Family Secrets: Part three – chapter 9
Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before
If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around, so
Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
If wishes were trees, the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Season is calling
Stand - REM
…
Sioux Fall was not a shabby little town. Bobby had lived all his life there and had watched it grow into a 'right respectable' place. Still for all its sophistication it was a small town and it didn't take long for everyone to notice and be curious about the new arrivals... the Winchesters and the Braden's… and now the Campbell's… although it wasn't yet clear whether they were staying or just passing through. Speculation about the newcomers was beginning to become the latest pastime for some of the residents of Sioux Falls.
Lisa had become part of the downtown business community. She was an extrovert, open and friendly, building relationships with her neighbors and her customers. And the addition of a yoga studio down town was welcomed. She had quickly built her business and was becoming quite successful.
Ben made friends at school. He wasn't quite as outgoing as his mother, but he had a confidence about him that gained him respect among his peers, even though he was the new kid and a bit of a loaner.
Dean had gained some respect for his classic car restoration business and he had his buddies at the local pub near Bobby's.
Alta gave classes at Lisa's studio and that gained her some respectability in the community and the women who took her classes all liked and respected her.
But Sam didn't have a cover and no one quite understood what he did. He was most definitely a loner, not participating in any of the activities around town. He could frequently been seen with Alta… dining out… shopping… sometimes he picked Ben up from school but when there was conversation with anyone local it was generally Alta who was the social one and Sam tolerantly waited for the conversation to end so that he could turn his attention back to his wife and they could make a hasty exit. He didn't work on cars but he spent a fair amount of time at Bobby Singers place doing whatever it was that Bobby Singer was into and most of the town had no idea what that was. They just knew Bobby wasn't all about cars.
There was some speculation in town that Sam's activities weren't strictly legal. Someone had spotted him in Omaha apparently winning very big in a poker game. Someone else had spotted him in a bar in Fargo winning big at the pool table. Nothing wrong with that… everyone agreed but he never frequented any of the bars in Sioux Falls, not even with his brother, who was known to play a mean game of poker. There had always been speculation about Bobby's activities... no evidence or proof... just speculation and most of that died down years ago. But now with Sam spending so much time with Bobby, the town was buzzing again. Speculation about Sam ranged from small time hustler to drug lord to mafia connections.
Sam was aware of the talk but that was small town life and Sam didn't mind. He actually preferred to remain somewhat aloof and mysterious. It kept people at arm's length and Sam figured that kept them out of his business. Small talk and socializing was not his thing anyway. He had been much better at it when he was younger… He was actually quite social during his Stanford days and even when he first went back on the road with Dean, keeping up with all his friends by email and Facebook. But all that was before… before he lost Jess… before he spent a year trying to keep Dean out of Hell and then lost him anyway… before the demon blood and Ruby and the Apocalypse. That was before he was shattered into pieces… one soulless… one confused, wandering without memories… one tortured by the most powerful beings in the cosmos… leaving him with only a small ragged part of his soul. Sam thought that might be what made him a target for gossip. He was different… still. He remained essentially, partially soulless.
In the end, there were only a few people who really knew Sam. He could count them on one hand. Alta, Dean, Bobby and Cas. Ben was close and Sam supposed that with time as Ben grew older he would know the whole story as well. Few others knew bits and pieces. Lisa, Mark and Sophia, Wahkan and Makawee. Not many people considered Sam a friend. It didn't bother him. He thought maybe it should. But… truthfully… Sam liked it that way.
Sam picked a table near the front window of the coffee shop so he could look out on the street and keep an eye on the Yoga Studio. Alta had three classes today. They would be in town all afternoon. That meant three straight hours on the hard little coffee shop chair. It didn't matter. He'd done with a lot worse for a lot longer on stake outs. At least he had a chair… and he had access to Wi-Fi so he could do a little research.
"Hello." Sam heard a woman's soft voice just as he became aware of someone standing behind him. "May I join you?" He really didn't need to be distracted but he turned off his iPad and motioned for her to take the seat across from him. "I'm Rachael."
"Sam." He watched the woman as she sat her tea on the table. He noticed her long honey blond hair, her smile and her deep blue eyes. He couldn't help but wonder what she really wanted.
"I've noticed you and your wife around town. Your wife teaches at the Yoga studio?" She gave a vague gesture toward the window. "I just wanted to take a minute to welcome you to Sioux Falls." Her smile seemed genuine enough.
"Thank you." Sam graced her with a dimpled smile and still wondered where she'd been for the past few months since they moved here and what her interest in him and Alta could be.
