"All right boys, up and at em." John bellowed turning on the light.
"Dad no." Sammy yelled throwing the covers back over his head, "Turn off the light!"
"Feet on the floor boys."
"Dad? What time is it?" Dean asked.
"Around 5am. Let's go!"
"I thought we didn't have to run today." Sam added his two cents worth in. "You know because of my attacks."
"I didn't say anything about running. I said get up. NOW!"
"AHHH, I'm tired." Sammy whined.
John didn't say another word. He walked over to Sammy's bed, flipped him over and started swatting. He swatted him five times, enough to cause a sting and wake Sammy up fully.
"You up now?"
"Yes sir." Sam said as he jumped out of bed.
He walked to Dean's bed. Dean had thought about being on his feet but knew that wouldn't matter one bit, he'd still get swatted, so he decided he would get into position.
"Set a better example."
"Yes sir." He mumbled as he silently accepted the seven swats he was given with just a small yelp.
"How about you? Are you awake now?"
"Yes sir," Dean ground out, standing quickly, "If we aren't running, what's up Dad?"
"Pack a bag, we head out in about 30."
"Daddy, we can't leave."
"We can and we will Sammy."
"But Daddy, what about you and my vision?" Sam said while thinking 'and Azazel. If he doesn't know where I am, then he might freak out. When he does find us, he's going be angry enough to hurt one of you. I can't risk that.'
"We're going and that's my final word on the subject. You only have about 28 minutes now." John barked and started towards the door.
He turned back to the boys and added,
"Make sure you're dressed and have you're bags packed. Unless you boys need the full spanking and not just the warm up to get you motivated."
"I'm good sir." Sammy quickly said as he got up to find his bag and get clothes.
"I'm good too sir, but may I ask where we're going."
"Last time I checked, I'm the adult so that makes me in charge. You are the kids so, you do as you're told! But if you must know, we're going to Missouri."
"No Dad." Sammy yelled.
"Excuse me? What do you mean no?" John was getting pissed.
He had his hand on his belt. Enough was enough. Sammy couldn't believe his dad wanted them to leave. He told him about the blue Ford Taurus.
"What if ?"
"What if what Sammy?" John asked walking towards his youngest son.
"Nothing, I'll pack sir."
John watched as both of his sons started gathering up their belongings and shoving them in their duffel bags, just like they'd done hundreds of times before. He felt bad because he wanted them to have a home here for a while, but he didn't know how to get rid of Azazel and stop him from torturing his baby and Missouri held the key to the answers they needed. He desperately needed a coffee so he left them to it.
When Sam was sure he was out of hearing range he said,
"Dean, we can't leave. Please help me convince Dad we need to stay."
"Sorry little brother, there's nothing I can do. You heard the "I'm the adult, I make the rules, you're the kid, you follow those rules." Speech as well as I did. Sorry Sammy but we're going to Missouri whether we like it or not."
Sammy started crying. He didn't let Dean see, he just let the tears soak the clothes he was putting in his bag. Dean noticed right away that Sammy was crying. He tried to hide it but he knew his baby brother better than anyone in the whole world. So he slowly walked over and put his arm around him. Nothing needed to be said. Dean was right, no matter their feelings on the subject, they were about to head to Missouri. Sammy turned into his brother and rested his head on Dean's shoulder and cried.
"Come on dude. Dry it up and let's get packed before Dad makes good on his threat and takes off his belt. I for one don't want that.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
John walked into the kitchen to grab that much needed cup of coffee. Bobby looked at the man and sees the stress lines all over his face.
"So," He asked knowing the answer already, "How did the boys take it?"
"They weren't too cooperative on getting up but a few well-placed swats later and they are packing without any problems."
"So, do they know where we're going?"
"Only that we're going to Missouri."
"And did you bother to tell them that Missouri is a person not a state?"
"Nope."
That was all he said. He grabbed his cup and sat at the table. Bobby looked at his dear friend and just shook his head. 'How the hell are they going to react?' Bobby thought.
"John, should they at least be warned that we're headed to Lawrence."
"Why upset them before we have to. I'll tell them at the Kansas border."
"I don't think that's fair but..."
"It's not your call, Singer. It's mine."
"Dammit Johnny, that's what I was gonna say ya idjit. But you had to go and be an ass about it." Bobby ranted as he finished his coffee and went to get his bag. He kept ranting as he left the room,
"Big old bad ass John Winchester. Always has to have the last word." He got quieter and quieter as he walked further and further away.
He stopped and yelled back over his shoulder,
"I'm not one of your children John. I thought I'd remind you of that fact in case you forgot."
"You're not my damn wife either Singer. I thought I'd remind you of that fact in case you forgot."
'Balls, you got me on that one.' Bobby thought as he slammed his bedroom door for dramatic effect.
"Is everything okay Dad?" Dean asked as he and Sam entered the kitchen, bags in tow.
"I guess everyone is just a little grumpy this morning." John answered.
"But I bet Bobby didn't get swatted for it?" Sammy whispered.
Dean punched him in the arm as John stood up. He was getting up to get another coffee but used his standing up for more dramatic effect as well. Then he said,
"You want to repeat that son?" as he walked over to Sam.
