for peaceonearth | hypothetically if you were point A & theoretically if I was point B

[weirddreams]

[ xox ]

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[peaceonearth]

Oh, Sam. Damon never had a chance, even when Sam was waffling on dating Ruby and she was sulking at the Houndstooth. In all honesty, he should have been more worried about Lucy (but Sam doesn't know that about Ruby just yet). Besides, Damon is eternally hung up on Elena and Ruby doesn't care much for casual sex (she's perfectly capable of revving her own engine if it comes to that--exhibit 16-year-old Sam's visit, but Sam doesn't know that about her either, at least Ruby doesn't think he does).

Dean was thinking more the horror movie virus/pathogen that's microscopic and gets released when some clueless high school kid opens an old book or box or room. He won't mention that because it's unlikely and Sam is excited about the files in his little nerd way. Yeah, Dean will discover that mess in the dungeon at some point and clean things up.

The whole thing makes Dean a little sad that Cisco isn't here anymore for Sam to befriend. Ruby does fail to see that. She's never been a teenage boy (honestly, who would choose that) so she underestimates how fixated Sam might be on her (but when she realizes it she will enjoy his obsession).

"Nope," Dean answers with confidence. "Don't worry, Sammy. We're not trespassing." Because he assumes that's what his brother is worried about. John grins a little at Sam's question. "Come on, Kiddo. Let's see if the elevators still work." John presses the button to call the levator and the doors slide open soundlessly. This place may be abandoned, but it hasn't been neglected. Everything works.

Ruby can't speak for all girls, but she doesn't think he's weird. It's sexy the way that he thinks about everything from every possible angle. She's attracted to Sam's nerdy, brainy side.

There's a little flare, a tingle of power and awareness that Ruby feels, but she doesn't know if it's Sam's abilities or being close to him. She's not even sure if he can tap into his abilities at this age. It's obvious by his words that there's more to it, but it could be the electric closeness between them. "Very good," she tells him, her hand dropping from his neck as she moves slightly away from him and steps forward into the elevator. Dean casts a look at John (because this isn't like a horror movie scene at all) then nods and steps inside. Once they're all in, the elevator doors close. Dean glances at everyone. "Let's try going down," he says as he presses the button the reads B.

[weirddreams]

Of course the question of if Damon and Ruby could have been a thing still goes ultimately unanswered for Sam. When Ruby accepted his apology though, he couldn't have felt like he could have breathed again more. It felt right to have her forgiveness and try whatever it is was with her. Really, he could go without the image of Lucy and Ruby in his head forever. Poor Sam would be a little flush looking at them, not that there is anything wrong with same sex couples, in fact the opposite picture would come to mind.

Things are good as they are. They are good without the additional images of his girlfriend's bisexuality at the forefront of his mind then and now.

Come on. If Sam were to do that, it'd be the oldest possible book in the Northern Hemisphere and a mutation of the black plague strain. It could happen. No one wants it to. Sam is always excited about files, but this time there's one difference: he has his family involved which is special. More than likely Sammy will make a mess spreading out these files in the library.

What he doesn't know (or whom) can't make him sad, though. Besides he had Dean when he first showed up in Itinere and along the way he gained Ruby, Cas, and both of his parents. That's not counting the friendships he formed with others like them from worlds and locals. He remembers Lucy from the last time he was here and a little younger. She's what he considers a good friend. He wouldn't change being a boy who is teenaged at heart about love no matter what his age is. It brought him to see her, didn't it.

It's not what he's worried about at all; Dean's assurance the first time was enough. It probably won't be something he considers till he's come back as himself but Dean will know when he knows for sure that ownership of the lab is something he is thinking about when he's had time to properly consider it. Right now, Sammy is thinking in more a limited sense such as coming back to the space to explore and play uninterrupted. "I'm not worried." He puffs up his chest, assuming Dean means to be wary of spy tech. He's confident he can deal with it.

John's smile is contagious being one of the few he's ever seen. Sam bobs his head. "Top floor?" Because they can work their way down in the time they have left if the top isn't the most interesting. Sam stands next to John in waiting for the elevator. Sam's also impressed by the condition of the elevator and glances to his dad to check if he noticed it too.

Not all girls would share her view on that matter, and unfortunately one or two times he'd learned that the hard way. But maybe that's just the way it's supposed to be since he was always saving himself for the right girl and thinking about who that might be from every possible angle. Ruby is a good bet.

Neither of them will know, but it could be very well his power or his attraction for her (maybe a combination of the two.) Ruby's more of an authority on which it is because at his age he is not aware of the weird coincidences that align with his emotions. In any case, he's keeping it to himself that she smells good. He knows it's weird enough to have stuck in his head. Sam's disappointed to have her move slightly away from him, they're going up, so he positions himself beside John but closest to Ruby so he glance back at her when the doors close and elevator begins to move.

"Wait... What's down?" His glance rips away from Ruby to Dean, but it's too late to object. One thing he's not good with is horror movies or when his stomach feels like it drops.

[peaceonearth]

Well, he did see Lucy kiss her the one time. It probably is a good thing. Besides, she's very much Samsexual now.

At least Ruby knows a protection spell for the Black Plague. He'll end up having everyone in there examining the files.

Lucy is practically family at this point. She just happens to live in her own apartment. Ruby wouldn't change who Sam is about love either. She has a hard time telling him how much she loves it when he does goofy, romantic things, but her reactions are probably telling enough. He gets gleeful smiles out of her and that's not an easy task. There is lots to explore.

John shrugs in response to Sam's question about the top floor. Mostly, he's just along for the ride. This place is cool, sure, but not really his thing. He knows it's Sam's thing though. He noticed and he's a little wary of it. John being John has holy water and salt in his pockets plus a silver blade. He's on his guard even here and now should he need to be.

Well, human girls are stupid. Ruby firmly believes this. Though he'll find more girls that like a smart boy in college and Ruby has to remind herself not to be jealous about that.

