Chapter 25

Noises outside startled Sam awake as he looked around the room and all that had happened flooded back into his mind. He let his head fall back onto the pillow and rubbed his tired, bloodshot eyes. He pulled in a deep breath and forced himself to sit up on the edge of the bed for a few minutes until he was able stand without the room spinning. He pulled the coffee pot from the burner and headed to the bathroom to fill it so he could start a pot of coffee. Today he was going to do research and get a plan in place on how to proceed. He knew he needed to be level headed going into this and not go flying in guns blazing. As the coffee was perking, he got out the new laptop and turned it on waiting for it to come up. His only objective was finding demons that would lead him to Brady and Azazel, the Yellow-Eyed bastard.

It didn't take him long to set it up and get online. Sam set up search patterns that would alert him if anything was found. His next step was to hack into Ash's setup so he could see what he was tracking too. It took him longer since he had to cover his tracks and not get caught. Once he had all that set up, Sam decided to go find a crossroads and see about making a deal with a crossroads demon. That is Sam would be doing the dealing now. He packed his things and headed for the car deciding there was one more stop to make after his chat with a Crossroads Demon, then it was hunting time.

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"Look Dean, I caught a hunt a couple of states over I'm going go check out." John said as Dean strolled in with Deanna.

"Need me to go?" Dean asked knowing this was coming. He knew his father and was surprised he had stuck around this long. John was not one to stay in any one place for very long, he was feeling the need to hunt.

"No, I'm meeting up with a couple of other hunters. We should be good. Not sure how long I'll be gone."

"If I hear anything about Sam I'll leave you a message."

"I'll find out if there's anything in the grapevine that might be a lead. Be good sweetie." he told Deanna kissing the top of her head and caressing her cheek.

"Be careful Dad."

"Take care of her and find someone to go with you if you get a lead on your brother if I'm not back." he cautioned Dean. "Don't need both sons missing." John grabbed his duffle and pack before heading out the door.

Dean watched him go, wondering what he was hunting this time. Looking for Sam and now taking care of Deanna had put hunting on the back burner right now. He still helped with research or making the phones for Bobby, but was staying close to home for his niece. He thought about what they had found in Texas and he had a deep down gut feeling that things were going to get worse before they got better. Sam was out there somewhere, possibly hurt or still held captive or who knows what the demons could be doing to him and he had no leads where Sam could be. Dean pulled himself back to the present when Deanna cried out and began wiggling in his arms.

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"So what ya want for breakfast baby girl?" Dean asked her putting her in her seat and strapping her in. "Oatmeal sound good with some peaches?"

Deanna smacked her tray and squealed letting Dean know she was ready to eat. She watched him pull jars of baby food from the cabinet and turn on the burner to heat water to warm her bottle. He opened an oatmeal and put it in the microwave for a few seconds before getting it out and stirring. He stuck his finger in the jar testing it before sitting down beside Deanna.

"Let's get your bib on and chow down."

"Mmm-mmm...bababa..." Deanna spouted reaching for the jar as Dean worked the bib around her neck and tied it.

"Here we go, open up." he encouraged spooning some out and putting it in her open mouth.

Deanna smacked her lips and opened her mouth for more. Dean fed her the oatmeal and peaches before sitting a bottle in front of her. While she worked on drinking her bottle he scrambled a couple of eggs and poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Gotta run into town for supplies today baby girl. Someone's almost out of diapers and wipes." he said helping her hold her bottle as he ate. "Guess I need to make a list so I don't forget anything." he mumbled grabbing a napkin to wipe Deanna's mouth as milk dribbled down her chin. Deanna grabbed his finger and put it in her mouth biting down hard. "Whoa! That smarts kid." Dean complained as he tried to gently pull his finger from her mouth and hand. "What is that?" he asked leaning closer trying to see in her mouth. "Look at that baby girl...You've got your first tooth coming in." Dean grinned when he saw the white of a little tooth starting to peak out of her gum. He rubbed his finger across the area only to have her bite down again and whine. "Is it bothering you? We'll see what they got when we go shopping. Now no more biting Uncle Dee." he said rubbing her gum one more time before disengaging his finger from her grip.

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Sam used his foot to cover the small box he put in the hole he had made in the middle of the dirt crossroads. He looked down each direction until he heard someone clear her throat behind him. Sam turned slowly to see a dark haired, attractive, young woman staring at him.

"What's this? A Winchester wanting to make a deal?" she questioned haughtily.

"Well I am here to make a deal, but not the kind you offer." Sam said turning his hand and pushing down ensuring she couldn't escape the body. At least he could see the human soul was not damaged yet.

