Chapter Fourteen:
The Famous Final Scene
Sam was getting used to seeing Sabrina's place in this new perspective again. Glad that it looks normal. The 'Tar 'n' Feather' stunt that Dean pulled could have been a lot worse, so he would take it with poise and grace while he thought up new tricks to pull for the next prank war. For now, there was peace between them.
Dean was sitting on the closed toilet seat, waiting for Sam to get done with his bath, since there was no flat space next to the sink basin for him to climb onto when he's done. Dean was turned away respectfully as he played with his phone. "That reminds me! Hot bar chick!" Dean exclaimed and without further ado, pulled the paper from the pants pocket and with his libido on high alert, rang up the girl's number. He was still turned away from Sam's pool sized bath, however Sam was still privy to the event. Dean was about to lay on the charm the second the other end picked up, but instead of the beautiful voice of the equally stunning lady, he heard a recorded message for an AA group and how and where the meetings are set up. Since Dean had it on speaker to tease Sam, Sam heard all about it. Laughing to himself. Flicking a few drops of water in his brother's direction.
"You should go! Might see her there!" Sam crowed.
Dean rolled his eyes and turned on the cold water for just a few seconds. Sam kept on laughing as he got the remaining bits of syrup out of his hair. The water was murky by the end of it, so Dean kept his eyes up towards the ceiling and followed Sam's directions for draining the sink and letting him rinse off in a fresh stream of lukewarm water. Then, with eyes still averted, Dean placed a dry washcloth into the sink where Sam finished his routine. Getting out another set of clean clothes from his bag that was wedged between the faucet and the plug. The last set of clean clothes he had, since Dean didn't do any washing at all since he was small, and it had been a little while since he had his own laundry day. His clothes, like everything he owns, is too small for conventional human cleaning machines so he had to hand clean every item, or else risk getting them lost or worn thin too fast.
Sam thought back to all the times they got themselves filthy on this one non-monster hunt. Sam thought about making up some more clothes just so he wouldn't wear down the few sets he had. He announced he was done and Dean brought his hand down to collect Sam and his small duffle, putting both in his shirt pocket at Sam's request.
Coming back into the store downstairs, Sam and Dean waved the other two farewell, exchanging numbers if they ran into anything supernatural related again. Dean also gave them Bobby's number if it was serious, and they couldn't reach the brothers, or in case any side effects pop up. "And keep an eye and ear out for anything weird going on. We are jus your friendly neighborhood cursed object destroyers and monster Hunters extraordinaire."
Sabrina assured them that she wont go poking into the heavy stuff until she reads up more on the other side. Thankfully, being a Wiccan, she stayed away from the dark side anyway, and was better for it. She promised to let them know if any bad witches came by asking for supplies for harmful spells. And Dean was grateful for that. He hated witches, but was totally digging this Wiccan's style.
The brothers were anxious to get the cursed shelf back to Maria Ross's estate to hand it off to the late woman's grand kids for them to deal with. Dean gave a chaste kiss on Sabrina's cheek, "Rain check on that coffee?"
She winked and slapped his butt. "You better!" and waved one last time.
They walked to the car, looking up and down the street. Sam spoke up just loud enough for Dean to hear, "Oh right. Sorry, we never did go for that walk. You seemed interested."
"What's stopping us?" Dean shrugged and grinned. They started walking, enjoying the peaceful scenery and window shopping. On their way back to the car, they saw Brandon leave in his own for home, honking twice for their attention. Dean and Sam waved back from inside Baby. Watching the town pass by all too soon. It was good to have a hunt where no one died or was seriously injured. And, it also gave them both good insight on the other's side of things. Sam got some much needed social interaction without worrying about being caught in a fist and kidnapped, and Dean got to see what it's like for people Sam's size, so he knows how to act in the future around them. Not that he didn't before, but he always wondered what it was like. Glad to be back, and he knew that he'd have to go to parks more often and just have fun. Life can't be 100% Hunting. 'All work and no play makes Dean a dull boy.' He thought wryly to himself.
Dean listened to Sam read the map to him, instructing him where to turn to get back to the Ross estate.