"I know you're renting." She slipped him a business card. Her fingers slid across his, lingering; just a slight hesitation as he took the card from her. "If you decide you want to buy a house. I can help you with that. I understand your wife is pregnant."
"News travels fast." Sam glanced at the card and stuffed it in his jacket pocket once again focusing on the woman sitting across from him.
"We are just a small town at heart, Mr.…?" She hesitated, waiting.
"Winchester."
"That's right… the Winchesters." She sipped her tea and her eyes darted toward the Studio. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Her blue eyes once again focused on Sam. "I know all about the schools… businesses… churches… do you have any hobbies? I know the town inside and out." She began to fall into her business speech. "I have a few houses that I think you and your wife would love… perfect for a couple just starting a family…"
"Thank you." Sam interrupted her. "I'm sure were not ready to buy yet, but I'll call you first… Rachael… when the time comes." He nodded and smiled again. "And if I can think of anything we can't find on our own, I'll be sure to call you." Sam's tone became crisp, obviously annoyed. He needed to end this conversation. He was on stake out and he needed to get rid of this distraction.
"Well…" Rachael stammered. "I'm a full service realtor…" She held his gaze. Those eyes… something about those crystal blue eyes. "Maybe you would be interested in a private showing… a little surprise for your wife." Something in her eyes was definitely predatory.
Sam shifted in his chair, his gaze suddenly more intent on her. Her hair… thick and curly as it flowed down her shoulders; he could feel the strands of honeyed silk slipping through his fingers. She smiled and it lit up the room. He was stunned. I know that smile, those lips. He knew the taste of he lips... her skin. His eyes slid down the pale column of her neck and he could feel her pulse against his lips. I love you Sam Winchester. He could hear her voice like he'd heard it a thousand times before. Jess… it was Jess… He remembered how her tall body fit perfectly into his embrace, only needing the slightest tilt of her head for their lips to meet. She was beautiful… just as beautiful as the last time he saw her before he left with Dean… before he left her alone… before she died, burning on the ceiling… staring down at him. She was back. She was here. Jess… her name echoed in his mind.
"Well…" Sam's dark eyes pierced deep into her and she thought he had the most perfect dimpled smile. "You are a most interesting woman, Rachael Lameroux."
… … …
Sophia began the class watching from Lisa's office window but the space became too confining. She would have joined in and got a good workout but that would distract her from her mission. So she checked the inside perimeter of the building. She started with the back door. A carefully placed rug with a pentagram drawn underneath and salt lines at the windows… all still in place and undisturbed. She worked her way back up to the front and gazed out of the window. Nothing looked askew on the street, just a light snow falling to cover the already snowy street and sidewalks.
She spotted Sam in the coffee shop. He was nursing a large cup and when he glanced up from his iPad Sophia eased back behind the window frame so she wouldn't be seen. She was not sure why… old hunting habits, maybe. There was no reason to hide from Sam. He knew she was here. She eased back so that she could see him and her blue eyes nailed a scene she was not quite sure how to take as it unfolded. A tall blond woman sat with him. Sophia could see they were engrossed in more than small talk. Sam's look was intense. She steeled herself… ready to run help him…. Her instincts told her something was not right with this picture.
There was only the two of them with Alta today and Sophia had a choice to make. If she left to go help Sam, she would leave Alta exposed. Sam might be in danger but it might also be a trap to leave Alta unprotected. Sophia weighed the options finally deciding that Sam would rather she safeguard Alta, so she would wait and see how this played out.
Sophia watched silently as Sam rose from the table. She saw him hold his hand out for the woman, helping her with her coat and then slipping his coat on and walking her out the door with his hand resting possessively on her back as he guided her to his car. He held the passenger side door for her. Sophia's mouth opened to a silent little 'o' and her eyes wide in a questioning stare as they followed the taillights of Sam's Charger down the street and out of town.
… … …
Dean watched the black jaguar pull into Singer Salvage as he wiped his hands on the dirty rag he pulled from his back pocket. In spite of the cold, he was sweaty and had a fine film of oil on his skin. Working on car engines tended to get you dirty that way. The man who exited the jag was well manicured. His expensive suit looked way out of place in the salvage yard. He walked toward Dean with a confident swagger and Dean met him with a confident smile.
"Mr. Winchester?"
"Call me Dean." Dean smiled and stuck out his oily hand… a challenge. The man hesitated but took Dean's hand in a firm shake. He seemed at a loss as to what to do with his now filthy hand and Dean's grin got even wider as he wiped his hands on his oil stained overalls. "What can I do for you?"