"Don't know," Dean answers, "but isn't that where they always keep the secret labs? Office buildings and shit are up high." Yes, he is getting his information from movies. Ruby reaches over and takes Sam's hand to distract him a little. The elevator comes to a stop and the doors open into a space that's dark but large. Dean takes a step out first, cautious and startles when the lights all flicker on to show that they have, indeed, happened upon a secret lab (the secret lab). There are computer monitors set up along with some weird, unidentifiable equipment

[weirddreams]

Unless she would like to do a repeat performance, Sam has all but forgotten. It's probably for the best too. He was red hot in the face for at for 42 hours around Lucy after that.

Ruby will likely have her chance to shine again by getting them out of one mess or another. Right now it's nice that things are calm. He'd have a grand old time with everyone in there with him! Family means too much to him.

Sammy thinks of her as family too. She's like an aunt or maybe an older sister that can thrive without the Winchester's in her life 24. In some ways, she's kind of a role model. In others...well. It's true Sam will love Jessica and learn more about his style of romancing a girl off her feet with her. But that's neither here nor there. The more gleeful Ruby is, the more his goofy little head smiles with her around. Well, down is somewhere to start.

No, and it's one of the differences between them too. Sam was meant to be into this from the womb. It takes no amount of genius to see John is along for the ride at this point, but he's earnestly happy that he matters enough that they're together anyway. Maybe for an elevator, it's built really well. Sam doesn't have a chance to over think it because they pile in and he feels a little alert going down. Sam being Sam...left anything like that in his bag and other jean pockets somewhere. (Probably, Ruby's room floor. No one need to know that.)

Yes, girls like Jess. She will always have a place in his heart, is meant to have a place in his heart. No reason for Ruby to be jealous though because some people have more than one greatest love of their lives. It's not likely that he will ever have three.

"Well, it's where I'd put it." He admits. "But I wouldn't build one. I'd build something more like, um, the bat cave. Kinda hope it's more like the bat cave." Thank you, Ruby. Her distraction helps him calm down a little. In fact, Sam swallows his concern away if not to show her he can be brave and handle things like an adult. He shifts his weight off one leg to the other, instinctively closer to her though. He steps out of the elevator next, after collecting his wits about him. Lights go either way in the evil lab or heroes cave box, and Sam blinks until his adjust. It is a lab (unfortunately) but Sam holds off his judgement just yet and tentatively moves ahead to touch one of the monitors. Flat screens are still an amazing concept to him. When the screen starts up, his eyes flicker with surprise then excitement and turn back to everybody at large.

"Hey, I think I booted it up. Maybe there's answers of what this place is on it."

[peaceonearth]

No. She does not want to do a repeat performance. Lucy May like doing things like that for attention; Ruby would rather catch Sam’s attention all on her own.

Of course he matters enough to gather them all up for something like this. There just weren’t many chances back home to have a normal family outing.

He’s fortunate that Dean and John have weapons. Ruby has her magic and demon abilities. Using them would blow her cover, but to keep them all safe, she’d do it.

Logically, ruby knows this and doesn’t begrudge the life and feelings he has for Jess. However, that’s the thing about feelings: they don’t make sense and ruby can’t control them once she opened herself up to them. She’d much rather be Sam’s last great love than his first one. She’ll be content with that and with bring as many of his firsts as possible.

Dean smirks at Sams bat cave comment. “Dude...I’m pretty sure 12 year old you is the reason we have a bat cave pool in the bunker.”

Ruby leaves the elevator with him and John brings up the rear. While ruby sticks close to Sam, John and a Dean naturally fall into patrol mode, checking different sides of the room to make sure it’s safe. Everything seems quiet, untouched and safe. Ruby could assure them that they’re alone down here (she can pick out each of their heartbeats) but she knows dean and John would do their securing the room thing regardless.

Dean looks up when Sam says the computer booted up. “Yeah? What can you do with it?” He asks with a nod to the computer flat screen. Ruby leans over to fiddle with one of the other computer set ups. In a few seconds, Ruby has some music playing. She frowns and mock pouts. “Someone locked up all their cat videos.”

You heard her correctly. She likes borrowing Sams laptop to watch cat videos on.

[weirddreams]

Ruby catches Sam's attention all the time on her own; it's her smile, mostly, but the glint in her eye, the hands that don't stay to herself. He's lost to before he even knows it.

It just sometimes it feels like they never did anything at all but sit in a room and watch TV when John was home. There's more to how John raised them than that, of course. But maybe a part of it is the difficult times are easier to remember. Mary being in Itinere is a big thing too. At least here there's chances for more family outings.

All of those things are good things. Not a single one of them should come back from this field trip injured. Sam has self defence techniques, if necessary. He learned from the best (Dean and John.)

Well, she is his first in many ways. And right now, all they can know is that she is his current. How he feels about her won't change but only continue to grow (blossoms is word fitting only the situation right now). Same goes for her. She doesn't have to say it, but the times it's clear she is doing something with him for the first time fills his heart with joy. Think, being in an evil lab counts.

Sam turns to Dean and can't hide a telling smile. "It was me." It comes back to him a little that he wanted a pool and at the time it's when he saw that episode of Buffy where caves were under the school. "But I really wanted that pool. I think that was the only way to test if wish magic worked." Of course he made it an experiment.

Mary exits with everyone. It is only because she trusts John and Dean have it secure (it's evident they work well together as a team) that her attention can stay with Sam. Computers still make her err on the side of caution, but she'd like to see what Sam does with it. Sam could tell Ruby she would never meet a Dean and John who didn't secure the room first and it's nothing he looks first at. It's just rule number one of many rule number ones.

Dean's answer brings Sam to lift his head up and see he booted them all up. "That's cool." You know, about that. He plans to figure out what he can do with it but Ruby distracts him in part and his attention is divided between typing and clicking and Ruby's business next to him. (Her Sam would be proud to see how she is a natural at navigating online now, if not amused.) It's the first Sammy's heard of cat videos or seen Ruby mock pout so cutely. "Cat videos... You want me to try?" He's a little taken back but not so much not to pause over his keyboard to inch his fingers over to help her if she wants it.

