The story takes place right after the season 10 finale, after Dean killed Death, the Mark of Cain was removed and Darkness was released into the world. I mentioned before, new characters will be added and thrown in the story and I will bring back several former characters from the show in the upcoming future.
Chapter 96 A Moment of Truth
Sam woke up as he and Gwen were now cuddled in each other arms lying on the fake grass totally nude as their clothes were stacked together nearby. Sam just yawned and rubbed his eyes as he was still a bit sleepy. He turned to look at Gwen who was laying her head on his chest with one arm wrapped around him and his arm was wrapped around her. She looked so beautiful and peaceful as she slept and with his hand, he reached out to stroke her soft dark brown hair while she just slept on not even phased. He really didn't want to wake her up, but he felt it was time for them to get up already, so he stopped stroking her hair and nudged her shoulder.
"Gwen, wake up, Gwen" he replied in a soft voice as he kept nudging her shoulder.
Gwen finally opened her eyes and looked up at Sam and she just smiled.
"Gwen time to get up" Sam replied.
"Oh, do we have to, I could lay here forever with you" she replied softly still glowing over what happened to them before they fell asleep.
"Yes, we should" Sam replied smiling back at her also thinking about what happened.
"You know I was having this wonderful dream" Gwen said.
"Was I in it?" asked Sam grinning.
"Yes, as a matter of fact you were and so was Dean, Ava and grandmom, all of us were in it together again" said Gwen.
This made Sam think of Dean and remembered how much he missed him and how he hopes he will get out of this place and see him again and that he's alright wherever he and Ava are. He also hopes Gwen's grandmother is also alright wherever she is that Rowena didn't harm her although it's unlikely since she didn't harm them. But it would be no use dwelling on that and making himself and Gwen miserable. For his and her sake, he'll just think about right now. Although Sam knows there is nothing much for them to do and it wouldn't be a point to get up now, he didn't want either of them just laying around naked all day as Sam isn't the type to lay in bed most of the morning, although Dean could if they didn't have a case but Sam just felt like getting up right now.
"That's nice, but I really think we should get up now, can't sleep here all day or we'll never feel like getting up" Sam told her.
"Oh, very well, I'm up" said Gwen who didn't feel like sleeping anymore anyway.
She moved her head off his chest and soon they both got up from off the ground neither of them feeling shy about being nude in front of the other for just like Dean and Ava they too got used to seeing each other like that. It had been six days since they've been stuck inside Madame Bess's painting and ever since they made love the first time some days ago, they couldn't stop. They made love at least twice a day which ended with them lying on the ground cuddled together completely naked. Other times, they would just sit down or lay down cuddled together in silence and sometimes they had heavy make out sessions. There wasn't much for them to do while being trapped in this place other than have sex or make love as Gwen liked to put it, make out or cuddle or talk and play around with each other like two lovestruck teenagers.
They talked a lot and learned even more about each other as their bond grew stronger and stronger each time. Sam learned how imaginative and creative Gwen is when it came to passing the time. She came up with a lot of creative things to do like pretend to be walking in a real life running brook as they walked in the fake water with Sam even sometimes carrying Gwen in his arms in a gentlemanly way to keep her feet from getting imaginary wet. Or when she got idea of them doing something really crazy like frolicking around the fake forest naked like a couple of hippies as she always wondered what it would be like to just wander around out in public totally nude with nobody else looking and since they had already seen each other naked it was something exciting to do. They remained nude for what seemed like forever that day until they finally put their clothes on.
Then there was the time they had an imaginary picnic sitting in the forest under a tree, play acting just like two kids, although Sam thought it was corny at first, he had to admit he kind of enjoyed it and was even impressed by Gwen's ability to express her inner-child. Sometimes, they would just stroll around the scenery walking on the bridge hanging out outside the cottage or in the forest just walking around until they found their way back to where they started just chatting to each other like a real couple. Their sexual trysts would become more creative as they made love in different places, near the running brook, outside the cottage or under a tree. They were having so much fun together that, they almost forgot about being worried about being trapped in this place forever or a least a long time. After they both got dressed they just went about their business and hung out near the running brook.
