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parttimewriterApartment F, Hawkins Street
Sunday
0600
Dean had a restless night, when the noise from outside wasn't keeping him away his dreams were. He had thought that the dream he had on the road here had been odd, these were bordering on crazy, which is why he was up too freaking early and already pacing the small apartment. Sammy was still passed out in the other room, but Dean couldn't stand still, the feeling in his gut had gotten worse over night and he was sure that he and Sam were going to get bad news at some point today. He licked his lips refusing to worry about it any further he cleared out a space and dropped going straight into a set of push ups.
He stripped from his extra layers as he started to actually work up sweat. Letting muscle memory from the many years of running drills come back to his mind as it took a moment to process everything that had happened. It had been less then fourty-eight hours since he had caught the news showing a young man with his face, since then he had been attacked by a crazy bent on world domination cult, which they still knew nothing about. Meet his own personal clone, found out he had another one that went insane and was killed, also had seen things that he had even problems believing if it wasn't in front of him. Then on top of all of that he finds out he and his brother aren't quite human, whatever that means.
Dean paused on his fifth set and pushed up onto his knees, he had been lucky over the years, what if that hadn't been luck. The only problem with that is he had no idea of how it could have happened. He didn't remember anyone ever getting close enough to him to do anything like that other then his family and a few close friends, there was no way that any of them would do that. He looked over at the desk, that now had the first few rays of sunlight was projected across it. His fathers journal lay in the middle, papers from the evening before scattered around it in almost distinguishable piles. He pushed to his feet, checking on Sam who was starting to move around and Dean knew he would be up soon. He took a seat and pulled his fathers journal towards him.
Flipping the papers he found the ones that Sam had marked earlier in this adventure and started to read his fathers rushed writing.
March 11th 1993
'Dean wasn't in his bed when I got up this morning. Sammy claims he doesn't know anything about it, other then maybe Dean went to school early. I don't like it. Got a bad feeling about it, gonna wait and see what happens, hopefully he just went out for coffee or a run.'
March 12th, 1993
Dean still hasn't come home, Sam also is missing his brother. I called Jim, he said he would send a friend that we can trust, said his name was Robert Singer, said if it was supernatural he could figure it out. I just hope that he's right, something has happen to Dean, I just hope we can find him.'
March 15th, 1993
Jim's friend arrived today, Sammy is shy and reminding me of Dean just after the fire. He's speaking less and less, I know the boy could never be totally silent but its been five days since Dean just disappeared. I refuse to think about the statistics. Robert it seems is more of a Bobby, he brought a number of books and other supplies for the hunt. We haven't been able to put anything together yet, I wish Dean was here. I have a gut feeling that something is really wrong here, I'm tempted to call the cops, I just don't know what to say to them.
Dean's school called today, something about a scholarship, told him that he was out of town for reasons and I would talk about it with him later. They booked us an appointment for next month to come and talk, we will be gone before then. At least I hope so.
March 17th, 1993
I ended up going to the cops, it has been a week, we haven't found anything supernatural and its scary to think that this is a human evil. I had forgotten that humans are worse then the creatures we fight, blinded almost. I just want my son back, I had a lot of questions to answer but thanks to Bobby, who has turned out to be a big hand in this whole thing, we have sorted it out and they are looking into it now. I doubt they will find anything more, Sam had found notes in Dean's bag about a ghost in the middle school Dean had been attending. We checked it out, everything looked like it went off without a hitch. I had been worried I would see my babies body laying I'm worried about Dean, Sam is getting worse, he refuses to go to school. Jim is flying in tomorrow, Caleb called and said that he could show up if they needed a hand. Got a few other calls as word got out, I just wish I could tell if they are asking because of my own history in hunting or my sons.
March 20th, 1993
NOTHING! There is nothing in this town, the cops are useless, Jim, Bobby and I have found nothing out of place. Sam is now locking himself away in his room, only coming out when it was meal time or the washroom. I hold him at night to stop the nightmares, his screaming has been getting worse. I doubt he even knows he's doing it. I'm not sure which boy to be more worried about at this point. Its been over a week, I had always thought I could find Dean no matter what, rush in just in the knick of time and save the day like I hadn't been able to do with Mary. Instead I have don't the unthinkable, I have failed my sons.
