16 Unicorn Street, Wednesday Evening

[bigdamnprincipal]

Things were quiet in the house as Grace slept and Zoe looked through the letters again, but this time, she was too lost in her own thoughts to really read them. When she came home from the town hall meeting, she'd found that John had left her a note to say that he and the boys were going to take a look around town in the afternoon. But afternoon had become evening, and there was no sign of him, and Zoe was currently trying very, very hard to not think about what that might mean.

[For the lone future stepson.]

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[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

It was getting dark by the time Dean had finally left the preserve. He'd yelled and shot at and finally beat at the stupid statues with his fists until his hands were bruised and bleeding, but they hadn't done anything else. And Sammy and his Dad hadn't reappeared.

It was only when the light started to fade that he was finally able to pull himself away -- and even then it felt like a betrayal of sorts. He'd gone into the Preserve part of a family, he'd walked out alone and that hurt with every step that took him further away.

Without thinking about it, he made his way to the house on Unicorn Street, ringing the doorbell when he got there.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe looked up at the ring, and went to the door, opening it wide when she saw who was on the other side. "Dean? What happened to you?" she asked. "Come in."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean did so, looking up at Zoe with wide eyes. "I-I couldn't..."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe shut the door and pulled Dean into a careful hug. "It's okay. It'll be okay. Just tell me what happened." She paused for a moment before adding, "Where's Sam? And your father?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean shuddered at the question. "I couldn't make them give them back."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe tried not to freeze up, but she couldn't help it. "Them who?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Those damn angels!"Dean replied, voice cracking as he did. "Dad and Sammy... I don't know what happened. I looked away and they were just... But not me."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Oh Dean," Zoe said softly, hugging him tighter. "We're going to get them back, I promise."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"I tried to make them give them back," Dean repeated softly, brokenly.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe pulled away a little and looked down at his hands. "I can see that. Come here," she said, leading him into the living room. She motioned for him to sit down, and went to get their first aid kit.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean sat as requested, but got up again when Zoe went to leave the room.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe saw him, and frowned. "I'm just going to be in the kitchen for a second. I'll be right back."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean moved to come with her.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"All right, come on," she said, waving her hand for him to come with her while she rummaged through the cabinets.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean followed and watched her silently.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe found the kit, and took Dean's arm to lead him back into the living room and get him sitting down on the couch. "I bet you'll feel a little better once you're cleaned up," she said. If she could focus on helping Dean, the thought of John being missing wouldn't have a chance to sink in too far.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean gave a humorless ghost of a smile. "Don't think so."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Would it help to know that I think they're all right?" Zoe asked, taking Dean's left hand and starting to carefully wipe away some of the blood. "We don't know what's going on yet, but we have a start of an idea."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean looked up at her again, mutely asking for details.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I got some letters today," Zoe said. "From the 1900s. I don't know if it's the angels, or something with them, but people are getting send back in time."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"So Dad and Sammy.... they're in the past?" Dean said slowly. "Not..."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Not dead. Maybe not even hurt," Zoe said, smiling weakly. "Everyone who wrote to me said they were okay when they got there, or didn't mention being hurt, at least."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean hesitated then asked, "There wasn't any from them?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe's smile faded, and she shook her head. "No. There were only a few of them. But you know your father. He's probably so busy trying to figure out how to get back that writing a letter might not occur to him."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"True," Dean admitted. "Suppose we're more likely to find a journal in a Hunter's library somewhere than a letter in the mail."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe laughed softly, and got to work on cleaning Dean's other hand. "We're having people look into what's going on. Once we figure out what these things want, we can figure out how to get everyone back." Whether she was trying to convince Dean or herself, she wasn't sure.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. Research. Bet they're doing the same thing." He paused and then asked, "Zoe?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Yeah?" she said, looking up just a little from his hands.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Can I stay here tonight? Maybe in with Gracie? Just... just to make sure nothing comes for her too."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe was going to say that he didn't need to do that, before she realized that he probably wasn't solely concerned for Grace.

"Sure you can," she said. "I know I'll feel safer having you here."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean let out the breath he'd been holding. "Thanks."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"You're welcome," Zoe said. Maybe with Dean here, she'd be able to get some sleep, but she wouldn't be surprised if she didn't.