SPN 100 Challenge: Never Alone

By Woman of Letters

Sam has some help from a friend. 300 words. WOW: Drink. Spoilers for Season 8. This is the foundation I would have given for Season 8.

X X X

Sheriff Jodi Mills placed the herbal tea in front of Sam, hoping to ease frown lines that were becoming permanent marks on his face.

"Thanks," he muttered, ignoring the mug. His unfocused eyes staring at the screen, long fingers tapping absently with the same rhythms they'd rapped out for four long months, going down the same blind alleys.

Jodi sighed. "Sam, take a break. You've been at this for eight hours."

He banged harder. "You'd think, with all the lore...and we know where he is…."

"Sam… You're not a machine. You need to stop now." The firm tone that had worked on her eight-year-old didn't move this Winchester.

She pleaded, "At least drink your tea."

He shoved the steaming cup back. "Do you think Dean's drinking tea in Purgatory?"

"No, but if you keel over, will that help him?" She put the cup down. "What would Dean say?"

He looked away.

"Come on, Sam..."

Sighing, he admitted, "He'd say that a hunt's not solved in a day."

"Or even four months?"

"Or even four months."

He took the mug, sipping slowly. Jodi nodded when his shoulders relaxed minutely. The tea was working.

"What if Crowley's right?"

"Sam, this is Dean we're talking about. If anyone can survive Purgatory…"

"I know, but… If he's dead, Jodi, I can't… I'm all alone. I can't do this anymore." He put the cup down. "I…"

"Sam…" She leaned up, hugging him close. The tears began, first silent and then deep, heaving sobs - tears she hadn't seen since that first day, when he called her, his voice cracking. When she'd broken all speed records driving down.

"Sam, you listen good. Crowley's a lying snake. Dean's alive. We'll figure out how to spring 'im. And no matter what…"

She squeezed him hard.

"You're never alone."

X X X

A/N This triple drabble came from an idea a friend of mine had of a scene where Sam is watching season 8 and someone (Jodi?) asks him why he's watching it. In the course of the conversation, Sam says, "I just don't get it. Why would they think I wouldn't look for Dean?"

So that's what I started to write, but I felt it was a cheap shot at the show, and it's so much more interesting to write how I thought it should have happened.

I enjoyed Season 8, but much more so the second half, where they were past the whole "Sam didn't look for me/Dean is friends with a vampire" fight.