Rekindling the Fires and Sparking New Flames

Chapter One

The first week of school was over and at Kansas University that was a cause for celebration. The majority of the students were mingling inside a huge fraternity house. Jennifer Scott leaned back against a wall while chatting with her friend, Sandra. Everyone on campus knew Jennifer. She had one of those personalities that attracted people to her. It was the kind of personality that made a person feel comfortable around her.

“I got this stupid test on Monday. I swear if Mr. Rivers doesn’t pass me, I’m just going to give up,” Sandra told her, taking a sip from her red plastic cup. The cup was filled with some sort of alcohol that the frat house had thrown together for the party. The unknown fluids tasted like a mixture of urine and water, with a strong skunk-like smell.

“Sandy, you can’t give up this semester. You have like what? One more semester and then you’re done with school. Don’t let that punk ass spoil that.” Jennifer patted her friend’s arm sympathetically. The girls were in their sophomore year of college and so far this semester was proving to be the hardest.

Screaming was heard throughout the building as everyone’s attention was turned to a room. People gathered around the entry way. Jennifer and Sandra looked toward each other with wide eyes. Grabbing Sandra’s arm, Jennifer rushed towards the crowd of people.

“I can’t see anything,” Sandra whined. She jumped up, trying to see over the crowd. Not wasting any more time, Jennifer shoved her way to the front of the line. She could hear gasps all around her and she was curious to see why. Reaching the front, Jennifer was greeted with the most horrific scene.

Blood was sprayed all over the walls. A girl’s body lay on top of a bed. Her chest was cut down the middle. What disturbed her most was the girl’s face. Tilted in the group’s direction, the girl’s eyes stared blankly through her as if begging for help. Jennifer couldn’t imagine what pain the girl went through. She couldn’t understand how such an act could have been committed, but no one heard it? True, the music was loud, but surely someone could have heard something. Bringing her hand up to her mouth, Jennifer shook her head in disbelief.

Kansas University was known for their lack of violence. Murder wasn’t something that happened on campus. Hopefully, this wasn’t an invitation for more violence to come. The only thing that went through everyone’s head was where the killer was now?

Liz sat on the last step of her best friend’s porch. She watched as Sam piled a couple duffle bags in the backseat of his dad’s Impala. Earlier that day, his dad had come home from his job and announced they had to leave. He had told them it was an emergency and he would explain when the time was right. Liz was still clueless as to what was going on.

“Liz, you should probably head on home,” John Winchester told her as he ruffled her hair. Liz’s whole world was ending in front of her. She had known Sam for quite a while now and he was the only one she could confide in. Now her friend was leaving her. Sam was leaving Liz to fend for herself in a big world.

“If you don’t mind, Mr. Winchester, I think I’ll stay here until you leave,” she replied, smiling at the older man in front of her. Her eyes clouded with tears, but they didn’t run over.

Sam walked up to the girl and sat down beside her. The two didn’t say a word as they stared at the car. It felt like eternity until Dean flew past them. “Come on, Sammy. Time to go.”

Liz broke down in tears. Shaking her head in disbelief, she wrapped her tiny arms around Sam tightly. She didn’t want to let him go. “You can’t leave me, Samwich. You just can’t. What will I do without you? Who will I talk to?” she cried, as she buried her face in his chest.

“I’ll be back. I’m not going to be gone forever, Lizzie. I’ll write and call you every day. We won’t ever lose touch,” he told her, soothing her worries. He kissed her forehead gently. Liz didn’t want to move from that spot in fear she would open her eyes and Sam would be gone.

Sam stood from the porch looking at his older brother and father who waited patiently inside the black car. Without another word, he left his friend by the steps. Neither one knew that day would be the last they would see of each other.

"So, how come we're driving through sweet home Kansas? I thought we were taking a break, Sammy and this isn't exactly a break to me." Dean Winchester asked, looking over at his little brother, who was content behind the wheel.

"There's someone I have to see," Sam replied evasively.

"Someone?"

"Yes, someone."

"Who is she?" Dean asked, cracking a smile as he downed a whole bag of Cheetos.

"It's always a girl with you, Dean. I'm tired of it. And you're getting Cheetos all over the seat." Sam complained, looking disgustedly at his older brother.

