Secrets Challenge

It's time for a new challenge.

The boys keeping secrets from each other seems to be a big theme this season. Write a story in which one character discovers a secret about another character. The secret can be funny, angsty, or serious. It can be anything as long as it complies with board rules. It doesn't just have to relate to Sam or Dean, or Sam's powers, or Dean's time in hell but the secret must be about a character that has appeared on the show.

Rules:
-There is no minimum length, but no longer than the equivalent of 10 pages in word
- Must be PG-13 or lower and comply with all board rules
- One entry per person
- Must be new writing—can’t repost old stuff
- Must be your own work. Plagiarism in any challenge will not be tolerated. (Even though I so stole Grkgrl’s rules )
- Please proofread your work so it's easier for people to read. If you'd like someone to proofread it, I've set up a thread to request beta readers for challenges in this forum.

*** At the beginning of your entry, please include the title of your fic followed by “by” <<your username>>. (For example: My Secret by Adder574) This will make it easier to copy and paste the entries into the voting thread. If you don’t want to include a title, then please still include your username at the beginning of your entry. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a PM.

Deadline: Tuesday, March 17th, Midnight AST

you mean, it could be about Bobby or Jo, John or Ellen too?

Yes, it can be about any character as long as they have appeared on the show.

How long or short does it have to be?

No minimum, but no longer than 10 pages in Word. Just realized that I left that off my original post. I'll go add it. Thanks Irishgirl.

You're welcome!

I guess I get to be first to post! I am posting a spoiler warning just in case.



Here's my entry...

WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4 – story takes place after 4.14. I am posting a spoiler warning just in case you haven’t seen season 4 or episode 4.14 yet.

Flame Out by Raven524


Dean groaned as he pulled the heavy weight of his barely conscious sibling closer. “Come on Sammy, we only have a little ways to go…”

“M’kay” Sam mumbled as his feet seemed to forget how to move once again.

“Sure you are Sasquach, but you need to keep moving. I’m not sure, but the wolf man was only winged. Neither one of us is ready for a repeat performance tonight. So keep moving Sam.” Dean could tell his brother was in a world of pain. Not to mention the amount of blood that was leaking from his brother’s upper thigh.

The hunt had been simple. Find the werewolf; kill the werewolf, burn the son of a bitch and head back to a nice warm bed for some much needed sleep. It seemed like all he and Sam were doing lately was taking on one hunt after another. But this one had been too hard to pass up. The last victim had been a young boy, still in grade school and his life was now over because of some monster. Unfortunately, the monster turned out to be larger and older than any werewolf they’d ever encountered.

It had been smart too. The creature had led him and Sam through the forest until it managed to get the drop on them. The scene played out in his mind as he grabbed his brother’s arm tighter around his neck and began to move towards the Impala once more.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Earlier that night…

“I’m telling you Dean, something’s not right. We’ve been tracking it for over two hours now and should have seen something.” Sam griped as he pulled his coat tighter around his shivering frame.

“What happened to the man who stares down demons without flinching? A werewolf should be nothing…” Dean shut up as he saw the hurt look cross his brother’s face. He didn’t have to say it, but knew Sam understood what he was thinking. The words the siren had forced from his brother’s lips still stung. “I’m a better hunter than you…”

“Look Sam, I didn’t mean…” Dean watched as Sam let the walls fall back in place. Both of them back to dancing around the issue but not dealing with it. The Winchester way was to ignore the problem and get on with the job.

“It’s okay Dean. You’re right; we need to get this done before someone else dies.” Sam turned and took point once again. Dean shook his head as he followed his brother through he dark landscape. As he began to walk quicker to catch up, a movement from the thick bushes to the right caught his attention. He raised his gun and gave a soft whistle to alert Sam.

His little brother turned and then followed his gaze towards the bushes. Something was definitely moving in the thicket. Dean moved to take point while Sam covered his back. Old habits quickly falling in place as they both faced the threat. The older hunter moved cautiously, making no sound as his feet moved silently across the forest floor. He stopped just short of the thicket as the branches moved again. He nodded at Sam before he reached forward to pull the branches aside.

“What the hell?” Dean remarked as his eyes fell on the rabbit caught in a snare.

A soft chuckle sounded behind him as Sam lowered his gun. “So, you found Thumper—I guess you want to look for Bambi next? Of course, if you find Flower, you’re on your own!”

“Very funny Sammy—you know the fact you quote Disney characters is a little disturbing.” Dean remarked as he quickly pulled his knife from its sheath and with one stroke, cut the poor animal free. He was just starting to turn to face his brother when the hair on the back of his neck rose. Before he could react, a large gray shape leapt from the other side of the trail, taking his brother with him.

“Sammy!” Dean yelled as he pulled his gun and ran forward. He could see his brother fighting with the giant beast. It was a good foot taller than Sam and definitely had more bulk. He watched as his brother was thrown against a tree, his back hitting with enough force to rattle the branches above.

“Get off him you son of a bitch!” Dean yelled as he tried to get the raging animal’s attention away from his brother. But the beast ignored him as it pulled Sam to his feet and threw him onto his stomach. With a growl the werewolf was on Sam, pulling his head back as he opened massive jaws for the fatal bite. He didn’t have a choice, he’d have to take a shot or his brother would be killed—or worse.