Everyone else might make the connection right now. Sam's just looking to impress her help her figure it out. Both.

[peaceonearth]

That’s one of her favorite things about Sam at any age: his attention and focus is so complete. It makes her feel special and wanted.

Sometimes that’s the only thing they did out of necessity. Sometimes it was just because John was so damn paranoid and so dam tired, he needed to have them both close. Itinere gives them a chance for so much more than they ever had back home. John, Dean and Ruby can’t help but see it as a second chance.

A second chance for so much, including many, many firsts. An evil lab counts as a first and if ruby has her way, there will be more firsts to go with that one, especially if they end up alone in the evil lab.

Dean gives Sam a ‘no shit, Sherlock’ look. Yes, Sam, they figured out it was him. Dean isn’t so sure that he didn’t wish it up just to see Ruby in a bikini. “I get it. It’s hard to believe it before you see it.” Dean tried to avoid wish magic for a while (though now he knows he probably wished the Impala here his first day without realizing it). “The whole damn bunker is here because I wished it.”

John and Dean have had a lot of years to learn to work as a team. It’s second nature for them by now. Ruby had been wary of computers at first but Sam got her acclimated to using one for certain things. She understands Mary’s hesitation.

Ruby is a only comfortable using a computer (and her phone) now because of Sam. He should be proud. She’d only been able to use a phone to make phone calls before he’d taught her. Now she is very much a grandma using it. “Yes, please,” she quips as she smiles charmingly at him. He’s got it set up for her on his laptop where she sees only cat videos. She scoots over a bit so he can slide in (very) close to her.

Yeah, everyone realizes that.

[weirddreams]

That's because she is special and wanted.

Sam never really got that, and honestly there's a part of him that still has yet to grasp it. He's never had children of his own to worry about though. In fact, he's still at that conflicting age in his late teens (or early twenties) where sometimes he still dreams about what he wants more. Itinere is more like the beginning of the next chapter for him. Mary sees it more as her third chance with the family she always wanted.

The first time alone in an evil lab with Ruby is something he'd look forward to even though it should sound ominous. What trouble could they really get up to in an evil lab? There isn't an intentional bone in his body to hurt someone. It's not very romantic either. At least not yet.

Well, excuse you, brother! He was twelve at the time and not really thinking that far ahead. However, if he thought anybody would get it, he knew Dean would. "Yeah, once I saw it I believed you. Is it still there?" He's been here a little while but never thought to check. The answer sort of has weight because it'd answer a lot about his questions on how things remain here. Maybe he's even drawing a line to memories and if they remember him without realizing it. "It's pretty da- It's pretty amazing." He avoids swearing because he realizes the company he's in.

Suffice to say Mary and Ruby were tied as his wish for a real entity. Despite what Dean had to say about not wishing people to Itinere, he isn't too sure something isn't listening anyway.

They're the best team Sam has ever seen. Of course he understands he has a bias and there's not very many examples of hunters that have worked together. Still, he doesn't know any other team that would clear a motel room in seconds so they all can sleep. Being used to it is an understatement. There's a downside to every technological advancement. Sam hadn't wanted to make Ruby worry more than she should about spy ware with computers so when it came time, he explained that in the simplest means: bored people wanting steal personal information and cleaning history was the simplest solution. Mary is welcome to ask Sam when ever she wishes to learn. He will do his best.

He is proud. But of Ruby since it's an accomplishment all of her own. Of course a lot more people in his time are illiterate at using computers than she realizes. He was once at the level of grandma using a computer too. All he could do once is type things, pointer finger pressing one key and the next, to type things in the search engine. (Of course no need to bring up that was when he could just barely see over the keyboard.) "Okay, let me, uh, scoot in." He tries to be polite about the language, but there feels like no polite way to say scoot. Her charming smile has the intended effect on him and he gives her a goofy one back when he sits in the same seat, rubbing the back of his neck before he looks at the screen. The first thing he tries is clearing the history and then typing 'cat video' into the search engine. He looks satisfied with himself when it comes up with results.

"So...all you have to do now is pick one." He turns to her, heart skipping at the proximity to her.

[peaceonearth]

That’s a chapter that ruby hasn’t even considered because it’s not an option (she thinks) for her, which is something to discuss with Sam later.

They can get into so much trouble evil lab or otherwise. She has a lot to teach him about “trouble”. It might not be romantic but it will be exciting.

“Yep,” dean answers. “Carmen and me used it the other day.” Don’t ask if swimsuits were involved. “It’s cool to have it in the bunker.” It’s actually really cool,so good on Sammy. Oh Sam. He is adorable.

Dean has had the same thought. After all, his dream girl is here and she not only knows who he is, but she loves a version of him. This place doesn’t always grant wishes, but it’s pretty regular.

Ruby had mostly stared blankly at him and done whatever she’d wanted. Mary should ask. Sam is a good teacher.

She gives him one of her cat ate the canary smiles and moves just enough so that when he scoots, his hip is pressed against hers. While he’s doing the computer thing, her hand strays to the back of his neck and into his hair. Once he’s got a whole lineup of cat videos pulled up for her, she presses a kiss against his cheek but then turns her attention back to the computer. She will proceed to play cat videos on the big screen.

Dean is messing around, pushing buttons and a door slides open to a tunnel. “Looks like there’s more to see.”

[weirddreams]

Children? It's definitely something he wants. However, with Ruby, it's something he stopped thinking about without even realizing it a while ago.

Yeah, she's going to have to expand his understanding of what trouble means because he's such a boy scout. Exciting brings about good life lessons he could use.

Ew, Dean. Sam is only too polite to say anything because Carmen was mentioned, but he can't help look at Dean with suspicion before shaking his head out of it. "What's more normal than a pool in our b- uh, basement?" Dean may remember when Sammy wanted a pool at all their motels after they got one one time. That might be another reason for the wish. He just wants to make it special for everybody and not ruin it. Ladies shouldn't hear swearing, right.

