"Listen Dude, I'll be at work till nine o'clock. You will wait here until then, and no coming out to wait in the parking lot. I'll come in and get you. Remember Sam, keep aware of your surroundings, and keep your back to a corner." Dean sat in the idling car and issued the reminder from the driver's side window. Sam simply nodded and waved in response. As he headed into the public library he felt Dean's eyes on his back.
Sam rolled his eyes; Dean still treated him like he was a baby. Sam would have taken offense if he hadn't realized long ago, that the nagging hadn't started until Sam was about ten. It was at that time that Sam had told his big brother that he was too old for hugs. Dean had told Sam that he understood and ever since Dean had replaced the random and heartfelt hugs he used to give his brother with advice. Watch your back, carry a weapon, and be aware for unusual cold spots... On and on the litany went. Sam could repeat them by heart; he had heard them so often.
He grinned as he pulled open the door, yeah Dean worried about him. As Sam moved into the library he took a moment and studied his surroundings. The modern building was essentially one big room. The bookcases were the only things breaking up the space. They formed small nooks and hidden spaces in what would be and other wise carnivorous room.
As Sam entered he headed for the back corner, he had been coming to this library since September and he knew it well. As he settled in his favorite table he pulled out his homework and got started. As Sam concentrated on his Algebra, he realized that someone was staring at his back. He could feel their eyes boring through the long sleeve t-shirt he was wearing. He turned his head slowly, and saw her.
She stood behind him and slightly to the left; she was stacking books from an almost empty cart in front of her. She wore a white blouse and a navy skirt, Sam thought she was about the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Her long honey colored hair was swept up carelessly and her brown eyes stared at Sam, one slim brow lifted in question.
Sam nodded at her and grinned "Three minutes right?" Sam asked grinning even broader when the young girl nodded and moved to settle in the seat across from Sam.
Grace McGuire leaned forward, eyes sparkling "come on tell me how you do it." She prodded.
Sam simply shook his head and laughed, this was a conversation they had at least once a week. "I'm telling you I don't do anything, I just pay attention to what's going on around me. To be honest if I was really on the ball you wouldn't have even gotten that close without me noticing. Dean can tell if someone's approaching from a couple hundred yards off."
Grace shook her head admiringly, "Well then color me jealous, because I wouldn't hear an elephant sneak up on me."
Sam laughed and said "that's not true you've gotten much better, you picked me up pretty quick on Tuesday." Sam said referring to the night they had played a version of hide and seek in the empty library.
Grace put a finger to her lips and said "Shhh, I'd get fired if old Mrs. Hibbert heard you."
Sam laughed and said "fire you that would mean that she couldn't sit in her office and watch her shows all night. She would actually have to work, no Grace your jobs safe." Sam returned his attention to the work in front of him. As he finished up he asked casually "So do you have plans for Christmas. I bet it's a pretty bid deal at your house." Sam tried to hide the sadness in his voice.
Grace stood suddenly and turned from Sam; pulling the cart next to her she began stacking books. As she worked she answered Sam "Uh, yeah I guess. I volunteer at the senior center all day. You know spending time with the elderly that no longer have families. Then there's a free dinner at four o'clock, it's open to anyone. It's nice it really gives everyone something to look forward to. How about you, what do you guys do?"
Sam kept his gaze on the paper before him, his mind thinking of the last Christmas he had spent. His Dad had been unable to get home on time so it had just been him and Dean. Actually it had turned out pretty fun; they had rented scary movies and spent the whole night ripping apart the movie versions of the creatures the boys had hunted. All except the movie Poltergeist starring that little blond girl. Both Sam and Dean had agreed that one was dead on.
"You know, wake up early open presents, spend the day eating and bumming around." Sam answered.
Grace nodded and said "Sounds like fun. Sometimes I wish I had a brother or a sister." Sam watched as he face clouded slightly. "Well then again I'm better off alone." Grace saw the puzzled look on Sam's face and forced a smile "you know, not having to share, and all that. I'm going to get back to work Sam you've got twenty minutes until Dean arrives."
Sam watched the young girl walk away, he found himself wishing he knew what Grace meant when she said she was better off alone. Sam had really come to like her; she was pretty, and funny. She always treated him like he was he mattered.
