Once Upon a Supernatural

Chapter XVII: Beginnings and Ends

Ruby led Sam down to the beach. Well, it wasn't a beach. Just a stretch of sand that met the water line. But Sam had to admit that, the sight was nice.

Sam laid down the blanket and Ruby set down the basket. "I can't remember the last time I went on a picnic." Ruby said as she sat next to Sam. She had changed out of her uniform before they left; now wearing red and black plaid pants and a red sweater. She also had on a black hat that sat on top of her long dark brown hair with red streaks. Sam began thinking to himself as she started pulling some items of the basket. If she's not Red Riding Hood, she had to be the Red Queen. Or wasn't there some story with Snow White and some girl in red? I need to read the rest of that book.

Sam took out the wine and glasses and began to pour. "Did you ever go on picnics with your parents?"

Ruby's face dropped and her hands began to fiddle together. "My parents died a long time ago," she whispered quietly.

Sam felt a pang of familiarity in her voice, recalling all the times he'd answered the same way when someone would ask about his mother growing up. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"I appreciate it, but it's fine. I was very young when it happened. Granny took me in and she's the only family I've got. I mean, I've got friends and all; well sort of. I guess Mary Margaret or Ashley would be the closest I have to friends. But that diner and inn has pretty much been my life. I always thought I'd move out of this small town and go somewhere exotic- like Boston. But when Granny had her heart attack, I couldn't leave. She needed me. And honestly, I don't know what I would do if I ever left this place."

Sam nodded, understanding the loyalty that fell with being in a family. He had been lucky enough to get out; even if it were for a little while. Those four years mean so much to him and he learned a hell of a lot. Not just about school; but about being normal. Plus, that's where he had his Jess. How could he love anything more than the time he'd spent with her?

The sound of Ruby unwrapping her sandwich caught his attention back to the present. He felt a bit guilty, as he did whenever he found himself attracted to anyone new. He knew he had to move on; and he had, a few times. The closest he'd ever gotten was Sarah from the creepy to what he had with Jess? Was there even such a thing? And the question that haunted Sam the most on nights when he'd think about this kind of stuff: did he deserve it?

"So what about you?" Ruby asked, breaking his spell of thought. "You and your brother seem pretty close. Are you that way with the rest of your family?"

Sam cleared his throat, trying to get the last bit of his bite down before he started to answer. "It's just me and my brother, actually. Our mom died when I was just 6 months old; dad died a few a years ago. My brother and I have been sort of been on a road trip ever since; trying to find our way, so to speak."

"A road trip that lasts a few years?" Ruby asked, raising her eye brow. "What do you do? Money-wise, that is. Road trips like that can't be cheap."

Sam chuckled, "We find work. We're both pretty good at a lot of little things. And we know a little about a lot of things; just enough to keep us handy. We've met a lot of hospitable people along the way."

"So, sounds like there's not much time for a love life."

"There isn't," he answered plainly.

She shook her head and smirked, "No girlfriends? Hook-ups? Long distance relationships? What are you, some kind of monk?"

He laughed, appreciating her bluntness. "To tell you the truth, there was a girlfriend. In college. We were together for quite a few years. But, uh," he felt his voice crack a little, there was something he couldn't break even after all these years, "she died. That's when my brother and I started our little road trip." When he looked up he noticed Ruby's gaze was distance. Her mouth was open and it was like she was frozen. It was the same look he recognized earlier when he thought he was breaking the curse. "Ruby, what is it?"