Chapter 4

Sam and Lex drove in silence on the way into town. The air in the car was lukewarm at best. Sam made it known he was still frustrated with Lex. Lex made it known, knowing what she knew now, she would have done it all again. Sam wasn't sure if it angered him more, or just that she picked John's side over his.

Pulling into 'Renee's' was like pulling into the wrong side of the tracks. The building, once white, was now a disgusting shade of green from the long harsh winters and rainy summer months. Strips of mildewed paint clung lifelessly from corners of the building revealing the molding wood underneath. The windows looked as if they hadn't been cleaned since the place opened. And the screen door almost fell off its hinges as the lightest of winds passed through. Had it not been for the brightly colored neon stars, moon, and tarot reading sign, this place would have looked deserted.

Lex raised a cautious brow toward Sam. "We're really going in there?"

Sam swallowed hard getting the same creeped out feeling as Lex, "It's the only place we've come across that might carry an Ouija board."

"Is it even open?" Sam pointed to a small black and orange 'OPEN' sign hanging just inside the main door. It was barely noticeable through the caked on dirt and grime. "This is how all bad horror movies start ya know, and the hot chick is usually one of the first to knocked off," Lex pointed out. "Give me a second to get changed."

"Seriously?"

Lex glared at him, "You don't seriously expect me to walk in there dressed like this and completely unarmed do you? Turn around, and don't peek."

"You really are serious."

"Hell yeah I am. I don't go anywhere that sketchy without being armed." Lex motioned Sam to turn around and face the door while she maneuvered into the back seat of the small Sudan. This was not her first rodeo car change, in fact, she was well practiced. It only took a few seconds for her to unbutton her blouse and bra, slip into her sports bra and t-shirt all the while keeping herself hidden from the view of the street and Sam.

"Sometimes you sound just like Dean," Sam said keeping his eyes adverted as best as could. Every now and again he would fight down the urge to peek in the review mirror, but then thought of Lex kicking his ass deterred him.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing," Lex asked as she fought with the skirt, trying to slip it down and over her holey jeans.

Sam shrugged, "It's a good thing."

This was too good to pass up. "Sam, is there something you need to tell me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Should I be concerned?"

"Concerned about what?"

"That the only reason you and I have hit it off so well is because you have a thing for Dean?" There was a quick moment of triumphant across her face as she freed the skirt from its confines'.

"What!" Sam's head spun around so fast Lex thought he might have snapped it.

She laughed, "You walked right into it, Sam."

"Finished getting changed," he demanded, but the anger he tried to convey was hinder by the smile on his face and the chuckle under his breath. He rolled his eyes adverting them back to the window. "I meant…"

"I know what you meant." Lex grabbed a pair of indoor soccer shoes and slipped them on. "And I am honored to know you think so highly of me. Now let's get going." Lex pulled out a small .22 from her bag and slipped it into the back of her pants belt before putting on a black leather jacket to cover her piece. "Let's find you a Ouji Board."

"It's pronounced Ouija"

Lex shrugged opening the door to the back of the car and letting herself out. Even the smell said this place was dead. The area was fragrant with decay. Something died here and was left to rot. Lex began to beg Sam with her eyes, wanting to go back to the hospital. Then it occurred to her how bad this place must be if she was willing to go back to that hell hole.

Sam was apologetic but he continued his trek to the door. The stairs looked just as bad as the rest of the building, and far less stable. Sam decided to go first. If he could make, Lex should be okay, or at least that was the theory. He put one foot on the first step and it groaned under his weight. Sam could have sworn it dropped a few inches too, but it held. Three steps later and he was at the door. Lex followed suit, with just as much caution.

As they pressed on through the door, the hinges squeaked. The sound reminded them of nails on a chalk board an caused both shuddered. Their sense of smell was attack by the waves of incense hitting them from all directions. It was obvious the owner of the place needed something to combat the stench from outside. The room was so foggy from all the smoke seeing became a challenge and dodging the merchandise around the room became a game. Adding to the fun was the lack of space to maneuver around. It didn't matter which way she turned, Lex was finding herself almost about to elbow something off a shelf or kick something very expensive with her feet. Lex considered the old saying 'you break it you bought it' and realized just how clever the owner of this place was.

"Hello!" Sam called out.