"Shut up, Sammy and just drive. It's not always about a girl with me. I've just been so damn deprived from riding with you all day that I need some sort of female companionship."

"That's what they invented cold showers for, Dean.” Sam smirked as he gazed at his older brother.

"That might work for you, Sammy Boy, but for me? I'm a real man, and a real man needs a real woman's touch, and that's just not something you get by riding with your dorky little brother all day and night. Cuz, Dude, everyone thinks we're gay.” Dean said, raising his voice towards the end. The last part was true. The boys constantly were mistaken for a gay couple and neither one could understand why. Sure they were attractive, but that didn’t make them lovers.

"I can't help it if I'm so sexy; I get it from my older brother," Sam told Dean, batting his eyes. He laid his hand on top of Dean’s, which rested on his leg.

Dean jerked his hand away, giving the dark-haired man a disgusted look. "Dude, get off me! Just drive!" Dean exclaimed, motioning towards the road.

Not saying another word, Sam shook his head in amusement and continued driving down the highway.

Liz Lange walked into the small restaurant. She smiled at a few of her regular customers as she walked towards the backroom. Liz was a short, petite girl. Her hair held tight, dirty blonde curls and depending on her mood, she would keep it curly or wear it straight. She was a vintage kind of chick who loved all sorts of music. Her goal in life was to open her own record company one day. Until that happened, she remained in her childhood town, working as a waitress and attending school.

"Hey, Kara," Liz greeted her fellow co-worker, walking through a pair of double doors.

"Hey, Liz. How are you?"

"I'm good. I just didn’t really wanna come in tonight. I can think of about a hundred different things I could be doing besides being at this hell hole."

"I know what you mean. It took all I had to walk into this place. But it's only for a couple hours. Plus, there are a couple hotties that just walked through the front door. I'll let you wait on them." Kara said, winking an eye at her. Liz let a smile escape and looked through the window of one of the doors. She couldn't see the men's face but one of them had dark brown hair and was exceptionally tall. Grabbing her apron, she shrugged into it and walked toward the table.

"What can I get you, fellas?" she asked, taking the pencil from her hair and turning a page on her pad.

Sam looked up and smiled. He wasn't too sure if Liz recognized him, but then again, it had been years since they'd seen each other. He wanted to say something - anything - to the pretty waitress, the woman who was once his best friend, but the timing seemed off.

Dean looked across the table at his brother and realized that she was the reason they had revisited Kansas. An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach, but he shrugged it off as the woman looked at him. Smiling, Dean said, "Some coffee, please. Black. And Sally Mae here would like a Diet Pepsi. Is that right, Sammy?"

"That's right." Sam replied, avoiding any eye contact with the woman.

"Do you by any chance have one of those kid size sippy cups? Sammy here is really messy and if he doesn't have a lid on it, he'll just throw it everywhere," Dean joked, waving his hand over the table.

An embarrassed Sam looked up at his former friend and smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I think I can find you something?" Liz wasn’t sure if he was serious or not, but she had to fill every request.

"Thanks. You're the best," Dean told her, placing his arm across the back of the seat. Looking out the window, he smiled at a few ladies as they walked by the window. He waved as each one passed.

"Damn, I almost forgot how good the women look in this town."

"Dean, can you think with your upstairs brain for a change?" Sam asked, looking toward the door.

Dean ignored the comment and followed his gaze. He leant forward and looked toward the counter at the blonde. "So, that's the girl, isn't it?”

"What are you talking about?" Leaning back against his seat, Sam ran his long fingers over his shirt sleeve. He was nervous as hell to be in the diner, but the thought of Liz recognizing was even more nerve racking to him.

"The girl we're here for. Don't play dumb with me. Its ok, Sammy. We are allowed to have girls in our lives. That's the girl, isn't it?" Dean motioned toward the counter area. Sam gazed over his shoulder at Liz, who was ringing out a customer’s order.

"If I admit it, will you shut up?" Sam was beginning to feel that it was a mistake to come back here, especially by bringing Dean along. Dean wouldn’t let up on Sam, if he knew a girl was involved.