"That's a fine car there." The man's eyes ran appreciatively over the Thunderbird Dean was restoring. He'd been working on this one for quite some time, in between restoring other classic cars. This one was special. "I really like it. I see you are as good as your reputation." The man's ran his hand lovingly along the hood of the car. "How much would you take for this one?"
"This one's not for sale." Dean folded his arms across his chest and leaned possessively against the car. "I have something special in mind for this sweet cherry."
The man motioned toward Dean's baby. "That Impala's quite impressive as well."
"Well, she's mine." Dean pushed off the Thunderbird and dropped his arms to his side. "Look, Mr…"
"Welch… Dante Welch." He hesitated, waiting for the full impact of his name to sink in.
Dean supposed that the name should mean something to him but he would have to wait and find out from Ben or Sam later. "Mr. Welch. This is not a used car lot. If you have something in mind… a car make and year you particularly like I'll see if I can find one and restore it for you… or you can leave me a card and I'll let you know whenever I have something I think you might be interested in. Did you have something specific in mind?" Dean gestured toward the jag. "You seem pretty well set." One eyebrow rose. "Do you have a collection of classic cars already?"
"No… no. I just thought I might like to get into classic restorations. You know… like Leno." He shifted from one foot to the other. "A friend of mine, by the way."
"Ok." Dean nodded, only somewhat impressed. "You have a card? So I can get in touch with you?" Dante handed Dean a business card. Real-estate developer. Of course. "Any particular type of classic car you're interested in. Mind you, I only do American cars."
"Classic muscle cars." Dante smiled. "Like these two."
"Ok then." Dean smiled. "That's my forte. There's nothing like the old classics."
"They're a great investment." Welch's smile was smooth and arrogant. He clearly felt superior to just about everyone he met. "And a lot of fun, I think."
"Well…" Dean decided that he would ask a hefty price from this customer. Clearly he could afford it and he didn't mind showing it. And Dean didn't like his arrogant ass. He didn't know a damn thing about classic cars. "I'll be getting in touch with you."
Welch spun the Jag around and waved before heading back out onto the road. Dean stood staring after the car as it disappeared around a curve. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but something about this encounter, apart from the fact that he didn't like the sonofabitch, crawled along every nerve in his body. His hunter's instincts were on overdrive.
… … …
Sam eased into the Studio just as Alta was wrapping up her last class.
"Oh, good. I'm glad you're here a little early." Alta stopped the class and motioned for Sam to join her. "For those of you who haven't met him yet, this is my husband, Sam." Alta threaded her arm through Sam's possessively. Sam gave his best dimpled smile to the ladies. "He'll be teaching some classes for me while I'm out with the baby." The leotards she wore for her workouts clung to her muscular body and showed the small but growing baby as Alta patted the curve of her belly.
Sophia watched from the office window. You're a cool one, Sam Winchester. Her deep blue eyes burned. She wasn't positive what had happened with the woman at the coffee shop but she had a good idea. Damn it! Sophia had thought Sam was different. She thought Alta was lucky. But it seemed to Sophia that Sam was no different than any other man after all. He stood head and shoulders above the women, smiling down at them… that charming smile. Sophia glared at him. What's your game, Sam Winchester? The women crowded around him like a gaggle of silly geese, each one getting their chance to meet him. When the women had all finally filtered out of the studio, leaving just the three of them Sophia stepped out of the office.
"Thanks for your help, Sophie." Sam nodded to her. She wondered if he thought his smile would disarm her as easily as it did every other woman who'd fallen for him today. "I appreciate both you and Mark sticking around while we get through this." Sophia seemed a little stiff to Sam and he wondered what was up with her but she was always a little quiet and standoffish. Although he wondered about her, she'd given him no reason not to trust her and her feelings for Alta were quite obvious.
"What's family for?" Sophia gave Alta a little hug. "I'm heading back to the motel." She gazed into Alta's green eyes. Innocent… clueless. Should I tell her? She hesitated, glanced at Sam and then back to Alta. "Call me if you need me." She slipped out the back door.
… … …
Alta lay in the tub filled with hot water and bubble bath, letting the heat soak through tired muscles and sore feet. The sweet fragrance of coconut soothed her aching head. Three classes back to back was a bit much and she began to wonder if she should reschedule one of them or if Sam should just take one class for her first and she would give up the others as they became too much. She was past five months now and she was beginning to feel the effects of having a growing baby inside her. She slowly ran her hand across her belly. Already her pants were too tight and she had bought a couple of pairs of maternity jeans and some tops. She gazed at her belly and wondered how it would feel… just how big it would get.
