Big thanks to Brigid Tanner for proofing this for me! And my apologies for keeping you Sammie Rae fans waiting while I finished Lil' Sammy. I had planned to post this Friday, but I've been without internet access and phone since Friday. Honest - Rae is going to be my primary focus until this story is done. Thanks again!!
Chapter 15
Sam ran the fifth search on the chemicals present in the librarian's body at the time of the autopsy. His brow furrowed over the conflicting results. Finally he resorted to his old stand-by, Dad's contacts. Actually, he didn't need the journal for this particular contact, the number was programmed into his cell phone.
"Hello?" The gruff voice was so familiar and warm it brought a slight grin to Sam's face.
"Hey, Bobby. How's it going?" he asked in what he hoped was an off-hand manner.
"Since you're the one doing the calling, I'd guess something is going on with you. What's up, Sam?"
Sam shook his head, though Bobby couldn't see it. It was true, he had been pretty bad lately about keeping in touch. "Actually, I'm working on what might be a case for Rae."
"Rae?" He heard the panic creeping into the older man's voice. "She all right?"
"She's fine, Bobby." He vaguely recalled Dean calling Bobby the time Rae was kidnapped. "She just heard a rumor at school about the school library being haunted, so I'm checking it out."
The whoosh of air from the other end of the line spoke volumes. "So you did it, huh? Talked them into regular school." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah, guess so." Sam cleared his throat, still feeling somewhat guilty for causing Dean's panic attacks. "I was wondering if I could send you the autopsy report on the librarian. There were some odd chemicals found in the body and I can't quite figure out what they mean."
"Sure thing, Sam. Anything for you boys. Hey, Sam?"
"Yeah, Bobby?"
"When am I going to get to see that ray of sunshine, anyway? It's been months." If he didn't know Bobby better, he would swear the man was pouting.
Sam chuckled into the phone. "Anytime you want to drive out, Bobby. The door is always open, you know that."
"And where exactly is that door?" he asked.
Sam started. He thought Dean had called Bobby. He quickly relayed directions to their place.
"Should I call Dean first?" Bobby asked once Sam finished giving their current address.
"Only if you want to, or if you're expecting a certain brand of beer."
"In that case," he heard shuffling noises in the background, "I'll see you all tomorrow afternoon. You get home around three?"
Sam tried to hide his surprise. "Uh, more like three-thirty. It'll be good to see you, Bobby."
Sam heard the distinctive sound of Bobby's phone hanging up. He slid the cell back into his pocket. Apparently Bobby felt neglected, if that call was anything to go by. He would definitely have to inform Dean to expect a houseguest tomorrow, and he hoped his brother would not accuse him of it being a set-up. Because it definitely wasn't.
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Rae trudged toward the school library just behind Amy, feet heavy with dread. How the hell had she allowed herself to be talked into this? Okay, so Dad's problem was panic attacks that came from worrying too much. Right. She got that. How did their interviewing the librarians help with that again? Amy said something about Dad and Uncle Sam not having to worry about the case if there wasn't really a case. And if there was a case, then they could just say that they 'heard' about it and never admit they were ever actually in the library.
Could she even lie to Dad? Rae had no idea, it never occurred to her to try. She never wanted to lie to Dad. He never lied to her. Did he? Oh, shit, they were there! She thought it was further to the library than this.
Rae stopped just outside the entrance to the school library, feet leaden and heart thumping in her throat. Her chest was tight and the air was suddenly heavy, like it refused to go into the lungs of kids who betrayed their parents. She started to back away when she felt Amy's hand on her arm.
"Come on," Amy said through clenched teeth, "it's no big deal."
No big deal. Right. And when Dad erupted like, like…what was the name of that really big volcano?...the one that destroyed Pompeii…Vecu – no – Vesu – Vesuvius. And when Dad erupted like Mt Vesuvius, where would Amy be? Safe at home with her mother. Yet here she was, allowing her friend to drag her along where neither one of them were supposed to be. The closer they got to the desk area where the librarians were, the harder it became to breathe.
The next thing she knew, Amy was talking to one of the librarians. Rae could not even follow the conversation, the blood pounding in her ears was far too loud. Amy kept shooting her odd looks, but all she could do was shrug or shake her head. Finally Amy seemed to notice that she was really having trouble breathing. As a matter of fact, there was less air here than there had been out in the hall, and that was saying something. Someone was trying to push her into a chair, holding out a paper lunch bag or something to her. Rae bolted.
She ran as fast as she could out of the library, through the hall and down the long sloped ramps to the first floor. There she collapsed on the cold vinyl tiles, clutching the short wall that ran along the carpeted ramps. Rae sat there breathing. Eventually she realized Amy's voice was saying something.
