Chapter Ten "Unfinished Business"

In spite of the warm sunlight, Sam couldn't shake the nighttime chill. Sleeping on a street corner would do that to you. He should have been planning what he would say. He only had two blocks to think about it. However, his feet seemed to have other ideas. Before he really knew what was happening, he was standing across the street from Jessica's apartment building. There were a few trees, so he wasn't too conspicuous just standing there looking. He didn't think she would appreciate company at six in the morning. She was always more of a night person. But the sight of a man leaving her place and Jessica standing in the doorway made Sam rethink everything.

Jessica watched the man go. From this distance, Sam couldn't tell whether she was happy or not. Her arms were crossed, and as soon as the man got on his motorcycle and drove out of sight, Jessica went back inside.

Sam stood frozen on the sidewalk. Had she found someone else? Anything might have happened in the last ten years. What if she were married? No. There was no ring. Sam remembered that, though he wasn't sure why he noticed. Maybe because in his dreams she always wore the ring he picked out for her but never got the chance to give her.

For a long time, Sam didn't move. He had abandoned all thoughts of talking to Jessica now. He had never considered the possibility that she might be seeing someone because he had never considered the possibility that she was alive. He couldn't talk to her, but he didn't want to leave. He wanted her to come back to the door so he could see her standing there, alive and happy. Maybe that would be enough.

Sam's thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. At first he thought it must have been Dean. It wasn't until Cas' gravelly voice came over the line that he realized it was too early for Dean to be up.

"Where are you?" Cas asked, sounding annoyed.

"I, uh, just went out for some air," Sam said. "Where are you?"

"Standing outside a motel room looking suspicious so I don't wake your brother up." Cas' snark seemed to be getting stronger.

"Is something wrong?"

"You've been missing for a few hours if that counts."

There was something else, but Sam wasn't going to press it. He told Cas where he was and that he'd be back soon.

"That's miles away," Cas said. "I'll come get you."

Sam was about to argue when the line disconnected. He sighed and leaned back against one of the trees, still watching Jessica's house. He knew this could be his last chance to see her. He made up his mind that he was going to focus on the case from now on. She obviously didn't want to talk to him. In the end, she might be better off without him. So, he stayed put, hoping to catch one more glimpse of her before he went back to living like she was dead.

~oOo~

Castiel had known since he arrived in Starling City that something was wrong with Sam. Something was usually wrong with Sam, but this was more than that. Over the years, Castiel had learned to sense the subtleties of the Winchester's moods. He knew better when to ask questions and when to remain silent. This seemed like one of the latter times. Except for the fact that Sam went for a twelve mile walk in the middle of the night. That would have to be answered for.

"Who was it?" Castiel asked as he drove back to the motel.

"Who was what?" Sam asked, gazing out the window.

"You went to see someone. But you seem disappointed, so either you didn't get to see them or the meeting wasn't what you hoped."

"I don't know anyone in that neighborhood. I was just walking."

"So you always stare forlornly at modest duplexes?"

Sam turned to look at Castiel who did his best to keep focused on the road. "What do you want me to say, Cas?"

"Only the truth." Castiel said. "Your behavior is... worrisome."

"You're worried about me?" Sam's tone was a little more than incredulous.

"I always worry about you and your brother."

Sam was quiet for a moment. Then, "Figured the hammer of Thor might ease your mind."

"You're changing the subject."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not going back there."

Castiel considered this statement, spoken with such forced conviction as if Sam were trying to convince himself.

"Unfinished business," Castiel said, "will always find its way back, often at the most inconvenient times."

Sam stared through the window again with a grave look in his eyes. "It's not on me to finish it."

~oOo~

Charlie showed up just as Dean was getting out of the shower. Sam still hadn't returned, which was odd. Dean figured he was just out getting coffee or something.

"No way you both fit in there," Charlie said as Dean came out of the bathroom.

"Sam went out before I got up," Dean said.

Charlie frowned. "He must have gone with Cas then, since your car is still here."

Dean shrugged. "Angels don't sleep, you know."

"Yeah, I've read the books."

Dean resisted rolling his eyes. Those damn books! "I say we go find some breakfast without those losers," he said.

"I'm game." Charlie looked at the enormous hammer on the table. "Should we just leave this here?"

"Not like anyone can move it without being worthy. Which up to now is a one man club."

"Guess you're right." Charlie headed for the door. "I'm thinking waffles."

Dean grabbed his jacket and followed her outside. "You read my mind." He pulled out his phone and dialed Laurel's number.

"Who could you possibly be calling when there are waffles to be had?" Charlie asked impatiently.

Dean held up his hand to silence her. Laurel answered on the third ring.

"Any news?" she asked, sounding like she'd been awake for a while.

"Yeah, quite a bit, actually. You had breakfast?"

"Not unless a piece of toast an hour ago counts."

"It doesn't. Meet us at the diner around the corner from the motel."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

Dean put his phone away and found Charlie staring at him inquisitively.

"Who are we inviting to breakfast and sharing information with?" She seemed to be implying a lot more than that.

"The one who turned us on to this case," Dean said, starting down the sidewalk. "She was possessed by a demon for a while, so she knew something was up."