"You got some new clothes." Sam was busy setting the table when Alta came in, fresh from her bath and feeling much better. "I like… you look great."
"You like baggy tee shirts?" Alta snorted out a little laugh. Sam handed her a glass of milk. His hazel eyes held her in an unreadable look.
"I like the way you looked at the studio. Those tight clothes kinda showed off your shape." He rubbed his hand over her belly and kissed the top of her head. She could hear a soft moan deep in his chest. "None of the Winchester men are much for cooking, but I figure I can learn." He guided her to the table and held the chair for her to sit. "There's 'bag o salad' with microwave Garlic Shrimp." He laid a plate in front of her. "I have ice cream for dessert."
"Sam, this looks great… and healthy." Alta popped a shrimp with a fork full of salad into her mouth. "Umm" It really was delicious. "You obviously went to the grocery store this morning."
"Yea, while you and Sophie were shopping." Sam worked his way through his own salad, washing it down with a beer. They passed the rest of the meal in silence each of them enjoying Sam's foray into domesticity. He watched her as she finished her meal. Her small frame was strong and muscular; her auburn hair fell long and strait with just the slightest curl at the ends, resting just below her shoulders. His hands longed to feel the strands falling through his fingers. Her eyes were the familiar crystal green; haunting, knowing eyes; so different from Jess's playful, childlike, innocent eyes. Her smile would never light up a room… never be innocent enough for that. Her smile was wise, like her eyes, knowing… knowing the dark hard places of life. She'd seen Hell and Satan. More than that, she'd seen Sam… all of him… the darkest parts of him… soulless… pitiless; sick and hopeless.
"I also put in an application for a job." Sam stood and took his plate along with hers to the sink. She stood and followed with the glasses.
"What kind of job?" Alta grabbed his arm and turned him to face her.
"Substitute teacher at the Community College. I can sub when there isn't a job... you know… our kind of job." Sam was amused at Alta's wide eyes. "What? I have a family to support... diapers and baby clothes and stuff. I'm going to be a Daddy. I can't just go off and hustle money all the time. Suppose somebody asks her where her daddy works?"
"Her daddy? What makes you think it's going to be a girl?"
"I don't know." A playful look came into Sam's eyes. "Come here. Let me see if I can tell." He pulled her close against his body. She was not tall enough to make it to his shoulders. He pulled his hands up through her hair, fingers splayed, bunching it up and bending down just enough to bury his face in the freshly washed auburn tresses. Sam breathed deep, pulling her scent into his nostrils… into his head… drowning out the lingering memory… the memory of Jess.
Alta's face was just a whisper away from his chest. She felt the heat radiating off him, smelling his scent. Her hands lay flat against his pecs and she slowly moved down he hard muscles of his chest and across his abdomen until she slid her fingers under his shirt and down along the well-defined muscular 'V' leading into his jeans. She felt him tremble and heard the sudden hiss as he drew in air through his clenched teeth. Sam's hands dropped to her face and he pulled her face up to his. She heard a low moan deep in his throat as he covering her mouth with hot moist lips. She opened to him and his tongue plunged into the depths of her mouth tracing along her tongue, teasing, tasting… feasting. His hands slipped down to her round bottom and he pulled her against him. She felt his hard length against her belly and she slipped her hands up along the smooth skin of his broad back. She ground against him she heard that sweet low moan again… deep in his chest. Her body responded with a slow burn deep in her pelvis, a sudden rush of wet, hot and a pleading whine into his mouth.
Sam broke their kiss. His dark eyes bore into her as he pushed her slowly toward the bedroom. He loomed over her as she struggled backward, not nearly fast enough. He cradled her ass in his big hands lifting her and she threw her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She was so small… so short… nothing for him to carry to the bed as she clung to him. And he wanted her… wanted her so badly. He needed her… needed to lose himself deep inside her.
