"Is there anyone else you can think of who would like to see the gallery bankrupt rather than blooming?", Zoë questions on.
She and Tate settled down in a harbor around the corner of Sam's private room. Zoë has been interrogating him since he returned with two cups of coffee. She's glad he got some, it's already 1:00 AM and she has had a rough night. With a sigh Zo puts down her empty plastic cup on a small table in front of her and waits for an answer on her question.
"No, not really", but then Tate hesitates. "Unless…"
"You can tell me", Zoë assures. "This is a matter of life and death now, Tate".
She hints at Sam's room, which she has a pretty clear view on, in case something would go wrong. The young Hamill sighs and starts to talk.
"My brother, Michael…", he starts to tell. "He started acting strange a couple of months back. First he took interest in the Art Gallery, he was always involved in projects and exhibitions, until recently. Suddenly he claimed he had better things to do, that he had to prepare for something big".
"Big, as in…?", Zoë wonders.
"He didn't say. Sometimes he locks himself up in a room for days or just strolls through the house without saying a single word. He cut himself off from his family and friends, he even quitted his job", he continues. "Mom and dad didn't approve one bit, but they think it's a faze".
"A faze?", Zoë lifts her eyebrows. "He's older than you. Isn't that a little late for puberty?"
"You know parents, they silently hope you'll stay a child forever, but then again, we're only twenty. I don't really see another explanation either", Tate huffs, after which he takes a last sip of his coffee.

"Only twenty? What do you mean, I thought Michael was older?", Zoë recalls.
"He is, about fifteen minutes to be exact", the Hamill smiles. "We're twins".
"Ah, I see", she understands now and prepares for a confronting question. "That aside now, do you think he's capable of practicing voodoo?"
A bit shocked Tate looks up, he obviously didn't expect that question. But Zoë can't help it, she found it weird, the way Michael was acting at the Gallery last night. She doesn't trust him and at this moment, he is their biggest suspect. His brother nervously shoves to the edge of his seat, his elbows resting on his knees. He stares into the distance, going through the question. Now that he thinks of it, he sees that the question isn't that far fetched.
"He has the knowledge", Tate admits. "But actually killing people? I don't know".
"I do. Everyone is capable of murder under the right circumstances", Zoë speaks wisely.
A concerned sigh escapes from the young man's lips as he forks his fingers through his short brown hair.
"God damn it", he curses, feeling like he's betraying his family. "It's him, isn't it?"
"I can't say for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if he is", Zoë replies. "We can be sure though. Do you have access to the surveillance tapes?"
Tate nods, after which Zoë gets up from her chair. "Great. We have to take a look at those, they must have picked up something".
"I'll go have a look then".
Tate gets up reluctant, but doesn't walk off yet. He turns around to face Zoë, who's putting on her stiletto's.
"What are you going to do?", he asks.
"I'm gonna stay here for a while, then see if I can find Dean", she answers, dwelling in her thoughts.

He gives her a questioning look. "What are you talking about? He's in your friends room", he nods at room 1208.
"He's not my friend", she states insulted. "and Dean sneaked out about ten minutes ago".
He did? Tat looks aside and only now notices the empty room, except from Sam. He didn't even notice him leave, but apparently Zoë did. He decides to say no more, until she hands him back his jacket.
He rejects. "Keep it, it's getting cold outside. I'll see you later anyway".
She thanks him with a smile, Tate really is a nice guy, completely opposite of his brother. She takes back the –for her- oversized jacket and walks over to Sam's room. In the doorway she turns around.
"Tate?"
He turns around, waiting for what she has to say.
"I know this is difficult, turning in your brother like this, but if he did what we suspect him from, you are doing the right thing", she assures.
"I sure hope so", he nods.
For a second his gaze glides over to the body of the tall twenty-two year old man, who seemed so strong and having the time of his life at the opening last night. Look at him now, what Tate sees, is only a glimpse of that.
"He's not going to be alright, is he?", he asks carefully.
Zoë, who was also looking at Sam, wakes up from her deep thoughts and faces the youngest Hamill brother. She hates to admit it, but she shakes her head.

