A/n: Thank you so much everyone who's following me for your patience.

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Chapter 3

Two days ago: November 1st (Palo Alto, CA)

Sam's heart jumped from his chest and took up residence in his throat while perspiration poured from him freely as though he were a leaky faucet. The black jacket he was wearing had been shrugged off and thrown back on just to be peeled off again, and no matter how much he loosened his tie, it still felt like it was suffocating him. The pain killers he had taken earlier that morning to help eliminate the headache that had been throbbing for days now, still hadn't made any improvements in the slightest. He rubbed at at his temples with his index and pointer finger trying to sooth the pain.

A knock at the door caused the young man to stop messaging his aching head and turn to face his visitor. A sandy blonde haired man stepped into the room and joined Sam, his eyes searching up and down his friend as he whistled.

"Look at you, what a polished piece of shit you are huh?" He teased nudging the groom playfully.

Sam gave an embarrassed grin in response, tugging at his solid red tie for the hundredth time. "You nervous?"

"No, no, this is only the biggest day of my life," the groom retorted.

"Oh please, you'll have plenty of 'biggest day of your life' moments. Right now you think tying the knot is the biggest day, but then you will say the same when you graduate college, or go to law school, get a career, when you have kids, their first day of school, and so on and so forth." The sweaty groom shook his head.

"No. This is. Getting married to the smartest most beautiful woman in the world, this is the BIGGEST and best day of my life."

"Alright Romeo, let's get you to Juliet before you make me vomit," his friend laughed. Sam placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and grinned.

"What would I do without you Brady?" A smile spread across Brady's face.

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Seriously though, if it hadn't been for you, this day wouldn't be happening. I couldn't have asked for a better friend, or Best Man."

"Well now you've done it, I just threw up in my mouth a little."

Sam scoffed and shook his head.

"Thanks for sharing," he chuckled. The nervous young groom smoothed out his suit once more, cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and headed out to start the next chapter in his life.

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Now

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Before Liz even heard this man speak, she knew he was a different kind of person entirely. He was young like the previous man, but older by at least a few years. He sat back in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest and a rather intimidating and disapproving look on his face. His hair was shorter than the other boy, though the same or a similar shade of brown which he wore short. He was handsome like Sam, but in a completely different way. Whereas the younger man had been more of the clean cut bring him home to the family type, this man definitely had more of the rugged look. Liz couldn't really see the resemblance between the two, with the exception of them both being lookers, maybe if she saw them standing next to each other? Or maybe it was simply one looked like one parent and the other boy looked like the other.

"This is bullshit," he said as she entered.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me lady, this is bullshit. My brother may be a bitch sometimes, but he would NEVER kill anyone. Especially his chick."

"What's your name please?" She asked coming around to sit in the empty seat across from him as she had done with Sam.

"What does it matter to you?" He asked. "Oh right, so you can look me up and check my records because I'm a suspect."

"It was more a friendly request Mr. Winchester," she countered. "Now, I'm going to ask you some questions. I don't have any authority over what happens. My job is just to talk with you and collect information that's provided to me, as well as analyze it and any evidence. If at any time I ask you something you don't understand, please ask me to clarify. It's also very important that you are truthful with your answers. Do you understand?"

The young man rolled his eyes at her and scoffed. Liz figured that was the closest thing to an answer she was going to get from this one.

"How do you spell your first and last name?"

"Is this a joke?"

"Please just, humor me."

"D-e-a-n. W-i-n-c-h-e-s-t-e-r."

"Thank you. What is your occupation?"

"I work at a garage."

"And where do you take up residence?"

"Lawrence, Kansas." Liz nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself as she wrote down Dean's answers, aware that his jade eyes were glued to her as she did so.

"How many members in your immediate family?"

"It's just me, my mom, and my brother."

"What was your relation to Jessica Lee Winchester?"

"I met the chick once." Liz jotted down 'acquaintance' on her pad. "Wait...Winchester?"

"That's right." She studied Dean's face as his eyes grew soft, causing his intimidating look to crumble and something much more fragile to take its place.

"Sammy was married?" He asked in an alarmingly small voice. The young man who had only just looked like he was ready to start, or at least oblige someone in a brawl, now looked like a small boy who had just fallen and scraped up his knees.

"You didn't know?" Liz raised an eyebrow, finding herself intrigued by this news. Dean didn't say anything, he didn't have to, the look he gave her now was answer enough. So the elder brother hadn't known about his sibling's wedding? That was definitely something worth noting.

"What happened the night of November 2nd?"

"Nothing you don't already know," he responded coldly. His demeanour morphed back to what it had been earlier when she first had started.

"All the same," she replied patiently. The older man sighed and shook his head.

