"Kid looks like he'll have the same build as you too, Doc." Dean smirked.
Doctor Cullen cleared his throat again and said, "I believe you gentlemen had some questions for me about yesterday?"
Nice deflect asshole.
"Yes, the boardwalk victim." Sam offered. "You were there to identify her for a patient of yours?" Doc nodded. "We were just wondering how long your patient's daughter has been missing for." Sam put on his puppy-dog-non-threatening look.
"Almost two weeks now." He answered.
"Really?" Dean bit. "A patient you have in this area?" Cullen gave a short nod. "Cause we did some digging, and turns out that no one in the entire Olympic Peninsula has reported a young girl matching the description of the deceased in at least the last six months." Dean glared at the Doctor, daring him to try something. Dean didn't want to shoot in him in the hospital, but would if he had to.
"It was never reported to the authorities." Doctor Paleface replied.
"Why the hell not?" Sam demanded.
"For personal reasons."
"What kind of personal reasons would keep a family from reporting one of their kids is missing?" Dean shot back.
"She's eighteen and she left home. She was prone to these rebellious streaks and there was nothing they could do to stop her. And when a week passed and she still didn't come home or contact them, they grew worried."
"And they still didn't contact the authorities?" Sam was incredulous.
"They're afraid of the backlash they'd receive for not seeking help sooner." Cullen replied.
"So their kid might be dead somewhere, but they're afraid of what the neighbors might think?" Dean asked in a pissed off voice. He knew the Doc was lying about the runaway girl – but damn if he wasn't a good liar. It was good thing he and Sam were expert bull-shitter's too.
"Their reasons are their own." The Doc said sharply. "I can't presume to know their mindset or speak for them."
"Okay, great." Sam cut in. "Just give us their names and we'll go talk to them."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, gentlemen. It would breach my doctor/patient confidentiality."
"Well, isn't that convenient." Dean sneered.
"I really must be getting back to my patients." The Doc shoved himself away from the exam table. "Gentlemen, if you need to ask me anything further, feel free to call or arrange an appointment."
"Oh, we'll do that." Sam scowled.
Doctor Cullen opened the door for them and ushered them out into the short hallway. Dean turned sharply as soon as the Doc exited behind him. "Just one more thing Doc." Dean held up a finger. "You got kids, right?"
"Several." Was the Doc's terse reply.
Crap, how many of them were there?
"Well, if one of them went missing, wouldn't you call the authorities?"
"In a heartbeat. And then I'd tear the State apart looking for them." He had the look of utter honesty on his handsome face and Dean didn't buy it for a second.
"Who are your friends Carlisle?" A man called from the waiting room. Dean and Sam both looked up to see a man walking towards them, 'Chief Swan' stitched into the material of his coat right above his heart.
Double crap. Local fuzz.
"These are Special Agents Green and Nicks." The Doc said, clapping both of them lightly on the shoulder. Dean had to force himself not to shudder at the contact. "They had some questions for me but are done now. What are you doing here Charlie?"
"Got a call that you had some Official company. Thought I'd come over and see if I could be of any help."
Thanks a pant load Joyce. Dean cursed. Man he hated small towns.
"Well we're done here." Dean offered, needing to get out. "We'll just be on our way and we'll contact you if we need anything further, Doctor Cullen."
"Any way I can be of assistance." Doc nodded.
"I'll see you boys out." Chief Swan offered in a tone that clearly was not as jovial as it was supposed to sound.
Dean certainly didn't want to spend time in the chief's vicinity, but couldn't object without drawing attention. It was silence between the three men as they left the hospital – just their feet clicking against the white tile floor as they walked. They stepped out of the building and into the light drizzle of the parking lot. The police cruiser was parked next to the Impala. Swell.
"So what did you boys want to talk to Doctor Cullen about?" Chief Swan asked, turning to face them while still standing on the sidewalk.
"We…aahhh…" Dean stammered, trying to think of what to tell the guy.
"We ran into him yesterday, in Seattle." Sam cut in smoothly. "He thought he could identify one of the bodies that were found the day before, but couldn't."
"Oh. That mess in Seattle is something else." Swan whistled. "Makes a fella glad to live in a safe, small town."
Safe except for Doctor Freaknasty in there. Dean thought.
"The thing is Chief," Sam continued. "Doc Cullen says he was there on behalf of a local family whose daughter ran away."
Good job Sammy. If we go down we can take the Doc with us.
"I don't know anything about a runaway kid in the area." Swan frowned.
"Doc Cullen said that they didn't report it, thought the kid would come back." Dean added.
"But I haven't heard anything about it at all. This is a small town, if someone sneezes, everyone knows. Someone would have noticed if the kid wasn't around." Swan insisted.
"They must be very tight-lipped about it." Sam frowned. Keeping up the appearance of looking into a missing kid was the only card they had that would get them out of here without being handcuffed in the back of Chuckles' squad car.
"How old is the kid that Carlisle was supposed to be looking for?" Chief Swan forehead creased in thought.
"The body he was looking at was of an eighteen year old Caucasian female." Sam offered.
