Crossing Paths
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Author/Chapter Notes: Thanks to the usual suspects and all who reviewed chapter 10, I appreciate each and every one. Here's chapter 11.
Chapter 11: The Sound of Music
Dean had searched the ground floor at a trot; his right arm wrapped around his middle to support his healing ribs. His search returned zero results; he found nothing and no one. No Alec, Diane, Logan or Max; he noted the absence of the large black medical bag and the oxygen cylinder Diane had brought with her. The jacket she had on when she arrived last night was also nowhere to be seen; somewhere in the back of his memory Dean remembered Diane saying her next shift at the hospital started at four; he didn't know how long he had slept and he had no clue as to what the time is now but although the sun no longer filtered in through the stained glass windows the house was still light; it had to be afternoon and the fact that Diane's belongings were gone alleviated Dean's immediate fear for her safety. However his fears for Alec and what he could do in his condition without knowing he was doing it rose to mild panic the longer he went without finding him.
Finished with the ground floor he hurried to the stairs that led to the top floor; since he'd been here Dean hadn't been any further than the ground floor and he had no idea what was up there. He had one foot on the bottom step when he heard it; the faint sounds of music, piano music. Dean stopped to listen and to gauge where the music emanated from. It sounded as if it was coming from underneath him or more precisely under the stairs. Stepping back off and away from the stairs he made his way slowly down the hallway towards the back of the house. Under the staircase to his right was a door that must lead to the basement where Logan had located the mattress; the music was coming from behind the door. Turning the dented brass handle he pulled the door open, instantly the music became louder. Dean didn't bother to flick on the light switch inside the door as light from below flittered up the wooden stairs descending to his left. Cautiously Dean started down his bare feet making no sound on the worn wooden steps.
From half way down the stairs Dean could see the basement was stuffed with all kinds of household items; furniture, bric-a-brac and bulging boxes taking up most of the room; some of the larger pieces of furniture had old, dust sheets or tarpaulins thrown haphazardly over them. Hanging from the ceiling a light globe with an upturned saucer like shade shone directly onto the upright piano that seemed to dominate the center of the crowded room. Alec was seated at the piano bench and it was he who was playing and what he played was not a simple beginner's piece; Dean thought he had heard it played sometime before possibly when he and Sam were on a job posing as Fed's in some fancy store or hotel lobby; it just wasn't the type of music he knew anything about or had taken the time to listened too. It sounded like a complex, haunting, classical piece. Alec's fingers flew over the keys, his eyes closed, head bent upper body moving and swaying to the rhythm of the music.
Reaching the bottom step and using the banister for support Dean sat down on the second to bottom riser, watching in wonder as Alec played. Dean was enthralled, amazed and in awe of Alec's skill. He'd seen people play before in a bar or in a nightclub when he and Sam were on a hunt posing as agents from one of the many government agencies they frequently used but he'd never seen or heard anything as extraordinary as this.
As the last notes died away into silence Alec exhaled and slumped forward slightly, hands resting on the pianos edge.
"Hey Dean," Alec said a moment later without looking up or opening his eyes.
"Hey," Dean said puzzled. "How'd you know it was me?"
"I could tell from the way you move the way you walk."
"So much for the stealthy approach," Dean quipped.
"It was very stealthy, but with my heightened senses I am able to recognize someone by their tread. Everybody on the planet has a walk that is unique to them no two are the same," Alec explained. "It's a Manticore thing so don't take it personally."
"Another Manticore thing huh," Dean observed.
"Yeah another Manticore thing," Alec repeated. "The piano didn't wake you did it?" Alec asked.
"No, I was awake." Dean answered honestly. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." Alec answered opening his eyes but not looking up his gaze on the piano keys. "I'm a fast healer."
"Yeah I gathered that," Dean replied. "I woke up and you were gone, I was concerned-"
"Concerned that I had turned loco and gone on a killing spree?" Alec interrupted.
"I didn't say that," Dean said lowly.
"No… but you were thinking it," Alec countered lifting his head and turning to look directly at Dean.
"So I can add mind reader to your long list of talents?" Dean retorted. "I gotta say I think you should have paid closer attention in the Manticore mind reading classes, because I was going to say I was concerned for you, Alec." Dean said a little testily.
Alec's expression was vulnerable and hopeful as he stared back. "You really mean that?" It wasn't a question it was a statement.
"Damn straight," Dean answered sincerely. Seeing doubt lingering in Alec's eyes Dean continued. "Alec, let's get something straight here and now…. How or where you were conceived, what you are, what you were, what you've done… none of it means squat to me and I know I can say the same for Sam…; we haven't known each other for very long but I want you to believe me when I say… we, you me and Sam share DNA which means we are family, you are our brother and the way things are going it looks like you're gonna be stuck with us man." Dean was aware that at this very moment Alec believed him; he could see it in his eyes. "We are family," he reiterated." Family drives you crazy, frustrates the hell outta you and half the time you feel like you want to kill em… but family is family… you do whatever you have to do for family and they do the same for you because they are family and family forgives and forgets… you got it?"
Alec nodded turning back to the piano in an attempt to hide the tears that had welled in his eyes at Dean's passionate speech.
"That was amazing by the way," Dean said nodding towards the piano changing the subject to dispel the awkward chic flick moment. "That Beethoven or Mozart or something?"
Alec cleared his throat in an attempt to control his emotions and looked back at Dean a smile now clinging to his lips and lightening his moist eyes. "Chopin." Alec informed him. "Opus.9 Nocturne No.2 in E-flat major." He added.
"If you say so," Dean answered with a lift of one brow. "How long did it take you to learn to play?"
"A day," Alec answered.
"A day, seriously? You learned to play piano in a day?" Dean asked in surprise. "Let me guess Manticore?"
"Yep, Manticore," Alec answered. "One of the few good things they taught me."
"Well I don't know anything about piano concertos but that was awesome." Dean replied approvingly, forming an O with his thumb and index finger.
"Actually that piece is not a concerto, a concerto is for more than one piano and two pianists, Nocturne No.2 is for a solo pianist."
"Of course it is," Dean stated with a sardonic lift of his lips.
Alec laughed at that. "Do you play?"
"What piano? No. I did take a few guitar lessons when I was a kid, but we were always on the move you know? When one hunt was done we'd move straight on to the next and it could be way across the other side of the country. So I was never able kept it up." Dean answered.
"That's a shame," Alec said sincerely.
"That's just the way it was. Instead of guitar lessons I learned bow hunting, how to shoot like a sniper and the finer skills of knife fighting."
Both were quiet for a moment before Alec announced. "I'm going to teach you."
"Come again," Dean said not sure he was hearing correctly.
"I'll teach you how to play piano," Alec answered, a new light shining in his eyes.
"You want to teach me to play piano?" Dean questioned a little stunned.
"Is there an echo in here?" Alec said holding his fingers up to his ear for effect.
Dean curled up the corner of his lip. "Very funny wise guy."
"Why not?" Alec ignored Dean's remark and scooted over to one side of the piano bench. "I'll teach you, come on sit down."
"I appreciate the offer but I don't think I can; you know what they say… you can't teach old dogs new tricks," Dean said with a shake of his head.
"Oh come on you're only twenty eight Dean it's never too late to learn," Alec answered. "Come on sit down."
Dean saw the earnest look on Alec's face; the kid really wanted to do this. "Alright but I warn you I don't think it's gonna work," Dean said as he stood covering the short distance to the piano in three strides he slid onto the bench.
"Okay relax your shoulders, shake out your hands and place your hands like this," Alec demonstrated spreading his fingers and placing his fingertips lightly on the keys. "Musical notes are like the alphabet only instead of A to Z they're in groups from A to G left to right across the keyboard, the only difference in each group of keys is the change in pitch. This is middle C," Alec depressed the key with his right thumb." Middle C is the center white key starting here at middle C we can play a simple scale like this, Doh Re Mi Fa So La Te Doh," Alec sang the notes as the fingers of his right hand skimmed lithely across the keys.
