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Chapter 36
Five minutes later, the Winchester family had their bags packed and everyone was once again piling into the hunter's Roadrunner. Mary sat shotgun while Sam and Dean climbed into the back. They hadn't been on the road for long before the car fell silent. Looking over at the passenger seat, Bobby found Mary asleep with her head resting on the window and her lips slightly parted. The hunter then peered though his rearview mirror and grinned. Dean's head was pressed against the window like his mother, his own mouth barely open. Next to him, slumped over and leaning on his brother, from what the driver could tell pretty heavily, was Sam. His head was resting on Dean's shoulder and soft snores could be heard coming from the back where he was. The scene behind him definitely qualified for a Kodiak moment and had he not be driving, he would have pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of them.
An hour and a half later, the woman in the seat next to the driver stirred. Throwing a quick look over, Bobby watched Mary trying to stretch out the best she could as she looked around out the window.
"Where are we?" She asked bringing her attention to the driver.
"We're almost three hours away from where we need to be," he answered then added, "feel free to get some more rest." Mary turned to check on her sons, smiling when she saw them.
"You know, when John and I first found out that we were having another baby, we were so nervous." The mother's eyes didn't look away from her children as she spoke to the driver. "Dean had been an only child for a few years and we had heard some truly horrific stories about jealous older siblings. But finally, we pushed all those fears aside and we told Dean the news. Neither of us had ever seen him so excited before, he couldn't wait to be a big brother. I remember he'd come in every morning asking if the baby was here yet and although John started to get frustrated with it, it only made me that much happier to hear how eager he was. Then, May 2, 1983, we had our second boy. Dean was named after my mother Deana Campbell, so we knew boy or girl, our next one was going to be named after my father Samuel. I was in the hospital with Sam for a few days, we had had our neighbor and friend watching over Dean while we were gone. But we called and talked to him everyday and he asked every time we called when he'd get to see his little brother. Finally, we were able to come home and introduce our boys to each other." Mary paused as a smile brightened her features at the memory. "If we thought he had been excited about hearing he was going to be a big brother, nothing compared to the look on his face when we placed Sam in Dean's arms for the first time." She tore her eyes away from her sons in the back and stared out the window. Her smile crumbled and her eyes grew moist. "I wish we could go back to those days, you know?" Her voice shook with emotion. "Back to when we were all one big happy family and John was alive and the boys got along and monsters and hunting were all a thing in the past."
"I know what you mean," Bobby agreed with a sad nod. "I'd give just about anythin' to see my Karen again and pick up where we left off before-" He paused, blinking tears from his eyes. "But since I know that's not in the cards fer me, I'm gonna keep goin' with the life I have now. Sure it's a shit job, but if I can help prevent others from goin' through what I had to go through or what Sam had to go through, then it's worth it." Mary turned to face the driver and she gently placed her hand on his shoulder with a small genuine smile.
"You're a good man Robert Singer."
The hunter glanced over at her then quickly back at the road clearing his throat. The mother got the hint and not wanting to embarrass the man further, she removed her hand and instead brought it to her jacket where she pulled out her phone. She once again twisted in her seat so that she could get a good angle and she took a picture with a grin in place. Flash lit up the back seat, but neither boy so much as flinched. Mary positioned herself back to the front and she giggled.
"Oh yeah, this is so going to be shown the next time those two bitch at each other." Bobby chuckled sneaking a peek at the picture Mary had taken, before returning his attention back to the road.
Another hour passed before Dean's eyes slowly opened. He lifted his head from the window and looked over at Sam who was still pressed up against him, his mouth open wide while he snored. The elder sibling nudged his brother who woke with a snort, eyes wide and alert as he looked over at Dean.
"Get off me Samantha," he snapped nudging again.
"Sorry," Sam shot back. The twenty six year old wiped at his chin which had been wet with drool. He made a disgusted face before moving his hand over his chin, and then quickly wiped it onto Sam. "Oh! What the fuck Dean?" The younger sibling rubbed at his cheek vigorously with the sleeve of his jacket and then moved to wipe it on his brother. Dean grabbed his arm before it could reach him, grateful that his arm in a sling had been on the opposite side.
"Real mature Sam," Dean commented.
"Look who's talking," he retorted back.
"Morning boys," Mary's voice broke out causing the brothers to freeze where they were. Sam brought his arm back and pushed himself towards the opposite side of the car where he had been before he fell asleep. "How'd you you two sleep?" She questioned looking from one to the other with a grin.
"Fine," Sam answered with a shrug.
"You catch any flies with that fly catcher of yours?" Dean teased.
"Please, I've seen a Saint Bernard drool less than you," Sam countered.