March 24th, 1993
I went out drinking with Jim and Bobby last night, or maybe they showed up half way through, can't really remember much, do remember the bar fight. That felt good, needed a good fight. Tomorrow is two weeks, Dean has been gone and we have been useless, not as useless as the cops at least we know what he was doing before he got missing. I've packed and unpacked the car twice already. I know I should hit the road, keep Sam save, keep looking for Dean. But every time the car is packed up I worry that I won't be here if Dean comes back. I just don't.
March 26th, 1993
I can't believe it, Jim and Bobby were awaken this morning by DEAN walking in the front door last night. He was almost as surprised to see them as they were him. He doesn't seem to remember anything and I'm not sure if I am happy about this or not. We ran almost every test we could on him to make sure he was possessed and its him, its my Boy. I'm still worried for him, he wakes up screaming at night, and there are new scars on his body but for the time being I don't want to worry to much. But I will be buffing up the security.
Dean was frowning slightly when he finished reading, he remembers the hunt that is mentioned, a geek ghost who took out its frustrations on bullies. It had been easy and he remembers the walk back to the hotel and then Bobby and Jim being there. He could have sworn that he went right back to the hotel, he sure as hell didn't remember the two weeks he had been missing for. The feeling in his gut was at its highest level, just on the light side of painful and Dean looked up as Sam moved into the room trying the taps for water.
"Hey."
"Hey," Dean replied his mind still thinking about what he had just read, it wasn't possible was it. Someone or something had clearly taken him for two weeks. That would be more then enough time to make the changes that Marine had found. Dean shivered and pushed the journal away, the first time in his life hating the knowledge it gave him.
"You okay? Where's your top?"
"I'm fine," Dean said as he pushed the chair back and got out stretching as he stood up and walked over, scooping his tops from the floor and pulling one on, it did nothing to help his heat problem. "So I guess we try and get a meal and then go ghost hunting with the newbies, I think I found a good one." Dean said as he came back over to the table and pulled a paper from one of the piles, checking it before handing it to Sam.
"Security guard?" Sam asked, left eyebrow raised in that 'I'm smarter then you' way and Dean returned the look with one of his own that said simply, 'read it bitch'. Dean might not be able bail them out of jail legally but he knew his supernatural. Jim always claimed that he had a sixth sense about the whole thing. It didn't take long once Sam was reading and Dean pulled the rest of his clothes on.
"Okay yeah, security guard. Do you know where the building is?"
"No, but thankfully we have transgenic guides so I'm sure we will get there." Dean promised with a wide smile as he crossed his arms.
"Fine, let me get dressed and we can go back to command."
"Just hurry up Sammy, I'm hungry."
Military Command, Outside Terminal City
Sunday
0700
Otto had to quicken his pace to keep up with White as they made their way across the military surrounded area in front of Terminal City. The sun was raising towards the sky, for once the sky not clouded or rainy. He knew that the events of the last 24 hours or so had been pushing for NSA command of the military but for some reason Otto felt that something else was going on around here. Things just weren't adding up all the time any longer. His first duty was that of his country and perhaps he should start looking into things a little deeper.
They made their way into HQ and White let them know he was now in charge, Otto standing by the door waiting for a command. The military commanders fought over this, thinking that this was unnecessary and jumping the gun. Otto had to agree, the transgencis had only been trying to make contact and defend themselves.
"There are new risks involved and the government thought it best that I take over. You are relieved General."
"I'll be back I promise." The older man grumbled before leaving the office, radio already being pulled out his pocket. Otto turned to white who was smiling as he picked up some random paperwork.
"We have work to do Otto."
Command Centre, Terminal City
Sunday
0715
"You want me to what?" Max said loudly as she glared over at Alec, the report in her hand already forgotten due to the shock of what he had just asked her.
"Ghost hunting with the Sam and Dean. They said that they could probably even find a place inside TC. Max's frown deepened and Alec smiled widely. "Come on Maxie who will it hurt."
"Us possibly when these two go crazy on us when the ghosts don't show up." Alec frowned and took a step towards her.
"That's why I invited Mole along also. Safe as houses." He promised with another smile "Just give it a try, it will take like an hour of your day and you might be able to say I told you so to someone." Max paused in thought then thinking about her opinions.
"Fine," she grumbled a few moments later, "But only because I don't need the four of your doing something stupid to the city." Alec grinned widely back at her and she couldn't help but return it.
