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Chapter Five

Sam stretched and sighed in relief as his bones cracked and his skin stretched. Sometimes all he wanted was to be put on a rack and pulled back into position.

He missed Jessica's massages. Maybe Sara could give him a massage. The thought entertained Sam the entire time he was showering and getting dressed. He smirked at the empty bed next to his.

Guess big brother was getting his own massage right about now.

He made his way to the main office of the motel , they needed to do some laundry and Sam hadn't seen a laundromat anywhere in the area. He was hoping Grace would allow him to use hers. She seemed like such a lovely woman that he was sure she'd melt at just one puppy dog look, maybe coupled with an innocent grin. Most people thought Sam was unaware of his looks on people, but he was no fool and used his talents to the fullest of his ability. Mainly on Dean. He could get anything out of his brother with one of those looks.

He glanced at his watch as he entered the office, 10am. Dean should have been back by now. Anytime he stayed away he always made his way back by 8am at the latest. Guess this girl had many things to offer.

"Hello?" Sam called as he walked in through the door, the small bell above confirming his presence in the small space before the desk.

He could hear shuffling in the back and as he was about to call again Grace came through the small door, she looked discerningly rattled and her attire was mismatched and not at all like the woman they had met yesterday.

"Is everything ok?"

Sam leaned forward to grab a glass that Grace almost knocked over with her elbow.

She looked up at him with pain filled eyes, before he could ask again tears began to fall down her cheeks and she looked away as a redness crept up her features.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"

"Hey. Hey it's ok"

Sam made his way around the counter and helped Grace into the back . He pulled out a chair in the kitchen for her, then filled a glass of water. He sat opposite her as she took small sips and calmed herself enough to speak.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry about that. I don't know what came over me"

"It's ok, don't worry. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Oh honey, that's sweet, but you don't want to know the troubles of an old woman"

"No, no I don't. I want to know the troubles of the sweet young woman sitting in front of me"

Grace smiled through her tears and patted Sam's arm.

"Well, seems like that charm runs in your family"

Sam smiled back, he reached across the table and pulled a tissue from the box, handing it to Grace he raised his eyes in expectation.

"It's my niece, she was supposed to come and stay with me."

"She's changed her mind?"

"Oh no, she arrived last night, but when I woke up this morning she was gone, her car is gone too. She's left her bag but no note, no nothing."

"Maybe she's just out, exploring?"

"No, no she's done this before, to her father. He's had a lot of trouble with her. Her mother died a year ago in a car crash, Nicki had been driving and they were blindsided by a drunk driver. Before Nicki could get Maggie from the car the fire caught on the gas and she was pulled back by the driver of another car. They barely made it a safe distance before the car went up in flames"

"God that's awful"

"Since then the whole family has been in shock. Mark, my brother, would call me and say Nicki had gone missing, taking nothing but her car. She'd be gone for days and when she'd arrive back home she would only say that she went for a drive to clear her head.

She'd never say where she went. It used to twist him in knots, not knowing where she was, if she was safe. I really thought she'd grown out of that. I can't believe she's done it to me now, knowing how I worry so"

"Grace, it sounds like Nicki is a pretty strong person who just needs her space every now and then. I'm sure that's all this is. I've got to go out in the area today so how about you describe the car and if I see her I'll tell her to give you a call, I'll call you too. I'm sure she's fine"

Sam smiled his most reassuring smile but inside he felt anything but. Another missing person. Those vampires were probably still in the area, and if they had Nicki he had time to find her. They never killed anyone right away. He squeezed her hand and handed her another tissue. He really like this woman. There was something so welcoming and inviting about her. She was like a mother to all, maybe that's why he liked being in her company.

"She drives an old mustang, loves the thing. It's pitch black but the inside is all fluffy pink. You can't miss it."

"I'll be sure to keep an eye out"

"I'm so sorry honey, you came in here for something didn't you?"

"Oh no, don't worry, it's nothing that can't wait"

"Oh now come on, if I can help then let me, no matter what it is. You've been so sweet and I feel so silly so please"

"I feel really bad asking but my brother and I haven't done any laundry for a while and I didn't see a Laundromat in town"

"Say no more, bring your clothes here and I'll have them ready for you by supper"

"Thank you, I feel bad for asking"

"Hush now and run fetch your clothes, I'll enjoy getting my hands on that underwear of your brothers"

Sam allowed himself the laughter and Grace joined in, although hers was tinged with relief, this young man just demanded trust and she felt so safe around him. The other one, well, she would just love for him to re-enact that old Levi's advert for her.

Sam waited in the motel room for another hour before finally giving in and calling Dean's cell. He was getting annoyed at the elder man, how could he stay out this late? Especially when he knew there was a job to be done. Sam felt the hairs on the back of his neck all rise in unison. Something must be wrong. After calling twice with no answer he grabbed the keys and headed out to the Impala. Two missing people in the space of one night.

There were no coincidences.

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Hands up who wants to help Sammy find Dean!

(or see a re-enactment by either brotherof that Levi's ad!)