Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable in the following story. The characters that you don't recognize are figments of my imagination and still I claim no ownership. Supernatural belongs to the WB, the CW and all. I haven't made a profit on this story so please don't sue. I don't own anything anyway so there's nothing to gain from it.
Author's note: Hey everyone. Thanks for checking out my current story. If you haven't guessed from the title this is the story of how Joshua knows how to pass on LeGrange to Sam in the episode Faith. It's a long story and it's broken up to nine chapters. The story is complete so check back every day for the chapter.
Please let me know what you think. I will take any kind of reviews. Good, bad and even ugly if it's constructive. Also I've tried to keep the chapters shorter than my previous stories. Hope the chapters aren't too long this time.
Now on with the story! Enjoy!
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Finding LeGrange
Chapter 1
By infinite shadow
Joshua leaned on the banister of his farm house porch with a cup of coffee nestled in between his hands. The sun had just peeked a sliver over the distant mountains. He watched the bright light make its slow steady progress with tired eyes.
Reaching up he moved his glasses to his forehead and rubbed at his eyes. There was a headache just beginning to form a sure sign that needed to get some sleep.
He'd spent the night and predawn hours at his clinic looking after an abused horse that had been brought in by a concerned neighbour. He'd treated the frightened animal's injuries to the best of his abilities, and had the bruises to show for it. A small smile graced his face as he was sure she was going to make a full recovery.
Reaching into his jacket pocket he pulled out his cell phone.
There were some numbers he committed to memory and refused to put into his cell phone. The important names and numbers were in there - his wife Anna, his parents, Alex his closest neighbour and his sister Maria. His hunter friends were all committed to memory just in case. He hadn't found out what just in case was yet, and he prayed that he never would.
It was early but there was something on his mind that weighed heavily on his conscience. He needed answers but couldn't figure it out on his own. All he could figure out was it wasn't natural.
He punched in a number and waited through three rings before the call was answered.
"Whadya want," a voice growled over the line.
"Always so nice to talk to you Matt," Joshua said.
"Josh it's five thirty in the morning. Don't you ever sleep or have you turned nocturnal?" Matt grumbled.
Joshua sighed heavily.
"Ah. That damned clinic of yours will be the death of you," Matt said softly.
"Better that than a malevolent spirit, I always say," Joshua said lightly.
Matt chucked into the mouthpiece. "You better have a good reason for waking these old bones my friend cause if not you just went to the top of my haunting list for when I kick the bucket."
Joshua laughed outright. "Mean old codgers like you never die Matt. You stick around to train multiple generations of hunters," Joshua said the affection clear in his voice.
"Yeah and don't forget youngin I can still best you. Now what do you want," he demanded.
Joshua ran his tongue over his bottom lip as he hesitated momentarily. "Need a favour," he said.
"Ok," Matt said guardedly.
"One of my patients," Joshua started before he was cut off.
"Oh fer cryin' out loud! I don't deal in animals!" Matt said.
Joshua smiled at the response. "I know. One of my human patients seems to be cured."
"Congratulations. So why are you callin me at five thirty in the morning?" Matt asked tersely.
"I didn't do it. She had terminal cancer. Couple of days, a month at the most left," Joshua paused almost uncertain if he should continue.
"And?" Matt prompted in the quiet.
"Well she left town. I figured she'd gone to see family or friends to say goodbye while she still could. It's just that when she returned," Joshua said.
"Don't say it," Matt said.
"Yup. She was as healthy as a horse," Joshua said.
"Damn man! It's too early for that crap," Matt said then his tone softened. "Good story. What's the favour?"
"Information. She won't tell me how it was done," Joshua said softly. "But in the six weeks since she's come home she's been at every Sunday service."
"A faith healer?" Matt asked the doubt clear in his voice.
"It's what I was thinking," Joshua admitted.
Matt sighed heavily. "You want to know who," he said.
"Yeah," Joshua said glancing down at his now cool coffee on the rail.
"Why?" Matt asked.
"Simple curiosity," Joshua said hurriedly. "You know how I feel about them."
"Yeah," Matt said. "You and me both."
"So what can you tell me?" Joshua asked getting to the point.
"Right now nothing comes to mind. Just the usual suspects, none of which seem to be actual healers. Give me some time and I'll do what I can," Matt said. "Why don't you give old Jim a call. See if he knows anything. The man always seems to know what's happening out there before the rest of us do."
"I will," Joshua said "Thanks old man."
"Don't thank me yet. I haven't done anything," Matt said.
"Regardless. Take care," Joshua said.
"You too, Josh," Matt said and hung up.
Joshua closed his phone and placed it on the rail beside his cold coffee. He leaned down resting his weight on his forearms.
He didn't like things he couldn't explain and he couldn't explain this. Abby had been his patient since he started his practice. She was a delightful woman, now in her sixties, who had all the vim and vinegar of a woman in her early twenties. She was a special lady to him. She was more than his patient, she was a good friend to him and his wife.
"When did you get home?" Anna asked as she wrapped her arm around his waist.
Speaking of wives Joshua thought as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his chest. "A little while ago," he said softly.
She snuggled into him. "Did she make it?"
For a second he thought she was talking about Abby. "Oh the horse? She has a long road ahead of her, but yeah I think she just might."
"Good. The Jacobson's are looking for a horse for little Katie. It would make a great home for her," she suggested
"Yeah it would. I'll keep them in mind," he said as he leaned slightly and kissed her on her forehead.
They locked eyes for a moment and Joshua knew the look.
"So how is Matt these days?" she asked.
Joshua chucked slightly and hugged her slightly closer to him. The woman swore that she wasn't psychic but moments like this gave him doubts. "He's fine."
"This is about Abby, isn't it?" Anna asked.
"Yeah. I just can't figure this out. I triple checked those results. She was terminal and now there's not a cancerous cell in any of the tests I ran since she returned," he said frustration clear in his voice. "Don't get me wrong, I'm overjoyed that's she's better and will live for several more years. I just wish I could believe that it was an incredible miracle, but life doesn't work like that and something here just doesn't fit."
"Well I have no doubt that you and Matt will figure it out," she said as she reached out and gently put her hand on the back of his neck. She moved her fingers in a soothing pattern through his hair.
Joshua sighed and closed his eyes at the sensation feeling some of the tension leave his body. His wife always had that effect on him.
"Yeah we will," he said as he opened his eyes and gazed directly into his wife's loving eyes. "Thank you."
"I should get ready for work but I could call in and we could spend the day together," she suggested.
Joshua smiled at her. "Nah I'm ok. I just need some sleep and things will look better. I'm sure of it."
She gave him a long measuring look then nodded as she let go of him. "Are you heading back to the clinic?" she asked.
"Maybe this afternoon. I need to get some sleep first," he said around a yawn.
"Be home for dinner?" she asked.
"Count on it," he said already missing the warmth from his wife in his arms as he watched her go into the house and the door closed. He turned back to the rail and watched as the sun cleared the horizon. It was going to be a beautiful day.
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Next chapter tomorrow. J