Dean took aim and pulled the trigger; his breath froze as he watched the beast move at the last moment. The werewolf yelped in pain before it jumped up and limped off into the trees. “Damn it!” He cursed as he watched the animal leave. He’d only winged it, but at least the silver had been enough to get its attention. Keeping his gun out, the older sibling quickly knelt beside his fallen brother.

“Sam, can you hear me?” Dean gasped as he saw a pool of blood leaking through his brother’s jeans. The bullet hadn’t just nicked the werewolf; it now appeared to be lodged in Sam’s upper thigh, just below his left cheek. He gently turned Sam over, hands automatically checking for other injuries. “You’re a mess Sammy—can you wake up for me?” Dean gently tapped his brother’s face.

“D’n?” Sam whispered followed by a low groan as his arms wrapped around his chest.

“Yeah, I think you’ve got a couple of cracked ribs. Do you think you can stand with my help? We have to get out of here, I only winged the wolf.” Dean watched as Sam pulled himself together.

“My leg…” Sam groaned as he tried to stand, his leg almost buckling under him. His brother would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed his arm and placed it over his shoulder to steady him.

“You’ve been shot Sam. The bullet is still in there—I’m sorry…” Dean looked away.

“Not your fault—happens…” Sam said as his head moved in Dean’s direction.

“Let’s see if you feel the same way when I have to dig the bullet out…” Dean remarked as he began to lead his injured sibling from the forest.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


The weary hunter sighed with relief as the shiny black exterior of his car came into view. “I’m so glad to see you baby!” Dean said as he reached to open the passenger door. He gently lowered his brother onto the seat before he reached into the back for an old towel. “This is going to have to do until we get back to the hotel.” He winced at the groan that escaped his brother’s lips as he wrapped the towel tightly around the injured limb. “Can’t have you bleeding on my baby now can I Sammy?”

Sam simply let his head fall back against the seat, his eyes closed as he tried to breath through the pain. It was clear he was reaching the end of his endurance. “Okay, next stop the Wagon Wheel Motel. Who names these things anyway?” Dean said as he gently closed the door. He checked the tree line and shivered. They’d have to leave and come back during the next lunar cycle. There was no way they could finish the hunt now. But Dean vowed they would return and then the werewolf would pay for injuring Sam.

A short time later Dean managed to get his brother on to the bed in their motel room. The rust colored bedspread and head boards shaped like wagon wheels promoted the western feel of the room. It seemed appropriate he’d be removing a bullet from his brother in a room reminiscent of the old west. Only, the bullet wasn’t from the monster they’d been hunting—it was from his own gun.

“Not your fault D’n” Sam muttered, his head pillowed on his arm as Dean hurried to get the supplies he’d need.

“Yeah right! I didn’t see the wolf man packing—so I’m thinking I missed.” Dean ground out as he laid out the probes he’d need. He just hoped the bullet was close to the surface. He’d like to avoid a visit to the hospital unless necessary. Bullet wounds had to be reported and they didn’t need that kind of heat right now.

“I’m going to have to take your jeans off Sam. Let me do the work okay?” Dean watched as Sam swallowed before he moved his head. “You know, this is technically close enough to qualify is being shot in the rear end Sammy.” Dean chuckled. “I can just hear Bobby now…”

“Not funny D’n” Sam mumbled as he slowly lifted his hips to allow Dean to get the jeans off.

The older hunter quickly wiped the blood from the wound and sighed with relief when he noticed the wound looked shallow. “I don’t think I’ll have to dig far Sam. Here, take a drink…” He watched as Sam took a couple of swigs of the whiskey before placing it on the floor beside the bed. Dean handed a rolled up washcloth to his brother and watched as he bit down on it. “Okay, I’ll try and make it quick.”

Dean gently inserted the probe into the wounded flesh, after a few moments he smiled as he felt the bullet. He pulled the probe out and grabbed the forceps. With surprisingly steady hands, he guided the tool to the bullet and with a slow and steady pressure, managed to pull the bullet from his brother’s torn flesh. He saw the tension in his brother’s shoulders ease as the object was removed.

“Just a couple of stitches and we’re done…” Dean assured as he quickly cleaned the wound. He had hoped Sam would lose consciousness, but his brother had stubbornly remained awake. Hazel eyes glanced back for a moment before his sibling’s head fell back to his arms. The washcloth had fallen to the floor beside the bottle of Jack.

It took only four stitches to close the small hole in his brother’s leg. Once again, Sam had remained silent the only sign of his pain was the tightening of his shoulders and the shift in his breathing. “Just let me get you cleaned up a bit here Sammy and then I’ll get the painkillers and antibiotics for you.”

“Just help me turn over Dean—I’m fine…” Sam muttered as he tried to push himself up. He groaned and reached for his chest before falling back onto the bed.

“Dude, I’m just going to wash the rest of the blood off. Don’t worry; your modesty will be safe.” Dean smirked. “It’s not like I haven’t seen…what the—Sammy?” He heard his brother groan and swore he saw a slight blush on his pale cheeks.

“Seriously Dean, just leave…” Sam tried once again to roll over but Dean stopped him with a firm hand on his lower back.

“You’ve been keeping another secret from me Sammy.” Dean said as he moved Sam’s boxer shorts up slightly to wash the rest of the blood from his upper thigh.

“Dean, don’t…” Sam growled.

