Chapter 6:
Sam awakens several hours later feeling much better. The good mood brought on by finally having a pleasant sleep is ruined when he remembers his current situation. He does his best to stay calm. He'll be no help if he starts to panic. He just lays back, his tall body squished a little in the small back seat, and focuses on keeping himself calm. He can hear Dean and Cas talking quietly from the front seat.
"What am I supposed to do Cas? He knew the truth before and it sent him running straight into their pompous arms. We need that like we need a hole in the head." Cas must look confused because Dean goes on to explain. "It's just an expression Cas."
"I understand Dean. However, lying is not the way to insure trust," Castiel responds. "Your…"
Sam never hears what else Castiel was going to say because they hit an unexpected speed bump. Sam fails to repress a groan as his head bounces against the car door. That alerts Dean and Castiel to the fact that he's awake. They share a look and then quickly change the subject of conversation.
"Hey Sammy, you're finally awake. You slept for nearly 20 hours. How are you feelin'?"
"I'm fine," Sam answers automatically.
"Don't lie to me, dude," Dean scolds gently without taking his eyes off the road. Sam is surprised. He hadn't been intentionally lying to Dean but, when he thought about it, he realized what he said wasn't exactly true.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Sam tells his brother after a pause. "Everything is happening so fast. My head is still spinning. Last week I was worried that Robin was having trouble in math. Now my entire family has been kidnapped. I don't even know if they're still alive." Dean nods sympathetically.
"You just need to stay calm, Sammy," Dean advises. "Cas and I are going to help you get Diana and the kids back. We're not gonna let anything bad happen to them. Right, Cas?" The man in the passenger's seat glances at Dean before meeting Sam's eyes in the rearview mirror.
"I will do everything in my power to return your family safely." It's a simple statement but, Sam knows that his brother's boyfriend is completely serious. If he says he will do anything then he really will do anything.
"See Sammy, you just have to trust us. Ok?" Dean tells his brother. Sam nods before turning his gaze out the window. His mind is swimming with everything that has happened recently. The three men slip into a comfortable silence. The only sounds are the impala's tires on the roadway. At one point Dean puts in one of his cassettes and the sounds of Metallica quietly fill the car.
A few hours later they turn off the highway and Sam realizes that he has no clue where they are.
"Where are we going?" Sam asks his brother.
"Sioux Falls, South Dakota" Dean tells him simply.
"What's in Sioux Falls?" Sam questions. The town's the name seems familiar but, he can't place it.
"A friend's place," Dean replies. "Do you remember Bobby?" Dean had mentioned Bobby after his accident, and he could picture the old man in his mind but, like most things in his head, a lot of the memories are jumbled.
"Sort of," Sam finally answers.
"He was a friend of Dad's," Dean explains. "He owns a big junk yard. Dad used to leave us there sometimes when he went on trips. He looked out for us after Dad died. We're going to his place. We'll be safer there." Sam has questions. 'Where was Bobby when Sam had his accident?' 'Why hasn't Bobby visited them in the last 13 years?' 'What were these trips that his Dad was always taking?' Sam opens his mouth to ask then changes his mind. He doesn't know why Dean hasn't spoken to Bobby in 13 years but, he can tell that Dean misses the other man, even if he tries to deny it. Sometimes talking about the past makes Dean clam up tighter then Fort Knox and now would be the worst possible time for that. He needs to trust his brother if he wants to save his family so he lets it go.
"How long until we get there?" Sam asks instead. Dean opens his mouth to respond but Cas beats him to it.
"Approximately 37 minutes," Cas says. His face shows no trace of humor. Sam looks at his brother to see if Cas is joking. Dean pauses and rolls his eyes slightly.
"A little more than half an hour, Sam," Dean translates. Castiel gives Dean a look that Sam doesn't know how to read and Dean counters with an equally enigmatic look. Sam is pretty sure they are having an entire conversation just through glances but, he has no idea what they're saying. He decides to ignore them and focuses on looking at the countryside as it whizzes by.
***
Approximately 37 minutes later the car comes to a stop outside the gates of an old salvage yard. Above the entrance is a sign that once probably said something innocuous, like the name of the salvage yard, but so many letters had been lost that it now read "Sin to Save". The statement, seemingly randomly formed, rings ominously in Sam's head but he pushes the feeling down. At the end of a worn path through the rusted skeletons of old car is a house. Sam is half-way down the path when he realizes that he's walking alone. He turns around. Dean and Cas are still standing next to the impala. He walks back to his brother, confused.
"What's wrong?" Sam asks.
"We cannot pass through these gates. There are powerful…" Cas starts to explain.
"What Cas is trying to say…" Dean interrupts, glaring at his boyfriend. "Is that Bobby won't exactly be happy to see me and Cas. You'll get a warmer welcome without us."
"What do I say to him?" Sam wonders. "I barely even remember him."
"Just tell him who you are and that you need help. He should help you," Dean assures him.
Sam is a little suspicious but, nods. Now doesn't seem the time to start doubting his brother.
