The Hunter and the Hunted: Part 4
Title: The Hunter and the Hunted
Part 4: No Way of Knowing
Authors: art_of_mayhem and candygramme
Rated: R for M/M affection and bad language
Pairing: Dean Winchester/Alex Krycek
Spoilers: none
Warning: Slash
Word count: 5,199
Disclaimer: Dean and his family belong to Eric Kripke and Supernatural, and Alex belongs to Chris Carter and the X-Files. We own nothing, but we are doing this for love and not money.
Author’s notes: Dean spent four years traveling with John, his father, and later on his own missions, while Sam, his brother, was at Stanford. We’ve bent time a little, and we are aware of that, but this is fiction. We’ve decided that Dean met up with Alex Krycek after the events of Piper Maru and Apocrypha so for everyone that ever wondered how Alex got out of the missile silo, we have the scoop.
The quoted song is “October Song,” by the Incredible String Band.
The beautiful icon is by myhappyface, for which much thanks.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I met a man whose name was Time. He said, “I must be going.”
But just how long ago that was, I have no way of knowing.
Sometimes I could murder time, when my heart is aching
But mostly I just stroll along the path that he is taking.
Alex’s sleep was fitful. Strange, ugly images paraded through his dreams, bright lights and men screaming as they died, but it was well past dawn when he awoke. His first instinct was to dive out of the suspiciously soft bed and run, but slowly his memory of the previous evening returned, and he relaxed, reaching for his companion, only to find that the bed beside him was empty.
"Dean?" He yawned and sat up, wondering if the other had gone back to the silo without him. "Hey, buddy, you there?"
Dean had fallen asleep straight away as well, but he hadn't had any dreams, fitful or otherwise. It was true that he sometimes had nightmares, but this night he slept like a baby. He had curled himself up against Alex, soothing him much as he used to soothe his little brother. That action had brought its own share of guilt, and when morning finally came Dean was up like a shot, showered and out the door to get some coffee.
He had hoped to return before Alex woke, but just as he was coming in, jean jacket over his shoulders, bag of donuts in one hand and two coffees in the other, he heard that voice.
"I'm here, Val; don't panic." Dean set the cups down and went over to sit on the bed, reaching into the bag for a donut. "Got donuts and coffee," he murmured, offering one to his erstwhile bed partner. "As soon as you are ready, we can head out to the silo." He reached over to take a drink of his coffee as he was speaking, not looking at Alex.
The coffee was really welcome, although his words were not. Alex sipped gratefully, and he couldn’t help watching with a smile as Dean stuffed his face with donuts. "You like donuts, yeah?" He hopped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up, before dressing swiftly in his borrowed clothes.
Dean gave a shrug, "It was what was available." Dean was used to getting what was available. Throughout his childhood Sam had usually had the first of everything, purely because he, Dean, couldn't resist him when he pulled his puppy-dog face. There had been a mountain of pancakes, waffles, the Lucky Charms that had all gone to his baby brother throughout their childhood. Dean would only get some, if his dad was there to make sure they had equal parts, and Dean guesses, when he thinks about it at all, that he's making up for all the lost snacks just because he can.
It was raining outside, a cold, unpleasant drizzle that made the world look grey. Alex shivered as he peered out of the window. "Okay, let's do it," he said softly. "You were gonna lend me a gun, yeah?"
Dean had been drinking his coffee as Alex showered, and now he stared out the window wishing it would stop raining. It was going to be a wet, cold day. Lifting his head as Alex came out of the bathroom, he nodded. "Yeah, it's in the back of the car." He got up, heading out and locking the door before going around to open up the trunk.
The Impala's trunk appeared empty at first, but as he reached for the latch at the bottom and opened it, the contents were revealed. First he tossed an old jacket of his brother’s to Alex, and then Dean grabbed one of the shotguns, propping the lid of the trunk open with it. He reached down, pulling out a gun and checking it. He grabbed a clip, checked that as well and smiled. "Pure, wrought-iron rounds will drive any spirits away." He handed it over to Alex and grabbed another to shove in his own pants, then took some holy water and held it out to Alex, "We'll need that." He studied Alex, trying to decide whether or not he would need to make lengthy explanations, and deciding that it wouldn’t hurt to give Val a little information. Taking a deep breath, he launched into an explanation.
"I'm a hunter; I hunt the paranormal; I help people and save lives. The pay is crappy when there is any at all, but, hey, I get to shoot guns." He closed the trunk after loading up his bag with more weapons and a bunch of flares, then he moved around to the driver's side and got in. "I know it may seem strange to you, Val, but I don't think I'm any stranger than your ex."
"Strange? Well, maybe a little strange, but wow, how cool!" Alex's eyes had widened at the sight of the stuff in the Impala's trunk. "You're a cool guy as well as a hot one, aren't you?" He gave Dean a grin and climbed in beside him, checking the gun he’d been given all over again.
"Hmm... nicely maintained. You're good, aren't you? Tell me, Dean, do you ever get the urge to look outside of the supernatural for your fun?" Alex spoke nonchalantly, but he cast Dean a sideways glance. It had occurred to him that Dean would make an excellent recruit, and that he would stand much more of a chance going up against the Consortium with this young man at his back. "Especially if there was...pay?" he added.
Dean glanced over at him as he started the car and turned on the radio. "Of course they're well maintained. Gotta keep the tools working. I just cleaned them all last week." He smirked as he pulled away from the motel and headed out the way they'd come the night before. At least it was daylight now, and the rain, though steady, was light. "As far as working outside the supernatural, I don't know? Like what?" he asked, turning his head to survey Alex. "Me and work... we don't get along. Means I have to stay around one place longer than I like. And usually work is... well it's work. I'd rather... well... something fun and easy is much more up my alley. A job... I couldn't come and go as I please, you know?"
