Chapter 14

"I was hoping you would ask about him." Amelia stated nonchalantly, but was glad to finally tell him the rest of the history of the talisman. "Which would you like to know first?" When Sam just looked at her, she added. "It really doesn't matter; the answers are so closely connected." He was still just staring but now down at the amulet. "What do you know about the origins of this talisman?"

Still looking at Dean's necklace, he replied, "I know Bobby said it was real special when he gave it to me. I was supposed to give it to my dad; but when he stood me up yet again, I gave it to Dean." He looked up from the necklace and to Amelia. "It just started humming again!"

"He remembers that night as fondly as you do." She smiled at….., Sam wasn't sure if it was him or the amulet.

"Huh?" She indicated he should continue. "Years later, Castiel told us it would burn hot in the presence of God. That's when Dean loaned it to him; Cas was trying to find God to help stop the apocalypse. Only Cas never found God; and when he gave it back to Dean, he threw it away." That moment was still a painful memory. He could swear the thing was now quietly whimpering. "Okay. What the hell? Why is it doing that?"

"I feel like I keep repeating myself; but it's a long story and difficult to explain." Sam just rolled his eyes and raised his brows and she didn't need to read his mind to know what that expression meant. She sighed and then smiled at him; he really was the cutest thing she had seen in a millennium.

"Sam, have you heard of the Epic of Gilgamesh?"

He wasn't expecting that. It took him several seconds to gain control of his swirling thoughts. He did remember hearing mention of the ancient text once when Bobby was researching a case. "He was a great Sumerian king; and demi-god if I remember right."

"Anything else?"

"It detailed the hierarchy and history of most of their gods?" He felt like he was taking an oral pop quiz.

"Yes!" She seemed proud of him, like he had passed the quiz. She let out another long sigh and sadness crept into her eyes as they fell on the amulet.

"His name is Apsu. He was my consort when I was known as the goddess Tiamat." She could tell he was getting ready to interrupt and start asking questions. She raised her hand to stop him and continued. "Like most writings that try to document the behaviors of gods and belief systems; they got some of the details quite wrong." She paused and this time Sam made no attempt to interrupt. "The tablets say Ea, the Lord of Incantations, put Apsu to sleep and then killed him. Ea decided to, I believe the expression is 'kill two birds with one stone'. His worshippers had been entreating him to empower the talisman they had created. So, after Ea put Apsu to sleep but before he destroyed his body; he took his essence and placed it in the amulet." She reached out and touched Sam's chest and the amulet again.

Sam felt the warmth of her hand and the amulet spread out across his chest. He suddenly felt like he was intruding on a very personal moment between long lost lovers. He cleared his throat and leaned back out of Amelia's reach. He wasn't sure what to say but the silence was deafening. "That's why it,…sorry, he started glowing when you approached the fireplace? He recognized you."

She smiled sadly and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Well, partly. His essence was brought back to life by our presences." Sam looked at her in total bewilderment. "Sam, he recognized me but he's been waiting for both of us for all these years."

When she didn't add anything else, he asked, "And? I'm going to need a little more explanation here."

"Apsu's been trapped in that piece of metal, cursed because he wanted to harm our children. He can only be released when he helps me save a beloved family member of the wearer of his essence. He knows we can finally set him free and his spirit can move on."

"Dean. He helps get Dean out of Purgatory; and that will free him as well?"

"Yes. It is how he can finally dance and sing again." Sam gave her another puzzled expression. "Sam, he's trapped in a few ounces of metal; vibrating and humming are as close as he can get."

They sat and looked at each other for a full minute before Sam broke the silence. "But, you said he remembered the night I gave him to Dean. How can he remember that if his essence came back to life three days ago?"

"I don't think I can explain that. It would be the equivalent of coma patient remembering what was said to them when they were unconscious."

"Huh. So, can he read my mind too? Why did the sounds he's making change when we talked about Dean throwing it, I mean him, away?"

"No. But he can sense your emotions. He felt how much that still hurts you."

It was Sam's turn to take a deep breath and let out a sigh. It dawned on him; he was now part of another ancient prophesy and apparently destined to save Dean, and the world, again.

"I'm so sorry, Sam. If it helps, Apsu's curse and prophesied rescue were not specifically meant for you." She smiled at him, but knew it did not help. "But, I am very glad it did fall to you." She took his hands in hers. They just sat there, each trying to comfort the other and lost to their own thoughts. The slam of the front door screen brought them out of their reverie.

"I'm back." Missouri called as she came around the corner into the parlor. She saw the somber looks on both of their faces. "What did I miss?"

"I think we're good." Sam volunteered, hoping Missouri would let it go at that. He noticed the sun was approaching the western horizon. "It's been a long day. I'm starving."

"Who's the mind reader here?" She asked, sensing if she needed to know whatever had happened, they would tell her. She had also stopped at the store on her way home. "The groceries are in the car."