'Did you hear about some hunter out in Jericho that took out a woman in white by driving a car through a house?'

'I remember hearing about some young hunter taking on a wendigo by himself with a hand made flamethrower.'

'I heard Elkins got his house broken into, and they said it was that one hunter who killed a whole family of ghouls by himself. It's the same one who exorcised those demons out in Durham.'

'That's the mop haired kid with another guy; tall guys. I heard both of them are crazy. Always take on crazy hunts like that one case in an asylum.'

'You know the demon activity's been pretty low, even for the usual low standard, and it mostly starts when those two crazy hunters show up. You know John Winchester, the pissy hunter with the two boys who was hunting a demon with yellow eyes? I heard there hasn't been any lead at all for that demon, and John Winchester certainly hasn't taken it out. Isn't his youngest boy, Sam Winchester, missing?'

'Killing demons isn't child's play, but I heard those two nuts hunters make it seem like it is. Sometimes hunters will find dead demon's with stab wounds. Everyone knows you can't kill a demon; only send it back to hell. Do you think those guys actually have a knife that can do that?'

'I remember hearing that someone saw that crazy young hunter actually wrestle a hell hound in El Paso, and kill the damned thing before it could get the stupid person who'd got into a crossroads deal. They were stupid, but still innocent. Killed a damn hell hound, I tell ya.'

'The kid's partner is not half bad either. I hear he went in and took out a vampire nest by himself, and didn't come out with a scratch on him. It's the god honest truth.'

'You know that one scrappy hunter who claims he killed the tooth fairy? He says he met those two, but won't say much more about it.'

'I heard his name is Sal Paradise.'

'That's probably a fake name.'

'A friend told me he'd heard the young hunter goes by Seth Wesson and his buddy just goes by Zeke.'

'I asked Bobby Singer if he knew who these maniacs were, but he didn't have a clue.'

'I heard that they usually are around Lebanon, Kansas when they're out not killing every god damned monster out there.'

'There's been a lot of buzz going down at the Roadhouse about finding the youngest Winchester boy. Everyone is supposed to keep their eyes peeled. He apparently ran from Stanford after leavin' the life. Some people think he was taken or kidnapped, and some think he just up and left. Their old man thinks something was after him, but everyone knows how John Winchester is. How long as it been since the kid's been gone? He might be dead by now.'

'You know what I heard. I heard that crazy young hunter was Sam Winchester himself.'


Four Years.

Four years since John and Dean had gone to Stanford, and found Sam wasn't there.

They continued to hunt, people still needed to be saved, and they kept an eye out for any activity concerning old Yellow Eyes. Things had been pretty quiet for a while, so they were as close to finding Mary's killer as they had been when they started. John, oddly enough, couldn't bring himself to just throw himself into the hunt for the demon. He needed to find his baby boy.

No one had seen hide nor hair of Sam for a while, not until they'd gotten the message on both John and Dean's phones. The one time they hadn't been able to pick up their phones, Sammy had called. He left a message saying he loved them, to remember to take care of themselves, that he was fine, and he hoped he'd be able to see them soon. When Dean got the message he slammed his fist into the motel wall. That message had sounded even more final than the last, and instead of 'see you soon' it was 'hope I'll be able to see you soon.' Sammy had called, and all he got was voice mail.

The Roadhouse got one call; Ellen, Jo, and Ash specifically. Just a normal conversational call, and it was cut before Ash could track it. This was how John had struck up a very tentative alliance with them; it helped Dean became friends with all three nearly on the spot.

As much as he didn't like working with other hunters, Sam had called them, and that had to mean something. John hadn't gone to the Roadhouse in years, but for some reason Sam had called there. Ellen had claimed she didn't know Sam from Adam except from his stories of him and baby pictures. John knew too well Ellen probably hated his guts, and for good reason too. She said she'd forgiven him and didn't blame him, but John himself sure did. Every time he saw Jo, who had grown into a young woman, he remembered how he'd taken that pig tailed little girl's father from her.

John didn't know how he could mend that broken bridge, and he figured he probably wouldn't ever be able to, but Ellen was civil and nice to him for some odd reason, so John tried to be on his best behavior. He'd nitpick with Bobby all he wanted, but not Ellen. Even after everything that happened, she agreed to spread the word to other hunters, it helped that she had taken in Ash after he'd gotten kicked out of MIT. Surely a genius, even one that didn't look like one, could find Sam. Ash said if Sam had left on his own he was being careful to not leave a trail, but he'd probably slip up eventually.