They call up the grand kids and tell them about what they found. Needless to say, even the grand kids were surprised at what it turned out to be, never mind what it's ability was. They all meet up at the main house because something was nagging at Sam's mind about all this.
Dean pulled up into the driveway and see numerous boxes and wrapped up furniture. Now that the grands, Alicia and Max have gathered up all the other items on their lists, they were able to destroy the harmful ones and will keep the rest in storage until the house is sold. The house was so large, with many rooms, it already had several families interested in it, but it had to be emptied and cleaned first for the new owners. That could take at least a month or two.
Dean keeps Sam in his pocket while he goes up to the front door, dragging Max out with him to help bring in the boxes of stuff from Sabrina's. Max identified the shelf as the main culprit, after just a few waves of his hands. Confirming it once and for all. But there was a minor charge in the other things Sabrina had bought as well. Nowhere near dangerous, but he would look into them further before locking them away or destroying them. The siblings only used their own supernaturally charged items. Ones made by others, even family, might not react well to new people. In any case, it was good to be on the safe side.
Now safely inside the mostly emptied out house, Sam insisted he comes out of the pocket. Knowing that everyone there already knows he exists and that Dean is there to protect him, it's alright to do so. It's still a minor shock for the others to see him and listen to what he has to say. The brother and sister did seem to be studying him, but not in an intrusive or inhumane way. Almost as if they are learning a new culture rather then studying a specimen.
Sam's neck tingled and instead of being unnerved at being seen by the humans, he was grateful that the sensation returned to him. Besides, it wasn't warning him of danger, more like, letting him know they were looking his way. He cleared his throat of any wariness, "Hey guys." Sam said loud enough for them to hear, before turning to climb up Dean's shirt to sit on the shoulder. Trying to be more eye level with everyone. "So, I was thinking. Why would your grandmother have a shelf that makes people swap bodies?"
Alicia and Max look at each other and shrug. Max spoke up, "It could be from some spell ingredients falling on it years ago and mixing together. A side effect from an accident."
"That's possible, but likely?" Sam continued after they thought about how random that result would be for a spill. "I had a theory that Maria didn't do this, either on accident or purpose, but someone else entirely. From the evidence I saw, she was pretty tidy and organized. I don't think she would have left things out or able to be easily spilled. I believe it was someone else, someone that also lived in the house, and tried their hand at a spell." Sam said and his eyes searched the floorboards, walls and corners. Pointing at one thin break in the wallpaper. "Dean? Wanna let me down there?"
Dean nodded and brought Sam across the room to the corner, letting his little brother down for Sam to investigate, lifting up the paper and revealing an entrance. Light bulb going off in Dean's head immediately when his little brother zeroed in on the entrance within seconds. 'It takes one to know one.' Went through Dean's head watching Sam.
"What's that?" Alicia spoke up, crouching down to get a better look.
Sam stiffened slightly at the looming human but stepped inside, looked around for a few seconds then back out again, confirming one part of his theory. "Your grandma had people like me living here. Probably still do. And I know if I lived in a house with a gifted person like Maria, I'd pick up on a thing or two over the years. Now, imagine that person wanted to try their hand at a spell? Perhaps they got tired of hiding themselves from humans, struggling to survive on crumbs and fighting off rats and spiders. What if they wanted to change their entire life around? Uh, literally."
Dean's eyes went wide at the implications. "They'd see someone that they could swap places with. Already has a house in their name, records, a business... a life they could continue, unnoticed. They couldn't just make themselves bigger. We've done enough research on that to know it's a fact." Dean frowned at Sam but he waved it off so Dean continued on. If anything this hunt had taught him, is that Sam is totally good being his size. "With no history behind their name or face. People like Sam and me always have to hide our tracks, use aliases and find ways of making money and not get arrested."
