A/N
Warning: copious amounts of alcohol and swearing ahead.

We are nearing the end of part 1. Thank you for reading this much. Only two stops left of crazy camp after this.

If you skipped the last chapter here's a quick overview:

Sam got mad at Grace for running off with Colonel Carter, then she uses the Ghostfacers as an excuse for knowing what to do. After cleaning up they had a few drinks and then Sam climbed into Grace's bed to help her sleep.
She had a nightmare which he struggled to wake her from so he kissed her... leading to extra touching.
They slept through lunch so they are currently on their way to town so Sam can buy her lunch.

Hell I'm lost - what can I ask that I don't already know without letting him know that I know more about him that he's told me. And some normal questions I could ask I know will hurt him too.

Sam gets my attention. "You're quiet."

"Sorry, lost in my head."

"Thinking bout what?"

"How awkward this is."

"This?"

"We barely know each other, my boyfriend, for lack of a better word, hasn't been dead for three days, I've already whored myself out to some other bloke who I'm now stuck in car with and I have no idea what else to say." BREATH and turn my face away from him.

"Grace-"

"Don't." I interrupt him. "I'm not fooling myself Sam. You're a hunter, a love 'em n leave 'em, never settle down kinda guy. I have no expectations from you and I have no idea what you expect from me or why you're insisting on lunch."

Oh shit!

#CHAPTER 7#

My face is heating up, with tears springing to my eyes; I'm trying so hard to hold them back. DEEP BREATH.

Close my eyes, cover my mouth, and my bloody headache is back. More deep breathing.

Silence is all there is from Sam.

After a few minutes I can't take this anymore. I need to get out of here. Choke out "I didn't mean it to come out like that. I'm dying to know what you're thinking at the same time I don't think I wanna know. Just let me out I'll walk back to camp."

"You can't, not on that foot."

"Then I'll hitch a ride back when we get to town." My head feels like it's going to explode; I'm trying to hide it. I don't want his sympathy and I bet his 'special' headaches were much worse than this.

Utter silence on the remainder of the journey. We finally stop. "Thanks for the ride, bye Sam." Getting out quickly. We're close to the library so ignoring my foot I head there, straight for the bathroom. Check the stalls to make sure I'm alone, sit on a closed toilet and put my head in my hands.

Think over and over 'DEEP BREATHS. Must calm down.'

Get up to splash my face. Darn! I told him the library is a safe haven; he could find me here. Dry my face and hands, peek out the door to make sure he's not around before speeding to the entrance; glancing around as I move outside before making a beeline for the bar.

"Something strong." Slapping a note down on the counter. The barman pours a shot. Down it. "Another." Skull the contents. "Large bourbon and coke." Then go sit in the corner of a tall, dark red leather booth to nurse it.

Un-freaking-believable! No freaking idea what to do now.

I need to get back to camp, grab my stuff and get outta this bloody area. Halfway through my third glass, I freeze as in the booth next to me I hear him say "Hi." Chills run down my back as I listen carefully. "I lost her… We had a fight on the drive, she tried to walk back to camp but I wouldn't let her and she stormed off as soon as we got to town… Something really stupid. I offered to buy her lunch and she blew up... and now I'm really worried about her. I thought she'd go to the library but she wasn't there … Okay. What should I do? … Alright I'll ask around see if anyone's seen her … Will do."

Sam goes quiet, I stop breathing as I hear him put money down on the table and the leather (creaks) as he gets up. Turn my head into the corner, so hoping he doesn't see me.

"Grace?" Cringe. Crap! "There you are."

Just stare at him a little scared. He looks like he's going to speak but thinks again. What's the bet he's biting his tongue so he doesn't get shot for asking if I'm alright again. He watches me for a minute then walks away.

I finally let out the breath I've been holding, and take a sip of my drink. When I take the last mouthful the glass clinks as I put it down on the table. Okay I need to get moving; but I'm blocked by the barman coming over and putting a burger and fries down in front of me. "I didn't order this."

"The gentleman ordered it for you." Pointing at the bar, I squint at where he's indicating and sigh.

