CHAPTER 10

The next few weeks were a blur of racing around the country chasing after leads that Bobby kept calling into them. So far Lucius and Antonin had been able to keep two steps ahead of them. The good news was it didn't seem like they were successful in recruiting any of the people they had been meeting with, but it was still disconcerting that they always seemed to know Sam and Hermione were on their trail.

Research into what Ruby had told him before Dean was dragged to Hell was also slow. Hermione apparently had an entire library in her backpack. Sam discovered on their drive to their next lead that she had magicked her backpack so that it would fit everything she needed. She said the spell was technically illegal, but it didn't stop him from asking her to put the same spell on his own bag. Between the extension charm and a charm to make it feel like it weighed nothing, Sam didn't hesitate to shove as many books as he could fit the other day when they stopped off at Bobby's.

Things were less tense in the car, the awkwardness between them almost all but vanished. Car rides were still done in mostly silence, since he still couldn't get himself to turn on the radio, knowing that the second Bon Jovi blasted on the radio any progress he had made emotionally would be thrown out the window.

They were currently unpacking their stuff in a motel in some small town in Ohio. They had followed a lead here, and they were pretty sure the Death Eaters were going to be meeting with another werewolf pack. So far they had been sticking to vampires and werewolves, two monsters they had in the wizarding world. Hermione was wondering if they were possibly trying to merge the different worlds. Sam tended to agree with her. It seemed like a logical choice.

He looked across the room at the woman he had been traveling the last couple weeks with. His attraction to her wasn't any less than it had been when he first met her. In fact, it had only grown. Getting to know her, he realized that she was amazing, and everything he would want in a partner, if his life were different. If anything the last three years had taught him, his life was not made for a romantic partner. Losing Jess, and then that werewolf he had slept with, had taught him that being with him only led to pain, suffering, and death. He was cursed. That yellow-eyed demon had made sure of that when he was an infant. No, nothing would ever come of his attraction to her.

"Are we staying in for the night?" Hermione asked, breaking Sam out of his thoughts.

"Yeah," he responded. "It's late. Let's just get some rest and see what we can find when we go into town tomorrow."

Hermione nodded before taking her bag with her into the bathroom. They had settled into a comfortable routine while staying in motels. Luckily, after the events in the lobby of the first motel, they hadn't had any trouble having Hermione check them in and pay for the rooms. It was nice to be able to lie less. Being the gentleman that he was, he always let Hermione get ready for sleep first. Then he would follow. He waited until she had exited the bathroom before going in and showering. When he stepped back into the room, the lights were out, and he couldn't hear any sound coming from her bed. She must have put up a silencing spell, something she did about every other night. Something to drown out any sounds in case she had another nightmare.

He padded over to his bed, and climbed in. He rolled over onto his side and stared at her through the dimness in the room. He wished she wouldn't put up the silencing spell, that she would trust him enough to comfort her in case she needed it, but he understood. She was used to taking care of herself. But he still wasn't sleeping as much as he should, so the least he could do was try and take care of her so she could have a peaceful sleep. He shook his head and rolled over and after who knew how long, drifted off into a fitful sleep.

SUPERPOTTER

Hermione was startled out of sleep from a sound in the bed across from her. She sat up and canceled the silencing spell from around her. She looked over at Sam and noticed that he was sleeping restlessly, tossing and turning, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. He was obviously suffering from a nightmare.

"Sam," she called quietly from her spot in her bed. He must not have been sleeping soundly, because that did it she watched him startle awake, but he didn't move or say anything for a long time. She could hear him breathing heavily, and watched as he brought his hands up to cover his face. "Sam? Are you okay?"

Sam's voice came quietly from the other bed. "I should be dead."

"What?" Hermione asked from the other bed.

"I'm the one who should be dead, not Dean."

"What do you mean?"

"He made a deal," Sam said, quietly. "He made a deal and bargained his life for mine. But instead of the requisite 10 years, they gave him one year."

Hermione sat up, "Bargained? What do you mean bargained?"

"Made a deal with a demon at a crossroads."

"I thought that was just a legend. Something Blues singers made up for amazing songs."

