I Remember You
Chapter 10
Bobby arrived home to find his guests gathered at the kitchen table sipping on coffee. Sam was looking a bit peaked and Dean was definitely in worried big brother mode.
Once Sam noticed Bobby enter the kitchen he stood, offering to help with the groceries he was carrying. Dean quickly blocked his little brother's way.
"Sammy, I'll help Bobby. You relax for now." It sounded to Bobby like and order an Sam obeyed without too much grumbling.
Dean grabbed the bag that contained the beer and made a happy noise. "Yes, we have beer and burgers, life is good."
Bobby shook his head. "Don't thank me or anything."
Sam chuckled at the comment. "You're way too nice to him Bobby."
Dean huffed. "Says the dude who got out of kitchen duty."
Sam's smiled brightened more. "I guess he likes me better."
"Boys stop it. I've had enough of this bickering. Dean, start making patties for dinner, and Sam, let's go hit the books and see if we can find anything to help out with your memory problem." Bobby said as he put the last of the groceries away.
Dean grabbed a beer out of the six-pack as he put them in the fridge. "Sure thing Bobby, I'll let you research geeks know when dinner is ready."
"Keep it up boy, and you can clean up after dinner too." Bobby replied as he guided Sam towards his library area.
Bobby grabbed a dusty tome off of his book shelf and handed it to Sam. "Here you go kid, this book is full of spells. There is a whole section on memory loss, so skim through and see if there is anything I missed."
Sam looked at him in surprise. "You've already gone through it?"
Bobby nodded. "Yeah, but there have been many times that you caught something I missed kid, so I'd feel better if you checked it for me."
Sam nodded. "Sure, I'll give it a go."
Both hunters found a chair and started plowing through their respective books.
-0-
Sam had made some notes from the book he had been given to read over. He then matched his notes with Bobby's and was surprised to find he had found some items that the older man had missed.
He walked over to Bobby who was perched at his desk and showed him the new items. "Good job there Sam. Research is just like riding a bicycle, you never truly forget how too. "
Sam nodded, pleased that he was of some help. "So does this information really help my situation?"
"Yeah, the thing is we don't know exactly what was used on you. Hopefully Ruby can find the demons and get that information, but if not we may have to use all this information to come up with a solution."
Sam was a bit doubtful on that but it didn't hurt to try.
Bobby shut his book and smiled. "I'm ready to take a break, why don't we head to the kitchen and grab a beer before the food is ready. Dean should have those burgers grilled up soon."
Sam returned the smile. He was starting to feel comfortable with Bobby. He definitely liked the man. "Sure sounds good."
Sam followed the elder hunter into the kitchen and took the beer the man offered as he sat down at the table.
Time at Bobby's house had been nice for Sam. There was room to roam, unlike the motel rooms and Impala, and it was nice to visit with someone else who knew him.
"So Bobby, can I ask you a question?" Sam watched as the weathered man before him took swig of beer before answering.
"Sure kid, you can ask me anything."
Sam smiled at that. Bobby seemed so much more open than Dean, and it was refreshing. He could sense that Dean was trying to protect him by holding back on some of their life.
"How long have you known me?" Sam thought he'd start off small.
"Uh, geesh Sam, you were a toddler the first time your daddy brought you to my house. Cute little bugger, full of questions. I guess some things never change." Bobby winked at Sam.
Sam felt himself blush a bit. "So um, have I always been close to Dean?"
Bobby smiled at that question. "Yep, never seen two brothers any closer. After you mom died, I think John trusted Dean to watch over you. Dean took that job serious. In a lot of ways Dean raised you."
"Really? So Dad wasn't around much huh?" Sam was trying to process this picture of early life with Dean.
"Your daddy tried his best but he was obsessed. He had this need to avenge your mom's death and to save innocents to make up for not saving Mary. Dean picked up the slack, taking care of and teaching what you needed to know. Both of you boys sacrificed a lot growing up, but Dean gave up almost all of his childhood to take care of you." Bobby looked down at his beer deep in his memories and thoughts.
Sam swallowed hard, keeping the emotions at bay. It was weird because while he felt disconnected for this story of his past, he still felt sympathy for his brother. He knew that everything Bobby said was true, because he was starting to see the devotion Dean still had towards him.
"So what was my relationship like with Dad?" Sam asked tentatively not sure how far Bobby was willing to go.
"It was a bit rough. You two were too much alike and butted heads. Dean played peacemaker. He was caught in the middle a lot. I remember when you left for college, there was this big blow up. Dean seemed so lost without you and John was so afraid."
Sam was puzzled about that statement. "Afraid?"
"Yeah, he was proud of you kiddo but was afraid of what would happen to you if you left hunting and his protection." Bobby gave Sam a reassuring smile.
Sam was about to ask another question when Dean entered the kitchen through the back door.
"Burgers up!" Dean hollered as he entered the room.