"Right." Sam picked up where his brother left off. "So they'd want a life that already has records that they can basically steal. And, just like how Dean and I reacted to having our minds transposed, we just couldn't handle the drastic change. We basically freaked out." Sam turned away, feeling sheepish for admitting that even if it was Dean who had it worse off. Sam soldiered on, "I'm thinking that the little person got into Maria's body and couldn't take it all at once. The extreme differences. Or, perhaps, forgot to take care of the health situations that Maria had? Maybe diabetes?" Sam thought of a likely disease that most older folks are prone to have. One that needs constant attention to make sure their sugar and insulin levels are in control. Someone without diabetes wouldn't really understand the oncoming hints and feelings to act before anything happens. Sam's not a doctor, but any number of things could have contributed, not just the shock of changing bodies. Forgetting medication, undo stress, and shock, could easily cause a heart attack. Sam at least had been human for ten years, so the change was great, sure, but manageable. Dean however... Sam's grateful his older brother lived a life chest deep in the supernatural world, and was somewhat used to Sam's world by living vicariously though him. Empathizing with his cursed brother, and picturing in his head what it was like for Sam helped prepare his mind... somewhat. "I believe everything added up after they turned human, and they had a heart attack."
"So Grandma Ross might still be here? But small?" both Max and Alicia said in unison. The brothers were impressed it was the whole thing. Must be twins. They kinda look like twins.
"Exactly." Sam said and motioned to the entrance. "People like me use these to get around human buildings without being seen. They're usually pretty hard to notice, but not for my people." He wondered if he was saying too much, but they seemed alright. Trustworthy. "When Dean and I swapped for the first time, it was when we were asleep at the motel. Not as quick as our switch back at the store. So I'm guessing your Grandmother might be near where the small person made their home inside this home. In their nest of cloth. She might have gotten lost inside the walls, floor, or attic. Houses look like mazes on the inside." Sam said, hoping they weren't too late. He then faced his brother, "Dean? You guys search the areas you can, and please, watch your step!"
Dean nodded gravely. Worried that Maria Ross had gotten hurt since then, trying to contact any number of the people that came for the sale, or when furniture was moved. Never mind the usual dangers that small people have to face. Dean pulled the others away from the wall to start their search while Sam disappeared into the walls to go look. Searching for any evidence that she was trying to contact them before, but too scared to do so face to face.
Sure enough, Sam found evidence of a small person inside the walls. Dust pushed off to the sides signaling to him that someone walked back and forth to create this clear path. He followed it, finding cleaner pathways, and eventually located where the person had made their home. It wasn't very far from the room that Maria used for her Hoodoo supplies. So he pieced it together, this person heard Maria, day in day out, talking with others about her work and got the idea. It was probably carried out on the old wooden shelf that they stood on. Getting the incantation or ingredients together and using the shelf as the conductor for the spell. Sam still wasn't sure if it was a curse, enchantment, spell, or something else. Didn't matter. It worked and kept on working. The person knew that Maria would touch it eventually, because her most used things were on it. All the small person would have to do is sit up there behind a jar or something and wait for Maria to touch the shelf at the same time, and go to bed that night as usual. Meanwhile, Maria would wake up in their small house, or perhaps, somewhere else. Sam's blood started to boil at the thought of the small person jumping into an inescapable deep dark hole and falling asleep there to make Maria wake up in the hole instead. Dooming the poor woman. That little person didn't care what Maria wanted, they were selfish and cruel to do this to her. Sam had to find Maria.
He noticed that at the other end of the small house, there was a small nest of fabrics that had its cloth bits torn asunder. Several things smashed or destroyed from anger or panic or both. In any other case, this would be a bad sign, however, Sam took it as a great one. Why would that mystery Little person even bother trashing their own house?
His musings were interrupted at the soft sounds of a girl crying. The weak sniffles were heard on the other side of the house at another entrance. He stepped on a thin shard of broken glass which crinkled loudly in the quiet space.
No point hiding his arrival. "Is someone there?" Sam crept forward, inch by inch, not wanting to startle the girl. "My name is Sam Winchester. I'm looking for someone." If he got this wrong... he could be in big trouble. Barging into strange people's houses is rarely met with pleasant surprise. Especially one that may know a thing or two about curses. He swallowed and listened. He heard a shuffling and scraping sound when the crying stopped. Replaced with quick breaths before a hand slid out behind a piece of wood. A shy face peeked out next. No anger in it's expression, just covered in dirt and tear stains. Poor girl.
"Hello?" Her voice was soft, scared.