Four years, and they were coming up with squat.

John wasn't one to pay much attention to rumors. Bobby tended to gossip like an old hen, but not John Winchester. Rumors started going around about two crazy hunters who took on nearly impossible cases, and would come out unscathed. That they could kill demons, and demons ran from them. John thought it was a load of crap; just hunters telling tales. Dean and Jo ate the stories up; two badass hunters, Seth Wesson and Zeke, that made monsters quake in their boots was a nice story, but it was just that: a story.

It was while at the Roadhouse John heard the newest rumor.

Bobby sipped his beer, "Johnny, if Sam doesn't want to be found. I don't think we're going to find him. I really doubt he's been kidnapped, and if he is in danger I think he's going to go about this on his own."

John glanced at Dean who was leaning over the bar to watch what Ash was doing on his computer. Dean might drink like a fish and he barely slept with Sam gone, but in his message to Dean, Sam told him he was a genius, so he should stop pretending he was just a grunt. He told him he knew he sometimes snuck science journals into porn magazines, and that if he wanted to have a conversation with Ash about electrical engineering he could. John had no idea what that was about until he started to notice little by little a change in Dean.

He'd see him openly reading books, real for real books, not porn. Dean showed Ash an EMF meter he'd built himself and John couldn't even recall if he'd ever seen it, and as glum as he was about his brother being gone that one praise seemed to bring that part of Dean out of a hiding place.

John said, "He shouldn't have to. You know as well as I do that if Sam's in danger Dean will do whatever it takes to help him. I'm not givin' up."

Ellen wiped down the empty table next to John and Bobby's, "We can hope if that boy calls again Ash will be able to track his location. What the hell does he think he's doing that could be so dangerous he can't have anyone helping him? Sam is definitely your son, John."

John grumbled, "You know, I've had nearly nine different people tell me that, and it's really getting old."

Bobby chuckled, "We're not meaning any harm. It's just the truth."

Jo peered out the window to see what car was pulling up. The closed sign was out, so it couldn't be a customer. It had to be a hunter, "Hey, Uncle Caleb's here!"

Dean asked, "Wasn't he checking out a ghost in Wyoming with Jefferson?"

As soon as his truck came to a stop Caleb quickly got out of his truck and rushed to the Roadhouse.

He whipped the door open and tried to catch his breath as he spoke, "Have you guys heard of Seth Wesson?"

John scoffed, "Is that what was so important? You heard another crazy rumor?"

Caleb took a quick swig of John's beer before slamming it back down on the table, "You're going to want to hear this one. There's been some talk about Sam."

"What about Sammy? What's this have to do with Seth Wesson?" Dean demanded.

"A lot of hunters have been talking about Sam, after Ellen practically put out an APB for him. Well, there's been some talk that Seth Wesson is Sam Winchester. It also works for the name S.W, and the last names a gun too. And those who said they saw a glimpse say that the guy's young, tall, with longish hair. Nobody actually started hearing about the guy till a couple years ago, which fits in the time frame Sam went missing."

Dean scoffed, "No way. First of all Seth Wesson is a badass. Secondly, Sammy hates hunting."

"Do you think Sam's been selling Girl Scout cookies this whole time?" Bobby rolled his eyes, "I think Sam's been hunting something that he thinks could hurt you or Johnny."

"Which I think is stupid." John interrupted

Bobby continued, "As much as I hate to admit it, what Caleb's saying does make some sense. If it's nothing then fine, but it's the only lead we got."

Jo asked, "So, would that mean Sam really wrestled a frickin' hell hound?"

Dean shook his head, "No way in hell would that happen. Not Sammy, no. Then let's just assume Sammy is Seth Wesson. If that's true than who the hell is this Zeke guy?"

Caleb shrugged, "Hell if I know, but Jefferson said this one woman told him that one scrawny hunter knows them. I can't remember his name; starts with a G."

"Garth." Bobby sighed.

Ellen asked, "Wasn't that the one kid you told me about who used to be a dentist?"

Bobby nodded, "Yeah, Garth's a character, and for some odd reason he just doesn't die. Luckiest son of a bitch I ever met. The hunt I went on with him he got thrown across the room. He hit the ground hard, so I worried he was dead, but after I got the monster taken care of he popped right back up and said he was okay. I don't know how he's managed to stay alive, but he's resistant I'll give him that. I can try calling him to get his ass here."

