Chapter 21

They were still about a half an hour outside of Sacramento, even with Dean's not quite legal driving. For most of the journey, the two hadn't talked – just listened to Dean's tape collection and their own inner thoughts. However, when a road sign informed them they were so close to the city, Sam had asked for more details on the case.

Dean explained what had happened at the school, including the recent death. Sam could tell that that was still eating Dean up inside, but he decided not to call his brother on it yet. Dean then started to explain what he knew about the ghost, with Sam noting how much his brother didn't say about the history teacher who told him the story.

There was one part that stuck out to him though. "Wait…so everything you know about this ghost is from this Viola? You didn't do any research on the story yourself?"

Dean, if possible, looked even guiltier than before. "No…I, uh, well, I kinda got distracted. And, when I did do research, it was more to find out a way to get rid of a ghost when there's nothing to salt and burn."

The two lapsed into silence again, but Dean could tell Sam was thinking something. When he couldn't take it anymore, he glanced over in his brother. "Spill it."

"Well, it's silly…I mean, it's just her name. But you said she was named after Shakespeare's Viola, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, in the story, in order to protect herself, Viola lied to everyone, even the man she loved, about who she really was."

Dean was silent for a few seconds, attention seemingly fixed on the highway ahead.

"Huh," was the response when it finally came, but Sam also noted that the Impala started to pick up speed.

Dean pulled into the parking lot of the hotel he had been staying at, running into the office to switch his single room to a double while Sam grabbed their bags and his computer. Dropping all the bags on Dean's bed, he took the computer to his and sat cross-legged while booting it up. Dean, meanwhile, paced for a few minutes, clearly trying to get rid of some energy. Sighing in annoyance, Sam told him to go get them some food.

By the time Dean came back with a couple burgers and beers, Sam had already found several Web sites that confirmed what Viola had told Dean, and he told his brother as much.

"So she didn't lie about the ghost?" Sam smiled, as his brother's tone confirmed exactly how Dean had been "distracted." Not that he needed that much confirmation…

"No. I told you, it was silly. It's just her name; doesn't mean she's a liar." Sam shut down the computer and laid backwards with a sigh. His back hurt from hunching over for so long. "We're just too paranoid."

"But," Sam added, with a smile. "I did find something that might help."

Dean raised his eyebrows in interest, taking a swig from his bottle. "What's that?"

"Well, the bullet that hit Mary Lister didn't get lodged in her body – it went right through. And, apparently the blacksmith at the time was close friends with her family. He wanted something good to come from the tragedy, so he melted the bullet down along with some other metal and reformed it into a plate with an engraving of a California Poppy on it – Mary's favorite flower."

A smile slowly spread across Dean's face. "And where is that plate now?"

Sam answered his smile with one of his own. "A trophy case at the high school."

Dean and Sam walked quickly through the halls of the school, pinning their visitors badges on as they did so. Dean had a pretty good feeling that the plate would be somewhere in the haunted hallway, but he wanted to make sure before they broke back in to the school later that night. Also, he figured he'd better tell Bill what was going on.

Still fiddling with the badge's pin that just did not want to poke through his shirt, Dean had his head down when he turned the corner – and walked right into someone.

"Oof." Instinctively, Dean reached out to grab the person he hit before she fell down. Dean's eyes widened when he saw who it was. His traitorous heart leapt, but his brain told him to ignore the thrill of having her in his arms again. He schooled his face into a look of polite greeting … and nothing more.

She, meanwhile, radiated happiness at the sight of him. "Dean!"

Viola regained her balance, and Dean immediately let her go, unsure of how he would react if he held her much longer. "Where have you been? I called you…"

She trailed off, obviously fighting an inner battle between curiosity and not wanting to seem like a clingy, stalker type already planning their wedding.

Dean had the good grace to at least fake being apologetic, even though he proceeded to lie through his teeth. "I'm sorry. I just got your messages this morning. I had to go pick up my brother, and I forgot my phone. Didn't even realize it until I was too far to turn back around."

She immediately brightened, accepting the excuse. Sam, meanwhile turned his head to hide the fact he was suppressing a snort of disbelief at his brother's words. Turning back to the woman, Sam decided to give Dean a taste of his own medicine. He held out his hand with a huge grin on his face.

"I'm Sam. You must be Viola. I've heard a lot about you." Sam continued to smile at her, inwardly chuckling at the glare Dean was sending his way.

"Nice to meet you, Sam." Viola turned back to Dean. "Can I take you guys to dinner tonight?"

Sam was about to gush that they would just love to, when Dean interrupted, a coldness in his voice that the younger Winchester couldn't quite understand.

"I'm sorry, Viola. I'll actually be finishing up my … article tonight. And then it's about time Sam and I hit the road again." Dean couldn't meet her eyes as disappointment flooded into them. "Oh look… there's Bill."

Dean took off, while Sam, with a quick smile of apology to Viola, ran to catch up. He whispered loudly at Dean.

"That was a little harsh, Dean. You didn't have to do that – we know she wasn't lying about the ghost, and there's no reason we can't stick around for a little while."

"What's the point, Sam? Even if she isn't evil, that doesn't mean things are going to go anywhere."

"Why not?"

Dean ignored the question as, luckily, they reached Bill. Quickly introducing Sam to the teacher, he then explained what they had learned about the plate made from the fatal bullet.

"Oh!" Bill nodded. "I know what you're talking about. Come on."

Bill led them to a trophy case that was, as Dean expected, in the haunted hallway. Dean didn't even glance in her direction, but Sam immediately noted Viola watching them from her classroom door a little further down the hall.

"There." Sam focused back on Bill, who was pointing at a metal plate, the engraved flower still visible even though it was faded. It was in a case with other artifacts from the city's early history. "I don't think the school knows the story behind this – it just asks for things from the historical society to display."

"Alright." Dean clapped Bill on the shoulder. "We'll take care of it tonight."

"Thanks, Dean. I owe you … again!"

Dean turned to lead the way back to the main office to check out. By how he so pointedly not looked in Viola's direction, Sam knew Dean knew she was there. Shaking his head, he followed his brother.

It was a quiet, warm night. Leaving the Impala a few blocks away as to not draw any unwanted attention, the brothers cut through shadows toward the high school.

Reaching the same side door Dean had used the last time he broke in, Sam crouched in front of it with his lockpicking tools. Dean stood slightly behind him, eyes scanning around for any potential problems. His gun was back in the waistband of his jeans.

Sam pushed the door open and stood, leading the way into the school. Making their way to the haunted hallway, the brothers tried not to make any sound. Reaching the trophy case first, Sam stopped abruptly, causing Dean to crash into his back.

"God, Sam."

"Sorry." Sam pointed at the case. Dean's stomach dropped as he saw it no longer contained the plate.

"What the hell?"

A soft crash down the hall was enough to cause both men quickly turn and look. Seeing light coming from underneath Viola's door, the brothers shared a pointed look and silently walked forward. Dean reached behind him for his gun, while Sam grabbed the door handle. Dean nodded, Sam opened the door quickly and stepped aside as Dean moved forward, his gun immediately trained on Viola.

She looked up, startled, and almost dropped the plate in her hands.