The Roosevelt Asylum

Another Chapter! Yahoooo!

This just basically follows the episode 'The Asylum' in Season 1, with Ellie in the mix along with a few tweaks and add ins.

I hope you enjoy it. Again, I had to break this into parts. Like I said before, I have a direction I want to take this story, but I want to draw it out and enjoy it. So, expect fluff, setup, build up, getting to know the character dynamics more, and simple realistic interactions.

Warning: There is swearing, frightening Supernatural entities to come, and threats to a child's posterior. Don't like? It offends? Please, do not read.

*Please review. I'd love to get feedback, suggestions, insight, comments. It would all be a big help to me. Honestly, not sure if this is any good. So, I'd really appreciate your thoughts on it.

Welcome new readers!


Ellie slouched against the stiff black leather of the backseat of the Impala. She propped her legs up onto the seat angling her body towards the window directly behind Sam leaning the side of her head against the cold glass. The warm yellow glow of the street lamps along the back country highway reflected through the window casting brisk spurts of light onto her slumped frame as they drove.

The coordinates Mr. Winchester sent them pointed to Rockford, Illinois, a place that was earmarked in the man's journal of an article about the Roosevelt Asylum where people were reported going crazy leading to multiple deaths. And just like that, within five minutes, they were on their way to Illinois at ten o'clock at night without question or pause from the eager Hunter which Ellie noted seemed far less focused on her and more intent on following Mr. Winchester's terse order to go on this Hunt. While it appeared Dean was eager, Ellie, being the observant girl that she was, noted that Sam was unquestionably reluctant. His tense posture, fidgety and agitated movements, and hesitant expressions when Dean had his back turned all, but told Ellie he was repressing his desires to speak against Dean. Whether that was out of respect or a desire to keep the peace, Ellie did not know, but it was clear that, despite them both being adults, Dean was ultimately the leader and had the final say. Ellie simply surmised that it was because Dean was older and there was pecking order within their family which made sense to Ellie. Being reared by a military man for several years where there was order and structure, was something Ellie was accustomed to and familiar with making the young girl take note of the family structure of the Winchesters.

Ellie inwardly thanked Mr. Winchester as his order not only gave them a much-desired Hunt to focus on, but it ultimately took the heat and attention off of her and put a halt to Dean's invasive probing, at least for the time being, which she was extensively grateful for. However, Ellie wasn't dumb, she knew the man was far from satisfied and would undoubtably continue to pry into her affairs when got the urge again.

Ellie absentmindedly tapped the side of her temple gently against the cold glass of the window twice feeling her eyes roll mocking at herself for her inability to come up with a better lie or, better yet, not have been so stupid as to blab right in front of them about the 'spell'. It was careless and stupid of her and she was kicking herself for being such an idiot because if they weren't suspicious of her before, they sure as hell were now. And she was positive she would be feeling the effects of that stupid slip up under the pressure of his daunting glares and incessant questioning or, worse, under the calloused palm of the Hunter's hand which filled her with unremitting anxiety.

Ellie kept her gaze towards the window not really paying any attention to the landscapes or her faded downcast reflection within the glass, her mind was solely on her worry for her uncle that was inessentially gnawing away at her troubled heart. Would she ever see the man again? The horrifying and unwanted question haunted her like a woeful and unrestful spirit sinking her heart low and heavy within her gut casting a sense of ceaseless dread and helpless distress. Why was she not allowed to save her family?

Without warning, a well of tears began to form in her eyes blurring her vision and an unstoppable single tear dropped onto her cheek without permission. Ellie quickly reached up and swiped her hand across her cheek ridding herself of the evidence of her despair. She quietly sniffled back the snot and tears as she fought to keep her suffering hidden. Yet, no matter how hard she tired, her tired soul was failing miserably as the pain was written all over her careworn face and distraught brown eyes like an open book. Certain that Dean's attention was shifted and solely focused on his father and the upcoming Hunt, Ellie allowed herself the relief to let her guard down. As long as his thoughts we're kept occupied and his prying eyes and intent focus on her hidden troubles and secrets were shifted elsewhere she could suffer privately. However, poor Ellie couldn't be more wrong. Unbeknownst to her, Dean's keen eyes reflected intently at her through the rearview mirror witnessing every little sniffle, distraught expression, and downtrodden fidget of her battling pain, in no way was Ellie's pain private from his attentive eyes. Although Dean relished in receiving contact from their dad and the upcoming Hunt to distract him from his worries, his mind was in no way removed from the withdrawn and despondent little girl in the backseat.

Dean focused his keen green eyes on the little girl as she wrapped her arms around herself in a protective manner closing in on herself vulnerably slouching even lower against the leather seat like she was trying to give herself comfort. Her brown chocolate eyes lay in a steady gaze out the window appearing aloof and distant like her trouble mind was far away from the confines of the Impala battling her troubles and pain privately and stubbornly alone. Despite his hard features and ridged expression upon the young girl, Dean felt a weight of heavy sadness press against his tense muscles as he witnessed a sad and lonely little girl battle her burdening pain and unrelenting fear. Her small petite frame curling inwardly in fetal-like position made her appear excessively small and vulnerable to Dean's mature protective eyes. She was only thirteen, he reminded himself, a little girl. And although the girl seemed quite resilient than most teenagers, she was, as its essences, just a scared little girl in a terrible situation.