Jo laughed, "Bobby, if he says he killed the tooth fairy you think he'd be telling the truth about knowing Seth Wesson?"

Bobby opened his phone, "The boy's an idjit, but he ain't a liar."

Garth's cheerful voice rang through the phone, "Hello, Garth here!"

"Garth, no time for pleasantries. Do you know Seth Wesson, or don't you?"

"I do," Garth replied, "He was a nice guy, and a great hunter, and-"

Bobby interrupted, "We know that Seth Wesson is really Sam. Did you know that?"

Dean snatched the phone before John could, "Garth, you tell me where the hell my brother is or I swear I will find you and god when I find you-"

Bobby ripped the phone from Dean's hands and put it on speaker.

Garth shouted, "Okay, okay! I know he's really Sam Winchester! He told me not to tell, I'm just supposed to keep my ears open and eyes peeled. He told me to keep an eye out for you guys actually. He wanted to be sure you were safe, and he wanted another hunter keeping watch and in contact with you guys. He contacts me every now and again, but usually only for a check up or occasional supplies."

Bobby asked, "Did he tell you anything about what he was doing or planning? What about this Zeke character we've been hearin' about?"

"Oh, Zeke? Chiseled Jaw, and leather jacket? He's a good guy, if not a little too serious. I don't know much about him aside from that those two hunt together."

Jo raised a brow, "Looks like you got replaced Dean for a different guy with a leather jacket."

Dean snapped, "Shut up!"

"That's enough you too." John scolded.

Bobby sighed, "Garth, please tell us if you know where Sam and this Zeke guy are?"

"Hell."

"What!"

"They're headed to Hell, Michigan. It's a small town up north. Sam thought there was case, but I don't know what they're hunting. They left from Warsaw, Missouri only a few hours ago."

Bobby pinched the bridge of his nose, "You could've just said that. We're going to go find him, and we won't tell that you told us. It's important we find him. Thanks for your help."

Garth chuckled, "Anytime, Bobby. Just remember to wear a thick jacket. Hell froze over. Get it?"

Dean closed the phone while Garth continued to laugh at his own joke, "I don't like the sound of this Zeke guy. He could be manipulating Sammy, or he could've kidnapped him, or-"

Ellen said, "By what Garth said Sam didn't sound like he was kidnapped."

"Jealous!" Jo said in a sing song voice.

"I'm not! We need to find my brother!"

John put his hand on Dean's shoulder, "Calm down, we'll find him. We'll pack up and head out."

Ash ran out of the hallway from his room shuffling through some papers, "I checked to see if there's anything going down in Michigan, and I haven't found anything conclusive, so it could just be they're meeting up with a contact there."

Caleb said, "Jefferson wanted me to come with him to gank a chupacabra down south, so I better head out. Call me if you find Sam. "

John nodded, "Will do. Dean, Bobby, and I will head out then too."

Jo asked, "Can I come?"

Dean said, "You have those classes to go to, Jo. You'll finally get a chance to meet Sammy when we bring him back here. Don't give Ellen too much trouble."

Ellen whacked Dean with her dishcloth, "You better watch yourself. I know how much you want to see your brother, but if he managed to evade you this long he could find a way to slip through. He may not want to come back here. He dropped everything for a reason."

Dean clenched his jaw, "We won't lose him this time, and I don't care what he thinks he's doing, I sure as hell won't let him do something stupid alone. This Zeke guy be damned; it's my job too look out for Sammy."

John glared at Jo before she could let a jealous comment slip.

They would find out who this 'Zeke' was once they found Sam.


Gadreel watched over Sam just as Castiel asked him to.

He watched over him during every hunt. He grew used to not using his powers. He only had his angel blade at his disposal, and he even learned how to operate guns. He even learned the proper way to behead a vampire. Sam was a patient teacher, and he even helped with his learning in understanding humanity and certain customs.

Humans liked nature, but most didn't lie in the middle of a park for hours soaking up the sunlight. Gadreel had missed the trees, sky, and flowers during his imprisonment. Sam had dragged Gadreel out of the park as a police officer came thinking he was a passed out drunk.

Humans were very social, and yet they seemed very selective about who they associated themselves with. Gadreel had tried conversing with them, and yet it did not always go according to plan. On occasion he would be ignored, or insulted, and he preferred the interactions where the people were kind.

