Flipside

Chapter 10 – The Whole She-bang

Sam flipped another page in the Norse mythology book and groaned. Her stomach gurgled and she stood up and went into the kitchen. There must have been something seriously wrong with her; she just couldn't stop eating today. Four sandwiches, two packets of chips as well as Bobby's breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast and she still wasn't satisfied.

"Seriously Sam? More food?" Bobby gave Sam a concerned look as he walked into the kitchen. This had been the fourth time he had caught Sam scavenging for food; if she kept going like this his cupboards were going to be bare by tomorrow.

The younger Winchester froze on her way to the fridge and turned her head to Bobby. "I know," she answered lamely, "but my stomach just won't stop! I've never been this hungry before in my life."

Bobby stepped closer to Sam. "You're gonna eat me outta house and home soon," he said, wondering at the same time if it might be pertinent to block Sam's path to the refrigerator.

Sam cast a longing glance at the fridge and then let her head drop. "You're right, I'll just ignore it. I just wish I knew why I was so hungry."

The look on Sam's face made Bobby crack, and he couldn't refuse her any longer. He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a carrot. "Here," he said handing the vegetable to Sam, "munch on this. It should keep you occupied for a while."

Sam took the carrot from Bobby's hand and smiled. "Thanks Bobby, I'll make sure to do some shopping for you when Dean and Cas get back with the Impala."

"You better," Bobby retorted gruffly, exiting the room and leaving Sam to her own devices.

Heading back to the living room Sam took a bite of the carrot and found herself wishing Dean had left the car with her so she could go on a burger run. As good as sandwiches and carrots were, her real craving was for unhealthy fatty food like hamburgers and fries and butt-loads of chocolate. She could have about died for some chocolate. Her strange hunger and cravings weren't the only irregular things happening to her though, the last few days she had also been feeling pretty crappy for no reason she could really explain. In fact, since she had woken up female she had been rather sad and cranky, and she had had this headache that she just couldn't shake.

She sat back down at the desk and continued reading about Norse mythology as she ate her carrot. This whole situation sucked, really. She had put on a happy face for Dean because she knew if she started bitching the antagonism about being female would never end. Sam's problem wasn't so much that she had anything against being female on the surface – which she knew was probably about 90% of Dean's complaint – it was the apparent side effects that came with it. Dean didn't seem to be getting the same effects as Sam or if she was getting them she was doing a pretty good job of hiding it, so that probably explained why she was stuck on having breasts and a curvier waist. The funny thing was Sam felt like she knew what all these symptoms pointed to, she was sure she had heard about this happening to women for some reason, but she couldn't put her finger on the cause. Maybe she was just coming down with the flu or something, which wouldn't be very good because it would put her out of action but at least she knew it would eventually pass; but no, it couldn't be the flu because she wouldn't be hungry if she was getting the flu – food would be repulsing her, or she'd at least be hocking it back up if it wasn't.

There was suddenly a sharp pain in her abdomen and Sam doubled over with a gasp. She stayed like that for a few seconds and just when she thought the pain was dissipating, a second jolt of pain shot through her like a bolt of lightning. Maybe she had eaten so much her stomach had burst, Sam thought, because it sure felt like that – except it didn't, not exactly. The pain was lower than usual for a stomachache, and more localized. It felt like something was pushing on her bladder, she felt bloated and the pain was more intense than anything she had felt in her stomach before. She moaned and lifted herself off the chair slowly so as not to induce another wave of pain. She began to walk cautiously to the bathroom. Perhaps she had eaten something not quite right and she was paying for it. That was her best guess anyway since she had eliminated the possibility of a stomachache.

It took her a few minutes to actually get to the bathroom and hobble over to the toilet while she attempted to ignore the pain radiating from her centre. While it wasn't the worst pain she had ever felt (being stabbed in the chest was pretty much seconded in agony by nothing) it came pretty damn close. She slipped off her pants and sat herself down. She knew what this was; she could feel it. It was on the tip of her tongue. It was going to be so obvious when she figured it out, she thought. She let her head drop in exasperation.

And that's when she saw it.

The blood. All over her underwear.

Sam blinked. She hadn't been hurt in any way that she knew of, and certainly not down in that regio- then everything clicked into place and the look on her face turned from bewilderment to outright indignation. "GABRIEL!"

"You called, sweetie?" Gabriel said, perched up on the basin like some kind of bird. He looked down at Sam and grinned.

Sam yelped and stretched her shirt over her knees to cover herself. "What the hell are you doing in here? Can't you see I need some privacy!"

