It's never too late
Sadly, I do not own any of these characters.
CHAPTER 1: REBIRTH
Jessica couldn't breathe. She struggled desperately against the chains that held her, writhing, trying to break free. The memories assaulted her again. The man with glowing yellow eyes. A scream built up in her throat. Escape. She had to escape. The sharp stab of pain as an unseen power lifted her off her feet... pushed her on to the ceiling. Fire licking at her bones...No, no, no."Jess!" A pained cry, terrified, scared. Wild, unfocused hazel eyes staring up at her. Sam...No, she had to reach him. Tell him. Yellow eyes..."No.." she moaned, struggling harder."No...no...NO!" Jessica's scream pierced the quiet as she jolted upright in the dark. She squinted around, trying to slow her breathing. Where was she? It was so dark...she still was in Hell, probably. A new part she'd never been to before. Not that she would have noticed...the pain was so terrible, it obliterated every other thought, feeling, every memory. But if this was Hell, why wasn't she in pain anymore? They never left her alone.
Jessica brushed her sandy hair from her face and her hand collided with something soild. Frowning, she pressed her fingers against the material. Wood. And the smell...she knew it. She sniffed. Pine. And pine was used in-"I'm in a coffin?" she questioned aloud, incredulity filling her voice, rough from disuse. Jessica started to panic again."Hello?" she called, pounding against the lid over her head."Can anyone hear me? Help!" And then, miraculously the lid slid off and a cascade of dry mud came tumbling in. Jessica cried out, shielding her face from the dust. When she lowered her arms, she was forced to squeeze her eyes shut for a moment to protect them from the sunlight that filtered in. Yes, sunlight .Jessica could feel it warm on her face. Hurriedly, she got up and weakly scrambled out of the wooden box.
She took in her surroundings. She was in the middle of nowhere. But slowly, she began to recognize the place. The wind tugged at her hair with gentle fingers. Lawrence, Kansas. It came to her like a soft whisper drifting through the leaves of the tall trees around her. Sam brought me here once, she remembered. Sam...the name brought so many feelings coursing into Jessica's heart. Love, longing, pain, resentment. Why hadn't Sam told her the truth? About Mary Winchester's death, about their family's real business, hunting demons...Why did she have to hear it all from the yellow eyed monster? If Sam had told me the truth, we would be together now, Jessica reflected bitterly. All is not lost, a soft voice murmured near her and she jumped. Her eyes darted to and fro, but she could not spot anyone.
Not knowing what to do, Jessica began to walk. After a short distance. what she saw made her eyes bug out. She would know that car anywhere. She'd seen it only once, but it was so gorgeous she couldn't ever forget it. It was Dean Winchester's 67 Chevy Impala. That had to mean Dean was nearby. And so was Sam. Elation filled Jessica's soul as she quickened her pace to the car, which stood before a convenience store. She stopped just in time to see Dean come out with a chocolate bar in hand." Yeah, Bobby " he was saying on the phone."Yeah, five minutes." And then he saw Jessica standing there, eyeing him nervously. His green eyes narrowed."Bobby, I'll talk to you later."
Before Jessica could react, a fountain of water hit her, and when she blinked it away, spluttering, a gun was aimed at her throat."What are you?" Dean growled and when she didn't answer, he jabbed her."Answer me, goddamn it!" "I'm...I'm Jessica" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Didn't he remember her? "Sure you are."Without moving the gun, Dean pulled out a sachet from his pocket and threw its powdery contents on Jessica. "Salt?" she choked out. "Son of a bitch! "Dean roared and she flinched."You're not a demon" he said through gritted teeth." A ghoul maybe? " "No, Dean, please believe me."Jessica pleaded."I'm me. I'm human. I was in Hell till now. I just woke up a while ago in a coffin. I don't know what's happening." She let out a strangled sob. Dean stood there silently for a second, his head cocked to one side."Oh" he said suddenly, as if replying to a silent dialogue in his mind."That changes things." He moved towards Jessica, who cringed."Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you " he raised his hands and came slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal. "It's okay" he told her."I just want to check something. Can you show me your left shoulder?" Jessica stared at him."Please?" he requested. She nodded and pulled up the sleeve oh her grey t-shirt. She gasped as she studied the swollen red handprint burned into her shoulder."Look at this" Dean showed her a similar handprint, only bigger in size, after tugging his sleeve up."I was in Hell too" he said softly. Then he seemed to make a quick decision. "Come on" he said."We'll talk as I drive." Jessica frowned."Where's Sam?"Dean gaped at her for a full minute and nasty thoughts began to take over her mind. "He's not dead. is he?" she asked fearfully."Goodness, no! He's fine" said Dean ,looking uncomfortable."He's absolutely fine." "Where is he?" "He...uh" Dean ran his fingers through his spiky hair."He's getting married today." The impact of those words made Jessica stagger back in shock. Sam was getting married? How was that possible? He loved her, Jessica, didn't he? Be reasonable, Jess, she scolded herself. It's been six years. Obviously he's moving on. But she couldn't get herself to stop the tears that stung her eyes and rolled in miniature rivulets down her cheeks.
Again the voice in her head spoke. Do not lose faith, dearest. It's never too late. There is still hope if you hurry. "Jessica?" Dean was patting her arm awkwardly. "I'm sorry." She wiped her tears away. Jessica had always been one for action. She rarely wasted time in thinking elaborately. "I can't let this happen." She told Dean firmly. "I'm going to stop the wedding." She expected Dean to yell at her for trying to ruin his brother's life, and drive off, leaving her there alone. So she was more than surprised when he gave her a cocky grin and said," That's the kind of thing I like to hear. C'mon, hop in." "Aren't you angry?" Jessica asked as she got into Dean's Impala. "I mean, I'm going to gatecrash the most important day of your brother's life!" Jessica couldn't believe Dean was helping her.
He laughed good naturedly. "Are you kidding me? You'll be doing Sammy a huge favour by turning up there. You'll save him from making the worst decision of his life!" Suddenly, Dean turned around in his seat. Jessica turned too and saw a dark haired man in a trench coat, sitting and fidgeting with his tie in the back seat. "Where'd he come from? She wondered aloud. The man looked at her with intense blue eyes."Cas!" Dean exclaimed. "What're you doing here? I thought I told you to stay at the wedding?" The man's blue eyes blazed and static seemed to envelope the atmosphere. "Madison's mother tried to make me change out of my trench coat. And she pulled my tie up. I'm an Angel of the Lord, Dean, not a little doll for anyone to dress up!" Dean sighed. "I apologize from her side. Seriously, every one of them is crazy." Looking at Jessica, he said "Meet Castiel. He's an angel. He's the one who saved me from Hell three years ago. He's also my best friend." At this, Dean and Castiel shared a brief smile, and Jessica realized that they must have been through a lot together. "Cas" said Dean, "this is Jessica... Sam's... um..." Jessica smiled weakly. "I know who she is" Castiel deadpanned and Jessica glanced at him in surprise. His eyes were kind. "You have suffered much." Then turning to Dean," Would you like me to take you two there? It will be faster." "I'm not leaving my baby here!" Dean protested and Castiel rolled his eyes. "It will be taken care of. Trust me." Dean nodded and leaned towards the angel. "Come here" he said to a puzzled Jessica. Castiel pressed his fingers against both their foreheads together. There was a flash of white light and Jessica found herself standing with Dean and Castiel at the entrance of what was obviously Sam's wedding. She almost gagged at the sight of the bright pink heart stuck to the pillar, saying ' Sam weds Madison' in curlicue. "Here we go" said Dean and with a deep breath, pulled the other two with him to walk along with the other guests.