An intense burdening desire and sense of responsibly to ease her suffering and take away the straining fear and pain she was feeling pressed heavily on the Hunter's shoulders. He would take it all away and give it to himself if he could.

A powerful protectiveness and care shined through his hard green eyes as he blinked at the young teen through the rearview mirror, feeling a grave sense of helplessness and frustration press against his burdened heart as knew nothing of value to help the poor kid. There was something gravely wrong about her and Caleb's situation with this demon and an intense and unyielding determination became planted within him to find out and damn quickly as the phone call this evening amplified his worries and fears to newfound heights lighting a fire of urgency and determination under him. However, despite that, Dean repressed the biting urge to question her further tonight knowing the girl undoubtably needed some space and Dean astutely understood he would get no where with the kid by pushing against her vulnerable state at the moment. Plus, he had no desire to cause her further distress as it was clear she was dealing with a lot right now. Therefore, the man, with great difficulty, forced himself to back off despite his ever-growing fear for her young life. Yet, that did not mean the man was going to leave the matter alone much to the young girl's dismay. He was going to get answers, one way or another, and would not be satisfied until he had all the knowledge and information to keep this little hellion safe. Whatever it took, he would do it and that was just a fact the young kid would have to come to terms with when the time came.

"Ellie." Dean's deep vocals rumbled out lowly cutting into the silence of the Impala startling the young girl as she darted her eyes towards the rearview mirror.

Ellie blinked her wearily almond eyes at the man, her youthful expression fallen and pale looking drained, not from lack of sleep, but from intense anxiety and fear that can exhaust the body like running a marathon. Dean had experienced such anxiety first hand and seeing it on Ellie troubled him with a potent despondency. There was no spark of youthful energy within her eyes that Dean could see as she seemed deprived of any ounce joy at the moment. Dean felt his chest cave in slightly with raw pity. While Dean wanted to find the words that would comfort the girl, he knew there was nothing he could say to change what she was feeling, all he could do was silently promise her she was going to be okay with him and Sam around. He could not lie and promise her that Caleb would be okay or explain her pain away through comforting words as that would do her no favors in the long run, all he could do was ensure her safety with him. At the very least he could do that and would do it with everything he had.

"Lay down and try to get some sleep, kiddo. We'll be there in less than two hours." Dean ordered, his deep baritone vocals vibrating soothingly against her ears.

Although the Hunter's features were lined with a firmness, his green eyes had a soft care behind them making Ellie simply blink at him tiredly before shifting her legs off the seat and settling her boots onto the floor. Ellie dipped her head lowly down as she focused her remote gaze onto the floor idly gripping the edge of the leather bench seat on either side of her letting her long braids dangle by her cheeks. Feeling her muscles strain with weariness, Ellie forced herself to move and go through the motion of what was asked of her because, despite the pain, you did not stop, you kept pushing forward. That is what she was taught.

Ellie leaned to the side grabbing her black duffle bag off the seat next to her and propping it against the door as she settled her body across the bench seat laying onto her back placing her head onto her bag. Although Ellie was physically present, her mind was wrapped up in a bubble of turmoil and despondency making her feel so very alone despite the company of the two Hunters in the front seat.

Ellie interlocked her fingers and placed the them on her stomach as she shifted and adjusted herself onto the stiff leather.

Dean briefly cut his eyes from the road to look over his shoulder at the girl's laying frame before looking back at the vacant highway.

"Close your eyes, Ellie. We're here if you need us." Dean reassured in a smooth and even tone. Dean didn't rightly know if his words of reassurance would reach her as she seemed distant and shielded at present to accept it. However, if it gave her even an ounce of comfort, just enough to allow her to shut her eyes and sleep, it would count as something in Dean's book.

I need my uncle.

Ellie pulled down the brim of her navy ballcap until it completely covered her face blocking the spurts of light from the street lamps and, if she was being honest with herself, her pain.

Despite her despairing thoughts, Ellie, eventually, found herself give into weariness. The small subconscious comfort of knowing, if she required it or wanted to accept it, these Hunters were there for her and she wasn't, in fact, alone, no matter how much she felt it at the moment. It was just enough to allow her to close her eyes like Dean instructed and give her battered heart a break to drift off to sleep.

0000

Ellie awoke with start, pressing her palms against the firm leather bench seat on either side of her slim frame, shooting her body up from her sleeping position. A small gasp surged from her throat as she had unknowingly dozed off. The irrationally fear of not knowing if she was safe or left alone tensed her muscles for a split-second jolting anxiety through her like a surge of lightning.