"Oh calm down, I'm a multi-millennia-old archangel, I've seen all the bits and bobs before, trust me." Gabriel hopped down from his perch and leaned himself against the wall. "Besides, you were the one who called me, milady."

"Yeah, about that," Sam spoke through gritted teeth, "why do I have working ovaries?"

"That time of the month, huh?" Gabriel laughed, but upon seeing the seething look in Sam's eyes stopped himself and returned to seriousness. "Look Sammy, when I do something, I do it properly. No half-assing it, that's lazy. For me, I always go the whole shebang."

'What are you saying?"

Gabriel smirked. "Well, I turned you guys into chicks, right? So that means I gave you guys everything, I didn't just do an outer makeover. You're as female on the inside as you are on the outside lassie!"

Sam growled, stood and pulled her pants up in a motion that was so fast Gabriel scarcely had time to process it let alone catch a glimpse of anything. "You are sick, Gabriel. It's one thing to give us pretty faces and boobs, but menstrual cycles as well? That's one step too far."

"What are you gonna do?" Gabriel asked, closing the distance between them and looking up slightly to compensate for the height difference that was still somewhat significant. "Kill me?"

Sam pressed her lips together as she looked down at Gabriel. After a few moments she sighed and turned away. "No."

"Exactly." Gabriel smiled and took a step back. "You'll get used to it, Sammy, just like every other woman does."

"Don't call me 'Sammy'," Sam spat. The name coming out of anybody's mouth besides Dean's put her off, but coming out of Gabriel it disgusted her.

Gabriel nodded. "Sorry, Sam."

Sam couldn't take any more of this. She walked out of the bathroom leaving Gabriel alone. This feeling of being completely out of control of her own life was starting to get to her. Between demons, angels, monsters and Dean, she scarcely had the opportunity the make final decisions for herself. Now she could add Gabriel to the list of things controlling her existence - and he probably had more pull than all of the others combined. Would there ever be a day when she could exist in her own body without having someone mess with her? She was guessing it was unlikely.

She winced as her stomach contracted again and plodded along to the guest bedroom that she had put her things in. She and Dean always took the same rooms when they stayed the night at Bobby's; really it was her room, she had used it enough to claim it in any case, but until she and Dean actually moved in with Bobby (which she hoped they'd never have to do, the poor guy had enough of them during their short stays) it would be a fixture for guests. When she got to the room she went over to her bag, which she had thrown in the corner and pulled out a new pair of underwear. When were Dean and Cas going to get back? She just wanted the freaking Impala so she could go buy herself unhealthy food and now a packet of pads, but Dean and Cas were out having fun somewhere while she was trapped here with Bobby who wouldn't let her eat any more.

Sam growled and went back to the bathroom, finding that Gabriel had not left like she was hoping he would. Her eyebrows furrowed and she put her shoulders back. "Why are you still here?"

"Because you are so intense when you're angry," Gabriel answered in growl, waggling his eyebrows at her.

The younger Winchester rolled her eyes. "First of all, ew. Second of all, if you know what's good for you, you'll never look at me like that again."

Gabriel sat down on the edge of the bathtub and sighed. "You know Sam, out of your little trio I've always liked you best. You've got a good head on your shoulders."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam asked.

"That you actually use your brain. It's kind a… turn on." The angel lifted his hand and looked at his nails nonchalantly.

Sam squeezed her eyes together. "Please tell me you're not hitting on me," she said.

Gabriel chuckled. "Why, does it make you uncomfortable?"

"Very," Sam snapped.

"Why does it make you uncomfortable?" Gabriel asked, standing and moving towards Sam again. "Is it maybe because some part of you is enjoying it?"

"No it's because you're a freaking creep," Sam retorted. "You change my body without asking me or telling me, and you expect me to not only be okay with it but to respond to your flirting? You said I had a good head on my shoulders, you should be aware that I'm smarter than that."

Gabriel paused. "Good point."

"Great point."

"Well I'll leave it there for today then, since you have such a good argument. I'll respect your wishes. Until next time, Sam." He disappeared, leaving Sam to wonder what the hell just happened, and feeling like she needed to take a shower to wash off creepy vibes Gabriel had been radiating.

Bobby walked into the kitchen to find Dean and Sam already dressed and polishing off their toast. They sat at the wooden kitchen table with empty plates in front of them and half full coffee mugs. Sam's laptop was open in front of her and Dean was just standing up from her seat where she had some newspaper clippings strewn across the table. They had their usual outfits on, thick denim and khaki jackets with plaid flannel shirts and worn blue washed denim jeans. Bobby had been asleep when Dean and Cas had got back from their 'date' and after he had given Sam the carrot she had become peculiarly cranky; as a consequence he hadn't spoken to either Winchester since the afternoon before and was surprised to see them up and about so early.