"Hey I know that Doe Ray Me thing, it's a song from that movie the one with the nuns and the guy who had lots of kids," Dean said enthusiastically. "The Sound of Music!" Dean snapped his fingers. "The song goes like this; Doe a deer, a female deer, Ray a drop of golden sun, Me a name I call myself." Dean sang slightly off key.
"I have no idea what you're talking about but in music it's called a scale, I'll show you again Middle C is Doh."
-CP-
Sam had carried the oxygen tank from the house to Diane's car stowing and securing it in the trunk next to the large medical bag.
Closing the trunk he turned to the petite nurse. Diane stood beside him fingering the car keys.
Sam knew he owed her more than he could ever put into words. "I don't know how to thank you for what you've done for us all of us," he said earnestly.
"Well I must say it's been an eventful twenty four hours and a break from the boring, hum drum of life," Diane paused for moment before continuing. "It might sound silly to you but meeting you, Dean, Alec all of you has been the most wonderful, exciting and exhilarating thing that's ever happened to me?" Diane answered her expression a little embarrassed as she looked up at him her blue eyes sparkling like sapphires as they caught the afternoon sunshine.
Sam shook his head. "No not at all, but believe me it gets old quickly you wouldn't want to live like this all the time. There are times when I would give my eye teeth for boring and hum drum."
"Yeah you're probably right," Diane agreed. "Well I better get going I'd like to take a shower at home before my shift."
Sam moved as she did bending forward as she stretched up; they met somewhere in between arms going around each other in a hug, Sam caught the lingering scent of her perfume. "Thank you," he whispered.
Diane pulled a folded, crinkled piece of paper from her pocket; she looked down at it for a moment. "Would you give this to Dean? Tell him I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye," she said holding the paper to Sam.
"Of course," Sam replied taking it from her.
"Thanks," Diane said stepping back.
Sam recalled the way Diane stood in front of his sleeping brother the way she had brushed away the strands of light brown hair on Dean's forehead before leaning forward and placing a gentle feather light kiss against his skin. "Goodbye Dean," she whispered, her lips hovering close before she straightened stood back looked at him for a long drawn out moment her blue eyes scanning his face memorizing every line, every freckle, every scar.
"He would have liked to see you off but I-"
"No I understand it might be better for everyone that he was sleeping and the sleep will speed up the healing, Alec's too," Diane interjected.
Sam moved around to the side of the car and opened the door; held it open as she got in then shut it again.
The window slid open and Diane smiled up at him. "You never know I might see you again sometime," She glanced out the windshield for a moment then back at Sam. "In different circumstances would be great."
"You never know," Sam replied.
Diane started the engine. "Bye Sam, take care of yourself and your brother or I should say brothers," she said.
"I will," Sam assured her.
Sam watched as the small car pulled away, watched until it turned a corner and disappeared from sight before turning back to the house and mounting the steps two at a time. He found Alec and Dean still sleeping; the house seemed different as though Diane's leaving had left a hole. Not knowing what else to do Sam lowered himself onto the floor at the foot of the sofa in between his brothers. "I will," he repeated quietly.
-CP-
Sam reasoned that Alec and Dean weren't the only ones who needed the rest; when he found himself waking up on the floor slumped back against the sofa; his neck hurting from the unusual angle his head was canted at.
The sound of music… he could hear the faint sound of music; it wasn't the kind of music that usually startled him from sleep blaring out of the speakers of the Impala; it wasn't Metallica, Zeppelin or AC/DC it was… piano music? The room was still lit by daylight and Sam saw immediately that the sofa he was leaning back against and the chair opposite him were both empty. Climbing to his feet as quickly as his stiff, cramping limbs would allow. There were no signs that Logan or Max had returned; apart from the music the house was quiet. He followed the music to the open doorway under the stairs.
Now that he was closer to the music's source he could also hear voices dispersed with bursts of laughter. He couldn't believe his eyes as he descended the staircase into the basement. Alec and Dean where seated at an upright piano amongst the chaos of the room. It was the two of them playing, chopsticks they were playing chopsticks with a few wrong keys that were all coming from Dean. Dean grimaced when he once again hit the wrong key but he kept going, urged on by Alec's amused encouragement.
Dean finished with an exhale of breath. "I always make the same mistakes," He chastised himself.
"Don't worry about it you'll get it you're doing great, keep trying," Alec pushed.
"Guys, what the hell are you doing?" Sam interrupted.
They both turned their heads to face him; the light from above them throwing their identical green eyes into shadow. "What does it look like we're doing?" Alec inquired in amusement.
"Call me crazy but it looks like you're playing chopsticks on the piano," Sam stated the obvious.
"Bingo! You got it in one Sammy," Dean remarked dryly. "We're playing chopsticks on the piano, well it's more like Alec is playing and I'm making… noise."
"That's not true he's a fast learner, not as fast as me but then I'm special," Alec spoke up in Dean's defense at the same time praising himself.
"Blow your own trumpet why don't you," Dean said turning back to the piano and depressing some piano keys.
"But I don't play the trumpet," Alec said with mock distress.
"Very funny, smart ass," Dean threw back.
Sam shook his head. "You're both as crazy as each other," he said.
"Just before you said and I quote," Dean said making quotation marks in the air with his fingers, "call me crazy, meaning yourself so I'm gonna call you crazy and that makes all three of us crazy." Dean contemplated. "Join us on the dark side and we will be crazies together." He added in a Darth Vader like voice.
Sam shook his head, but he was smiling. "Think I'll pass, I'll just sit right here and watch you make a fool of yourself." He said sitting down on the step Dean had occupied earlier.
"Okay suit yourself," Dean said with a lift of his shoulder. Come on Alec let's show him what he's missing."
"Alright but I think you're ready to try it on your own, like I showed you before," Alec answered.
"On my own? Really?" Dean asked surprised.
"I think you're ready to fly solo?" Alec said.
Sam interrupted. "Don't mention flying around Dean."
Alec looked puzzled. "Why, is there a problem?"
"Sam," Dean growled in warning.
Sam ignored him putting a hand to the side of his mouth in pretense of Dean not overhearing. "Dean has a fear of flying," he whispered.
Alec looked stunned. "Dean? This Dean right here has a fear of flying?" He questioned. "Nah not Dean," Alec saw the thunderous look on Dean's face. "Really?"
Sam raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Oh yeah big time."
"No way," Alec said in shock.
"Yes way," Sam replied with a smug smile.
"It's not a fear of flying it's a healthy fear of crashing," Dean snarled.
"Same thing," Sam said to Dean, before he looked at Alec. "See I told you."
"It's not the same thing," Dean stated. "It's completely different."
"Says you," Sam shot back.
"You done?" Dean asked his expression angry.
"Yeah I think so." Sam replied.
"Okay, good because two can play that game," Dean said ominously.
Now it was Sam's turn to growl out a warning. "Dean don't you go there."
"You started it," Dean countered.
"Tell me," Alec probed with a youthful need to know look.
"Sammy here is pee in the pants terrified of clowns," Dean informed Alec with unabashed glee.
"You went there," Sam grumbled.
"Did you say clowns?" Alec questioned.
"Yep. Anything with grease paint and a red nose, Ronald McDonald, Pennywise, Bozo even those itty bitty tiny little toy ones." Dean answered smugly.
"Wow," Alec said simply.
"Okay enough, we're even," Sam almost shouted.
"Right. So we gonna play or what?" Dean said turning his attention back to the piano.
"You try it alone, use two hands like I showed you, Alec repeated. "Just concentrate and let it flow," Alec answered, lifting his hands and mimicking a flowing motion. "Think of the piano as an extension of your fingers; become one with the keys."