“What? I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me Sam. I mean, to find out that my brother has a little blue smurf tattooed on his cheek—I think I’m gonna be traumatized for life.” Dean chuckled as he leaned closer to examine the small tattoo. “Oh no—are those glasses? You’re kidding me right? You’ve got Brainy Smurf tattooed on your rear?”

Sam groaned and shook his head. It was clear this was one secret his little brother never wanted him to find out about. But he just couldn’t resist. It was too good to pass up. “So I suppose you have a logical reason for having your rear end tattooed. I can’t wait to hear this story.”

Dean helped his brother turn onto his back. After making sure Sam was comfortable, he handed him the painkillers and antibiotics before sitting on the edge of the bed. “So—give!”

Sam looked off for a moment, his face softened as the memory surfaced. “Jessica thought it would be fun to get them…”

“Them? You have more than one? Please Sammy; don’t tell me you have Smurfette tattooed on another part of your anatomy!” Dean laughed as he watched his brother squirm.

“NO! No—I mean, Jessica had one and then insisted that I also get one. She had this thing about smurfs and I didn’t see any harm…” Sam swallowed as the blush rose once again.

Dean smiled. “So you and Jessica got matching smurf tattooes. I can’t believe you let her talk you into it. I mean, you almost fainted when I suggested you get the protective charm tattooed on your chest.”

“That was a large tattoo Dean, this was just a small one and I had a few shots before…” Sam stopped and looked away.

“This is just getting better. So she got you drunk and talked you into it. Well if it had been me, I think I would have picked Grumpy Smurf…” Dean ducked as a pillow sailed by his head. “I think I’ll take a shower, you need anything Brainy?”

“Just go!” Sam said as he moved carefully back down onto the bed. Before Dean had grabbed his kit, his brother had fallen asleep. The pain and injuries mixed with the pain med’s had finally dragged him under. Dean stopped at the end of the bed and smiled. “I’m glad you had fun Sammy—at least for a short while.”

He quickly entered the bathroom and left the door cracked so he could hear if Sam needed him. He put the water on hot and quickly stripped off his clothes. As he began to wash, his hand paused over his right hip. A slow grin spread over his face as he recalled a night with Lisa that involved a bottle of Jack and her friend who happened to be a tattoo artist. He’d woken up the next morning with a small tattoo on his hip and a hang over.

As he looked down, he smiled at the unblemished skin. While the protection tattoo seemed to have survived his trip back from Hell, apparently the other tattoo had not. “I’m gonna have to thank Cas for removing Pokey from the playing field.” Dean said softly as he chuckled. “What little brother doesn’t know—won’t hurt me…”

A short time later Dean left the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his hips. As he pulled out his sleeping clothes he looked over at his brother. Then again, maybe some secrets were okay to keep. The tattoo probably reminded Sam of happier times. There certainly weren’t enough of those any longer. “Don’t worry Sam; I won’t tell anyone your secret—it’s safe with me….”

As the older hunter turned off the light, he never saw the soft smile that curved his little brother’s lips.

The End

Awesome entry, Raven!!

Here's mine!


The Secret of the Mad armorer by Shadow_Of_Castiel

The trouble started one day when a hunt went wrong in the middle of a museum. Our intrepid hunters, Sam and Dean Winchester were chasing a peculiarly bothersome ghost around the main corridors of the museum, when suddenly the ghost disappeared.

“Son of a BITCH!” Dean yelled in annoyance, totally failing to notice the suit of armor behind him starting to clank into life.

Sam’s eyes grew wide and he just could not stop staring

Dean looked up before he asked - “What the hell’s the matter with you, Sammy?”

Before Sam could respond, Dean heard the tell tale clanking from behind him, as the suit of armor came off his pedestal. Dean’s green eyes went wide as he took in the large metal man bearing down upon him, before he screamed like a girl, and ran down the corridor, leaving his brother behind him, to fend for himself.

Sam didn’t waste time in following his brother, merely ran off after him - but the suit of armor followed them at high speed, arms outstretched, a sword flailing in the air.

“SAM! DEEEEEEAAANNN!” the suit called ominously soon catching up with the two brothers. and menacing them, by tickling them with a stray feather pulled from the plume on his helmet.

Somehow they managed to give the suit of armor the slip, running through the gift shop, where Dean managed to find time to buy some chocolate, therefore managing to stop Lucifer from buying it and taking over the world.

They ran through the park, where they almost collided with a man looking shockingly like Alastair in a floral dress.

Both Sam and Dean stopped to stare at the demon in horror, before Sam shrugged at Dean.

“It could be worse, Dean - it could be Uriel!” he said, nonchalantly.

“You’ve got a point - now let’s go!” Dean said, before continuing to run.

They screamed past a woman and a man selling T-Shirts, chocolate bars and chocolate cake, all advertising “Mad armorer Tours” before they both hopped on a convenient skateboard nearby and scooted off.

No matter how many times they gave the Suit of armor the slip, there he was again! They fled from the zoo, scaring all the lemurs in the process - to the cinema, which was showing “Watchmen” conveniently.

Dean saw Jeffrey Dean Morgan displayed large upon the movie screen and he screamed “DAD! HE’S GONNA SLASH US DAD!”

Jeffrey Dean Morgan didn’t take any notice because he was just a picture on the screen and the suit of armor soon caught up with Sam and Dean again.