Fifteen minutes later Sam gathered his books and went to wait by the Library's entrance. Grace was there cleaning up behind the huge check out counter, and pulling on her coat. They chatted for a few more minutes when Sam heard Dean's car pull up outside. Usually, Sam went outside as soon as the headlights shone in the big double doors.
This time though he waited, as he expected almost immediately the impatient outline of his brother started for the big double doors. Sam grinned he had wanted Dean and Grace to meet for weeks now but they had kept missing each other.
As Dean entered the library, his eyes searching for Sammy, he noticed her behind a large counter, the girl from the grocery store. A couple of weeks earlier Dean had set out and gotten a job at a garage. He had told his Dad that he could use the experience, but really he simply couldn't face watching his brother go hungry again. Dean was hoarding every cent he made, saving it for an emergency. Well, that and a Christmas present for Sam.
He smiled in surprise at the girl who was now standing in front of him. "Hey, there" he said a twinkle in his green eyes.
Grace grinned again and said "Hey, I'm surprised you even recognize me without my ever present grocery cart."
Dean gave her a lazy grin and said "I just can't believe you're the Grace that Sam's been gushing over for the last couple of months."
Grace glanced at Sam and saw his blush. "Yeah, well I'm just surprised that you're Sam's big brother. From listening to Sam I expected someone a lot taller." Grace and Sam exchanged a laugh and Dean simply shook his head.
Sam finally spoke up "So how do you two know each other?"
Dean was the first to answer. "We don't not really Sam, we run into each other sometimes at the grocery store." Dean and Grace shared a glance. Really if Dean were honest he'd have to say they had been meeting at the store. Dean had quickly found out that the pretty brown eyed girl shopped for a couple elderly neighbors once a week. Ever since, Dean had begun doing the shopping for the Winchesters, he had managed to make excuse after excuse to go on Wednesday night's when she was sure to be there.
They talked over and over again; content to keep their meetings at the grocery store. Dean was sure that he could have discovered her name and found her at school if he chose but he had liked not knowing who she was. It made him feel better to see her as just a random stranger, rather than something more. A random stranger was easy to forget, someone you cared for hurt you when you pulled out of town.
Dean was sure Grace had her own reasons for keeping their meetings private, he sometimes thought it was a matter of a boyfriend she was with. No matter, it was her business. But here she was and it turned out she was the 'Grace' that Sam had been talking about incessantly.
Grace finally broke eye contact with Dean and moved towards the door. "I'll see you boys around." She said as she left with a backward smile. Dean and Sam in unison moved towards the door. Standing by the Impala and watching as the tiny silver car pulled out into the dark night. It was only after she had left the lot that the boys had gotten into the car.
"She's nice isn't she Dean?" Sam asked as he leaned his head against the seat.
Dean reached out a hand and gently cuffed Sammy on the ear "That she is Sammy, but I think she's a little old for you."
Sammy blushed and shoved Dean, "Come on Man I'm serious."
"Yeah, I know Sam, you're right she is nice. To nice for the likes of us I'm afraid." Dean answered as he started the car.
Dean drove down the highway, fuming. His mouth was still burning and he was hungry as hell. As he sneaked a glance over at Sammy's long frame he began plotting his revenge. Unknown to Sam Dean had an arsenal of pranks; he kept catalogued in his mind to be pulled out and used at any time. As the black car ate up the miles, Dean started mentally running down the list. Watch out Sam, thought Dean. Payback's a bitch.
Dean sat in the darkened room staring at the small tree; he had picked up a few days ago. The thing was pretty pathetic, a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree if he had ever seen one. It had made Sammy's day though, he had picked it out insisting on this one. Sam had decided the tree deserved to be made into a Christmas tree instead of pine chips. Dean as always gave in, his only interest in the tree to make Sam happy.
888
Today had dawned cold and bright. Dean had laid his carefully wrapped gifts beneath the tree and than had gone to wake Sammy. Dean had waited with anticipation, keeping his gift for Sammy last, when Dean finally gave it to him he was rewarded with a full on Sammy grin. "A walkman Dean, Dude that's awesome." Sam had launched himself at his brother, his hugging rule thrown out the window for the moment.
"No problem, kiddo I'm glad you like it." Dean couldn't help smiling as Sam's enthusiasm.
Dean watched as Sam proudly tore into the packaging, it was then that he noticed Sam's face fall. Dean asked "What's up Sam?" Sam shook his head at Dean and answered softly "I don't have batteries." Dean felt his stomach drop, batteries it had never occurred to Dean to get batteries, and shit the whole town was shut up for Christmas.