"Don't want it." Placing both hands on the table to support me getting out of the booth. Sammy is right there in a flash. "Sit." blocking my way. Plunk, fall back onto the seat. Malcolm wanders away.

"Eat." Stuff a chip in my mouth. "Happy? Can I go now?"

His face is full of pain, worry and confusion. "No," much calmer. Reluctantly consume a few more chips then realise that I'm starving and next thing I know the burger is gone like that. He smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes.

Wiping my mouth and hands with a napkin that I chuck on the plate. "Thanks. You've fulfilled the promise to buy me lunch. Now leave me alone."

"At least let me take you back to camp? Colonel Carter is worried about you."

"Fine! Let's go," hobbling back to the car. Another uncomfortably silent car trip later, we arrive with Sam Carter waiting in the car park for us.

Ignore both Sam's and go to my dorm, lock it (for what it's worth) and dump my bags on the bed to start packing. The door rattles and shakes. Great they are not going to leave me alone as the chink of pick tools makes me pack faster. Have even forgotten the physical pain I'm in, in my desperation to get out of here. Carter storms in taking in the scene. "Going someplace?"

"Home or at least far away from here." Keep packing.

"Please stay, at the very least calm down and sober up."

"I am sober, mostly." Zipping up my bag. Facing her to see if she'll let me out.

"Not good enough."

"What do I have to stay for? Huh? Absolutely nothing, that's what."

"Talk to me." she begs.

I just want to get out of here. State, annoyance rising. "The walls can have ears so no."

"The cabin is empty now, how about you move in there?" Roll my eyes. "Just for the night? You've had a rough few days, please Grace."

"Stop Carter," she flinches at the use of her surname. "I don't understand why you're pushing, I'm just a meaningless civilian."

"You're a person. Civilian or military doesn't matter, I care."

"Even after…" wave the bandaged hand between us, "everything?"

She shuffles a little uncomfortably at that, but in true military fashion recovers quickly. "Yes." She picks up my bag, huffing angrily I sling my pack over my shoulder and pick up my pillow holding it under my left arm and follow her outside, up to the cabin. She makes me go in first, shutting the door with a snap before placing my bag on the floor, I drop my day-pack next to it with the pillow placed on top.

Look around, suddenly get mad as Sam is standing 'in the kitchen'. "For fucks sake! Really? Well that's what I get for trusting people that spend their lives lying." Storm into the bathroom, slam the door, go to lock it and part of the lock has been removed. Scream "Fucking seriously!?" Smashing the door with my good fist before sliding to the floor with my back against it, and scream as all my pain returns.

It's a while until I calm down enough to get up and splash my face with my good hand. DEEP BREATHS before opening the door, pausing on the handle for a minute while trying to get a grip on myself, DEEP BREATHS as ready as I'll ever be to face them.

Not making eye contact stride purposefully towards my bag to fetch my bottle of painkillers, snatch up the whiskey as well. Dump them on kitchen bench, looking for a glass. Pour, take two ibuprofen with it, draining the remainder of the glass and pour another before looking up at them, waiting for someone to speak. I'm leaning against the bench, they are standing in the middle of the room (not close together). Sam with his arms loosely at his sides (hands open); Carter has arms crossed, a knee bent.

Cross my arms too. "Well?" I snap at them. "What do you want?"

"What was that?" he asks waving an arm questioningly.

"What? The drive?" he nods. "Do you really want me talking with her here?" Quick glance at Carter then take a sip.

He asks staring at me. "Do you trust her?" I look directly at him.

"I did."

"What am I? Chopped liver? I'm right here."

"That would be the problem Carter." Snap at her, still holding eye contact with Sammy.

"Grace just please. It's okay." He's clearly hurting and trying to remain calm.

"Really Sam? Chuck! Still want me to talk?"

His eyebrows disappear into his fringe, closes his eyes for a second. His turn for drawing a deep breath. "Yes, she might as well know everything now."

"You want me to do the speech?"