Sam sat up, turning to face her. "You'll learn that many of the legends that you know come from some place of truth."

Hermione took in his features. She knew he wasn't sleeping, they had been on the road together long enough for her to notice that. He still hadn't shaved. And now she can tell that he'd been crying. She couldn't imagine the guilt he was living with. That he was holding in, keeping to himself.

She stood from the bed and walked over to his, sitting down next to him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close to her. "It's not your fault. Dean made a choice. He did. You didn't make him make that choice. You can't be taking the blame for it."

Sam leaned into her embrace, resting his head on her shoulder, the weight of which felt comforting to Hermione. It had been a while since she had any intimate human contact with anyone. It was nice. She pressed her cheek into the top of his head, inhaling the clean smell of his generic shampoo.

"I can't help it," Sam said, quietly from his place on her shoulder. "All I can see when I close my eyes is him getting ripped to shreds by fucking invisible dogs. And Ruby's words echo through my mind. That I could have used my powers to stop it. And I refused. I didn't want to do it. Why would I do that? Why would I turn down the help I needed to save my brother? How selfish is that?"

"Not selfish. You can't just trust someone on their word. She's a demon. Who knew if what she was saying would have even helped? You didn't know that at the time. The clock was running out, and you did what you thought was the right choice at the time. I'm pretty sure you've told me this same thing before, you can't live your life with what ifs. Your brother must have loved you a lot in order to sacrifice his life for yours."

Sam gave a little laugh. "He was more of a father to me than my own father. He practically raised me while dad was out on jobs. I looked up to him."

Hermione smiled sadly. "How much older than you was he?"

"Four years," Sam said. "He was twenty-eight when he died. Didn't even make it to thirty."

"Wow. I'm twenty-eight," she said quietly. "So young."

"I didn't know you were Dean's age. Now I'm convinced even more that there was more that brought us together than just mere coincidence."

"Sam, there's no such thing as fate or destiny. It's just a coincidence."

Sam lifted his head from her shoulder, turning just enough so that he could look at her. Their eyes met, and Hermione's breath caught that the sincerity she saw there.

"What are the odds that in my lowest, darkest moment that a beautiful, intelligent woman, my brother's age would walk into my life, easily filling the gaping hole that he left behind after sacrificing himself for me? Before MACUSA contacted Bobby and you showed up, I was ready to go on a revenge mission, hell-bent on doing whatever it took to get revenge on Lilith. Even if it meant I wouldn't survive."

He paused.

"Did you know I went to the crossroads after he died? I was ready to make a deal with my soul for information about how to kill Lilith. And get Dean back. No one showed up. That's when I went to Bobby's. I was going to allow myself a couple weeks to mope, and then get back on the road, and kill that son of a bitch."

He took in a deep breath. "But then you showed up, and totally derailed my revenge plan. Instead, I get to go around the country chasing after the people who have hurt you, and it's nice. To have a hand in helping someone again. The last year, we spent it in recovery mode. All we were focused on was getting Dean out of his contract. And whatever else popped up along the way. Now, instead of spending my time focused on avenging Dean, I can focus on getting rid of these bastards."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I for one am glad that you have agreed to escort me around the country hunting these people. I would be lost without you. Literally. I don't know how to drive, and all these roads we've been driving on look the same. And I would walk into a den of vampires thinking they were the same as ours," she paused. "And it would be awfully lonely."

"It would be," Sam agreed, his voice dropping a few decibels in volume. "Very lonely."

"No one to debate the merits of a good book."

"Or research method."

"Or play silly roadside games with."

A comfortable silence fell between them, as Hermione noticed how close they were to each other. Her breath increased as she felt his body heat radiating off of him, allowing her to take in his very masculine scent. Her stomach flipped. Fuck, she was attracted to this man. The few weeks they had been on the road together, she hadn't even thought of Ron but a handful of times. And she was pretty sure Sam was attracted to her as well. She had caught him checking her out a few times when he didn't know she was looking.

She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off as Sam surged forward, closing the gap between them, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss. She was caught off guard for a split second before she began returning the kiss.

