Sorry about the long delay, i've been really under the weather lately, and am finally feeling a little better...hopefully everyone is still enjoying the story...just to let everyone know, this story will cover the aftermath of all the brainwashing as i know what happened to the boys would never be a quick fix by any stretch of the imagination. thanks for reading and for all the awesome reviews!! bambers;)
Chapter Twenty-Two
"What the hell are you firing at, Lucas?" Dean smirked as he readjusted Lucas's arms, and kicked the slightly older man's legs out a little further to the sides into a more relaxed position. "See that big circle with the bulls-eye marked on it . . . well, that's called a target. Most people try to aim for it."
"What part of bathroom attendant weren't you getting, Dominic?" Lucas held his breath, squeezed the trigger and squinched his eyes closed at the same time. His body jerked backward as the gun fired, and then he pried open one eyelid to see if he'd come even remotely close to hitting the target.
"For God's sake, don't shut your damn eyes when firing, an' try not holdin' your breath either." Dean snatched the gun out of Lucas's hand, cocked his head from side to side to loosen up, aimed and then fired repeatedly. One after another, the bullets hit the target dead-on center. "See, it's not hard to do. Just think of the gun as an extension of your hand, point and fire."
"Jus' not good with a gun, Dom." Lucas shrugged, looking somewhat disheartened. He nudged his head in the direction of one of their other brothers who was busy practicing with a firearm as well. "I'll never be as good as Markus. Father knows it. That's why I freakin' get stuck handing out towels and monitoring water instead of doing anything to protect the family."
"Markus really that good?" Dean watched as the taller man near the far end of the line of men practicing, fired his weapon at a tin can and hit it dead-on. The can flew upward into the air, and Markus fired three more times, hitting it twice before the battered can came to rest in the dirt. "Not bad," Dean was forced to admit, "but I've seen better."
"Really," Markus butted into the conversation, quirking an arrogant brow. "Cause I'm the best damn marksman here."
"Were the best," Dean rejoined, the challenge clearly evident in his tone.
"So you think you can beat me?" Markus strode to where Dean was standing, and they stood face to face, sizing each other up. "No one's ever beaten me."
"Guess that doesn't say much for the others then."
At the obvious insult, Lucas and their other brothers started laughing, and Dean was hard-pressed to keep a straight face himself.
"Alright, smart ass," Markus smirked as he gestured toward all the targets scattered in various locations, and then looked to Dean. "You beat me an' I'll take over doing Lucas's job for a week. But if you lose, you and Lucas get to be my servants for the week."
Dean thought about it for all of a moment before he nodded. "Okay. But when you lose, I want you to spend all your spare time out here with me teaching Lucas. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"'Kay, you go first," Dean took a step backward to allow Markus enough room, "the one who hits the most targets wins."
Several of their brothers stopped what they were doing and gathered to watch. Lucas pulled Dean off to the side, and then motioned to Markus.
"You sure you can win, Dom, cause I really don't want to be his servant for the week." A worried frown creased Lucas's forehead as he stared pensively at Dean. "Last time I made a bet with him, I ended up cleaning his boots with my toothbrush. Don't really wanna do that again."
"I got it, Lucas, don't worry." Even as Dean said this, his stomach churned in protest. He was beyond tired, sore, and firing the weapon a moment before hadn't helped matters. And from somewhere behind him, he could feel the weight of the Father's stare, and knew the older man was waiting to see Dean prove himself worthy.
Markus took aim, turned and smirked at Dean, and then refocused all his attention on hitting the targets. The blasts of gunfire echoed throughout the courtyard as Markus fired repeatedly. The strong scent of gun smoke lingered as tin cans flew haphazardly through the air. Glass bottles shattered as he picked them off one by one. When he was finished, he lowered his gun and turned to Dean.
"Missed two." Dean cocked a brow as he nudged his head toward the two cans Markus had failed to knock down. "Thought you were gonna at least try an' make it tough for me."
"Jus' take your turn, Dom, cause I got a lot of jobs for you both to do when you lose." Markus handed his gun to one of their brothers, and then crossed his arms and waited.
A shorter, younger man hurried to set up new targets for Dean to hit. He then ran back to stand beside Markus. Dean eyed up the targets for a moment, turned on his heel and moved further away from them. Lucas and the others followed. Dean stopped, peered back at the targets again, and moved even further away.
Lucas grabbed hold of his arm. "Dom, what the hell are you doin'?" he asked, quirking a puzzled brow. "You want to lose or somethin'?"