Sam laid her gently on the bed and watched as she pulled off her clothes. He quickly shrugged out of his own clothes and crawled over her, spreading her legs so that he knelt between her thighs. He lowered his head to kiss her mouth, long and soft, gently teasing inviting her to taste him. She licked along his lips slowly, finally delving into his mouth to twine his tongue with hers. He trailed licks and kisses to her ear, whispering to her. "Alta… touch me." Her hands trailed down from his neck across the hard planes of his chest. "Yes…" His hot wet tongue darted in her ear as his hands played across her breasts, brushing her nipples to hard nubs. "Wanna feel your hands on my body…" She left fiery paths as her hands trailed further down his body flat across his belly… "Wanna feel you touching me…" He grasped her hand and brought it up to his mouth. His dark eyes watched her as he licked his hot, wet, incredibly long tongue across her palm. She watched him through her lashes. God, the man had the most incredible eyes… she was lost… she felt like she was burning alive. He guided her moist hand to his rock hard erection. She grasped him… just the right amount of pressure… just the way he liked it… sliding down the silky skin to the base and back in a long slow torturous burn. She felt him growing in her hand, his dick swelling… becoming fuller and her body answered with a burning desire to be filled. His eyes fluttered closed and his breath began to come in deep hot sighs against her skin. "Umm… so good." His body shuddered as she caressed him, pulling hot desire from deep inside him. Her hands were like magic. The sweet pull of desire flooding his senses, drawing him toward orgasm clashed with his strong desire to hold off… to make it last… in a torturous dance of need.
He distracted himself by focusing on her; his long graceful fingers moving to her center, finding her wet and wanting. He felt her tighten around his fingers as he explored her depths. He moved his knees apart, forcing her wider open for him as the pad of his beautiful thumb rubbed across her throbbing clit as his fingers slid in and out mimicking her strokes. "Sam… umm…" Her eyes were wide and dark, the pupils so dilated with desire she couldn't focus. Her lips were swollen and pouting begging to be kissed. Her breast heaved as she drew deep breaths into her lungs. He could see the heat radiating off her body... smell the hormones rolling out of her pores... filling his nostrils... filling his head. He breathed her in and tasted her on his tongue. The white hot lust she felt for him was like fuel on fire. He felt lust coil in his belly and like a snake he wanted to strike hard and fast... He looked down and saw the evidence of that lust, swollen hard, angry red and captured in her graceful hands. His body screamed to take her, to pour out his hot desire on her. He wanted to fuck her... like an animal... savagely.
"Alta…" He whispered against her ear and pulled the lobe in his mouth, gently biting as he pulled her hand away from him. "Wanna fuck you… now." He pulled his hands away from her, grabbed her hands and pulled them above her head, holding her down. She moaned her desire and he plunged deep, feeling her hot and tight caressing the entire length of him. She gasped and he caught her hot breath in a fevered kiss. Her body felt different. The bulge of her belly made him angle differently as he entered her and he couldn't hold back, fucking wildly into her, hard and fast.
"Sam…" She bucked up against him. She couldn't see… she couldn't think. All she could do was feel. Feel his beautiful, long, hard dick burning… "So good… umm…" Filling her up… stoking the fire that was rising from the very center of her… coming closer… closer.
"Gonna come in you…" His ragged voice drifted across her consciousness. It was the last push she needed… the heat of him as he buried himself deep inside her and filled her with white hot juices. Her orgasm washed over her like a tidal wave and every nerve in her body exploded. Sam fell to Alta's side, spent. His mind fogged in the afterglow of his own powerful orgasm. He couldn't move. He felt as if he was floating… drifting in the space of almost asleep… almost dreaming. Alta listened to his breathing as he slowly drifted off. She delighted in the afterglow of their intense lovemaking watching Sam fall into a deep sleep and loving to see him so completely satisfied.
"I love you Sam Winchester." Her voice drifted across his consciousness.
"Alta." He sighed her name; his deep voice slurred.
"No Sam, it's me." Jess's blue eyes pierced him. Her playful smile mocked him. The bed shook as his body jerked violently.
"Sam?" Her voice pierced through the haze… Alta's voice… Alta's body pressing against him… Alta's crystal green eyes questioning him. He pulled her tight against his body burying his face in her hair and breathing her deeply into him. She'd felt him jerked from sleep like this before… felt him cling desperately to her like this before. When he woke from dreams of Hell.
"It's a baby girl."
"What?" Alta pulled back to gaze at him. He smiled back at her with a smug look. "Well, we'll find out Monday. Kat's going to do another ultrasound."
He nudged her around to spoon her back against him. It was his favorite way to cuddle when he was sated and sleep was near. He tucked her head under his chin and wrapped his big body around her, pulling the covers over them. 'I figure I have a 50/50 chance." He chuckled. And he held her tight… tighter than usual she thought. His eyes stared over her head into the growing darkness. She couldn't see the desperate anger in those dark eyes.
