canon au } { post-1310, of thin rifts and coming home

[thisholyspark]

Michael: [and it takes a few days of searching and monitoring the news until he picks up some leads on a fringe website saying that there were some kind of weird alien creatures running the woods outside Sioux Falls, and after he manages to see some pictures of them, he decides he has to go out and investigate for himself. So he is rushing to pack a bag and arm up before going to grab a car]

Sam: [and he will notice the sudden activity] You find something?

Michael: Maybe. There's some weird shit popping up near Sioux Falls, just like it did with you and Dean, so I'm going to check it out.

Sam: You want backup?

Michael: I don't want to bother you if it's nothing.

Sam: It's not a bother, Michael. You're my kids.

Michael: [he also doesn't want someone to try and stop him if he has to do something stupid] What about Dean?

Sam: He can hold down the fort in case something else pops up about Jack. [and he's pulling on his jacket. he'll grab the go bag in the Impala as they go]

Michael: Fine. [and he tries not to be tense about this as they get ready to head out to Sioux Falls]

Sam: [and he will pretty much floor it except when Waze tells him there is a cop ahead so they can get there as fast as possible]

Michael: [and when they get there and they've managed to kill a few skitters, there is the golden door to wherever it is Liv is]

Sam: [looks at it] It's getting real thin, Mikey. What do you want to do?

Michael: I'm going to get my sister. [it's stupid and codependent but part of him is thinking that if he's there, at least she won't be alone. They'll be together and they'll figure out another way]

Sam: Alright, but watch your watch. If you can't find her in ten minutes, come back. [because he doesn't want to lose you both]

Michael: [he nods because he heard it. Not ... because he'll follow it. But with that, he'll grasp his gun and throw himself into the crack between worlds]

Ben: [where Ben will have found this weird light anomaly that the skitters were talking about and he needed to see and when the man comes through it he knows he needs to help.]

Michael: [he comes through ready to shoot, but when he sees Ben he hesitates, not wanting to shoot a random human] I need to find my sister. Her name is Olivia Winchester.

Ben: Liv? Yeah, she's with my brother back at the camp. What is that thing?

Michael: It's a crack between worlds. It's not going to last long, I need to get her home.

Ben: Come on, it's not far. [thankfully the Masons were big sci-fi fans before the aliens, so they don't doubt it]

Michael: [awesome. doesn't matter, he has ten minutes to find Liv so they should just run]

Ben: [and they will, and when he gets to camp he's calling out for Hal]

Hal: [and he will come out from where he was working on guard rotations] What's up?

Michael: Liv Winchester. Where is she?

Hal: [blinks, and he will motion with his hand for the stranger to follow him towards the guard post that Liv is at] Liv!

Olivia: What? [and she looks over and sees her brother and she drops her gun and books it towards her brother, throwing herself into his arms]

Michael: [is at the ready to catch her and pulls her in close] Don't do that.

Olivia: Not like I do it on purpose.

Ben: [looking at his watch] How long did you have before that door closed?

Hal: What door?

Ben: That thing I was telling you about in the woods that was glowing. Skitters have been chattering it about and I finally figure out it's location and then he came through.

Olivia: You know where the door home is?

Michael: How do you think I got here? But we don't have a lot of time, we need to go now.

Olivia: [nods and glances back to the Masons] Thank you, but ... I gotta go home.

Ben: There's skitters all over the place.

Hal: Then we'll provide them some cover.

Olivia: [nods as she holds out a hand to Michael and he hands her his handgun]

Michael: C'mon. Let's move. [and off they go running again]

Hal: [and he and Ben will go with them - Ben ahead with his skitter speed and Hal bringing up the rear. When they get there, Ben has cleared the area and it's safe] Guess it's time to go.

Olivia: [she nods as she turns back to him with a small smile] Thank you. For not thinking I was crazy.

Hal: Hey, I've seen crazy. That's not you. Just do me a favor, alright?

Olivia: What?

Hal: You make sure that your version of me knows just how damn lucky he is to have you, and don't let him fuck it up. [smirks] And give my mom a hug for me when you see her?

