Chapter 2
Dean Winchester was leaning against his shiny, black '67 Chevy Impala that he had bought when he was fifteen years old. With John's help, they had restored the car and by the time he was sixteen and got his license, he had a classic, muscle car to drive. Dean loved the Impala and named her ' Baby'. No one touched his Baby and got away with it. He wouldn't even let Sam drive it unless it was an emergency. Sam accused him of having an unhealthy relationship with the car and Dean just scoffed at him.
A small twin engine plane was practicing landing and takeoff on one of the runways at the airport. Sam had been working toward his pilot's license for the past year and only had another month or so to finish and he would be licensed. The plane came around again and landed, slowing as it turned to head for the hangers to park. Once it was parked and wheels chalked, Sam got out and made his way toward his brother.
"Hey, you ready to go up with me?" Sam asked his brother, merriment in his eyes, already knowing the answer.
"No; for that matter, hell no. If God wanted me to fly he would've given me wings. And then I might still drive to where I want to go," Dean stated firmly.
"Dude, you wouldn't believe the rush you get being up in the clouds with no one else around," Sam told him. "It's like you're so free and not a care in the world."
"Give me my Baby any day. Racing down the road with the wind in my face and the radio blaring is all the rush I need."
"What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Mom wanted me to run some errands and I was close. I thought I'd see how my little brother was doing with your flying lessons."
"I only need a few more solo hours and I can try for my license."
"Hold that thought," Dean told Sam as his cell started ringing. "Hello…Yeah, I'm with Sammy…Yes sir…We're on our way…Bye Dad."
"Do we have a job?" Sam asked getting the gist of the one side conversation.
"Yep, Dad just got a call from the sheriff's department out of Springfield, Missouri. There're some hikers missing, and they need help finding them. Dad and Bobby are getting the vehicles ready to head out as soon as we get back and grab our to go bags."
"I'll follow you back to the compound," Sam told him as he hurried to his SUV and got in. He waited for Dean to get into the Impala and head out before falling in behind him.
This was nothing new for the brothers. They received requests for help from all over the country and volunteered where they were needed in major disasters. The team was always ready to head out at a moment's notice. Asa had a standing order if he was called out on a job, a replacement was on standby to be called in. Mary coordinated everything from their end and kept John up to date with new information as it was given to her.
spn
Dean pulled up to the house they lived in and parked under the carport, waiting for Sam to park too before getting out of his car. He unlocked the door for the house and headed for his bedroom while Sam went to his own to change and grab his duffel. They headed for the main house to find their parents and let them know they were there and ready to go.
"Mom, Dad, we're here," Dean called as they strolled through the backdoor and on into the kitchen.
"I'm in the operation's room," Mary replied from the far room off the kitchen.
"Where's Dad?" Sam asked, giving his mother a peck on the cheek.
"He's with Bobby getting the vans ready and being sure the right equipment is packed. Did you have a good session son?"
"Yeah. The weather was perfect for flying and I don't have much longer until I can apply for my license."
"That's great. I'm proud of you."
"C'mon Sammy, let's go find the others," Dean told his brother. "See ya Mom," Dean said giving Mary a peck on the other cheek.
"You boys be careful out there and watch out for each other. Remember angels are watching over you."
"We will Mom. We always do." They looked at each other and rolled their eyes and smiled good naturally because Mary always told them this before they went out on a job. She had been telling them their whole lives that angels watched over them and protected them.
The brothers made their way back through the house and headed for the garage that had two company vans parked in front of it. Charlie had designed the logos and artwork on the sides of the vans stating their company name. The other team members were milling around waiting for everyone to get there so they could load up and head out.
Dean and Sam greeted them and tossed their bags in back of a van. They were greeted by Fred and Barney, their trained rescue dogs, who were prancing back and forth happily because they knew there was a job to be done.
"Alright, I think we're ready, let's hit the road," John ordered, heading for one van to drive while Bobby went to the other van to drive it.
The team divided up and piled into the vans and got comfortable for their trip to Missouri. They settled down and tried to get some sleep before they got there since they usually didn't sleep much when on a job. Dean found a good radio station and music drifted through the van, lulling them to sleep.
spn
John stopped at a truck stop just outside of Springfield to get gas and let everyone stretch their legs, use the restrooms, walk the dogs, get drinks and snacks before they continued to the command post set up by the sheriff's department.
Once everyone was back in the vans, they followed the directions skirting the city and heading toward the hiking trails southeast of Springfield. John knew he was in the right place as he slowed and eased through the vehicles parked in the parking lot. He showed his credentials to a deputy and was instructed where to park.
The team got out and grabbed packs before heading for a large tent to find the sheriff. Everyone but John and Bobby hung back. Dean and Sam stepped over to maps pinned to a portable poster board and studied them, noting marks made by someone showing the hikers last known location. Sam picked up copies of two maps lying on a table to take with them. They talked between themselves and turned when John and Bobby stepped back out.
"Okay, everyone, listen up," John announced to his team. "We are taking the area that is more rugged and hard to travel. Boys, you take the dogs and see if they can pick up their scent. I have items from several of the missing hikers for them to get the scent. He handed Dean and Sam items of clothing in plastic bags to use once they got to the location they were last seen. "Radio us your status and if anyone is injured and we'll plan a rescue."
"Set your comms to channel ten," Bobby told them. "And give me a radio check," he instructed the brothers. He walked away a short distance so there would be no feedback and waited for them to comply.
"Check, check," Dean spoke into his radio. He also carried a sat phone if the radios didn't work as a backup.
"Reading me Bobby?" Sam said after changing the channel on his radio.
"You boys are good. Stay safe."
"Come on Sammy, let's head out," Dean told him shouldering his pack and heading for the trailhead with Fred.
"We'll let you know if the dogs pick up anything," Sam told John before following his brother as Barney trotted along beside him.
The brothers disappeared around a curve and picked up the pace knowing the sooner they got to the starting point the sooner they could begin the search. Sam cut through the woods cutting off some time and found the place marked on the map.
Dean and Sam opened the bags of clothing and let the dogs get a good whiff before giving the command to seek. The brothers watched as the dogs began to sniff the ground and weave back and forth until they found the scent and began to follow it. They hurried after them for a short distance along the trail until they veered from it and started making their way among the trees.
"They made their first mistake," Dean complained. "You don't go off trail."
"You know people can't resist doing that."
"What do you wanna bet someone told them about a secret waterfall or river or lookout point, and they decided they were going to find it."
"I don't want to lose my money," Sam chuffed.
"Dumbasses," Dean muttered under his breath. He whistled for the dogs and heard the yip ahead of them. He led them that way, pausing along the way to mark their trail.
They began to climb a hill and saw the dogs at the top waiting for them. It got steeper as they neared the top, and the brothers were huffing by the time they crested the hill. After a five-minute break, the dogs started out again searching for the scent to follow with the brothers close behind them.
A/N: Hope you are enjoying the story and this AU I created. Thank you for coming along for the ride. I do like reviews/comments. NC