“I do.” Alex was warming more and more to this young man. “I don’t like the daily grind either, but with the job I have, it’s not a problem - I come and go as I want, and the profits are all mine. I don’t share with any boss.” He fell quiet then, getting nervous despite himself as they approached the silo. “You see anyone around?” he asked, peering through the rain-drenched windshield to try and spot the Smoker and his henchmen.
Dean parked close to the silo this time, peering about and then looking back at Alex, "Nope. No cars, no other tire tracks except ours." He pushed open the door to get out and closed it with the usual creak. Glancing over the car at Alex, he could see just how nervous the other man was about getting out to go exploring.
Clutching the gun Dean had given him, Alex emerged nervously from the Impala and stood nervously looking around. “Okay, you got any plan for this? What are we looking for, and how will we know when we find it?”
"I have an EMF meter; it will tell us if something is around. Also, if there's any sort of presence about the lights will flicker, so trust me, you'll know." Dean walked around the car and grabbed Alex's hand, pulling him away from the car, then turned on the flashlight and handed it to Alex. Bending his head, he turned on his home-made EMF and started to explore, heading for the area where he'd found Alex. There was no response from his instrument.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not getting anything," Dean whispered back.
Watching Dean, Alex felt more and more impressed. The way he moved, the confident way he held himself, and the skills he seemed to have - all were things Alex possessed himself and admired in others. It was at that moment that Alex decided Dean would definitely be a keeper.
He followed in Dean’s tracks, and tapped the young man on the shoulder. “Don’t want to spoil the party, but suppose some big black cloud thing suddenly does come for us, what do we do? Shoot it? Run? Pray?”
Dean glanced over his shoulder at his companion, "Black cloud?" He thought a moment, "Both, run and shoot?" Turning, he looked about. "But I don't think we have anything to worry about. Nothing is about, or so it seems." Coming to a halt, Dean peered into one of the doors and then down the corridor, before he turned to face Alex.
Stopping, he shone his light down onto a cigarette butt. He moved over and crouched down, lifting it up. "Morley?" Dean looked back up at Alex, "You said you were alone, and this looks recent." He dropped the butt he'd been holding. "The demon might have hitched another ride. You didn't see anyone?"
Alex froze. “I… didn’t see him, no.” He paused, suddenly realizing that he’d made a mistake. “Uh… I… I think I know who that belongs to. I didn’t see anyone, but somehow I’m not too astonished that he was there. He’s evil.”
It was time now. Alex had to decide whether to confide in Dean or put a bullet into his brain, and he was feeling conflicted. In the end, he did neither. Cursing himself for a fool, he stuffed his gun down the back of his jeans and moved in to put his arms around Dean, pressing his lips against the other man’s cheek. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll tell you. Trust me, you don’t want that badass on your trail, and there’s nothing supernatural about him; he’s just evil.”
Dean gave Alex a very confused glance, because it looked to him as if someone had been there since the time he'd rescued Alex, or possibly the thing had hitched a ride while his companion was still locked in the vault, but anyway, whatever had been here was now long gone, so what was this that Alex was spouting about this guy? He frowned at Alex, grabbed him and pushed him back against the wall, glaring at him.
"What are you not telling me? I think you know more than what you are saying." Dean had that look in his eyes - the angry look that said he thought that he'd been used. "Now suppose you tell me everything now or..." He threw a glance down the hall but looked back at Alex.
“I told you, he’s nothing to do with possessions or demons. He’s government black ops.” Alex grabbed the front of Dean’s jacket. “If this is something he’s involved with, then the feds and the military are going to be crawling all over here soon; Mulder would be the least of our troubles.” He gasped for breath. “Let’s get out of here, before they catch us and disappear us for good. I’ll tell you what I know, but we have to leave, right now.”
He was towing Dean down the corridor as he spoke, and there was obvious panic on his face. “Please, Dean? Just… just trust me for long enough to get us both safe.”
"Black Ops?" Dean rolled his eyes and tried to jerk away from Alex, but he was being pulled along and couldn’t get purchase to get rid of the other man’s grip. He followed till they got outside into the rain and then smacked Alex's hand off him, "Trust you? Trust you? Give me a reason? What of any of the shit you've told me was the actual truth, and how will I know you are telling me the truth now?"
"I should kick your ass," he mumbled as he pulled his keys out to climb back in the car not caring whether Alex followed or not. "This whole thing was..." As Alex climbed in, he started the engine, whipped the car around and set off back to the motel. His hand snapped over to grab Alex's collar, "Alright, what the hell is going on. What does your ex, if that is what he is, have to do with any of this, and who the fuck is this evil guy you keep babbling about? What the fuck did I save you from, and what did I unleash?"
“What makes you think I’ve lied to you? Every word I’ve said to you has been the truth.” Alex was shouting now too, his irritation with the young man over-riding his fear. “And you can try and kick my ass, if you want, but don’t hold your breath and make sure you’ve got plenty of salve, because nobody kicks my ass! Nobody!”
He paused, glowering at his companion. “I don’t think that it’s a demon or a ghost, so you’re perfectly safe. I should’ve guessed that he’d be involved, when Mulder showed up. Those two are as thick together as fleas on a dog. It’s got to have something to do with alien technology, because the guy with the Morleys is a high up in the government, and he’s Mulder’s arch nemesis - like Lex Luthor and Superman, you know. If he was around, sniffing, that means that Mulder found something. When the world went black on me, I was in Mulder’s custody. I was telling the truth about not knowing anything ‘til I came to in that place, but it looks like Mulder got involved and tipped his hand off to Spender, that’s the smoker’s name.”
Dean glared at Alex, "You haven't been exactly truthful or forthcoming with your answers, picking and choosing what you want to tell me," he snarled back. "And truth to tell, I have plenty of salve, and I don't hold my breath. If I want to kick your ass, I will."
He stopped the car beside the room and got out. "I don't give a shit about aliens or little green men running around. Who's to say this whole government shit hasn't just been invented by you? That they did this... whatever to you with some secret shit they’ve been working on?" He motioned up and down Alex as they stood in the rain. "I just know what is real. And demons and ghosts, that kind of shit, they're real."