"Hi." Sam smiled kindly, extending a hand towards her. "Are you Maria Ross?"
She nodded, her fear of him dissipating slowly, replacing with relief. Sam knew that look comes after long periods of solitary living. Usually for his kind, it's after many months of living alone, but Maria always had people around. So to go without, to be completely cut off for all this time since the swap... he hated that mystery person all the more. Who would do such a thing? Change places and immediately ignore and forget the human who's life they stole.
Maria looked at him up and down and even though it was as dark as normal homes for people their size were, Sam could see her scrutinizing gaze lighten up considerably. "Your aura is kind."
Sam grinned wider. "Your family is here. They can look after you. I know this is all very scary but you don't have to be here, alone. Did you eat anything?" He added when she came out more fully and she looked starved thin. His heart hurt at the sight.
"You... you can help?" She asked. Looking to the handmade cupboards, "The food didn't last long. I haven't eaten in days. There was enough water, collected in a large bowl... but no food. I thought I was going to die in here." The tears started again. "I could hear people out there, they were so loud! Everything would shake... I tried calling back, but no one heard me. I tried leaving this place but, I couldn't... I couldn't get out. It's like a huge maze. Do you know where I am? What happened?" She asked. Then rushed over to one corner and lifted up a button that was probably used as a plate. "Why do I keep finding things like this?! I swear it's like a fun house, or am I going crazy?"
"You're not crazy." Sam said and stepped closer to hold her trembling hand, setting the button down on the scrap wood table. "I'm sure you've already worked it out for yourself? Hmm? Why everything is much larger and louder then before?" Denial is a hell of a thing.
She covered her face, tears wiped away. "Yes. I suspected I somehow shrunk, but, I was hoping it was a dream. I'm not usually this young or thin either." She gave a half laugh. "Someone was living here, and now I'm in her body. And I think... something bad must have happened." She sniffled. "I heard them moving my stuff out of my house. Some people crying. My daughters... they rarely visited, and there's only one thing that would bring them together here. They hated my work. Claimed I was faking it. We just, drifted apart. My grandchildren had the gift so I taught them. That only drove my daughters even further away. I heard them... talking about funeral arrangements. What I would have wanted." She sniffled, hiding her face. "I didn't want to hear so I blocked it all out. Thought I was having a long nightmare. I know that whoever it was, they'd died. Left me here to die in the process. But... it didn't have to be this way." She was half mad half sorry for the girl.
Sam gave her a warm hug. "It was quick." He said consoling her as best he could.
"If she only just contacted me! I would have fed her! Made sure she didn't want for anything!" She wailed and slipped to the floor, Sam joined her.
"It's alright."
"I don't know why I never felt her presence. I usually can with people... perhaps, perhaps she knew how to hide her aura. I don't know."
Sam considered this. It only took her grand kids a few minutes to find Sam in Dean's pocket. Feeling him there without seeing. He told her what happened since her 'funeral' and that her house is being sold. Her grand kids are here for her when she's ready to leave. "I know this is all so messed up."
"That is one big understatement, Son." She said and scowled at the walls.
"But you know that they can help you. I can show you some of the tricks I use to get around, but, it's up to you to find your own way. You're young again, hell, younger then me! You're able to do so much now. You can keep on teaching Alicia and Max, and look out for them." Sam said, hoping that she'll look on the bright side. He felt her relax a little into his side. Now that someone knew what happened to her, made her feel much better. If nothing else, she wasn't alone. The days of shouting till her lungs hurt, and not being heard... Sam's people were taught that was the last thing they should do. Never draw attention to themselves or risk getting captured and killed. But she didn't know any better. Just knew she was in a strange place and no one could hear her calls for help because the walls were thick and solid. Damn near soundproof compared to the thin walls in the motels that they stayed at.
Sam could only imagine the horror of thinking that she could die all alone in a maze she didn't know how to navigate. No skills or knowledge how to survive in a human's world, even if she did get out. Food was probably the first thing removed from the house so it wouldn't spoil or attract mice or bugs. So she would have starved to death. She was halfway there already. Sam pulled out a halved peanut and handed it over. "Sorry, it's all I have at the moment." She accepted it with glad tears now, and a bit of awe at the size of the legume. It had been bad before, but now, things were looking up.
