Warnings and Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Author's notes: Story idea and concepts are by StarCherrieQueen.
The student thing was working. So far, Sam had been able to charm his way into the homes and workplaces of several friends, families and coworkers of the missing men. Dean had gotten stuck on camera duty but he didn't mind. He liked watching people through the lens. He noticed how self-conscious some were and how some took to the camera instantly. A few people wanted to know was this going to be something like Blair Witch. Dean noted how especially beautiful Sam was. Through the camera his slender frame was more graceful, his features more elegant. Dean feared there would be more footage of Sam than the interviewees. He had to make a conscious effort not to train the camera on his brother.
Dean picked up something else in his new vocation; he noticed that in almost every frame, there was a tall blond man. If he had to guess, Dean would say they were about the same age. His hair was chin length and parted to the side. He stood about six foot four and his frame was slightly fuller than Sam's. His eyes were blue like marbles. His skin was peaches and cream. He seemed a solitary figure and appeared to take a keen interest in Sam. That was another thing Dean picked up. Men and women alike, old and young seemed to be genuinely attracted to his baby brother. Dean wouldn't admit it even to himself, but it bothered him.
He recalled the time he and Sam had parted ways and he ended up in Burkitsville trying to convince a couple that they might be in danger. He remembered muttering about how all Sam had to do was give that puppy dog look and people would listen to him. But there was something more. Something Dean couldn't quite put his finger on. Something was drawing people to Sam. Even the gruffest old man would warm up to Sam once he smiled and politely asked he could have a minute of their time. It was as if Sam was exuding some kind of sensual aura that no one could resist.
Sam turned to Dean after their last interview for the day.
"I think we've got enough for now," he said, sweeping the hair out of his eyes.
Dean was captivated by the gesture and for a few seconds still had the camera aimed at his brother's face.
"That's a wrap Dean," Sam smiled.
Dean clumsily shut off the camera turning from his brother to hide his blush.
"You okay?" Sam asked, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Yeah. Just hungry I guess," Dean stammered, shuddering from the contact.
"You're shivering," Sam noted, wrapping his arm around his brother's shoulder. "Let's get something to warm you up.
Sam had no idea that just his touch was doing that already.
"They're in Harlan, Georgia," John told Missouri as he packed his bags.
"You spoke to them?"
"No. Dean always leaves a message when they move to a new town. That way I'll know where to look in case..."
John's voice trailed off and Missouri was almost positive the man was on the verge of tears.
"You don't have to do this alone," she said, stepping closer.
"I'm not alone. I have you and my boys," he replied, smiling warmly at his friend.
"Let me know how things turn out," she said, turning to leave. "And stop by the kitchen, I made you some lunch."
John turned to thank her for all she'd done. Not just recently, but every since he'd met her. Her house was the only other place he'd thought of as home. He sometimes wished he had taken her up on her offer years ago to stay there as boarders and let her help raise the boys. John often felt guilty for letting his personal loss cloud his judgment when it came to his sons. He was well aware that many a husband had lost their wives under tragic circumstances but they didn't turn their children into killing machines over it.
John knew something supernatural killed Mary but he often wondered was hunting the thing the wisest idea. More and more as he watched Sam rebel against him, he doubted every decision he had made but he was too ensconced in his warrior lifestyle by then to turn back. Now, armed with the new information he and Missouri had found, he questioned even more his need to hunt down and kill the thing that murdered his wife. If what he and Missouri discovered was true, something equally as precious to him might become on of the things he hunted.
He pushed those thoughts out of his head. 'First things first," he thought. 'Find Dean, talk to Sam, let your heart and your instincts lead you from there.'
After grabbing some take out, Sam and Dean returned to their room and hooked up the camera to their laptop to watch the footage.
"There," Dean pointed at the screen, swallowing the bite of his burger. "That guy is in almost every frame."
"You think he has something to do with the disappearances?" Sam asked doubtfully.
"Well serial killers have been known to hang around the crime scenes and offer help to the police. It sometimes gives them a rush to be around the activity they created."
"But we've rarely seen demons hang around. In fact, they try to mask their activities." "Maybe this isn't our kind of gig. It could be something like that case in Hibbing."
Sam winced at Dean's words. It was the first time he'd ever been frightened of something not other worldly. Locked in that cage, hoping that Jenkins was wrong about their captors' intentions. He'd never depended on Dean's ability to save him more than on that occasion. He remembered how hopeless he felt when the deputy informed him that she left Dean handcuffed to her squad car on side of the road and the relief he felt when Dean showed up. He remembered having one weird thought, 'If Dean gets us out of this one, I'm going to kiss him.'