"No sir," Sam said covering his backside while looking up as his Dad loomed over him.
"Last warning Sam. Keep the attitude in check or the belt comes off."
"Yes sir, sorry."
"Okay, you boys get some cereal and wash your dishes when you're done. We'll be gone for awhile."
"Yes sir." Dean answered for them both as he had his hand over Sam's mouth until dad walked out of the room.
"What the hell Sammy? Stop pushing Dad's buttons! You're going to loose and then I have to sit with your miserable squirming sore ass all day. Missouri is only 8 hours from here." Dean said and he got out the bowls.
"Sorry Dean, I'm just afraid of what Azazel will do and it just makes me talk before I think. I'll try to keep my mouth shut." Sammy answered as he got out the cereal and milk.
"Thank you. I swear if I have to put up with you and your sore ass for eight hours, you're gonna owe me big time.
"Okay Dean, but what am I gonna do?"
"About what?" Dean asked as he poured the cereal and milk.
Both boys sat down to eat. Sammy finished chewing his mouthful and looked to make sure they were alone and said,
"What about? Are you nuts? What about Azazel? He's going to hurt, if not kill one of you when he finds me gone."
"He'll have to find us first."
"I'm sure that won't be too hard for him to do."
"Look Sammy, you and I both know we're going and nothing we say is going to change that. We're going from the protection of Uncle Bobby's house, to a warded car, so unless we have a trail, which Dad and Uncle Bobby would spot a mile away, or they see us get in the car, they won't know where we are. Dad would lose a tail."
"Why would we have a tail?" John asked entering the room.
"Um, well Sam was just thinking about everything that we've gone through with the demons and I was reassuring him that we'd be safe,"
John knew that there was more to it than Dean was telling him but really not wanting either of his boys to sit on a sore butt for five hours, he let it go by saying,
"Dean's right Sammy, Uncle Bobby and I will keep you safe."
'But who's going to keep you safe.' Sammy thought but said,
"Thanks Daddy, I guess I'm still a little nervous about it all."
John walked over and hugged Sammy and said,
"That's understandable son but let Uncle Bobby and I worry about it okay?"
"Yes sir." Sammy said as he went back to eating his cereal.
Breakfast over, dishes done, house secure, bags loaded, they all climbed into the car. They were only ten minutes behind John's schedule of leaving by 5:30am. His goal was to stop for lunch and get to Missouri's place by around noon.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
At around 8:00 am Azazel decided to drop in on his son and check on things.
"Good morning son, how's our Sammy today?" Azazel asked Tom.
"Still asleep I guess Dad."
Tom was nervous because he got bored standing guard every night and decided to go have some fun. He prayed that everything was as it should have been. It was fine a few nights ago when he ditched his post.
"Is it me or does it seem kind of quiet to you?"
"I guess it's kind of quiet. Maybe they're all tired toady."
"Did John or Bobby go somewhere?"
"Not to my knowledge sir."
Azazel didn't sense Sammy anywhere in the area and he could always sense when his kids were around, so Tom was digging himself deeper and deeper in a hole and he didn't even know it. Azazel could have stopped it at any time but wanted to see how far his son would go before he realized he'd been caught.
"So you've stood guard the whole night?"
"Yes sir."
"I'm glad I could count on you son."
"Of course Dad."
"So if nobody went anywhere and everybody is still in the house, where's the Impala?"
Tom gulped. He knew he'd been caught and that he was in deep trouble with his Dad.
"I don't know sir." He whispered.
"So, you weren't around when everybody in the whole damn house packed into the Impala and left?"
"No sir." Tom whispered.
"Get your ass home, I'll deal with you after I try to find your brother."
"Yes sir." Tom said out loud then whispered, "But he's not my brother."
Of course just like any father Azazel heard him loud and clear and before Tom realized what was happening, he felt the sting of the swats his Dad was doling out. He started chastising Tom as he continued to assault his backside.
"Some of the same blood that's in your veins, is in Sammy Winchester and that makes you brothers in my book, so watch your attitude."
"Yes sir, I got it, I understand. Sorry Dad."
"Okay, are you done throwing your fit?"
"Yes sir."
"Get home and we'll talk about you leaving your post when I finish cleaning up the mess you made and find the damn Winchesters."
"But Dad you just..."
"Took care of your attitude and nothing else. Expect your real punishment when I get home."
"Yes sir."
Tom left while Azazel gathered his help. He set guards at Bobby's, Jim's, and the Roadhouse. He sent Meg to the Roadhouse to see what she could find out. This was also to keep her occupied while he talked to Tom. He sent out troops to scour the countryside looking for the Impala. He was definitely going to have to teach them all a lesson when he found them. When he had exhausted all of his resources, he headed home to deal with his errant son.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
The drive had been fairly uneventful, but the further they got away from Singer Salvage, the moodier Sammy got. He was worried about what would happen when Azazel caught up to them. He knew it was just a matter of time.
"Knock it off Sammy." Dean whispered through clenched teeth trying not to alert the others but it didn't work.