Out of sheer desperation, Sam grabbed a Coca Cola from a nearby woman - bizarrely enough the lady who had been selling the Mad armorer Tour merchandise outside - before he took a sip of the Cola, and flung the rest of the fizzy drink on the suit of armor.

“What the freaking hell did you do that for?” Dean asked, eyeing Sam dubiously.

“I dunno - I just felt like it!” Sam muttered, as he watched the Cola work it’s magic upon the suit of armor.

The metal started to rust, and to corrode. One by one, the limbs fell off - revealing a body underneath - a very familiar body wearing a beige trench coat.

“CASTIEL!” Sam and Dean said in unison, before Dean ripped the angel’s helmet off.

“What?” the angel asked, innocently. “What you want?”

“What the hell are you doing, Castiel? You’ve chased us clear across town, in a freaking tin can, plus I’ve managed somehow to defeat Lucifer from taking over the world, plus I swear I saw Alastair in drag in the park!” Dean babbled, clutching his head in agony. “I’m gonna be scarred for life, you realize that, Castiel? I mean - that dress Alastair was wearing was horrible!”

Castiel merely gave him the head tilt of doom, brow furrowed in confusion, before Sam said - “Why were you standing in the museum dressed as a suit of armor pray tell?”

“That is my part time job at the weekend Sam! I like dressing up in armor! Amen!” Castiel said, almost smiling at the younger Winchester.

“Amen?” Sam asked, looming over the angel ominously. “AMEN? WHAT THE FU - “

“Well, you said pray!” Castiel pointed out, not looking at all fazed.

“He said pray TELL, Castiel, not pray!” Dean said, even as he laughed. “Seems like our Castiel has a secret he was keeping from us, Sammy! Is this what you do? Scare the living daylights out of people in the museum by lunging at them?”

“Yes, that is my job! I am the Mad armorer, don’t you know! I am on a T-Shirt! I have cake made in my image! I get paid for it!” Castiel said, looking like a kid at Christmas, large blue eyes shining in excitement.

Dean grinned, before he said - “You’re buying us lunch, Cas! That’ll make up for scaring us like that! I’m in the mood for steak!”

“Dean!” Sam hissed in annoyance.

“What, he’s got money! What does an angel want with money anyway?” Dean pointed out.

“Fine, I’ll have a steak too!” Sam said, after a moment’s thought.

The trio wandered off into the night, despite the fact that it was actually lunchtime to buy three steak meals ...



fini

Loved it Shadow!!! Great job

Wow guys, awesome. Two light stories to make me smile after all the angst lately. I loved them.



Trace

*I must be insane *

----------------------------------

“Not a happy Bunny” by Saiyuki
(No spoilers...set in late Season1 )



Sam looked back over his shoulder at the black Chevy...It looked even worse in the bright mid-afternoon Texan sunshine. He sighed heavily before pushing his right hand into his front jeans pocket for the motel room key, finding it; he slotted the metal into the lock of the door and turned it slowly....quietly.
Taking a deep breath, and wishing he had that six-pack after all, Sam unlocked the door, gently opened it and stepped inside closing the door behind him with a faint click.

Dean must have just finished taking his shower; the mirror in the main room was still covered near the edges in condensation from the steam that had come out of the bathroom. The en suite’s door was slightly ajar but Sam could hear his brother moving around in there, getting dressed. Sam paced a little thinking what the hell he was going to say, he certainly couldn’t keep this a secret for long, but just how to confess?

Not long after Sam had arrived back in their room, Dean emerged from the bathroom. He pulled a tee-shirt over his still moist hair and damp torso, pulling it down at his waist for comfort. “Hey Sam...Where’ve ya been?”...Sam winced a little took a sharp intake of breath and began “I went to the store...to get us some beers”. Dean looked perplexed and looked from Sam’s hands to each bed, to the table and back up to Sam’s sad looking eyes. “Where’s the beer?” Dean asked jovially, not cottoning on to the fact that Sam had failed to return with the beers. “Umm...well you see...” Sam began to explain before being interrupted by the older hunter “what happened?...did the card get declined or somthin’?...Gees Sammy are the Feds after us now...huh?” Dean was starting to get angry at the terrible possibilities of why there was no beer.

Sam now looked uncomfortable...and kind of wished he’d thought up a lie...but he couldn’t lie to his big brother, if he wanted to continue breathing that is...but the truth might have caused a heart stopping reaction too...it was six of one, half a dozen of the other.
“You can tell me anything Sammy” Dean expressed with genuine concern
“Don’t call me that”
“Okay, Okay...” Dean paused “you can tell me anything Pookie” still with a serious look in his eyes he looked up at his baby brother. Sam just glared at Dean, who was now resisting the urge to burst out laughing.
“C’mon Sam...What’s up?” Dean smiled
Sam shuffled his feet, a look of unease on his face
“Have you been looking at that naughty website again?...Sam you’re 23 years old...That kind of stuff is a part of adulthood...you’re all grown up now” Dean sniffled and wiped away an imaginary tear from his eye. Sam looked up from the floor to his brother’s face.
“Dean...I have...I have a confession”
“I’m listening Sammy” Dean said sitting on the edge of his bed and edging forward to pull on his left sock...”Sorry” He coughed “Sam....I’m listening Sam” he said as he winked and then gave a smirk at the man across from him. Sam had sat down on the bed opposite, in their latest dingy motel room. The drapes were still drawn but a shaft of light shone through and highlighted part of Sam’s solemn features and his unsure eyes.