His lips pressed firmly against hers, moving almost desperately. She gasped, and his tongue darted into her mouth. She shifted, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer, until their chests were flush together. She felt his strong arms wrap around her waist, clinging to her tightly. She lost herself in the kiss. It had been forever since she had felt anything like it. Forever since she felt the thrill of being wanted. The passion of a simple kiss. It was exhilarating. It was…arousing.

She pulled back breaking off the kiss, pressing her forehead against his, closing her eyes, trying to catch her breath. They didn't move away from each other, they sat there, on his bed, in each other's embrace, trying to catch their breaths.

"Please don't tell me you regret this," Sam said, breaking the silence of the room. "Because I sure as hell don't."

She shook her head. "Don't regret this. At all. But.."

"No buts," Sam cut her off. "We both don't regret it. That's all that matters. Everything else? Everything else will work itself out. Okay?"

Hermione nodded.

"Good. I think maybe we should try and get some sleep."

"Yeah, yeah, sleep would be good."

"Maybe we could, um, both sleep in the same bed? Just sleep," he rushed to add. "Just sleep."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, yeah, that would be nice." She knew that neither of them slept well. She also knew the nights she had slept next to Ron were ones she slept better.

Sam pulled back, giving her a smile. He was really handsome when he smiled. "Great." He moved so that she had room to crawl into the bed next to him. They settled in, with her on her side, and Sam spooned up next to her. She hadn't fallen asleep so quickly in a long time.

SUPERPOTTER

Sam was startled awake, and for once it wasn't because of nightmares. They were being watched. He could feel it. He looked around the room, it was still dark, lit only by the bright lights in the parking lot leeching through the curtains of the room. He sat up, careful to not disturb Hermione, who was sleeping soundly next to him. He smiled as he thought about the kiss they had shared just a few hours before. It was some kiss.

He looked around again. The room was empty. However, he had to do a double take as he saw the shadowy figure of a person outlined through the curtains they had drawn earlier. He frowned, sliding to the side of the bed. He moved around the bed, quietly as to not disturb Hermione, and pulled on his jeans, never taking his eyes off of the shadow. He grabbed his gun off of the table, and palmed it, creeping slowly to the door, barefoot.

He slipped the chain out of the lock and then opened the door. He glanced back at Hermione, making sure he hadn't disturbed her. She was still out. He slipped out of the door, closing it quietly behind him. Then he turned to see a woman standing on the sidewalk, watching the window.

"Who are you, and what are you doing?" Sam asked, aiming the gun toward her.

"Sam," she said. "I've been trying to find you."

"Who are you? And how do you know me?"

"It's me, Ruby."

Sam shook his head. "Impossible. Lilith killed you."

"No, she banished me from my vessel. There's a difference. It took me a while to find a new one I liked, but as soon as I did, I started tracking Lilith thinking you were doing the same. But you weren't. It's taken me a while to find you. We need to start your training."

Sam shook his head. "Training? What training?"

"Your powers."

Sam closed his eyes. Everything was moving quickly. He couldn't believe that Ruby, supposedly, was standing right here. "What about my powers? You never explained that. I need to know more."

"How about you put that gun down, and we'll talk."

Sam shook his head. "No. You're going to tell me about my powers, now. Why didn't Lilith's work on me?"

Ruby shook her head. "I don't know. There's something about you that is different. That is unique. Something in your DNA. That's where your powers come in. You're the only thing that can stop Lilith."

"How?"

Ruby sighed. "Your powers."

Sam cocked his gun. "Stop being fucking vague. Tell me."

Ruby smirked. "Same old Sam. Not taking any bullshit. Usually it takes me a little while longer to push your buttons, but fuck, you're on edge. Must be losing your brother."

"Just tell me," Sam bit out, his patience slipping by the second.

"You have the ability to psychically exorcise demons," Ruby said, folding her arms across her chest. "With some training, and a little something 'extra' you can pull the demons out of their vessels, without hurting the vessel, and without having to speak the ritual. It cuts down on time, and it's more efficient. And it's the only way you can rid the world of Lilith. She's planning something. There's been a lot of demon activity and they've all started congregating at places where Lilith has been. We need to put a stop to it."