Sam always wanted to be on a lookout just in case, Castiel or Dean managed to find Rowena and get her undo her spell and get them out of there already. Even though he had to admit to himself there was a part of him that liked being there with Gwen just the two of them and enjoyed the time they have together and will be a bit sad when this is all over and they will have to go their separate ways again. However, he knew they just couldn't be stuck inside this painting forever and it was important that they get back to the real world. He didn't share this with Gwen because he knew it would make her sad, but he knew this won't last forever not him and Gwen, when they get out of this place, there will come a time that they will part ways again and he doesn't know when or if they will see each other again. But right now, Sam didn't want to think about all of that, he wants to put behind any negative thinking and worries including the thought that they may never get out of this painting out of his head. Right now, he will only try to follow Gwen's lead and just spent the time in this place making her happy and even enjoying these moments with her which does all the time. They spent time at near the running brook just talking which lasted longer than they expected as they often lost track of time when they got caught up whatever they were doing together.
Finally, Gwen just stood up from sitting on the fake grass excitedly with that look she gets when she just had one of her good ideas.
"You know what Sam, I just realized there is the one thing we never did since we got in this place and that is we've never danced with each other" she replied.
"What?" Sam asked with perplexed expression on his face half smiling.
"I'm serious, I mean we did almost everything else even walked around totally naked in this place which is something quite daring but we never did anything so simple like dancing together" Gwen said.
"So that's what you want to do, just dance together right here, right now?" asked Sam with that same expression on his face.
"Yes, why not?" asked Gwen.
"Well for one thing, there is no music or anything" Sam told her.
"Who needs music, we can hear the music in our heads, I mean we pretended to have a picnic, go waving in the running brook for goodness sake, we can certainly pretend there is music playing" said Gwen.
Sam kind of shook his head.
"I don't know about this Gwen, I mean I'm not much of dancer and…" he replied reluctantly but Gwen cut him off.
"Oh, come on Sam, I mean the last time we danced was when we were trapped in that parallel world, and I remember I much we enjoyed dancing at the spring dance and I might say you didn't do too bad" she told him.
"Yeah, well after that I always swore that was the last time I let anybody talk me into dancing again" said Sam half kidding.
"Oh, Sam don't be such a downer now after everything else we did here, I mean please just get up and dance with me already" Gwen pleaded.
Sam still reluctant slightly shook his head although was still kind of smiling.
"I don't know Gwen, I think I will sit this one out" he told her.
"Oh no you won't, I want dance with you Sam Winchester, and you should know by now I don't give up too easily. Sam, I'm gonna get a dance with you one way or another" she said smirking.
"Oh really?" asked Sam.
"Really, so please get up and dance with me already" she pleaded again.
"Nah" Sam said with a grin although a part of him was tempted.
"Oh, come on" Gwen kept pleading and then she bent down and reached for his arm and gently tugged him.
"Just one dance and if you don't want to dance anymore afterwards, I'll never ask you again" she replied.
Sam was now getting really tempted to just give in and he had to admit the last time he danced with Gwen at that spring dance in the other world he really enjoyed it despite not being the dancing type.
"Can I have your word on that?" Sam asked. Gwen nodded.
"Yes, I give you my word so just dance with me already" she pleaded again and started tugging on him.
Sam was still a bit hesitant but finally he gave in.
"Alright, alright already" he told her and then he got up from off the ground as Gwen kept pulling him up.
Gwen was so pleased she was successful in her accomplishment in persuading Sam to dance with her.
"Good I knew I could win you over" she replied with a prideful look on her face.
"Okay so what dance do you do, I don't how to do any of those fast dances, I even suck at doing the twist" Sam said.
"I just want to do the waltz" Gwen said.
"The waltz!" Sam cried out.
"Yes, what is wrong with the waltz?" Gwen asked.
"Well, for one thing it's a very old, old dance even too old for your grandmother" Sam replied.
"I don't care, I remember my grandmom teaching me that dance as a child and her parents taught her, I used to watch people dancing the waltz in those old classic movies I saw on TV and remembering it seeming so beautiful, classy and romantic, and wishing I could dance that way with a guy when I got older" she replied.