… … …
"I know what I saw." Sophia's glanced from the kitchenette to the sofa in the main living area of their motel room. Sonya was engrossed in a video game on her phone. Sophia's voice was hard but not much more than a whisper. Her eyes pierced Mark.
"Sophie, you don't know; you think." Mark's voice was soft as he tried to reason with her. The thought crossed his mind that they were going to have to find a bigger place… one with a little privacy… soon. "You don't know anything for a fact. You're filling in a lot of blanks out of your imagination."
"Damn it, Mark." Sophia stepped closer to him. She was angry; her fists clenched; her mouth drawn into a thin line. Mark leaned against the counter of the little kitchenette patiently listening. He didn't want to be goaded into a fight. "The way he left with her. It just looked so… intimate. Like they'd done this before. He's having an affair… I just know it. He was too familiar with that woman."
"They just got married, what? A month ago?" Mark countered her argument. "It doesn't make sense." He sighed. "Sam loves Alta."
"Yea. He loves her." Sophia mocked. "He went off and left her when he was supposed to be on watch. He's the one who's so sure Alta's in danger and needs to be watched. But he left her alone… exposed!"
"He didn't leave her alone." Mark reminded her. "He knew you were there. She wasn't exposed."
"He's up to something." Sophia turned and began to pace. "And whatever it is, it's not good news for Alta."
"Sophie. Don't meddle between them." Mark's eyes narrowed as he warned her off the direction he was sure she was heading.
"She needs to know."
"Know what?" Mark pushed off from the counter and stepped closer to her. "You don't know!"
"I'm going to find out." She had worked herself into a righteous wrath.
Mark grabbed her arms and shook her like a ragdoll; his face mere inches from hers. "You're not going to spy on Sam Winchester!" His eyes pierced into her, his jaw set hard. She'd never seen Mark like this. "You're not going to confront him." He released her with a shove, walking away and running his hands through his hair. He turned back to face her. "You stay out of Sam Winchester's business."
Her voice was weak when she countered. "But it's Alta's business too."
"That's just it, Sophie. It's their business… it's their issues!"
"Don't you care if Alta's hurt?"
Mark sighed. Sophia's eyes were no longer hard and angry. Her face was soft and her eyes pleading. "I'll see what I can find out." Mark ran a caressing hand down her cheek. "But, you stay out of it. And don't go talking your suspicions up to Alta. Let me suss out the truth first." He knew he was spitting in the wind. Sophia would talk to Alta. It was a given. And he wasn't sure what Sam would do. "I'm heading out to do some surveillance." Mark grabbed his jacket. "Sophie…" He glanced back at her before he stepped out of the door. "I mean it. Don't get in the middle of this. Just…" He shook his head. His eyes were pleading. "Just don't… for all our sakes."
… … …
She was on her way home from her shift at the Black Dog Bar and Grill and the strange sound made her quicken her step. It was an eerie sound that floated across the dark night; just a soft mumbling whisper but it floated on darkness and echoed empty... out of place... out of time. It made her shiver, a feeling she never had before now but she suddenly understood how it felt when your blood ran cold. Her heart pounded against her chest when she heard the strange whisper on her shoulder… in her ear mumbling unintelligible, evil words. She reached up but felt nothing. Her bleached blond hair flew out as she jerked her head around and her brown eyes searched the darkness. She saw nothing but she broke into a run, the clicking of her heels echoing down the dark street. Her car was just ahead; she could see it... could feel her heart pounding as she drew closer, longing to feel the safety of its interior... just steps away from deliverance she stopped, clutching at her neck; the frantic gurgling sounds of her struggling for air were drowned out by the increasing loudness of hysterical laughter. Her feet stumbled over each other sending her helplessly to the pavement. The bright red eyes of her assailant burned into her. What the Hell? Those eyes… a monster… a demon. The first moment she ever believed in Hell or demons… her last moment as herself. Lips inches apart; her lips trembled. For a moment she thought it would be a kiss… Her lungs burned as she gasped and black smoke flew from one mouth into another.
Someone found a woman's dead body the next morning. A Jane Doe… her long brown hair splayed across the wet pavement; a thin layer of snow covered her, her dead eyes no longer red, glaring pale blue up into the sun; her mouth frozen in her last emptying gasp.
