Standing in the Storm

24. Simon Said

Sam gasped, leaning over the sink in a dingy bathroom with the water running. Tasie was standing near the bathroom, her head on the wall just outside. They'd just seen a man ask for a gun, then shoot himself.

"No..." Sam said, running a hand under the water. He washed his face and scrubbed the hand through his hair. As he shut the water off and looked into the mirror, the door burst open to reveal Dean. Levi was already in the Impala with Ethan.

"Sam, Tase, come on, zip it up," Dean said. "Let's hit the... road. What?"

Sam and Tasie were breathing heavily and blinking.

---

Dean drove the Impala down a dark two-lane road. Sam was in the passenger's seat. Tasie, Ethan and Levi were in back.

The radio announcer said, "Rockin' Nebraska. Your source for the classics, all night long."

"I don't know, man, why don't we just chill out, think about this."

Sam shut off the radio. "What's there to think about?"

"I just don't know if going to the Roadhouse is the smartest idea."

"Dean, it's another premonition. I know it. This is gonna happen, and Ash can tell us where."

"Yeah, man, but..."

"Plus it could have some connection with the demon," Tasie said. "Sam's and my visions always do."

"That's my point. There's gonna be hunters there, I don't know if, if, if going in and announcing that you're some supernatural freak with a, a demonic connection is the best thing, okay?"

"So Tasie and I are freaks now?" Sam asked.

Dean slapped Sam on the thigh. "You've always been a freak. So has Tasie."

---

They reached the Roadhouse and entered the Roadhouse, passing two men at a table cleaning weapons. One glanced at Tasie's backside and Levi narrowed his eyes. "Avert them or I make you." He stepped behind his wife to further protect her.

Dean almost ran into Jo, who stopped and smiled.

"Just can't stay away, huh?" Jo asked.

"Yeah, looks like," Dean replied. "How you doin', Jo?"

"Where's Ash?" Sam questioned hurriedly.

"In his back room," Jo answered.

Sam brushed past her. "Great."

"And I'm fine..."

"Sorry, he's, we're... kind of on a bit of a timetable," Dean said.

"A pretty big one," Tasie added, walking off. "Nice to see you, Jo. Levi, stay here with Ethan."

Sam approached a rough wooden door with a sign hanging on it that read: DR. BADASS IS: IN.

Sam and Tasie knocked on the door. "Ash? Hey, Ash?"

Dean was also knocking. "Hey, Dr. Badass?"

The door was unlatched and opened a crack to reveal a naked Ash. Dean averted his eyes and Tasie glanced at the ground.

Ash poked his head out. "Sam? Dean? Tasie? Sam, Dean and Tasie."

"Hey, Ash," Sam greeted. "Um. We need your help."

"Well, hell then. Guess I need my pants." He shut the door.

The three returned to the main area of the Roadhouse and Ash soon joined.