"The doctors don't have much hope, no", she sighs. "We'll have to figure out a solution beyond medicine".
Tate stares at her, a bit confused. He's not sure what she means by that and Zoë notices that.
"Your brother might have some tricks up his sleeve, so do we hunters", she claims, apparently not ready to throw the towel in the ring just yet either. "It's not over till it's over".
He huffs, he doesn't even want to know what she means by that and so he doesn't ask any further questions. This night already got way too weird to take in all at once.
"I'll stay in touch", he promises.
She confirms with a slight nod with her head and closes the door behind her. As she walks into the room, Zoë watches Tate leave through the glass wall on the left side of the room. A deep sigh escapes from her lips, what a disaster. Talking about a job gone bad. Defeated she walks over to Sam's bedside, checking the data that his monitors show her. It's funny how the anatomy of a human being works. Sam's heart rate is fine, his blood pressure is normal, his lungs are functioning, there's not a broken bone in his body. Hell, the doctor was already talking organ donation, so those must be fine too. Yet, because his brain suffocated in a lack of blood and oxygen, he's finished, done with, end of the road. Sam Winchester is dead, eve though he's still breathing. Slowly she strolls back as she keeps watching him, his handsome face and straight half long brown hair. If you'd imagine all the machines, tubes and lines gone, he could be peacefully sleeping for all she knows. She can see why Jessica fell for him, this tall, slightly mysterious yet shy and humble guy. Maybe it's a good thing she won't have to live through this, seeing the love of her life floating off onto an endless sea until someone decides to pull the plug. Zoë never slowly lost someone close, everyone who died around her went fast, unexpected. The only one she slowly lost is herself. Poor Sam, not to mention the one person who he'll leave behind. She wouldn't give a rats ass about how John feels about this, in fact, if Sam didn't have to suffer for this, she would wish him the sorrow. It's Dean she's worried about, although, worried is a big word…

"Crap!", she curses out loud.
Zo, Zo, Zo, what are you doing? She shakes her head disapproving and starts to walk back and forth through the room. She's getting too involved with these guys, way too involved. She knows there will be huge consequences when people get close, so why is she letting them? Although it's a disturbing thought, she has to figure this out first, together with Dean. Keep it together and focus, this is just another job, she tries to tell herself. Frustrated she rubs her face and glances at Sam again. Will he die? Who knows, but her gut tells her that Dean won't let go that easily. She's quite sure he has been thinking it. Hell, she would've if this was concerning her own sister Abigail. Dean knows all about crossroad deals now and when people get desperate, they are willing to accept every price. The eldest Winchester brother is approaching breaking point and he will cave, just as she did when her father died. To be honest, she won't stop him. This is his choice and if he's willing to sacrifice his life, that's his call. Who is she to stop him from that, after she made a deal herself? It's not like she can advise him not to make a pact, she never regretted hers. It's sad though, that a choice like this has to be made. The brothers will receive another blow in the face, because one way or the other, Dean or Sam is going to die.
"A shame, isn't it?"
Zoë heart misses a beat when she jumps up startled, she didn't hear anyone come in. When she turns around to see who's there, it becomes clear why she didn't, because the demon which stands in Sam's room didn't actually use the door, but appeared out of nowhere. She recognizes him - or should she say it - instantly, he didn't switch bodies after their lest encounter, although that happened during a dream. Before her stands the Yellow Eyed Demon.
"You leave him alone", she demands protective, though she's not sure what he's up to.
But the demon steps closer anyway, obviously not impressed by her threat. It's not afraid to show off the yellow glow in his eyes. It has that typical smirk on its face, the expressions of a pleased old man, but Zoë knows the bastard is much more powerful than that.