"Well, I'm afraid I'll make a lousy dancing partner I don't know how to do the waltz" Sam said.
"That's okay, I'll teach you it's really quite easy once you got the hang of it" she said.
"Alright, we do the waltz" Sam relented although he was now thinking to himself what was he getting himself into.
Gwen gently pulled Sam close to her until they are standing a few inches from each other facing the other as Gwen just started to guide Sam on the basic steps.
"You will place your right hand around here" she said placing Sam's right hand on the back of her shoulder blade. "And with your left hand, you take my right hand" she continued grabbing a firm hold of his hand and then with the other hand she placed on his shoulder.
"Okay" replied Sam like an awkward kid taking his first dancing class.
The two now standing in position in facing each other glaring in each other's eyes.
"Okay, now you move your left foot forward while I move my right foot back" she said.
Sam did as she instructed as he stepped forward while Gwen stepped back.
"Okay now you move your right foot forward and I move my left foot back" Gwen instructed again and Sam obeyed.
"Now slide your feet so they are touching each other" she said and Sam obeyed again as she did the same thing.
"Next, you are to move your right foot back as I move my left foot forward then move your left foot back as I move my right foot forward and bring you feet close together again like before" Gwen instructed.
Soon enough Sam followed this instruction.
"You see you did it, we did the waltz" replied Gwen.
"Yeah, its not that much different than the slow dance we did at that dance" Sam replied thinking about the last time he danced with Gwen.
"Well, it's a bit different and it takes a while to really get a hang of it, so let's try again and this time go a bit faster" Gwen said.
Soon, enough Sam and Gwen practiced the waltz again as Gwen gave him instructions on the steps this time doing it a bit faster. They continued on practicing the waltz and after while Sam started to get the hang of it as Gwen said he would and they started to dance a bit faster and faster as Sam was learning the steps.
"You got it" said Gwen with pride as they kept on dancing the waltz.
"Yeah, this isn't so hard at all" said Sam who looked impressed on how well he was doing the waltz.
The two of them kept on waltzing although near the running brook like a romantic couple as Sam improved on his steps but was still dancing like a beginner but that didn't matter as he and Gwen were enjoying themselves and they were swept away in what they were doing without a care in the world.
"Okay I want to do a twirl" said Gwen in the middle of their waltz.
"I twirl?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, you know twirling me around, I've always wanted a guy to twirl me while we are dancing" said Gwen.
"Okay, you get a twirl" said Sam and he and Gwen stopped dancing for a moment and while still holding on to Gwen's hand he raised his left hand up and twirled Gwen around like those dancing couples in those classic films.
After he finished twirling Gwen, they both resumed their dancing. They danced on longer than they expected as the time started flying and finally being tired they wanted to stop but Gwen managed to persuade Sam to dip her before the end of their dance and he did it kind of awkwardly nearly dropping her but he pulled her back up again and they laughed like two kids.
"I think I'm done with dancing for today" Sam said with a grin.
"I don't know, I can teach you the twist or the Charleston that my grandmom taught me" Gwen suggested.
Sam shook his head. "Nah, for me this it, one dance and that's all" he said still grinning.
"Okay, anyway I think we did pretty okay" said Gwen.
"Well, we were no Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers" Sam replied.
"Nobody can be them, but I mean it you're quite good for a beginner" said Gwen.
"You're not so bad either, you grandmother taught you well" Sam replied back.
"We'll she's a good teacher and I'm a good learner" said Gwen.
Later that day, the two were now just lying down in the faux grass in an area someplace close to each to each other like young couples do. Sam had his arms above his head folding together and his head was resting on them and Gwen was in the same position as the both of them were in deep thought now. Again, it was Gwen's idea they do this as she used to do it as a kid when she would just lay in the grass in the warm weather outside staring up at the blue sky whenever she was in deep thought and just wanted to rest.
Then Gwen turned her head to face Sam and said, "You know Sam, as much as I wanted to get back to our world and find my grandmother, there are times like this when I wish you could just stay here forever, where everything just seems to last".