Olivia: Will do. [and then Michael will give a tug on her arm and she'll move with him towards the door, and through they go to land with a groan on the other side, just as the door closes]

Sam: [and he had his gun ready in case any more of those green freaks came out, but he drops it when his kids are there, and he will go and pull Liv into a tight hug]

Olivia: [buries her face in his shoulder and takes a deep breath because she's so happy to be home] I'm sorry.

Sam: It's okay, you're home now. [looks over at Michael] Your brother found you just in time.

Olivia: He's good at that.

Sam: [and he will let her go and run a hand along her face] You look like you had an adventure too.

Olivia: It was a very long couple days and I need some solid hours of sleep and a burger. [and Hal. she really needs Hal, but she doesn't think he's on the menu yet]

Sam: Let's find a place to crash, and we can make that happen.

Olivia: [she nods] Okay.

Sam: [and they find a motel to crash for the night, and he will leave Michael to be with his sister while he goes to find them food]

Olivia: [and she will take a shower because does she need one, get into some clean clothes and stare at her phone]

Hal: [she's gotten a few texts that were waiting in the network for her phone to come back online. He's worried because she's not responding and has something bad happened?]

Olivia: [Michael purposefully ducks out to "get some ice" and once she's alone she pulls up his number and hits send]

Hal: [and he will be studying, but when her number comes up he will answer it] Liv?

Olivia: Hey.

Hal: You fell off the map again. You alright?

Olivia: Yeah. Sorry I keep getting pulled into this weird shit.

Hal: Is it weird that I'm actually getting used to it?

Olivia: No. But it depends on if it's a good or bad getting used to it.

Hal: I don't get worried if you don't reply back for a few days in case you're doing something for work

Olivia: But it doesn't bother you?

Hal: Sometimes, but I know it's not like you mean to do it. And it's not like I can't text your brother when I start to get real worried.

Olivia: I just worry sometimes that you're going to get sick of it and decide you don't want the stress.

Hal: Well, sometimes I worry that the reason you don't answer is because you are here anymore and I'll never know.

Olivia: ... Yeah, well, this time I almost wasn't.

Hal: What happened?

Olivia: I kind of got knocked into another universe? Again?

Hal: ... You really need to stop doing that.

Olivia: Oh, I agree.

Hal: You know, this is probably a conversation better to have in person.

Olivia: I agree. I'm gonna try and talk my dad into dropping me off.

Hal: If not, I can meet you halfway.

Olivia: I'll let you know. I just don't know where my car is right now.

Hal: Well, I'll be here when you figure it out. Just let me know.

Olivia: I will. Either way, I'll see you soon.

Hal: See you soon.

Olivia: [and she will hang up and wait for her dad to come back]

Sam: [which he will with food for everyone]

Olivia: [oh thank god food. She will grab her burger and take a few bites before looking over at Sam] So do you think you could drop me off at Berkeley?

Sam: [eyebrows raised] To see Hal?

Olivia: Yes?

Sam: You sure you don't want to go home first and rest? Check in with Bela and Dean?

Olivia: [shifts awkwardly in her seat as she tries to figure out how to answer that in a way that doesn't sound totally selfish but at the same time is there a way that isn't totally selfish?]

Michael: She just spent a day and a half with his doppelganger, and their doppelganger family, I think she just wants to see the real thing. [helpful brother may or may not be helpful]

Sam: [nods] Alright. I probably could stop in and see Dawn for a bit too. [looks at Michael because he is in the car too]

Michael: [he shrugs] I'll find something to do.

Sam: I'm sure you can find some trouble with Ben. [stops a moment] Did anyone tell Ben what happened?

Michael: I didn't.

Olivia: I couldn't.

Sam: Neither could Dean or I. Probably should ask Jody before we bring it up to him.

Olivia: Probably a good idea. [a beat] Where did you guys go?

Sam: Dean and I ended up in a really screwed up version of Jurassic Park.

Olivia: Dinosaurs and aliens. Cool.

Sam: Jack also hasn't resurfaced.

Olivia: So maybe he's like me, and he got shot off somewhere else?

Sam: Probably. Maybe he ended up with Mom.

Olivia: Then we just have to find her and we find him.

