AN: Just a reminder that this is also on AO3 (jhoom) and Tumblr (jhoomwrites). Updates on tumblr first (and with better formatting because I'm too lazy to fix it elsewhere).

There's a diner maybe two blocks over where they decide to grab dinner while discussing the case. He insists that Sam drives.

The waitress comes while Thomas is sifting through his notes - newspaper clippings and post-its and a poorly printed map - to take their orders. Sam orders a cobb salad. He orders a burger, medium rare.

He's too engrossed in removing what appears to be a jam stain from one of his notes that he fails to notice the strange look Sam gives him. Slowly and carefully, he lays out each paper one by one, explaining what he knows about the case. It isn't much, considering it was just a possible lead to the Winchesters. He hasn't taken the care he normally would if he thought that he himself would be cleaning up this mess.

Nevertheless, Sam seems impressed. He tries not to look too pleased with himself.

Their food comes before they can come up with a plan. They quickly shift everything to the side before the waitress can see. She still eyes the papers suspiciously as she drops off their meals, but doesn't say a word as she goes to get them refills.

Thomas is chewing thoughtfully on his fries, trying to form a game plan for not only this hunt but also his greater mission of finding the other Winchester. It takes him a moment to realize Sam is starring at him.

"What?"

Sam takes a moment to consider. "How long have you been hunting?"

Thomas squints at him in suspicion. Is he still trying to suggest that he's not old enough, not capable enough to be hunting? He fidgets self-consciously in his seat before answering, "Four and a half years."

"Your family hunters?"

"No..."

"How'd you get into it?"

"There was a haunting in my home town. I took care of it and have been hunting in some capacity since then."

"Four and a half years hunting by yourself... you must be pretty good at it."

"I suppose... I have help sometimes."

"Just sometimes? That's still, like, really impressive."

Thomas shrugs, not sure what to say. It's a compliment, and he should flattered that a Winchester is saying it. But it sounds like they're edging around whatever it is Sam is really trying to say.

"How'd you get my number?"

Perhaps he should have thought about a lie ahead of time. It would be awkward to say the real reason he has been searching for the Winchesters. It's much too soon after just meeting him. But half truths are something Thomas has become quite accustomed to.

"I'd heard about you. Got a business card from a detective, and I was pretty sure it was you. Or your brother..." He lets the last word hang heavy between them, hoping Sam will pick up from there.

He doesn't. Intentionally, if he has to guess.

The interrogation (and there's no other way Thomas can think of it) continues for the rest of their meal. For once in his life, he's stingy with his answers. He doesn't like how much this feels like a test, and he feels it's critical he not fail it.

Sam only relents when his phone rings. There's a smile on his face as he checks the screen. He pulls himself out of the booth, calling a belated, "This'll just be a sec," before disappearing outside.

Thomas doesn't plan to ask - he doesn't want to pry - but when Sam returns he has an apologetic smile. "Sorry 'bout that. It was my daughter."

At that, he frowns, head tilted to the side in confusion. Sam Winchester has a daughter. That's surprising. The first thing, actually, that has ever surprised him about the Winchesters. Everything else, even the most shocking rumors, seemed... not quite plausible or believable, just undeniably true.

And for some reason, though it sounds strange to him, it makes his head fuzzy with happiness to know that Sam has a daughter. Maybe a son or another daughter. A wife. A home. A dog or two.

The apple pie life. Whatever that means.

He notices Sam starring at him again. He coughs and starts talking about the case again, hoping they can let it drop.

Sam, mercifully, lets him change the subject.

Research moves a lot faster when there's two people working on it. Especially when one of them can pass for a fed. It takes a little more than half a day to narrow down their search to a patch of land a few miles from town.

They split up to cover more ground. Dangerous, yes, but Sam seems to trust he won't get himself killed. Or that the area's small enough he'll be able to get there in time should anything.

Turns out Sam's the one to find them first.

There are two of them, a pair, and it's gun shots that alert Thomas.

The transition to working solo to working with a partner or group is always difficult, especially the first time. Everyone has their own style, for lack of a better word. Sometimes they mesh well. Sometimes they definitely do not. He expects there to be some of this adjustment when he and Sam get started.

There is none.

It's the most seamlessly he's ever worked with anyone, even hunters he's paired up with a number of times. They work in tandem without a second thought.

It ends quickly. Sam is an adequate distraction, able to fend them off while Thomas lights a torch. Once the fire's going, it's just a matter of cornering them and lighting them up.

Besides a few bruises when he tripped, Thomas is unhurt. Sam says he's fine, but limps slightly as they head back to the car. It's only then that he actually notices that this other man is older. Obviously older than him but... older than he had been expecting. It's a strange realization to make.

The only room they had left was a double, so he offers the extra bed to Sam. Though he seems to want to refuse, he sighs and agrees after his leg goes stiff as he gets out of the car.

They don't talk much during the night. They share a six pack and talk about their families. It takes a beer and a half before Thomas starts to open up about his parents, sister and cousins. He tells stories and smiles fondly. He even reveals that he misses them, sometimes, but is glad they know nothing of his life hunting. Sam nods quietly throughout.

It turns out Sam has a wife and daughter. Just one dog, a black lab named Cody. They live in eastern Colorado, in a house with ten acres attached. He's a low profile lawyer most of the time, but he still hunts and tries to help out as the "new Bobby" whenever he can.

("The 'new Bobby'? I don't understand that reference."

"Long story. Don't worry about it.")

Neither mention his brother.

Morning comes and they part ways. They exchange numbers - real numbers, not ones used to lie to cops and witnesses. It's meant so they can stay in contact. Thomas can't shake the feeling it's so Sam can keep tabs on him.

He pretends to go check out as Sam drives away. Just as his car is out of sight, he makes a beeline for his own.

He follows him.