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Two Days Ago

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It had taken Sam and Jessica forever to decide on almost everything for the wedding; when, who to invite, what music, what food, where to have the reception, it all seemed endless to him. The only thing the young couple did know almost instantly, was that the ceremony was going to be held at Foothills Park in Palo Alto. The park had been what Sam called his "second chance date." They had gone on a picnic with a basket, blanket, the works. Of all the places around town he had taken her, Foothills had been his favorite.

The other thing they knew for certain, was that Jessica didn't want a to get married in a church.

"They're so boring," she explained. "I hope I'm not going to hell for saying this but, I never liked the idea of getting married in a church or chapel." Sam had thought that doing so would be a nice way to appease her parents, to which Jessica responded with, "it's not their wedding, not their decision to make."

When he arrived at the ceremony, he suddenly felt as though he had gone head first into a dream. The day was perfect, all the way down to the weather. As he walked down the aisle towards the priest, Sam couldn't be more grateful that he wasn't in a stuffy old building, but rather out where the air was crisp and cool. It felt nice for the still sweating groom.

He had wanted to get married the following Spring since it had been Jessica's favorite season and it would give them a year from when he had proposed to get everything together, but she had insisted the wedding take place in Fall of this year.

The flower arrangement looked perfect. Along with the carnations Jessica had chosen, they had burgundy orchards and Queen Anne's Lace filler flowers. As he made his way, he noticed more flowers placed on either side of rows of chairs. Every seat had been taken, some family, more on Jessica's side then his, and the majority friends from college. A violinist was softly playing a beautiful melody that thankfully voided any awkward silence.

When he reached the priest he grinned politely and nodded before turning around and facing the walkway he had just came up as well as all his guests. He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead of him, avoiding any eye contact. Everything looked breath taking and he couldn't help but feel proud of the decisions they had made for this day, well, mainly Jessica made them, he mostly either agreed or disagreed. It was like she said, girls dream of this day, and whereas it was certainly a dream come true for Sam as well, he would have been just as happy having a private wedding.

The violin faded out, and everyone fell silent. There was a pause and then it started up again, playing "here comes the bride." Jessica had taken what Sam said to heart about tradition and in order to make him feel better and less nervous, she agreed to the traditional bride announcement and the white wedding dress. Everyone stood up and turned to face behind them.

Then she floated into his vision and it was as though the world disappeared and left Sam and Jessica behind. She had been adamant that he didn't see her wedding dress until the big day arrived. The excited bride-to-be had said she wanted it to be a surprise as well as a reminder "it's bad luck." She played off the superstition as a joke, but Sam couldn't help but feel like she somewhat believed it. Better safe than sorry.

Tiny beads were placed around the top of the sweetheart neckline, giving it a little personality while still being a simple elegant dress. It swept the ground as she walked with her arm linked in her father's while they strolled down the aisle and towards Sam. Her long golden hair hung in loose curls that fell to the mid of her back and her face, though a bit pale, was positively radiant.

When she finally stood beside Sam, he opened and closed his mouth looking like a cod fish with his eyes wide with wonder. Never once throughout the ceremony did they leave Jessica. She herself had been gazing up at him, her cheeks turning red from the look on his face.

They got to their vows, exchanging of the rings, followed by the I dos, and finally the long awaited pronouncement. Sam grabbed Jessica around the waist and kissed her passionately. The sound of cheers, whistles, and clapping of their guests jerked him back to the real world and he pulled away turning red. The two turned and made their way down the aisle smiling and waving to their guests as they went. Jessica blew her family and friends a kiss, while Sam winked or simply continued to wave.

XXX

Back at the reception, which was held at a country club not far from the park, the couple were reintroduced as Mr. and Mrs. Sam Winchester. An early dinner which consisted of a side salad, lemon chicken, seasoned and steamed vegetables, and seasoned potatoes was their first activity, followed by dessert, a beautiful red velvet cake with red flowers and a bride and groom topper on top. As everyone sat and talked at their tables, the sounded of silverware clinking against glass began to echo through the building causing the room to fall silent. Brady stood up with a smile on his face. Sam laughed nervously and bowed his head, bracing himself for the embarrassment he was sure to endure.

"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow friends, and old people I don't know," he started. "For all you who don't know me, I'm the one who's responsible for this mess. When I met this guy a year and some months ago or two years or something like that, he was a gangly, awkward, nerd. Now, he's a married gangly, awkward, nerd." Everyone laughed except Sam who called out to his friend.

"Awkward is included in the word gangly, that's redundant." The guests laughed louder and Sam sat back with a smile on his face.