"Well that would put her in with my girl's year at school." The chief frowned. "The graduation was just the other day, and I didn't notice anyone was missing…" The Chief chewed his lip in thought. "I'll ask Bella later if anyone missed the last few weeks of school, see if I can't look into this a bit." Chief shook his head. "Missing kids. Terrible."
Something clicked in Dean's brain. "Bella?" He asked, remembering the Doc had called the pretty girl by that name. Small town – how many Bella's could there be? "Does your girl have long dark hair?" Dean asked.
Chief Swan turned his frown full-force on Dean. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh nothing." Dean waved his hands in a placating way. "Just, we saw her talking to Doctor Cullen when we showed up. He called her Bella, just wondering if she was yours. She was real pretty."
"Yeah, that was my Bells." Swan said proudly. "Good thing for her she got a lot of her mother in her." He smiled indulgently, the care and love he had for his daughter was palpable. "You say she was talking with Carlisle? She must have been with Edward."
"The Doc's son?" Sam qualified.
"That's him." The frown was back. Dean stood straighter, now they were getting somewhere.
"What's wrong Chief? Don't like the kid?" Dean baited him.
"No, it's not that. Edward's a good boy, stays out of trouble. It's just…"
"Just what, Charlie?" Sam fished.
"I don't know…" He looked at the far side of the parking lot and chewed his lip some more. "I just think they're too young to be so wrapped up in each other, you know? They're planning on going off to school together in the fall and I just wish she wouldn't grow up so fast. I tried to encourage her to date other boys, but she wouldn't hear of it."
"Kids can be like that." Sam offered, trying to bring the conversation back to more useful dialogue. "So your daughter must spend a lot of time with the Cullen family, what are they like? Good people?"
"Oh definitely. Carlisle's a great doctor, we're lucky to have him. And that wife of his is just the sweetest woman you could ever meet. Bella just loves her. Their other kids I don't know too well except for Alice, and she's just a little angel." The Chief smiled indulgently again. "Why are you asking about Carlisle?" He frowned at the Feds.
"Oh, nothing." Sam waved a hand flippantly, "We're just trying to get an idea of the guy, who his patient would rather go to him about his kid missing, instead of yourself."
Swan squared his shoulders and swallowed thickly. "Well, when I find out who this family is, they won't be too happy to see me standing on their step, let me tell you."
"I don't doubt it Chief." Dean smirked. "We'll be in touch." Dean walked the couple paces to his Chevy.
Chief Swan looked at the beauty appreciatively, letting out a low whistle. "Now that is a beautiful car." He admired. "'69?"
"'67." Dean boasted. "Re-built her myself."
"She is a beaut." He whistled again, while leaning on his open door frame. "It's a wonder the Bureau lets you drive your own vehicle."
"I've got connections." Dean grinned and winked, desperately wanting to get the hell out of there.
"See you around Chief." Sam nodded, opening his door to get in.
"Sure…And boys?" Swan called. Both hunters looked up at him, mid-way to swinging themselves into the Impala's seats. "Next time you want to come and play in my backyard…Professional courtesy dictates you tell me about it first." He gave them a stern look.
"Won't happen again Chief Swan." Sam apologized.
"See that it doesn't."
Both Winchester's shut their doors and buckled up. Chief Swan watched them pull out of the lot before getting into his squad car.
"Dude! That was so close." Dean exclaimed.
"Too close." Sam agreed, loosening the tie from around his neck.
"So what do you make of the mind-fucking?" Dean asked, taking a right hand turn onto the main drag. They needed a place for the night.
"Bit of a surprise. Glad I got my blocks up. Good catch."
"Thanks. Hey – what thoughts were you letting out?" They had been taught to let random harmless thoughts past their defenses while keeping the ones that needed protecting in. It was a way to get around mind-readers without raising suspicions that definite blocks were in place.
"Just normal crap. Come on Doc, we don't have all day. That sort of thing." Sam looked at his brother as he gave a quick snort of laughter. "Why? What were you letting out?"
"The girl." Dean answered simply, smirking in memory to the douchebag's expression.
Sam chuckled. "Is that why he as glaring at you? Typical." Sammy shook his head.
"I think it was just the kid doing the mind reading. I don't think the Doc was in on it." Dean stated, pulling off Main Street and into a motel parking lot.
"What do you think they are?" Sam asked, turning in his seat to glance at his brother.
"I'm thinking shapeshifter." Dean said confidently.
"That suits part of it, but not all." Sam argued.
"No aging, mind-reading, and shapeshifter's don't have to kill to survive. They can eat regular food. It's only the whacko's that go on killing sprees." Dean ticked his points off on his fingers.
"But shapeshifters don't assemble into groups. They're solitary creatures. And by the sounds of it, there's a few of them." Sam pointed out.
"Doesn't mean that they can't live together. Living as a family might make it easier for them to blend in."
"I don't know man. I'm still leaning towards demi-gods."
"Okay, look," Dean said. "We'll get some grub, and see if we can't get a little more info on the Cullen's."
"What about Seattle?"
"You said yourself that we don't know what's doing it. I think the Doc does and we just need to lean on him a little." Dean got out of the car and headed for the trunk and his duffel. "Come on, let's go get a room."
A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying this little fic so far. I'm having a blast writing it.