"What are you two up to?" he asked suspiciously, casting a glance at the newspaper Dean had spread over the kitchen table.

"Good morning Bobby. We're preparing to go on that hunt we found yesterday," Dean said, pulling a bag of salt out from underneath the sink where Bobby knew at least an additional ten more bags were being stored.

Sam pulled out what looked like a flat wad of something covered in plastic packaging and thrust it out at Dean. "You should keep this handy," she said exasperatedly, giving Dean a weary look.

Dean took it from Sam and examined it. "What the hell is this?" She asked, unable to figure out what the spongy contents inside this purple wrapper could possibly be or how it could help her.

"It's a sanitary pad," Sam answered. "Gabriel went and I quote, the 'whole shebang' when he changed us. You're gonna get your period sooner or later so best to keep it handy. I got mine sooner." She spoke with great irritation. The pain had lessened somewhat for her since yesterday, but she still hadn't forgiven Gabriel in the slightest or forgotten is sleazy advances.

"No," Bobby and Dean exclaimed in unison, both as shocked as each other.

Sam nodded her head solemnly. "Yes."

"The next time I see Gabriel I am going to rip his lungs out through his throat," Dean declared, stuffing the pad into her jacket pocket.

"So you're going over to Michigan then?" Bobby said, changing the subject back to the issue at hand. "That'll take you at least a week on the road."

"Yep," Dean agreed, "I think it might help us to clear our heads a bit, give us something to focus on besides these bodies."

Sam grunted. She didn't think it would be possible for her to get her mind off her body at the moment.

Bobby strolled over to the kettle and filled it up with water, then switched it on to boil. He turned back to Sam and Dean who were starting to sort their guns out at the table. "So how did you go with Cas last night?" He asked, looking pointedly at Dean.

Dean paused and then suddenly became very absorbed in loading her pistol. She didn't look up at Bobby, instead choosing to keep her focus on the gun. "It went fine."

"Obviously not good enough to get Gabriel to turn us back," Sam commented as she slid salt rounds into her shotgun.

"Look, we tried, okay?" Dean was defensive and both Sam and Bobby stared at her in bemusement for a moment before sharing a look with each other.

The kettle finished boiling and Bobby grabbed himself a mug out of one of the cupboards. He put a few spoons of ground coffee into it and double the amount of sugar. Something told him he was going to need extra-strength today.

The sisters continued prepping their weapons, loading guns and sharpening knives, and stocking up on any useful supplies from Bobby's expansive stash. It took them about an hour before they decided they were ready to hit the road and Bobby saw them to the door wishing them the best of luck.

"Just try not to get yerselves killed, okay?" He stood in the doorway, watching Sam and Dean put their things into the hidden compartment in the boot of the Impala.

"We'll be fine Bobby," Dean assured as she slotted the last knife into place and slammed the boot shut.

Sam dusted off her hands and nodded to Bobby. "See ya, Bobby."

"See ya Sam, Dean," Bobby replied, nodding back at the two of them.

The Winchesters slid into the polished black Impala and a moment later the loud growl of the engine roared into life and Dean flicked on the ignition. Within moments the car was pulling out of the scrapyard kicking up dust into the warm air behind it. Bobby retreated back into the house and closed the door. For a temporary amount of time, peace returned to Sioux Falls.

"So have we got some dead mans blood?" Dean asked as the Impala coasted down the highway. They were fairly certain they were hunting a vampire.

"Yep, a few gallons of it in the back. Can't be too careful." Sam shifted in her seat and groaned. "My vagina feels like it's going to fall out."

Dean did a doubletake at Sam. "What are you- too much information, dude!"

Sam glared at Dean. "Easy for you to say, you're not the one in throbbing pain."

"No, I'm just the one being slammed together with an angel against my will." Dean stared out at the road, which was empty except for the Impala. The highway was skirted by desert and there was very little to look at besides the steaming asphalt that ran out in front of them into the distance. The sun beat down on the black metal, heating the two women inside uncomfortably. Sam rolled down the window, which let in a breeze that ruffled her hair. The leather seats began to stick to their backs in the heat, and the smell of baking leather filled the car. Dean removed her jacket, leaving her in just her black t-shirt.

They both sighed simultaneously; it was going to be a long week.

To Be Continued...