"You really think I'm here to put him out of his misery, Zoë girl? Nah, that would be such a waste", he speaks, a little disappointed in her judgment.
"Then why are you here?", she questions suspicious. "I'm not gonna kill Dean if that's what you're after".
The demon huffs amused. "I noticed that".
Suddenly his piercing eyes look straight into hers.
"You're strong, Zoë. Harsh, almost untouchable", slowly he approaches her.
Pretending not to be intimidated by his presence, she refuses to step back. The demon moves closer, until she can feel it's breath in her face, then he halts. He seems pissed and although she doesn't show it, she doesn't feel at ease one bit, being in one room with a mad demon.
"It doesn't matter that you didn't listen", he eases. "But I have to say, quite a neat trick, cutting me off like that".
Zoë knows what he's talking about, because she hasn't heard his voice for a while, not even after she ran into Dean again. After a little practice, she was able to block the evil commands out, as if she moved herself into a sound proof room. A bit proud she grins.
"It's not that hard to ignore a son of a bitch like you", she replies bitchy.
He laughs out loud, amused by her arrogance. Her calling him names doesn't seem to bother him at all, in fact, he's entertained.
"Ah Zoë, you should know I only want the best for you", he pouts.
"You know that's a whole bunch of BS", she disagrees pissed, not in the mood for kiss up talk. "You're a demon for crying out loud. Why would you possibly want the best for me?"
"Because no one else does, including yourself", he answers rapid. "Be honest, you have no reason to trust humans".
"I have tons", she dares to argue.

"Is that so?", he questions as he slowly steps around her. "Your father and sister lied to you your entire life about what's really out there in the dark, as a result that you weren't prepared when disaster struck. Who's next? Oh sure, John Winchester. Do you really want me to start on him?"
He puts a comforting hand on Zoë's shoulder, which she normally had shook off, but his words – disturbingly enough – are true. She didn't trust humans until she did some hunting with Sam and Dean, but that trust was crushed the moment this case got out of hand and personal. But Zoë already has an answer ready, not ready to admit his right.
"Yeah, and demons are real trustworthy, especially those Diligo Vesco demons", she says cynical.
"I see what you mean…", he ponders and places his hands on his back. "That was very unfortunate, but I had absolutely nothing to do with that what so ever".
She huffs, yeah right. Whatever he says, she's not going to fall into his trap.
"So what, you want me to kill off hunters, is that it? You want me to kill the Winchesters?", she tries to pull out of him.
He laughs, obviously she's wrong. "Go kill John and Dean by all means – and to be honest, I know you would do John for free - but not Sam, definitely not".
Again another score for the demon, but she's not down just yet.
"Why do you want Dean dead? He's just a hunter like Sam and I and all the others", Zoë can't understand that.
"He's not just a hunter, he's a Winchester. You know he's a lying and deceiving push-over, today he proved himself well", the Yellow Eyed Demon convinces. "Thanks to him trying to avoid you, Sammy here is a goner".
"Sam has a part in this too", Zoë fights, not finding it fair that he blames Dean for this.
"Who do you think convinced him to keep those things from you, huh?", he asks, testing her.

She doesn't answer immediately, simply because she knows he's right. Dean is the one who decides what happens, this probably wasn't an exception.
"For the first time you dared to trust people again and he took that opportunity to go around your back", the demon tusks three times. "I'm afraid this is yet another case of 'like father, like son'".
"Dean is nothing like his father", Zoë objects.
"He's not? He drives John's car, listens to John's music, wears John's jacket and most importantly, uses John's hunting techniques", he adds up. "Zoë, my darling, he's the spitting image of John Winchester".
She gulps and tries to look him in the eye, but eventually she has to look down. Crap, she hates to admit this, but this bastard has a very strong point. This is how it is and although this is a head on confrontation, she needed to hear the truth from someone else. Like it or not, this demon knows her inside out, he knows her past and she doesn't have to pretend. God damn it, literally, he's right.
"There are humans who are monsters and there are monsters who are human, Zoë", the Yellow Eyed Demon states wisely.
"What about Sam then? He's a Winchester, but you seem to be pretty fond of him", she asks.
"True, but Sammy here is special. I believe you've noticed that", he starts to explain. "The visions, the telepathy between the two of you. He's like you".
Zoë glances aside at Sam, or what was him, just laying there in his vegetative state. Is that true? Are they really that bonded? It must be, how else can they have conversations without pronouncing a single word? Suddenly she feels the demon's hand on her shoulder, he suddenly appeared behind her. But his touch is friendly, not near hostile.
"I'm not the bad guy here, Zoë. I'm here to help", he assures.
"Sure, and I reckon I'll just have to do with your word", she presumes.