Sam: Or hope he finds his own way home. [since he was the one who made the gateway to begin with]

Olivia: That too.

Sam: Well, if you want to see Hal, that's fine. I'll drop you off for the weekend and you can decide then if you're staying longer nd finding your own way home.

Olivia: [she nods and pushes up on her knees on the bed to press a kiss to his cheek] Thank you.

Sam: You're welcome.

Olivia: [and they will finish eating and probably sleep?]

Sam: [yup, and tomorrow they will head off towards Berkley]

Olivia: [and she will text Hal when they're on their way and give him an ETA]

Hal: [and he will tell her what time he will be free from classes]

Olivia: [and she will meet him outside his door when he gets home]

Hal: [and thankfully his roommate is heading to his boyfriend's place for the weekend, so they will have the apartment to themselves] Hey, you got in early.

Olivia: Yeah, but I wasn't waiting long.

Hal: Well, come on in. Are you hungry? I was thinking I could order us a pizza. Mom sent me a huge Papa John's gift card.

Olivia: I am good with pizza. [and she swallows that sadness about other Hal's Rebecca and just goes to sit on the couch to get comfortable]

Hal: [and he will pull it up on his app, ordering them their usual pie (with no pineapples because really, Stiles?) and will then bring her over a beer]

Olivia: [and she takes the beer after kicking off her shoes and tucking her legs under her. She'll wait until he sits before leaning in to kiss him] Thanks.

Hal: [and he will kiss her back, and then put his arm around her shoulder to let her snuggle into him and relax] So, tell me about this grand reality hopping adventure you went on.

Olivia: Well. There were aliens.

Hal: Aliens.

Olivia: Yep. Creepy bug aliens like that Men in Black movie you made me watch.

Hal: Oh hell, they actually exist somewhere? I hate to be the guy dealing with that.

Olivia: Yeah. [a beat] That guy was you.

Hal: Me?

Olivia: Well, not you you. But that world's you.

Hal: So what, I'm an alien killing badass in another reality?

Olivia: Apparently.

Hal: That actually sounds kinda cool.

Olivia: It was kinda cool.

Hal: You must be disappointed coming back to your mundane boyfriend then.

Olivia: [glances up at him and shakes her head] Not really, no.

Hal: Seriously?

Olivia: Seriously.

Hal: That surprises me. I mean, I'd have thought with you doing what you do, you'd like having me able to be able to do that with you.

Olivia: [she gives a small shrug] We had something more in common, sure. But if I wanted a badass, I would have found one. I didn't.

Hal: But do you really think we can sustain this once I'm out of school?

Olivia: [and she straightens a bit because she wasn't expecting that question] You don't?

Hal: I mean, if we get married and have kids, how are you going to keep doing this? Where am I going to tell junior Mommy went off to for a week or a month at a time?

Olivia: You know, women had been hunting with kids just about as long as they've been doing everything else with kids. It's not really an either or thing. And you could always just tell them the truth.

Hal: Telling a toddler that monsters are real and that mommy is going out to kill them?

Olivia: Or just "Mommy had to go to work"? [there's a beat] Maybe not when they're that young, but eventually they're going to have to learn the truth about the world. I'm a Winchester - no matter who I marry or what I do, that's not something they're going to be able to outrun. They're going to have to learn not to invite people in, or how to use mountain ash or gofer dust or holy water because that's how the world works.

Hal: [and he just nods, sipping his beer because he's not sure he likes the idea of subjecting a child to that, but he isn't sure how to say it either]

Olivia: [she takes a deep breath, trying to find a way to put it that doesn't seem so foreign] Why is it okay to teach kids about stranger danger and not running out into the street and not going up to animals they don't know, but not okay to also include demons and everything else? You're teaching them how to survive.

Hal: Yeah, and when they are the only ones who know, what happens when they are in school and punished for trying to tell others? Get labeled the weird kid and get bullied. What happens to us when you don't come home and god forbid I get the call from your brother, or worse Stiles because there's no one left from your family after a hunt? When you go off, I'm still going to have to work a full time job because hunting doesn't the bills, so I'm going to need help. I won't be able to get a job doing what I am studying for in Kansas that's for sure, so Boston is the better option for us to be able to have family nearby to help me while you're gone.