Sam told him not every human was good, but they also weren't all bad. They were all simply trying their best.

One of the kind people they had encountered while hunting was Garth Fitzgerald IV. Sam had introduced him to Garth and the first thing the small man had done was hug him. It had been confusing, but not unpleasant. The warm feeling the strange gesture caused was very pleasing. Garth was an optimistic man who radiated warmth to those around him. He also had a very interesting sock puppet as a hunting partner. It went by the name Mr. Fizzles.

Gadreel learned not everyone enjoyed being hugged as a greeting after a woman screamed at him and beat him with her purse.

There was much to learn, and yet Sam was always patient and understanding.

Hunting was much easier. Gadreel might have been a sentry over a warrior, but as an angel he could fight evil even without smiting. He and Sam operated well, and saved many lives. Gadreel knew Sam as an excellent warrior, but seeing the man fighting under his own power amazed Gadreel. Sam could be gentle and kind, but in other instances he was merciless toward monsters.

They killed the demon Azazel.

They killed the demon Meg.

The only player left that was not of heaven was the demon Lilith. Once she was out of the way none of hell would be able to bring about the end of times if Lucifer never walked the Earth.

Heaven was a different story, but for the time Hell was the main priority.

Sam drove to Hell.

Not in the sense as in the Cage, which Sam wouldn't ever want to drive to, and it was impossible, but a town in Michigan which for some odd reason was named Hell.

They were to meet with a woman who went by the name of Bela Talbot.

"Sam, this 'Bela' is a career thief who steals Supernatural items. What exact purpose would contacting her serve?"

"She would be a good informant to have. She gets knowledge we don't in the circles she runs in. Bela may be ruthless, stuck-up, and cannot be loyal to anyone else but herself, but she's also skilled and has resources. We need as many allies as we can get, and Bela also manages to raise hell when she's our enemy. She thinks hunters are sociopathic killers who only want vengeance, but she'll help once she knows we can help her."

Gadreel tilted his head, "Had Bela been your enemy before?"

Sam shrugged, "Well, everything she does concerns herself. She's fucked us over before, but mostly if it meant helping herself. She doesn't like asking for help, or being indebted. She'll help us once she knows we can help her get out of her demon deal."

Gadreel considered asking Sam what reason Bela Talbot had made a deal, but he figured Bela would know the full reasoning to a better extent.

For an angel, time didn't mean all that much. Gadreel was one of the older angels, and his time imprisoned had skewed his sense of time perception a bit. To an angel, four years on Earth was quite a short amount of time, but Gadreel thought it was quite a bit of time for Sam to be away from his family. They had gained ground, that was true, but surely knowledgeable, trustworthy hunters such as Bobby Singer, the Harvelles, and the Winchesters would be of use. Sam only wanted to keep them safe, but Gadreel knew how much he wanted to see them, and missed them.

Gadreel would try to comfort him whenever Sam would wake in a panic shouting for Dean.

Gadreel saw how Sam's gaze would linger on the phone itching to call.

Sam had endured much pain and suffering, and was given a second chance others would give anything for. It was large weight on his shoulders, and many lives at stake. Sam had not broken down completely yet. A few damp pillows, muffled cries, and bad days did not suffice for having dealt with pain that would annihilate a weaker man. A part of Gadreel thought that Sam needed the comfort only his elder brother could offer him, yet another part of him thought seeing his loved ones would be what broke him. Gadreel did the best he could to ease Sam's pain, so he did not ask of why they did not simply go to Dean and the other trusted hunters. He offered an unbiased ear, a patient temper, and a comforting hand; as his friend, it was a the least he could do.

Bela had agreed to meet with them on the condition she chose where to meet and when: Comet Cafe in Hell, Michigan. At Tuesday.

It had been a rather frigid Tuesday since Sam had stolen Gadreel's leather jacket, and continuously complained about the cold. Due to Bela's specifications they couldn't even go inside the cafe with the heater since Bela had demanded it be outside. Gadreel understood the strategy Bela was attempting to put out. She wanted the advantage, and open air in a public place was a solid move. Sam didn't think much of many monsters, but he seemed generally nervous about meeting with Bela.

Gadreel was sure this woman was formidable. Sam didn't even bother touching his odd wheat spinach pastry. Gadreel would've chosen the devil's food doughnut, because even if Lucifer found it appetizing it certainly did look so.