It was only when she jerked her head to the side towards the front seat where Sam had his broad shoulders turned looking back at her, did her tensed muscles slacken feeling her shoulders slump in relief. Ellie felt a pinch of frustrating embarrassment for starling awake for such a ridiculous and seemingly unnecessary reason making her feel foolish and downright weird.

"You okay?" Sam asked purposefully his eyes squinting at her with concern studying her slumped posture as her head dipped down and her eyes directed down towards her lap. One of her dark brown braids dangled along her jaw, the sharp glow of the bright street light of the parking lot shined across the side her delicate face.

"Yes, sir." Ellie breathed in a small polite voice. "I'm sorry." She apologized needlessly, a clear edge of embarrassment in her tone as she blinked down at her lap in a sheepish manner.

On instinct Ellie tilted her head up slightly glancing towards driver's seat that she noted was alarmingly unoccupied.

"Where's Dean?" Ellie inquired a hint of urgency in her tone as she turned to look at Sam, feeling a strange apprehensive insecurity come over at the Hunter's absence and being ignorant to his whereabouts. Ellie hated dosing off unexpectedly as learned fears of abandonment and continuous danger left her in a constant state of uncertainty and apprehension.

"He's checking on something. He'll be back." Sam assured seeing concern shining in her wide youthful brown eyes.

Ellie nodded her head slightly in understanding before subconsciously reaching up to tug the rim of her ballcap down, only to realized immediately that it was not on her head. Ellie whipped her head from side to side as she looked around from the seat to the floor frantically for her hat.

"Where's my hat?" Ellie asked a slight panic in her voice as she snapped her head up to look at the man, her almond eyes rounding anxiously.

Sam's hazel eyes stared at her for a beat, his dark brows leveled in a serious expression, a bit taken back at the panic in her voice over a simple hat. Sam sighed heavily pressing his lips together before lifting his arm up, the brim of her navy ball cap securely held between the man's large fingers as he displayed it for her viewing showing she had nothing to fret over. He had taken it off her face about an hour ago to see if she had, in fact, fallen asleep and kept it in the front seat with him not thinking much of it. Although, now he was thinking it would have been nice if she had forgotten about it because, if Sam was being honest with himself, not seeing her face was becoming a real problem for him. It was an irritant to him before Caleb's phone call, but now that his guard was up and his fears amplified towards her, he was coming to find her hiding behind her hat was not just due to some teenage insecurities and shyness. Ellie was not fooling the astute and observant man; he knew she was deliberately using her hat as a protective tool to hide her deceptions, making lying to them easier and more bearable for her. It was becoming far more than a bother, it flat-out unacceptable in Sam's book and found himself fighting to find patience knowing she was hurting and undoubtably in a lot of distress. Sam felt immeasurable sorry for the poor girl and wished she was far away from all this danger and chaos, but no matter how much he wished it, that wasn't the reality, and despite her fears and pain, they needed answers. Her little life was dependent on them and sneaky ruses and dishonesty was not going to fly much longer, not with him anyway.

The seconds ticked by upsettingly slow to Ellie as he continued to hold the hat up for her observation, just long enough to send an uneasy feeling of apprehension through her that, perhaps, the man wasn't going to give it back to her. Ellie wondered why the hell he took it in the first place. He was always flicking the brim up annoyingly seeming irritated by not seeing her face constantly, therefore, Ellie surmised it was all due to his personal dissatisfaction. However, that weighed little against the young teenager as she had a right to wear the hat whether Sam liked it or not. It was just bullshit, in her opinion, to be deprived of her desire to wear it. Not only did the hat make her feel more secure and keep things concealed when her face was destined betrayed her, but she valued it as something that was solely and personally hers. She didn't have much to call her own and while it may seem trivial and odd to value an old worn out ballcap, the fact remained that the young girl did and she wanted it back.

Ellie's dark brown eyes blinked at him with an impatient apprehension. There was a glistening of acute awareness that shined behind Sam's shrewd hazel orbs before he abruptly stretching his arm over the back of the bench seat offering her treasured possession back. With one last glance to the man's serious and unreadable expression, Ellie reached up and took the hat out of the man's grasp.

"Thank you." Ellie muttered softly in a polite tone as she pulled the ball cap over her head pulling the brim down low setting it into place where it belonged. A feeling of familiar security and relief came over her. Her ballcap had almost become an added barrier that aided her in concealing her secrets that kept her telling face hidden from the Hunter's shrewd eyes.

Ellie looked through the windshield of the Impala taking in the small parking lot and the tall brick building in front of them. There was a long blue entrance canopy that had white lettering on the semi-circle front reading 'The Old Terminal Pub'. The blue awning stretched alongside a smaller attached building with a glowing neon blue sign that simply read 'Rooms'. Ellie wondered with hopeful uncertainty if they were going to stay here for the night which she found strange considering the hotel seemed to be mid par, not their usual low standards of dirt cheap. However, Ellie wasn't complaining, she gladly take a step up in mid-class society where their wasn't water damage, splitting tiles or the potential for bed bugs.