"Seriously?" Dean pulled his head back at Alec's remark before glancing over at Sam one side of his mouth quirked up. "Sammy did he just say what I thought he said?"
Sam's voice was full of laughter. "Yep he sure did."
"Now I've heard everything," Dean said, before breaking into laughter, Sam joining in a moment later.
"What's so funny?" Alec asked looking between them.
All he got in reply were more gales of laughter.
"Am I missing something? What is so funny?"
"Think of the piano as an extension of your fingers," Sam mimicked.
"Become one with the keys." Dean joined in.
"Okay, Mr. Fear of Flying and Mr. Coulrophobia, I get it. It sounded a bit… artsy fartsy." Alec agreed.
"No…, It's… more… than… artsy… fartsy," Dean managed to force out through his laughter. "It's… friggin hilarious."
His brother's laughter was infectious and Alec found himself drawn into it and a moment later he was laughing right along with them.
-CP-
He and Max had gone separate ways after the meeting with Clemente. Max had gone back to TC she would return to the house later after dark with Joshua, who was thrilled when he had earlier heard Alec had been awake and was chopping at the bit to see his friend. After watching Max ride away Logan had driven the short distance to meet with a contact that he thought could help in locating Rocky from there he had gone back to the house. The information Clemente had for them was little more than they were already aware of; most of the information centered around Burke taking up where White left off; Burke was even occupying the same building where White had set up his operation; there was however one piece of useful information that Clemente had for them; the police detective had a source within Burke's operation; and his source had informed him that Burke was planning something but what that something was, Burke had not yet disclosed.
Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon as Logan drove back to the house; the distant sound of thunder could be heard as he entered the house. He was a little concerned when he found it empty. The sofa had been slept on and there was an office chair pulled up in front of it, but the house was quiet and getting darker by the minute as the storm drew closer.
It was as he made his way through the house that he heard it; the piano in the basement, the door to the basement was open; he leaned into the alcove at the top of the stairs and listened. Intermingled with the rise and fall of the piano were three voices he recognized and the occasional burst of laughter.
His concern was instantly quashed at the sounds; smiling to himself he headed to the kitchen.
-CP-
On some level Alec knew he was dreaming, however that knowledge didn't make it seem any less of a reality.
He was once again strapped down on that cold, steel table a bright light above him blinding him with its intensity, unable to turn his head away because of the strap across his forehead. As if by a miracle the light was blocked as a shadowy figure moved in from the side the man's features thrown into darkness by the light that now streamed out in all directions from behind the figure. Alec blinked bringing the figure into focus, it was Kovar who leaned over him with a smile plastered on his skeletal face; it was not a smile of happiness it was salacious, wicked, sexual and it made Alec want to throw up.
"Arr my beautiful boy at last you wake; I am so pleased because to have you conscious is twice the fun for me because I want to hear you moan, beg and scream when I take you from behind, when I ram myself into you over and over." Kovar said with childish delight.
"Don't you touch me you sick fuck," Alec spat through gritted teeth.
"You think I'm giving you a choice? I am going to take what I want and you can't stop me," Kovar said reaching out he caressed Alec's cheek with his index finger slowly rubbing back and forth against his cringing skin in a repetitive motion.
Alec swallowed, fear tightening around him like a cocoon.
Kovar removed his finger from Alec's face; placing his bony hand against his throat then moving it lower down his chest across his stomach to the waistband of the only piece of clothing he was wearing. He pushed his fingers under the tight material and slid his hand inside.
Unable to move Alec shouted in denial. "NO!" Now there were hands on his shoulders holding him and he struggled against them and the bonds that held him fast. Kovar's hand moved lower. "No," Alec cried out a second time this time it was more of a whimper.
"Alec, hey Alec," A familiar voice said in a whisper.
And then he was free there were no restraints no Kovar and the hands that held him were light and warm and they were there for comfort not for hurt or to restrain.
"Alec, it's alright you're dreaming."
It was Sam's voice, Sam's hands against his shoulders. "Sam?" Alec squeezed out through trembling lips; he opened his eyes a slit afraid it was a trick and Kovar would still be there with that smile on his face.
"Yeah," Sam said in a soft, low voice.
Alec opened his eyes wider. "A dream?" He asked looking at Sam's concerned face close to his, long bangs dropping forward framing his face. "It was a dream."
"I know something about dreams and from the way you cried out I'd classify what I just saw as a nightmare," Sam answered.
"Sorry, I woke you," Alec said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it," Sam said with a genuine smile that creased into dimples. Patting him gently Sam removed his hands from Alec's shoulders sitting back he ran a hand through his hair pushing it away from his face, before he put one hand out onto the floor for balance and sat down on the carpet pulling his long legs up in front of him interlocking his fingers in front of and around his knees.
Alec struggled up on the sofa to a sitting position, the scrubs that he still wore were sweat soaked and twisted uncomfortably around his midsection; leaning back against the sofa's arm he tugged at the material trying to straighten it out.
Dean had insisted Alec take the sofa while he took the chair leaving the mattress that Diane had slept on to Sam and Logan.
"Do you think Logan's wardrobe can stretch far enough for me?" Alec pondered. "I'd love to get out of these scrubs."
"I'm sure Logan can oblige," Sam said.
"I hope so," Alec answered. "Otherwise I'll have to risk a trip to my apartment."
Sam looked at him for a moment. "You wanna talk about?" Sam asked tentatively.
"Talk… talk about clothes?" Alec said with mock confusion.
"No smart ass, you're nightmare." Sam answered, glancing over his shoulder at a sleeping Dean and Logan.
Alec thought for a moment. "No… yes… I don't know… maybe," he said with a sigh.
"Well that's decisive," Sam whispered. "So is that a yes?"
Alec nodded dragging a hand down his face just as Dean did when he was in similar emotional or stressful situations.
Alec scratched at the back of his head in another Dean typical mannerism then breathed in and out. "I was back in that place on that table, I couldn't move and Kovar was there he said he was going to…," Alec swallowed before continuing, "he was going to you know… have me."
"Have you?" Sam questioned.
"Yeah you know have me," Alec reiterated.
Alec saw when Sam got the point. "Yikes," Sam stammered not really sure what to say.
"I shouted out and then you were there," Alec concluded. "Thanks for being there."
"No problem. I'm happy to help my little brother," Sam said the dimples making another appearance. "Thank God it was only a nightmare."
"You really think of me like that?" Alec asked.
"What, my little brother?" Sam queried.
"Yeah," Alec answered.
"Absolutely, you are my little brother."
A lump of emotion threatened to choke Alec as he looked at Sam and he saw the sincerity in his hazel eyes.
"I've always been Dean's little brother and as much as I love it and as much as I love my big brother it's nice to be a big brother for a change, you know," Sam explained.
"No not really," Alec said honestly. "I never had any true brothers until a week ago when I met you and Dean."
Sam nodded.
"I think I like being a brother, even a little brother," Alec said smiling broadly.
-CP-
It was the first time either of them had been upstairs; most the upper floor was in worse condition than downstairs except for two rooms; the bathroom and what had once been the master bedroom. The fully functioning bathroom had a shower over the tub, a toilet, hand basin and vanity with a large mirror above. It also had two doors one onto the hallway and one into the master bedroom.
"Hey Dean," Sam said from behind the plastic shower curtain, his voice sounded wet like he had his head held under the running water.
Dean stood in front of the mirror, Logan's borrowed shaver that Sam had used before in his hand; he ran the pad of his thumb over the manufacturer's name, Remington then moved it down to hover over the on/off button below. "Yeah."
"If we do make it back… to our time… do you think we can somehow prevent the pulse from every happening?"
"That's a tough one Sam," Dean replied. "Everything happens for a reason."
"What do you mean?"
"The future is not set," Dean quoted from the Terminator.
"Okay Kyle Reese… you realize you contradicted what you said just now."