"Wait?" she questioned. "What did you do to me?"

"I'm looking for two demons. One's in a guy named Brady Stevenson and the other is a yellowed eyed demon named Azazel."

"Why would you think I'd know anything about them?" she asked trying to keep the fright from her voice.

"I figured all demons knew each other or talked among yourselves about others."

"Look I'm a crossroads demon and make deals. I have a boss I answer to, no one else. I don't associate with upper level demons, especially a yellow eyed one. I don't have a death wish."

"If you are of no use to me, no reason to keep you around." Sam shrugged as he started to tighten his fist.

"Stop! No! Wait!" she cried feeling the pressure start to crush her. "I might know someone who knows someone who might have some information."

"I'm listening."

"I can ask around see what I can find out." she offered wanting to please him when she realized this was no ordinary human.

"I'm not stupid. I let you go, you'll just disappear and probably rat me out. I know how your kind work."

"I'll make a deal and a deal can't be broken." she insisted. "You let me live and I will ask around and get word to you. If you know anything, you know a deal is our word. We can't go back on it."

"I think I need a blood oath too." Sam said pulling out a knife. He grabbed her hand and made a shallow cut on her palm and did the same with his. He clutched her hand tightly letting their blood mingle as he spoke words of Latin before letting her hand go.

"Are we good?" she asked cautiously not wanting to make him angry.

"Here's a number to call me if you find anything. Now let this woman go, but remember...I know you now and can find you anywhere you try to hide so don't think about double crossing me." Sam told her squeezing his hand into a fist to prove his point. He watched her flinch in pain and saw the fear in her eyes before answering.

"Of course." she said shakily before smoking out of the woman and disappearing. The body of the woman dropped to the ground as she moaned softly and looked up at the tall stranger standing nearby.

"You should be ok now." Sam told her before turning to leave. He knew she would be confused but would be ok.

Sam went to his car and got in to head to his next destination. He planned on swapping cars somewhere along the way for one that blended in better with his surroundings. The new shiny, black car stood out like a sore thumb. He wanted to be indiscreet and fade away from everyone's radar.

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"Ok, let's get you settled in here." Dean said setting Deanna's car seat into the buggy. She looked up at him with sleepy eyes and yawned trying to wake up since she slept on the way over. Deanna whined and stuffed her fist into her mouth to bite on, droop running down her chin. "I know baby girl, here gnaw on this." he told her giving her a pacifier. He pushed the cart down an aisle and pulled his list out. Dean glanced around for a second getting his bearings before heading for the baby things. He didn't notice the curious looks he was getting from the young women in the store who were checking him out. "Let's get you some diapers and food baby girl. And something for teething." he cooed to her helping her put her pacifier back in her mouth. Dean stopped at a clearance rack looking at baby clothes pulling a couple of outfits down and laying them on Deanna's still body to measure for fit. They were marked down seventy-five percent so he picked a couple out and put them in the cart. He needed to go through her clothes and see what she had outgrown and replace them. Maybe he'd stop at the thrift store on the way out and see what they had too.

The cart began to fill as Dean went down his list picking up the items and a few more things. He was lucky it looked like Deanna was going to sleep through the shopping trip this time. Last time was not a pretty sight. She was fussy and whiney the entire time putting his nerves on edge. He was never more glad to get out of this place and all the frowns and disapproving stares from other mothers and women.

"What a cutie you have." a female voice said from beside him as she started to reach out a hand to touch Deanna.

Dean looked up quickly to see a middle aged woman smiling at him. He stepped closer to his cart and moved slightly so she couldn't touch Deanna. He didn't like touchy people when it came to Deanna.

"Thanks." he replied giving her a brief smile as he started to move away.

"You and your wife must be proud."

"We are." he said heading down another aisle to get away from her. Dean didn't like any attention and he had a uneasy feeling about that woman. Deciding it was time to leave, he headed for the checkouts finding a short line and waited to be checked out. Dean headed for the Impala and put his bags in the trunk and Deanna in the back seat. "Hey sleepy head, you waking up?" he asked as she sneezed and stretched and whined. "Ok, I'll get ya a dry bottom and let you stretch." he told her unfastening her straps and laying her on the seat to change her diaper. "There you go baby girl." he said picking her up and nuzzling her neck making her laugh. She tried to grab his face with her small hands and gurgled at him happily. "Oh baby girl I wish I knew where your Daddy and Momma are. I'm worried about them, but I'm not giving up, I'll find them." he told her rubbing her back as he bounced her gently for a few minutes before putting her back in her car seat. "How 'bout we go by the thrift store an' see what they have before heading home?" he asked to have Deanna squeal at him. "Glad you agree." he chuckled locking the back and heading for driver's door. Dean did a brief survey of the parking lot before getting in the car and driving away. He wasn't taking any chances someone was watching him and kept a cautious eye out.