Sam asked, "Are you ready to see them? I know it's going to be a hell of a shock. This is from my own personal experience. I too used to be human sized back when I was a kid, before I was cursed. But recently, my brother and I swapped places just like you and this girl, and we saw life in a completely different way. It was terrifying at first for my brother and me, but we figured it out, and I know that you and your family will too." He said and stood up, tugging gently at her thin arms to join him. "Let's get you home."
She nodded a bunch of times. Chewing on a bit of the peanut. At least the texture was more or less the same at any size. It was more the fact that the thing was the size of a cereal bowl. She took another bite and tucked the rest under an arm, letting Sam pull her to her feet. Wanting to get out of this damned place.
Sam picked up a discarded supplies bag that resembled the ones that all Littles have, and stuffed it full with spare clothes and some things that will be useful for her. A needle made for their size is one of the most invaluable tools. It's usually carved out of animal bone for its sturdiness and durability. He found two and packed both along with some thinned thread to start. Any fabric could be pulled apart for its base components of thread, but for a beginner, this is easier to work with until she gets the hang of it. The next thing in the bag was a home made knife made out of a triangle shaped Exacto blade, one that is used most often by artists for detail work, that sported a carved mouse bone handle. Decently made. Dean would be impressed. It will be invaluable to her later. He started showing her how to use it as well as the other tools in her new life. It wasn't often that he had to tell people how to live at 1/20th their former size, but at least this one has a happy ending. Maria wont be abandoned.
They looked around one last time and she kissed her fingers and laid them on the door frame. "I'm sorry I didn't get to know you in life." She said to the room. Wishing she had found out the girl's name at least, but it wasn't written anywhere at all. It made it both easier and harder on Maria. Not knowing the girl's past. She was upset that the girl forced this on her, for nothing but selfish reasons, but she didn't deserve death. Stealing Maria's life only to have it overwhelm her. If only the girl contacted Maria...
Sam waited for Mrs. Ross to make her peace with the place and held out a open hand for her to slip her's into. He led the way down the pitch black tunnels and walls, and she nearly laughed at how close she really was to the entrance. "I kept going through the other door. Slowly mapping it out in my head but I always got lost and turned back."
Sam shrugged. "It's ok. No one is perfect their first time out. I was getting lost even after months." He chuckled and kept the fact that his motel was much much larger then her house, to himself. No need to rub it in. "Ok, I'm going to go out and find Dean. You can stay here or come out. It's up to you. I recommend coming out and getting a feel for how large things are now before they show up. Take your time. I'll let them know you're still here and alive." He then left the opening and jogged along the foot boards where the wall meets the floor. Feeling the telltale rumble of someone walking. He knows those steps anywhere.
"Dean!" He shouted and the steps halted and started to hasten back over.
"Hey, Pint size." Dean rumbled overhead and held out his hand for Sam to climb up. "Find anything?"
"Yeah, Maria is alive. Hungry and scared, but alive." He announced, declining the lift to go back to the opening on foot. "Tell them to go super slow. You know what to do."
Dean gave an emphatic nod. "More then before." And got back to his feet to break the news to the others.
Alicia and Max stepped as lightly as they could into the room and immediately got down onto the ground. Laying on their stomachs before even being asked, and resting their heads on their hands. Practically a mirror image of themselves. Definitely twins. Dean sat on the floor a little ways off to the side as referee even if the job wasn't needed. Max had mentioned that after they found out about Sam and his people, they had been doing research off and on on his kind and found a fair bit of information. Some wanted and useful, some terrifying. Like the fact that in other countries, they are bought and sold as pets. Anyone that runs across the websites would think it was all made up, for fun. Humans pretending to be tinies and giants describing how they were going to capture and train them. Making it sound like role playing as a front.
Now they knew better and vowed to help in any way they can. Sympathizing with those poor people. They planned on doing their special searches for these places and people responsible, and then figure out how to save them. Dean promised to head out the minute they find a dealer. All of them were disgusted with the whole thing. Dean was already looking forward to freeing those people from a life lived in a cage. Remembering when Sam was very nearly lost... Dean shook his head. Here and now, he could help this one victim.