"I did?"
"Yeah you said everything happens for a reason and in the next breathe you said the future is not set, a contradiction."
"I think in some ways both are true; I mean little things that happen between 2007 and 2009 that seem inconsequential in the scheme of things might impact whether the pulse is set off or not and could also impact a lot of other things that might or might not happen," Dean paused staring at his reflection in the mirror. The bruises were fading and the cuts closing up the redness lessening. "So everything happens for a reason and the future is not set both apply… sort of… I guess."
"Thank you Confucius."
"Hey you asked; if you didn't like the answer it's not my problem," Dean shot back in his own defense.
"I kinda get it but… God a person could go crazy thinking about it." Sam said.
"Now who's quoting from the Terminator?" Dean retorted. "It's a Pandora's Box Sammy, I don't think we really want to open it do you?"
Sam sighed. "No, we do not."
"It's all hypothetical anyway; we don't even know if there is a way back to 2007 we might have to stay and make the best of it here; there's still evil and plenty of things to hunt in 2021."
"With no Impala?" Sam queried.
"She might be still out there… somewhere," Dean said hopefully. "There is an upside," Dean continued. "I mean if we have to stay."
"Yeah? What's that?" Sam asked.
"We don't have to worry about Yellow Eyes or you're whole dark destiny thing," Dean said. Whatever the hell that is? He added to himself.
"You really believe that?" Sam answered.
"I will if you will," Dean threw back, switching on the shaver he began to trim the one week's worth of ginger beard that framed his jaw and cheeks.
Sam's reply was muffled by the buzzing of the shaver.
He was running the shaver over the remaining scruff of beard when he called out. "Hey, don't use all the hot water on that girly hair of yours."
"I'm finished jerk," Sam replied as the water shut off.
Dean smiled, in the mirror he saw the shower curtain pulled back with an accompanying shink of the metal rings against the metal rod.
Sam leaned around the edge of the curtain wet hair dripping into his eyes. "Hand me a towel will ya."
Dean switched off the shaver grabbed up a pale yellow colored towel that had once been white or perhaps a darker shade of yellow hanging over the towel rail beside him and tossed it over his head in Sam's direction. Sam caught it against his chest and began to towel his hair before wrapping the towel around his slender waist and stepping out of the shower where he gathered up his discarded clothes.
"I wish I had some cleaner stuff to put on," Sam said. "These are starting to get a little on the nose."
Dean began to shed his borrowed clothes noting that his aches and pains had lessened to being a mild discomfort and didn't stand up to be counted with every small movement… what a difference a day makes.
Sam pulled open the door and disappeared into the bedroom to dress.
Dean stepped out of his boxers and reached into the shower turning on the water. "We might have to go shopping for some new ones." He observed; peeling the bandage off his shoulder; it looked good the redness and swelling was almost gone and the edges of the wound had begun to knit together discarding the bandage into the small mesh trash can he began unwrapping the strapping from his ribs.
"And soon," Sam answered from the bedroom.
"I hear ya," Dean said. Dropping the discarded bandage on the floor beside his clothes he stepped over the side of the tub and pulled the curtain closed behind him.
"Dean," Sam called out.
"What now," Dean mumbled running his hand under the spray testing the waters temperature.
"You might want this," Sam's voice was closer now; he was back inside the bathroom.
"Want what?" Dean asked annoyed as he pulled the curtain open once more.
Sam clad only in his boxers was grinning broadly; his hand was lifted up in front of him and dangling from his long fingers was the black leather cord and Dean's brass amulet, the same amulet Sam had given Dean as a Christmas gift many years ago the one Dean was never without.
"My amulet… I thought it was gone… where did you find it?" He said excitedly.
"I forget I had it; it's been in the pocket of my pants since the hospital. It was the only thing besides your boxers that you had on when we found you at the sanatarium." Sam explained.
"Thanks," Dean said with barely suppressed emotion as he took the amulet from Sam's fingers, it rested neatly in his palm; he looked down at the strange horned beast for a few moments before he lifted the cord over his head letting the amulet settle into place around his neck; he hadn't realized until that moment how much he had missed the familiar weight against his chest. "Now go put some clothes on and let me have some privacy Sasquatch."
-CP-
Their hair was still damp but they were clean shaven and dressed as they descended the stairs; that's when they heard Logan call out. "Hey guys you'd better come see this."
Alec dressed in borrowed clothes, shoes and socks; the first time he'd been dressed since they'd been in the house beat them into the kitchen by a couple of strides. Logan was standing one hip leaning against the kitchen bench he looked up when they entered. "What is it?" Alec asked.
Logan inclined his head towards the small TV set. "The news," Logan said.
The news bar across the bottom of the screen read: Gas Explosion Rocks Seattle. The news reader was saying; "For the latest on this unfolding story we cross to Greg Peterson live at the scene."
The screen flashed to a reporter standing holding a large microphone labelled channel 3 outside the remains of a building.
"The gas main explosion occurred shortly before 7 am; the authorities say there may have been some homeless people squatting in the building at time of the explosion and were reported as saying due to the early hour of the explosion no bystanders were involved or injured in the blast." The reporter explained.
"Do you think this could be what Clemente's man caught wind of?" Sam asked over the reporter as he continued.
"I don't know," Logan answered.
The reporter had moved to one side and the camera panned in. "As you can see the building on Airport Way South in the Seattle industrial area has been all but destroyed; structural engineers have been called in to assess the structural integrity."
What had once been a brick structure situated on a corner was now little more than a giant pile of building rubble. Shattered glass from the windows littered the sidewalk and the street; only one of the walls was still partially intact the rest of the building was a pile of bricks, the twisted remains of fire escapes and metal bars that had been on the windows were bent out of shape and stuck up at angles from the rubble. Spot fires consisting of any flammable material that had been a part or inside the building could be seen flickering amongst the rubble.
"… although of some historical significance the building has been unoccupied since October 2004 when the offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service relocated to new premises this is how it appeared before the explosion," the reporter was saying as a picture of an imposing six story high red brick building with bars on the arched windows and external fire escapes snaking down one side flashed onto the screen.
"Wait a minute," Logan said leaning in closer to the TV. "I know that place. That's where White ran his operations from, Burke took it over when White left, and it's not far from the warehouse on Harbor Island where he had you."
"You sure that's the same place?" Sam asked.
"Positive," Logan answered. "I'm gonna call Max." He added reaching for his cell phone.
"I think Logan is right. I've been there before," Alec said softly; he was remembering waking up in a cage suspended 30 feet above the floor, with White smiling smugly at him from the other side of the bars.
Dean stood with his arms crossed over his chest staring at the TV. "Clemente's source said Burke was planning something; if this is… or was Burke's base of operations, Burke wouldn't blow it up?" he lifted one hand palm up for emphasis. "It doesn't make sense," he paused, "and it's not going to get him Alec back?"
Sam pulled the corners of his mouth down in concession to Dean's reasoning and nodded. "Maybe someone else wants Burke gone?" he said.
"White," Alec said thoughtfully his eyes lowered to the floor.
Sam and Dean shared a look. "You think he's back?" Dean asked.
Alec looked up his eyes flitting between them. "It's the only thing that makes sense; we know White has a hidden agenda we don't know what that is but it's something to do with Max; I can tell you from experience he doesn't give up and we knew it only a matter of time before he made a move not to mention he would want some payback on Burke and Phoenix. This wasn't what Burke was planning this is something else."
"You think Burke was in there?" Sam nodded to the smoldering ruins on the TV screen.
Before anyone of them could answer Logan said worriedly closing his phone. "Max is not answering."
"Is there trouble?" Sam asked.
"I hope not but I'm gonna go over to TC and find out." Logan said.
"I'm coming with you," Alec said.