“Whoa...this is serious...Sam what happened?” Concern returning to the 27 year olds tone
Sam took a further deep breath before re-counting his tale. “Look Dean, it all happened so fast, I thought I wouldn’t be gone long enough for somthin’ to go bad, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe I was tired from hunting that daggra thing last night, Maybe I...” “Sam...What did you do?” a quizzical look had now appeared on Dean’s face.
“I....I had an accident” Sam put his face in his hands.
“Accident?...you had an accident huh?...what kind of accident?” Deans eyebrows were both raised by now, but it was about to get worse.
“I guess you won’t be letting me drive the Impala anymore?” Sam half smiled, half winced, He knew what was coming. Dean’s face had dropped; he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He stood up in Anger...clenching his fists by his sides “God Sam!” He threw his arms up and then return them to his waist tightening the muscles in his Jaw “You broke The Car?....My car!?”

Sam’s bottom lip wibbled a little as he managed to let out an “I’m Sorry...”
“Sorry’s not really good enough Sam, not good enough at all” Dean remarked “Dean, It was just a scratch...that’s all” “That’s all?...Sam when did you do this?”
Sam sighed “WHEN!?” Dean was pissed now, no-one messes with his baby. “It happened a couple of hours ago now”. “A couple of hours ago?...And why, oh why, didn’t you tell me a couple of hours ago?” “Because you were sharpening your machete when I left Dean” Sam said as he gave Dean a sideward glance. “Touché...” dean concluded “...wait...did you say it was Just a scratch?...what the hell does that mean?”
“Well...Dean...It gets worse...” Sam lowered his head as Dean rolled his eyes.
“Look Dean, let me start from the beginning.” Dean huffed and sighed before nodding and motioning with his hand to continue. “I was just driving to the Grocery Market in town to get a few beers to celebrate us getting that thing last night...” Sam paused a moment trying to read his brothers face before he kept going. “I got to the store and parked her out front, I went in, got a six-pack and came back to find this kid sat on the hood playing Picasso with his Moms keys”

Dean wiped his hand down his face and took a deep breath, his eyes twitching and heading for the door, he was getting anxious to see what the little artist had done to his baby’s paintjob.
“Dean, are you even listening?”... “I can’t help but listen Sam, this is excruciating”
“...Let me finish...”
“That’s not it?” Dean inquired “umm...no...Not even close”
“Oh god” Dean squeaked sitting himself back down on his bed. “How much worse does this get?”

Sam placed his hands on his knees then turned them palms up to look at them, they still had some flakes of Black Mambo paint on them from his repair attempt. The repair attempt he had to tell Dean about before he dies...IE: before Dean killed him.
“You wouldn’t believe what the kid wrote” Sam tried to laugh. Dean found nothing of the situation even vaguely humorous and simply scowled back.
Sam carried on, an uneasy smile on his lips “He’d carved into the Paint E=MC dork...I mean that’s one geeky bit of graffiti huh?” Dean just glared at the monster sat across from him...the thing that had let his beautiful ’67 get hurt.

“Yeah...umm...well I shooed the kid away and said What the hell are you doing?...then he kicked me in the shin...the shin dean...I even have the bruise to prove it too” He explained rolling up his pant leg to reveal poorly selected SpongeBob square pants socks and a rather stunning purplish yellow mark on his skin. Putting the material back down to his Puma’s he went on “After he attacked me and the Impala his Mom came outta the store....she must ‘a thought I was some kind of Paedophile or somethin’ because she decided to kick me too, before she stormed off saying how disgusting I was...and by the way...you’re not seeing that bruise” he said softly shifting in his seat Sam shook his head as Dean mustered up a smile at the corner of his mouth
“Okay Sam...If this kid defaced my vehicle why didn’t you just tell me?...I would have understood...Kinda...” said Dean, tilting his head slightly to one side.

“Because I thought I could fix it”...

Dean rolled his eyes, leant forward and placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “You poor deluded boy. I’ve seen you with a paintbrush, It usually ain’t to pretty” Dean shook his head then realised something “you did, didn’t you?...you painted the hood!”
Angered again he stood up this time he headed straight for the door. “Where are you going Dean?” Sam asked now standing too. “I gotta see...Just so I know exactly how hard to squeeze when I choke you!” He pulled open the door with such force that he nearly whacked Sam in the face with it. Heading outside to the parking lot, where it was still quite bright in the now setting sun, he saw it. On the Hood of the 40 year old classic was a horribly smudged, heart shaped mark...which was oddly pink.

Dean’s mouth hung open in shock; he turned to Sam to shout “What the Hell!!!” “Dean it’s not as bad as it looks...” Sam tried, holding up his hands “Really Sam?...That’s funny ‘cause it looks pretty bad!”. “Okay here’s what happened” “this better be Damn good!” said Dean clenching his Jaw, and his fists, ready to strike.
Sam’s nostrils flared a little as he prepared his final decent into oblivion “Yeah...right...well...I tried to buff it out with my jacket, but that didn’t really work at all” Sam gulped “ So I went into the Hardware store there...and got some sandpaper, and started scrubbing...and hey presto...I got rid of the scratches but now there was hardly any paint left there so I went back to the store and got some paint...you know metal paint, I’m not a total douche bag” Dean wasn’t hastening to agree “So I painted it...and it looked pretty good” Dean just stared at his little brother, plotting his demise.