Having thought their beloved grandmother was dead, only to find out that she's alive and in someone else's body... one that's only 3.7 inches tall... it was a shock. The siblings held their breaths when they saw Sam disappear back into the walls, waiting to see Grandma Ross again.
Sam stood next to Maria who was visibly shaking. "Whenever you're ready."
She touched the wood around the opening and closed her eyes, putting out her senses and grinning. "It's fine. Oh, thank goodness! I haven't lost the gift. I thought I was imagining your aura earlier. Wishful thinking making me see the blues and indigo." She beamed and wiped her tear streaked face. "Their energies are stronger to me now, yellows and pink, but I can feel they are determined and understanding. That makes this easier." She admitted quietly.
Sam had no idea what the colors mean, but agreed with her before following her out. She gasped at the sight of it all. Blindingly bright after being in the dark for so very long. She squinted and shielded her eyes as the others gasped as well. The lungs able to take in far more air then her's, so it was intensely noticeable. She could feel the tremors in the ground from them just adjusting their positions. And the minor ones from their hearts beating since they were still pressing themselves to the floor to be more at her new eye level. Someone's foot was tapping nervously far away.
Finally, Maria looked up and saw the hopeful expressions before her.
"Hey, Grandma." Max whispered, eyes crinkling with a smile.
"We thought we lost you." Alicia said right after.
"Almost did," Maria found her voice. It was bewildering to say the least. Taking time to just take it all in. Thankfully, no one made it awkward for her, pointing out the silence that stretched out as she craned her neck to look far up at the ceiling above. High as the clouds. Alicia looked up as well, clearly picturing the view from down here. Maria hesitated for just a moment before taking a few steps forward. Sam helping her along. "But we'll figure this out."
It was the grand kids turn to tear up, nodding and promising that it'll be alright.
"Now what did I tell you growing up? About getting your clothes dirty?"
They chuckled. "Not to." Said in unison. So they both scooted back enough to sit upright on the floor while Maria stepped closer on her own. Sam saw Alicia hold out her hand, palm side up and was glad that they took their advice and were going to take everything extra slow and easy. She was in good hands, literal and figurative.
Sam jogged over to Dean and was lifted up with practiced ease to the shoulder closest to everyone else. They got up from the floor and moved to the kitchen to get Maria something more nutritious to eat then a peanut. While Max cooked up some vegan lunch for everyone, Sam and Maria were on the table. Sam was telling her the basics on how to climb in general, and Dean was informing Alicia and Max what to do as well. How they could help her out by making a few ladders for her out of view of any visitors. Simple small ones that could be rolled up or put out of the way in seconds. Similar to the ones used on ships made out of string and Popsicle sticks with holes punched through the ends to keep them from flipping. They already knew how to tie a variety of knots so that cut the lesson in half. Sam used his own line and hook to show her how to rappel down the table and climb up it again. Alicia stared openly, and Max nearly burnt the food watching the four inch tall man just leap off the table like that. Dean had a proud smirk on his face whenever Sammy got to show off his skills. Teasing him for it sure, but glad Sam was back to his old self.
Lunch was served, Max loved cooking and got the things gathered and prepared for his famous chili when Dean called them up for this meeting at his Grandma's house. Knowing there was no food here. Max wanted to introduce vegan food to the burger loving Hunter. And it was good. Sam enjoyed it and already knew that Dean would deny to his dying breath, that sound he made at how delicious it was. Who knew that with the right spices, and sauce, that tofu could taste just like hamburger? Max looked smug as hell at the expressions Dean was trying so hard to hide. Alicia was too busy to notice, getting her small Grandmother and guest their own plate made up. Nothing smaller then a teacup plate in the house. Maria told them where she kept her shot glasses from different states and she used that to scoop out a portion for the small people. Sam pulled out his own bowl made out of aluminum foil, and showed her that she had one as well, it was just folded up. Some innovations were common sense among their kind. Alicia wasted no time at all in producing another sheet of foil that she spent tearing and forming into tiny plates and trying to get the bowl just right when she gave up and handed it over. Maria was beaming with pride at her granddaughter and used it as is. Informing Max that he outdid himself this time and Dean grunted in agreement before stopping himself. Sam was wondering if Max was willing to share the recipe... perhaps he could use his gold necklace money to buy some tofu and bribe Dean into frying up some the next time they get a motel room with a kitchen.