"I would never-"
"Don't even, remember Righto Alley." Alec's mouth shut with an smile and a wave as he turned on his heel and headed back over to Dix.
Everyone in command returned to their morning routines, only to be broken again a few minutes later when Sam and Dean joined them. They were arguing over something that none of the transgenics knew anything about and wasn't sure how it was important. Really who was Batman and Superman.
"Have a good night guys?" Max asked as they joined them, clearly trying to be a little nicer this morning. Alec knew she wanted Dean to help with the press release and hadn't really gotten off on the right foot so far.
"Thrills by the minute let me tell you." Dean replied as he slid into a seat across from Alec before tossing a small file onto the table.
"Found you all a hunt, right in your backyard too." Alec grinned as he took the file and flipped it open, reading it quickly before turning to look up at Max.
"Its within the city, actually part of the city that most of the transgenics refuse to work at." Max frowned and twisted her lips a little more, she knew the place they were thinking about, she had heard the reports from earlier groups that they had felt sick when they went over onto Brooks and Stevens. A couple of people had come back and refused to go that way again.
"And just what do you think we will be finding there?" Max asked looking at the two brothers that were across the table from Alec, leaning on the back of Alec's chair.
"Well to be honesty a ghost." Sam said leaning onto the wall by a near-by door. "Specifically an angry one, the guard that worked there during the pulse before they realized the toxins were released was left behind to guard this one business. It seems that he was beaten to death over some of supply boxes, he was left to die. It was over a week before anyone noticed he was missing, his body was never recovered."
"And that makes him a ghost?" Alec asked actually interested in the warped mind set the brothers had.
"More or less, some ghosts need time to get really worked up, this guy has had about what seven, eight years." Dean told the younger version of himself, a raised eyebrow.
"Well then, lets get going." Alec said clapping his hands together and pushing out of his seat, standing up right and grinning madly at Max.
"Werdio." She muttered shaking her head, hands dropping to her side while still looking at the brothers.
"Actually we need to gather a few supplies before we go out." Sam said pushing off the wall coming to stand between Max and Dean who was also climbing to his feet.
"Supplies for a ghost hunt?" Came a snort as Mole joined the small group, having been listening from just across the room. Deans smile grew wider as he looked to the giant lizard man.
"Yeah, your gonna love 'em." He promised as he looked over the shotgun the transhuman was holding. "How do you feel about saw'd off shotguns?"
Unknown Location
Sunday
0730
"Do you have word from the others?" The Mistress asked as Ankon joined her delivering a cup of warm tea.
"Yes Mistress, they have all reported in, the first groups should be reporting to Brother White later today."
"Good, good. I have a mission for you in the mean time."
"Anything Mistress." The older woman smiled, Ankon could only feel a shiver run over his body he knew that smile and it never worked out well for him in the end.
Abandoned Section, Terminal City
Sunday
0800
"So salt and iron, that is the best defence you can come up with?" Mole asked Dean as they lead the way into the old ransacked DNA lab. Dean just grinned, not letting anything bother him today as they made their way into the gloom, it wasn't all that sunny outside anymore but it still had more sunlight then the closed off building offered.
"You still got your shot gun, just upgraded. Besides until you try it don't blow of suggested weapons. Thought you guys were super military or something."
"Could take your head off without breaking a sweat." Mole growled putting his cigar back in his mouth and lighting it as they walked along. Alec, Max and Sam were still looking around outside, Dean had gotten bored, at that point it had been easy to get Mole to join him in his newest adventure for the guards ghost.
"Don't be so sure about that." Dean promised as they rounded a corner finding a flight of stairs that didn't seem to be too torn up, "come on let's check this out." Dean said as he left the man behind and started up the first flight of stairs. It was on the fourth one that they finally caught site of the ghost.
'GET OUT!' The man bellowed and Dean almost winced, he was loud and pissed, which was expected. Mole came to a sudden stop and shivered, Dean raised his eyebrow slightly and held back a chuckle now really wasn't the time or place.
"Hey dude calm down, just a couple friends looking around." Mole seemed to snap out of it at that point, his head twisting to look at Dean his eyes wide.
"I can see through him."
"Yeah of course you can, he's a ghost." Dean said this time with a small chuckle.
'You are not welcome here! GET OUT."
"Sorry dude, no can do we need the space which means you are out."