Charlie fell in step beside Dean. "Was she in the books?" she asked excitedly.

Dean tried to think of the best way to put this. "The demon was," he finally said.

"Which one? Meg? Lilith?"

"Ruby."

Charlie stopped walking. "Ruby possessed a dead girl, Dean."

"Not the first time."

"But the books didn't say anything about what happened to blonde Ruby after the hellhound incident."

"We didn't know either. You know the books don't tell you everything."

Dean shouldn't have been so sharp with Charlie, but he didn't like being reminded how much she knew of their lives.

They walked the rest of the way to the diner in silence. A few minutes after they were seated and got their coffee, Laurel showed up. She slid into the booth next to Charlie, seeming to not notice she was there until they were side by side.

"Hi," Laurel said awkwardly. "I don't know you."

"Laurel, Charlie," Dean said. "She helps us out now and then."

"What, like Bobby?"

Dean grimaced at the memory. "Yeah, kinda."

"Sorry you got possessed by a demon," Charlie said. "That must suck."

"It does. Where's Sam?"

"He left before I got up," Dean replied. "I think he must have gone with Cas. I texted him to let him know we were here."

Laurel got a worried look in her eyes, but she didn't say anything because their waitress appeared to take their order. It was waffles all around and a milkshake for Laurel instead of coffee.

"So, what did you find out about our killer?" Laurel asked when they were alone again.

"Cas thinks it's Loki."

Laurel stared blankly. "Okay..."

"We've dealt with a few gods before, but apparently, he's one of the worst. But good for us, we found the hammer of Thor a few years ago, and Sam stashed it in the car."

"I thought only Thor could use the hammer of Thor," Laurel said. "Wasn't there some special glove or whatever?"

Dean shrugged. "Sam used it once before, so he's up to bat this time."

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out."

"Yeah, and that's just when life throws us a curve-ball."

"Like Sam disappearing conveniently with his girlfriend in town?"

"Wait, what girlfriend?" Charlie asked. "I thought they were all dead?"

"You really think he'd go find her now?" Dean asked, ignoring Charlie's question.

"He knows where she lives," Laurel said. "And another thing—why didn't you say you knew Oliver Queen?"

"Now I'm really confused," Charlie lamented.

"Who says I do?" Dean asked.

"Well, Oliver for one," Laurel answered. "He said you broke into his club, and he shot you with an arrow."

Charlie's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open, "Oliver Queen is the Arrow?"

"Shh!" Laurel exclaimed.

"Yes," Dean said. "I met him when I was looking for the crime scene. And I'm fine by the way." He rubbed his shoulder.

"Does Sam know?" Laurel asked.

"Why does it matter?"

Laurel sighed. "You two need to have a long talk. I'm not getting in the middle of this."

"Are they keeping secrets again?" Charlie asked.

"When aren't they?" Laurel responded.

The food arrived, and when the waitress had gone away again, Dean leaned forward and said in a low voice, "You think we could focus on the case for a while?"

"I think I'm focused on food." Laurel picked up her fork and started digging into her waffles. "Case later."

Charlie expressed her agreement by nodding with her mouth full. At least they all agreed on something.

~oOo~

Before going to meet Dean and Charlie, Sam and Cas stopped back at the motel so Sam could change clothes. As they walked up to the door of their room, Sam saw that it was open a crack. He knew Dean wouldn't leave it that way and immediately reached for his gun. Beside him, Cas drew his angel blade.

Sam nudged the door open. It was dark inside with the curtains drawn, but he could see the figure of a man standing next to the table, gripping the handle of Thor's hammer. He seemed surprised when they came in and jumped back, releasing the hammer and dropping something on the floor.

Sam took aim. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

Instead of replying, the man turned and ran toward the bathroom. There was no window to escape through. Sam and Cas rushed after him, and heard a crashing noise just before they burst through the door. Sam had forgotten about the skylight. Jagged glass still clung to the frame along with some bits of brown cloth from the intruder's coat and a strangely familiar smell.

"Cas, is that...?"

"The substance you found at the crime scene? Yes. The molecular structure is identical."

"Who was that guy?"

They went back out into the main room, and Cas switched on the lights. "I believe that was whoever has been helping Loki with these sacrifices. And he was after the hammer."

Cas looked down at the small object the man had dropped. Sam reached down and picked it up. It was a leather glove, made for a large hand with ornate designs burned into the material similar to the symbols found on the bodies.

"Cas, what do you know about the legends of Thor's glove?"

"Only that they are unsubstantiated. Until now."

"But I was able to lift the hammer without it."

Cas nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It is strange," he said. "When you used the hammer, what was it like? You said it had a... kick?"

"Yeah, it's not something I'd want to add to my usual arsenal."

"Perhaps the glove protects from that." His frown deepened. "Or allows the unworthy to lift the hammer if they are wearing it."

"Why would the guy just drop it then?"

"We seem to have startled him."

"Anyone who can blast through a double-paned skylight isn't going to be that easily startled."

Cas shook his head. "This is all very troubling. We should call the others."

Sam agreed. Dean, Charlie, and Laurel would want to know what had transpired. Then they would have to decide what they were going to do about it.

As always, let me know what you think. I'm getting excited for where this is going.