A/N: Sorry for the long delay! I was in a car accident and the medication my doctor has me on makes me feel like a zombie. I didn't want to cheat any of my on-going stories, so I've stuck mainly to one-shots. I'm hoping that we're be back to a regular schedule now.

There's a special nod to my girl stephaniew in this one. She knows what it is even if no one else will. Love you, sweetie! Thanks for the laughs and smiles, the shared tears and moments of complete frustration...but most of all, thanks for being you.

Steph's got some great stuff for Sam - from a deleted scene for Sex and Violence called Sam Plays Doctor to her own Sam OC Callie! Check her out!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.

Chapter Two: Lazarus Rising

June 5, 2011

I hate that I'm so...broken. I got my soul back, but the images of things I've done haunt me. Especially the dreams of the blonde on the bridge.

I've tried to find her without much luck. I've scoured pictures of covered bridges. I've tried to backtrace the case. With Samuel gone and my memories scrambled, I've all but given up hope.

Jo's been looking, too. Not because I asked her, but because it's what she does. I don't deserve her help, but she insists that what happened in Duluth is long since water under a different bridge. I know she uses the metaphor to lighten things but I don't have the heart to tell her she's failing miserably. Not when I see what she's done for my brother. How she kept him from falling apart while I was gone.

My BlackBerry vibrates on the table beside me and I pick it up. It's an email from another hunter.

Sam -

This seemed like it fit the case you posted. Hope it helps.

Regards,

Tom

There's a newspaper article attached to it. I open the file and the page that stares back at me tells the story of a small town minister who died in a mysterious accident. His loss shocked the town, but he wasn't the first victim.

What gets me isn't the man or the paper's description of him. It isn't a fact pattern or details about the town. That would all come later.

It's the picture at the very bottom. A young woman with the bluest eyes I've ever seen stares at the camera, her blonde hair hanging over the shoulder of her black dress in a long braid. As my coffee cup misses the edge of the table, spilling into my lap, I say her name. "Halley..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Supernatural ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I watch Dean's face as he skims over the paperwork I've handed him. I feel guilty. Like a complete failure. This is a mess I need to clean up. Not just for Halley, but for myself.

"Dude," he says finally. "A Lazarus Demon? Are you sure?"

I sigh as Jo pulls the pages from Dean's hand. "I thought that was just a myth," she says, an eyebrow lifting.

"Look," I tell them. "I know what you said about not going to the same place twice. That people would remember. But I have to fix this, Dean. I have to make it right."

Dean scrubs his jaw as he thinks about it. He looks at the blonde beside him, waiting for her to say something. I grin in spite of myself. I never thought I'd see the day my womanizing brother would be so...whipped. But Jo has him wrapped around her little finger. They're happy. He's happier than I've ever seen him.

Jo scowls and pushes him roughly. "If you don't help him, I will."

Dean's gaze moves from Jo's to mine. "Just one thing first," he growls. "Is this about that damn girl?"

I don't answer. I can't. They already know the truth.

"Dammit, Sammy..." he mutters, shaking his head as his hand curls into a fist.

"You're unbelievable!" Jo yells.

Watching them fight is like watching a tennis match. She's the only woman I've ever seen give it right back to him. She keeps him on his toes. If I wasn't so concerned, I'd be laughing.

"I'm all about getting my brother laid, but he was a soulless bastard. We don't know what we're walking into. These...these nightmares? The ones where he attacks her? What if she..."

Jo glares at him before turning to me. "Pack your stuff," she says. "We'll only be a minute."

Shrugging, I turn and head for the stairs. I hear them continue to argue. I hear Jo tell Dean she understands why I have to do this. Explain why she thinks they should help me do it. I hear my brother growl and can almost see his snarl as he snaps that they've been on the road constantly for almost a month and haven't had time alone. It makes me feel worse. He's right. They've been taking care of me.

I shove clothes in a bag and check my weapons. There are more in the car, but there are a few I always keep with me. Like my knife. The one I thought killed the sonuvabitch terrorizing Halley's small town.

I slam my fist into the mattress as I drop onto the bed. I hate this. I hate that I'm broken. That having my soul back has crippled me. Left me with headaches and painful memories of all the crap I'm guilty of.

There's a knock at the door. It's Jo. She sits down beside me and pats my knee.

