Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!
Home Sweet House
Chapter 2 – Invitation
Dean pulled into the hotel parking lot, glancing at his brother with concern. Sam had nodded off, but he could tell his brother was not sleeping soundly. "Are we there yet?" Sam whispered as he opened his eyes.
"Sure, just give me a sec to register and then I'll help you into a nice warm bed" Dean saw Sam nod as he closed his eyes again. A few moments later, Dean was back and pulling up to their room. Opening the passenger door, Dean reached in and grabbed Sam before he could topple out. "Come on little brother…we're home!"
Sam groaned as he swung his long legs out of the car. He waved Dean's arm off as he held onto the Impala's door until he felt more steady on his feet. Dean walked next to Sam, ready to lend a hand if needed.
The room was small, but it had everything the boys needed. Sam walked over to the bed furthest from the door and sat down, placing his head in his hands once again. "Damn…these visions hurt! I wish they weren't so painful." Sam sighed as he watched Dean leave the room to get their things. Dean returned in a few moments, both of their bags slung over his shoulder.
"Ok Sammy…first we need to get you some more aspirin and then I'm going to run over to the nearest diner and get you something to eat. You just relax until I get back." Dean watched as Sam took the pills and drained the bottle of water. He groaned and fell back on the bed placing his arm over his eyes. "I'm fine Dean…really, just let me get rid of this headache and then we need to start finding out what's going on around here…I don't think we have much time to stop it."
"There isn't much more we can do tonight Sam…you need to eat and get some rest, then we can attack this thing first thing in the morning…how about I swing by the library in town and find out what time it opens…that way you can be there bright and early. In the meantime, I'll see what I can find out from the locals while I'm picking up dinner…deal?"
"Sure Dean…I guess that will work…just let me know what you want me to do." Sam closed his eyes, too tired to argue.
Dean didn't like this new attitude his brother had lately. He hated to admit it, but he kind of missed the old, argumentative Sammy. Ever since Sam had done battle with the dream demon, he seemed more hesitant around Dean…almost afraid of him. Missouri had warned Dean it might be some time before Sam recovered fully from the experience. "Sam…look…you don't need to worry…oh hell…we'll talk about this in the morning when you are feeling better!" Dean wasn't sure how he was going to get to the bottom of his brother's latest problem, but he would because he hated the almost defeated way his brother had been acting lately.
"I'll be back in a couple of hours…you rest…and this time try having a happy dream ok? Why don't you think about Sarah…now there's a girl worth dreaming about!" Dean chuckled at the look on Sam's face.
"Jeez Dean…I can't believe you" Sam smiled as he threw his pillow at his brother. Dean grabbed the pillow and tossed it back. A few moments later Sam heard the engine of the Impala as Dean left the parking lot.
Sam actually did think of Sarah as he got more comfortable on the bed.. For few moments in time, he had actually felt human again around her. She accepted what he was and was willing to risk a relationship…but Sam just wasn't ready yet. "Hmmm…but it can't hurt to dream", Sam thought with a soft smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.
ooooooooo
It hadn't taken Dean long to find the local hot spot in the little town. The bar was crowded, but that didn't bother Dean. He headed back towards the pool tables, figuring a little extra cash wouldn't hurt. An hour later and a couple of hundred dollars richer, Dean decided it was time for him to get something to eat and head back to Sam. As he was heading towards the bar to place his order, he overheard a couple of girls talking excitedly.
"Susan…you really should go see Nick, he is the real deal"
"Come on Kelly, you can't tell me that you actually believe in that stuff. No one can communicate with the dead…I don't care what that guy on TV says…once you're dead…you're dead!"
"Look, all I know is, he was able to talk to my brother…he knew things that only my brother could have told him" Kelly sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I've missed him so much, it just helps to know that he is happy where he is and that …well…he doesn't want me to blame myself for what happened."
"Kelly…you know it wasn't your fault, the roads were icy and it was pitch black outside that night…accidents happen…that's just life. You don't need some psychic wannabe telling you that!"
Dean walked up to their table and flashing the Dean Winchester smile, introduced himself to the ladies. "I'm sorry to interrupt ladies, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I'm helping my brother with his college research paper on the paranormal and wondered if you wouldn't give me his name and address…I'm sure that my brother will want to interview him."
Kelly smiled shyly at Dean while Susan stifled a giggle. "Sure, but you won't find Nick there…I stopped by his house earlier and it was dark...from the look of the newspapers laying around, I'd say he hasn't been there for a few days. I hope he didn't leave town already…he just got here a fewweeks ago and well…" Kelly stopped at the look she was getting from Susan.
"Too bad he can't talk to some of the people who died here six years ago…I can't believe they are holding the Halloween Ball at that old house again." Susan exclaimed as she looked up at Dean "The party is free, all you need to do is appear in a costume…I'm thinking of going, care to come along Dean…I mean, your brother could come too if you want." Susan blushed as Dean directed a smile in her direction. "Well, I'm not sure how long we will be in town, but if we are, well, maybe we'll drop by."
Dean spent a few more minutes with the girls and after getting both their numbers, he headed to the bar to get their food and get back to Sam. Maybe this guy was the person in Sam's dream. At least they had somewhere to start…other than the library. Dean shuddered…he didn't know how Sam did it…Dean preferred action to research anytime…unless of course the research involved a pretty girl. Dean waved at the two girls as he left the bar, sighing to himself…maybe this time I'll actually get to give one of them a call!
ooooooooo
Nick groaned as he came back to full consciousness. He was laying in a cell somewhere in the basement of the house. He gingerly felt his ribs and grimaced, he figured that he had at least 2 or 3 broken ribs. Not knowing how long he had been here, Nick tried to sit up on the uncomfortable cot. He shivered from the damp cold that seemed to permeate the cell.
Nick smiled as a small white globe appeared through the wall next to him. "Hello, friend. I wish you could open a door as easily as you can appear here." The small white globe bobbed as if in agreement with Nick. Suddenly the white globe of light disappeared as quickly as it had come. Nick groaned…he knew that meant only one thing…company was coming!
ooooooooo
Sam's eyes snapped open as he heard the key in the lock. He relaxed as soon as he saw that it was his brother returning. Glancing at the clock on the night stand, he saw that he had slept for a couple of hours. He smiled softly as he remembered his dream…"Sarah" he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.
"What did you say Sam?" Dean asked as he dropped the food on the table.
"Nothing Dean…so how many numbers did you get this time?"
Dean smiled as he pulled the cocktail napkin from his pocket…"Ah…just two, but I also got us an invitation!"
"An invitation?" Sam asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah…we've been invited to the Halloween Ball…now all we need to do is find you a nice costume and…"
"God I hate Halloween" Sam groaned as he headed for the bathroom, slamming the door.
Dean smiled…Man, this is going to be fun, he thought as he started to set up the food on the table. This could really be fun!
TBC