"No just talk. I'll fill in any missing pieces, if needs be." He turns around and sits on the edge of the king-sized bed. Facing a bit more towards Colonel Carter I start explaining.

"Last night you asked me how I knew I what I was doing; I only replied that I read a lot, then answered Sam," toss a quick glance at him, "later with The Ghostfacers. It's this website, a group of people chasing paranormal activity, trying to find ghosts, catch them on camera. On this site's chat room there's a message board about a series of books by Carver Edlund about two guys hunting supernatural monsters." Finish my drink. Turn to pour another while continue talking.

"This morning on the way into town we were talking about Sam's brother and then I 'went quiet'." Using quotation fingers. Look back to Sam. "The cogs were falling into place. Edlund's Supernatural books, monsters, are all bloody real and my favourite fucking character, Sam fucking Winchester, was sitting right freaking beside me driving the stupid car." I can't look at Sam anymore so glance at Carter's surprised face then at the floor. Skull another drink.

DEEP BREATHS, the room is still and silent. Snap! "Sam, you and Dean have literally been to Hell and back. I cannot begin to understand that, and also my pain must be pitiful compared to what you have been through. I don't see what I am, other than another victim to save. Saving people, hunting things, the family business. I get that. I know now how you 'followed me' when we met. I know you don't like what Chuck has done and I didn't want you to think I'm anything like Becky." Catch Sam's eye as he grimaces. Toss the bottle onto the bed, sit down behind him on it cross-legged and pour. Notice the officer's gaze following me "So Carter, still think I'm not crazy?" Gulping it down.

She looks at him questioningly. "Yes. Grace is telling the truth. My brother Dean and I are hunters of unnatural creatures. Carver Edlund is a penname for Chuck Shurley and he is 'a prophet of the lord', writing The Winchester Gospel otherwise known as the Supernatural series."

We are both now watching Carter. "Wow. Your national security 'nothing is impossible' military line of work must really be nuts if you're not questioning this." I remark.

"You could say that." She finally speaks.

"So what do you to want from me now? I'm obviously not going to leave now," tipping my glass, pouring yet another portion, "but I'm also not going to hurt myself or- do something," giving Sam a look, trying to reassure him I have no intention of using the dream root at this point in time, "stupid. I don't expect you to believe me after my yo-yo-ing behaviour but…" Sick of talking for now so just shut my mouth and stare at my feet.

Carter asserts "I think you both need to talk alone, I'm going to go and I'll come back at seven with some dinner for you both." She glances at Sam. "Don't worry your secret is safe with me." Quickly exits the cabin.

Sam turns and sits on the end of the bed, I move right up to the head of the bed.

"I just want to start with I'm sorry for being so much trouble. I don't want you to think that you have to talk to me about anything you aren't comfortable with. There are hundreds of things I'd like to know but it's your business. I know I'm just another life to save and leave in the dark. Just if you do want to you can talk about anything. You admitted yesterday you don't open up enough, maybe it's 'cause your always with Dean and you both seem to try protecting each other by bottling crap up?" He remains silent, so I carry on. "It only seems fair that you know about me so you can ask me anything. Just as an aside if either of you ever need a place to stay in Phoenix you'll be welcome with at mine, err no matter what happens here. Speech over."

With no change to his demeanor he asks "Where do you want me to start?" I'm taken aback. Hmm, lets start with an obvious one.

"How did you get out of the cage?" Running my hand over my head to get my hair off my face.

"Crowley and Death."

"The Horseman?"

"Yeah, apparently."

"Apparently?"

"I can't remember anything since falling in, though I have had a few umm flashbacks."

"Oh and umm Dean's promise about Lisa?"

"He tried. It didn't work out."

"Oh. It's okay, it's his business you don't have to tell me more than that. I was just wondering since you're here alone. What I want to really know at the moment, is what you were thinking yesterday, in the car this morning and or now." Sipping on another glass.

"You are not a whore." I frown at his answer. "That's what I was going to say this morning, when you interrupted me."

I'm burning up at the embarrassment. Drink deeply.

"A slut then."

"Not a slut either."