Gadreel thoroughly enjoyed the strawberry smoothie, but Sam had claimed it was too frickin' cold. Sam drank a drink he called an espresso, but Gadreel wasn't found of the taste. The smoothie was much better. He wondered if Bela would also enjoy a smoothie, but Sam had only frowned and furrowed his brow when Gadreel had asked.

Sam whispered, "There she is. The well dressed woman with the green eyes; that's Bela."

Gadreel tried to look at the woman discretely. She was indeed well dressed in a slim black dress with light brown hair that reached her shoulders. Gadreel wondered if he was under dressed in jeans and a button shirt adorning flowers that Sam had given him to wear. She looked like a very beautiful woman and she smiled very sweetly, but Gadreel wouldn't let down his guard.

She asked, "Seth Wesson, and Zeke I presume?"

Sam flinched when she put an infliction on his name, "Bela, I'm going to assume you already know who I really am."

Bela sat down daintily in the chair across from Sam and Gadreel, "Yes, Sam I know. There's been a lot of talk going around about you. Got Papa and big brother pretty worried. And then Seth Wesson certainly has his name out there too. Now tell me, why exactly should I even consider not walking right out of this cafe after I get my latte?"

"You help us out and in return we can help you."

"Oh, a hunter help me? Now Seth Wesson could prove useful that's true, but I sincerely doubt there's anything you could give me or offer me that could make me want to stick my neck out for you."

Sam shook his head, "I don't want you to stick your neck out for us. All I ask for is information; any information you think could be of use you come across. I only want you to keep an eye out. Big things are coming. I know you don't like hunters, but that's all I ask."

Gadreel had been silent throughout the entire exchange. It was fairly easy to see when a person was under a demon contract, but seeing the exact details of the contract were a bit more difficult. He had wanted to see what he could find on Bela's soul.

He pursed his lips, "Bela Talbot, your real name is Abbie. You were born to a wealthy family in the United Kingdom. You made the demon deal when you were but a teenager to kill your parents. They abused you, and the demon caused a car accident that killed them."

Bela stood up abruptly, both Bela and Sam looked at Gadreel stunned, "Shut up. Shut the hell up. I don't know how you came across that information, but-"

Gadreel cut her off, "Miss. Talbot, please. We mean no harm. As Sam had asked before, all we want is your assistance as an informant. You help us, and we can break you from your demon deal, and your true identity and past is a secret with us."

Bela laughed sarcastically, "You can't save me. I don't need you too."

Sam said, "Bela, we can and we will. You scratch our back, and we'll scratch yours. Your just one insignificant soul. If you can't be taken the first time hell won't give a damn about it so long as you don't get involved with them. You have my word. We'll save you and won't tell anyone about you."

Bela usually radiated self confidence, but now she looked shell shocked and small, "You can really do that, and I only need to pass along information if I get any? You don't want anything else?"

Gadreel tilted up her chin so she could look at his eyes. They held nothing but honesty and determination, "We desire nothing else. We are not demons who took advantage of you; your parents or the one who made a deal with you. What we have stated is all we ask."

Bela smacked his hand away, but it had little malice behind it, "If you can do it. I'll help. Why me though?"

Sam replied, "You're hell as an enemy and intelligent; that's as good an ally as any. We only want to save as many as we can. You made a bad decision, but that does not mean you're a bad person. Alright?"

Bela slowly slipped a card to Gadreel as she tried to process what Sam had said, "We'll be in touch."

Bela's gaze met Sam's; hard yet again, but slightly glistening. Sam raised a brow when her mouth fell open and her eyes widened in surprise, "Well, Sam, Zeke, If we are to be business contacts I think you should know John Winchester, Dean Winchester, and Bobby Singer are only twenty paces behind you."

She turned swishing her hair and quickly walked with her heels tapping the concrete.

Sam hissed, "Is she telling the truth?"

Gadreel looked down and sighed, "Sam, I am sorry."

Sam looked over his shoulder to see his father, brother, and Bobby standing next to the car Gadreel and Sam were driving. Dean shouted, "Sammy!"

His father was alive, and well.

Bobby was alive, and well.

His brother was alive and well.

Sam's mind went blank, "Fuck."


Thank all you guys for reading, and everything. Your reviews are always great, and I can't answer some questions because I want it to be a surprise, but yes Cas will show up again eventually.