Dean turned and headed into the room.
Alex watched him go, a frown on his face as he tried to decide what exactly would convince Dean. Absently, he wondered when it had become important to him to convince Dean as he growled his frustration out and followed the other into the motel room.
“So just what do you think is going to be proof? What the fuck do you want me to do to convince you?” he snarled, fists balled. “You can’t take my word for it, then fuck you, but don’t come calling out to me, when you find yourself locked in there for good, or worse. I’ll be long gone, safe and drinking tequila in some bar in Tijuana or something.”
Dean was stuffing his clothing into his bag when Alex walked in. "Proof, how about a little green man walking in here? I'll believe what I see with my own two eyes. I don't trust the authorities, because all they ever do is lie through their teeth, and when they can't explain something they just make shit up. They are straight in with the lies when they fuck something up. Why would they bother to tell the truth?"
He looked to Alex, tilting his head to one side, "And I believe you already did that, but don't worry. I won't be calling you, Val... if that even is your real name." He put his hands on his hips. "You suckered me. I gave you nothing but..." He turned away. "I'm leaving. So enjoy your tequila and have fun in Tijuana. I hear the girls there can pick up fruit without using their hands."
There was a pang in Alex’s gut that shook him - this was not how he usually felt about one night stands. He was slipping, getting sentimental in his old age, but there was something about Dean that spoke to him. Dean was like he’d been at a similar age. Growling, he strode forward into Dean’s space and grabbed the bag out of Dean’s hands, throwing it across the room.
Dean jumped as his bag was jerked from his hand and tossed across the room, his eyes flashing with anger.
“How the fuck did I sucker you? Just give me one friggin’ clue, and I’ll let you walk.” Alex shoved, catching Dean’s shins on the edge of the bed so that he lost his balance and knocking him back onto it, following him down to cover his body. “You found that butt end this morning. You found me last night. You think I locked myself in that place specially? Do you? Do you?” He gave a choking laugh and bent to bite at Dean’s collar bone. “Just tell me how I lied to you. Just give me one instance of anything important that misled you.”
Dean struggled under Alex, trying to push him off, but the man had him well pinned with his body, and all the struggling only had them rubbing together. "Fucking bastard," Dean hissed out. "I could have missed it the first time," he snapped, but he arched his head back as lips descended onto his skin, and teeth pulled. "I think you know more than you’re telling." He pushed at Dean, trying to dislodge him and failing utterly. "He left you in there, didn't he? Whatever it was that rode you back here, he followed, locking you inside, because he knew what was inside you, didn't he? Go on; tell me I got it wrong."
"How the fuck can I tell you anything? I can guess that's what happened, but I don't fucking know. I didn't have any awareness of what was happening to me. I woke up in that... that place, and I had no idea how I got there. Why the hell don't you believe me? I didn't even have to tell you what the significance of that cigarette was. I could've kept it to myself, couldn't I?" Alex gave a jab with his hips as he spoke. "Well? Couldn't I?"
He shoved back, away from Dean, rising to his feet and stomping off to lean on the door. "So why the ego trip? I've been as honest with you as I could possibly be. Why are you acting like I killed your fucking hamster?"
Dean pushed up, rising to his feet. "Would you have told me any of it, if I hadn't found that cigarette? Would you?" He paced over. "You're playing cat and mouse with me." He shoved Alex's shoulders back into the door. "Maybe I should look up your little ex and see what he says? Huh? I don't like being lied to. Had enough of that from home." Dean gave Alex one final, scornful glare, then backed up.
"For God’s sake, that's just it; I didn't lie to you. How would I have known anything, if you hadn't found the butt end? I could've kept it to myself, couldn't I, but I didn't." He crossed over to his clothes where they lie in the corner of the room. "Anyway, thanks for getting me out. Have a nice life."
Dean watched as Alex crossed the room, his body turning to follow the asshole’s movements. He should just grab his bag and go. He should just cut loose, call his father and tell him the hunt was a bust. He should do a lot of things, but right now, Dean couldn't make himself move.
"Is this how you left him? So long, thanks for the good times." Dean caved at last and moved closer, blocking Alex's way, and as the other man attempted to push past him, Dean stood his ground. He took a breath. "I believe you, Val." He moved in closer, "But even with demon possessions, the person being ridden remembers and sees everything. And I've... I've never seen a substance like motor oil come from a person as a result of possession. Black mist, yes, but… It looked like someone gave you an oil change. And... I can't let..." Dean made a face as he looked to the side.
"And I can't let you go. Not without knowing you will be safe. Because, if that thing is still out there, you're an easy target." He looked back to Alex. "We need to find something to protect you."
Alex was stunned. He lifted his hands, wanting to touch Dean, pull him in and hold him. Damn, but the young man had really gotten to him, and he felt unaccountably soft and slightly stupid. Hands reached, touched, petted Dean's cheek, then were dragged forcibly away.
"I... I don't want to go." Well that was a good start. He felt as silly as he sounded, but it was true, and when exactly had he started to tell people the truth about himself? "I don't know what it was, but the oil stuff was all over me when it left. Maybe if we can talk to Mulder or one of the feds, we can question them about what it is, or maybe..."
For a moment he stood lost in thought, and then he beamed. "There's a possibility that we could... that I could find out. I know someone I could call."
Dean didn't move as Alex touched him, and any smart ass remark he wanted to let loose was bitten back - for a change. Instead he swallowed hard. His eyes stayed locked to the other man’s, and he sighed in relief as Alex said he didn't want to go. He told himself that it would make it easier protecting him from another possession, if he was willing to stay.
"You’re talking about kidnapping a federal agent. And as much as I hate the authorities, I'm also not ready to do time." Dean shook his head, but then he paused, "Who?" he asked, because he had his own sources too. "Because I think I know a way we can get some information as well." He thought for a moment, "If I can get a hold of an ID badge..."