"Rae? You okay? What's wrong?" Amy's worried face, hovering just above her, came into view.
She shook her head, unable to answer yet. Not yet. Her throat might work in a few minutes, but not now. For right now Rae was grateful the air was moving here, flowing in and out of her lungs.
"Sammie?" She looked just past Amy and there was Miss Grimmault, frowning down at her. Shit. "What happened?"
Rae shook her head again. Still not ready to talk. Not even to Amy, much less that English teacher.
"Amy?" Miss Grimmault turned on her friend. "I saw you two racing from the library. Mind telling me why?"
Amy fidgeted, eyes darting down at Rae. "Uh, I dunno."
"Sammie?" Miss Grimmault kneeled down, so they were at the same eye level. "Do you think you can stand now?"
Rae checked. Yes, her knees claimed they could hold her weight. She wondered if they were liars too, like the rest of her. With a deep breath, she tried standing. She nodded to her teacher.
"Good. Come along then, both of you." Miss Grimmault led them away. Rae was grateful they were not heading back toward the library, but her stomach plummeted when she realized they were heading for the school offices.
The school nurse was on the way to the principal's office. They stopped off in there for the nurse to listen to Rae's breathing and ask a few questions, none of which she answered, of course. Amy answered for her, thankfully. Then it was off to the grade level principal's office. Damn it. She was really in for it now. Honestly, Rae had no idea what 'it' would be, but she had no doubt she was about to find out.
Miss Grimmault disappeared inside the principal's office ten minutes ago. Amy and Rae exchanged guilty looks, but neither said a word. In Rae's mind, there was nothing that could possibly make this better. She had disobeyed a direct order from Dad. Okay, she did not exactly do it well, but she had done it. She hoped he would be angry, yell and scream. That would be easier than seeing disappointment in his eyes. That was the very last thing she ever wanted to put there.
Her chest was starting to hurt again. Was the air in here getting heavy too?
"Rae?" Amy broke their silence first. "Hey, you okay?" Amy's warm hand on her arm was comforting, a lot like when Uncle Sam did that. But she did not deserve to be comforted and tried to shove the hand away, however Rae found it impossible to move her hands to do it. So she sat there, staring straight ahead, trying to pull air into her lungs. Then she noticed the really long legs standing in front of her. The faded patches on the jeans were all too familiar. She shut her eyes.
"Uncle Sam?" When she opened her eyes again, Uncle Sam was kneeling in front of her, much the way Miss Grimmault did earlier.
"What's going on, Rae?" Uncle Sam did not look happy. He looked rather annoyed, to tell the truth.
"I…uh, we…" Rae bit her bottom lip, rolling it between her teeth as she searched for the right words. "I went to the library," she finally whispered.
Uncle Sam's eyes widened. "After Dean told you not to? Ordered you not to?"
She nodded, felt the heat rising off her guilty cheeks as her head dropped down.
"It was my fault," Amy gushed beside her, "I talked her into it. Honest, Uncle Sam, I had no idea she'd freak out like that."
"What do you mean, freak out?" Uncle Sam demanded.
"Cooper!" The principal's voice bellowed from inside the office. Rae stood, looking hopefully at Uncle Sam. He took her hand and led her inside.
Rae cowered under the principal's scrutiny. She had never been in trouble like this before, with someone other than Dad or Uncle Sam. Now that she really thought about it, which was difficult earlier with all the panic and guilt, Rae had no idea why she was here in the first place. What school rule had she broken? Running in the hallway? Wow, that was a really serious rule.
"Sammie Cooper?" Principal Crowder leaned forward on his desk. She tried to look up, but she felt the weight of Uncle Sam's eyes on her. "I would like to know why you ran out of the school library."
Rae shook her head, studying her shoes. They were still pretty new, only a few scuff marks on the toes. She was pretty clumsy these days. Uncle Sam kept telling her she would grow into her feet soon, but she doubted it. Especially the way Dad laughed every time Uncle Sam said that.
"What were you doing in the library, Rae?" Uncle Sam asked, his voice low with disapproval.
"That's something I'd like to hear, too," Dad's voice boomed in the principal's office.
Rae's head sunk lower. Oh, Dad was going to be so, so disappointed. He would probably never trust her again. Would he send her away? Not want her anymore?
"Sammie Rae!"
Her head snapped up at the order in Dad's voice, the intensity. His face was lined with worry. Great, she was going to send him back to the hospital and then – boom – no more family.
"We…" she swallowed hard, locking eyes with Dad. "We wanted to talk to the librarian."
