A/N: Here we are again readers, at the end of another short story. I hope you like this non-spn one and will come back for my next one. Thank you to all who have left me reviews/comments. It means a lot. Stay tuned, I will have another story up later in the week. I do like reviews/comments. NC
Chapter 13
It was almost a week later, and Dean and Sam were up early that morning to take a jog on the beach before the temperatures climbed as the sun rose. There were storm clouds building out at sea and were moving their way. Dean slowed as they neared the house to walk the rest of the way to cool down.
"Have you heard anything else from your boss?" Sam huffed, drawing in long breaths. He walked beside Dean letting the breeze dry the sweat on his face.
"I was going to check in after we get back to the house and after a shower," Dean replied. "They should know something by now. At least I hope so."
"Be sure to check on Jody; I hate she got hurt protecting me," Sam asked still feeling guilty about her being shot because she was protecting him.
"I will and it wasn't your fault so get that out of your head."
"I'll try," he mumbled looking out to sea at the gathering dark clouds. "Looks like we might get storm."
"Yeah, better get on back to the house and cleaned up. These storms can be a bear sometimes."
"I've always liked storms even as a kid. To see the display of power with the lightning and thunder is thrilling."
"You're letting your nerdy side show Sammy," Dean laughed as he stopped to look out at the brewing storm. Thin streaks of lightning bounced around in the clouds as they pulled water from the ocean into their mist. Soft rumbling could be heard, and the waves seemed to get bigger and more forceful as they broke on the shore. "Come on, let's get inside and showered before it gets here."
Sam stayed on the beach a few minutes longer watching the storm before following Dean through the gate and into the house. He was sweaty and tired, but also alive and exhilarated. The last few days gave him time to assess his situation and mull it over finally coming to terms with what he had chosen to do. His parents had raised him to be honest and to do the right thing. Sam couldn't have lived with himself if he hadn't come forward to testify.
The cool shower felt good as Sam let the water wash over his body. He was getting tanned after a few days in the sun, and his face had a rosy glow now. He looked healthier and felt it too. When he was finished, Sam dried and ran his towel over his head to get out any excess water. He wiped his hand across the mirror and gazed at himself in the mirror. He wouldn't have recognized himself as the doctor from Los Angeles. He decided not to shave and give himself a rugged look. Once he was dressed, Sam headed back to the main part of the house.
"Man! That was close," Sam noted as he jumped when thunder boomed around the house. He looked out the glass windows and saw sheets of rain pounding the house and lightning flashed out on the ocean.
"I know and the main part of the storm's not even here yet," said Dean in an excited voice. "Grab a seat and let's see what kind of show Mother Nature has to offer." Dean plopped down on the couch that faced out toward the beach to watch.
Sam chuckled, thinking he sounded like a kid and moved to sit on the couch with him. They watched the flashes of bright light bounce around in the clouds and waited for the claps of thunder to follow. The rain fell in buckets, soaking the landscape. Gusts of wind blew the palm trees back and forth, making the long limbs flap around, breaking some off.
The storm suddenly dissipated, and the clouds began to break as the rain slacked off. Rays of sunlight broke through the clouds and a rainbow stretched out across the water.
"Look at that," Sam pointed out, his voice excited as he got up to stand at the windows.
"Now that's what I call a spectacular ending," Dean replied.
"I agree. You don't get to see many of those."
"I know, that's true," Dean nodded watching the rainbow observing all the colors that radiated from it.
"I think it's always a sign of good things to come," Sam said wishfully.
"Maybe it will be. Well, I need to make a call," Dean sighed getting up from the couch to head to his bedroom for some privacy.
Sam opened the sliding glass door and stepped out onto the patio drawing in a deep breath of the fresh air after a storm. A few drops of random rain hit Sam in the face as he turned skyward and closed his eyes. He smiled and laughed softly wiping his face and feeling exhilarated and content. He walked over to the gate and opened it to step out onto the beach and strolled to the water's edge to watch the strong waves beating the shore. There was still power and danger in the large waves that brought bits of seaweed, shells, and other interesting things to shore.
He was lost in the moment and just stood there drinking it all in. Sam didn't hear Dean walk up behind him and was startled when he caught sight of him in his peripheral vision.
"Oh, hey, sorry I didn't tell you I came out here…" Sam started but was interrupted by Dean.
"It's okay, I knew where to find you and I knew you wouldn't be going far," Dean assured him.
"I didn't want to disturb your call. Did you find out anything?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. I'm happy to inform you that you won't need to testify after all. You're off the hook."
"What? Are you joking with me? How did this happen?" Sam asked in shock.
"Why don't we go sit down on the patio and I'll tell you."