Lex ran through every horror movie she'd ever seen and considered how many of them started out just like this. Insert any one of them here, she thought bitterly. "Look Sam, I don't think anyone is her…"

Both of them heard a noise from the back room, if there was a back room. Neither one could see far enough to tell. But they were both hunters, and they didn't need to see to be able to pinpoint a sound. Lex reached for her gun. Sam, however, reached out his arm to stop her from taking aim. "Hello, we're looking for something…"

Coming out of the smoke appeared a little old lady. She barely reached Sam's belt and was as big around as she was tall. She walked hunched over like the hunchback of Notre dame. The only thing keeping her upright was a rather unique walking staff. And as she walked her body jingled out of rhythm with all the gold and jewelry hanging from her snow white hair and pastel colored clothing. Upon closer inspection Sam could see she had a cataract in one eye while the other as blue as the ocean. Her good eye caught sight of Sam and Lex causing a toothless grin to sweep across her face. "Can I help you two," she asked. Her voice was overly friendly, almost too much.

"Is that staff made from Amboyna," Lex questioned, intrigued.

Until this point, the gypsy seemed more fascinated with Sam taking little to no interest in Lex. But now the old woman seemed truly shocked. It was hard to tell if was because of Lex's question, or Lex. She continued to glance between Lex and her cane while her smile broadened. "It's a rare find for a youngling to know of such rare woods." The woman continued to smile, but her eyes stayed with Lex, making the hunter extremely nervous.

Lex was now wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. "A hobby." Lex remarked taken aback by the woman's stare. She turned her back to gypsy and pulled Sam's ear to her. "Find your damned board and let's get out of here. The woman's really starting to seriously creep me out." Lex took one last look at the old gypsy before she turned her back on them and pretended to look around at the merchandise for sale at the farthest end of the store.

The gypsy's eyes followed Lex until Sam spoke up again. "I'm looking for an Ouija board. I was hoping you might have one."

The old woman's good eye finally adverted away from Lex only to glare at Sam. "You have a kind soul boy but if you allow yourself to succumb, your soul will shatter and you will lose everything you hold dear, including her." Sam tried to question the old woman but she stopped him. "She is valuable and vulnerable, keep her hidden, and keep her safe. Make sure they never find her."

"Who," Sam demanded.

"You already know the answer to that boy. Now let's find you that board shall we." The gyspy smiled her toothless grin and expertly maneuvered her way through the mounds of items for sale. Everything looked old, fragile and easily breakable much like the woman Sam followed.

Several times Sam tried to talk with her but the woman wouldn't have any of it. She found the board and passed it off to Sam, saying little to nothing more than sale pitches on other items he might find interesting. The only word Sam was able to get in edgewise was asking for the price and then handed her a couple of twenties.

The gypsy greedily took the money, wished them a 'blessed' day and escorting them out the door in a hurry. The entire ride back to the hospital was clouded by the old hag's words. His soul would shatter? Was she talking about the 'Yellowed Eyed' demon? Did this have something to do with him and the other kids like him? Deep down, he already knew the answer to that too.

But what the hell did she mean about Lexi?

When they met Lex a few months ago, Yellow Eyes made a ball dropping appearance clearly making it known how important she was to him. Even John asked his sons to protect her but they didn't know why and yet strangely it never occurred to either of the Winchester boys to ask. It just felt right. The idea suddenly appeared unusual to Sam because he questioned everything his father asked, except this.

"You are quiet? Crushing on the old gypsy?" Lexi joked. Nothing. "Sam? Hello?"

He shook his head, "yeah what?"

"What's wrong Sam?"

"Nothing."

"Bull shit. I may have only seen it a couple of times but I know that look, you're deep in thought. What's up?"

"Just concerned for Dean," Sam lied.

Lex wanted to call his bluff, but then considered her own actions today. If she was allowed her secrets Sam should be allowed his.

The rest of the ride back to the hospital was much like the ride in. Silent. But it took a lot less time. Once they arrived Sam bolted up to the ICU. Lex followed suit.

Just before Sam entered Dean's room he took a moment to consider everything that happened over the last forty eight hours. Saving their father from the demons, finding out Yellow Eyes took over their dad, the car accident and ending up on this place, seeing Dean literally on his dying bed, and then the old Hag. Then he started to considered the last few months of his life, Jessica dying, looking for their father, the adventures Dean and he lived through – dozens of them, and of course meeting Lex.

Everything that happened to Sam, good and bad, all gave him insight and he realized he couldn't take anything for granted. So he did the only thing that made sense, he reached for Lex's arm pulling her into him passionately kissing her. She wasn't the first girl he kissed since Jessica but was most certainly more meaningful.

Forgetting about his broken cheek and bruise face he smiled, "It just occurred to me that life is short and seeing Dean like this made me realize I didn't want to die without at least doing that once. And I wanted to do more than just say thank you for being here."