There are dandelions growing up between the boards of the porch. The steps creak as Sam climbs them. For a moment he's afraid that they'll break under his weight but they hold. The entire house seems worn and tired. Sam nervously knocks on the door and… nothing happens. He knocks again, harder. The house remains eerily quiet. Sam is starting to doubt that anyone even lives here.
Sam raises his hand to knock a third time. The next thing Sam knows, there's a gun in his face. He hadn't even seen the door open. Standing in the doorway with a double-barrel shotgun pointing at Sam's head is a man at least a head shorter than Sam. He appears to be in his 60's. His mustache and beard have gone completely gray. Even the hair peeking out from under the man's dirty baseball cap is just barely keeping its original brown color.
"Bobby…?" This guy seems to match the image in his head but he also seems off.
"What are you and what do you want?" the man barks at him, ignoring his question.
"umm…" Sam stutters nervous. "It's Sam Winchester. I…" The man Sam believes is Bobby cuts him off.
"I know who you're pretending to be. That's not what I asked. I want to know what kind of evil piece of shit you are and why you're botherin' me. Give me a good reason why I shouldn't fill you with rock salt and silver bullets."
"I…I need help. My family was taken. Dean said…" Sam is interrupted once again.
"Dean, that Son of a Bitch . What's he…" Bobby's question is cut off by a rhythmic chirping sound coming from his pocket. Without taking his eyes or gun off of Sam, Bobby reaches into his jacket and pulls out a black cell phone.
"Yeah," Bobby answers the phone, his voice full of contempt. Sam can hear someone talking on the other end of the line but he can't make out the words. Sam thinks about trying to run but Bobby is still keeping a close eye on him despite his phone conversation.
"…"
"Well speak of the Devil. What do you want?"
'Is that Dean on the phone?' Sam wonders. If Dean gets him out of this he's going to hug his brother then, punch him for getting him into this mess.
"…"
"I've got a gun pointed at whatever this thing is that you dressed up like your brother. Give me a good reason why I shouldn't fill his body full of holes." Sam really hopes that whoever is on the other end of the phone gives Bobby a good reason because he likes his body the way it is, without holes.
"…"
"Don't bullshit me, boy," Bobby snarls into the phone. Sam cringes at the anger in Bobby's voice.
"…"
"Why should I believe anything you say, Dean?" Bobby tries to sound harsh but, his voice has lost some of the edge it held at the beginning of the conversation.
"…"
"Fine," Bobby agrees reluctantly. He hangs up the phone. He lowers the shot gun and turns to go back into the house. Sam remains frozen on the porch. Bobby looks back. "Are you coming?" Bobby calls to Sam. Sam nods and follows. "Idget," he hears Bobby mutter.
Bobby leads him through the house into what Sam thinks is the living room. Books and paper are haphazardly placed around, covering nearly every surface of the room. Even some of the walls are so covered in pieces of paper that Sam can barely identify what color they are painted. Bobby clears away some old looking tomes, revealing an arm chair, couch and lounge chair. Sam just watches him from the doorway.
"Sit," Bobby commands pointing in the general direction of the furniture. Sam takes the lounge chair close to the door. Bobby moves past him and heads to the kitchen. He comes back with two open bottles of beer.
"Drink," he commands. Sam obeys; trying his best not to piss off the man that Sam is beginning to think may be mentally disturbed. Bobby watches him closely as he drinks, obviously waiting for something to happen. Sam wonders if it is poisoned but, nothing happens. The beer tastes fine, if a little watery, but more importantly he doesn't drop dead.
Bobby takes a seat in the well worn arm chair opposite the door. He drinks his own beer silently, his eyes glued on Sam. Bobby's stare is making Sam nervous so he tries to start a conversation.
"Um.. So what..." but Bobby cuts him off.
"We're waitin' for your idiot brother and his feathered friend." His tone doesn't invite anymore discussion. Sam takes it as his cue to shut up. The silence stretches awkwardly between them. Sam takes in Bobby's appearance.
Bobby seems to match the house. Sam wouldn't tell him while he's still within arm's reach of the gun but Bobby looks just as worn out as the house. There were hints of dark circles under his eyes hinting at sleep troubles. They were made even more prominent by Bobby's pale skin. It seems as though Bobby and the sun hadn't been properly acquainted in awhile. The way his body was crossing into just the wrong side of thin seemed to indicate the same about a proper meal.
Sam is distracted from his thoughts by the sound of the front door creaking open. He hears two sets of footsteps travel down the hall. Then, Dean and Lucas appear at the entrance to the living room.
"Bobby," Dean greets warmly, a genuine smile across his face. His smile momentarily falters when Bobby returns a scowl.
"Dean," replies taking a sip of beer. There's an obvious measure of contempt in his voice.
"Mister Singer," Cas adds his own respectful greeting with an incline of his head.
"Castiel," Bobby replied his voice cold. Sam raises an eyebrow but, doesn't say anything. Dean and Lucas take a seat on the couch. A moment of uneasy silence passes between the 4 men.