"MY JOB! GET OUT GETOUTGETOUT." Dean frowned feeling the wind in the small area picking up and maybe Sam and he had been a little quick to jump the gun here, buddy was a little more powerful then they had first thought.
"You're job is long past done." Dean said motioning for Mole to go back down the way they had just come from. Mole nodded, shotgun brought up to bear as he slowly started to walk backwards. Dean following him a few seconds later. "But if you want us gone." He took note of the level they were on, probably a good chance that the ghost body was somewhere around this location and they keep walking backwards, the ghost watching and screaming at them, then nothing. Dean froze like Mole had earlier, there wasn't a reason for the ghost to just leave.
Another cold burst of air and then he felt as Mole was tossed over the edge of the staircase. "FUCK! MOLE!" Dean said as he spun around, coming face to face with the ghost.
"YOU WILL LEAVE NOW!" It screamed as it reached out flinging Dean backwards into the stairs he grunted still reeling over the fact that he had pretty much just killed one of the transhumans with a fucked up un-thought out plan.
"Wish I could, kinda blocking the way asshole." Dean replied as he pushed to his feet and pulled out the iron that Joshua had found for them. He really didn't want to know from where and held it in front of himself just as someone blasted the ghost from behind. Dean raised his arm, covering his eyes from the blow of salt. It still mixed in his hair and he could feel as it cut across his jacket and a few peices hitting his arm. A second later he looked over, and grinned madly.
"Totally thought you were dead man!"
"Military training." The lizard man prompted with a chuckle in his raised eyebrow.
"Well then, I think its time to regroup." Dean said looking over his shoulder once more before walking over to the other man and tossing a friendly arm over the man's shoulder. "Glad to see you alive and kicking." He said the worry from earlier already leaving, he could get use to working with the transgenics, it clearly made losing people harder, which was something that Dean could always respect.
Alec was leaning close to the main doors as Dean and Mole burst out them, both of them laughing over something random and he narrowed his eyes. They were coming out of the building that both Sam and Dean had said no one should go alone. What was this man up to, but then he brought himself back to his senses as Mole said something that almost short circuited his brain.
"What what?" Max said and Alec was glad that she was there to pick up the slack, he had assumed they would poke around the old building for a couple hours and then try and get the boys over the border with Logan's help. Instead here was Mole claiming he just shot a ghost.
"Dean?" Came Sam's worried voice a few seconds later, "are you both okay?"
"Yeah man, you should have been there, totally thought Mole here was a goner." He said clasping the other man on the back and Sam replied with a twisted look on his face.
"What happen to waiting?"
"Got bored," Dean replied with a shrug and Alec couldn't help but chuckle. How many times had he used the same comment and shrug. Far too many to think, but then again Dean had perhaps used it more then he himself had since it seemed to be something of his own.
"Could have gotten killed."
"But I didn't and we now know what floor to look on so come on," Dean said before turning back around into the building Mole right behind him and both Alec and Max on his heels as Sam brought up their sixes, grumbling about idiotic big brothers the entire time as they climbed back up to the Fifth floor.
"He popped out on this landing, figured he's either on this floor or one up or down. We can sweep each floor starting on this one, make sure to look everywhere. The body wasn't found so its clearly stuffed somewhere well hidden." Max wrinkled her nose at this, frowning she looked at the other transgenics finding the body wouldn't be a problem they could already smell the death it was just a matter of finding it.
"So what do we do once we find it?" Alec said stepping out of the stair landings and into the fifth floor, letting his nose lead. He almost seemed familiar with the layout as he made his way towards the stench of the guards body.
"Salt 'n burn it." Dean grunted in reply and Alec felt a smirk twist as his lips.
"Sweet, Max never lets me play with fire."
"Oh shut up Alec." Came the reply and a slap from Max as Alec took another corner, straight down a hall and another turn. The others followed, the air around them getting colder as they moved, their breath was visible by the time Alec finally came to a stop.
"We should hurry." Dean said as he moved to stand beside Alec.
"He's in this room." Alec said pointing to the room in front of them, both Max and Mole nodding with agreement.
"Okay well then."Dean said rolling his neck just as the ghost reappeared again.
'I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT! THIEF! MURDER!"
Dean dodged the arms as they came out and twisted away, his body spinning the ghost moving after him. "Burn 'em Sammy!" He screamed as he waved the iron weapon in front of him keeping the ghost at bay as Sam moved over, the door opening with almost too much ease and his brother and Max were both gone from site. Which left just Mole, Dean and Alec to keep the ghost distracted.