John sat watching his boys; he felt the sting of guilt at the look on Dean's face. John had known about the gift, but he hadn't realized just how much it had meant to Dean. In moments like this, he sometimes worried that he had pushed Dean too hard, forcing him to always consider his brother before himself. It was a sad state when Dean's happiness depended solely on whether he remembered batteries for Sam's Christmas gift. John stood quickly; he found that he needed to move. He headed into his bedroom intending to find something to hunt. He had done his duty and now he needed to be moving again.
Dean watched as his Dad disappeared into his bedroom. He grimaced knowing that his father had already left, even if he was still here. Dean knew that by the end of the Day John would have found something, somewhere to kill. He sighed and turned towards Sam. "Listen, let's get cleaned up and we'll walk down to the senior center. They're having that dinner tonight, and you can show Grace your walkman. Then tomorrow first thing we'll get some batteries."
Sam's good humor was completely restored, "thanks again Dean, it really is the coolest."
Dean nodded and reached out pounding Sam on the back "No problem Tiny Tim, that's what big brothers are for."
Hours later the boys had walked into town, they had just said goodbye to their father unable to get him to stay through dinner. As they had stood side by side watching the black pickup pull away they had subconsciously moved even closer, shoulders touching they had stood watching until the truck was no longer visible.
"Alright Sammy boy, lets get some grub. As they ambled along the sidewalks, pushing and shoving each other, with the occasional snowball thrown in the laughed and enjoyed themselves. At that moment to any stranger watching they would have seemed like any two teenage boys in middle America. From a distance the scars that they both carried were still only on the inside and unseen to any observers.
As they arrived at the center, they quickly found a seat and were surprised by the number of people there. Sam saw a few kids he knew and headed over to show them his gift. Dean felt a surge of pride as he watched Sam straight and proud showing off the gift that Dean had agonized over. A voice from behind him said softly.
"So you got it huh, He must have been over the top." Dean turned to see Grace standing slightly behind him. His breath caught at how pretty she looked in a slim black skirt and festive red sweater, a Santa hat perched on her head at a jaunty angle.
"Yeah, he was except I screwed it up." Dean said frowning. "No batteries."
Grace stood for a moment and then turned and walked away from Dean. Dean frowned and followed wondering where she was going. She left the dining hall and moved down a set of double doors, as she continued to walk down the hall, Dean followed.
Finally, she came to a small door, pulling out a set of keys. She opened the door and pulled the cord that dangled in front of her. As the light came on, Dean saw that it was a storage closet. She quickly reached into her pocket, pulled out a couple of dollars, and put them in a coffee can. With that, she removed four double AA batteries and handed them to Dean with a flourish.
Dean grinned and accepted the offering. "Can you fix all my problems so easily?" He asked leaning towards her slightly. He watched as she smiled sadly and shook her head.
"Ah, Dean I can't manage my own problems, I very much doubt I would be any help to you." Grace answered softly; she leaned towards Dean carefully and pressed a kiss to his cheek. At his surprised look, she laughed and pointed upward toward the bundle of mistletoe that hung above them. With that she turned and walked back towards the noise of the hall.
Dean hung back recognizing the danger he was quickly falling into. As he walked behind her he reminded himself of his mantra, no strings, and no attachments.
The boys had hung around all evening, and had even ended up being put to work. As the last of the volunteers had left, sharing last goodbyes and Merry Christmas's Dean, Sam and Grace had walked towards her car. With a smile and a laugh she had reached out and kissed Sam on the cheek, she had then turned towards Dean and done the same.
It was only as she turned back away that Dean caught a glimpse of a dark bruise, just under the collar of her sweater, it was an ugly purple color and green color. He debated if he should question the mark but in the end let it go. After all, no strings, and no attachments.
As Sam and Dean waved the small Sentra away, they began the short walk to the apartment building. As the walked in silence Dean heard an engine rumble up behind him. He turned warily and caught sight of the police cruiser that was parked along the curb.
A deep voice called out "Awfully, late for you boys to be hanging around isn't it. Dean had always shown respect to cops, he had often felt that in their own way they were similar to him and his dad, they saved people. This time though as he heard the snide voice cut through the night, he quickly changed his opinion.