"Alec you should stay here," Sam reasoned. "If one of Phoenix's men happens to see you-"
Alec interrupted. "They could be in trouble Sam and if they are in trouble they need me I should be there, they're my friends, my family." Alec's expressive eyes landed on Dean and stayed there. "Yesterday you told me family do whatever they have to for each other."
Dean nodded in response. "I did."
"Part of my family is in TC, if they need me I have to be there for them."
"Okay, but not without us you're not," Dean announced. "Right Sam?"
"Right," Sam agreed.
"Dean-" Alec started.
"Don't Dean me," Dean said in a tone that would not tolerate any argument. "I'm the oldest and I say we go together or not at all." He finished; and then he grinned. "Besides I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the Manticore branch of this family of ours."
Alec returned Dean's infectious grin. "Okay then that's settled," he said. "We all go."
"There is a teensy, weensy problem," Dean said glancing at each of them in turn.
"What's that?" Sam asked.
Dean looked down at his feet and wiggled his toes.
-CP-
Logan parked Sam Carr's wagon behind what appeared to be an abandoned car at the end of an alley.
Through the wagons window Dean looked up at the sign above the door on the building to the left of the alley; Doc Maynard's Public House. "A bar?" he stated. "I thought we were going to TC not to get a drink." Looking more closely at the bar's state of disrepair and the faded sign he added. "From the looks of it I'd say they haven't served a drink here for some time."
Everyone ignored his comments as they climbed from the wagon and began walking down the alley.
After days of being barefoot the borrowed socks and shoes Logan had loaned him felt a little confining but it also felt good to be fully dressed and outside in what passed itself off as summer in Seattle. As they passed the old car Dean glanced sideways and stopped to examine it. It was beat up the windscreen was cracked in two places, the body had innumerable dents and scrapes and to top it off… it was riddled with bullet holes; he let out a long whistle. "She looks like she's seen some action," he said.
Logan stopped walking and turned back towards Dean. "That's Betsy, she's been through a lot, it's a miracle but she still runs." He answered.
"She's yours?" Dean asked in surprise.
"Yep," Logan replied.
"She takes a lickin' and just keeps on tickin'," Dean quoted.
Logan said on a laugh. "Yeah she does."
"You call her Betsy?" Dean asked looking at the cyber journalist.
"Yeah… there something wrong with that?" Logan responded to the perceived slight on his naming and obvious affection for the beat up car.
Dean could almost see the man's hackles rising as he faced him; he shook his head and smiled looking back at the car. "No man I think it's cool."
Any response Logan would have made was cut off. "You two comin' or what?" Alec called out from the end of the alley where he and Sam waited.
"Yeah," Dean said breaking into a slow jog Logan right beside him.
They reached the end of the alley just as Alec pulled open the door at the rear of Doc Maynard's and started down the steps inside.
Memories of the last time he'd been here almost overwhelmed Sam. His anxiety and concern for Dean were through the roof; the darkness at the time only piling yet more angst on top of angst. How different it was today; Dean was here with him in more or less one piece and as the saying goes everything looks better in the daylight.
"Sammy?" Dean's voice broke into his thoughts and memories.
The light switch was flicked on illuminating Dean; his brother was facing him at the bottom of the stairs, his face cast in shadow.
"Yeah," Sam answered.
"You alright?" Dean asked in concern.
It was then Sam realized that he was so lost in thought he hadn't moved from inside the door. "Yeah," he answered as he hurried down the stairs.
Dean turned away facing the illuminated remains of the old buried city stretching away from them. Sam heard Dean exclaim. "Wow this is awesome a city under the city."
"Pretty amazing huh?" Sam answered, stepping down beside his brother.
Dean's eyes were wide as he took in the sight. "Yeah, amazing."
Alec and Logan were already moving away from them along the cobblestone street and past the shells of the buildings.
"I think I remember reading about this," Dean said as they started after them, Sam now in front. "They ran tours down here."
"Yeah," Sam answered. "In our time the tours commenced from the back of the bar where we came in."
Dean was silent as he followed Alec, Logan and Sam through the old city, minutes later they reached a large hole with a ladder extending up through the hole into the building above. They climbed the ladder and navigated through the decrepit buildings and streets all in various stages of disrepair and general crapiness. Some of the ground floors of the buildings had been set up as sleeping quarters for the TC residents. Reaching a rusted metal door with a biohazard symbol on it, Alec pulled it open and stepped through onto a metal walkway Dean bought up the rear as the others followed. As they proceeded along the walkway their feet echoing off the metal Sam through back over his shoulder. "Don't stare and don't say anything… inappropriate," he whispered out the side of his mouth.
"Inappropriate? When do I ever-" Dean stopped when Sam half turned towards him and he saw the look on Sam's face. "I know how to behave in public Sam, give me a little credit would you?" Dean hissed back.
The walkway led to metal steps that descended to the floor of large room below. This was TC's command center and it was a hive of activity.
Dean had to admit it was a little confronting seeing some of Manticore's less human looking creations all together in one place; in the mix he could identify cats, dogs, monkeys, rats, foxes, reptiles, one that looked a lot like Uncle Fester from the Addams Family, another had longish white hair, skin to match and red eyes that glowed like hot coals.
"Alec!" A voice called out; it was echoed by other calls. "Alec's home!" "Pretty Boy is back!" As Alec stepped off the stairs taking three steps forward he was engulfed in a sea of transgenics, hugs, slaps on the back, and even kisses from some of the female transgenics.
Dean watched as a cigar chopping transgenic that reminded him a lot of poor dead Scaly and he was even wearing combat fatigues like Scaly embraced Alec in a bear hug saying around the unlit stub of the cigar. "It's good to see you in one piece pretty boy, we missed you around here."
"It's good to see you too Mole," Alec replied with genuine affection.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs Dean and Sam stood off to one side watching with barely concealed amusement as Mole's hug was relinquished and Joshua stepped forward with a howl of happiness he wrapped his arms around Alec and lifted him off the ground. "Hey Buddy," Alec said patting him on the head before adding somewhat breathlessly. "Josh… can't breathe."
Joshua immediately put him down then ruffed happily for a moment before he rubbed the top of Alec's head affectionately. "Sorry, sorry medium fella."
The greetings continued for a while longer before Alec stepped back beside the brothers declaring loud enough so everyone heard. "A lot of you have already met Sam; and this is-"
"Dean," a cultured voice finished. "It could be no one else."
Dean turned his head towards the voice and pulled his head back in surprise. "Oh… what happened to you?" It was out before he knew he was going to say it; the man who had spoken continued to look placidly back at him seemingly unruffled by Dean's comment. He had a large, bald head with the exception of a few strands of wispy hair behind his left ear, his skull was misshapen and bulging out on the right side, there was a monocle attached to his left eye and strapped behind his large head.
Sensing Sam's glare Dean glanced at his brother. Sam had a mixture of the 'what did I just say' and the 'I can't take you anywhere' look, his lips pressed together in a disapproving line.
A high-pitched laugh drew Dean's attention to the man standing next to monocle man, he had rodent-like features, the columellar of his nose extended down almost to his top lip, his pointy ears had tufts of hair on the ends and he was wearing plaid pants. "Alec said the same thing the first time he saw Dix," he said his falsetto voice matching his laugh.
"Well if there was before there is now no doubt that you're Alec's DNA donor," Monocle man… Dix said. "In more ways than looks."
"Sorry man," Dean said apologetically. "I didn't mean anything by it."
"You normals are all the same," the scaly cigar chomping lizard man that had been embracing Alec a minute before said from Dean's left. "You think are better than us."
"You have no idea what this normal thinks and I said I was sorry," Dean said facing the scaly lookalike, squaring his shoulders and straightening up preparing for a fight.
"Mole don't," Alec said in warning.
Dix interrupted. "Don't worry about it; as Luke pointed out it is not the first time and no doubt it won't be the last," he said glancing between the man and transgenic.