Sam who had been thinking about the two of them for quite a while turned to Gwen and with an awkward look on his face as he finally decided this was the time to be truly straight with her about both of them.
"Gwen nothing lasts forever and certainly not our time in this painting as much as I enjoyed spending time with you here, we both have to be realistic about all this" he told her.
Gwen's facial expression changed from happy to worried, fearing where this conversation was heading.
"I know Sam, of course we need to get out of here someday and be reunited with the others, I miss my grandmom quite a lot but still we don't need to dwell on it and just enjoy our time we have here and hopefully soon enough we will get out" she replied.
Sam just sighed a bit knowing what he had to tell her will make a bit sad. "Yes, Gwen we will get out, if Dean is out there, he would have found Castiel by now and they are both probably looking everywhere for Rowena or if Dean and Ava are trapped somewhere too, Castiel will search around the world to find Rowena and when he does, he'll make her release us all. But the fact remains is once we're out of here and we've taken care of Rowena we have to be realistic about this thing that is happening between you and me" he told her.
Gwen who was now getting upset sat up looked down at Sam who was still lying down.
"Sam, I don't want to be think that far right now or be realistic, I just want to treasure this moment right now" she told him anxiously.
Then Sam sat up and turned to face her. "Gwen you have to, we both have to, as much as I would like to just treasure every moment we have now and not think about the future, I can't just avoid what will happen between us in the future like you can just because it's easier. And I've been thinking about his for a while now but didn't want to bring it up so as not to upset or worry you since you were holding up by just enjoying the moment rather than be sad or scared. But I can't hold it off any longer" he said.
Gwen was still looking worried about what Sam was about to say as she knew in her heart what he was going to say. "Sam, please" she told him.
"I'm sorry Gwen but we have to address this thing between us and where it's heading. I mean I really like you Gwen, not just like, I have these strong feelings for you more than I expected I would and it's been a long while since I had these feelings for any woman and spending this time with you here makes me almost want to forget our troubles. I think you're beautiful, loving, caring exciting and special person with a good heart and you have a special gift. There are so many qualities to you that I admire" Sam said as he reached out with his hand and took Gwen's hand and he paused a few seconds while Gwen just sat there looking so touched by Sam's words.
"I mean it, you're amazing Gwen and I'm glad I met you, but we have to deal with fact that after this whole thing is over we're back in our world reunited with our family and neutralized Rowena, there is nothing left for us. We'll go our separate ways, me and Dean will go back to the bunker in Kansas and be reunited with our brother Adam who by now is probably going crazy with worry and you will be with your grandmom. We may never see each other again for at least a long while maybe until you call us about another case but then what, we get together every time we find ourselves in a situation like this where you're helping us work a case have a romantic moment until we part ways again?" he said.
"That doesn't sound so bad" Gwen said with the same sad expression on her face.
"You say that now but after a while you're going to want more and so will I, but we won't be able to have more for many reasons" he told her.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Well, for one thing there's you in Minnesota with your grandmother and me and Dean in Kansas living in a bunker when we're not traveling around country hunting monsters" said Sam.
"Well, maybe one of us could make step up to change that fact" said Gwen.
Sam's eyes lit up upon what she said. "What are you saying, you're suggesting one us moves away to be with the other?" he asked.
"Yes, that could be a possibility" replied Gwen. Sam had that same surprised look on his face on what Gwen was suggesting.
"And don't worry Sam, I wasn't implying it be you, I know hunting is your life and that bunker is some kind of family legacy to you, I was referring to myself" Gwen replied before he could respond.
Sam was still taken aback. What Gwen was saying was quite big indeed. "You mean you're saying you want to move away from your home to be with me?" he asked.
"I know that sounds like a bit step especially since we've been together for short time, but the moment I met you I've felt very drawn to you and now after everything I know about your live and you know about mine including my visions major events that involved you, I just feel even more bonded to you. My feelings for you are just as strong as yours is for mine and all I know is I don't want you to ever be out of my life" said Gwen.
