Chapter 4

Sam pushed the cart through the store trailing along behind Dean who was adding items from the camping section of the store. He watched him toss in a bunch of freeze-dried foods, matches, flint, camping soap, biodegradable toilet paper, foldable shovel, hatchet, a couple of tarps, coffee pot, and a cooking pot with dishes for four inside.

"Do we really need all this stuff?" Sam asked with an annoyed huff following his brother to the first aid section.

"Well, we won't have a weirdo queen to feed, shelter, and cloth us," Dean surmised. "I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I've been there, I know what to expect, mostly."

"Right," Sam grumbled feeling like a third wheel here since he hadn't been to the other realm.

Dean was absorbed in his mission to prepare for going back to the other realm and didn't notice that Sam looked peeved and irritated. He tossed four tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes into the cart before turning to the first aid side and adding different types of bandages, gauze, itch, antibiotic and hydrocortisone creams, gauze pads, tape, alcohol wipes, and ace bandages. It took a bit to find zippered cloth bags, because he wanted to make first aid kits for each pack in case they got separated. He knew they couldn't take a lot but wanted to be somewhat prepared.

"Okay, I think this will do it," Dean said. He looked in the cart and as he went over the mental list in his head. He was going to divide everything between three backpacks that were at Bobby's. When they returned to the salvage yard, he would decide on weapons to take. "Let's go check out."

"Wait here, there's something I want to get," Sam told his brother as he headed down one of the aisles. He came back ten minutes later and dropped some disposable cameras into the cart.

"What are they for?"

"To take pictures since our cells won't be any good over there. I want to document our trip."

"Okay, guess it would be nice to have some pictures to show Bobby and Cas."

Sam pushed the cart toward the front of the store and watched Dean grab some bags of jerky to toss into it. He snagged some granola bars and power bars deciding they might come in handy too. Once the purchases were paid for, they headed back to the Impala and filled the trunk with the bags.

Dean was bubbling with excitement and enthusiasm as he dropped into the driver's seat, smiling widely at Sam.

"I can't believe I'm going back," he commented as he cranked the car and headed back to the salvage yard. He found a radio station and began to sing with the music as he drummed along on the steering wheel.

Sam looked perplexed at his brother since he had never seen him like this before. It was almost sickening, and he wanted to gag. Maybe his thoughts would change once they got there, and he was able to experience the place for himself. Sam was anxious to get going on this rescue and see if all Dean told him was true. He turned and stared aimlessly out the window, ignoring his brother's off-key singing.

"Dean," Sam suddenly spoke above the music and singing as a thought came to him. "Will there be a problem with us going there? I mean would they think we were invading or something? Would the Queen who took you be upset? And maybe attack us?"

"Well, I don't think there'll be a problem, but I'll ask Ice to be sure. We're hopefully not going into her territory. And, if they hold the Dark Hunt the same time each year, that time has past for this year."

"Okay, just wondered," Sam shrugged and turned to look back out the window as his mind continued to spin.

It didn't take them long to get back and Dean pulled around the house to the front door and parked. They got out and grabbed bags from the trunk to take inside.

"Hey man, is Bobby treating you okay?" Dean asked Ice who was sitting at the table with Bobby talking.

"He has welcomed me and fed me. And I've never enjoyed anything more than that shower. Your world has a lot of nice things to offer," Ice replied. "We have been talking about my realm and I corrected him on some of the facts he had wrong."

"Cool, and I thought you would like the bathroom," Dean chuckled nodding his head thinking about how he missed a bathroom when he was gone.

"This…Whiskey is very tasty." Ice held up a glass that still had a small amount of Jack Daniels in it and drank it.

"Oh yeah, figured that'd be a hit. We should take a few mini bottles with us," Dean laughed as he sat the bags down on the counter. "Go get the other bags Sammy. I need to find those backpacks that were stored downstairs and clean them."

"Fine," Sam mumbled giving Dean a bitch face before turning on his heels and leaving.

"I'll go help him," Ice offered getting up to follow Sam outside. He sensed the younger brother's annoyance and irritation and thought it had to do with him. "Let me give you a hand," Ice spoke to Sam watching him loop the bags over his hands.

"I'm fine," Sam said with bitter resentment giving him a frigid glare.

"Sam, you don't like me very much, do you?" Ice questioned stepping in front of the young man to stop him from going inside.

"I don't know you," Sam shot back a stony expression on his face as he stepped back from him. He couldn't control his bad feelings about Ice.

"But you know your brother and trust him, correct?"

"Of course, he's my brother. I trust him with my life."

"So, if he trusts me…Doesn't that maybe tell you something? That you can trust me too?"

Sam frowned as he looked down at the ground before bringing his gaze back up to look at Ice and study him. He did trust his brother's instincts and knew he wouldn't have let Ice stay here if he wasn't okay.

"Liking and trusting someone are two different things and neither happen instantly. I like to form my own opinion about things."

"I hope you will at least give me a chance, before forming your opinion."

"I should get inside." Sam didn't want to continue this awkward conversation and stepped around Ice to walk up the steps back into the house leaving Ice standing by the car.