"Normals," Mole growled in disgust around the end of the cigar in Dean's direction before turning away.
Dean watched as Mole pushed through the crowd of transgenics still gathered around Alec. "What's his problem?"
"He doesn't like normals," Dix explained.
"Clearly," Dean said.
"He has good reason," Luke said.
"Yeah well I might be a normal but he doesn't know me and he shouldn't tar me with the same brush," Dean retorted turning back to the rodent-faced man.
"Truer words were never spoken," Dix replied.
Dean nodded at Dix before turning his eyes back to Luke. "By the way man I dig your pants."
"Thanks," Luke answered with another laugh.
Logan had been silent through the whole exchange. "Max here?" he asked.
"Yeah she's in her office," Joshua answered.
"I'm here," Max answered from somewhere at the back of the crowd which parted and the petite young woman stepped forward.
"You didn't answer your phone I was worried," Logan said moving closer.
Max was looking at Alec he seemed recovered from the seizure. "You alright? She asked.
"I'm always…," Alec began using his standard answer then changed his mind opting for the truth. "I'm getting there."
With a smile and a nod for Alec Max turned to Logan. "I turned the phone off. What's wrong," Max asked as the crowd around them started to disperse.
"It's all over the news; Burke's headquarters blew up this morning," Logan explained.
"Blew up? Wait wasn't that White's?" Max asked.
"Yeah, Burke took it over," Logan agreed.
"They're saying it was a gas main explosion," Alec informed.
"But you don't think it was?" Max said looking at Alec.
"Clemente's source said Burke was planning something." Sam reminded.
"Why would Burke blow up his base of operations?" Max asked.
"He wouldn't," Dean answered simply.
"Was Burke in there?" Max asked.
"We don't know for sure," Sam said.
"You don't think it could be…?" Max hazarded.
Alec answered. "White, if he's back he would take Burke out first, to get him out of the way."
Max called over her shoulder. "Dix, turn on the news."
They followed as Max led the way across the room to a TV with rabbit ears for an antenna.
The same reporter they'd seen earlier was once again standing outside the ruined building; the spot fires had been extinguished and firemen in high visibility protective suits could be seen moving and sifting through the buildings remains.
"…reports are that several bodies have been retrieved from the rubble, all are badly burned and will have to be identified with dental records."
"Well someone was definitely inside," Logan observed.
"Maybe whoever did this is going after Phoenix?" Dean queried.
"You think maybe the sanatarium in Salina is next?" Sam asked.
"It's possible. But I don't think Phoenix is confined to Kansas, they're a government slash military funded operation, they probably have facilities all over the States, I think Salina is the tip of the iceberg, the only one we know about." Dean said.
"We don't know for sure that this is White but whoever it is… If Dean's right and they are out to destroy Phoenix we've got a problem," Sam declared.
Dean nodded in agreement; Sam had voiced his own thoughts. "We need Kovar to undo what he did to Alec."
"And if White gets to Kovar before we do…," Max trailed off.
"We have to make sure that doesn't happen." Dean answered with finality.
-CP-
"Joshua is going to make sure you stay in here until we're long gone," Sam said.
Alec and Dean were standing in the empty, lead-lined room that had once been an isolation room of a former chemical factory and standing opposite them blocking the door were Sam and Joshua.
"Come again," Dean said in disbelief.
"The door is going to be locked and Joshua will be on guard outside."
"You're not serious?" Dean said stunned by this unexpected turn of events. "You want to lock us in here."
"Yes Dean I am serious. If I could trust that you and Alec wouldn't come after us then I wouldn't have too," Sam replied.
"Let me see if I've got this right, you and Max are going off to Salina… walking into a Phoenix stronghold, in an attempt to take Kovar from under their noses, just you and Max… the two of you… no one else?" Dean asked.
"That about covers it," Sam answered.
"You're benching the two people who could double the numbers and make this thing achievable?" Dean growled angrily, hand flitting back and forth in between him and Alec.
"You're both still recuperating," Sam replied.
"This is stupid," Alec said forcefully. "Dean's okay, I'm okay, you're going to need us." Seeing Sam's determined face Alec tried a different angle turning to face Joshua. "Josh, come on buddy you don't want to lock your old pal Alec in here."
Joshua shook his shaggy head. "Nice try Alec, medium fella stays here."
"Sorry Alec we don't want you or Dean anywhere near that place, Kovar or Marshall," Sam explained. "We took a vote and it was unanimous, you and Dean are staying here," Sam said
"Wait…," Dean said holding up a hand in question. "Did you say you took a vote?"
"Yep and the decision is final," Sam answered.
"What if this whole explosion thing is a ruse, to draw Alec out?" Dean said waving his hand in the air between them.
"If it is, then it is one more reason why Alec should stay here," Sam reasoned.
Dean huffed out a frustrated breath.
"However… there is still a way you can make yourselves useful while we're gone." Sam ventured.
"Make ourselves useful? Did you hear that Alec we can make ourselves useful?" Dean said sarcastically.
"We can make ourselves extremely useful by going with you," Alec replied.
"One of Logan's contacts has come up with a possible location for Rocky," Sam said.
"Sam," Dean growled low in his throat.
"Dean, hear me out," Sam said looking hard at his brother. "If this lead pans out we could have a way home when I get back." Sam reasoned.
"If you get back," Dean replied.
"When I get back," Sam repeated with positivity.
Dean was wavering Sam could see it in his posture. "This lead on Rocky," Dean said, "you know it's probably another dead end… right."
"We won't know that for sure unless you check it out," Sam reasoned.
"This is stupid," Alec repeated as Joshua and Sam turned away.
"I almost forgot," Sam said turning back to face them thrusting his hand into his jacket pocket and pulling out a large plastic bottle. "This is from Max." He added flicking the bottle towards Alec.
Alec caught the bottle hearing the rattle of what had to be pills inside.
"She said if you don't take it she's going to kick your ass," Sam said with a smirk.
It was only after the door was closed and the echo of a bolt sliding into place faded that Alec looked down at the label.
"What is it?" Dean asked.
"Tryptophan," Alec said without looking up.
-CP-
No amount of cajoling could convince Joshua to unbolt the door.
Alec gave up after an hour. He watched Dean from where he sat on the floor beside the door. Dean was on the sixth circuit of the room running his hands along the walls looking for a weak spot, a way out. Alec unscrewed the lid of the bottle of tryptophan and shook out two capsules, dry swallowing them before replacing the lid and putting the bottle in his pocket.
"You're wasting your time, this room is what we use as a holding cell for when TC residents misbehave, it solid as a rock I made sure myself; you might as well conserve your energy," Alec said.
Dean thumped the wall in frustration turning his back to it he slid down to the floor with a wince as his ribs protested; he rested his head back against the wall his legs tented in front of him his forearms on his knees hands dangling in the space between them.
Alec broke the ensuing silence after a minute or two. "I see you're wearing that necklace again I noticed you had it on before, at the warehouse," Alec said.
"This?" Dean asked pulling one hand away from his knee and lifting the amulet up by the cord.
"Yeah, it mean something special?"
"Probably not; but to me it does," Dean answered.
"What is it?"
"I have no idea," Dean answered letting the amulet fall back into place.
Alec stood, crossed the room and sat down beside Dean mimicking his position. "May I?" he asked motioning to the amulet.
"Knock yourself out," Dean said lifting it over his head and handing it Alec.
Alec cradled the amulet in his palm examining the symbol. "I think it might be either ancient Egyptian or the Mesopotamian Bull Man, I know it's a very old symbol, biblical old."
"Sam gave it to me for Christmas when we were kids." Dean informed. "He got it from a friend of ours; if Bobby was here I have no doubt he'd be able tell you all about it." Dean sighed, adding, "I wish he was here."
"Bobby, he means a lot to you?" Alec asked.