Just then Dean's large frame came into view walking towards the Impala. The man pulled open the driver's side door and got in flinging the door shut behind him as he adjusted himself in his seat. A weird feeling of comfort and relief hit Ellie at having both the Winchester brothers in the car. There was something that felt right and fitting within Ellie's instincts, feeling an added blanket of security at having the two of them together. They were both strong and capable men separately, but together there was an added strength and balance that compensated for each other's weaknesses making them quite a daunting force to be reckoned with by each other's sides. It was a confusing and bizarre feeling that she couldn't quite explain, but for what it was worth, it gave her comfort.

"So, what did you find out?" Sam inquired getting right to the point as he looked towards his brother.

"Our boy Daniel is sitting at the bar having himself beer. Midnight after his shift, like clockwork." Dean informed as it was told exactly from the lady at the reception desk of the hotel that was attach to 'The Old Terminal' bar.

"Okay, so how do you want to do this?" Sam asked in earnest seeming to be eager to go to work or, more likely, to get it over with. "The old 'respect an officer' routine?" Sam suggested as he cocked his head to the side looking at Dean with a hint of hidden criticism and annoyance behind his hazel eyes.

A repressed agitation sat in the man's chest building and festering with every passing minute he was in his brother's presence fighting to keep his pent-up anger at bay.

Dean parted his mouth to as if to suggest something else, but instantly closed it giving in almost immediately, completely unaware of Sam's hidden suppressed rage towards him and his father.

"Fine, I'll be the dick." Dean submitted half rolling his eyes not sounding too happy about the arrangement, but, ultimately, knew Sam was the more personable one. Sam had this uncanny ability to befriend people easily getting them to trust him while Dean seemed to struggle in that department as it required patience and tact which was seeming hard to come by these days.

"It'll work." Sam claimed swiftly in a firm tone of certainty as he nodded his head once keeping his glaze out towards windshield. "You're good at it." Sam jabbed impulsively only half joking feeling his restraint slacken, revealing a hint of his bottled-up frustrations before immediately flinging his door open and getting out of the car. He slammed the door shut behind him and headed towards the bar in swift determined strides feeling the need to get away from his brother before he exploded and said things he would regret.

Dean blinked a couple times in bafflement as he watched his brother enter the bar before scoffing tersely shaking his head unamused feeling a bite of offense and annoyance wondering what crawled up his brother's ass and died to get him all snippy and pissy. Dean allowed his brother's shortness to roll of his tense shoulders letting it go as nothing more than his brother being as stressed as he was, although he'd prefer it wasn't taken out on him.

Dean twisted his torso around resting his arm on the top of the leather bench seat to address the little girl behind him.

"Stay in the Impala. I'll be back, five minutes tops. You understand?" Dean urged giving her a firm and weighty look, his brows dipped down in a serious expression. He felt a brisk nervousness sit heavily in his gut not wanting to leave the kid alone in the Impala as he did not have a vote of confidence in her to obey him like he wished. Although, it was just a mere five minutes that he planned to be gone, it was five minutes of distrust he had in her to simply sit on her ass and wait.

However, he didn't have much of choice as bringing a little girl into a bar, while he was posing as a reporter, would not only appear suspicious and odd, but he simply did not want to deal with the headache of having to watch her. He had a job to focus on and getting vital information from Daniel Gunderson was crucial and getting distracted by the teenager was a luxury Dean could afford at the moment.

"Yes, sir." Ellie agreed in a polite tone having every intention of doing as the man said.

Believe it or not, she wanted be good kid and get back on Sam and Dean's good side which she was coming to find to be a lot of effort as Ellie knew, ever since she took off, the men have never fully trusted her with just about anything she did which effected Ellie's conscience a lot more than she suspected it would. A weighty hurt pressed heavily against her bones at being looked upon as a dishonest wayward kid because as it turns out, she was coming to care about these Hunters deeply. So deeply, in fact, that it was becoming scary to the young girl. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself to feel differently to protect herself from rejection and heartache, she simply couldn't and her young heart was opening up slowly on it's own accord beginning to care about them and their approval of her.

Although, she feared, in the end, her efforts to gain affection and approval would be fruitless and unobtainable as there were secrets she just had to keep hidden and lying and deception towards these good men was inevitable and it pained her and burdened as she did not take any pleasure in it feeling she was wronging them in a way. Despite attempting to make her burdening-self easier on them, Ellie concluded with a heavy heart, it was best to keep herself at a distance despite the desire and need to accept comfort, protection and, perhaps, a little affection, it was better not to get close to these men because, in the end, all it would do is hurt and Ellie was tired of hurting and didn't know how much her young heart could bear the pain of disappointment and rejection.

With a hand gripped onto the top of the leather beach seat with her body leaning forward, Ellie watched through the driver's door window Dean's tall frame enter through the jet-black painted doors and disappear. Ellie heaved out a weighed sigh before pushing herself back to sit against the stiff leather bench seat.