In either case, Sam takes Dean's warning or his own not to wish for too much to heart. He was so much going for him right now that he doesn't think he ought to push his luck either.

Well, he knows he can't always explain everything successfully. The measure in teaching Ruby to use the computer being a success was when she could do whatever she wanted. Sam would always be happy to answer anything his mother wanted to know! Up top Mary can see the number of cat videos available to view and it makes her hesitant to ask.

There isn't much space in a single seat for them as their hips pressed together makes clear, but Sam does his best to concentrate. It gets a little tricky when her hand strays to back of his neck, the shorter hairs stand up like static and his attention shifts to her on and off. She makes it that much harder to type without having think of the next letter. He turns a whole half shade of red at the kiss to his cheek. "You're welcome." He can't understand why cat videos but if she is happy, it's worth it.

"What do you mean?" Sam turns in the direction of Dean, shifting some focus to his own computer initially thinking Dean meant on there. His eyes stop on the tunnel eventually. Wow. "Well, let's check it out. Together. Please." He gets up from his shared seat.

[peaceonearth]

Ruby doesn’t like that Sam has given up the idea of something he wants because of her, but that’s just one reason she still thinks Sam will leave her one day: she can’t possibly give him the sort of life he wants and deserves. She plans to soak up every moment with Sam she can get until then.

She is working on it. He’ll get there eventually.

That’s part of the trouble ruby is going to teach him: swimwear is not essential. “ it’s pretty much the first time we’ve had a basement so...hell if I know.” Dean absolutely does remember how Sam always wanted a pool in the motel. It’s just not something that happened often. It’s good that in Itinere they always have one.

Dean doesn’t want to put that out there but he is a little wary of using wish magic. That being said, he’s pretty sure that anything Sam wishes will come back to bite Dean in the ass (or older Sam) and he’s willing to shoulder that. Wish away, kid.

And lucky for the both of them, what ruby wants is to watch cat videos and play music. At some point, she’ll want him to teach her to back up all her videos and pictures (of him and them). Luckily, Mary needn’t ask. Ruby is just going to put them on auto play.

No, there isn’t and Sam will figure out quickly that Ruby has no concept of personal space when it comes to him. She also has no control when it comes to keeping her hands to herself. Making Sam blush at any age is one of Ruby’s favorite pastimes.

When Sam makes the request, ruby stands up, assuming he’s talking to her. She’ll leave the cat videos running while Dean, Sam and her start down the hall. John looks to Mary to see if she wants to adventure more or stay here.

Either way, at the end of the tunnel they’ll fin what looks like high tech prison cells. “Wonder what the hell was going on down here?”

[weirddreams]

She doesn't know him at all if she thinks he wouldn't put her before children this deep their relationship. Eventually, they'll get to where they talk about it and what the options are. All of the options!

Sounds like their next date night. He'll allow her lead as he does sometimes.

It's his pool! Sorry, it's going to take a lot more convincing before he can bring himself to sully it. On the other hand, he has no trouble grasping that their bedroom is a clothing optional zone. He snorts at the offhand comment because it's true. But language, Dean! "Yeah, I don't think so. I think most people would be worried if that much water was done there." It sounded more funny than fact before he said it. Oh well. They got a pretty thing going here.

Yeah, no. Sam can handle the consequences of his own wishes and he told himself he would if there were any to fall back on him. Really, he's good with where he's at. He may have also wished strongly for John and Mary to show up the first time and had an effect on their being here now.

The most likely thing he'll show her is an external hard drive the size of a small pocket and a firebox. On the other hand, she's welcome to add anything to Sam's keepsake box.

As far as things go, her lack of personal space with Sam is still very PG. Mary may be standing closer than she'd like to the two of them, but it's nothing more difficult to move passed than anything she's already seen. Sam is trying to remember that! He won't say that he doesn't like being close to her though.

Well, not her per se as he was asking permission from his family (John) and everybody go along instead of only a few to secure it (you know, the usual). But Ruby and Dean going ahead with him works to that effect. Mary certainly isn't interested in anything enough to stay behind, but John already made sure the room was clear, right. "I'm comfortable letting them go ahead if you are." Maybe they can just fall a little behind.

Sam can't answer right away when his eyes set on the sheer size of it. "I don't want to be the one to theorize this... It looks to me like a prison large enough to hold everybody in Itinere." He swallows and hears himself say that in a 'Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore' way from that one movie.

[peaceonearth]

It’s not just kids (though that’s a big thing). It’s that she won’t grow old with him. He can spend his whole life with her, but she can only spend apart (the best part) with him. They should talk about it at some point.

They’ve got a date then.

Like most things, he’ll get there eventually. Dean shrugs. “Nothing is normal in this place. I don’t know whether to worry about that anymore or not.” He does worry about lots some days but the pool is rarely one of those things.

Sam should know that Dean will never let that fly. Hopefully, the consequences of their wishes and everything else will be minimal.

As long as he shows her how to access it, she’s good with that. She will always like having physical photos though so the keepsake box will be used.

Ruby is keeping the PDA PG because John and Mary are there. All bets would be off otherwise. Besides, the real point of the closeness (other than Ruby just likes being close to Sam) is to keep that goofy smile on Sam's face. If he didn't like being close to her, they wouldn't have made it this far. Of course, he doesn't know it yet, but one of the reasons they're together now is because Ruby invaded every bit of personal space Sam had and refused to leave (until she did. very abruptly and very completely for a while).

John did make sure the room was clear. He nods at Dean and Sam. "Go on. Just be safe. Don't be gone too long," he tells them. Once they're out of sight, John moves toward Mary, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning back to look at her. "How's my sweetheart?"