"Yeah, he's kind of a father figure to me and Sam, we've known him since Sam was a baby," Dean said. "When I think about it Bobby is a better father than our biological father ever was."
Alec nodded looking down at the amulet for a moment before handing it back to Dean. "Kinda reminds me of Manticore with the half man half beast thing."
Dean looked down at it for a moment before lifting it over his head. "The head of a human, body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion," Dean said looking up at the ceiling.
"You know your mythology," Alec said surprised.
"Hunters have to know about all kinds of shit," Dean clarified. "Research is a big part of the job."
"Hunters?" Alec said. "Tell me about what Sam and you do."
"In a nutshell we hunt evil."
"What kind of evil are you talking about," Alec asked.
"Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, demons, ghouls, wraiths, sirens, evil clowns that eat people, that kind of evil; if it's evil we kill it," Dean explained.
"Vampires and werewolves… all those things they exist, I mean for real?" Alec asked.
"Yep they sure do," Dean replied. "I'm sure there are still plenty of them around in 2021 as well."
"Wow." Alec said in disbelief. "What about transgenics? What about me? Do transgenics fall into one of those categories or do we get a whole new category for ourselves?" Alec said making a circular motion in the air with his hands.
Dean lowered his eyes from the ceiling rolling his head against the wall, he looked hard at Alec. "You think because you started life in a test tube that makes you evil?" Dean asked, stunned that Alec might believe that Dean thought of him that way.
"I was just asking, I'm curious to know," Alec replied.
"You don't fall into any category because I don't believe that Transgenics are evil… more misunderstood and that even goes for your oh so charming friend Mole." Dean stated.
Alec laughed at Dean's last words. "He has a crusty exterior but he's not so bad when you get to know him."
"Bobby's the same all gristle and grumble on the outside, a heart of gold on the inside," Dean said looking back up at the ceiling. "Bobby would do anything for Sam and me."
"I'd like to meet him, he sounds like a cool guy," Alec said also staring up at the ceiling.
"Yeah you'd like him and he'd like you too. I mean after all you are a part of me so what's not to like?" Dean joked, glancing at Alec out of his periphery.
"Arr Dean… modest, self-denigrating, humble Dean; you know they say ego is not a dirty word."
"Oh I agree, believe me I agree," Dean replied, smiling broadly.
Identical sets of green eyes flew to the door at the sound of the bolt sliding back; the door was pulled open and Joshua's large frame filled the doorway.
"You can come out now," he said stepping to one side to allow them through the door.
"It's only been two hours," Alec whispered looking at Dean.
Dean caught on to Alec's thinking; there was ample time for them to catch up with Max and Sam before they got anywhere near Salina.
Standing in unison they stood and stepped across the room and through the door Alec leading the way.
As they passed Joshua he thrust a piece of folded paper at Dean.
"What's this?" Dean asked looking at the small piece of paper in Joshua's big hand.
"Sam said to give this to you when I let you out," Joshua said.
Taking the paper from Joshua Dean saw his name written in Sam's familiar scrawl, unfolding it his eyes skimming the words his brother had written. "Damn it," Dean exclaimed, still looking at the paper.
"What is it?" Alec asked, concerned.
Dean's eyes lifted to Alec. "They flew to Salina."
"They flew? In a plane?" Alec said in disbelief.
"No they flapped their arms really hard and fast," Dean growled in frustration. "Of course in a plane what else."
"Where'd they get a plane?" Alec asked.
"Logan," Alec answered his own question echoing Dean's simultaneous answer.
"Is that all it says?" Alec asked.
"There's an address for some place in Baring," Dean said looking back down at the note. "I don't know where that is."
"I do," Alec said turning and striding away. Sensing Dean wasn't following he shot over his shoulder, "You coming or what?"
-CP-
It was not just a plane it was a jet, a private jet and although small it's owner had taste; because it was decorated tastefully, the individual chairs on either side of the small aisle were like a comfortable arm chair wide and deep. The sound of music, the volume turned down too low to identify the kind of music that floated out of the speakers hidden somewhere along the side of the fuselage.
Sam sat with his legs stretched out before him not scrunched up and crammed into a small space between the seats allowed on a regular commercial plane. The comfort lulled him into a relaxed state as the small jet ate up the miles between Seattle and Salina. From slightly behind and to the right of him the sun slanted in through the plane's circular windows as they headed south east which meant it was mid-afternoon. Sam glanced at the clock on the partition separating the cockpit from the body of the jet where he and Max sat in corporate luxury. They'd been in the air for over an hour, which meant any minute now Joshua would be springing Dean and Alec from the makeshift holding cell. Dean was already furious with him for forcing him out of this fight. Sam knew Dean's anger would escalate hell it would just about blow his head off when he read the note. All of a sudden he wasn't so relaxed; his mind replaying the words he'd written on the note.
By the time Joshua lets you out, Max and I will be on a plane well on our way to Salina; so don't think about trying to follow us.
You and Alec go check out the address below.
See you both soon.
Sam
Last house on NE 197th, Baring WA
"You thinking about Dean?" Max asked suddenly bringing Sam back to the present.
Sam looked over at her small frame engulfed in an identical seat to his directly across the small aisle from him. "Yeah he's going to be pissed when he finds out we flew," Sam answered.
"He'll get over it," Max replied.
Sam chuckled lightly to himself. "If he was here he would have been reaching for the sick bag before we even got off the ground." Sam muttered.
"Does he get airsick?"
Sam had forgotten about Max's genetically enhanced hearing. "No airsickness is not the problem it's more the pure unadulterated fear of being in a metal tube high above the ground," Sam said.
"Fear?" Max said before Sam saw the truth light in her eyes. "He has a fear of flying."
"Yeah, he kept it well hidden for a long, long time; I only found out myself eighteen months ago," Sam expanded. "Why do think I drive everywhere Sam." Dean had said as they stood in the airport trying to figure out the best way to stop a demon from bringing down a passenger jet.
"Wow, I never would have thought it about Dean." Max said. "He doesn't seem the type."
"Well… we're all afraid of something," Sam stated.
Max nodded in agreement.
Sam changed the subject, glancing around the jet. "Logan sure does have some connections," he observed.
"He does a lot for other people so most of them owe him," Max said glancing out the window.
"I hear ya' he's done so much for Dean and me just in the last week I don't think we'll ever be able to repay him."
"That's my Logan," Max said.
Sam looked sideways at Max. "Alec told me how you two can't touch," Sam said. "Some sort of virus?"
Max sighed. "Yeah it's pretty brutal not being able to touch the man you love because one touch just one, skin to skin and he's dead within minutes."
"Manticore, they did that?"
"Without me knowing they had planted it into my DNA specifically targeted to kill Eyes Only… it almost did, twice. The first time I got my hands on the last of the antidote just in time to save him, the second time it was a transfusion of Joshua's blood; transgenic's blood carry these certain antibodies that neutralized the virus so it was Joshua's blood who saved him. After that second time I was so scared I was going to lose him if I came anywhere near him I tried to push him away; so I told Logan that Alec and I were together as a couple."
"And Alec agreed to do that?" Sam questioned.
"No he didn't even know at first, when he did find out he wasn't very impressed and he was going to tell Logan it wasn't true but before he could say anything Logan told Alec he wanted me to be happy and he thought I would have that with one of my own kind so it was more like he let go."
"But you're together again now," Sam asked.
"As much as we can be; it's been like this for over a year now." Max sighed then continued. "Not so long ago we thought we'd found an antidote but then…," Max trailed off.
"Maybe Kovar being ex-Manticore can formulate an antidote?" Sam pondered.
"The thought had crossed my mind," Max said, still staring out the circular window.
"Hey," Sam waited until Max looked back to him. "When we get him he's going to fix what he did to Alec and then we'll put him to work on curing the virus." Sam said.
"I like the sound of that," Max replied with a genuine smile.