It wasn't until her bottom settled against the leather did Ellie feel the dreadful pressure of her muscles constrict around her bladder leaving her in instant and pressing discomfort. Ellie scrunched up her face into a grimace letting out a groan of dismay and frustration, as she turned her head to the side. She was kicking herself for not going to the bathroom before they left, not that she was in a rational state at the time to think about her bladder. Her thoughts were occupied solely on her uncle's safety and sparing herself from the prying questions of Winchesters and not on her bodily needs.

"Shit." Ellie hissed through her gritted teeth.

Ellie pressed a palm against her lower abdomen attempt to relief the pressing urge thinking she could perhaps hold it for the five minutes that Dean said he would be back in. However, as the minutes ticked on painstakingly slow, and after fidgeting in discomfort for seven minutes straight, Ellie gave into her needs and adopted the old 'fuck it' mentality. No matter how much she wished to obey Dean's order, it seemed she was destined to disappoint. If Dean got pissy about it than, so be it. She had to relieve herself and she was going to do it in a toilet, damn it, and not in her pants. She was, after all, sparing his precious Impala. Ellie hastily reached over and pulled the sliver Impala's back door handle before pushing her boot against the door flinging it open as she scrambled out continuing to press her palm against her lower abdomen.

Ellie hurried across the parking lot shuffling her feet rapidly in haste like she was competing in a power walking race in the Olympics. Her body stiffened in an awkward manner as she fought against the ceaseless pressure around her bladder looking exactly as one would who had to take a piss. She probably would be embarrassed by her stiff and hasty movements from the prying eyes of others, if she didn't have to go so damn badly.

Ellie yanked on the black door handle flinging it open widely before entering the dimly lit bar. The instant smell of tobacco and heavy cigar smoke entered her nostrils as the closeness of the musty air encompassed around her like the musk of an old basement. The sound of classic rock music echoed in the background of her mind, urging her feet along as she followed the dented and rugged baseboard along the side wall around the large pool table where a few biker looking men were gathered around.

"Excuse me, sir, excuse me." Ellie expressed hastily, with her head dipped down, as she weaved in between and around the men who graciously stepped out of the determined girl's path towards the back of the bar. A few of them turning their heads and watching her curiously before turning their attention back to their game seeming to understand the kid's purpose for rushing into the bar.

Ellie felt a wave of relief wash over her as she spotted along the back wall a crudely painted black door with white painted lettering scruffily marked 'Women'. Without any hesitation Ellie rushed through the door with long skipping strides, not caring one bit that bathroom smelled horridly of a potent chemical floral musk that did nothing to mask the smell of human waste. Ellie hurried into one of the black wooden stalls closing the plywood door behind her and taking care of her urgent need immediately gaining relief.

0000

"Are you going to ambush me here?" Daniel Gunderson asked in frustrated offense. The man's dark brows frowned deeply at Dean, not at all appreciating being bothered and questioned about his dead partner who he had tragically lost only a week ago, the upset of it still raw and pained in the officer's mind. He just wanted to be left alone and enjoy the simple comfort of a much-need beer at the end of his long shift.

"Sorry, but I need to know what happened." Dean pressed curtly and unapologetically, seeming unbothered by his rudeness and pushy attitude towards the off-duty police officer playing his role perfectly as the uncaring and smug reporter who would do anything to get a story.

Then, without missing a beat, Sam took his opportunity to interject like they had planned stomping towards Dean thudding his boots heavily into the concrete floor with long vigorous strides.

"Hey buddy." Sam exclaimed forcefully playing his roll as he snatched a hold of Dean's bicep in a rough constricting grip pressing and digging the tips of his stiff fingers strongly into his older brother's arm muscle. "How about leaving the poor guy alone, huh?!" Sam spat out venomously as he roughly yanked Dean off the stool thrusting his palm into his brother's chest giving him an aggressive and forceful shove towards the pool table.

The force of Sam's shove had Dean stumble back feeling his back collide sharply with the rounded edge of the pool table, swiftly grabbing the attention of the biker men playing. Feeling a slight lingering ache in his chest and arm from Sam's combative grip and potent shove, Dean looked up at his brother, a flash of shocked offense crossed Dean's eyes, a bit taken back at the unnecessary power and aggression his brother used towards him. It was all well and good to sell the scene, but that aggressive shove was needlessly excessive and Dean knew there was a hell of a lot more behind it than some impressive acting skills as he could physically feel his brother's charged up anger being channeled towards him.

"The man's an officer! Why don't you show a little respect?!" Sam declared in a sharp hostile tone holding out his arm pointing towards Daniel in his defense making quite the show for everyone in the bar including Ellie who had been watching the entire scene unfold in bafflement.

Ellie stood only a couple feet away from the right of the pool table, her brown eyes wide and her mouth gapped slightly, both impressed and startled by the Hunters commitment to selling a scene. Ellie's eyes lay fixed on Sam's angry face in wonderment. He certainly seemed believably mad in defending Mr. Gunderson against the pushy 'reporter', a bit taken back herself at seeing Sam's excessive aggression. Fake or not, the tall imposing Hunter was undoubtably a force to be reckoned with, but seeing Dean on the receiving end seemed odd and concerning regardless of it all just being an act.