I sigh and my head drops back as I stare at the ceiling. "How pissed is he?"

"Enough," Jo snickers. "But he'll get over it. He always does."

"How'd you convince him?" I ask, realizing afterward that I probably didn't want to know.

A devilish smile graces her lips and her eyes twinkle. "I'm gonna plead the fifth."

Dean comes in. "You," he says, his face twisting into a frown as he looks at Jo. "Better be right about this." He turns to me. "And you. Get your own girlfriend."

Jo stands up and saunters past Dean. He's still focused on me when she claps a hand across his backside. "Hey!" he yelps. "What was that for?"

She grins and shakes her head. "You deserved it, Deano," she answers. "C'mon, boys. Let's get this show on the road."

It's moments like this I realize how lucky I am. As painful as being Humpty Dumpty is, there's nothing better than having a family and knowing love.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Supernatural ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"So, basically, we find the demon's bones and burn them," Dean says as he locks the car.

"After we make sure Halley is safe," I answer as we walk toward the hospital, "but, yeah, that's the plan."

Before I can get my bearings, we're at the nurses' station and I hear Jo ask for Halley. My heart begins to pound and panic sets in. I try to stay calm. Try to settle down. But I can't. It's too much. This was a mistake.

"Sam?"

The softness of her voice is like a touch. It's soothing and makes me shiver. My eyes lock on hers. They're the color of the summer sky. Her cheeks are pink. She tosses her braided hair over her shoulder, her eyes clouding with confusion. Under my breath, the words escape. "I shouldn't have come..."

She looks at Dean and Jo. "You're here because it's back," she says softly.

Jo takes control of the situation. "Is there someplace we can talk?"

Halley nods and leads us into the empty break room. "Are you hunters, too?" she asks quietly, crossing her arms over her chest.

I can't breathe. I'm afraid I'll scare her. That she'll run screaming.

"Since the cat's got Sam's tongue," Jo says, "Let me make the introductions. I'm Jo and this is Sam's brother, Dean."

Jo continues to explain everything. The words don't sink in. I don't hear a word. The only thing I can focus on is Halley's face. She's more beautiful than I remembered. Small with a curvy frame that's visible even beneath her baggy scrubs.

Jo touches Halley's arm. "How much time can you take off? We'll need to get you out of here. We have a feeling this thing is gonna fixate on you."

She gulps. Looks like she's going to cry.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask my brother.

Dean rolls his eyes. He brushes his lips over Jo's forehead. "Sure thing," he says before turning to Halley. "Stay here with Jo."

In the hallway, I look to make sure we're alone. "I'm not sure I can do this," I tell him. "Can't I go with you? Let Jo protect Halley?"

"You bought this one, Sammy," he says, finally letting me have it. "Jo and I haven't been here before. We can ask the questions and talk to people. You need to get out of town before too many people see you."

"So this has nothing to do with wanting to be with Jo?" I ask, crossing my arms.

The girls come out. Halley looks at Jo before making eye contact. Her gaze is filled with concern. There isn't an ounce of fear in her expression.

"I think it's best I go with you," she says after a long pause. "Jo says you're having headaches. I can help..."

My eyes shut and I feel my jaw tighten. "Jo..."

But it's Halley's voice that answers. "It's more than that, Sam." She touches my arm and I have to look at her. Her shy smile and slight shrug is my undoing. "At least I know you."

Dean smirks. "See, Sam? It'll all be just fine."

Jo glares and elbows Dean in the ribs. "Lay low and get outta town. We'll find the bones and roast 'em."

Halley takes a deep breath, waiting for Dean and Jo to walk away before speaking. "I just need to talk to the charge nurse. Wait for me?"

I watch the way she walks away. Casual. Unafraid. I envy that about her. I wonder how it's possible she feels that way. Why she would be reaching out to me after everything that's happened between us.

I feel sick. Terrified. Scared of what I've done to her. Scared of what I could do to her. Worried that I won't be able to protect her. That being alone with her will leave me paralyzed. I gulp, trying to swallow down all the thoughts. To get them out of my system.

I see her talking to another woman. Someone older than either of us. She smiles and gestures toward me with a little wave.

I grin awkwardly and wiggle my fingers in answer. I feel my face grow hot. I'm far enough away that I can't hear their conversation, but I know where this is going.

And it isn't good.