The demon shrugs then he faces her and grins. The lines round his mouth become more clear as he does and his eyes sparkle.
"I can prove it to you".
"How?", Zoë glares at him.
He looks down and smiles, then glances over at the youngest Winchester brother, who lays in the hospital bed motionless. "I can bring Sammy boy back".
Immediately he has Zoë's attention. Stunned she stares him in the eye, but it doesn't take long before she thinks rational again.
"You wanna help him? You wanna offer him life?", she questions disbelieving.
"No. I wanna offer you the opportunity to give him life", the demon corrects.
"The last time you offered me something, I said 'no'", Zoë makes clear, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Yep, and you got to experience what happened when you didn't", he bounces back. "Lucky for you that was only a dream".
"Lucky for me that I didn't take your genuine offer, because look at me", she spreads her arms and smiles victorious. "Alive and kickin'. Dean didn't even had to die for it".
"Terrific job, well done indeed. Proud of ya, honey", he pads her on the shoulder.
It pisses her off and she bites her tongue, she knows she needs to watch her step. After all, he just gave her the solution she and Dean were looking for. Yet she doesn't show that she's interested, hoping he'll lower the price.
"Do you really think I'm gonna give up my soul for a stranger?", she laughs.
"A stranger? Come on, Sam's more than that. He's your friend", he replies.
"He is NOT my friend!", Zo returns angry.

A bit surprised by her rage the Yellow Eyed Demon observes her for a moment before he answers, but then gets where it's coming from.
"Ah, right. You still can't let anyone close, can you?", he now sees. "Tough situation that must be".
"Shut up", she snaps. "I'm not giving up souls, neither am I gonna take lives. Forget it".
"I won't ask you to", the Yellow Eyed Demon responds.
"What the hell do you want from me then?", she demands to know.
He pauses for a few seconds, as if he wants to think through his words first before he pronounces them. Slowly he walks around Zoë, his hands on his back.
"I want a little… cooperation", he answers.
She follows him, how he moves around the room, only with her eyes. "Like what?"
"I'll give Sam a wakey wakey, if you'll start working together with him", the demon explains.
Waiting for more she keeps her eye on him, but nothing more comes. "What? That's it?"
"That's it, that's all I want. Think about it. You two are a good match, a great team, I saw that at the Gallery last night", he acknowledges.
"You were there?", she asks stunned.
He smirks and his yellow eyes light up. "Zoë darling, I'm everywhere".
In a blink of a second he disappears without a sound. He leaves Zoë behind disorientated, who scans the room for him. Damn, he's gone. As the information she received sinks in, her gaze stops when she captures Sam. This case is getting more personal and weirder by the minute. She can't believe she just had a conversation with a demon and actually survived it, not even a fight. Could he be right? Could there be good amongst the evil? She has a feeling there's more to his terms than he explained to her, but what if there isn't. She knows there's one rule about demon deals, the circumstances under which the pact takes place are clear for both parties. This is an option, one she's willing to consider, but not just yet, not until they searched under every stone for a better one. First she needs to find Dean and she sure hopes he didn't make a deal with a crossroad demon already, because this road is far better than the one that leads to hell.