There was a small beat of silence between the brothers before the sight of a navy ballcap caught the corner of Sam's vision. His hazel eyes cut briskly towards Ellie, his hard face falling slightly in shock, almost unnoticeably, as his mouth parted and his eyes widened before casting them back over to Dean.

"And who the hell bring a kid to a bar?!" Sam accused harshly selling his outrage at the man as he moved his pointed finger from Daniel to Ellie.

Ellie felt her chest heave up into a gasp as air rush out of her lungs, feeling her nerves tingle with jittery anxiety as all eyes in the bar suddenly fell upon her. She instantly felt like a little kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Ellie was kicking herself for not just simply sneaking back out to the Impala when she had the chance. The two Hunters would be none the wiser that she disobeyed and it would have spared her the trouble of being exposed in public to everyone. Yet, it didn't seem to cross her mind at the time as she was so enthralled at the scene the brothers were putting on for the entire bar. Ellie's limbs locked and stiffened like a statue feeling a potent embarrassment seep under her skin at suddenly being the center of everyone's direct focus. For a girl that often kept in the shadows and out of the eyes of the public, this was dreadful awkward and somewhat frightening to the private teenager.

Dean felt his chest cave in as he immediately turned his head to the side to see none other than the disobedient teenager standing only a few feet from him by the end of the pool table looking downright horrified. Dean felt a sharp annoyance bite at his nerve endings utterly astounded that she disregarded his order to stay in the damn Impala for five freaking minutes. Dean's face muscles tensed as his expression morphed into a daunting scowl, his masculine jawline sharp and ridged as he regarded the teenager with a severe look finding himself frighting to find the strength not to grab her and smack her defiant little backside all the way to the Impala. Either she had some balls of steel or she was playing a dangerous game of chicken with him. With all the restraint he had, which wasn't much, Dean took a brisk step towards Ellie making her subconsciously lean back swiftly in a defensive and sheepish manner. Dean reached his long arm down and snatched a hold of her wrist in a tight constricting grip without saying a word. All of Ellie's tense muscles surged with a potent and visceral anxiety that swarmed and spread throughout her body like a gush of cold water as fear of punishment set in.

Dean swiftly turned on his heels and began to marched towards to the door in long purposeful strides dragging the young reluctant girl behind him forcing Ellie to shuffle her feet rapidly to keep up with his impatient and hurried pace towards the exit seeming to have a burning desire to get her alone which effectively ascended Ellie's anxiety tenfold.

Dean slammed his palm against the jet-black door shoving it roughly open as he jerked her over the threshold behind him. Ellie felt her head jerk back and then forward from the sheer force of his yanking making her both simultaneously annoyed and extremely nervous. It was no secret the man was pissed.

Dean abruptly let go of her wrist only to immediately move his constricting grip to her small bicep. Lifting up slightly, he forced the girl onto the balls of her feet as he continued to march her towards the Impala.

Once they were next to the Impala's driver side wheel, Dean abruptly jerked Ellie around to face him directly squaring his shoulders with her's as he looked down the girl with hard disgruntled features.

"What the hell were you doing in there?" Dean demanded feeling frustration tense his muscles at the girl's inability to follow his orders for five damn minutes.

Ellie kept her head tilted down focusing on Dean's right boot, not feeling brave enough to look up at the man. Yet, despite alarm surging through her body with warning, Ellie found herself brave enough to bring her shoulders up to her ears before dropping them sharply in a brisk shrug of false indifference.

"Thought I'd have a beer." Ellie dared to quip in a carefree manner unable to curb her teenage sarcasm as she attempted to made light of the situation, an unwise, but defensive strategy to mask her true emotions on the matter.

However, unfortunately for her, Dean was not in a joking mood, his tempter was heated by her defiance and he was far from amused. Dean glared daggers down at the smart mouthed little girl as he rolled his tongue across the side of cheek in a daunting display of repressed aggravation letting a bit of uneasy silence sit between them making Ellie visibly gulp.

Then without a warning, Dean reached out and snatched a hold of her bicep, once again, and swiftly jerked the teenager to the side to show her just how 'funny' he thought her comment was.

Knowing exactly what the ill-humored Hunter intended from previous experience, Ellie instantly felt panic surge through her body like a jolt of lighting, her eyes widening in apprehension as she reached back with her free hand, palm up, to cover her back denim pockets.

"Woah, wait! Wait! I had to pee, I had to pee!" Ellie confessed, her frantic words spewing from her lips swiftly and urgently hoping to stop Dean's falling palm feeling herself bounce and peddle on the balls of her feet ready to dance away from his hand.