"No, you wouldn't last five minutes inside, as hot as you are. You'd be at the mercy of every big baddie in the jail." Alex gave Dean a rueful grin. "You'd never walk straight again, baby." He ran his fingers along Dean's jaw, stroking his thumb over a cheekbone that was sharp as a knife and leant forward to brush a kiss over the full mouth. "I think I'd rather take care of you myself; you're special."
He smiled at Dean. "So do we have a truce? I know these freaky little conspiracy theorist dudes, who might be able to tell me what this oil stuff is all about, and they can certainly supply us with any kind of ID, and anyone else you can toss into the mix will be cool."
Dean wondered when it had happened. When had he let his guard down and decided not to push this guy away as if he were hot coals? Perhaps it was that look in his eyes that reminded him of Sam. Those little pouts, and the way he kept touching him, and... oh yes, the kiss. Dean found himself leaning into the kiss.
"Who is taking care of who?" he asked, pretending to think for a moment, then he nodded, "Truce, okay." He tipped his head to one side, "Conspiracy theorist? New source for me!" His informants tended more to be college people and other hunters. "Well, I know this guy who works for the airlines. Recovers crashes. He might be able to run some of that oil stuff through his lab."
"Okay, you contact your boys; I'll do mine."
It wasn't long before Alex was in touch with Frohike, and after overcoming the initial reluctance the Gunman had about talking to someone he thought of as a heinous felon - threats are always a real motivator, he thought - quizzed him about possible possessions. The information that the Lone Gunman had was very vague, but once Alex described the events he'd been a part of, Frohike began to describe the events he had heard from Mulder about the Piper Maru and about the seaman, Gaulthier.
"Sounds like it's the same phenomenon you've encountered, dude," murmured Frohike, sounding a little abstracted. "I know that Mulder was trying to find Gaulthier's wife, and that's what took him to Hong Kong. He's a little pissed that he lost you though. He really thought he had you, that time."
"They seek me here, they seek me there..." said Alex, not bothering to hide the smirk that infused his words. "Tell me more about the guys that were found dead of radiation burns when Mulder crashed."
"Yeah, there was oil all over the car. I'm guessing that the oil and the radiation burns are linked. Mulder said there were dead soldiers in that silo in North Dakota he was led to..."
"Mulder was in North Dakota?" Alex was careful to keep his voice level, but things were starting to fall into place now. "Okay, man, thanks for that. Talk at you later, k?"
Dean waited as Alex called his 'friend,' using his phone, since Alex didn't have one. He stood close to the man, trying to listen in on the call and making a face at how vague the incoming information was, thinking that perhaps Alex wasn't asking the right questions.
He couldn't help making the same face again at the comment of Mulder having Alex. Something inside him was gnawing at his gut and making it tight. He shifted, feeling somewhat uneasy, because ‘til now that sick feeling was something he’d felt only with his brother - especially when Dad had told him that Sam had met a girl and had been dating her.
Dean grimaced at Alex, shaking his head to indicate he hadn't seen any bodies. So it seemed that someone had cleaned the place out. Dean frowned as he pulled away, waiting till Alex hung up the phone. "Never heard of a possession with radiation. I think, if this is a demon possession, it’s out of my league. I’d better call Bobby in on..." As he was speaking, Dean heard his phone ringing.
He took the phone from Alex, answering it. The voice at the other end of the line seemed to have Dean standing a little straighter. "Yeah, I looked into it. I think it's more Bobby's specialty. I was going to call..." Dean paused then nodded, "Yes, Sir."
He moved away from Alex to his bag, grabbing a paper and pen out of it and started to make notes "Yes, Sir." Dean hung up his phone, blinking a little. "I need to head east, Naubinway, Michigan. Job up there." He looked at Alex. "I..." Dean didn't know what to say.
"Who's Bobby?" Alex raised one eyebrow at Dean and waited. To tell the truth, it wouldn't hurt at all for him to get lost for a few days somewhere unexpected, at least until the heat died down, and Mulder quit looking for him. He was sure that Mulder was looking for him - Frohike had said as much. If he could tag along with Dean ‘til the trail was good and cold, and Mulder had taken himself back to DC, then so much the better.
"And what are you going after? A ghost?" He allowed a smirk to bloom on his face - an expression that would hint at disbelief. Fingers were raised to stroke Dean's cheekbone again. "Ghosts would be horribly cold company."
"Bobby’s a family friend," Dean answered. He sighed softly through his nose, then stepped back, pulling on his jacket. "I don't know yet. That's why my dad is sending me up there. Some fishing boats went out and never returned - they were found crashed on the rocks, the crew dead. Something is causing it, and I need to go check it out."
Simple explanation. He looked up to Alex. "What? You don't believe me?" He looked away, "And you expected me to believe you about little, green, oily men. Fine, fair enough. Come with me." Dean gave Alex that look of his, a little challenge upon it.
"Hmm... let me see... head off out into the wilderness to wend my lonely way off to a rocky future, where people will be trying to kill me, because I lost the item I was supposed to be transporting, or go with you, and hunt ghosts and get laid a lot... Gee, what a choice. How to decide, hmmm...?"
Once his jacket was on, Dean lifted up his bag. He gave a chuckle to Alex's response, "Get laid a lot? Confident little bastard aren't you."
Alex grinned at Dean and moved in closer, so that he could feel Dean's warmth, feel his breath against his cheek. "I need to get myself some clothes. Maybe we can stop at a thrift store on the way to wherever the fuck it was that you're going, yeah?"
He didn't move when Alex moved closer, "Michigan, and I guess we can stop." He leaned in as if to kiss Alex before pulling away with a smirk and turning to leave. "Get your ass in the car, and, no, you can't drive." Leaving the motel for the last time, he threw his bag into the trunk and walked around to the other side to get in.