"Gwen, I'm not asking you to leave your home and your grandmother and everything you have to be with me, I would never ask that of you" said Sam who after hearing everything Gwen said needed to stand so he got up from the ground pulling Gwen up with him as she stood up too and he let go of her hand as the two stood there facing each other.
"I know you wouldn't, but I would be willing if that's what it took for us to have something more, for this thing we have between us to lead anywhere. You know Sam, I haven't had these feelings for somebody in a long time either, and we can open up about ourselves with each other in ways we couldn't with anybody and I've already been through a lot with you already as a hunter and me as a psychic, we both get each other. I don't think I'm even phased by your life as a hunter and all the things you been through since I've been through some of them with you already. You see Sam, we could be perfect for each other" she told him.
"But what about your grandmother, she's your family and the work you do with her, I wouldn't just expect you to leave her anymore than I would leave Dean" said Sam.
"Hey, I love my grandmother and I would never abandon her and as much as I like helping her with her business, I do want to have my own life too and I never planned to be just some old maid who just lives with my grandmother for the rest of my life and she wouldn't expect me to. She only wants me to be happy and she would understand if I ever chose to leave to follow my heart and have chance to have a life with someone, she would never just to expect me to close myself off from that just to be with her forever" Gwen replied.
"But Gwen…" Sam was about to say but Gwen cut him off.
"Look Sam, I know this sounds sudden and you probably think I didn't make that sacrifice for my last boyfriend that I told you about so why make it with you but as I said before, I never had this connection with him that I have with you in the short time we've been together. With you I really could see myself following you anywhere if that's what it took to be together someday. I'm not saying I would do that once we get out of this place but maybe someday in the future if that's what it took and I don't expect to just move in the bunker with you and your brothers. I could find my own place and find a job, maybe teaching again but right now I have no problem with just settling for us getting together once and a while especially if me and my grandmother wind up helping you and Dean and Ava with a case. Besides I'm starting to think we all make a great team as a group, I really missed you all when we went our separate ways the last time. I thought about you from time to time praying one day I'll see you again. I even started reading up on demons, spirits and other monsters and remembering what you told me. Then when Rowena arrived in our hometown, the only good thing about it was a chance to see all you guys again especially you and for that I'm kind of grateful for Rowena, as kind of weird as that sounds" Gwen finished.
Sam looked quite touched with Gwen's words and a part of him even wanted to believe what she said could be possible, but he wanted to be a realist about all of this as much as he hated tearing down Gwen's hopes.
"Gwen, the thing is I don't want you to uproot your life like that for me. Besides I don't expect you just to pine away for me waiting or hoping for us to get thrown in another situation together until we go our separate ways again. You may not know this now but one day you'll get tired of that no matter what you might you think you won't and I don't think fair to expect leave the life you already have just to be with me" he said.
"Like I said before Sam, I would be willing to do that if that occasion arises, it's my life and I have right to make any choices that I like including leaving my hometown to be with a man I have feelings for, and I like I said before I wouldn't do that right away, I would be willing to wait to see where this thing is leading, but I know right I want it to lead somewhere someday and not just end" she told him.
"And that's another thing, I can't give you what you're asking, my life as hunter, me always traveling off with Dean to work a case and there is always danger, and anybody in our lives will also be exposed to that danger. I've lost a lot of people in my life because the dangerous life I lead, and I can't bear to lose another" he told her.
Gwen just reached out and took his hand again.
"I understand your afraid, Sam and I can't say I blame you after everything you've been through, but I don't believe you should let fear of losing someone keep you from letting another person in your life besides your brothers. Take me, when I lost both of my parents, sometimes I would worry that I would lose my grandmother too, that she could die and leave me all alone but that never happened. I had to let go of the fear I wouldn't have her in my life just because of what happened with my parents and I think you need to let go your fears as well. Holding on to fear so you can shut others out so you won't have to worry about losing them won't make it better, it will just hold you back and close you off and might even make you unhappy and full of regret. Sometimes you need to just be willing to take a chance and let go of fear just to feel safe, I've learned that a long time ago" she explained with a sympathetic look.
Sam was so impressed by her wisdom and touched by her it too. He paused a bit before speaking up again.