Olivia: [she doesn't know how to answer the school thing. She never went to school. she also doesn't know the answer to what happens when she doesn't come home.] I like Boston. I don't care where we live. And even if I don't actively hunt the way I do now, do you really think that it's going to stop? You think if I agree to never pick up a shot gun again that that's going to keep us safe? It won't. Ignoring it never makes it go away. There's still going to be salt on our doorways because Boston was built on battlefields and restless spirits are everywhere. I'm still going to put devil's traps under the welcome mats because demons aren't going to forget my DNA if I change my name. I can't ignore the news of unexplained deaths because that's not who I am. Hunting is always going to be a part of the deal with me, Hal. No matter what compromise we make, especially if we have kids - I can't risk them getting hurt because I think I can hide and pretend to be normal.

Hal: I'm fine with protecting the house and the kids like that. I get that, but I also need you, and to know that I'm going to have you for a long time. I'm not an idiot and I know what I'm getting into with your family. That's why I need to know where I stand in all this because I can't ask you to marry me if hunting is going to come first. Because if hunting comes first, Liv, I can't do this anymore. I can't be the husband in a city that you come back to when you're between jobs. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I need to be honest and know.

Olivia: [she's quiet for a long time, not really sure how to respond to that. Hunting is such a huge part of who she is that the idea of giving it up, even a little is just leaving a giant question mark in her sense of self. She doesn't want to lose him, but she doesn't know if she is capable of being in one place all the time. She doesn't know what she'll do, as a girl who doesn't exist in this world. Then she thinks of Mary, and Jack, and how they still need to find them, and how Dean and Sam are always twenty percent more dumb without at least one of them around, and it's unfair to put it all on Michael, and Ben is already gone. But she still doesn't want to lose him, and she shifts for a moment, crossing her arms in front of her chest without really thinking about it] I can try. Staying, I mean. I can't really promise I'll be good at it. [which means they may still end at some point, and maybe he'll just think it's easier to let her go] But I can try.

Hal: [sighs, and hey, saved by the pizza delivery. He will just wiggle himself free to get up, grabbing his wallet for a tip]

Olivia: [and she'll just keep her eyes on her lap for a bit, trying to swallow around the way her throat is tightening and trying not to let her brain get ahead of itself]

Hal: [and he will put the pizza on the table and get them new drinks and sit beside her] Liv, what do you want? I mean, you have to have an idea of where you want your future to go in this reality now, right?

Olivia: [she looks up at him and shrugs] I want you. I do. But I've never actually stayed in one place ... ever. I spent my whole life moving when I was over there because it was never safe to go back, and when I got here, the bunker ... was weird. But I got used to it after a while, having somewhere to go back to, and I liked it. So if you want me to stay somewhere, I'll stay. I'll try and figure it out, like I did with the bunker, and who knows, maybe I'll like that too. But I can't not be a hunter, even if it's only in Boston. I can't turn that off, I can't give that up, it's too much of who I am. I don't know how to do anything else, and I don't want to try. I like saving people. And I can't abandon my family if they need me, so there may be some times where I will have to leave.

Hal: [nods, then tilts his head a bit as he thinks] Doesn't Stiles do something with the FBI on supernatural things?

Olivia: I guess? But Stiles actually exists as a legal person in this universe. [a beat] And has at least a high school diploma.

Hal: I've met your Mom, Liv. You can have that too if you ask I bet.

Olivia: I don't know. [the idea of becoming real is a little too intimidating to be honest, and she doesn't really want to think about it right now]

Hal: [sighs] Listen, it's February. I don't graduate until May. Think about it? [because he really wants to ask her to marry him, but he can't continue like they are now]

Olivia: [she nods] I'll think about it.

Hal: Good. [opens pizza box] So shall we celebrate you not becoming an alien's chewtoy?

Olivia: [she nods and reaches for a slice of pizza] Yes. We should do that.

Hal: Good, because I am really happy you did not become an alien chewtoy. I should be the only one chewing on you. [and he smirks]

Olivia: That is a terrible line.

Hal: I know, but I needed to lighten up the mood.

Olivia: Ah. Well, mission accomplished.