She picked this woman outside the Black Dog specifically for the car. A cherry red Mustang... sporty. She liked it. She pulled the rearview mirror around so that she could examine this new face. She wasn't so impressed with the clothes but a quick search through her pocketbook revealed a credit card for a high-end department store. I will be getting new clothes... another glance in the mirror... and better makeup. She held up a long blond strand... And changing this bleached blond... maybe a red head this time.
"I don't understand your obsession with these machines. Don't you find them noisy... and confining?" The sudden rush of Angel's wings announced his arrival in the seat next to her.
"Well, we all have our little idiosyncrasies." She arched her new eyebrow and smiled at him. "Do you like this body?"
He gazed at her, his head to one side as he considered her question.
"Don't strain yourself, Balthazar this is just the rough draft. I'll be polishing it up a bit."
"You do have a talent for... fashion, Jezebeth." His smile smoldered and his eyes sparkled. He ran the tip of his tongue across his lip in anticipation. "I'm sure the results will be... acceptable."
"You'll enjoy the results." She smiled and fired up the engine. The 5.4 V8 rumbled beneath them. "Feel that? I love to feel the power of these muscle cars... the rumble and vibration traveling up through this body... It's quite erotic."
"Whatever turns you on. They're somewhat like loud rumbling beasts... slow and clumsy. I'd rather fly."
"Well I'm heading south for the next day or so. Catch me later. You'll enjoy this body when I finish with it." She readjusted the rearview mirror and placed her hand on the stick, ready to put the car in gear and start her trip. She gazed at Balthazar. "Sure you don't want to try a little road trip." She laughed. "Go native… you might like it."
Balthazar reached over, placing a crooked finger under her chin. "I was rather hoping you would be going west. I have a favor for you to do in South Dakota."
"No! Why would anyone go to South Dakota?" She snorted. "I'm looking to get out of the cold. I hate snow! I thought I'd go down toward New Orleans and hang out. The lead up to Mardi Gras is such fun."
"Just a small favor. You could be finished with this quickly... plenty of time to make it for all the pre-Lenten sin you can take. I'll even take some time off and go with you."
"Let me guess. It's about the Winchesters." She pouted. "I'm not interested in getting tangled up in Angel games. I don't like Angels and I think Michael's feud against the Winchester's is petty and childish. Why do you let yourself get mixed up in it?" Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at Balthazar. "We could go play…"
"I've sided with Michael. Climbing the ladder, so to speak… power and all that." Balthazar tossed his head to the side and grinned back at her. "Ah, Jeze… you make it sound so simple."
"And fun…" Damn she was so convincing. And she was definitely fun. Balthazar wondered for a moment if she might be right. Maybe he should go on a road trip with his favorite demon and forget all this. But Michael was a very powerful ally and he would be a very powerful enemy. Balthazar's days of 'staying out of it' were long gone.
"No… now's the time for a different kind of fun. Are you with me, Jeze?"
"You know I can never turn you down, my Angel." She laughed as her eyes slipped to black and Balthazar gazed into the forbidden, sinful depths of nothingness.
… … …
Bobby sat at his desk wondering how his home had suddenly become Grand Central Station. He guessed it all started with Sam and Dean... well, even before that it was probably John. The boy's dad had a habit of pissing off just about everyone he knew at one time or another. Some stayed pissed at him for the rest of his life but Bobby forgave him every time they had a falling out. Usually they fought about the boys and Bobby forgave John... every time... for the sake of the boys. He couldn't help himself. From an early age Sam and Dean had been like the sons he never had. And he was the stable family... his was the the home they never had. So John came by often and like as not he left the boys with Bobby so he could hunt. Bobby knew either they stayed with him or they stayed by themselves. So he opened his home and his solitary life to them and he grew to love them.
Now, it was like his home had been invaded. Two boys... who had become men... and had become a whole extended family... a bonafied passel. Alta was reading through an old text on Angels translated from the original Hebrew. At least she could help 'man' the phones. Ben was holed up in a corner with Sonya working on his Latin exorcisms and spells. Sophia was cleaning weapons in the living room and Dean was in his garage working on his latest acquisition. Bobby supposed that Sam and Mark were with Dean. He let out a soft growl, turned his chair to face away from everyone and stretched his feet out toward the fire. At least when it was just the boys, most of the time it was just him... alone. So much for his used to be solitary life.
When he finally finished his coffee, Bobby had come to a decision. He stood and walked around to the front of his desk.
"Ben. Go out to the garage and tell the men to get back up to the house. They're on duty. He ran his hand down the tattered tee shirt he wore under his flannel shirt. I'm gonna get changed and go down to Lincoln. I haven't seen Kat in a while and I think I'd like to spend this Sunday with her." The all stared after him as he climbed the stairs to change clothes. Damn they can have the house! I'm gonna go see my girl! That thought made Bobby smile for the first time this morning.