"Well that's creepy and morbid," Dean responds to Sam's observation. He's right though. There are enough prison cells here for everyone in Itinere. Dean takes a slow, careful walk around the room, noting the number of cells, exits and that sort of thing while Ruby heads straight for one of the open cells, her hand going to the wall where someone counted their days. "Someone was here a long time," she observes, fingers going over the tally marks. "Did you say this was a science lab? The only reason you need prisoners in a lab is for experiments, the kind no one is volunteering for."

"And now we've got the creepy twins," Dean chimes in.

[weirddreams]

Well, aging is another bridge they'll cross when they come to it. Fortunately, he hasn't lost too many years for time-jumping (not when he should at least be in his mid-thirties to Dean's forties).

Ruby has nothing but ability to convince of things he wouldn't normally do, so maybe. Sam can't understand how Dean can be a little more concerned, but his brother's attitude about it convinces him somewhat. "Yeah. There's not just the pool or the bunker, there's the lab here too. There's some pretty cool people I got to meet here because of it too." His thinking cap is still firmly on though.

Yes, but he's a co-founder of the 'Dean told me not to do something' club not because he let Dean do everything for him. Time will tell.

USB cords, switch on the power and that's it. There's already one or two in the box from Christmas or a 'borrowed' picture of them at the Houndsooth. Most the physical photos lately end up on display in the library, add to the new family photo book.

She can keep that goofy smile on his face just by looking at him forever more. Right now, it's good she would refuse to leave him alone because leaving very abruptly and very completely for a while would be confusing. Not that it wasn't at the time. When that happened, he'd instantly felt a hole with her absence. It's not long after he realized it wasn't right for him.

"We won't be long." Sam agrees, if he should speak for everybody. The tunnel stretches long enough where they're out of sight before long. Mary meets him half way, placing her hands at his shoulders and leaning in just enough to welcome him but have her view of him unhindered. Oh, John and him checking in with her. "Good. I'm happy we could do this." It has her thinking how they used do things for Dean (mostly) and Sam to add wonder to their lives.

"How's my honey?"

Sorry, Dean. Sometimes he says what he's thinking before his head can filter it to something easier to hear. Sam glances at Dean apologetically, though he wouldn't take it all back if he could. Sam turns his attention to the cells too. Ultimately, he looks closely at one of the few that are open but is not as brave as Ruby to step in. It seems to him if he does, it could close on him. Dean's made sure he's seen one too many horror movies. He looks back when Ruby speaks up to see where she is. "This one too," he chimes in. "Though some of it looks like writing and— and dried blood too." He nods only to confirm that it is a lab and that he agrees in how it could only be used for cruel experiments too.

"Twins?" Yes, Sam knows Dean means Ruby and himself but he's not getting the reference. He hid under the covers long before the twins showed up when they watched The Shining.

[peaceonearth]

"New places are always popping up around here because of wishes. Intentional or otherwise," Dean tells him. One would think a small town like Itinere can get boring and there are days that it is boring. However, there's a rotation of traveling attractions and new pop-up things all the time. He chuckles a little. "Yeah, there are some pretty cool people here," he has to admit.

Most of the physical photos do end up in the library, but Ruby has some in a box in their room that are hers alone. They are pictures of Sam in the morning with bedhead and a sleepy smile. There are pictures of him being goofy to make Ruby laugh and pictures of the two of them together.

The last thing Ruby wants to do right now is (leave Sam) confuse Sam. Thus far, John, Mary, and Dean have been pretty good about not commenting on Sammy's girlfriend choices. That may be tested the longer Sammy stays, but they've all started to accept Ruby as a part of their lives, if not their family so he needn't worry about her going anywhere unless he wants her to (for example, when he finds out she's a demon).

Everyone else does agree with him. Dean doesn't want John and Mary to worry and he knows that they will. John nods a little. "Yeah, it's been a good day so far. His brow furrows a little, but he pushes his concerns about Sam out of his mind. This isn't the time. "It's been a long time since we were out: you, me and the boys. Grocery shopping, I think? Dean insisted on carrying the basket." It's the last memory he has of going out with the three of them. He leans in and presses a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're here. I'm doing grand."

He shouldn't step into the open cells. Ruby could get herself out or survive until they could get her out. Sam should be more careful. Ruby frowns and leaves the cell she's in and walks into the one Sam is looking at to examine it. She shakes her head and runs her fingers over the writing. "I don't know the language," she responds and scratches a little bit of blood up with her fingernail, "but this is definitely blood. All of this could be completely normal if this is a prison, but I don't know why a place like this would have a prison in the basement."

"You never watch anything I tell you to, do you?" Dean grumbles. "Little girls in the hallway of the hotel. Come play with us. None of this is ringing a bell?"

[weirddreams]

"Yeah? Makes me almost want to get out of here and see what's new." Almost. This place is new and exciting as far as he's concerned and he'd be damned if he didn't stick it through to look around more. If Sammy should find that to be the case, it'd be one more reason for him to want to stay. Suffice to say he's never been bored a day he can remember in this place. "Lucy." Sam lists the first person to come to mind.

No one can argue that. Second of all, Sam's fine with the photos of his sleeping chubby face being for her eyes only. It makes his heart jump leaps and bounds to see her laugh and it doesn't bother him there's evidence of such.

He created the confusion for himself but on the plus side, he fixed it. Sam has no clue just how good they've been about it. But when, not if he learns what Ruby is, their example might rub off on how he handles it. Truth is, he loves her enough to let go of learned racism all over again.

There's a little worry in letting Sam go with Ruby but Dean is with them so Mary can trust they'll be fine. Mary can only smile more and softly. "Tell me about it." Going back to the beginning, it's something she's always asked him at the end of the day. Mary remembers them shopping, it was when Sam started to sit up alone, and of course Dean wished to help as Mom was still puttering along with baby brother in tow. "I remember. My two, heroic men stepped up to help with the shopping." Dean, of course, loved being called a hero. "That was a good day for all four of us. It's when we discovered Sam likes banana but not pie." Their poor baby had been so confused. It was the last all four got but that's neither here nor there. One forehead kiss is sweet; her eyes close when he plants it but open again to one on his lips. "Glad to be here."