Command Centre, Terminal City
Sunday
0830
Marine was tired, she had gotten a few hours sleep but not enough by a long shot. She had been busy all night with running further tests on the brothers. It was clear after a few hours that Sam's would be useless, she had nothing to compare it to. She did know how that he had powers like some of the X0 series and also wouldn't die if given snake blood, also he didn't seem to be at any threat from the toxins in TC at least not for the moment. He wasn't the reason she was looking for Max and Alec at the ungodly hour, no that was the older brother Dean.
After a few more tests it had become clear that he was more then similar to the transgencis, if anything she was pretty confident in saying that he might have been a base subject. He was clearly human, that much could be read from the basics, it was the underlying code and DNA that had been a mystery. Unlike the transgenics whose DNA had been bred differently Dean has been altered slightly. Probably nothing large at first, but over the years the RNA blockers that Manticore had installed in his blood had just been wiped away, it was bound to happen to a growing teenage boy. Most of her dreams from the little sleep she had gotten had been spent trying to sort out just what Manticore had been planning when they did whatever they did to Dean.
"Hey Dix, is Max and Alec around?"
"Um no actually they are out ghost hunting actually."
"Ghost hunting?" Marine asked the sceptic in her clearly showing her opinion as she placed on hand on her hip. "If you want to lie to me you could at least make it a good reason."
"I'm not joking or lying, the Winchesters took both of them and Mole out for the morning. "
"Ghost hunting." Marine said still disbelieving the words, it sounded like a bad horror novel.
"Yep."
"Well," the medic paused and then shrugged, there had been weirder things happen around the small city since she came to live here. "When do they plan on being back?"
"When its dead." The transgenic replied back his head still not leaving the computer monitor in front of him.
"I think I'll wait for them." She said, no reply came but it didn't bother her, all of them were focused when it came to the job and it was clear that whatever Dix was doing was important. She moved over to the free seating area, claiming a book that been left behind by one of the others she picked it up and started to flip through it.
She was almost finished the book when a cheer of celebration came from Dix, her interest was peaked, it wasn't like the book was any good something about sparkly vampires and some whiny young teenager that needed a good smack upside the head. If that was what pre-pulse offered for reading material perhaps it was best that terrorism had been at work.
"What is it?" She asked joining the other man at his computer and reading over his shoulder.
"I found it."
"Found what?"
"Dean's manticore file."
"What! Really? He has a file? How'd you find it?"
"Oh yeah, he has one." Dix said flipping over the pages, both of their eyes widening as they read on.
"Dix," Marine started.
"I know, Max is gonna be pissed."
"Totally."
Abandoned Section, Terminal City
Sunday
0900
Dean hated fighting in cramped spaces, but then again it wouldn't be as small if the three of them weren't trying to fight around each other. Shotgun blasts sounded out and it was almost relaxing as the three of them danced around the ghost. A few seconds later Alec crashed into a nearby wall and slid down going limp.
"SAMMY!"
"I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT, YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED AND NOW YOU WILL ALL PAY!" It screamed its promise.
"Oh shut up already you freak." Mole retorted with another shotgun blast the ghost disappearing, Dean moved over to Alec's side and helped him up. The boy was already shaking his head and pushing Dean away.
"I'm good watch your back." He heard the boy grunt out before he nodded and turned to do just that, the ghost re-appearing just as Max came running back into the room a second later a scream piercing the room as the ghost burst into flames in front of them, Sam walking out of the side room to join them.
"Huh." Max said, Dean was pretty sure she was still in shock her eyes finding first Mole and Alec checking on them before she finally sought out Dean and Sam's. Dean smirked knowingly at her and winked.
"Welcome to our world."
The five of them made their way out of the building after making sure the body wasn't going to light the entire building on fire and started back towards the main part of the city.
"So this is your job."
"Not really a job, you get paid for a job, but yeah its our life." Sam said Max and himself walking a few steps behind the three men who were joking and sharing stories just ahead of them.
"That sucks I'm sorry," she told him truthfully and Sam smiled at her, nodding.
"Thanks, I just actually got back into the game, Dean and I are looking for our father, this entire thing got us a little sidetracked."
"You didn't really mention your father last night."
"Yeah well we didn't really part on great terms," Sam started wondering how he could explain his family to her but found himself saved for at least the moment as Dean came over to them.