"Maybe. If you’re lucky, I will."

"Yes, that's the girl I'm here for. Don't you remember her, Dean?" Sam was finding it hard to believe that Dean didn’t recall the girl who had just taken their orders.

Dean’s face flashed with confusion, but he couldn't recollect anything. "I don’t remember her, Sammy. Certainly, I would remember someone that hot. Are you sure that's the girl?"

"Yes, Dean. That's the girl. Remember when we were younger and Dad would leave on his hunting trips? There was a girl in our neighborhood that would come over and play with us."

"Doctor and nurse?" Dean asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. Sam rolled his eyes and then straightened up when he saw Liz walking back to their table.

"Here she comes. Look at her closely.”

"Here is your coffee and this is your Diet Pepsi,” Liz placed each drink in front of Dean and Sam. Smiling, she took her pad out. “Have you two decided on what you want to eat?"

"I think we’re just going to have the drinks. Thanks so much," Sam told her, softly.

"Right. Very well. Let me know if you need anything else," Liz said, smiling.

Dean concentrated on her face, trying to recollect her in his memory, but he came up blank. Maybe Sam was wrong about her. He wanted to believe his little brother was mistaking the female, but he couldn't get over the strange feeling that fluttered in his stomach. The waitress turned her attention to Dean, who was staring intensely at her. Liz found this to be creepy and quickly, walked back towards the counter.

"Nothing’s ringing a bell. I came up with nothing. Are you sure, man?”

"You are a doorbell, Dean."

"Huh? I don't get it. What the hell does that mean?" Dean asked, amused.

"Nothing. Now, look at her." Sam motioned towards the front counter, where Liz stood idly chatting with another waitress.

Dean stared, looking her up and down. He wracked his brain, digging deep into old memories long forgotten and then, it suddenly came to him. Slamming his hand onto the table, which startled Sam, he exclaimed, "It's Lizzie Borden!! I can't believe I didn't see it before, but damn, has she changed!"

"Yes, that she has. She didn't recognize us though. Should I say something?" Sam asked.

"No, don't say anything. We'll be in town for a while. Leave her a note or something. Maybe with your cell number on it."

"I can't leave her my cell number. That's for emergencies only," he told him, bringing his glass of soda to his mouth.

Dean smacked the side of Sam's head and grabbed a pen from a table nearby. "Sometimes Sammy, I worry about you." Dean wrote the number of his own cell phone.

Hey, Lizzie Borden. Remember us? If you do, call 555-4321. - Dean and Sam

"That sounds stupid. She's going to think we are psychos by calling her Lizzie Borden."

"No, she won't. At least I'm giving her a number. Now, leave a tip so we can get out of here." Dean stood up, grabbing his jacket. Digging into his pocket, he pulled the keys to his car out and headed towards the door.

"Why am I always the one leaving the tip?" Sam complained, standing up. Reaching into his pocket, he took out his wallet.

"Because you're just special," Dean yelled back at him. The two men walked out of the diner.

Seeing that the two men left, Liz walked over to the table to retrieve her tip and saw something with it. Picking up the crumbled napkin, she noticed the message inside. "Lizzie Borden?" she said to herself. That stood out in her mind so clearly yet she couldn't figure out where she had heard it before. Like a cyclone to a house, a memory hit her worse than any had before.

"Sam, leave me alone." Liz said, shrugging Sam off her.

"Come on, Lizzie. Just one. Please. You promised." Sam told her, leaning across the board game, puckering up.

"But you lost!"

A 13 year old Sam began to pout, running a hand through his bangs.

"Come on. I won't use tongue." he joked with her. He pushed the game board to the side and moved across the hardwood floor closer to her.

"I've never done this before Samwich." Liz exclaimed, shyly. Liz sat Indian style in the front room of her best friend’s home. His father was out of town on a trip, leaving Sam’s older brother, Dean, in charge. At the moment, Dean was out to pick up food for dinner.

"It's nothing. Just one peck and then its over," Sam flirted, trying to persuade the girl in front of him. Sam was a horny teenager who had picked up moves from watching his older brother. This was his chance to prove the kind of “man” he had become.