"Said I got it, Lucas." Dean smiled when Lucas cast him a look that clearly said he thought Dean was crazy. "Don't worry, been doin' this all my life."
Dean took a slow calming breath, his mind letting go of everything around him as he focused his attention solely on hitting the targets. A stiff breeze blew past him, and he adjusted his stance slightly to compensate for it. Squeezing the trigger, he fired repeatedly. Tin cans flew furiously through the air as he struck them all down. Glass shattered as bottles toppled to the ground. The last can zig-zagged through the air as Dean struck it repeatedly. He then lowered his gun, and the can fell to the ground.
Markus stood slack-jawed in disbelief that Dean had not only beaten him, but had made him look foolish in front of the others. Lucas chuckled as all the men gathered around Dean to congratulate him.
"Not bad, Dominic." Markus grudgingly stuck out his arm and shook Dean's hand.
"Not bad, Markus?" came the Father's voice from directly behind Dean. "It was excellent." He clapped and hand on Dean's shoulder, and when Dean turned to look at him, the Father was smiling approvingly. "I couldn't be any prouder of you, Dominic. Now if you could only teach the rest of my sons to shoot as well, I know our family would be well-protected."
"I will, Father," Dean assured, his own smile matching that of the Father's. He opened his mouth to say something more, but at that moment noticed Raine exiting the medical clinic, and lost train of his thoughts. "I-I have something I have to do." Dean handed his gun to Lucas, and headed toward Raine.
"Hey, Dominic," Raine called out to Dean as he approached her. "Your ribs bothering you," she hitched a thumb back over her shoulder, "we can go back inside so I can take a look at them."
"Naw . . . . " Dean's mouth suddenly went dry as he tried to think of just the right words to propose to her. His hands trembled so badly he was forced to jam them into his pockets so she wouldn't notice. With stomach flip-flopping violently in protested, he licked his lips and muttered, "Was just wonderin' . . . well, I was thinkin' maybe that we could . . . if you want to maybe we could . . . ." his voice trailed off as she stared at him in confusion. This is gonna be a helluva lot harder than I thought.
"You hit your head or something?" A worried frown settled over her beautifully delicate features. "You don't look very good at all, Dominic. You're not gonna throw up are you?" she asked, concern evident in her tone. "Maybe we should go inside so you can lie down."
"No," Dean shook his head, feeling like a complete ass that he was botching his proposal to her so badly. "Think we could take a walk?"
"Sure," Raine said as she brushed the wispy windblown bangs out of her eyes. "Was just going to check on some of the little ones, but it can wait a bit."
Together they walked in silence toward the far back corner of the compound. Although most of the grounds were open and grassy, there was one area where a small forest of trees grew in abundance, and that was where Dean led her to. A winding brook cut a path through the woods, and disappeared from view as it wound snakelike around the trees. Birds overhead chirped happily, hidden from view in the upper branches of the oaks and maples. The gentle rush of water as it broke against the rocks had a calming effect on Dean's overly taut nerves, and he slowly began to relax in Raine's company.
"This is my very favorite place to come to," Raine said to break the almost unbearable silence. "It's so quiet and peaceful, and I can just sit and think. Have you ever had a place like this, Dominic? A place you can just go to an' put everything else behind you?"
"My car," Dean answered without the slightest hesitation. "When I'm behind the wheel, music blarin', the road stretching out endlessly ahead of me . . . that's my place."
"Seems like a lonely place." Raine smiled at him as she took a seat on an old fallen log, and he sat beside her. "Don't get me wrong, if you're happy with it, that's great. But here," she gestured around to everything that surrounded them, "everything is so alive, an' even when I'm alone I never feel that way."
"I was never alone in my car," Dean lowered his head as the thought of Sam briefly flashed through his mind, "at least I never thought I was. But I guess I was wrong."
"Father says that you are never so alone as when you're surrounded by people who can see that you're dying inside, an' refuse to send you a lifeline." She took a hold of Dean's hand and lightly traced her fingertips over his skin. "I can see in your eyes that you've been begging for someone to save you for the longest time, Dominic." Raine cupped a hold of Dean's chin and lifted it so he was looking her in the eyes. "You don't have to be alone anymore. Father loves you. Your brothers and sisters love you . . . I love you."
Without any given thought, Dean leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against Raine's. She hesitated briefly and then returned the kiss. As the kiss began to deepen, Dean felt Raine gently press her hand his chest, and then she pushed away from him.