Dean halted his raised palm casting his attention away from her denim covered backside to the side of her panic-stricken face that was pale in worry. Dean's hard face muscles slackened a bit feeling his chest rising before falling into a brisk and heavy sigh as jerked his grip from her bicep forcing Ellie to take a step forward. Dean turned his head to the side as he rubbed his stiff fingers down his sharp jaw line feeling his agitation twitch his face muscles.

"Jezz." Ellie grumbled under breath as she turned to face him, her shoulders hunched in a sheepish manner as she turned her dipped head from side to side looking cautiously under the brim of her ballcap for any witnesses feeling a blush spread to her complexion at almost getting her ass smacked in the public parking lot. Ellie tilted her head up to look at the man a small sulking frown playing on her lips feeling a bite of frustration at the man's intolerance for a joke which she felt was highly hypocritical as he was always making jokes in the most unseemly of circumstances. But she supposed it was in poor taste due to the fact she did disobey him, despite the very good reason for it, and the edgy Hunter wasn't exactly her biggest fan she noted with some shame and hurt. She should have just kept her stupid mouth shut and opted for honesty from the beginning. Why did she have to be a smartass all the time? She really didn't know.

"You were in there too long. I couldn't hold it." Ellie explained in her defense trying to keep her tone respectful and prove to Dean it wasn't out of pure defiance or a sudden drive just to piss him off. She needed to go and that was all there was to it.

"Why didn't you go before?" Dean challenged accusingly his teeth gritting in aggravation thinking he could have been spared the trouble if she would have taken care of her needs before the trip into Illinois or simply just told them before they went inside, instead of waiting till the most inconvenient time.

"I didn't think about." Ellie muttered honestly an edge of defensive tightness in her tone not liking being blamed for the timing on her bodily needs.

"Well next time think about it and tell us before just taking off." Dean bit out in a testy and impatient tone still on edge and by no means happy about her defiance despite it being a reasonable excuse. In Dean's mind, it could have been avoided if she simply thought ahead. Not to mention her taking off without a word was a touchy subject. The man still hadn't fully gotten over the fact that she had snuck off and was away from their protection for almost twenty-four hours where anything could have happened to the vulnerable teenager. The guilt of his neglectfulness and past fears all played a huge part in intensifying his intolerance for her disobeying making him excessively agitated.

The burdening pressure he felt weighing on his shoulders pertaining to Ellie's safety, his amplified fears from Caleb's phone call, his brother's pent-up frustrations aimed at him, all, but left the man fighting for his sanity and was far from his easygoing and carefree self. And unfortunately for Ellie, she was reaping the consequences of what was planted.

"And take this damn hat off." Dean snapped, suddenly, in a cross tone feeling his temper and stress get the better of him as he snatched the brim of her ballcap pulling it off her head finding himself holding little tolerance for small annoyances. He was damn frustrated at the lack of eye contact he was being given by the secretive girl. It was disrespectful in his eyes for her to keep hiding behind her ballcap making her seem deliberately deceitful and he found himself condemning it.

A few strands of Ellie's brown locks flew up as the cap lifted off her head. An instant vulnerability came over her accompanied with a sharp bitter annoyance at the Hunter, not at all appreciating her hat being snatched off her head.

"I can't see your freaking face." Dean declared grumpily japing the hat into her chest urging her to take it.

Ellie accepted her hat into her hands tilting her head up slowly at the irritable Hunter. Ellie squinted her almond brown eyes up at the man looking under her long lashes pinning him with a scathing glare. Her brown eyes glimmering with accusing censure as she fought hard to keep her opinions to herself just knowing she'd get one hell of a licking if she said anything that she was thinking. However, her scornful eyes said it all. He wanted to see her face so badly, well, there it was.

Dean cocked his head to the side slightly rising his eyebrows high on his forehead in a critical manner a bit taken by her boldness to look at him so defiantly in a smug almost challenging manner like she had every right to. Dean took a brisk step towards Ellie invading her personal space as he shot her a look of grave warning that all, but told her she had better fix her face, and damn quickly if she didn't want to end up shit's cheek with him in about two seconds flat.

Seeming to get the message loud and clear, Ellie stiffly rocked her jaw to one side slightly in an awkward manner before rolling her tongue in her mouth as she attempted to rid herself of the caustic and telling scowl. Ellie dripped her head down to look at the pavement below her feet as she rubbed her boot along the rough asphalt awkwardly swaying and shifting her body in a fidgety manner feeling the effects of the intimidating man's warning soundly.

"Get in the Impala." Dean ordered curtly tilting his head towards his precious car, his features stiffly lined with sharp disapproval, knowing that if they didn't get their space all hell would break lose.

Ellie huffed out a waft of air through her nostrils before immediately turning from the Hunter and marching around the hood of the Impala towards the passenger side glad to get away from the grumpy man feeling a strong frustration of stubborn dissatisfaction grow with every weighed step she took.