Ice sighed softly as he shook his head and hoped there wasn't going to be a problem with Sam. He had a feeling Sam was jealous of his relationship with Dean and could understand the young man's feelings. Ice thought for a moment and determined in spite of Sam's size, he was still young and obviously possessive of his big brother. He thought it would be better to treat Sam more gently to establish a better relationship with him. Ice would never come between Sam and his brother. He headed inside with his bags and went to the kitchen to deposit them on the counter with the others.

Spn

Dean sat at the kitchen table filling clips with rounds to take with them. He glanced over at Ice who watched with interest since he had never seen a handgun or bullets. Sam was cleaning their handguns and occasionally looked between the two men. He kept his expression neutral as he worked. Castiel was quietly sitting off to the side observing them. He sensed Sam's disgruntled anger but kept quiet. Bobby was in his office doing some research for a hunter.

"We need to pack light," Dean randomly commented. "An extra pair of jeans, sweats, briefs, socks, couple of shirts and T-shirts. It's not super cold there so we won't need a heavy coat."

Sam didn't answer as he concentrated on putting his gun back together. He looked into the chamber and down the barrel to be sure it was well oiled and clean.

"Dude, did you hear me?" Dean gripped in annoyance when he didn't answer.

"Yeah, pack light," Sam snipped back as he slammed the clip into his gun and chambered a round. He got up without another word, slipping the gun into the waistband of his jeans, and stomped from the room.

"What's his problem?" Dean muttered, frowning as he followed his brother with his eyes as he left the room. "You'd think someone finished his crossword puzzle."

"I'm not sure I understand your words," Ice noted. "But I think your brother's problem is me."

"You?" Dean questioned as his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why would he have a problem with you?"

"Because we share a common bond, and I think he feels left out. He is your brother after all and maybe he thinks I will come between the two of you."

"Are you serious?"

"Sam couldn't share the time you spent in Ice's realm. All he has are your stories about the place. Didn't you talk to him about what he tried to do to get to you. He was desperate, foolish, and feeling guilty he couldn't do anything to save you. He almost lost his life until I intervened." Castiel offered. "Your friendships are not his friendships."

"I better go talk to him," Dean huffed as he pushed his chair back from the table. He headed after his brother and slowly made his way up the stairs to their bedroom going over in his head how to approach this matter. He stood in the doorway watching his brother throw clothes on the bed to pack.

Sam was swearing under his breath as he opened drawers in his dresser and jerked out random clothes, not even looking at them. He jerked his head around when he sensed someone watching him and saw Dean standing in the doorway.

"I'm packing light," Sam grunted icily turning away from him.

"We need to talk Sammy," Dean told him in a calm, yet strong voice.

"About what?" Sam grumbled.

"Your pissy ass mood for one thing. What's going on with you, bro? Why are you acting this way?"

"There's nothing wrong with me," Sam replied, his word dripping with spite.

"Yeah, and I'm Batman," Dean shot back. "Sit down over here and talk to me. I insist." Dean stepped to the bed and sat down waiting for his brother to do the same. He wasn't letting this go any further and wanted it settled before they went to the other realm.

Sam stood there fidgeting for a moment before moving to the bed to sit across from Dean. He worried with a pair of socks, keeping his eyes downcast. He worried his lower lip with his teeth but didn't say anything.

"You don't like Ice much, do you?" Dean asked getting to the point.

Sam cast his eyes over at Dean, his expression speaking for him. He quickly dropped them back to the floor but didn't speak.

"Sammy, you know I would never choose anyone else over you. We're brothers, family, and that's never going to change. Ice is a friend, and we went through some dangerous shit together," Dean explained. "We had each other's backs, back then. Our friendship doesn't change anything between us, you and me. If you will let yourself, I think you can like him too."

"I'm sorry," Sam mumbled, a stress line growing on his brow. "I guess I have been an ass to him."

"Don't worry about it. He's tough skinned. We're going to be working together and I don't want any bad feelings between you two. That's a good way to get someone hurt or killed. You think you can give him a chance? Can you be open-minded about things? He really is a good guy once you get to know him."

"Yeah, I guess I can," Sam replied sheepishly. "He does seem okay."

"Good, I figure we'll get a good night's sleep and cross over in the morning. I want to get everything packed and ready before I come to bed."

"Do you think we're going to run into a lot of trouble there?"

"I don't know what to expect. Everything is so different there. Your guess is as good as mine. Oh, check the linen closet to see if there's any of that camping tp left from that camping trip we took. It pays to be prepared," Dean suggested before getting up to go back downstairs without further comment.

Sam sat on the bed for a minute as he thought about what Dean had said and could see how childish and immature he was behaving. He hadn't really given Ice a chance and deep down knew he wasn't trying to take Dean from him or come between them. "Wait, what?" Sam called but Dean was gone. Dean's last words finally registered in his mind, and he got up to check the linen closet for toilet paper. That got him wondering what they used over there for toilet paper.

A/N: Dean works things out with Sam about Ice. They will be heading to the other realm tomorrow and the adventure will begin. Thank you for coming on this journey. I do like reviews/comments.