"After I told you. Ordered you. Not to go to the school library?" Dad's face clouded with anger and something else, something Rae could not identify.
Rae swallowed hard again. She nodded. "Yes, sir," she thought it at least came out a whisper.
He leaned down into her face, so close their noses were almost touching. "Why?" he whispered, most of the anger gone. She only saw confusion now.
"I…I didn't want you to worry." She stared back, knowing he would never understand.
"Grounded," he said in his normal voice. "For a month. Sam?"
"A month works for me," Uncle Sam replied. "We did have bowling plans for the girls Saturday, but I'm sure Karen won't mind rescheduling when I explain the situation."
"Good." Dad straightened up. "So, what school rules did the girls break to land them here?" He faced Principal Crowder, who watched Dad with his mouth slightly open.
"Actually, Miss Grimmault was concerned for Sammie's welfare," Principal Crowder stood to face Dad. They were about the same height, but Dad still seemed to tower over him. Principal Crowder appeared unintimidated. "Sammie's behavior is unusual for a girl her age, which has most of her teachers concerned and rightfully so. You should be expecting a visit from Family Services. Soon."
Dad's eyes narrowed. Rae sneaked a peek at Uncle Sam. He wore almost the exact same expression. This was all her fault. Everything. She was in so, so, so much trouble.
"Number one," Dad's voice was tight, controlled, "her name is Sammie Rae. You may call her Rae. Number two, this is my family." He leaned into her principal's face. "Nobody messes with my family."
Uncle Sam cleared this throat. Dad straightened up, exchanged a look with Uncle Sam.
"So, does Rae go back to class now, or is she suspended for running out of the library?" Uncle Sam asked, also standing. Uncle Sam did not glare at Principal Crowder, though. He stared at Miss Grimmault. It surprised Rae when Miss Grimmault stared back, unflinching. Not many people did that to Uncle Sam or Dad.
Principal Crowder looked at her. "There is no reason for a suspension. Sammie Rae is not to be blamed for her actions."
"What class do you have now, Rae?" Dad asked, glowering at her principal.
"Gym?" She knew her voice quivered, but she could not help it.
"Good," he snapped. "Tell that Coach Green you're ready to try out for the track team."
Rae nodded, dropping her head again. She knew there had to be another punishment coming.
"Sam and I will be out front when school is out."
"Yes, sir," Rae whispered, standing to head to class.
When large, warm hands grabbed her as she went by, it surprised her. Next thing she knew Dad had her in a tight hug, planting a kiss on the top of her head. Rae leaned into it, hoping this meant Dad still wanted to be her Dad, that she didn't screw up too bad. Then he shoved her away, straight into Uncle Sam's arms. After Uncle Sam hugged her, Rae found herself outside the principal's office heading to gym class.
This had to be the second worst day of her life. No, wait, make that the third worst day.
"Rae!" Amy ran up behind her, grabbed her by the shoulder. She nearly spun into it, knocking Amy away like Dad taught her. But Amy was her friend, her only friend. Were friends supposed to get you into trouble like this? "Rae, what happened?"
Rae turned slowly. "They called Family Services. And we're not going bowling this weekend." She shook off Amy's hand. "I have to go to gym now."
She walked away, feet heavy. Rae spent the rest of the school day in a haze. She remembered telling Coach Green she wanted to try out for the track team. He was delighted even if she wasn't. After school the familiar sight of the Impala waited for her. Rae headed for it, filled with dread. She reached for the back door, but Uncle Sam jumped out of the front seat. He motioned for her to sit up front.
Confused, Rae tossed her backpack into the back seat before taking her spot between Dad and Uncle Sam.
"Know why you're in trouble?" Dad asked as he pulled away from the curb and joined the line of cars leaving school grounds.
"For disobeying an order," she said softly, staring down at her clasped hands.
"Did you understand why I gave you that order?" Dad demanded.
Rae sighed. "In case there really was a ghost in the library?"
"That's right," Uncle Sam said gently, placing a hand on her leg, "because we don't want you in any danger."
Now she looked up. "Not in any danger? I've been on hunts with you two."
"That's different," Dad said, pulling out onto the street. "When you're with us, we watch out for you. If you go in alone, you're just alone. Besides," he grunted at being caught behind the traffic light, "it's not like you've ever had to kill anything."
"Yes, sir. Dad? I'm sorry."
"Good." Dad cleared his throat. "For what exactly?"
Rae sighed. "Everything."
"Everything isn't your fault," Dad snapped.
"Or yours," Uncle Sam said, looking at Dad. Rae looked between them, not entirely understanding what was happening now. Dad did not answer, watching the road instead.