"No Officer," Dean said turning and standing slightly in front of Sam. "We just finished volunteering at the senior center and we're heading home. It's only a couple of blocks." Dean stood his ground, and was careful to keep his tone even.
The officer nodded and asked to see Dean's ID. Dean had shrugged and said he wasn't carrying since he wasn't driving. The officer stared hard at the two Winchesters then had nodded "You head on home know, I don't want to catch you boys roaming around again." With that dismissal, he stood on the sidewalk and watched as Dean and Sam turned away.
888
As Dean sat now staring at the dying tree he wondered what had caused the cop to confront them. He wasn't sure why but he had a nagging feeling that he had just landed smack dab on someone's radar. And God knows that's someplace a Winchester couldn't afford to be.
The boys were pleasantly surprised at the hotel; they had found and checked into. It didn't look like much on the outside but inside the room was clean and neat. Sam had quickly grabbed dibs on the shower first. He was even more surprised at the hot water that poured from the showerhead.
As he finally forced himself from the warm spray, he set about shaving, his thoughts idly jumping around. He wondered if Dean was nervous about tomorrow, he wondered if she would even recognize Sam. He had spent so many hours with her during that school year, but that had been a long time ago, and he had been much younger.
As he grabbed his toothbrush from his kit, he noticed that he was out of toothpaste. He opened the door slightly and yelled to Dean who was efficiently cleaning his .45. "Hey man I'm all out of toothpaste, can I borrow some."
Dean looked up and said, "You've got a set of balls, asking me for anything. I still can't taste anything and my nose is still running."
Sam tried to look contrite; instead, his face kept breaking into a big grin. Dean finally just growled and reached into his bag pulling out toothpaste and tossing it to his little brother. Sam flicked him a smile and returned to the bathroom.
As the door closed, Sam missed the lethal smile that lit Dean's face.
Sam came out ten minutes later tossing the tube back to Dean. "You're turn Dean." He said.
Dean simply looked at him for a moment and said "You know I think, I'm gonna wait till after we eat I'm starved." Dean smiled broadly at Sam.
Sam smiled flashing his teeth and said "Sounds good to me, but are you sure your taste buds are up for it."
Dean simply grinned and said, "Oh, I'm sure Sammy, I'm sure."
Sam sat in the brightly lit restaurant with a smile on his face. Dean had yet to retaliate and Sam was starting to think maybe he wouldn't.
Dean sat across from him relaxed with his own grin. He had been hard put not to burst out laughing earlier when his baby brother had shot his most charming smile at the pretty waitress that was waiting for the brother's order. Sam had somehow missed the odd look the girl had sent them.
Dean chuckled again, this was simply too funny. Almost as good as the time he put Nair in Sam's shampoo bottle. Dean smothered another laugh as he saw Sam send a big grin towards a little girl that walked past the table. The small girl shied away from Sam and said in a stage whisper "Mommy that man with the teeth is staring at me. Make him stop." The mother quickly hustled the girl past Sam as if he had a contagious disease.
At this Dean simply couldn't stop, he leaned back in his seat and laughed until his sides ached. "Oh, Sammy, man you're just out of luck with the ladies."
Sam had become suspicious at the girl's statement and at Dean's sudden laughing fit. "What did you do Dean, What'd you do?"
Sam jumped to his feet and hurried towards the men's room. As he moved towards the mirror, he didn't notice anything unusual. Until he caught a glimpse of his teeth, baring his teeth to the mirror Sammy almost choked. "URGH!!! He shouted as he saw what Dean had done. His teeth were black, almost completely black. The hillbilly's that had stolen Sam last year had had whiter teeth.
Sam quickly bent down and turned on the water; he used his hand to cup a drink and quickly swished it around his mouth. As he spat in the sink he noticed a blackish color, but when he looked at his teeth he still saw no change. Sam slammed out of the bathroom and moved towards the table.
Dean watched Sam approach with his jaw shut so tight it was a wonder it didn't crack. Dean sat weak, overcome by helpless laughter. Dean watched as Sammy sat across from him and spat out "This is so not funny Dean, I'm going to kill you in your sleep." Dean simply laughed some more.
"I'm sorry Sam; I can't understand you need to move your lips when you talk." Dean seeing Sam's eyes actually bulge with rage relented slightly. "Dude it's no bid deal, It'll come off as soon as you brush. At least that's what the package read. Besides, your teeth have always been to bright anyway. It's like looking at a mouthful of white chicklets.