-CP-
Exhilarating… no it was more than exhilarating; it gave him a sense of freedom that he had never had; since he was four years old his life had been that of a guardian, protector. Even though it was for only a snatch of time he was free to be himself. The feel of the wind rushing through his hair, the body of the dirt bike beneath him; the seat clamped tightly between his legs; the power of the motor that vibrated up through his thighs. His eyes were narrowed the yellow tinted riding glasses Alec had given him providing some protection against the wind that slammed mercilessly against his face. He glanced to his left at Alec he looked at home on the larger trail bike he leaned forward slightly into the machine his hair blowing back away from his face his jacket rippling with the force of the wind and even with the short distance that separated them and through Alec's riding glasses Dean could make out the wide smile that curved his lips.
It wasn't the first time Dean had ridden a motor cycle, he had ridden but only in the city, navigating through traffic, having to stop for lights and pedestrians, having to be vigilant and constantly aware that other drivers secured inside a thin metal shell were oblivious to bike riders and having to anticipate what these drivers with tunnel vision were going to do made the experience stressful and far from relaxing. The open road was so different; the feeling it gave him was almost like flying but without the tin can of a plane and without the thin slice of rubber tires ever leaving the ground. The bike ate up the miles through the lush green forest; the bike responding to his every nudge of the handlebars and every slight shift of his hips as he steered the bike along the blacktop his body melding with the machine as he tipped left and right into the many bends.
"Do you ride?" Alec had said cryptically as they strode away from the holding cell and through the almost deserted streets of TC.
"Depends on what kind of ride you're talking about?" Dean quipped with an exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows.
Alec rolled his eyes. "Not the kind of riding you're referring too."
Rounding a corner Alec slowed his stride and then stopped. Dean saw that they were now in the TC garage; in front of them under a large wide awning the material hanging down from a three cornered tear flapping gently in the breeze was a vehicle service area and three motor bikes one had been disassembled the other two were propped up on their stands side by side.
One was a bright green KTM Duke II trailbike the other a 400 R dirt bike with a faded red seat and a white skull and crossbones sticker on the fuel tank.
"Oh that kind of riding," Dean said as he stepped up to the bikes running his hand over the skull and crossbones symbol.
"Do you?" Alec asked as he walked past Dean to the green Duke.
"Yeah I have ridden a couple of times," Dean answered.
"Good," Alec said. "You take Biggs' dirt bike." He added as he swung his leg across the seat of the Duke.
"Biggs won't mind me borrowing his bike?" Dean asked. "I don't want to ruffle any feathers after what happened with Mole earlier."
"He won't mind because Biggs is… well he's dead," Alec answered his voice hard.
"Oh, right… can I ask what happened… to Biggs I mean?" Dean enquired.
Alec sighed. "It was when White was stirring up a whole heap of hatred for transgenics in the wider community. Biggs was recognized as a transgenic by his barcode," Alec tapped his own barcode with his fingertips. "A vigilante mob got hold of him they beat him to death with rebar and pieces of wood and then hung him from a bridge by his feet behind a flaming X."
"A flaming X?" Dean queried.
Alec tossed Dean a pair of riding gloves. "Yeah the not so friendly locals put up these wooden X shaped crosses and set them on fire as a symbol of their hatred for transgenics," Alec explained.
"Does it still happen?"
"It hasn't for a while not since White has been out of the picture."
"Biggs was your friend?"
Alec nodded. "I'd known Biggs for a long time, Manticore sent us on a few missions together. I got him a job at Jam Pony when he arrived in Seattle."
"I'm sorry," Dean said; knowing it sounded lame even to his own ears.
"Yeah me too," Alec answered. "Joshua and I, we found those guys that did that to Biggs and let's say we persuaded them to leave town in a hurry."
"I would have done the same thing," Dean replied.
"We'd better get going, it's getting late," Alec said scratching at the back of his head in an all too familiar gesture before he turned the key firing up the bike letting the engine idle as he settled his riding glasses in place and pulled on his own riding gloves.
Today was one of those days Alec wished he still had his Jam Pony sector pass; he and Dean could have sailed through the check points with no questions asked. But instead Alec had to use his extensive knowledge of Seattle, the checkpoints and how to avoid them. Dean rode slightly behind him as they crossed the Evergreen Point Bridge and turned north traveling along the I-405 until they hit the 522 and headed east through Woodinville; the road turning north east through Maltby when the 522 ended near Monroe they turned east onto highway 2. The road was scenic mostly forest and following alongside the Skykomish River. It crossed back and forth over the bending and meandering river. They sped through the small towns of Sultan, Startup, Gold Bar and Halford.
The waning sun cast elongated shadows of the bikes across the blacktop in front of them when Dean saw Alec's brake light flash on he followed his lead slowing the dirt bike. A few moments later they passed the sign for Baring, the town was as small as many of the other towns they passed through a half dozen streets branching off the highway 2 glimpses of houses that lined the highway could be seen through the trees.
Dean pulled the bike up to Alec on his right; Alec flashed him a look then pointed ahead at an upcoming street sign the younger man's transgenic enhanced eyesight gave him an advantage in seeing the street names long before Dean. Dean gave him the thumbs up and let the bike slip back behind the Duke. Dean had memorized the address on the note Sam had left him; they were looking for the last house on NE 197th, Baring WA.
As they approached the sign Dean saw that it was the NE 197th, in unison they slowed the bikes even further to take the left hand turn. The road was sealed or had been sealed at some time but the surface was uneven and cracked, crumbling away at the edges, potholes some of the larger ones had been filled with bitumen that had squeezed out by vehicles passing over them creating rimmed craters. The rain from last night had filled them with mud-colored water. Dean tried to avoid the deepest ones and the craters, but let the dirt bike do what it was designed for and have it's fun; he guided the bike through the shallower ones and large cracks lifting himself off the seat so his legs absorbed the shock; water fan tailed up from the tires on either side of him; up ahead of him he could see Alec was doing a similar thing.
There was only a eight or so houses in the street most were set back from the road purposely hidden from prying eyes. The road curved left then right coming out of the last curve they slowed their bikes to a halt; the road ended here replaced by a muddy dirt track. Forty feet in front of them partially hidden by trees was the side of the flat roofed bungalow. A wide porch ran the length of the home's front and through the scattered trees they could see the rear the house had been added to a number of times with no particular plan or thought for co-ordination. The dirt track had multiple tire tracks embedded into where it curved around the trees leading up to the rail-less porch; on the far side of the house was a freestanding car port an old , rusty dark colored truck was parked under it.
Alec and Dean pulled off their riding glasses and gloves, shared a look then switched off the bikes engines.
"It doesn't look like anyone lives here." Alec said.
"There is a truck parked under the car port. Dean said. "Looks pretty old."
"We'll check it out," Alec said. "You never know."
"You never know," Dean parroted hopefully.
In unison they kicked out the stands on the bikes and dismounted; the track towards the house was like quick sand, tugging at their boots trying to pull them down making sucking, squelching sounds with every step. The last rays of the sun slanted across the edge of their sight making them frown as they climbed the front steps side by side their now muddy boots hitting the steps at exactly the same time; they crossed the porch to the front door; an old rattan chair and a low matching table the only furniture on the veranda; a ripped, useless fly screen was closed against the white peeling paint of the front door; Dean rapped his knuckles against the wood several times.
The muted sound of music, jazz music emanating from inside was cut off abruptly a few moments later, only to be replaced by footsteps crossing the floor inside and then a bolt was being slid aside the door handle turned and the door was pulled open revealing through the rips in the fly screen a short man with a swarthy complexion, wide round brown eyes, black curly hair that was shot through with hints of silver at the temples. His brown eyes flitted between them for a few seconds before coming to rest on Dean and he smiled.
"I've been waiting for you what kept you?" Rocky Vescio asked.
Continued in Chapter 12: Finding Ways
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Silvertayl 57