"Sorry,"she said in a breathless whisper. "It's not allowed."
"I can't kiss you?" Dean asked, cocking a brow in confusion.
"Only married couples are allowed to kiss." Raine bit pensively at her lower lip as she glanced in the direction the compound. When she looked back at Dean, her gaze was instantly drawn to his mouth. "God, I'd forgotten how good it felt to kiss someone though."
"No one has to know," Dean softly coaxed as he leaned in again, and for a fleeting moment he almost believed she would give in to the desire he saw burning in her beautiful sea-green eyes. However, at the very last second possible she drew away from him and rose to stand.
"I would know, and I can't lie to Father." She turned to leave, but Dean grabbed hold of her hand, effectively stopping her.
"Marry me then."
At that, Raine swung back to stare at him. "You really must've hit your head." Raine chuckled, but when she saw he was serious, her eyes rounded in shocked surprise. "You can't be serious. We've only just met."
Dean dropped to one knee beside her. "Marry me, Raine. Tonight . . . cause I really want to kiss you again."
"You don't even know me, Dominic." She tried to untangle her hand from his, but his grip only tightened in response.
"I know all I need to know." He stood and wrapped his arm around her, drawing her closer to him. "You're kind. I can see it in your eyes." Dean gently swept his thumb across her cheek as he licked his lips. "You care. I've felt that in your touch." His fingers slipped through her hair, and he reveled in the silky feel of it. "You have a beautiful heart . . . an' I wanna make it my own. So please marry me."
"Damn, you." Raine pulled him closer, and lightly brushed her lips against his. "You just had to go an' make me all weak in the knees, didn't you? How can I possibly say no now?"
"So you'll marry me?" he asked, uncertain if what she'd said actually constituted as a yes.
"Yes, I'll marry you."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Dean stayed with Raine as she checked on the children. As they entered the room where the younger children were, they all converged on Raine, nearly tackling her in their enthusiasm. Laughing, she dropped to the ground to play with them. Dean backed away, feeling a bit like an intruder, yet couldn't help but smile at the thought that they might someday have children together. And as he watched her lovingly share all her attention with each and every child, he realized how much he would like her to be the mother of his children.
He leaned back against a table and crossed his arms, content to just sit and watch her. While he waited for her, Dean noticed that the little boy with hazel eyes was staring at him. For a few moments they stood there looking at each other, and then the little boy headed over to him.
"Hey there, little guy." Dean smiled as he crouched to the boy's level. "What's your name?"
"J-Jared." Jared glanced over his shoulder toward the corner of the room, and Dean noticed the same wispy shadow as he had seen when he was there with the Father. He refocused his attention on Dean, then drew back his leg and kicked Dean in the knee. "An' yer a liar."
Dean winced as he nearly toppled over, but caught hold of the table and righted himself. He tried to grin but it came out more like a grimace as he rubbed his throbbing knee. "What the freakin' hell did I lie about?" he asked, throughly perplexed and more than just a little angry.
"Ya lied ta my Mommy." Tears slipped down Jared's face as he glanced back at the far corner wall. "Said ya'd protect her." He angrily swiped away the tears cascading down his cheeks. "Ya didn't."
"Don't even know who your mother is."
A sudden loud screeching cry pierced the room, windows shattering as a ghostly figure appeared directly in front of Dean. Eyes, incredibly blue, searched his intently, and then she shook her head as if she'd found him lacking in character.
She leaned in and whispered in a breathless voice, "Liar . . . ." Blood spilled from her mouth, and trickled down Dean's neck, soaking into his shirt. "You forgot me . . . forgot what they did."
"Shannon . . . I — "
"Dominic?" Raine tapped Dean on the shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Blinking rapidly, Dean peered around the room, and noticed Jared was busy playing with the other children. The three windows that flanked the western wall, were still intact as if they hadn't just shattered a few moments ago, and there was no sight of Shannon anywhere.
"Where'd she go?" Dean searched around again, but found no signs that Shannon had ever been there. "She . . . she was just here. Don't understand, the windows all broke, an' now there fine."
Raine knelt beside Dean, and took a hold of his hand. "There was no one here except us and the children, Dominic."
"But I saw her, she was standing right where you are now."
"I didn't see anyone." Raine stood and helped Dean to his feet. "Come on, lets go back to the clinic. You're still recovering and Father would be furious if I missed something."