Liz looked to the floor and then back up at him. She was shy and scared, but the idea of kissing the boy she had liked since they met thrilled her. "Fine. Make it quick." she told him, closing her eyes.

Leaning towards her, he brushed his lips against hers, igniting a fire between the two. Both bodies yearned for more from each other. They weren’t sure what that more was. Liz brushed her fingers across her tingling lips. She opened her eyes. Sam stared back at her, amazed. Without another thought, Sam grabbed the back of her neck and pushed his lips back on hers, forcing his tongue down her throat. Gagging from the kiss, Liz pushed out of Sam’s grip and wiped her mouth. "Eww. Gross, Sam. What was that for?"

Sam didn't say anything and just laughed. "You are too easy to make fun of. We need to hurry and get this cleaned up before Dean gets home." Sam told her, standing up and grabbing the contents from the floor.

Liz shook her head and smiled inwardly from the kiss. That was her first kiss and it had been from her crush, though she would never tell him that. She would keep that part a secret.

Jennifer looked up to see her best friend walk through the door of their dorm room. The two girls had been best friends since high school. They were inseparable and were often able to read each other’s thoughts. The two girls had been really lucky to have gotten a room together. When they had received the dorm packet sheet, the two had requested they share a room. Fortunately, the college had come through for them.

"How was work tonight?" Jennifer asked, with her pen in the corner of her lips.

"Hard. It dragged on for most of the night. But I ran into an old friend and didn't realize it." Liz walked over to her dresser and began undressing. Every night, after her shift, she came home and changed first thing. She loved nothing more than to get out of her work uniform. She wrapped her curls into a bun and then fell back on her bed, exhausted.

"An old friend? Do I know them?" Jennifer asked, intrigued. The girls had only been friends since they were 16, so they didn't exactly know all the same people.

"No, you don't. He left town when we were 15. I met you a year later." Sitting up, Liz leaned her back against her headboard. She watched as her friend sat down in the space in front of her.

"Oh, it's a he." Jennifer said, sitting closer, now more interested in the conversation. "So, tell me more about him. Is he hot? No, wait. Is he single? Does he have a friend?" She asked question after question. Liz knew that if she had opened her mouth about a boy, Jennifer would interrogate her. Her friend loved boys. Sometimes, Liz wondered if she ever thought of anything else.

Liz laughed and walked over to her closet. "You're so predictable. I knew the minute I walked into this room and told you it was a guy, you would perk up."

"What can I say? I'm a perky person. So, answer my questions."

"His name is Sam. Sam Winchester to be exact. Yes, he's hot. He's tall. That's what I remember most about him. He was extremely tall for his age. He has a brother who’s older than all of us. I'm not sure how much older, but his brother is one hot son of a bitch." Liz told her, laughing.

"You know how I love those hot sons of bitches." Jennifer joked. "So, when are you getting together to catch up? When do I get to meet him?"

"I don't know. I didn't exactly talk to him." Liz leant back against her closet door and sighed.

"What? I'm not following." Jennifer said, confused. She pulled her knees against her chest and looked at her friend.

"I didn't realize it was him until they were gone. I don't know if they are even still in town."

"Well, did they leave a number or anything?" Jennifer asked. Jennifer loved drama and she had a feeling that this would definitely be drama.

Liz walked over to her bed and fell back onto it. Every muscle in her body relaxed at that moment and all she wanted to do more than anything was fall asleep.

"They did leave a number but I'm not calling it."

"Why the hell not, Liz? Give me the number. I'll call it,” she demanded, holding her hand out.

Liz shook her head and brushed the brunette’s hand away. "No, you won’t. They are probably gone, Jen. Let's just drop it. It's not meant to be."

"Sometimes I wonder about you, Liz." Jennifer stood up from the bed, shaking her head. Sometimes, Jennifer wondered if Liz wanted to end up alone in this world. Men hit on her, but Liz always shook them away. Anytime, she was asked about it, she quickly changed the subject.

"Whatever Jen. Turn that light out. I want to go to bed." Liz slid herself under her covers and rolled on her side.

Jennifer did as her friend said, turning out the light.

Author’s Note: I just want to thank all my awesome betas who helped get this chapter looking the way it does. I couldn’t have done it without you!