"So Bobby, long time no see," Dean says trying to sound nonchalant.
"Cut the crap. If I wanted small talk I'd go to an old folk's home. Let's get down to business. The sooner I help you, the sooner you get out of my house. Now what problem is so big that Mr. big-man-downstairs over here couldn't take care of it by himself?" He jabs a figure accusingly in Dean's direction. Sam is confused. Although, he's starting to get used to it. He's spent most of the last 48 hour since his family had been kidnapped either confused or unconscious. Whatever Bobby had meant, it had obviously hit a sore spot for Dean. He looks like he's about to snap. Cas' hand on his arm seems to be the only thing restraining him. He takes a deep breath and manages to speak to Bobby calmly.
"This isn't about me. This is about Sam and his family. He has a wife and two kids. They're in trouble." Bobby's anger recedes, largely replaced by sympathy.
"What happened?" Bobby asks. Dean gives Sam the nod to answer this question.
"There was this guy. He was short, a bit fat, had white hair and a large bald spot on top. He was wearing a suit like he'd just come from an office job. He said his name was Zachariah. He appeared in my bedroom two nights ago with a dozen other men. He kept talking about how I should know him. They grabbed my family and knocked me out. I came to the next morning, the bedrooms were a wreck and everyone was gone. That was when I called Dean. He said we should come here. He said you could help."
"That sounds like Zachariah," Bobby comments. Cas and Dean nod in agreement.
"Who is he?" Sam asks.
"What do you mean 'who'?" Bobby questions. "Zachariah: big bad angel boss. He was a total dick. Wasn't very fond of you guys. Threatened you more than once."
"He's someone we knew before the accident?" Sam wonders.
"What accident?"Bobby questions. He doesn't seem to know anything about the accident.
"I was in an accident 13 years ago," Sam explains. "I woke up in the hospital with no memory. Luckily Dean was there to take care of me. I don't know what I would have done without him." Sam can see the wheels turning in Bobby's head as he speaks. Sam can see when the light bulb goes off in his head.
"Dean, can I speak to you privately in the kitchen for a second?" Bobby phrases it as a question but it isn't really. Dean looks like the little boy who just got caught stealing a cookie before dinner. He follows Bobby guiltily into the kitchen.
The door swings shut leaving Sam to make small talk with his brother's rather odd boyfriend.
***
"What did you do?" Bobby accuses as soon as the door is closed.
"What makes you think I did anything?" Dean deflects.
"Dean," Bobby says using his no nonsense voice.
"Fine," Dean concedes. "I may not have told Sammy the truth about the Supernatural."
"And…" Bobby presses.
"And I may have made up that crap about an accident."
"And…"
"Alright, alright. I may have wiped Sammy's memory." Dean admits before quickly becoming defensive. "I didn't have a choice. He was stuck under the thumb of those junkless angel assholes, too upset with me to see the way they were using him. They would keep sending Sam after me in the hopes that we'd kill each other. They wouldn't have stopped until we were both dead. Sam didn't even care because he thought I was some kind of evil thing wearing his brother's flesh. He would have gladly died taking out the thing that destroyed his brother. He couldn't see that I am still his brother. I know that I'm different. I'm Lucifer now too but, I didn't ask for that. I'm just trying to make the best of what happened but, Sam refused to see it that way. He was hell bent on destroying himself and I couldn't let that happen, Bobby. I can't lose him. Not again." Dean voice becomes soft as his finishes his rant. Bobby can see how much pain he's in. Dean looks on the edge of tears.
"Come 'ere boy," he says pulling Dean into a hug. After all this time he still thinks of the boy as his son. The hug reminds him of the last one they shared nearly a decade and a half ago when Dean had returned from hell. He's gotten the kid back for a second time. Now he will make sure he doesn't lose him. The last 13 years nearly killed him. Dean finally pulls away, calm once again.
"I know you're doing the best you can but you need to restore Sam's memories. Right now Sam is just a sitting duck for the angels. He doesn't even know how to defend himself. He'll be mad at you at first but, hopefully he'll get over it. Cas and I will be there to help you. Alright?" Dean nods and looks slightly ashamed. "Hey. We're a family. We'll get through this, even if you are all idgets." Bobby says the last statement teasingly, making Dean smile. Bobby turns to leave the kitchen but Dean stops him.
"Wait, Bobby. One more thing," Dean says looking nervous.
"Yeah?" Bobby asks.
"I…I'm sorry," Dean finally says after a long pause.
"For what?" Bobby wonders.
"For disappearing," Dean explains. "You were stuck here alone for 13 years not knowing if we were dead or alive. That must have sucked. I'm sorry. I was trying to protect you." That last statement makes Bobby realize just how much shit this poor boy has had piled on top of his head since he was 4 years old. He was always trying to protect everyone at his own expense. Stupid selfless bastard.
"Hey boy, it's not your job to protect me. Ok? I'm a big boy. I've been watchin' out for myself long before you were born." Dean sees this statement for what it is: one of forgiveness and absolution. Dean smiles. "Now let's go fix your brother."