“It must not have been the right kind of black though, I mean it wasn’t shiny...so I panicked...and bought some clear coat nail varnish” Sam looked over at his handy work and then down at his sneakers, his hair falling into his eyes. “It must have reacted with the chemicals in the paint” Sam shrugged
Dean looked back at the car, his beloved black beauty.
“I’ll take it to the garage...” Dean said defeated “...At least they’ll know what they’re doin’” he explained wagging his finger at the guilty looking Sam.
”I really am sorry Dean, I’m glad you’re not too mad though” Sam managed to smile again.

“Not that mad?...are you kidding me?...I’m pissed!...but you’re my little brother...and it’s kinda nice to know that you’re not as smart as you thought , huh, college boy” he laughed before his deathly serious face returned “but I’ll tell you this now Sam, warn you...if you like. If somthin’ happened to me and dad you’ll get the car, so you can carry on dads legacy...but if you ever take out the 8-track and put one of those stupid sissy little I-pod pieces of crap in her, I promise I’ll kill you, or haunt your ass”
Sam looked stunned
“By the way...what happened to the beer?” Dean asked
“I thought you were still sharpening your Machete Dean” Sam smiled “What would you do with the beer?”

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Great entries you guys
Can't wait to read some more

Pookie

Lovely story Sai

thanks raven ...

"...and what Sam doesn't know... won't hurt me"
genius with the tats there

Hey Shadow_o_C yours is mental, in a good way ...I love how manic it is...and Castiel after all that?...nothing fazes that guy

Wonderful entries everyone!!! They're all so funny! Raven, I used to love the Smurfs when I was a kid and love the idea that Sam would have a tattoo of Brainy Smurf. Shadow_Of_Castiel, yours reminds me of Monty Python. Jen, Spongebob socks on our Sammy, hysterical.

Warning: Small spoilers for season 4 episode 4.15

True Colors by Irishgirl

Hanging up the phone, Ruby scowled to herself. She was hoping to meet up with Sam, but he said that he and his brother were taking a break for a couple of days.

Time, that was the one thing they didn't have. Lilith was breaking seals left and right. If Sam was going to defeat her, he needed to be out honing his powers. He was getting stronger, but was he string enough to face Lilith yet? Would he be able to kill her? Ruby wasn't so sure about that. And, right now, Sam was wasting precious time. No doubt, Dean was forcing Sam to waste precious time. At least, that's what Ruby thought.

Walking out of the door, Ruby was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the man walking towards her until she bumped right into him. Recognition flashed across her face. "Carson. This is a surprise."

"Ruby, just the the demon I was looking for." The host that Carson was possessing stood about six feet tall and had a muscular build, with short brown hair and dark eyes. For some reason, he reminded Ruby of a mob enforcer.

"What do you want, Carson?"

"Alistair's missing."

"What does the disappearance of your boss have to do with me?"

"I think your pet may know where he is."

"Sam? I'm sure he doesn't. He's not exactly a fan of Alistair's."

"Gee, I wonder why."

"Look, I don't have time for this."

"Make time!" growled Carson. "See, I'm pretty sure that the angels are behind Alistair's disappearance and who do we know that run around with Angels? The Winchester brothers."

"Even if they did know, which I'm sure they don't know, they wouldn't tell me."

"Then you'll just have to make them tell you."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll tell your little pet about the information you passed along to me last spring."

Ruby's face paled upon hearing that. That couldn't happen. If it did, Ruby was as good as dead.

"Three days, Ruby, you have three days to find out where Alistair is. If you don't, I'll be having a little chat with Sam Winchester." And with that Carson was gone.

Three days, how in the world I am I going to get Alistair's location in three days? wondered Ruby. Sam doesn't even want to meet up with me. Well, if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.

**********

Standing behind a tree, Ruby watched Sam through the window. He was bent over his laptop, in obvious research mode. Thankfully, he was alone as Ruby wasn't in the mood to deal with Dean right now. Ruby took a moment to mentally go over her plan one last time before she headed inside the diner.

"No fries, Sam? I'm disappointed," said Ruby as slid into the booth across from Sam.

"Ruby?" Sam look surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing," said Ruby in her best sincere voice.

"I'm kinda busy." Sam gestured to his laptop and the papers he had spread across the table. Dean was going to be meeting him soon and his brother would not be happy to see Ruby sitting there.

"What happened to taking a break?"

"We were, but something came up." Wanting to take a break, Sam and Dean checked into a motel only to discover that the local supermarket was haunted. Dean was currently following up a lead while his brother did some research.

"What is it? Maybe I can help?'

"Ruby, what are you doing here and don't say checking up on me."

"Sam, I do want to make sure you okay. It couldn't have been easy to watch a friend die," said Ruby. "But you're right, I do have another reason for being here."

"What's that?"

"Alistair's disappeared."

Sam did his best to keep his reaction to a minimum. "What's it to you?'

"Well, some demons are kinda pissed that he's gone missing. So, if you know something, you need to tell me."