"It still amazes me how bright you are and full of optimism" he told her.
"Well, like I said before my grandmom taught me well" she told him.
Despite Sam's smile he still had the same skeptic look on his face.
"Well, even if I didn't lose you, there's still the risk of you losing me. Being a hunter is a dangerous job as you know and there's always risks and many other hunters have lost their lives working a case and that could easily happen to me too. You'll still be stuck worrying if I come back safe and sound" he told her.
Gwen let of his hand and but didn't seem swayed by his comments.
"Hey, you said it yourself, you and your brother have been through a lot, both of you went to hell and you both even died for heaven's sake more than once and came back to life, you two always come out on top and I totally have faith you will again. I'm not naive Sam, I know there are risks, but I just rely on faith that you'll come out of it just like I have faith that someday we'll get out of this painting" she said.
Sam was impressed by her words as it sounded a bit like himself when he would pray every night to God having faith he exists when Dean didn't. He always tried to have faith that they could overcome any obstacle they had and so far, they did just when it seemed hopeless even death itself.
"I'm glad you have faith, Gwen but the fact remains, you shouldn't have to be sitting around relying on faith that I will return to you safe, you deserve a life with someone who will come home to you every night who won't bring any danger or chaos to it" he replied.
"I think I can decide for myself what I deserve, and I think what I deserve is to be with a man that makes me happy, who I a deep connection to, feel safe with no matter what I think you are that man, Sam Winchester" said Gwen.
Before Sam had a chance to response Gwen spoke up again. "Hey, look, like I said before, I'm not some naive child about any of this, not after what I've seen myself and from what everything you told me. But after everything we've been through, first with the Darkness, being sent to that parallel world and now with this situation with that witch Rowena and being trapped in this painting, I think I could go through anything with you, we've been through so much together already. As for the danger, me and my grandmom are psychics and that gives us a bit of an advantage and we can continue to be useful assets to you guys and like I said before I'm been reading up on the supernatural, I even learned how to make a devil's trap, kept salt in my room and we even got holy water just in case, I'm willing to learn more so I could be prepared" she said.
Sam couldn't help but feel even more impressed by what Gwen's determination regarding the two of them even willing to learn up about monsters and the supernatural and a part of him wanted to give in to her but he felt he had to be the realist of the two of them.
"Gwen, I admit you and your grandmother have helped us with your abilities and I will be forever grateful to the both of you and I know we've been through a lot together and I enjoyed every moment of it with you but no matter what, I just can't share this life with you or be what you need, even you being a psychic doesn't guarantee anything" he told her.
"There are never any guarantees Sam, but I'm begging you, please don't just decide to close the door on me, on us after everything we've been through, everything we shared together already, we don't have to make any rock solid decisions right now and I won't push you too hard right now but at least just let's hold off making a decision on what's next for us after we get out of this place and please really think about what I said to you in the meantime" Gwen pleaded as she now held Sam's hands in hers again.
Sam didn't want to debate about this with Gwen any further as he didn't want to spoil her enjoyment here and make her unhappy during the rest of their time in this drawing. Plus, he was getting tired of going on about it, maybe Gwen is right, it would be better if they held off on deciding what this thing that's going on between and where it will lead in the future even though he was sure he was right on what he was saying, and they will have to deal with that once they're back in their world. Right now, all Sam did was nod his head.
"Okay Gwen, we'll hold off on this until we get out of this place" he told her.
"And you think about what I said?" she asked.
"Yes, Gwen I will" he said didn't believe her words will dissuade him, but he didn't want to tell her that.
"Okay" said Gwen who let go of Sam's hand.
They paused for a while and talked very little as they didn't seem to be much to say after all of that. However, after many long hours, later that day or night, Sam and Gwen found themselves laying in the grass cuddled together again after some love making and once again and they were totally nude as their closed were stashed somewhere nearby. Both of them were wide awake and silent as they were in deep thought. Both of them were thinking about what the other said and now they were couldn't help wonder about will become of them once they are free from this utopia/prison, and the more they thought about it, the more they couldn't help but fear that fateful moment.