Ellie abruptly halted her strides at the passenger side wheel as she turned her head sharp to the side her long brown braids swishing at her brisk movement. Ellie's almond eyes narrowed in censure as she watched Dean lean his backside up against the side of the hood of the Impala by the driver's door, his broad back facing her as he directed his body toward the entrance of the bar waiting for Sam to return. The man shifted his backside on the hood slouching slightly in a causal manner as he slipped his hands in the pockets of his dark grey trucker jacket.

Unable to keep her frustrations locked away, once Ellie was certain Dean could not see her, Ellie leaned her body forward in a belligerent manner. With her arms locked stiffly at her sides, the frustrated girl forced her tongue out of her mouth sticking it straight out at Dean's turned back in a mocking display of rebellion before straightening her back and firmly placing her ballcap back on her head jerking the brim down briskly in complete defiance of him.

Feeling an immature and inappropriate satisfaction in giving Dean a piece of her mind behind his back, Ellie began to turn toward the back door of the Impala to do as the dictator wanted, but a sudden deep and daunting voice stopped the girl dead in her tracks.

"Ellie." Dean voice rumbled dangerously making Ellie's muscles instantly freeze in severe trepidation as a harsh anxiety blossom in her chest at his dreaded tone.

Ellie snapped her head towards the man's broad muscular back, her brown eyes wide with a fearful guilt written all over her paled expression knowing that if the man saw her, she was, in the simplest terms, dead. Ellie was well aware how disrespectful it was and her horror-stricken face all, but said it.

Dean turned his head to the side to peer over his shoulder at the contrite girl, a shadow casting over the man's stiffened features, his sharp jawline rigidly tensed as a severely stern look was chiseled into the hard lines of his expression.

"Stick that tongue out at me again and you'll be over my knee getting your ass spanked in this parking lot for disrespect." Dean warned in a dangerously calm voice that was alarmingly convincing. His deep voice dropping to a disturbingly low tone of resolve that cut straight into the young teenager's tight chest.

Ellie jaw nearly hitting the pavement as she gapped widely and stupidly at his stiff back utterly dumbfounded. How the hell did he even know?! A grave anxiety and disappointment resonated through her for severely underestimating the man's observation skills. Ellie didn't know what shocked her the most, the fact that he knew she had stuck out her tongue at him with his back completely turned or the fact that he threatened to take her over his knee in public. Ellie wasn't sure if the man was bluffing, but something wisely told her she did not want to push him and found out as she would be mortified to even think about being whopped in a parking lot where any Tom, Dick or Harry could witness her getting it. She was certain she would not be able to bear the embarrassing agony.

Unable to contain her shock and dismay, Ellie just blinked her wide brown eyes, her mouth still gapped taking in the mortifying reality that he had just caught and threaten to be spanked right in the parking lot.

Seeing Ellie's clear mortified shock at being caught, Dean felt the side of his lip twitch as he scoffed humorlessly turning his attention back to the black doors of the bar.

"I've got eyes in the back of my head, kiddo. Don't forget it." Dean warned in a deep tone that all but told Ellie not to test the observant or, more likely, psychic Hunter.

Little did Ellie know, Dean had seen her disrespectful display through the reflection the driver's side window of the car across from him leaving the sneaky girl completely exposed to Dean's alerted eyes.

Ellie instantly dipped her head down as a blush of shame began to spread over her cheeks feeling a pitch of regret at her immaturity and disrespect. Why was she such a bad kid? Was it so difficult for her to just be good? A grave disappointment in herself began to form and build in her gut. The man didn't deserve that, so why the hell did she do it then?

Ellie licked her lips in a nervous manner trying to muster up the courage as she lifted her head back up parting her hesitant lips about to mutter an apology, but just as she did, her eyes caught sight of Sam emerging through the painted black doors of the bar. His long legs making short time in trudging towards the Impala.

"Shoved me kinda hard there, buddy boy." Dean commented unenthused, his hands still in the pockets of his trucker jacket as he pushed his arms out slightly in an idly gesture.

"I had to sell it, didn't I?" Sam challenged back putting his arms out for emphasis as he walked past Dean showing a slight smugness in his expression completely unapologetic about giving his brother a hard shove that, in Sam mind, was not entirely out of line for his brother's inability to wake up and be his own man.

"It's called method acting." Sam remarked as he walked around the hood of the Impala towards Ellie who stepped aside into the shadows of the Impala dipping her head down in a sheepish manner trying to disappear still recovering from the embarrassing reprimand she got along with the biting guilt of her rude gesture towards Dean that was now weighing heavily on the girl's shoulders.

"Huh?" Dean questioned as turned to look at his brother on the other side of the Impala, the phrase going completely over his head, not having a shiting clue what it meant.

"Never mind." Sam dismissed waving his hand at his brother to just forget it as he did not feel like giving his brother a lesson on theater terminology.

"So what'd you find out with Gunderson? What did he tell you about the Asylum?" Dean pressed cutting straight to the chase wanting to get the ball rolling on this case.

Sam placed his forearms on top of the Impala's roof leaning forward slightly as he directed his attention at his brother. Sam scoffed a slight smug smirk tugging at the side of his lip.

"A lot."


TBC

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