Warnings and Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Author's Note: The idea for this story belongs to StarCherrieQueen. She feeds me ideas and I write them.
"So what's are next gig Sammy," Dean said, as he scooted into the driver's seat and handed his brother a cup of coffee and a bag containing a half a dozen donuts.
"There have been some unusual disappearances of men in Harlan, Georgia. I think we should check it out."
"Okay Kreskin, give me the map so we can be on our way," Dean teased.
Sam rolled his eyes and handed the map to his brother.
"You're gonna run out of psychic names for me sooner or later," Sam said, as he sought out a glazed donut from the bag.
"Let's hope it's later then sooner," Dean laughed before backing out of the parking space and heading for the highway.
"You're certainly in a good mood this morning. You finally got a good nights sleep?" Sam asked.
"Something like that. I've been having these weird ass dreams," Dean said, glancing down at the map before making a sudden left turn.
"Maybe I should hold the map and give you directions," Sam said, brushing some of the spilled coffee of his shirt.
"So the dreams," Sam began, "they've stopped."
"Yep. Last night I slept like a baby."
"So you're okay," Sam asked to be sure.
"Don't worry Sammy, I'm not treading into your psychic territory."
"You never told me what the dreams were about. It could be important."
"They were just dreams Sam. Some of us still have crazy dreams that mean absolutely nothing."
"But how do you know that. We're brothers. What's to say that you don't have the same abilities I do and that you're just..."
"Just what?" Dean said, watching Sam from the corner of his eye.
"A late bloomer," Sam said with a big smile.
"I, Dean Winchester, am definitely not a late bloomer," Dean replied, emphasizing each word.
"Maybe not in some things, but possibly in others," Sam sulked.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Just drive."
John decided not to call his sons until he had all the facts. It wasn't that he didn't believe Missouri, but he wasn't sure there was cause for alarm yet either. Even if what Missouri said was true, he didn't believe Dean was in any danger. In fact, it was quite clear that the only people in imminent danger were the women in Sam's life. Missouri had a theory about that too but wouldn't discuss it with him until after they'd learned more. With the boys on the road, there was no real chance of either getting into a serious relationship, so he felt no need to panic them.
He had agreed to meet Missouri at the library and do some further research to get a handle on what exactly they were dealing with. What John really wanted to know was why him and his family. Maybe he needed to do some background checks on both he and Mary's ancestors while he was at it.
Missouri and John quietly headed upstairs to the section on religion and the occult. Missouri shook her head and smirked at the young teens in the area dressed in black and sporting hair, makeup and fingernails to match.
"Amateurs," she muttered under her breath.
John had to chuckle. Missouri took what she did seriously and like himself, understood it was nothing to play with. The two wandered down a secluded stack of shelves until they found the section they were looking for. Both grabbed an armful of books and found an area away from the rest of the patrons. Both let out a slow long breath before flipping through the table of contents and turning to pages they were seeking.
"So why don't we try a different approach?" Sam suggested as they entered their room.
"Like?" Dean asked suspiciously.
"Like quit pretending to be law enforcement before we end up in jail for real."
"I'm listening."
"We could say we're reporters for an independent paper doing a series of articles about missing persons," Sam said hopefully.
"And people will talk to us because?"
"Because people love to see their name in the paper."
"They love to see their faces on television even more."
"Even better," Sam said, rifling through his bag.
"What are you looking for?"
"The camcorder you tried to pawn. You didn't pawn it did you?"
The look on Sam's face made Dean happy he didn't. He was pretty sure his life would have been cut short if he had followed through with his initial plans.
"It's in the other bag," Dean said.
Dean toed off his shoes and stretched out on the bed closest to the door. Sam smiled as he glanced over at his older brother. Dean always took the bed closest to the door. It was part of the whole big brother protecting little brother thing he did. Of course Sam knew if he asked, Dean would claim he stayed close to the door so he could flee first. Heaven forbid Dean admit he had icky feelings.
"What are you smiling at?" Dean asked, propping up on one elbow.
"Nothing. Just thinking about all the embarrassing footage I could shoot of you."
"Sammy, if you point that thing in my direction, so help me..."
Sam came closer, pretending to film Dean. Dean hurled a pillow at his younger sibling, which Sam managed to dodge. Dean was sitting up, reaching for the camera.
"Sammy, I'm going to beat you with that thing," he said, grabbing the taller man by his shirt and pulling him down.
The camera tumbled to one side of the bed while the two brothers wrestled with each other. Sam managed to straddle Dean's legs and pin his arms now.
"Your ass is mine now," he sneered.
Dean's face blanched and his eyes went wide with terror as his mind flashed back to his dream.
"You're mine now," the creature whispered in his ear.
"Dean, Dean what's wrong."
Sam climbed off his brother panicked by his near catatonic state.
"Dean," Sam shouted, shaking his brother and tapping his face.
"Sam...what...what happened?"
"You zoned out on me. What's wrong Dean? It's as if you were somewhere else."
"I'm fine Sam," Dean said, struggling to sit up.
Sam helped him, propping a pillow behind his head.
"Sam, I'm fine."
Sam watched his brother carefully. He knew Dean was lying but wasn't sure how to proceed.
"Sam," Dean said more softly, taking his brother's hand in his own, "I'm fine."
"You know Dean, you're body has been through a lot with that heart thing and all."
Dean grimaced. He hated thinking about the price his healing had come with, but Sam had been so adamant about saving him.
"I know you don't like to talk about it," Sam continued, squeezing Dean's hand even harder, "I know you don't like to talk about a lot of things but...I care about you. I care what happens to you."
Sam spared a quick glance up at his brother before looking down again. The silence that passed between them was awkward, so Dean did what he did best; deflect.
"So, what did you need this camera for anyway?" He asked, reaching over for the forgotten item.
"Oh...I thought we could pretend to be students, doing a documentary. I still have my school i.d. so...I know...you probably think it's lame," Sam said, as he let go of his brother's hand.
"No...no...I think that could work."
"Really?" Sam asked with a bright smile.
"Sure. It's about time we put your education to use."
Sam threatened to punch him before getting off the bed and grabbing the camera.
"Dean? Whatever it is, when you're ready...I'm here."
"I know Sammy, I know."
The trip to the library had proved both illuminating and frightening. John and Missouri rode back to her house in silence.
"You're going to have to tell him John," Missouri said, as soon as they entered the house.
"I know," John sighed, "but how and when?"
"Soon John. Don't let him find out the hard way. It will alienate him even more. He already feels alone. If it wasn't for ..."
"For what?" John asked.
Missouri hesitated. The information her friend had to digest was probably more he could handle right now. John was smart. In time, he'd figure the rest out; especially knowing all they knew now.
"This doesn't have to be a bad thing," Missouri said, touching John softly on the shoulder. "In fact, he may be more equipped than any of us to fight these forces."