... ... ...
"Bobby said you're on duty." Ben glanced around the garage looking for someone other than Dean. "Where's Sam?"
"Haven't seen him." Dean pulled his head from under the hood of the Thunderbird, wondering if he was ever going to finish this car. Too many interruptions. "What's going on?"
"Bobby's going to Lincoln to see Kat and he said you and Sam and Mark are on duty."
"Great!" Dean wiped his greasy hands on the ever present rag from his back pocket and clapped Ben on the shoulder. He pulled off his coveralls and grabbed his jacket. "Let's get back to the house."
When Dean and Ben reached the house, Bobby was bouncing down the front steps heading toward his car. "Glad you could make it." He pulled his car keys out of his pocket with a jingle. "If you need me..." He shrugged. "... Well... just don't need me." With that he jogged to his car and made a fast getaway while Dean stared after him and Ben slid back into the house.
"Damn... horney much?" Dean muttered before he joined Ben and the others in the house.
"Where's Sam?" Alta was looking past Dean expecting Sam to be behind him. She glanced at Sophia who shrugged.
"I thought Sam was with you." Alta looked at Dean.
Dean's face tightened. Something was not right with this picture. Sam was unaccounted for... He glanced around the room. Apparently Mark was unaccounted for...This wasn't good. Sam could be in trouble. "How long since you last saw Sam?"
"We got here about eight this morning." Alta glanced at her watch. "It's nearly eleven now."
"Where's he been for three hours?" Dean's face was thoughtful and concerned. "Did Mark say where he was going?"
"No." Sophia's face began to tighten. She glanced at Sonya. "He left last night, said he was on surveillance. What are you thinking?"
"This is not like Sam." Alta's voice was beginning to show her concern. "He wouldn't leave without telling someone where he was going... not now... not with what's going on." Sophia glanced again at Sonya. Alta noticed the look and knew it wasn't the first look that passed between the sisters. "Sophie, you know something. What is it?"
"I don't know for sure." Sophia gave an apologetic look to Alta. "I saw something yesterday... but I don't know... I can't be sure..."
"You better come clean." Dean was losing patience. Sam might be in trouble and that was his main concern. "Tell me what you saw."
Sophia sighed. Her face was soft and sympathetic when she looked at Alta. "I saw Sam leave the coffee shop with a woman yesterday... not long after we got there. It looked like he knew her. He left with her in his car. Two and a half hours... he was gone almost the whole time you were teaching your classes. I didn't see him again until he came into the studio after your classes were finished."
"You're saying Sam left..." Alta's voice caught in her throat and she couldn't finish her thought.
"He left... with a woman..." Sophia's voice trailed off to a dead silence.
"No." Dean watched the thoughts rolling across Alta's face. He turned to Sophia. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm not trying to say anything. I'm just telling you what I saw."
"I know what you think you saw but it's not like that." Dean glared at Sophia. "If he left with some woman it was because he thought she was a danger."
"Something's wrong." Alta's voice became stressed and her face was thin and drawn; eyes wide with fear. "If he left with some woman… if she was a threat… what did he do with her? We have to find Sam. He's in danger." She grabbed her coat heading for the door.
"Wait Alta." Dean reached for her, grabbing her arm and holding her back. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know!" Alta was panicked. Dean could see it plainly on her face. "I have to find him."
"I know. We'll find him. Just wait a minute and let's figure this out."
Dean pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed Sam.
This is Sam... Leave me a message.
"Sam, call me." Dean ended the call. "GPS?"
Ben was already at the computer. "Nothing."
"He's turned it off. He doesn't want to be found." Alta dropped onto the sofa. She looked devastated.
Dean wasn't sure what was going through her mind. But he knew... as surely as he knew anything in this world... Sam loved Alta and he would never risk losing her.
"Or somebody doesn't want him to be found." Ben added.
"I can find him."
"Sonya! Damn it!" Sophia's eyes turned to her sister, horrified. "No!"
… … …
TBC
I know… a cliffhanger. So sorry but I didn't want to keep you all waiting any longer for an update. I will try not to be so long with the next update… when we will find out what's going on with Sam and Rachael and with Balthazar and Jezebeth and with Dante Welch…
Please comment if you like…. Thanks as always to those who write comment and for all those who follow, alert and favorite my story. =^..^=