~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~
End of part 4
Part 4: No Way of Knowing
Authors: art_of_mayhem and candygramme
Rated: R for M/M affection and bad language
Pairing: Dean Winchester/Alex Krycek
Spoilers: none
Warning: Slash
Word count: 5,199
Disclaimer: Dean and his family belong to Eric Kripke and Supernatural, and Alex belongs to Chris Carter and the X-Files. We own nothing, but we are doing this for love and not money.
Author’s notes: Dean spent four years traveling with John, his father, and later on his own missions, while Sam, his brother, was at Stanford. We’ve bent time a little, and we are aware of that, but this is fiction. We’ve decided that Dean met up with Alex Krycek after the events of Piper Maru and Apocrypha so for everyone that ever wondered how Alex got out of the missile silo, we have the scoop.
The quoted song is “October Song,” by the Incredible String Band.
The beautiful icon is by myhappyface, for which much thanks.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I met a man whose name was Time. He said, “I must be going.”
But just how long ago that was, I have no way of knowing.
Sometimes I could murder time, when my heart is aching
But mostly I just stroll along the path that he is taking.
Alex’s sleep was fitful. Strange, ugly images paraded through his dreams, bright lights and men screaming as they died, but it was well past dawn when he awoke. His first instinct was to dive out of the suspiciously soft bed and run, but slowly his memory of the previous evening returned, and he relaxed, reaching for his companion, only to find that the bed beside him was empty.
"Dean?" He yawned and sat up, wondering if the other had gone back to the silo without him. "Hey, buddy, you there?"
Dean had fallen asleep straight away as well, but he hadn't had any dreams, fitful or otherwise. It was true that he sometimes had nightmares, but this night he slept like a baby. He had curled himself up against Alex, soothing him much as he used to soothe his little brother. That action had brought its own share of guilt, and when morning finally came Dean was up like a shot, showered and out the door to get some coffee.
He had hoped to return before Alex woke, but just as he was coming in, jean jacket over his shoulders, bag of donuts in one hand and two coffees in the other, he heard that voice.
"I'm here, Val; don't panic." Dean set the cups down and went over to sit on the bed, reaching into the bag for a donut. "Got donuts and coffee," he murmured, offering one to his erstwhile bed partner. "As soon as you are ready, we can head out to the silo." He reached over to take a drink of his coffee as he was speaking, not looking at Alex.
The coffee was really welcome, although his words were not. Alex sipped gratefully, and he couldn’t help watching with a smile as Dean stuffed his face with donuts. "You like donuts, yeah?" He hopped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up, before dressing swiftly in his borrowed clothes.
Dean gave a shrug, "It was what was available." Dean was used to getting what was available. Throughout his childhood Sam had usually had the first of everything, purely because he, Dean, couldn't resist him when he pulled his puppy-dog face. There had been a mountain of pancakes, waffles, the Lucky Charms that had all gone to his baby brother throughout their childhood. Dean would only get some, if his dad was there to make sure they had equal parts, and Dean guesses, when he thinks about it at all, that he's making up for all the lost snacks just because he can.
It was raining outside, a cold, unpleasant drizzle that made the world look grey. Alex shivered as he peered out of the window. "Okay, let's do it," he said softly. "You were gonna lend me a gun, yeah?"
Dean had been drinking his coffee as Alex showered, and now he stared out the window wishing it would stop raining. It was going to be a wet, cold day. Lifting his head as Alex came out of the bathroom, he nodded. "Yeah, it's in the back of the car." He got up, heading out and locking the door before going around to open up the trunk.
The Impala's trunk appeared empty at first, but as he reached for the latch at the bottom and opened it, the contents were revealed. First he tossed an old jacket of his brother’s to Alex, and then Dean grabbed one of the shotguns, propping the lid of the trunk open with it. He reached down, pulling out a gun and checking it. He grabbed a clip, checked that as well and smiled. "Pure, wrought-iron rounds will drive any spirits away." He handed it over to Alex and grabbed another to shove in his own pants, then took some holy water and held it out to Alex, "We'll need that." He studied Alex, trying to decide whether or not he would need to make lengthy explanations, and deciding that it wouldn’t hurt to give Val a little information. Taking a deep breath, he launched into an explanation.
"I'm a hunter; I hunt the paranormal; I help people and save lives. The pay is crappy when there is any at all, but, hey, I get to shoot guns." He closed the trunk after loading up his bag with more weapons and a bunch of flares, then he moved around to the driver's side and got in. "I know it may seem strange to you, Val, but I don't think I'm any stranger than your ex."
"Strange? Well, maybe a little strange, but wow, how cool!" Alex's eyes had widened at the sight of the stuff in the Impala's trunk. "You're a cool guy as well as a hot one, aren't you?" He gave Dean a grin and climbed in beside him, checking the gun he’d been given all over again.
"Hmm... nicely maintained. You're good, aren't you? Tell me, Dean, do you ever get the urge to look outside of the supernatural for your fun?" Alex spoke nonchalantly, but he cast Dean a sideways glance. It had occurred to him that Dean would make an excellent recruit, and that he would stand much more of a chance going up against the Consortium with this young man at his back. "Especially if there was...pay?" he added.
Dean glanced over at him as he started the car and turned on the radio. "Of course they're well maintained. Gotta keep the tools working. I just cleaned them all last week." He smirked as he pulled away from the motel and headed out the way they'd come the night before. At least it was daylight now, and the rain, though steady, was light. "As far as working outside the supernatural, I don't know? Like what?" he asked, turning his head to survey Alex. "Me and work... we don't get along. Means I have to stay around one place longer than I like. And usually work is... well it's work. I'd rather... well... something fun and easy is much more up my alley. A job... I couldn't come and go as I please, you know?"
