Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!

Secrets

Chapter 9 – Calm before the Storm

Sam let the hot water cascade down his shoulders. Shoulders that now felt the weight of what he had suspected all along. Some how he was supposed to kill the demon or he would be destroyed by it. And if he was right and the demon could somehow sense him, he understood why his father had stayed away from him.

Sam felt the tears mixing with the warm water as he finally realized the depth of his father's love for him. His father had been going after the demon not for revenge, but to protect his sons. He could now see the reason for his father's strict rules and training and he even understood that in sacrificing himself to save Dean, he was also sacrificing himself to save Sam. He had given the ultimate show of love for his sons.

Sam not only carried the weight of what may happen going forward, but he also carried the weight of his guilt from the past. He just wished he could see his father one more time, tell him that he loved him and he understood. He wondered if his father would ever have considered him ready to know the truth. Maybe if Sam had better control over his abilities…

"Hey Sammy are you ok in there?" Dean pounded on the door. He had heard the soft sobs coming from the shower and was worried. He never should have told Sam, his father had been right. Sam was still dealing with his new abilities and how to control them. Now he had to deal with knowing that unless he could control them, more than his life was at risk. He just had to hope that his brother would be able to pull it together…he knew that Sam was strong enough, but the problem was Sam still lacked confidence in himself.

"Sammy, I mean it if you don't answer me, I'm going to come in…and I really don't think I need to see a naked Sammy right now." Dean heard the water being turned off. He stepped back as the door opened and Sam emerged.

"I'm fine Dean…sorry; I think I used all the hot water."

"Great…next time I get to use the shower first!" Dean punched Sam lightly on the shoulder lightening his words. He was rewarded with a small smile on his brother's haggard face.

Sam moved to the bed and sat, staring into space as if he couldn't figure out what to do next. Truth was, the shower had relaxed him, but it also had made him feel the exhaustion that seemed to plague him lately.

"Ah…Sam, I don't think a towel will be the appropriate attire for the restaurant. Do you think you could at least put on a pair of pants?" Dean sighed as Sam continued to stare as if he hadn't heard him. His brother really needed to get some more sleep, but he knew that wasn't going to happen.

Dean moved over to Sam's bag and quietly grabbed his brother's clothes. He knelt down in front of Sam and placed his hand gently on Sam's knee. "Here you go Sam…we need to eat and then we can try to find this friend of yours ok?"

Sam blinked and shook his head to clear the fog that had settled into his mind. "Sorry Dean…just give me a minute." Sam mumbled as he reached for his clothes.

"Hey, take two…but if you're ass isn't in my car within the next 10 minutes…you're buying!" Dean grabbed his own shaving kit and headed for the bathroom.

When Dean came out, he smiled as he saw Sam standing by the door, the car keys dangling from his hand. With a giggle, Sam held the keys up high. "Guess you're buying shorty!"

Dean smirked. "Who you calling shorty…you know what they say Sam…the bigger they are."

Dean swept Sam's legs and grabbed for the keys as Sam went down. "The harder they fall!"

After a brief wrestling match, Dean finally jumped up with the keys in his hand. "Last one to the car buys hot shot!"

Sam rolled and bolted out the door, grabbing his brother's shirt, he pulled him back; his long legs getting him to the car moments before Dean. Dean saw the flush on his brother's cheeks and the twinkle in his brother's eye that he hadn't seen for too long. It was worth losing to see his brother relaxing and enjoying himself.

"Fine, I'll buy…but don't think I didn't see you cheating little brother. Just remember pay back's a bitch and now I definitely owe you one!"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam and Dean had just finished eating and were on their way to the car when Dean's cell phone rang. "Hey Ash, did you find our mystery girl?"

"Sure did Dean…between her picture and the tip that she was a hooker, it was a cinch. Her name is Trisha McArthur. I'm sending the information on her to Sam's email address as we speak. But you guys better be careful…looks like she may be one messed up chick.

"Thanks Ash…were you able to find out anything else on the other special children yet? I don't suppose there are a few more in this area is there?"

"Not yet Dean…but I'm working on it. I've got a few names for you guys once you finish up with this one though. I'm tracking down their current locations and will send that to Sam's email as well. Hey Dean, just using your search criteria…there is a large number of people popping up…something big is definitely in the wind dude…watch your backs!"

"We will Ash…you and Ellen do the same." Dean smiled as he hung up the phone.

"So…." Sam asked as he got into the car.

"So, we have a name. Trisha McArthur. Ash has sent you her information. I say we go to the hotel and do some research on the bitch before we track her down." Dean was feeling much better. He had food, he had his brother and he had a lead…life was looking up.

Sam grinned. "Dean, try to contain yourself. I swear, a normal person would be running as fast as he could from this mess, but you're actually enjoying yourself…that's not normal Dean."

"I told you Sam, you and I are freaks…besides, being normal is highly over rated if you ask me. Who else gets to have maid service and food served to them on a regular basis…I ask you Sam, what more do we need?" Dean raised his eyebrow looking at Sam. He was rewarded with a Sammy dimple as he brother giggled.

"Man, we are really screwed up you know that don't you?"

"Yeah, but who cares…" Dean headed back to the hotel to get the answers that he hoped would keep the smile on his little brother's face.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Trisha walked around the store trying on different outfits as she prepared for her meeting with Sam. She sensed that he would be coming soon and she wanted to make sure she made just the right impression with him.

Pulling out a tight pair of blue jeans and a small white tank top, she smiled. "Well, this normally isn't my style…but you have to use the right kind of lure to catch the biggest fish."

TBC

Raven524: Finally, I'm back to my computer! (pets computer…did you miss me?) I really love the holidays, but they do suck up the time. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season with lots of presents from Santa. And since you all have been so patient, I will be posting another chapter later today! So dust off those keyboards and send me the reviews…please??