Thread: That Hollow Feeling (Cinderella1181 and Mim)

The closer to Keene they'd gotten, the more agitated Dean had become. Really he'd been agitated since he'd found the case, but Sam couldn't for the life of him figure out why. He'd probed several times, trying to read Dean as he mentioned the town, the police force, the case. All of it seemed to have his brother on edge and he visibly tensed as he clammed up whenever the topic of Keene or anyone in it was touched. Whatever was wrong about this town, Dean wasn't telling his brother. There had been maulings all around the tiny New Hampshire town, population 23,000, but Keene proper had seen the majority of it. Their first instinct had been a werewolf, but the hearts had been left intact. It wasn't an animal, though bears don't usually take the eyes of their victims, and when they do it doesn't look like it was done with a scalpel. So... Sam glanced sideways as they strolled through the parking lot of the sheriff's station, who do you think we'll be getting this time? 'Stupid feds leave us alone we can handle it,' or 'thank God you're here'? It was an old bet they had, one Dean was usually good at unlike rock-paper-scissors. When they entered the receptionist was gone from the front desk, so they stood awkwardly in the lobby and waited. Any luck, Sheriff? Jude sat a box of Dunks on the table with the coffee and their hot plates. She had been the secretary, receptionist, and general gopher extraordinaire at the Keene PD for years now. Nope, nothing. Sheriff Parker's fingers were buried in his hair as he pored over the case files. There had been another murder last night and still they had no leads. Jude sighed sympathetically and put a hand on his shoulder. You'll get there. You are New Hampshire's finest, after all. And she meant it. Jude believed in the inherent goodness of mankind and the potential for greatness in everyone. With a gentle squeeze she got herself a cup of tea before returning to her desk. And there he was. Judith McGann would have been certain she was dreaming again, were she not in her workplace with a cup of tea steadily burning her fingertips. She'd had this dream many times, but it never took place in her office and was usually much more...interesting. Of course he wouldn't look the same as he had when he was sixteen, but it was definitely him. The wind had blown Dean Winchester into her life twelve years ago and they had raged like a wildfire for what she still considered the best year of her life. And then he had shattered her heart, leaving without so much as a goodbye. She'd written a lot of terrible poetry and cried an ocean of tears, but she'd forgiven him long ago. With a shaking hand she slowly set her tea onto her desk, staring through the reception window, not taking her eyes off of him lest he disappear again. The receptionist was draped in gauzy, billowy shawls and a flowing skirt more fit for summer than for the drizzly, chilly spring morning. The forecast was calling for snow later in the week, after all. She stopped and stared, mouth slightly open, and Sam figured she'd probably never seen an FBI agent before they often didn't in small towns like this. He cleared his throat and flashed his badge. Morning, ma'am. Special Agent Hendricks, FBI. This is my partner Special Ag-- Dean? Sam stopped midsentence, eyes widening a little. You ah...you two know each other? She ignored him. Oh. My. God. Dean Winchester ! With a jangling of bangles she hurried around to the side door. Hair flying, jewelry jangling, the smell of lavender and orange trailing after her, Jude came flying out after fumbling with shaking hands at the lock that separated the lobby from the station proper and barreled into Dean with an enormous hug. Sam tried really hard not to laugh. I ah, I see you've met, he all but snickered as the tiny slip of a woman hugged his brother tightly around the middle. Look at you! FBI! Jude stood back with her hands on his arms, looking him up and down. This is incredible! I'm so glad you didn't waste your talents becoming a mechanic or whatever your 'family business' is. I knew you had more in you than that! She grinned and reached up to gently touched his cheek, which was as far as she could reach he'd grown so tall while she'd stayed much the same height. I'm so proud of you, Dean, she murmured. And now I can sleep at night, knowing what happened to you. Disappearing in the middle of the night, no note, no goodbye... She shook her head and tapped his cheek gently. Worried me sick ! Dad'll be glad to know, too. Finally her attention turned back to Sam. Oh, I'm so sorry how rude. Jude McGann. She reached out and shook Sam's hand. Agent Hendricks, right? I'll go get the chief. The receptionist fluttered and jangled away, back through the door from whence she'd come, to fetch the chief of police. So... Sam raised his eyebrows as his gaze slid sideways to his brother. Care to tell me what that was about?