When The Past Returns To Haunt You.

Summary. . . . . . . . . What if the rabbits foot wasn't the only thing taken from John's Storage unit? What if something that haunted Sam so long ago was taken also? Something with a lust for revenge, and a need to finish what he started all those years ago. An AU sequel to The Nutcracker.

Disclaimer. . . . . . . . Still only borrowing from the genius that is Kripke.

A.N. . . . . . . . . . . So I've finally kicked myself in the butt and pushed myself to start getting back into the writing again. I do have new things bubbling away, but I've decided to hold off on them until I finish some of my older pieces, so I've gone waaaaaayyyyy back and opened up this fic again. For those who have been reading this from the start, I am so very sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoy, Peanut x

Dean slumped down heavily upon Sam's empty bed, his phone dropping from his limp fingers as the enormity of the knowledge Bobby had given him hit, and the thought of the task ahead struck him hard. It added to the guilt that already coursed through him, and completely drained him, causing him to doubt his abilities. Could he do this? Could he be strong enough? Was he smart enough? In his eyes his Daddy was the strongest wisest man he had ever known, but the Nutcracker had beaten him. How in the hell could a pale imitation of John Winchester, which was how he saw himself, do any better? He couldn't. He couldn't save Sam before, why would this time be any different.

He pounded the mattress in frustration, taking out his fears and doubts and anger upon the lumpy piece of foam and springs, hitting harder and harder until he was breathing heavy and his heart was thumping; his hand fisting one last time and slamming into the sheets where it unclenched and grasped at the cotton. As his fingers touched the still sweat soaked material, and felt the remnants of Sam's warmth that still lingered there, it was as if a switch was thrown within him. He could do this. He had to do this, he had no choice, Sam's life depended upon it. Rubbing a hand across his face, he stood, now was not the time to feel sorry for himself, he had work to do. Moving to the table he booted up Sam's laptop, and began researching all the places listed as being abandoned, within minutes he had a list and was picking up his jacket preparing to leave, a new resolve burning within him.

He slammed the car door shut harder than he intended to, but for once he didn't care. He was halfway through his search and so far everywhere he had checked had been empty and void, a bit like how he was feeling. Sam's time was running out, he could feel it deep within himself, he had to find the right place soon, or he knew without a doubt it would be too late. He jumped as his phone sounded out, the ringtone sharp and loud within the confines of the car. Checking the caller ID he quickly picked up.

"Bobby, please tell me you're close by, I'm running outta time here."

"Just pasted the city limits, had to stop off along the way to get the items we'd need for the ritual. I take it from your tone you aint found nothing yet?"

"Just a whole lotta dead space, and I aint got many left to check, and even less time to check them."

"Well to save time, give me some addresses over the phone. If I find anything I'll call and let you know." Bobby wrote down the recited addresses before adding. "And Dean, don't lose faith now. We'll find him, and when we do we'll put an end to this once and for all." With a slightly lighter heart Dean cut the connection.

Two more abandoned buildings later though, and that heavy heart had returned, as yet again his searches had turned up nothing. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he quickly dialed Bobby's number, praying all the while that the older hunter had turned up something, yet knowing realistically that he hadn't, he would have called.

"Bobby." He shouted harshly down the phone when it was picked up. "Have you found anything?"

"Don't ya think I woulda called if I had?" Bobby replied, his own frustration showing through. "They were all empty, just like the ones you'd searched earlier. I guess you hit a zero as well."

"Yeah, completely deserted, even the dust had dust on it."

"Damn it! You gotta think Dean. Was there anywhere else that you may have considered yet thought better of?"

"No, I wrote down every warehouse, every barn, every house that fit the bill. I didn't leave anything out just in case."

"Well he can't have just disappeared right from in front of you. Think Dean!" Bobby waited for some kind of comeback from the younger man, concern creeping in when none was forthcoming. "Dean? Dean! Answer me God damn it!"

"No! It can't be, surely that would be too easy?"

"Dean, what the hell is going on? What couldn't be that easy?" He asked, waiting once again for Dean's answer.

Dean though was oblivious to Bobby's questions. He couldn't believe he had been so blind. He just couldn't believe it, could it be that obvious? Could he have been so stupid to overlook it? Could he have been that stupid to not even consider it? The out of the way location; the crumbling almost abandoned like state of the building; the deserted parking lot devoid of all cars; the way Sam got sicker and sicker the more time they spent there; the way Sam reacted when his fingers touched the wall to the next room; the way his own feelings intensified whilst staying there; the sheets that still felt of Sam's warmth. Son of a bitch!

"That's it Bobby!"

"What? What's it?"

"The motel!"

"What? What about the motel?"

"He's at the motel Bobby. Sam's at the motel, he never even left it."

"How the hell could you know that?"

"I can feel it." Knowing that would not be enough for the seasoned hunter Dean added all the thoughts that had just gone through his head, starting up the Impala as he did so. "Bobby he's there, I know just know he is."

"Dean, don't run in there blind, you wait for me to get there, do you hear me? You wait for me to get there."

Dean though had already hung up, his thoughts focused once more on Sam. He was right about this he knew he was. Pushing down harder on the car he urged the V8 to produce more. This ended tonight.

To Be Continued. . . . . . . . . .

A.N. . . . . . . . . . . Thanks for taking time out to read this chapter. Catch you soon, Peanut x