“I do.” Alex was warming more and more to this young man. “I don’t like the daily grind either, but with the job I have, it’s not a problem - I come and go as I want, and the profits are all mine. I don’t share with any boss.” He fell quiet then, getting nervous despite himself as they approached the silo. “You see anyone around?” he asked, peering through the rain-drenched windshield to try and spot the Smoker and his henchmen.
Dean parked close to the silo this time, peering about and then looking back at Alex, "Nope. No cars, no other tire tracks except ours." He pushed open the door to get out and closed it with the usual creak. Glancing over the car at Alex, he could see just how nervous the other man was about getting out to go exploring.
Clutching the gun Dean had given him, Alex emerged nervously from the Impala and stood nervously looking around. “Okay, you got any plan for this? What are we looking for, and how will we know when we find it?”
"I have an EMF meter; it will tell us if something is around. Also, if there's any sort of presence about the lights will flicker, so trust me, you'll know." Dean walked around the car and grabbed Alex's hand, pulling him away from the car, then turned on the flashlight and handed it to Alex. Bending his head, he turned on his home-made EMF and started to explore, heading for the area where he'd found Alex. There was no response from his instrument.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not getting anything," Dean whispered back.
Watching Dean, Alex felt more and more impressed. The way he moved, the confident way he held himself, and the skills he seemed to have - all were things Alex possessed himself and admired in others. It was at that moment that Alex decided Dean would definitely be a keeper.
He followed in Dean’s tracks, and tapped the young man on the shoulder. “Don’t want to spoil the party, but suppose some big black cloud thing suddenly does come for us, what do we do? Shoot it? Run? Pray?”
Dean glanced over his shoulder at his companion, "Black cloud?" He thought a moment, "Both, run and shoot?" Turning, he looked about. "But I don't think we have anything to worry about. Nothing is about, or so it seems." Coming to a halt, Dean peered into one of the doors and then down the corridor, before he turned to face Alex.
Stopping, he shone his light down onto a cigarette butt. He moved over and crouched down, lifting it up. "Morley?" Dean looked back up at Alex, "You said you were alone, and this looks recent." He dropped the butt he'd been holding. "The demon might have hitched another ride. You didn't see anyone?"
Alex froze. “I… didn’t see him, no.” He paused, suddenly realizing that he’d made a mistake. “Uh… I… I think I know who that belongs to. I didn’t see anyone, but somehow I’m not too astonished that he was there. He’s evil.”
It was time now. Alex had to decide whether to confide in Dean or put a bullet into his brain, and he was feeling conflicted. In the end, he did neither. Cursing himself for a fool, he stuffed his gun down the back of his jeans and moved in to put his arms around Dean, pressing his lips against the other man’s cheek. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll tell you. Trust me, you don’t want that badass on your trail, and there’s nothing supernatural about him; he’s just evil.”
Dean gave Alex a very confused glance, because it looked to him as if someone had been there since the time he'd rescued Alex, or possibly the thing had hitched a ride while his companion was still locked in the vault, but anyway, whatever had been here was now long gone, so what was this that Alex was spouting about this guy? He frowned at Alex, grabbed him and pushed him back against the wall, glaring at him.
"What are you not telling me? I think you know more than what you are saying." Dean had that look in his eyes - the angry look that said he thought that he'd been used. "Now suppose you tell me everything now or..." He threw a glance down the hall but looked back at Alex.
“I told you, he’s nothing to do with possessions or demons. He’s government black ops.” Alex grabbed the front of Dean’s jacket. “If this is something he’s involved with, then the feds and the military are going to be crawling all over here soon; Mulder would be the least of our troubles.” He gasped for breath. “Let’s get out of here, before they catch us and disappear us for good. I’ll tell you what I know, but we have to leave, right now.”
He was towing Dean down the corridor as he spoke, and there was obvious panic on his face. “Please, Dean? Just… just trust me for long enough to get us both safe.”
"Black Ops?" Dean rolled his eyes and tried to jerk away from Alex, but he was being pulled along and couldn’t get purchase to get rid of the other man’s grip. He followed till they got outside into the rain and then smacked Alex's hand off him, "Trust you? Trust you? Give me a reason? What of any of the shit you've told me was the actual truth, and how will I know you are telling me the truth now?"
"I should kick your ass," he mumbled as he pulled his keys out to climb back in the car not caring whether Alex followed or not. "This whole thing was..." As Alex climbed in, he started the engine, whipped the car around and set off back to the motel. His hand snapped over to grab Alex's collar, "Alright, what the hell is going on. What does your ex, if that is what he is, have to do with any of this, and who the fuck is this evil guy you keep babbling about? What the fuck did I save you from, and what did I unleash?"
“What makes you think I’ve lied to you? Every word I’ve said to you has been the truth.” Alex was shouting now too, his irritation with the young man over-riding his fear. “And you can try and kick my ass, if you want, but don’t hold your breath and make sure you’ve got plenty of salve, because nobody kicks my ass! Nobody!”
He paused, glowering at his companion. “I don’t think that it’s a demon or a ghost, so you’re perfectly safe. I should’ve guessed that he’d be involved, when Mulder showed up. Those two are as thick together as fleas on a dog. It’s got to have something to do with alien technology, because the guy with the Morleys is a high up in the government, and he’s Mulder’s arch nemesis - like Lex Luthor and Superman, you know. If he was around, sniffing, that means that Mulder found something. When the world went black on me, I was in Mulder’s custody. I was telling the truth about not knowing anything ‘til I came to in that place, but it looks like Mulder got involved and tipped his hand off to Spender, that’s the smoker’s name.”
Dean glared at Alex, "You haven't been exactly truthful or forthcoming with your answers, picking and choosing what you want to tell me," he snarled back. "And truth to tell, I have plenty of salve, and I don't hold my breath. If I want to kick your ass, I will."
He stopped the car beside the room and got out. "I don't give a shit about aliens or little green men running around. Who's to say this whole government shit hasn't just been invented by you? That they did this... whatever to you with some secret shit they’ve been working on?" He motioned up and down Alex as they stood in the rain. "I just know what is real. And demons and ghosts, that kind of shit, they're real."