"Ruby, why would you need to know?"

"Because some serious stuff's gonna go down if Alistair stays missing and I don't want you caught in the middle"

Great, this is just great, thought Sam. Can't we catch a break, just once? Sam had no idea where the angels had taken Alistair. Even if he did, he wasn't sure he'd tell Ruby if she was going to tell other demons. "Ruby, I don't have a clue where Alistair is, honest."

Damn it! "What about Dean?"

"What about me?"

Neither Sam nor Ruby had noticed the elder Winchester come in the diner.

"Dean," squeaked Sam, trying not to look like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Cause he wasn't do anything wrong.

"Sammy, why didn't you tell me Ruby was going to be joining us?" More secrets, more damn secrets.

"She just showed up. I had no idea she was in town."

"Really?"

"Really," replied Sam. "She wants to know where Alistair is and I've already told her that we don't know where he is."

"Actually, Sam, you said you didn't know where Alistair is. You didn't say anything about Dean," said Ruby. "So Dean where is he?'

"Why would you think I'd know where that bastard is?"

"Cause you hang with the angels and they're probably the ones behind his disappearance."

"You never said anything about the angels, Ruby," said Sam.

"I don't know where Alistair is," said Dean. "And for that matter I don't know where the angels are. They don't update me on their whereabouts. Besides, why do you even care?'

"Ruby says that some demons are pissed that Alistair's missing," said Sam.

"So? Why should we care that a bunch of demons have their panties in a twist?" asked Dean.

"Because, if they don't get Alistair back they're gonna cause trouble and humans, innocent humans, are gonna get caught in the middle."

Dean didn't like the idea of innocent people getting, hurt but what could he and Sam do. It's not like they could call Castiel up and ask him to hand over Alistair. However, right now they had something that required their attention. Plus, there was something off with Ruby's story, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Sammy and I are in the middle of a hunt. Innocent lives already at stake, so we can't help you with your little problem.

**********

"Dean, for the last time, I had no idea Ruby was gonna show up like that," said Sam.

The brothers were back at their motel and Dean had been grilling Sam about Ruby's appearance. Sam was swearing up a storm that he had no idea why Ruby showed up and he hoped Dean believed him because he was not in the mood to get into a fight.

"Okay, Sam, I believe you." Dean did believe his brother because with all the lying Sam had done lately Dean had gotten good a spotting when his brother was not being truthful. "Why does she care where Alistair is?"

"I don't know."

"How would she know other demons were pissed anyways? I thought she stopped getting their newsletter once she started helping the good guys."

"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out."

"Sam, we're in the middle of a hunt."

"I know, Dean," said Sam. "But when the hunts over, I'm gonna find out what Ruby's up to."

"So you're not buying her story either?"

"Nope."

**********

Two days and one salted and burned body later, Sam was standing outside of Ruby's motel room. He had seen her meet up with some guy in town, a guy who Sam was pretty sure was a demon, and he followed them back to her motel room. Was Ruby in cahoots with another demon or was she trying to stop the demons, who wanted Alistair, from doing something that would hurt innocent people?

Luckily for Sam, the window to Ruby's room was open and Sam crouched down to listen to the conversation going on in the room.

"I told you they wouldn't know where your boss is and they don't."

"Then I guess I'll be having a chat with Sam."

Me, what the hell does he want with me? wondered Sam.

"You can't."

"Ruby, I told that if you didn't find out where the angels stashed Alistair, I'd tell your little pet about what you shared with me last spring about Dean," said Carson. "I wonder how he'll react to the knowledge that you're the one that put Dean on Alistair's radar in the first place."

"He's not gonna react because he's not gonna know," said Ruby.

What the hell? Without even giving it a thought, Sam was up off the ground and bursting through the door.

"Sam?" cried Ruby.

"Well, well, if it isn't the man in question." Carson couldn't keep the grin off of his face.

"What the hell is going on, Ruby?" growled Sam.

"This isn't what it looks like." Ruby couldn't keep the desperation out of her voice.

"Then why don't you tell me what's going on?"

"I told you that there were demons that wanted to know where Alistair is," said Ruby. "Well this is Carson and he's one of them."

"What does that have to do with Dean?"

"What are you talking about?" said Ruby feigning ignorance.

"Don't play dumb," said Sam. "I heard you talking. I heard Carson say you were the one that put Dean on Alistair's radar. Now, what the hell is he talking about?"

Before Ruby could say anything, Carson spoke up. "Last spring, I had the lucky chance to run into Ruby and she told me about this hunter she knew named Dean Winchester. She said he was gonna be ending up in the pit soon and that Alistair would enjoy breaking him. If it weren't for Ruby, Alistair probably never would have even met Dean in hell, what with there being so many souls arriving on a regular basis."

Suddenly, Sam felt sick to his stomach. Ruby, the demon he worked with, the demon he hunted with, was responsible for Dean's torture in hell. She was responsible for Dean being tortured on a daily basis for thirty years. Everything that happened to Dean, all came down to Ruby.

"For some strange reason, Ruby didn't even want you to know." Carson couldn't help, but sound smug as he felt the immense pain that was radiating off of Sam in waves. On top of it he got to stick to Ruby. "Oh looky, your little pet doesn't like the truth, Ruby."

"Shut up!" growled Ruby. This can't be happening. Carson was ruining everything.