"At least I-"
Mary cleared her throat bring both her sons' attention to her as she held up her phone displaying the picture she had taken of them sleeping.
"Mom," they whined in unison both shocked and appalled. In the driver's seat his face hidden from either of the brothers, Bobby smirked.
"Please tell me you're not keeping that," Dean scolded.
"Of course she's keeping it," Sam mumbled.
"It's my new favorite picture of my boys together." Dean rolled his eyes and glared out the window he'd been resting on while Sam leaned his head against the opposite window and watched the scenery go by. The car grew quiet once again and stayed that way until they reached their destination.
XXX
Bobby pulled the Roadrunner into the parking lot of the only thing close by, a roundhouse. Everyone was grateful for the chance to stretch their legs, having only stopped once on their trip for a bathroom break. Sam pulled his jacket tighter to him as the chilled air greeted him when he exited the vehicle. Looking up at the sky, he could see rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds that were threatening to override what little bit of light there was in the sky and rain down on them. Bobby was already pounding at the door, causing the Winchesters to hurry after him. A few minutes later, it cracked open and someone peered out at them. Recognizing the hunter, the door was thrown open and they were quickly corralled into the building. The owner shut and locked the door behind them. The inside of the roundhouse appeared to be standard. There was a bar, a few arcade games, tables and chairs, a pool table, and jute box.
The woman who had greeted them brought her suspicious gaze to fall on each of the unfamiliar faces before addressing her friend.
"Who're they?" She questioned nodding her head towards the newcomers. Her dark eyes searching each of them before her.
"Ellen, this is Mary, Dean, and Sam Winchester. They're new to this whole huntin' monsters thing. Well the boys are anyways. Guys, this is Ellen Harvelle. She and her family are damn fine hunters and good people," Bobby introduced with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you Ellen," Mary greeted extending a hand with a friendly grin. Ellen paused for a moment then moved to shake it.
"You too Mary."
"Sam," the youngest introduced offering the same gesture as his mother. Ellen shook his hand as well before turning to the elder sibling.
"So, you must be Dean," she said looking over at the twenty six year old.
"Process of elimination," he responded.
"Ellen, is Bill back yet?" Bobby questioned bringing her attention back to him. She shook her head, a look of concern etched on her face.
"Elkins either. It's been a couple of hours since we've heard from either of them."
"Alright well let's not assume the worst just yet. Could be they're drivin' or where they are doesn't have good reception," the hunter stated positively.
"Tell that to Jo, she's holed up in the back sittin' by the phone." Ellen said sadly.
"I remember those days," Mary said out loud to herself. It caught the other mother's attention and she tilted her head at her. Realizing she had been heard, Mary scrambled to explain herself. "My family were hunters too. Before I was old enough to go on hunts, I remember sitting and waiting for my dad to come back home."
"Bill and I have tried to do that with Jo, hasn't quite stuck most cases."
Mary chuckled, "it didn't always with me either."
"Well, can I offer any of you anything to drink? We've got your usual," Ellen offered walking back behind the bar.
"Whiskey for me thanks," Dean spoke up.
"I'm good with a beer," Bobby chimed in.
"I'll take one too if that's alright," Sam added.
"I'll just get a water thank you." Mary turned towards her sons with a look of disbelief. "It's not even ten in the morning."
Dean shrugged, "it's 5 o'clock somewhere."
The sound of an old telephone rang out through the roundhouse and Ellen rushed to answer it.
"Hello? Bill?! Oh thank God you're alright. Where are you?" There was a silence in the bar and everyone's eyes were fixed on the woman holding the phone. "What? I can't hear you, you're breaking up. Where are you?!" Another pause as her expression changed from relief to concerned. "Alright, Jo and I are at the roundhouse, Bobby's here too. Just get here as soon as you can and safely you hear me? You too." She hung up the phone and addressed the quizical eyes that were still staring at her. "He's on his way." She turned back to her task at hand, handing each of her guests their drinks. "It's not quite clear where he is, so go on and make yourselves comfortable. It could be awhile."
A/n: Alright so I was able to post real quickly. I know I said it before but Happy Holidays everyone. I'm going to be posting a Christmas one shot this Sunday as well as a new chapter of He's My Brother on Wednesday.
SparksFlyAngel: Lol yes and also Dean's tired of being lied to by family. I'm glad you're excited for Ellen and Jo, I was really sad when they died as well. They were strong female characters and just really good ones all way round. You'll recognize Daniel I think once he's mentioned some more in upcoming chapters. I'm glad you like the story so much! I'm currently on the chapter where the big boss fight so to speak is going to go down. Thank you as always for your awesome review. I hope the holidays treat you well.