"We?" Sam asked. "Why would I work with you?"

"Because I'm the only way to get your powers where they need to be."

"You?"

"You need demon blood flowing through your veins in order to access the part of your powers to do this exorcism thing. And that's where I come in. I can give you my blood. I can train you to use your powers."

Sam scoffed. "And what do you want in return?"

Ruby smirked. "C'mon, Sam. You know what I want."

Sam looked confused. "No, I don't, actually."

"You, Sam, you. I want to finally act on this sexual tension between us."

Sam scoffed again. "Sexual tension? What the fuck are you talking about, Ruby?"

Ruby sauntered closer to him. "C'mon, Sam. You know it's there. You've felt it. When I was in the other vessel. The blond. And we had chemistry. It was there. Let's just act on it. Have a good fuck. Exorcise some demons."

"And, I need to drink demon blood?"

"It'll make you stronger," Ruby said. "Yeah, you can probably do your thing without it, but it would be easier if you had some of my blood in you."

"So, I don't need demon blood?"

"I mean, it would help."

Sam shook his head and turned away. "Is there ever a straight answer with you?"

"I told you what I want, Sam. I have been nothing but straight forward with you since I came and found you. You. Me. Training. And some fucking." She sidled up to him, pulling a knife out of her pocket. She ran the blade along her neck, breaking the skin. Sam watched as the blood trickled out. "Come on, Sam. Just a little taste, feel it coursing through your veins. Feel the power."

Ruby leaned into him, pressing up against him. Sam eyed the cut on her neck and swallowed hard, before pushing her back. "I think I'm going to pass. I don't think the person I'm traveling with would like it very much if I were to fuck you. And, well, I don't want to fuck you, so there's that."

Ruby took a step back, and looked at him with disgust. "You're traveling with someone?" she asked. And then she paused, and laughed. "Of course you are. If you were still alone, you would still be torn up about Dean. And bent on revenge. I should have figured it out the second I couldn't find you on Lilith's trail. Who is she?"

"Doesn't matter. None of your business. You leave her out of it."

"A little defensive there, Sammy," Ruby said. "And now I know you're traveling with another woman. Who is she?"

"None. Of. Your. Business," Sam repeated.

Ruby shrugged. "Fine. Don't tell me. And don't drink my blood or fuck me. Whatever. But know this. You'll be crawling back to me, Sam. When you can't figure this out on your own. And then you'll be begging me to help you out," she didn't even wait for a response before ghosting out into the dark.

Sam stood for a few minutes in the dark before turning and letting himself into the room.

SUPERPOTTER

Hermione was jolted awake by the sound of the door to the room being thrown open.

Sam came crashing into the motel room, out of breath.

"Demon blood," he said.

"What?" Hermione asked, sitting up from where she was on the bed.

"Demon blood. That's what I need in order to destroy Lilith."

"Wait, slow down," Hermione said. "How do you know?"

"That demon, Ruby, she found us. She told me. She was waiting outside our room, watching us. I could sense her, so I went outside to investigate. She's been looking for me. She told me that when I ingest demon blood, I can focus my powers to psychically exorcise demons. It's the one way we can defeat Lilith."

"And she just volunteered all this information?"

Sam shook his head. "Well, kinda. She wanted to be the one to train me. She wanted to feed me her blood while we…" he trailed off.

"Oh," Hermione said, an ache in her chest forming. She thought that after all these weeks together, that there was something between them. She thought of the kiss, the sleeping in the same bed. But maybe she was reading into the situation too much. Maybe there wasn't anything between them.

"I turned her down," Sam said, quietly.

Hermione looked back up at him. "What?"

"I turned her down," he repeated.

"But, I thought you wanted to get rid of Lilith? If this is the only way…"

"Fucking Ruby is not the only way. We're both smart, now that we have the information, we can figure this out on our own. I don't want to sleep with Ruby," he paused, moving his gaze down to the carpet while he took a deep breath before looking back up at her. "I want to be with you."