"Fine, whatever." Sip. "Doesn't change anything. For the record I was going to say 'I have no expectations' before the 'quiet time' happened, I was too chicken to speak up and I was telling the truth about having no idea about what to say, I had a hard enough time asking you about Dean. Not much of people person. It's the same now, not a clue what to say, what's okay to ask, but I will tell you anything you wanna know about me." Sip.

"First can you please slow down on that until Carter brings food over." Hand him the bottle, after filling my glass to the top, which he puts on the bench.

Sip. "Second?"

"Why don't you know what to ask if there is so many things you would like to find out?"

Simple I think. "I don't wanna hurt you."

"How?"

"I highly doubt you want to talk about Jessica or Ruby or the blood or Hell, blah blah blah."

"Oh." Oh those eyes, so sad.

"See? It's okay never mind. Besides I have no right asking anything when all you know about me is I'm a bookworm headcase and when do you ever see someone again? You talk about what you want to." Gulp. Sip. Gulp.

He gets a little closer to the bed. "Doesn't that work both ways? Anything I could ask could cause you pain." loosely crossing his arms.

"I'm already hurting, won't make much of a difference, besides this is - whatever." finishing off my glass. Get up to grab the bottle. He grasps my arm as I go to push past him.

"Grace, please don't."

Whirl around. "Don't what?" It comes out more angry than I meant it to sound. This is a lot harder now he knows that I know who he is.

"Promise you won't drink anymore."

"You're Ruby-ing me? Really?" He lets go. Shock? Okay that was a little harsh but I don't wanna be fixed right now.

"Please." Oh those eyes, how you say no to that? Sighing I go into my bag for the chocolate instead. Sit down on the end of the bed and tear it open.

"So ask. Nothing off limits." breaking off a giant bit and nibbling on it. After a few minutes of silence, Sam sits next to me and breaks off a piece when I offer him the block. "I don't know what to ask either." He is so concerned right now, if I wasn't in so much pain I'd think it was so hot.

"Okay. Well what about umm; do you have pictures? I'd love to see your family."

"Yeah I do have some photos, do you?"

"On my laptop. Let's start with them then, you never know what conversations can come about from photos."

Grab my laptop, prop my leg up on a pillow and he comes to sit next to me. And that's how Carter finds us when she brings dinner over. She puts three plates on the table. "Come on you two. Be civilised." Put the laptop on the bedside table before Sammy helps me up. As we eat she says to me "You seem happier?"

"A bit." Nibbling on a piece of carrot.

"That's good."

Sam mutters "It's a start."

When all the food is gone I look at him, "Mother may I?"

He sighs, "Yes. Sit, I'll get it."

"Grab a glass if you want some, there's another bottle in my bag, Carter?"

"Sure, just one. But please stop calling me Carter. What happened to Sam or Tapping?"

Red faced? Bet I am. "Didn't seem right after last night." I mumble, not really wanting Sammy to overhear.

She reaches out to grab my hand. Leans closer to whisper. "Forget about it, we're friends, alright? Now no more Carter." Last bit coming normal volume but out like an order.

"Yes ma'am." laughing. Freeing my hand, put arm up in a hailing gesture. "Waiter, where's those drinks?" We all laugh.

"Coming your highness." With a slight mock bow as he brings them over.

Eventually she gets up. "As much as I want to keep this up someone has to be on duty tonight. You both have my number if you need anything, otherwise I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

"'Night Tapping."

"Goodnight Sam." He says, locking the door once he's walked her out.

As I get up from the dining table I stumble a little gripping Sam's shoulder as I try to balance, start falling back, he catches me and I land on his knee, fling my hands around his neck to stabilise, kiss him on the cheek before getting up to go pour another drink. Skull the glass, then pick up the bottle to pour another.

When I feel his gaze burning into the back of my head, exhale slowly as I stare at it before putting it on the bench with a clunk without filling the glass. As I twist the cap back on I say "Sorry about the Ruby line earlier." Taking some deep breaths, hanging my head, "that wasn't on, I-" pause as his hand comes down on my shoulder, then grips on the side of my arm.

TBC