Sam snapped his mouth shut and quickly followed Dean back through the gate to the patio. He waited for Dean to get a towel to dry the chairs so they could sit down. He accepted the water Dean offered him and sat at the table waiting for Dean to talk to him.
"I talked to Jody and Bobby. She's doing fine, by the way. They found the mole in the DA's office. It was one of the assistants who had a grudge against the DA because of some promotion that he thought should have been his. He was offered a hefty sum of money for information on your case," Dean told Sam, pausing to sip some water.
"How does that keep me from having to testify?" Sam questioned.
"The FBI informed us that a coupe happened within the drug cartel. Seemed another drug lord wanted all the business and let's just say, all the major players didn't make it out in one piece. The local police along with the FBI and DEA arrested or killed most of the gang in LA that was attached to the drug cartel. They found a stash house filled with drugs, guns, and money. It was a huge bust, so the case against the gang members is dropped since they are dead. You're free Sammy. There shouldn't be anyone wanting you dead now."
"Wow," Sam whispered as he let out a slow breath and sat back in the chair. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was free; he wasn't in the crosshairs of any killers anymore. He didn't know what to say or do.
"This means you can have your old life back; that is, if you want it," Dean offered watching Sam for his reaction.
"Are you serious?" Sam asked in disbelief.
"Yes."
Sam frowned slightly as he began to mull over that information. Did he want his old life back, working twelve to fourteen hours a day, all the stress of the job, never having time for himself, or being able to take any time off; did he want to go back to that?
"I talked to Bobby and signed out for a few days' vacation, so we don't have to go back yet. It'll give you some time to think about everything."
"If I wanted to stay in Austin, would I have to give the house back?" Sam asked.
"No, that's yours Sammy, but you would have to take over the payments in a couple of months. We get a good deal from the realtor, so the payments aren't that bad. It wouldn't be right to take it back after all that you've been through. Why? Are you thinking of maybe staying in Austin?"
"I don't know, ask me again in another day and maybe I'll have an answer." Sam gazed out at the ocean deep in thought, ending their conversation.
Dean got up and left Sam along with his thoughts. He knew he had some tough decisions to make and wondered what he would do. Dean liked Sam as a friend and would like to get to know him better. They seemed to click, and he wouldn't have to hide who he was from him since Sam knew. He wouldn't try to sway Sam one way or the other because it had to be his decision.
spn
The following evening, Dean and Sam had finished dinner and were clearing the table and cleaning up. Sam was loading the dishwasher and Dean was putting away leftovers.
"Dean, can we talk?" Sam asked as he dried his hands on a towel.
"Sure kid, want to sit outside or inside?"
"You're not that much older than me Dean. I'm not a kid," Sam corrected him. "Let's sit outside and enjoy the ocean. I know we'll be leaving in a couple of days."
"Okay," Dean smirked and rolled his eyes at Sam's remark as he went to the door and opened it to step outside.
Sam followed him and took a seat. He listened to the waves breaking on the shore and knew he was going to miss that. It was so calming and relaxing for him. They sat there for a while until Sam finally started talking.
"I've made my decision," Sam announced looking over at Dean for a moment before looking back at the sea.
"Okay, what did you decide?" Dean asked, trying to hide his excitement until he knew the answer.
"I thought about all the pros and cons of each option. I thought about where I wanted to be in five years and what would make me the happiest. Being moved to Austin was like giving me a second chance to reinvent myself and to be honest, I liked it there. I think I'll look for a job in a private practice that won't be as stressful as a hospital would be. I can go back to being a doctor and not waste all the time and money I spent to become one. I like the job at the library, but it's not really me."
"And…" Dean encouraged when he really didn't give an answer yet.
"I think, no, I know I want to stay in Austin and continue my life there," Sam said with conviction. He couldn't help but smile when he saw the look of happiness on Dean's face.
"That's great Sammy!" Dean beamed. "Now that you're not a client, we can maybe do some things together. That is if you'd like to hang out with me."
"I would," Sam agreed smiling at him. "I want us to be good friends."
"Do you like going to sporting events, concerts, breweries, rodeos, or car shows? They have some good ones in Austin and surrounding cities."
"Do you show your car? I saw it in the garage. It's nice looking."
"Yeah, sometimes. It was my Dad's, a '67 Chevy Impala. Dad loved that car and took good care of it and passed it down to me."
"And yeah, it would be fun hanging out with you and doing things. You know there's several breweries that have live bands we could check out. I had found one in Dripping Springs right outside of Austin that I wanted to visit. I think it was called Family Business Brewery."
"That sounds interesting, we could do that and sample their brews."
They sat back and looked out to the sea, listening to the sounds of the ocean happy about the great outcome of a tough situation. Their friendship could grow now without any red tape to stop it. There was a rainbow after the storm. At least, most of the time.
The End