-0-
Dean sighed. It had been a long day. It was nice to chill out on Bobby's back porch drinking in peace.
Sam had left him there a few minutes ago wanting a hot shower before bed and Bobby was cleaning up the kitchen.
Dean's peace was interrupted as the elder hunter joined him on the porch with his own beer. He nodded at Bobby and took another swig of beer.
"So Dean, uh Sam was asking me a bit about his life and I was wondering is there anything I need to avoid talking to him about?" Bobby plopped down next to Dean on the rickety bench that sat on the porch.
"I've glossed over so much, it's best to keep things vague for now. I don't want to overwhelm the kid, you know?"
Bobby nodded. "Yeah I know, but you should at least tell him about the deal."
"No way. He doesn't need that crap weighing down on him. In fact it's been nice to not hear about the damn deal. His ignorance has been my bliss." Dean smirked at his turn of phrase.
Bobby just huffed. "Well, here's the deal son. What if the kid doesn't get his memory back? That is a very real possibility. Your deal comes due and what, you just disappear?"
"Yep. I'll tell him I'm leaving for a hunt, I'll leave him with you and I'll just not make it back. He can live the rest of his life guilt free." Dean smiled at that thought. The kid deserved a life without guilt.
"You're just deluding yourself. Somewhere, somehow the truth would come out!" Bobby spat out angrily.
"Maybe, but I'm willing to risk it, because there is a real possibility that he would never learn the truth." Dean looked away not wanting to discuss the topic any further.
"Selfish bastard, I'd be the one to pick up the pieces." Bobby replied.
"Dude, that's going to happen whether he knows the truth or not." Dean stated calmly.
"So you giving up on finding a way out of the deal?" Bobby asked sullenly.
"I figure you can still research it. You have all of Sam's notes right? So you find something great, but Sam doesn't have to worry about it anymore."
Bobby shook his head. "Well at least until he gets his memory back and then he's gonna kick your ass for making him lose so much time." Bobby rose from the bench and started for the backdoor.
"Night Bobby."
Bobby just shook his head and muttered. Stubborn ass Winchesters!
As Bobby left Dean to the quiet of the night, a thought kept going through the young hunter's mind. As long as Sam didn't remember, he didn't have to feel guilty about the deal.
The more Dean drank the more it became apparent. This was the solution. He could protect his brother one last time by keeping the boy in the dark.
It would hurt not to have the close relationship they had shared, but it would be worth the sacrifice if he could save Sam the guilt. There would still be grief but with no memory of the deal - Sam would escape the guilt.
By the time Dean got up to head inside the house, he felt light for the first time in weeks. Protecting Sam was always what Dean did best and now he could protect his little brother one final time.
-0-
Sam found himself on a college campus. As he watched, Jess appeared with her right arm around his or his dream self's waist.
As he watched, Jess lead his dream self towards a building on campus. They entered a back door and Sam followed. Inside was a large lecture hall and in the front there were ten robed figures, one of the robes was black, the rest were brown.
Sam knew this wasn't good, but after the horrific dreams of the past, he knew this was just that, a horrific dream; a fake memory.
Jess guided Sam up to the black robe. The hood was pulled back to expose a beautiful dark haired beauty. The woman spoke.
"Hi Sam, Jess has told us all about you. My name is Mara, are you ready to join our family? It's sad that yours has forsaken you, but we will take you in tonight as one of us. Forever, you will belong to our family."
The intense glare of the woman sent chills down his spine, but his dream self was smiling.
"Mistress Mara, I would be proud to join your family." Dream Sam stepped forward and removed his t-shirt handing it to Jess. He then laid himself on top of the lecture desk.
Sam's breath caught. The other robed figures gathered around Dream Sam chanting. Sam realized this was the demons wanting him to believe he had already joined them.
Dream Sam took Jess's hand. "I love you Jess." Jess smiled and stood by his side.
Mara spoke. She took Sam's other hand. "Are you ready Sam?"
Dream Sam nodded. "Yes."
Mara pulled a large knife out of a sheath that was lying on the desk/altar. She raised it for all to see and then ran the sharp blade across her forearm. Mara then took Dream Sam's arm and repeated the process.
Sam made a sympathy wince and watched in dread and fascination as Mara place her arm on top of Dream Sam's - sharing her blood with him.
"We are now bonded young Sam. You belong to me, now." Mara raised her hands. "Children, please welcome Sam to our family."
As Sam watched, his dream self was surrounded by the others. Each and everyone laying their hands on him, chanting.
Sam couldn't take it anymore. He screamed. "This isn't real! This is just a sick dream!"
To Sam's amazement and shock, the robe figures, Jess and Mara all turned a looked at him.
Mara laughed. "This might be a dream Sam, but make no mistake. You and your wonderful powers, now belong to me, forever!"
A/N: Sorry to leave it on a cliff hanger- but I promise to post more soon! :0)