Dean stood in confusion, feeling as if there was something he should be doing to rid himself of Shannon's spirit. Old life warred with the new, but as he glanced into Raine's caring eyes, he realized he didn't want that life back. He wanted what Raine offered. He wanted her. So he turned his back on the old, and took solace in the new.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
John had spent the better part of the morning scouting out the smaller of the two compounds. He skirted the entire perimeter, and had taken the time to map out the area near the ravine in great detail, determining that it would be the easiest access into the compound. Thick roots and ragged rocks jutted out of the ground in many areas, and he realized at night the trek would be a lot more hazardous, but was confident that it would still be manageable.
When he was satisfied that he hadn't left out any details, he headed back to the front of the compound. Wanting a better look at the inside of the compound, he climbed one of the larger maples, and sat in the crook of one of the highest boughs. Hidden from view in the upper branches of the trees, he made meticulous notes in his journal of exactly where the men were stationed and how often they changed guard.
With the use of binoculars, he'd seen Billy enter the bunker where they were keeping Sam, and not too long after he'd witnessed Dominic enter as well. It took every last ounce of sheer willpower he had not to scurry down from his perch and break into the compound on his own. But he knew if he did, he would be killing his youngest son, so he steeled himself, knowing the crazed man's time was coming to an end.
Not even ten minutes later, Dominic reemerged from the building, and John saw that the man had a firm hold on Billy's arm. John's grip tightened around the binoculars as he saw the Father push Billy toward her car. From where he sat, John could tell she was trying her damnedest to convince Dominic she wasn't doing anything wrong, and must have finally persuaded him as the older man let her get in her car and drive away.
John expelled the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding, and climbed down from the tree, intent on following Dominic back to the larger of the two compounds. Darting back to his truck through the maze of trees and shrubs, John finally reached his vehicle. He followed Dominic at a considerable distance, and turned off about a mile or so before the compound. After he'd made sure his vehicle was well hidden from view, John took off on foot, heading for the encampment.
Over the past few days, he had covered every trail leading in and out of the area, and had mapped out the most well-worn paths. He'd also taken a head count of everyone entering and exiting the main gate, and estimated that there was at least as many men in the camp as Billy had warned. He'd also had taken note of the women inside the compound, not about to underestimate any one of them as a possible threat.
He forged his way through the thick overgrown forest, and easily found the gnarled old tree he'd been using to scout out the inner workings of the compound. From where he was standing, he heard the distinct sound of guns firing. John glanced at his watch, and mentally noted that everyday at around this same time, most of the men in camp target practiced. From what he'd witnessed so far, however, he wasn't all that impressed. Sure, there were some who hit the targets nearly every time, but they were the minority. Yet, he wasn't about to let that lull him into a false sense of security. Any man who held a weapon in hand had the potential to get it right at least once, and he didn't want to be on the wrong side of that bullet.
Grabbing hold of a low lying branch, John pulled himself upward. From branch to branch, he made his way to the top of the tree, and then settled himself into a wide crook in the bough. John yanked out his binoculars and adjusted them into focus. Right away John spotted Dominic, his crimson robes standing out amidst a sea of black jeans and t-shirts. The older man stood back, intently watching his little army of men with a look of confidence and something akin to pride plastered across his hawkish features.
John shifted his position slightly and watched the men target practicing with utmost interest. A slight wave of apprehension settled firmly in John's stomach as he spotted a younger man who was busy training the others to shoot their weapons. There was a subtle air of confidence to his mannerisms and stance, and from what John could determine, the man really understood how to teach someone to use a gun.
John narrowed his eyes on the bald-headed man, and watched intently as he and another taller man faced off. After an exchange of words, John saw the taller man take aim then fired repeatedly at the targets, and cursed under his breath when the man hit all but two of them. Not to be outdone by the taller man, the younger man moved further away from the targets, glanced back and then moved even further away.
The sound of gunfire echoed through the forest as the man fired his weapon repeatedly, and blew away every singe target. Apprehension quickly turned to a lead weight in the pit of John's stomach as he realized that this man was every bit his equal with a firearm.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Where the hell did that freakin' guy come from? John was certain that the younger man hadn't been there before today. He would have remembered someone like him. But from what he was now witnessing through his binoculars, the younger man was a definite favorite of Dominic's. How the hell am I suppose to ask Bobby and the others to risk their lives when I know damn well that he can out-shoot all of them? Raking his fingers through his shaggy hair, John mulled over his options as he watched the younger man walk away from the other men, and head toward a dark-haired woman. I'm just gonna have to make sure he never gets the chance to hurt anyone . . . can't hurt anyone if he's dead.