"Hey, Alec and Mole are offering me the full tour, want to tag along?" Dean asked looking up slightly at Sam, Sam looked back down at his brother and shook his head, he figured that Dean would need a little time alone with the transgenics and it would give Sam time to try and figure out just what they should do now.
"No go ahead, I'll go back to Command with Max, see what I can find out."
"Okay, if you're sure." Dean said, the look on his face giving away the excitement that his brother was having at the moment. "Call Bobby later on see if he found anything that can help." Dean said before punching his brother lightly in the arm and rejoining Alec and Mole, the three of them walking out of sight before Sam sighed softly and shook his head.
"So, what's Dean like?" Max asked figuring if she couldn't ask the older brother about the press until later she might as well try and get into his head a little. Sam smirked, a twinkle in his eye as he looked back to Max.
"What's Alec like?" Max's eyes widened at the possiblity, replaced with a light smile and a shake of her head. "Oh we are so in for trouble."
Military HQ, Terminal City
Sunday
0900
White had to admit that the humans had managed to get a good handle on the transgenics, at least at the first sight. He knew that there were holes in the system he had managed to find a few just by walking around, of course with guards it seemed they were a little nervous that he might make a break for the gates.
“Sir, there are a group of soldiers here, they claim they are only to report to you.” Ames pushed up to his feet, and walked over to the door and held it open looking out at the small group that had collected en mass outside of his small trailer. He could place a few of the faces, a few others he only knew from the names on their vests.
“Thank you Otto, I think its time for a coffee, I will finish this meeting up and then join you.” Ames told him just waving the other men to join him as Otto was left on the outside once more.
Terminal City, Seattle
Sunday
0902
"So everything you mentioned over the past while is real?" Alec asked as the Mole, Dean and himself walked down one of the streets of TC. Still a little shaken from the hunt that the two brothers had managed to find inside the city borders. The fact that they were hunting something down, well it was unnerving, Alec didn't like to think of anything as a hunt. He shivered but let it pass, it wasn't like they were actually doing what the FBI thought they were.
"Pretty much anything you can think of or find online. Expect Santa, and Angels." Dean said without thought looking at both of the...men beside him. Even if one looked like a teenager version of himself and a giant lizard. He had been here for a matter of two days so far and he knew that these were good people. A fucked up past, but now a days who doesn't. Dean couldn't really throw stones, he had been raised in a similar matter. Not any of that brainwashing or torture crap, but he had been raised a solider. He knew that they only wanted to protect their units, their families. Somehow it made the feeling in his gut tighten once more, it had been bothering him since he woke up that morning and looked over his fathers journal, the fact that it was still plaguing him. Well it was bother
Mole grunted from beside them and just shook his head, Dean and Alec both smirked at the man. "So you hunt monsters and somehow don't get yourself killed. Think you'r a tough huh?" Dean looked over to the man and raised his eyebrow, if they had known him they would have seen the spark of amusement and the thrill of a challenge sparking in his eyes.
"Maybe, after all I seem to somehow have a genetic super twin. I've got it all working for me." He replied cockily and Dean was almost shocked when Mole laughed suddenly, the ever present cigar now by his side. Dean didn't understand the reason behind them but figured it wasn't his place to ask.
"Just like pretty boy here, at least now I know where he gets it from and it is genetic." Alec shot Mole a dirty look, which went ignored. Alec could feel himself relaxing, and it was shocking. There wasn't a wide selection of people he relaxed around, and even fewer Norms. The fact that he was at somewhat ease around Dean almost wanted to send off an alarm in his head. He looked over to the other man, he was older but they clearly shared some similarity. Specially around the eyes and freckles that clearly he would never be rid of. And since Seattle normally had cloud cover he doubted he would get the tan needed to hide them. The other man was clearly taller but still you could see that they were the same build, and very close to the same height.
"Care to put that to the test?" Alec heard a second later from Mole and he looked back and forth between the two as Dean's eyes narrowed.
"What do you have in mind?" Dean replied without a beat. John Winchester never raised no fools but he had to admit to himself that he was interested in putting himself to the test. Growing up it had always been about getting to the next level. Pushing yourself just the right amount. Being able to help out with the hunting, making sure that Sam was safe. It was just the way of life, so when the three of them came to a stop in the middle of the street it wasn't a big surprise.