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With two days of hard driving, Sam pulled into Bogalusa, Louisiana at dust on the second day. He drove the back streets to stay out of sight and found a place to park the car a street over from Jasper and Grace's place. He was going to get some of his clothes and his weapons bag that was stashed in the bedroom closet behind a couple of loose boards. Sam got out and locked the car before pulling the hood of his hoodie up over his head and slouched as he made his way toward the apartment. Sam stayed in the shadows, scanning the streets around him as he ducked down an alley and jumped a fence into Jasper's backyard. He quietly made his way to the stairs and took them two at a time until he was in front of the door and let himself inside. He leaned back against the door and steeled himself for what he was about to face. He automatically moved toward the back of the apartment and turned on the light in the bathroom. Sam looked around and saw the apartment was pretty much like he had left it except Deanna's things were gone. He moved to the bedroom and opened the closet looking for a duffle. He sat it on the bed and went to his dresser to pull out some tee shirts, briefs and socks. Sam took his jeans off hangers and folded them before putting them in the duffle first, then some long sleeved shirts before putting the other clothes in. Sam froze when he heard noises in the other room.

"Anyone in here?" a male voice called. "I've got a gun so you better get out of here."

Sam recognized the voice and walked slowly toward the living room. He stepped out to see Jasper standing in the doorway of the apartment holding a small handgun.

"Sam?" Jasper asked surprised to see him. "My god Sam!"

"Jasper." Sam said quietly allowing the older man to hug him.

"What's going on? Where's Jessica?" he asked looking around Sam for her. "C'mon Gracie is gonna want to see you. She's been so worried about both of you."

"I can't Jasper. You can't tell anyone you saw me." Sam tried to explain.

"Sam, what aren't you telling me?"

"Jess is...She's gone..." Sam whispered hanging his head. "I couldn't save her."

"Oh Sam...Son I'm so sorry." Jasper said softly starting to reach for Sam again.

"I came by to get some things and I need to leave." Sam replied stepping from his reach. He didn't need this now, he had to be strong for Jess so he could do what needed to be done.

"Why? Does your brother know you're here? I called him like you asked. He has Deanna. He's been sending us pictures. She seems to be doing good."

"I'm glad. No Dean can't know. I'm going after those who took Jess from me. I won't rest until I get justice for her. I have to do this alone."

"Please Sam is there anything I can do? Do you need money?"

"No, just don't tell anyone you've seen me." he said. "I don't know how long it'll take me and I need to stay off the radar. I don't want to put anyone in danger."

"Sam I know you want your revenge, but don't you forget you've got a daughter that needs you. She's lost one parent, she doesn't need to lose another."

Sam looked down at the floor but didn't answer him. He cleared his throat and said.

"I'll be out of here in a few minutes."

"Will you be careful and think about calling your brother. He told me he's been looking for you ever since you disappeared from college."

"He said that?" Sam questioned frowning by his statement. He didn't know Dean had been doing that.

"He seemed really worried about you and was shocked to see Deanna."

"If you let me get my bags, I'll help you back down. Don't need you falling."

"Alright son, I'll stay right here until you're done." Jasper sighed seeing Sam wasn't going to talk anymore. His heart ached for this young man and wished he could do something to help him.

Sam went back to the bedroom and finished stuffing all the clothes he could in his duffle and retrieved his weapons bag. He cast one last glance around the room and pushed all his emotions back behind a door knowing he would have time to grieve after he kept his promise. He walked back into the living room and paused at the bookcase to pick up a picture of him and Jess, staring at it for a moment before slipping it from the frame and putting it in his pocket.

"You ready?" Sam asked.

"Yes." Jasper told him letting Sam take his arm and help him down the steps. "Sam, please be careful."

"I will, good-bye Jasper. Thank you for all you and Grace did for us."

"Good-bye Sam." Jasper said softly as Sam blended into the shadows and disappeared into the night. He was worried about him and it was going to be hard to keep this secret to himself, especially from Grace. He might just have to tell her, they never kept secrets from each other, no matter how bad they were. Jasper was sure she would understand and would keep Sam's secret.

A/N: Sam is beginning his hunt to seek his revenge. Hope you like over protective Uncle Dean. Thank you for reading my story and for the feedback. Please review, it makes my day. NC