/ That's my boy! Though it sucks it took for me to be dying before you manned up!/ Dean chuckled leaning up against the wall. /I never realized how cool it would be to be a ghost… although having a reaper on my ass is not my idea of a Sunday picnic if ya know what I mean./ Dean raised a brow. /No of course you don't know what I mean. You can't hear me./

Lex, who was utterly shocked, pulled away completely unsure of what to say, which was far from normal for her. Lex always had a witty remark for most situations, but this one. "Sam…" Lex had to quickly readjusted and regroup her cool calm nature to hide the sheer excitement rippling through her body. "Hopefully, it won't be the last, but right now you have a date with a ghost. I'll go check up on your dad. Let me know how it turns out."

Lex turned on her heels toward John's room, glancing over her shoulder every other step to see him disappear through the door. The moment he was out of eye shot Lex threw her arms into the air doing a ballet spin to release her excitement almost landing into a male nurse. "Sorry…" she said sheepishly disappearing into John's room.

/I didn't realize Sammy made you so happy. I just wish you'd let him see it./

Lex took in a collective breath before she could confront John. She wanted to remain collected and centered. Tonight was the night when he would… The moment Lex entered the room to see it empty her stomach sank. She knew he was already gone to make a deal with a demon. The duffle bag Sam brought was gone, including all the ingredients and the Colt.

She began to consider John and his normal hunting tactics. He would go somewhere out of the way of people. He would go somewhere hidden but close to keep an eye on his boys. He would want privacy and he would want somewhere he could have the upper hand, if at all possible with Azazel involved. Meaning John would stay in the hospital where not many people traveled. The roof… no… too open. The stair well? Again too open, and left too many chances to get caught. Lex racked her brain trying to think of possible empty areas he might use… maybe an empty room…

That's when the light switch went off in her mind. The Broiler Room. Lex passed the door several times this afternoon. It was the perfect place. It was the only place no one really went to except for maintenance workers. Lex checked her watch, and at this time of the day it was likely most of employees were gone leaving only a small skeleton crew to handle any serious disasters.

After recounting the rounds left in magazine, Lex shoved it back into her back belt and raced out of the John's room toward the boiler room. It was left cracked open. John was planning on coming back out this way. Lex checked her six to make sure no one saw her before she quietly slipped through the door.

Heat and steam hit her face as she trekked through the lower realms of the hospital. This was like a whole new world of pipes and equipment. It was a far cry from tracking prey in the woods. One, they left tracks in the mud and dirt; two, most of the time they didn't know they were being tracked; and three, this prey was John… Lex did her best. She considered everything she knew about John, though it would only get her so far. The basement was like a maze of tubes and doorways. The hospital was hundreds of thousands of square feet, and John could be in any corner. Lex, however, was willing to bet John wouldn't stray too far from his boys.

Off in the distance Lex heard talking…. "You conjuring me John… I'm surprised. I took you for a lot of things but suicidally reckless wasn't one of them…" It didn't take a rocket scientist to know who that was. Lex immediately took off towards the voices.

"I could always shoot you." That was John, which meant he had the colt out. At least he wasn't planning to go down without a fight. Honestly, Lex was hoping she would have more time to convince this decision out of John, but apparently he was set on making a deal. She ducked down behind a pipe there or a fitting here trying to be as quiet as she could.

"You could always miss." The demon said with laughter in his voice. "And you only got one try dontcha."

Silently, Lex came upon them. It appeared Azazel had taken over one of the skeleton crew workers. Beyond John were two more orderlies, big ones. Azazel wasn't playing around. "Did you honestly think you could trap me?"

A sly grin creeped across John's face, "Oh, I don't want to trap ya." He went silent and dropped the Colt. "I want to make a deal."

Lex swallowed hard leaning up against one of the larger pipes trying to get a better look. She needed to see Azazel, the looks on his face, what he thought about this deal, see if he would even consider taking the deal. "This is very unseemly… making deals with devils." By his stance, it seemed like he actually is considering it. "How do I know this isn't another trick?"

"It's no trick." Despite the desperate look in his eyes to save Dean's life, John was cool and collected just like he always was. "I will give you the colt and the bullet, but you've got to help Dean." Azazel paced around John, almost intrigued at the deal. "You've got to bring him back."

Azazel's face cracked with a despicable grin. "Why John you're a sentimentalist. If only your boys knew how much their daddy loved them."

"It's a good trade. You care a hell of a lot more about this gun than you do Dean." John took her advice, down play Dean's importance.

"Don't be so sure. He killed some people very special to me." She didn't know about that part though. Azazel took a moment to consider John's words. "But still, you're right he isn't much of a threat and neither is your other son of course. You know the truth right… about Sammy and the other children." This tugged at Lex's heart strings… what about Sam? What on earth was he talking about? Sam and the other children?

"Yeah, I've known for a while." Know what? What is this about, John? Lex already knew the answer however, it was about Sam's visions. Sam only ever mentioned it a couple of times, mostly he talked about the splitting headaches they caused, and his growing concern about why he was getting them. He strayed away from ever giving Lex too much detail.