Dean turned and headed into the room.
Alex watched him go, a frown on his face as he tried to decide what exactly would convince Dean. Absently, he wondered when it had become important to him to convince Dean as he growled his frustration out and followed the other into the motel room.
“So just what do you think is going to be proof? What the fuck do you want me to do to convince you?” he snarled, fists balled. “You can’t take my word for it, then fuck you, but don’t come calling out to me, when you find yourself locked in there for good, or worse. I’ll be long gone, safe and drinking tequila in some bar in Tijuana or something.”
Dean was stuffing his clothing into his bag when Alex walked in. "Proof, how about a little green man walking in here? I'll believe what I see with my own two eyes. I don't trust the authorities, because all they ever do is lie through their teeth, and when they can't explain something they just make shit up. They are straight in with the lies when they fuck something up. Why would they bother to tell the truth?"
He looked to Alex, tilting his head to one side, "And I believe you already did that, but don't worry. I won't be calling you, Val... if that even is your real name." He put his hands on his hips. "You suckered me. I gave you nothing but..." He turned away. "I'm leaving. So enjoy your tequila and have fun in Tijuana. I hear the girls there can pick up fruit without using their hands."
There was a pang in Alex’s gut that shook him - this was not how he usually felt about one night stands. He was slipping, getting sentimental in his old age, but there was something about Dean that spoke to him. Dean was like he’d been at a similar age. Growling, he strode forward into Dean’s space and grabbed the bag out of Dean’s hands, throwing it across the room.
Dean jumped as his bag was jerked from his hand and tossed across the room, his eyes flashing with anger.
“How the fuck did I sucker you? Just give me one friggin’ clue, and I’ll let you walk.” Alex shoved, catching Dean’s shins on the edge of the bed so that he lost his balance and knocking him back onto it, following him down to cover his body. “You found that butt end this morning. You found me last night. You think I locked myself in that place specially? Do you? Do you?” He gave a choking laugh and bent to bite at Dean’s collar bone. “Just tell me how I lied to you. Just give me one instance of anything important that misled you.”
Dean struggled under Alex, trying to push him off, but the man had him well pinned with his body, and all the struggling only had them rubbing together. "Fucking bastard," Dean hissed out. "I could have missed it the first time," he snapped, but he arched his head back as lips descended onto his skin, and teeth pulled. "I think you know more than you’re telling." He pushed at Dean, trying to dislodge him and failing utterly. "He left you in there, didn't he? Whatever it was that rode you back here, he followed, locking you inside, because he knew what was inside you, didn't he? Go on; tell me I got it wrong."
"How the fuck can I tell you anything? I can guess that's what happened, but I don't fucking know. I didn't have any awareness of what was happening to me. I woke up in that... that place, and I had no idea how I got there. Why the hell don't you believe me? I didn't even have to tell you what the significance of that cigarette was. I could've kept it to myself, couldn't I?" Alex gave a jab with his hips as he spoke. "Well? Couldn't I?"
He shoved back, away from Dean, rising to his feet and stomping off to lean on the door. "So why the ego trip? I've been as honest with you as I could possibly be. Why are you acting like I killed your fucking hamster?"
Dean pushed up, rising to his feet. "Would you have told me any of it, if I hadn't found that cigarette? Would you?" He paced over. "You're playing cat and mouse with me." He shoved Alex's shoulders back into the door. "Maybe I should look up your little ex and see what he says? Huh? I don't like being lied to. Had enough of that from home." Dean gave Alex one final, scornful glare, then backed up.
"For God’s sake, that's just it; I didn't lie to you. How would I have known anything, if you hadn't found the butt end? I could've kept it to myself, couldn't I, but I didn't." He crossed over to his clothes where they lie in the corner of the room. "Anyway, thanks for getting me out. Have a nice life."
Dean watched as Alex crossed the room, his body turning to follow the asshole’s movements. He should just grab his bag and go. He should just cut loose, call his father and tell him the hunt was a bust. He should do a lot of things, but right now, Dean couldn't make himself move.
"Is this how you left him? So long, thanks for the good times." Dean caved at last and moved closer, blocking Alex's way, and as the other man attempted to push past him, Dean stood his ground. He took a breath. "I believe you, Val." He moved in closer, "But even with demon possessions, the person being ridden remembers and sees everything. And I've... I've never seen a substance like motor oil come from a person as a result of possession. Black mist, yes, but… It looked like someone gave you an oil change. And... I can't let..." Dean made a face as he looked to the side.
"And I can't let you go. Not without knowing you will be safe. Because, if that thing is still out there, you're an easy target." He looked back to Alex. "We need to find something to protect you."
Alex was stunned. He lifted his hands, wanting to touch Dean, pull him in and hold him. Damn, but the young man had really gotten to him, and he felt unaccountably soft and slightly stupid. Hands reached, touched, petted Dean's cheek, then were dragged forcibly away.
"I... I don't want to go." Well that was a good start. He felt as silly as he sounded, but it was true, and when exactly had he started to tell people the truth about himself? "I don't know what it was, but the oil stuff was all over me when it left. Maybe if we can talk to Mulder or one of the feds, we can question them about what it is, or maybe..."
For a moment he stood lost in thought, and then he beamed. "There's a possibility that we could... that I could find out. I know someone I could call."
Dean didn't move as Alex touched him, and any smart ass remark he wanted to let loose was bitten back - for a change. Instead he swallowed hard. His eyes stayed locked to the other man’s, and he sighed in relief as Alex said he didn't want to go. He told himself that it would make it easier protecting him from another possession, if he was willing to stay.
"You’re talking about kidnapping a federal agent. And as much as I hate the authorities, I'm also not ready to do time." Dean shook his head, but then he paused, "Who?" he asked, because he had his own sources too. "Because I think I know a way we can get some information as well." He thought for a moment, "If I can get a hold of an ID badge..."