Sam would worry about her going hungry if that happened. Of course, out of all three of them, she'd be the only one to cope. Well, he is trying to be careful and look out for her too. He startles when he sees her walk out but relaxes since she's out. Sam looks at the language she's trying to decipher. "That's... That's from Star Trek, I think." But he can't read it either. He grimaces a little at her touching the blood and instinctively covers her hand with both of his to keep her from touching more. "Who was that mad scientist guy you said Cisco told you ran this place?" He turns back to Dean, asking to get to the bottom of the questions Ruby's statements provoke.

"No. If I did that, I'd never get any sleep again because you'd use it against me." Sam's look is less than thrilled. He can remember the last time he did Dean hid under the bed and grabbed his feet. "Now, there's no way I want to see any movie with twins. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, too."

[peaceonearth]

"You can make it tomorrow's activity," Dean assures him. "Yeah, Lucy is super cool. I think she's dating Cas. I think he's not really sure about whether they're dating or not though." Cas doesn't always 'get' normal things like dating. Dean just knows that whenever Cas is human, he's usually at Lucy's. He figures that's close enough to dating.

She's got quite the cache of videos as well, some of them of him making those happy noises in his sleep that he so often does. They'll remain for her eyes only though. He needn't worry about that.

Ruby isn't so certain, but he'll find out soon enough how he deals with her being a demon. After all, Dean isn't going to let it go on too long. Eventually, he'll give her the ultimatum: you tell him, or I will.

John is grateful he's not the only one that worries about Sam with Ruby. He can't help but smile at her recounting of their events. "I think this day is going to measure up. I woke up with you. Doesn't get much better than that. Plus there won't be any diapers to change or midnight feedings," he points out. There are advantages to their kids being grown. He draws the kiss out a little. After all the kids are out of sight.

Ruby would appreciate the concern, but she would also feel certain they'd get her out sooner rather than later. Ruby gives Sam a confused look. "Why would someone carve a fictional language on a wall?" Dean has to think about Sam's question a moment. "Some guy named Wells? Maybe." He hadn't been worried about it at the time.

Dean grins like an idiot at Sam's words. "Yeah...well, I've got a duty as a big brother." Yep, he remembers doing that. It'd been hysterical. "Hey, now. I've met plenty of very nice twins in my life," he tells Sam. Of course, there'd also been Andy and his evil twin but h's thinking more about the double-mint twins and the Olsen twins are pretty hot to be honest.

[weirddreams]

"If you come." It seems only right to say. Besides he wants Dean to come now, help navigate. Maybe deep down he also knows he'd never be able to look around with Ruby to distract him instead. "Seriously? I missed a lot, didn't I. I didn't know Castiel was interested in dating." He means angels, but Castiel too. Of course the last time Sam was in Itinere he did get the impression Castiel could be normal. Guy was cool, though. He answered a lot of his burning questions about what Heaven was like.

No one other than Ruby is allowed to see those! It's the reason to which he first showed her how to lock her phone (because it's embarrassing). Dean would never let him hear the end of it.

Only time will tell what will happen with that. Honesty is the best policy though. There's more honesty coming in the coming days. (About having children.)

It wouldn't be like Mary not to worry about Sam and the special nature of his first relationship. She can recount everything in perfect detail but covered only the highlights. "You made scrambled eggs and waffles," she adds, very much a fan of that part. She snorts at what he calls a plus side too. "I'll take this morning over diapers anytime." To look on the bright side at least. She can't have that time back, but she still has time with John and time with her kids too. She leans into the kiss more. There's a little time before they might want to check in with the boys.

No doubt Sam wouldn't rest until she was. He can't let go of her hand yet. He considers her question thoughtfully before putting forward his thought. "Maybe so they're the only one that can read it." His attention returns to Dean. "We should look more into that guy," he suggests. Whatever was going on here, he wants to get to the bottom of it.

The last thing Sam does is smile, but he does not pout either. "Says who? Says no one, that's who." It hadn't been hysterical to him. He jumped then shouted at Dean. He looked to make sure where Dean was for the next little while too. "Like whom?" Sam asks skeptically. But he can give Dean some leeway with the time gap.

[peaceonearth]

Dean doesn't hesitate to respond. "Yeah. Sure." He glances at Sam and shrugs. "I didn't know he was either, but about once a month or so, he's human. It started then. Lately, he's been seeing more of her even when he's an angel." Yes, Sam. Castiel has a time of the month. Castiel is the best of the angels and he's a great human as well.

Sam knows his brother well. Ruby will keep those pictures and videos to herself.

It's something they need to talk about. Sam and Ruby tend to live very much in the now. It'll do them good to actually plan and talk about the future, though it should wait until he's his normal age again.

"It only seemed right since you did it most week mornings," he tells her. John likes cooking, if only because it puts such a smile on Mary's face. Dwelling on all the years they lost won't do anyone any good. John is going to enjoy the hell out of what they've got and he hopes that Mary does too. There is a little more time and it's easy to get carried away. John slides a hand up Mary's back to tangle in her hair.

Ruby is absolutely okay with Sam holding onto her hand. She's not exactly sure why he needs to hold onto her hand, but she's not going to complain. Ruby frowns at that. "Well, that's dumb. That's sort of the point and definition of a message: to be read."

Dean nods. "Yeah. We might be able to find something at the bookstore." Little do they know, they'll find loads of comic books about Wells, Cisco, and the Flash.

"Doublemint twins," Dean offers. "Kara and Krystal in...Indiana?" It's clear he's neither certain on their names or their location. "The Olsen twins. The Bella twins," who are way after this Sam's time. "Yeah...that's all I've got." And yes, they are all girls.

[weirddreams]

For Sam, it's almost been too long since they hung out (not counting the time in Itinere) so it's good answer. "Cool. Right after breakfast?" His brows lift in unison because decide if it's strange or if he's happy for couple. "Is that something he wished for? To be human. Really sounds like it, but I'd ask them if they're really a couple first." Because Sam has never let himself think something without all the facts first.