"Thank you for proving my point," Brady countered. Once the commotion died down, he continued. "Anyways, I couldn't get this guy to do hardly anything that involved partying. It was like he was allergic to having fun. He would always say 'I have a test to study for' or 'I really should just stay in and work on my homework' or shit like that. Finally I got the loser to go to a party one night and little did he know, I was setting him up with a major hottie. And trust me when I say, this guy really needed to live a little and get laid." Sam shook his head. "He gets to the party, I introduce the lovely Jessica Moore to him, and the look on this guy's face. You shoulda seen it," the best man laughed as though the groom was wearing that look now. "He finally got a word out which consisted of 'hi' and then he was gone. Then a couple of days later she comes to me and asks about the boy I introduced her to. Apparently his 'hi' was enough to pique her interest." With a grin twisted on his face, Brady turned to look at the bride. "I never took you for the easy type Jess," he teased. Still smiling she mouthed 'shut up' to the speaker. "Anyways, short story long, here we are at their wedding. It's a noteworthy occasion, we all know, for a one of a kind guy and his smokin' hot woman. Sam, you seriously don't know how special you truly are for the chance and the gift you have been given. You're going to be on top of the world my friend." Sam beamed and playfully called out to his best man once more.

"I already am." He turned to look at Jessica who in return smiled back.

"So let's raise whatever little bit of alcohol we have left in our glasses, those of us who can," he picked up his own glass as everyone did the same. "To Sam and Jessica, may you two live a long and happy life together." He winked at the newly weds and everyone toasted together, "to Sam and Jessica!" After they took their sip, the guests began to clink their silverware on their glasses with encouraging hoots. The couple obliged them with a kiss which caused another roar of applause and enthusiastic shouts.

Once they had all finished eating, the bride and groom had their first dance, followed by the DJ opening up the floor for everyone. People started to move around and mingle, most of them intoxicated, while others seized their chance to finally personally congratulated the bride and groom.

Jessica's parents were the first to reach them. "Oh my baby girl, you look absolutely stunning! Doesn't she Robert? Her mother said with misty eyes as she beamed directly at her daughter.

"The most beautiful young woman in the world," her father responded with his own gentle smile. He turned his attention to Sam, his expression growing serious as he eyed him. "You're a lucky guy Kid, don't screw it up."

"Daddy he has a name, and it's not Kid, it's Sam. And Sam takes great care of me. You two better treat him with respect." Jessica defended her husband. Her father nodded. Sam opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when he felt a gentle hand on the small of his back. He spun around and saw his mother beaming up at him. The groom took her up in his arms and gave a small squeeze causing her to laugh.

"You look so handsome," she admired. Her son lowered his head in an attempt to hide his face which turned red once again. "I just wish your father could be here," she replied sadly as she stroked his cheek. "And where's Dean? You did finally tell him right?" she added quickly, her eyes meeting his.

"Mom", Sam started.

"You didn't tell your brother? Sam, what's going on between you two? I knew I should have said something, whether or not it was my place. I don't understand why you two can't just get along?"

"We're just too...different. Dean and I have nothing in common, except being born into this family."

"I know you two don't always see eye to eye, but he's your brother, your family. He's been so lost without your father and believe it or not Sam, he misses you," to that Sam rolled his eyes.

"He misses someone to torture. He's fine."

Mary sighed, "You two use to play together all the time as kids, what happened?"

"Puberty mostly."

"You still should have invited him to the wedding, it wouldn't have killed you," his mother replied sternly. "Or at the very least told him about it."

"I know you don't think he is, but Dean's trouble. Get some drinks in him and there's a good chance he would have started a fight or he'd end up going home with someone else's girl. Remember my prom date Rachael?"

"Oh Sam stop it. That was years ago, he's not like that anymore. Can't you at least call him?" Her eyes pleaded her youngest.

"Yeah alright mom, I'll call him later," Sam sighed.

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Now

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"After I dropped Sam off back at his place, I started towards the nearest decent hotel. I only got to the first stop light before I turned my car around and headed back. I couldn't leave my brother the way I had left him, I know Mom hates it when we fight. When I reached his apartment, it was already on fire."

"And your brother Sam, where was he?" She questioned. Dean stared into Liz's eyes with a sad sincere look.

"He was in his bedroom, watching helplessly in horror as his dead girlfriend-sorry, wife, and his apartment went up in flames."

"And then what happened?"

"Then I dragged his ass kicking and screaming out of the burning building." Liz stopped writing and peered up at the young man. His face showed no sighs of joking as he stared back at her, his arms crossed over his chest.

"So you saved him?"

Dean rolled his eyes. "I doubt he sees it like that."

"What are you doing in California if you weren't here for your brother's wedding and you live in Kansas?" Dean licked his lips nervously and shifted his gaze momentarily down to the floor before flicking them back up to her again.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."