"There's a shooting a few blocks back. How about you vs. pretty boy." Dean's eyes flashed at the challenge and grinned widely willing to take the chance.
"That I can do, as long as I can use my own gun."
"Since you seem to keep getting it back from Max somehow I guess that will be alright." Alec said with a chuckle, he wondered if it was also genetic to torment Maxie. Dean seemed to have taken to it like water on a duck. Then again Alec had to stop himself a number of times before opening his mouth to tease the younger Winchester brother.
"What can I say, I like pissing people off."
"Another hit for genetics." A chuckle came from Dean and he just shook his head.
"Sorry kid, but if its in the genetics then it meant that I had no hope either." With those words the trio was silent the rest of the way to the shooting range.
Command Centre, Terminal City
Sunday
0915
Max and Sam made their way back to command slowly, talking about what their lives had been like and what they had done in the past. Sam spoke about his college before the pulse, his brother coming and getting him afterwards. The work on the road after that and the lifes he had managed to save, not always from evil spirits. Max opened up a little bit further on what her life had been like, on the run until she was captured and found a new family, a bigger family. She talked about the familiars and Sam let her know that they were looking into that.
As they got closer to the centre the conversation was actually becoming a tad bit more personal, favorite food, best date, best place to go to relax. Sam learnt about the best of Seattle and told Max about the best of the entire country. It shouldn't have been a shock that their good moods would be spoiled and they both came to a stop when they found Marine and Dix debating over some papers that looked like they had just been printed.
"Hey guys, found something new?" Max asked as she moved over to join them, Sam only a few seconds behind her and picked up a page his eyes scanning it before he looked to Dix.
"What is this?" he asked feeling a little sick to his stomach, he didn't want to believe the words he saw in front of him, the fact that it was a single page in a large pile was bothersome. It was about Dean, he sat the paper back down and turned not in the mood to stay in the stuffy building any further.
"Think I'm gonna get some fresh air." He said with a tight smile as he walked off climbing up to the top level, walking out onto the rooftop. His eyes drawn to the flag that was flying proudly above the city, walking over to the edge he sat down and settled in and let his mind drift wondering just what the papers downstairs really meant.
Shooting Range, Terminal City
Sunday
0920
Dean strangely didn't feel horribly out of place as a small crowd started to gather as the word spread that one of the Council had been challenged. Dean could hear some of the whispers and he pushed them away as he pulled his gun out and slid the clip out, checking the gun and clip twice before slipping it back in, the click a welcome sound. He moved to stand beside the two transgenics that had been his tour guide for the day so far.
"Okay so whats the deal?" He asked spotting the firing line in the sand, it was a good fifty yard from the closest mark, Dean was glad that he had paid close attention to his fathers training. He watched as Alec took a firing stance and nodded, one of the other transgenics flicked something and targets shot out of hidden places, Dean was impressed but it made sense, he doubted that these were people that would let their skills go un tested. He licked his lips, the targets were about medium size, a little larger then the pie he was close to dying for at the moment. That wasn't going to be the problem, it would be the speed. He had been so busy watching the targets he hadn't paid attention to Alec who had managed to hit all of the targets,dead center.
Dean whistled as he came to this realization, "you got an eye I'll give you that." A cheeky smirk on his face as he moved over to the line. "Think I can have a test run?"
" We can slow them down if you would prefer." Alec said with a shrug, he doubted that this man would want that but he would still offer.
"No, the challenge is good, just been awhile since I was on a range." Alec and Mole shared a look and Dean knew they were going to let him.
"I can't see a problem with it." Mole finally grunted and the people closest to the three off them let the world pass. Dean could see money and paper being traded among the crowd.
"One test go." Alec said with a nod, Dean grinned at him and turned to face the shooting range. Taking a deep breath in he let himself center his body before he nodded slowly. He felt the time slowing, he had always felt so at ease why shooting, like nothing could stop him. The targets were slower, six shots later and he was looking at his first attempt, one in the white of the target, the other five deep in the other targets red section.
"Okay," Dean said rolling his shoulders and looking over at targets again watching as they were reset. The crowd was silent around them knowing that this was the real thing and Dean let himself calm down once again, this time the targets almost seemed closer as the time began to slow again just after his nod. This time was better, all dead center but two.