Bobby turned around in his seat, wooden spoon in hand. He waved it in Sam's direction and said,
"Samuel, were almost ready to stop for lunch. If I hear one more instance of you being mouthy or disrespectful, the first thing I'm going to do when we stop is to find a place to tear up your backside with this. Do we under each other?"
"Yes sir. I get it."
"Good, I won't say anything else about it. I will either find a place to use this or we'll go in and eat. You'll know my decision when we stop."
That did the trick. Sam didn't want to take a chance that Uncle Bobby would just tip him over his knee in the parking lot, so he straightened up quickly. Just because he wasn't showing his feelings didn't mean he wasn't still upset. He was so worried about what Azazel would do when he found them it almost made him sick to his stomach.
Thirty minutes later they stopped and went into a little diner to eat. John was a bit concerned when Sam, didn't eat much. He could tell that something was on his mind.
"Sammy, you okay?"
"Huh, sorry sir, what?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just this is the first time I've really been out since Flagstaff and I'm a little jumpy. Sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. You have Uncle Bobby, Dean and I all protecting you. Azazel can't get you. He doesn't even know where you are."
'That's the problem Dad.' Sammy thought,
"Good, thanks for the reassurance Dad."
"Anytime tiger, now eat up. At least ½ of that burger."
Sam knew better than to disobey. He wasn't hungry but Dad left it as an unspoken threat. So, he picked up his burger and slowly nibbled on it until ½ of it was gone. His Dad was satisfied so they loaded back up and headed out.
An hour or so later, Dean noticed they were on the outskirts of Kansas City. But, where they should have turned left towards St. Louis, he realized that they crossed into Kansas so he said,
"Dad, shouldn't we have turned east towards Missouri and not west into Kansas?"
"We're going the correct way son." John looked at Bobby.
Bobby just shook his head. He told John he should have been honest with the boys. Bobby knew that Dean was going to be the most upset about this trip. He doesn't think Dean had been back to Lawrence since his mom died.
"You said we were going to Missouri. You said it had the answers."
"I know what I said Dean. I said Missouri may have the answers. I won't know until I ask her."
"Her?" Sammy piped in.
"Yes, Missouri Mosley is the name of a friend of mine. She's might be able to help us against Azazel."
"So where are we going Dad?" Dean asked knowing the answer already.
"Missouri lives in Lawrence Dean."
"What the fuck Dad?"
"Don't make me stop this car Dean. Consider this your one and only warning!"
"Dad? How could you bring us here and not warn us?"
"I knew it would upset you son. I didn't want you to be upset for the whole five and a half hours."
"Did you know Uncle Bobby?"
"Dean, don't blame him. He wanted me to tell you all along. It was my decision and I don't care if you agree with me or not. I'm the parent and I did what I thought was best."
"Well, in my opinion that decision sucked Dad!" Dean pouted.
He wanted to complain and yell but knew he would only end up with a sore backside so he left it at that.
"You got anything to say Sammy?"
"No sir, I don't remember anything about Lawrence. I was too young."
"Okay, then. Here are the rules. I don't care how you feel about being here. You will be respectful at all times to Mrs. Missouri! You will do what she tells you to."
"Great another person to boss us around."
"What was the Samuel? I know you didn't just interrupt me did you?"
"Nothing sir, sorry."
"Alright, we're here. Be on your best behavior."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Azazel stormed in the door. He threw things around and hollered,
"Thomas, get your ass front and center, NOW!"
Tom quickly left the comfort of his room and joined his father in the living room.
"What the hell were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry Dad, I just went to have a drink. Nothing has happened there in months. I had no idea anything would happen tonight."
"Do you understand how far we've come with Sam? He is way ahead of all of my other children. I had him scared into doing anything I ask to protect his family. Now, what am I supposed to do? I don't have a clue where he is and what is being taught to him. You and your stupid little drink may have cost me the best soldier I could've had to lead the troops. You just cost me everything I had worked on son."
"Sorry Sir."
"All I have left to say is that when I give you and order, you had better follow it."
"Yes sir."
"I'm going to make sure you do." Azazel announced as he took his belt off. "Bend over the back of the couch."
"Sir, I understand. This isn't necessary."
"I believe it is so drop the pants and bend over now!"
Tom didn't say another word. He knew if he did, he would lose the boxers too so, he walked behind the couch, lowered his pants and bent over it. Azazel walked up behind him, raised his belt and brought it down with a vengeance.
"AWWWW DAD!" Tom yelled.
Azazel just started out strong to get his point across. By the third lick he wasn't using so much force. By the tenth lick Tom was yelping. The next five he let out the ohs and ahs and started crying.
"M'sorry. Stop please." Tom sobbed as yellow eyes started the next five licks.
He wrapped it up with the last five to the sit spots for a total of thirty licks. Tom calmed down after about 10 minutes. Azazel wrapped his hand around the back of his neck and slightly squeezed and said,
"We'll find him son and when we do, you'll be with me okay?"
"Yes sir."
"Now head to bed before your sister gets home."
Azazel walked to the bar, poured himself a double shot of Scotch, sat in his chair and said to nobody,
"Sammy my boy, where are you hiding?"