"I'm sorry Sammy," Dean said softly, resting his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I know how freaked the Minnesota thing had you. I never thought we'd have to contend with people myself."
Sam smiled warmly and placed his hand over his brother's. "It's alright. I'm just glad you found me before anything happened."
"Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Could I have my hand back?" Dean smiled.
"Oh...yeah...sure."
The whole time John was driving his mind was working overtime. Part of the puzzle was in place. He knew the what and the how but not the why. He thought maybe bringing Missouri with him wouldn't have been such a bad idea. She had much more experience than he did but she wasn't a hunter. Her skills lay elsewhere.
It was getting late and he knew he had hours of driving ahead of him. He just hoped that he could get to Georgia before Sam and Dean left. He didn't know why, but he had a sense of urgency in his mission to find his sons. It felt like things were coming to a head. John decided to pull into the closest motel. With any luck, he'd get a few hours sleep and head out early. If he could keep it on the road for seven hours straight, he was positive he could catch up to his boys.
John smiled at that thought. Despite the new information he had, Sam and Dean were his. He'd fight to keep it that way.
???
Sam rested his hand in his lap and tried to concentrate on the footage again.
"We should go out again tomorrow and see if this guy shows up," Sam said.
"Good idea," Dean said nodding and staring at the screen.
Everything between he and Sam seemed awkward. Dean supposed it was because he wasn't used to all the feelings he tried to keep bottled up from his brother.
"You know, most of the people we interviewed said a few of the men reported having strange dreams for a while before they disappeared," Sam said, turning up the volume of the speakers.
"Oh yeah, what sort of dreams?"
"I don't know. One man, a Mr. Norris, said his friend was freaking out about a dream he was having nightly, but refused to tell him what it was about. That's him there," Sam said, nodding towards the screen.
Both brothers listened intently to the man's recount of the last days before his best friend's disappearance. By the end of the footage they'd shot, they had listened to several friends, family members and co-workers recount the same tale.
"Maybe the dreams are somehow connected to the disappearances. What kinds of creatures inhabit dreams?" Dean asked, returning to his meal.
When Sam didn't answer, Dean looked up to find his brother staring at him.
"What?"
"Maybe we should leave here. Something feels wrong about this case."
"Sammy, are you having another premonition?" Dean asked, trying to mask his concern.
"No Dean," Sam shook his head, "but you were having dreams before we got here. Maybe something is trying to lure us here. Maybe that something is after you."
"Sammy," Dean said, pushing aside the rest of his food, "don't be ridiculous. We don't even know what these men dreamed or that it is connected."
"What did you dream?" Sam asked solemnly.
Dean hesitated. He remembered chastising Sam for holding back on his visions. If Sam were right, he'd need all the facts so they could fight this thing together. Dean licked his lips and let out a long breath before leaving his chair and walking to the window.
"Dean," Sam said a little worried, "whatever it is, just tell me...please."
"Okay....um...I've been having this dream about being tied up in a strange room."
Sam nodded event though his brother's back was to him and waited for Dean to finish.
"There's this creature and it's...it's touching me and I think...I think it's trying to have sex with me," Dean finished.
"A succubus. That makes sense. Most cultures have a version of a lewd demon or demon lover that visits in our sleep."
Sam quickly accessed the internet to get more information on the topic.
"Um...Sam?"
"Yeah Dean," Sam answered absently.
"I don't think the thing was a woman."
Dean heard Sam's finger's stop typing.
"Oh," was his brother's only reply.
Dean didn't dare turn around and risk meeting the curious gaze of his brother.
"An incubus then," Sam finally said, breaking the silence. "That makes sense."
"How does that make sense?" Dean said, whirling around to face his brother.
Sam continued to stare at the screen. He wasn't sure Dean was ready to hear what he was about to say.
"Incubus and succubus are counterparts," Sam began, trying to sound as analytical as possible. "These demon lover's usually take on a form that is pleasing and appealing to the victim."
"What are you saying Sammy, that I want some guy to tie me up and force me to have sex with him?"
"No...not exactly." Sam knew he was in deep and murky waters. He tried to tread carefully.
"Well what exactly are you saying and will you at least do me the favor of looking at me?"
Sam knew by his tone that Dean was agitated but he couldn't understand why Dean couldn't admit to himself why the creature had taken on male characteristics.
"I've never in my life desired a man to tie me up and abuse me," Dean practically shouted.
"Then how do you explain Shane?" Sam shouted back.
"Careful Sammy, you're starting to sound like a jealous lover."
"Maybe..."
Sam's words were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Sam immediately reached in his duffel and drew out one of his pistols loaded with rock salt. Dean being closest to the door walked over to it looked through the peephole.
"Son of a bitch, you're not gonna believe who's outside."