"Well damn," Mole finally said after they had all looked, Dean was happy. It was clear that he hadn't been able to beat Alec but it didn't seem like many could and he still seemed to impress a few people. The crowd started to part, money already trading hands. It surprised Dean when after talking to Mole or Alec someone would say hello or congratulate me. In Deans mind it was far too long before they were alone again.
For being such a small area there was quite a few residents, Dean had to wonder for just a second where they all lived since it seemed living corder was already hard, but then if they were all cramped in. He shook his head, it wasn't his place to worry about.
"Where did you learn to shoot like that?" Mole asked as they walked along the rows of buildings, the tour was wrapping up there really wasn't much to see. "I never seen a norm shoot anything like you."
"I have to agree there, but I suppose you aren't the normal human." Alec said from Mole's far side and Dean just shrugged and pulled at the bottom of his leather jacket.
"Dad taught me, been using a gun since I was five," Dean left off the part that it had been after he had finally started to speak again, for some reason he didn't think he had to tell Alec, he could see the look in his eyes. The same look that Dean dealt with everyday in the mirror. And Mole really he didn't trust enough yet to tell him something so personal. " Had the skills way before my DNA was whatever."
"So no Manticore then," Alec said almost looking disappointed and Dean couldn't imagine why. Was this kid hoping they would have something in common. The thought sent shivers up Dean's spine, the look reminded him of Sammy growing up and hoping that Dean would take him out on Friday night when he had other plans.
"Not that I can remember, sorry."
"No, that's good. Its not really a great place to remember," Alec said with a shrug that was clearly Dean and his heart tugged a little, Dean wanted his gut to react instead. He almost didn't catch the nod of silent agreement from Mole. He felt sick, what had these guys really been through.
"Sounds like leaving was the best thing you guys could do." Dean paused for a long moment before coming to a stop. "Do you two mind if I ask you a question." Dean watched another shared look between the two and Dean knew that he could see the same love that Dean and Sam shared, they were clearly family and Dean wondered why he hadn't seen it before, why no one had seen it before. These were just a bunch of worried kids that had found one another after being used and abused for years.
"You can ask, can't promise I'll answer." Mole said and Alec chuckled softly shaking his head.
"Go for it," Dean nodded taking a breath before diving in.
"If normal was a possibility would you take it? Leave all the crazy behind, leave the familiars and the humans and just take off." The two of them thought about it for a long moment before Mole just shrugged.
"I've got things to do, Princess will finish the tour up." Mole said taking his leave and Dean let him go without pushing, it was clearly a subject most of them avoided, Dean could tell that and he had just meet them. Soldiers don't question they just follow.
"I can't say I would, can't speak for anyone else but I kinda like being a freak." Alec said finally, Dean turning to face him a small matching smile growing on both of their faces.
"Dude, being a freak is not limited to your funky DNA trust me." The two twins laugh followed them down the street, as they started moving again.
Command Centre, Terminal City
Sunday
0920
"Are you sure someone shouldn't go after him?" Dix asked looking at the door that Sam had just left and Max sighed once more. It seemed that the transhuman had gotten a soft spot for the two humans, it seemed to be the going trend. Hell Alec and Mole were chilling out in the city with Dean doing who knows what, while Max was talking about her past with the younger brother, which was something a little out of her normal style. She licked her lips and looked up from the papers into their faces.
"He needs some time, besides we have to be able to explain all of this to him, and we should also be ready for Dean to find out. I doubt that Sam keeps anything from him, and this isn't really something we can keep from him either," Max said as she turned back to reading as Marine joined her at the table sorting the pages Max had already read.
"We already read them, there isn't a lot there other then what they did. It doesn't explain anything but it seems that Dean was on Sandeman's files also. Not much recorded, it seems that he almost wanted the files to be lost but his name is mentioned a few times. " Max felt her nose wrinkle at that, so it was a dead end once more, she propped her elbows onto the table and dropped her head into her hands.
"Why can't anything ever be easy," she grumbled under her breath before rising her head again. "Keep looking in the files, but in the mean time tell Jamie and Jason to ask around and see if there is anyone that can help in getting memories back we might need proof, specially when it comes to the oldest." She said rubbing her face before she stood up, collecting the files and putting them away, "call me when Alec and Dean get back." She said as she moved to leave the area also.
"Where will you be boss?"
"On the roof, figuring out a Winchester." She said with a smirk before ducking into the same doorway Sam had used only a short span before.