From experience he just knows Dean will use anything to embarrass him. Stay out of his room! Ruby just need to ask to have him assist with keeping their memories secure.

Waiting until he's normal again is good. Besides his only concern right now would something to the opposite effect where he's worried she wants to get pregnant before he's even out of HS.

"We agreed it's what I wanted to do," she reminds him. But no, it does not mean that she minds that he wants to chance the pace of things a little now. He continues to put a smile on her face by being so romantic, in fact. Going forward with John has been the best part about adjusting to Itinere and life in a small town made of magic. Very easy to get carried away. Her hair cut a little less long a while ago, but an inch or two has grown since then.

It's one of those things where the longer he holds on to it the more difficult it is to let go. He has an idea though, and coaxes hers hand to take his by opening his palm too hers. He tries to move to her line of thinking. "Maybe there's only one other person that can." He does not sound so certain because Star Trekkies aren't widely known in his time. "Can we take a picture of it with us," he adds. He's aware cell phones of the ability to but not carrying 'his own.'

Bookstore is the magic word that lights him up. "Yeah, that's where I'd look." He means it's where he'd love to go next if that was in the cards. Or soon. Dean should know by now that he can't say bookstore without Sam getting excited. He would say comic on these guys they're looking into are just as eerie as the SPN ones detailing their lives.

"Do you even know any of those twins in person," Sam asks. It should worry him that they're all girls, but only if Dean has met them.

[peaceonearth]

As they both get older and busier back home, it does become harder and harder to find time to hang out. In Itinere, that's not a problem and they tend to hang out together a good deal more. He nods at Sam's question. "Yeah. I don't have anything else planned." Sam's question about Castiel's humanity stumps Dean. "Uh...I don't know. I haven't ever asked him. I'm not even sure if you can wish for that sort of thing." Now that the question is out there though, Dean is considering it. Maybe he should ask Cas if he wished to be human or if he even wants to be human. He knows Cas seems to enjoy his human periods (with a few exceptions like the peeing) but he's never asked him specifically if he'd wanted to be human, only if he'd had a good time when he'd returned from Lucy's. He nods a little more certain. "Yeah. Guess I probably should." His brow furrows a bit. "I didn't think Lucy really did relationships, but it's not like I've gotten into that conversation with her." What he wants to say is Lucy sleeps around a lot, but he's also not entirely sure that's true lately. In fact, he's not seen Lucy with anyone besides Cas in a while.

When they get around to talking about the permanence of their relationship, she'll ask him about it because her immortality will come up. It'll be something to reassure her (and him).

At least finding out she's a demon and lacking a pulse will set his mind to ease about that.

John and Mary had agreed they'd wanted a traditional family with him going to work and her staying at home to rais the kids. Things are different here. He's got more time to change the pace of things and the kids are capable of cooking their own meals (Dean even makes a good deal of all of their meals). Mary is easily the best part of Itinere. Yes, he likes getting to know the boys outside of hunting, but he's not sure he'd want to do all of this without her. He'd been okay with his death and even his destination. He likes her hair a little shorter, which something he didn't think he'd ever say, but accidentally grabbing Ruby's ass thinking it was Mary had been damn disturbing. It's sexy on Mary (but then, most things are).

He doesn't have to coax much. She opens her hand to take his easily and his words bring an obvious understanding to her expression. "That makes sense. So maybe they were hunting both of them and this person wanted the other to know that they'd been there once they got caught." Okay, so it's bleak, but kind of sweet as well. Sam's question about the picture shakes Ruby out of that bleak thought. "Yes," she confirms and takes her own phone out (the lock screen is a selfie of Ruby and older Sam). She unlocks it with her thumbprint, flicks open the camera and leans in to take a couple of pictures, one without the flash and the other with it then shows it to Sam. "Good enough?" Taking pictures is something she's very good at doing with her phone. She takes a lot of them.

"Okay, we'll stop off there once we're done here. See what we can find and take it back to the bunker," Dean answers. Of course, if Sam wants to browse, he should probably just take Ruby there. Dean has been in the bookstore, but he doesn't enjoy wandering around it the way Sam does.

Dean scoffs at that. "The Indiana twins have very fond memories of me and I of them," he assures Sam. Probably not the answer he wanted.

[weirddreams]

It's something that's been felt since Sam was on his own to finish school and Dean was off helping their father hunt. In Itinere, there are some nights Sam brings the beer and other nights he does one better for Dean's health and brings along wieners to roast outside on the fire. "I'll hold you to that." Don't get him wrong; Sam trusts Dean, but he has seen plans not work out before. About Castiel, Sam can't ask him himself right now, so sorry about that Dean. "Oh. I guess... I guess I can ask him later what is new with him." Sam looks almost disappointed by Dean's answer but nonetheless accepting. It's more than likely if Dean doesn't ask those questions, Sam will. There's a lot he would love to know about the angel experience and the conversion experience from one being to another (in this case angel to human and back). "We should go see what they're up to," he decides (or helpfully injects). What Lucy is up to is of interest to him too.

He'll teach her everything that comes to mind. Though, technology changes all the time, it switches formats. The best thing he can tell her is to back memories up on every new format whilst keeping the old just in case. For example, it's for reasons like that he could find pictures of himself in College on social media if he wanted.

Well, something to that effect. There's always one thing or another to worry about it seems. At least whatever road they go down, Sam sincerely loves Ruby at the end of it.

Mary had worked in a record shop before they had the kids and had loved it, but not as much as the days she was home with little Dean and baby Sam when he came along. Things move at a different pace here. The best thing is John of course, but the time there have too. Heaven is a good destination for all, but the thing Mary likes most about Itinere is that it isn't just their spirits together reliving old memories. Here, they're flesh and blood, and above all new memories can be formed. She never thought she would cut her hair either, but it's lighter on her shoulders, easier to take care of, and most of all, no has had anything bad to say, least of John whose opinion matters the most to her. (No, and they don't need repeats of what happened with her son and husband and mistaken blonde identities.)