"God, you should have seen the way Dean cried, sobbed really, day after day. Month after month. Year after year. Decade after decade." Carson smiled. This was what he lived for. Soul crushing pain gave him infinite joy.

"Sam, he's lying. He's a demon. That's what they do," cried Ruby.

"You're a demon too or has your time with humans made you forget that?" asked Carson.

Unable to take another moment with Carson, Sam started to raise his hand, but he stopped as quickly as he started. That's what Ruby would wanted him to do. She wanted him to use his powers. Spotting Ruby's knife on the bedside table, he grabbed it in a flash. Before Carson had a chance to react, Sam shoved the knife in his heart. With a flash of light, Carson dropped to the floor, the demon no longer existing.

"Sam, he was lying. You can't believe a word he said." Ruby was not above begging at this moment. She had to get Sam to believe her cause if he didn't, she was as good as dead. "Sam, please, believe me. You and me. We shared a connection. I was there for you."

Grabbing Ruby by the throat, Sam shoved against the wall, knife held at her throat. "Shut up!"

"Sam, you don't want to do this."

"You have no idea what I want to do!" Anger flashed hard and steady in Sam's eyes.

"Sam, after everything I've done for you how can you believe a word of what Carson said."

"I overheard you and Carson talking," said Sam. "You did it. You passed on information to Alistair so he'd torture Dean."

"Sam...."

"I'm so stupid. I should have known you were lying when you said you help save Dean from going to hell. I should have known something was up when you waited til the last possible second to tell me that I could defeat Lilith using my powers. Cause then it was too late to save Dean. Which is what you wanted all along. Why Ruby, why?"

"Sam, please let me go. You need me. You need me to help you defeat Lilith."

"Tell me why you did it?" growled Sam as he pushed the knife into Ruby's neck, not enough to kill, but enough to draw blood. "Tell Me!"

"He was standing in your way. Azazel gave you those powers for a reason. With Dean around you were never going to realize your full potential."

"And Alistair, what did he have to do with it?"

"I knew that even if Dean went to hell, you'd stop at nothing to get him back. You'd even try making a deal with any demon willing to bargain so I had to make sure no demon would want to. If Dean was marked as Alistair's, no demon in his right mind would make a deal with you."

"You bitch!"

"Sam, you need me to help you with your powers."

"I don't need anything from a filthy demon." And with that statement, Sam did something he should have done the moment he found out Ruby was a demon. He took the knife from her throat and thrust it straight through her heart. Another flash of light and she was gone for good.

Letting go of Ruby, Sam sank to his knees. Gut wrenching sobs escaping his lips. He was still lying on the floor sobbing when a frantic Dean burst into the room an hour later.

Dean dropped to his knees next to Sam. He couldn't help, but notice the two dead bodies on the floor. One of the them was Ruby's host and her knife was sticking out of her chest. "Sammy?"

Sam didn't respond.

Trying not to freak out at the sight of his brother shaking and sobbing, Dean gathered Sam into his arms. What the hell happened in here? "Sammy?"

Dean's voice finally penetrated the fog in Sam's brain and he clutched at his brother taking comfort in the safety of Dean arms.

Once Sam had stopped sobbing Dean spoke up. "Sam, what happened here?"

Sam remained mute; not sure how to tell Dean the truth. He could just lie to Dean, but he had done that too much lately and Dean deserved to know the truth even if he ended up hating Sam because of it.

Helping Sam up off the floor, Dean steered him over to one of the beds and took a seat on the bed across from Sam. "Sammy, please talk to me."

"I killed Ruby."

Dean resisted the urge to shout it's about time. "Sam, what happened? Who's the guy?"

"He was a demon named Carson."

Carson, why does that name sound familiar? wondered Dean.

"He worked for Alistair."

That's where Dean knew him from.

"He wanted to know where Alistair was and that's why Ruby came here."

"So, how did they end up dead?"

Knowing he had to tell truth, even if it cost him his brother, Sam took a deep breath and began. By the time he was finished, Sam couldn't bring himself to look in Dean''s eye, certain that he would see hatred there.

Dean couldn't believe everything he had just heard. Ruby was responsible for his torture at Alistair's hands. He almost wished she was still alive so he could kill her himself. God, what it must have done to Sam to find out the truth. He couldn't help, but notice his brother was not making eye contact with him. "Sam?'

"I'm sorry, Dean. I'm so sorry," cried Sam. "I didn't know. I didn't know what Ruby had done. You have to believe me."

"I believe Sam. I know you wouldn't have had anything to do with Ruby if you had known."

"You believe me?" After all the lies he had told lately, lies on Ruby's behalf, Sam surprised that Dean actually believed him. He had given Dean so many reasons not to."

"I do," replied Dean. "Sammy, I know you. I know what's in your heart. You never would have worked with Ruby if you had known what she'd done."

"I'm so sorry," cried Sam sounding close to tears. "I'm so sorry."

"I know, Sammy." Even though this was veering into chick flick territory, Dean moved next to Sam and pulled his brother into his arms. "I know you're sorry and I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I left you with that demon in the first place."

Finally, with Ruby's true colors revealed, there were no more secrets between Sam and Dean. Now they could get back on the road to repairing their brotherly bond. The threat of outside influences gone for good.

The End

Great job Terry

You killed Ruby!!!