Chapter 2

Storm had announced the bar was closing and for customers to start heading out. She pulled her cell from her back pocket and checked her messages to see if Dean had called. She frowned and an uneasy feeling settled over her. Storm bid some of the patrons, goodnight and headed around the tables picking up empties. It wasn't long before everyone had left except for Hank and Norm. They helped her take the trash out and told her goodnight before leaving too. Storm locked the doors behind them and turned off the 'Open' sign. Once she removed the money from the cash registers, Storm headed upstairs to her apartment.

After putting the money away, Storm went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea, wanting to wait up for Dean's call. She settled on the couch after turning on some music and began sipping on her tea. Storm checked the time and laid her cell within reach to answer it if it rang. She closed her eyes and let the music caress her as she hummed softly along with it.

Her tea was gone, and it had been nearly an hour and still Dean had not called her. Storm got up and turned the music off and took her cup to the kitchen before going to the bathroom to get ready for bed. She put her cell on the nightstand by her bed and changed into one of Dean's old T-shirts to sleep in. She turned the covers back and crawled into bed wishing there was a warm body in bed with her to snuggle against. Storm listened to the sounds of the place settling around her, recognizing every one of them and found comfort in it.

As Storm drifted to sleep, she decided if she had not heard from Dean by morning, she was calling him. She knew there were times he got tied up with a case and might not be able to call, so she would cut him some slack for not calling tonight even though he said he would. She changed sides and tried to clear her mind, but it seemed sleep wanted to escape her tonight. Storm couldn't get Dean off her mind because it worried her that he was starting a case without any backup. Something in the back of her mind kept nagging at her that things were not alright. Finally, after a couple of hours of tossing and turning, Storm drifted into a light sleep hoping her cell would ring and it would be Dean.

spn

Morning came and still no call came from Dean. Storm rolled over in bed and snagged her cell checking the time and deciding to try Dean. She pulled up his contact information and dialed him, listening to the call connect and his cell started ringing at the other end. It rang twice and went to voice mail. She waited for the beep before speaking.

"Hey Babe, I'm just checking to be sure you're okay. I know you said you'd call last night, but I figured you got busy and couldn't. Give me a call when you can. You know I'll worry until you do. Okay, bye." Storm hung up and looked at her cell as she contemplated what to do. Storm got up taking her cell with her and went to the bathroom first before heading for the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She couldn't sit still as she paced the apartment. Once again Storm tried calling Dean and got send to voicemail.

Storm tossed some clothes in the washer and decided she had to do something. She cleaned the apartment to stay busy and tried calling Dean every thirty minutes only getting his voicemail. Afternoon rolled around and she was getting anxious and desperate. Not knowing what else to do, she called the only person who might could help, Sam.

"Hello," Sam answered his cell.

"Sam, hey, it's Storm," she greeted him.

"Hi Storm, if you're looking for Dean, well, I'm not with him right…."

"I know Sam, I talked to him and he said you guys split up," Storm interrupted him, his voice getting anxious and urgent.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked sensing her worry.

"He was supposed to call me last night and he didn't. I waited until this morning and he still hasn't called. When I tried to call him, my call went to voicemail. Something's not right Sam; I can feel it. I need your help."

"Let me try calling him: I'll call you right back," Sam told her hanging up and trying his brother. He used every number that Dean had, even the emergency, last resort number, and didn't get an answer on any of them. He dialed Storm and waited for her to pick up.

"Did you get him?" Storm asked as soon as she picked up.

"No, and I tried all his numbers, even the 'you better be dying' one and he didn't answer," Sam told her trying to decide what to do. He paced the bus station as his mind whirled with indecision and uncertainty.

"Sam, where are you?" Storm asked quickly. She had gotten her laptop and went online.

"I'm at a bus station outside of Ottawa, Illinois," he replied.

"Okay, can you get to the airport that's close to Ottawa?"

"I guess, why?"

"I'm booking you a flight to the nearest airport to Burkitsville. You might not have time to drive or take a bus there. There will be a ticket waiting for you at the Delta terminal. The flight is scheduled to leave in a little over an hour. It's only a quick flight to Indiana. You should be there just before dark. Go to the Enterprise Car Rental and there will be a car waiting on you. That way you can get to Burkitsville. From the map it's less than an hour away."

"That sounds good. Thanks for doing this for me," Sam praised her.

"Sam, come on, we need to get our tickets, the bus will be here in a few minutes," a female voice called out that Strom heard over the cell.

"Who was that?" Storm asked.

"Just someone I met on the road. She's no one. I'm leaving now for the airport," Sam said picking up his bags and heading for the door.

"Sam where are you going?" the female voice questioned. "We were going to California. We were going to be free."

"Sorry, I can't, my brother needs me," Sam tried to explain as he hurried from the station, looking around for a moment before heading to a parking lot across from the bus station. He walked down the row of cars and tried to find one that would be easy to get into and hot wire. "Storm I need to go. I'll call you when I get to the airport."

"Be careful Sam," Storm warned him as he hung up.

Sam found an older model Chevy that had its window cracked and broke into it. He pulled the wires from under the dash and found the ones that would start the car. He pulled from the parking lot and sped toward the airport so he wouldn't miss the flight. He broke the speed limit and pulled into the small airport in record time. Sam left the car in long term parking and ran for the front doors so he could find the Delta terminal.

"Hello, may I help you?" a woman behind the desk asked as Sam jogged up to him out of breath.

"There's a ticket being held for me, Sam Winchester," he gasped as he drew short breaths.

"One moment," she replied typing on her keyboard and printing something out. "Here you go, the flight is getting ready to board in ten minutes. Do you have any baggage to check in?"

"No, I'll be carrying it on with me." Sam accepted the tickets and looked at them before checking where to gate was located.

"Go down the walkway to the third gate and you will board from there."

"Okay, thanks," Sam nodded heading that way as he pulled his cell out to call Storm. "Hey, I'm at the airport and have the ticket."

"Good. I've tried calling Dean several times and it is still going to voicemail. When you land, call me, and keep me posted. I've got to work tonight, but I'll keep my cell on me."

"Alright. When I find Dean, I'll have him call you. Don't worry, he can take care of himself."

"But he doesn't have you for backup," Storm whispered as she fought to keep the fear from her voice.

"He'll be okay Storm, I'll make sure of it. Gotta go, they're boarding now."

"Alright, bye Sam."

Storm hung up and prayed Sam would get to Dean in time. The more time that passed the more worried she became. There was a knot in the pit of her stomach because she knew deep down that Dean was not okay. Storm wanted to go after him but knew she really wouldn't be of any help since she didn't know how to hunt. She would probably only get herself killed if she tried. All she could do for now was wait for Sam to call her that he had found Dean and he was okay or even better, for Dean to call her.

A/N: Of course, Storm could convince Sam to go find his brother. Will he be in time? Thank you for taking this journey with me. Reviews would make my day. NC