His lip twitches at the corner when her palm open up to his and splays his fingers widely to accept hers. In some ways, her obvious understanding about what he said makes him think about them. As a couple they're building a language all of their own (more or less). He's only certain because like now, she makes it easy to hold hands with her. Sometimes, it's because he gets clues about what she wants when she looks at him in a certain way. Mostly, he can't help look at it in the romantic way when she shares that one possibility of two people trying to escape prosecution. "They're not here anymore, so maybe they got out. Maybe they found each other again." He is wistful about the image, but not yet forgetting there are special circumstances behind why they were imprisoned in a technological fortress. He can't know which side he should be supportive of. Sam lets Ruby take the pictures and swipes through them with his finger when she shows them to him. One is only blurry, but it's okay because there's two more that satisfy their purpose. "Yeah. Great job." He wants to be nothing that supportive of her efforts.

"You don't know the Indiana twins." Sam is still remotely unconvinced, but it is more than he needed to know.

[peaceonearth]

There have been a lot of times that their plans haven't worked out for a variety of reasons, but Dean was invested in spending time with Sam. He has wanted a normal life for so long, and a normal life includes spending time with his brother doing normal things like having a beer or roasting hotdogs over a fire. He's not going to waste those things. It's okay. Dean should be a better best friend. "Yeah," Dean nods. "I bet he'll tell you. With Cas, you just have to ask direct questions. He doesn't always talk a lot." It's something Dean forgets himself. His brows lift. "Lucy and Cas? She's probably at the bar. If he's not there, I bet he'll meet us. Want to eat there for dinner tonight?"

Oh Sam. Ruby still has to learn to trust and believe that he won't want more for his future than she can give, but she has no doubt about her feelings for Sam. She knows she wants to spend as much of the rest of her life as possible with him.

John does cherish the chance to make new memories with Mary and the boys. It's something he never thought he'd get and there's no place he'd rather be, heaven included. It's a good look on her, but so is the way she looks when she's happy like this. (No one wants that)

He's not wrong. They are developing their own language both in the form of code (fries) as well as in looks and things not quite said. Sam would think it was romantic (which is one of the things Ruby loves about him). She hesitates then says "Maybe." Wouldn't that be nice? Ruby certainly isn't going to harsh on his idea of a happy ending for the two hypothetical prisoners.

Dean snorts. "The Indiana twins are the main reason for the best night of my life."

[weirddreams]

If all their plans can start to work out because of Itinere, things won't be a waste any longer. Things have already started to turn around. On a scale of one to ten, ten is how Sam thought Dean would rate the beer or hotdogs. Well, neither Cas or Sam would say Dean is a bad friend. Somethings are just easily overlooked. Of course a light bulb comes on in Sam's head. "Think you should ask him. You know him better than I do." It's not that Sam doesn't think they made a connection. Dean's just right about how Cas doesn't talk a lot if you don't ask him questions or to join in on the fun. "Yeah, of course. I mean, I'd like to see here and it'd save us the trouble of thinking about what's for dinner." Even the dog knows the Winchesters find dinner every night difficult to meal plan.

Hopefully, in time she can see Sam intends to find a way to weave what he always wanted into what she is willing and able to give him, if she stays. It'd very likely he'd give her the rest of his days.

SYS, LOL, etc. Some of it isn't as great as other code, but the most romantic they have are the looks and things not quite said. Theoretically, it could be them, but most likely, it is only a fairy tale like so many others that he dreams of in his head. Her hesitation snaps him out of it a little, having him realize it's a little silly. "Yeah. Maybe." Both his cheeks go a little red. Ruby isn't ruining anything to bring his head back to reality. "Why don't head back now? Mom and Dad are waiting."

Sam doesn't have to think, he just knows that's too much information. "You're disgusting."

When they come out of the tunnel, Mary and John are waiting as if it's all they'd been doing. Mary finds herself looking at Sam to see that not one more strand of hair is out of place and Dean too. She's been quiet not to judge the relationship over the age gap. "Anything exciting?" she asks.

Sam's first to offer an answer. "Well, the tunnel is. But there's these indestructible cells down at the end, that looks like they used to host prisoners. I couldn't count how many just by standing there." He hates to be the one to have to say that.

[peaceonearth]

Itinere still has it's mishaps and emergencies, but most of their plans should work out. Dean doesn't understand how anyone could rate beer and hot dogs as less than a ten; it's unAmerican. Dean gives him a look. "You do realize I still don't do chick flick moments, right? I'll ask him though." Mostly because he ought to be a better friend and ask Cas not only what he's doing with his free time but he ought to ask what's important in Cas's life too. Dean nods. "I bet mom and dad will go for it." Or Mary and John will consider it a chance to have a night alone to themselves. Either way, dinner at the Houndstooth is a go.

She will see that. Ruby has no intention of going anywhere.

Not all code has to be great to be effective. Personally, Ruby likes those little 'romantic' things as well. They seem far more intimate and personal than the others. There's nothing wrong with fairytales as long as reality doesn't get completely left behind. Besides, as Sam well knows, real fairytales are dark, grim and don't always have a happy ending. Dean nods and they start back down the tunnel toward the main room.

"Not what Kara and Kendra told me," Dean jokes with Sam. Yeah, he might have just said a different name now than when he first named them. To be honest, he can't really remember their names...yep, he probably is disgusting.

Of course, that's all they've been doing! How dare anyone think anything else. No, unlike the parents, Ruby and Sam were good on their little side trip. Of course, they had a Dean shaped chaperone. Maybe Dean should have stayed here with the parents.

"There was blood," Ruby adds, less concerned about adding that detail. "Not a lot though."

John's brow furrows at that information. "Maybe we ought to find out a little more information about this place before we go poking around in it."