"But Sam doesn't does he? You've been playing dumb!"

"Can you bring Dean back?" John's face was hard as a rock. He was officially done playing Azazel's games. He wanted to get right to the heart of the matter, the reason why John called him here. "Yes, or no."

"No." He took a pause enjoying the moment. "But I know someone who can. It's not a problem."

"Good, but before I give you the gun, I'm gonna wanna make sure Dean's okay… with my own eyes." He added just to make sure the terms of the deal were clear.

"Oh John, I'm offended. Don't you trust me?" Not as far as I can throw you Azazel, Lex mentally answered for John. John merely just shook his head, snickering at the demon. Azazel shrugged his shoulders, "Fine."

"So we have a deal?"

"No, John… not yet. You still need to sweeten the pot." Lex sucked in a deep breath. What else could the damned demon want? He was getting the Colt, the only weapon able to kill him. What more is there?

"With what?"

"There's something else I want as much as that gun… maybe more." Azazel's eyes were hard. He was serious. Thought after thought raced through her brain as she tried to consider what else this god forsaken beast wanted. Azazel's eyes never wavered, almost like he was looking into…

"Take mine!" She screamed coming around the corner.

Azazel smiled, "I wondered how long it would take you to come out of your hiding spot."

"Lex, get out of here, now," John yelled. It was the first time John ever yelled at her.

"Damn it John! He wants your soul! You…"

John stopped listening to her. Instead, he turned his back on her. It only occurred . "This has nothing to do with her."

Azazel nodded to the orderlies to escort Lex out. "He's right little girl, this is grown up time. Besides Lexi, as I've told you before you're far too valuable to me alive, soul and all."

Lex felt the muscular demonic hands wrap around her waist and arms. She tried to fight them off but her heart wasn't in it. "John, your soul! If you make this deal you're soul will be trapped in hell! John think about your boys! Think about how messed …."

"I'm doing this for them Lex. A father should never bury his children, his children should be burying him."

"Be gentle with her, ya hear. I need her intact." Azazel joked as the demonic orderlies picked up the desperately fighting Lex. "Do we have a deal John?"

"Yes." His voice never faltered, never cracked, never skipped a beat.

Lex's heart sank as another small piece was ripped out. Another one of her family was about to die. Tears sprang to her eyes, "No! John! They need you! Alive!" She begged and screamed. The demons threw her just outside the door closing it behind them. Lex landed with a thud but was quickly on her feet smashing the door with her fists. It wouldn't budge, but she continued to pound and hit out of pure frustration and pain.

Through the window she could see Azazel and John sealing the deal with a kiss, like most deals made with devils and demons. Then Azazel's demonic aura disappeared leaving the man he was possessing helplessly dead on the ground. John pressed by the orderlies and opened the door, ready to face the wrath of Alexis Fields.

"You bastard," she screamed through the sobs and tears throwing fist after fist into his chest. "Did you even consider how Sam and Dean would feel! You're their father, god damn it! They need you! I need you!"

John reached out his good arm and embraced Lex, loving her like he always had, as a father. "You've always been like a daughter to me." He paused letting her go, "Sam and Dean, they don't know it, but they are going to need you know more than ever. Please, be there for them. Keep them together, and help keep them strong."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"And continue to watch over Sam, if something happens… if he changes…"

Lex gulped down some tears, "What do you know John… what haven't you told them?"

"Just make sure Sam stays with us okay."

Lex closed her eyes trying to force down even more tears quickly coming but she couldn't and they ran down her cheeks like rivers. She nodded, agreeing to John's demands. "Stop wasting your last minutes talking to me, go say goodbye to your sons." Lex said with the only amount of command she could muster.

John smiled kissing her on the forehead, like he always did before he left, but this time it would be for good. "You're dad would've been proud of you Lexi. He always was." He let her go and raced to his sons' sides.

Images began to dance in her head of all the times she spent with John. They spend days wandering in the woods while he trained her how to track. They spend hours at a shooting range until she could hit the target every time center mass. He would come every few months with more stories about his sons, and as he told those stories his eyes would glow with pride.

Lex was thankful that she was alone. Her anger rose to the surface and she did the only thing she could think of to release it. With all the force she could, she ran her fist in and through the dry wall into the brick wall beyond. She needed the physical pain to forget about the mental pain, but it didn't work. She pulled her hand back out. It was bloody and probably broken but she didn't care. The tears and loss hit her like a tidal wave of grief, realizing the last person she looked up to, loved, and respected would be dead in a matter minutes. Lex dropped to her knees holding her broken hand balling as hard as she could.