"No, you wouldn't last five minutes inside, as hot as you are. You'd be at the mercy of every big baddie in the jail." Alex gave Dean a rueful grin. "You'd never walk straight again, baby." He ran his fingers along Dean's jaw, stroking his thumb over a cheekbone that was sharp as a knife and leant forward to brush a kiss over the full mouth. "I think I'd rather take care of you myself; you're special."
He smiled at Dean. "So do we have a truce? I know these freaky little conspiracy theorist dudes, who might be able to tell me what this oil stuff is all about, and they can certainly supply us with any kind of ID, and anyone else you can toss into the mix will be cool."
Dean wondered when it had happened. When had he let his guard down and decided not to push this guy away as if he were hot coals? Perhaps it was that look in his eyes that reminded him of Sam. Those little pouts, and the way he kept touching him, and... oh yes, the kiss. Dean found himself leaning into the kiss.
"Who is taking care of who?" he asked, pretending to think for a moment, then he nodded, "Truce, okay." He tipped his head to one side, "Conspiracy theorist? New source for me!" His informants tended more to be college people and other hunters. "Well, I know this guy who works for the airlines. Recovers crashes. He might be able to run some of that oil stuff through his lab."
"Okay, you contact your boys; I'll do mine."
It wasn't long before Alex was in touch with Frohike, and after overcoming the initial reluctance the Gunman had about talking to someone he thought of as a heinous felon - threats are always a real motivator, he thought - quizzed him about possible possessions. The information that the Lone Gunman had was very vague, but once Alex described the events he'd been a part of, Frohike began to describe the events he had heard from Mulder about the Piper Maru and about the seaman, Gaulthier.
"Sounds like it's the same phenomenon you've encountered, dude," murmured Frohike, sounding a little abstracted. "I know that Mulder was trying to find Gaulthier's wife, and that's what took him to Hong Kong. He's a little pissed that he lost you though. He really thought he had you, that time."
"They seek me here, they seek me there..." said Alex, not bothering to hide the smirk that infused his words. "Tell me more about the guys that were found dead of radiation burns when Mulder crashed."
"Yeah, there was oil all over the car. I'm guessing that the oil and the radiation burns are linked. Mulder said there were dead soldiers in that silo in North Dakota he was led to..."
"Mulder was in North Dakota?" Alex was careful to keep his voice level, but things were starting to fall into place now. "Okay, man, thanks for that. Talk at you later, k?"
Dean waited as Alex called his 'friend,' using his phone, since Alex didn't have one. He stood close to the man, trying to listen in on the call and making a face at how vague the incoming information was, thinking that perhaps Alex wasn't asking the right questions.
He couldn't help making the same face again at the comment of Mulder having Alex. Something inside him was gnawing at his gut and making it tight. He shifted, feeling somewhat uneasy, because ‘til now that sick feeling was something he’d felt only with his brother - especially when Dad had told him that Sam had met a girl and had been dating her.
Dean grimaced at Alex, shaking his head to indicate he hadn't seen any bodies. So it seemed that someone had cleaned the place out. Dean frowned as he pulled away, waiting till Alex hung up the phone. "Never heard of a possession with radiation. I think, if this is a demon possession, it’s out of my league. I’d better call Bobby in on..." As he was speaking, Dean heard his phone ringing.
He took the phone from Alex, answering it. The voice at the other end of the line seemed to have Dean standing a little straighter. "Yeah, I looked into it. I think it's more Bobby's specialty. I was going to call..." Dean paused then nodded, "Yes, Sir."
He moved away from Alex to his bag, grabbing a paper and pen out of it and started to make notes "Yes, Sir." Dean hung up his phone, blinking a little. "I need to head east, Naubinway, Michigan. Job up there." He looked at Alex. "I..." Dean didn't know what to say.
"Who's Bobby?" Alex raised one eyebrow at Dean and waited. To tell the truth, it wouldn't hurt at all for him to get lost for a few days somewhere unexpected, at least until the heat died down, and Mulder quit looking for him. He was sure that Mulder was looking for him - Frohike had said as much. If he could tag along with Dean ‘til the trail was good and cold, and Mulder had taken himself back to DC, then so much the better.
"And what are you going after? A ghost?" He allowed a smirk to bloom on his face - an expression that would hint at disbelief. Fingers were raised to stroke Dean's cheekbone again. "Ghosts would be horribly cold company."
"Bobby’s a family friend," Dean answered. He sighed softly through his nose, then stepped back, pulling on his jacket. "I don't know yet. That's why my dad is sending me up there. Some fishing boats went out and never returned - they were found crashed on the rocks, the crew dead. Something is causing it, and I need to go check it out."
Simple explanation. He looked up to Alex. "What? You don't believe me?" He looked away, "And you expected me to believe you about little, green, oily men. Fine, fair enough. Come with me." Dean gave Alex that look of his, a little challenge upon it.
"Hmm... let me see... head off out into the wilderness to wend my lonely way off to a rocky future, where people will be trying to kill me, because I lost the item I was supposed to be transporting, or go with you, and hunt ghosts and get laid a lot... Gee, what a choice. How to decide, hmmm...?"
Once his jacket was on, Dean lifted up his bag. He gave a chuckle to Alex's response, "Get laid a lot? Confident little bastard aren't you."
Alex grinned at Dean and moved in closer, so that he could feel Dean's warmth, feel his breath against his cheek. "I need to get myself some clothes. Maybe we can stop at a thrift store on the way to wherever the fuck it was that you're going, yeah?"
He didn't move when Alex moved closer, "Michigan, and I guess we can stop." He leaned in as if to kiss Alex before pulling away with a smirk and turning to leave. "Get your ass in the car, and, no, you can't drive." Leaving the motel for the last time, he threw his bag into the trunk and walked around to the other side to get in.
~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~
End of part 4