Another thing they discussed once the meal was underway, was letting them know who they could trust and if they wanted to meet others like Sam and Maria, that they could go to the Trails West motel and leave a scrap of paper in the vent saying, 'Sam and Dean Winchester sent us.' And someone there will find it, calling the brothers to double check it's validity before making contact. Sam's adopted and extended family at the motel knew that the brothers would never risk their safety to someone untrustworthy. Giving out their real names to strangers isn't something they are in a habit of doing in any case, let alone, telling any random human where Sam's family lives. But they had gotten to know these people well enough that they could be trusted. They might need the guidance in the future.
Maria thanked them for the offer, but insisted that they'll be good on their own, and will only call if they absolutely needed to. The Ross family is good at being self sufficient enough to help people. And with Maria still around, she can keep going with her life's work.
Dean got permission from Maria to inform Bobby that she's alive, would like to become a partner and ally against the dark invisible forces in the world after all. It will make the world a brighter and better place. After the lunch and very long chat, Dean got a call for a hunt in the next state over and they had to leave earlier then they wanted.
"Take care of yourself, Maria." Sam said and gave her one last long hug. "Phone call away. Promise." He whispered to her and she squeezed back tighter. Sam nearly jumped out of his skin when she pinched his rear.
"I'll keep it in mind." She winked and the whole thing went unseen by the giants on the other side of the room.
Sam blushed furiously and stepped back out of the hug.
She pouted for a second. "I ain't dead yet!" And shoved him away before the poor kid fell in love with her. "Don't get any ideas, Boy. I may look twenty but I'm old enough to be your grandmother." She berated as if he was the one that started it!
Sam jerked a nod back and practically sprinted away from her, respectfully. "Ya ready, Dean?" His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "Good to go?" Pitched far lower then what's considered healthy. Part of him wanted to gloat that he got the girl in the end, but not really... more so then Dean did at least, but that would just add more questions and he should really stop thinking about it right now.
Dean raised an eyebrow at Sam's reddening face, and came over. "Sure thing. See you guys later!" He lifted Sam up to his chest and let Sam decide where to from there. All the while Alicia and Max stared wide eyed at how fast the short man was getting around as he climbed up to the collar and got settled. The sheer amount of trust involved. It really put this into perspective, and they will strive to do right by their young tiny grandmother.
Now that the brothers were back outside, Sam let out a sigh. Finally done with this job and onto the next.
Dean got into the car and revved the engine, so grateful to be back in his rightful place, and Sam in his. "Ok, Colorado, here we come!"
Sam settled in for the long drive. Watching the miles fly by and going over the details for the hunt that's in their future. "So something has been eating people in the woods?"
"Yup. Lloyd says it's fairly close to the town Oz's in."
"Huh. Maybe we can check in on Oscar."
"Yeah, wouldn't mind seeing how the littlest Little is doing."
"I think Kara has that title." Sam added.
"No doubt. Just thinking about that tiny tot makes me want to check and see if she's climbing up my back or head." Dean shivered. Kara was harder to keep track of when she wanted to use the human as a living jungle gym. "Well, I think this one should be a pretty easy hunt to figure out. I'll let you know when we cross state lines, for now, get some shut eye." Dean said and turned down the radio to a quiet murmur.
"I'm beat." Sam agreed and slumped down, folding his arms. "Having to rescue your butt nonstop has worn me out!" Sam snickered and Dean shrugged his shoulder up once just to tease him.
"Bitch." Dean muttered.
"Jerk." Sam yawned.
The Impala ate up the miles, eager to get back to work even if she enjoyed having her younger boy drive for a day. The engine purred as fields passed them by like green and gold blurs from Summer. All along the highway rested tiny burgs, islands of homes amid farmlands and wilderness. Small towns that hold their own stories. Maybe one day they will hear them.