"Offerings And Takings" by: Tidia

Beta: GirlSix

They were heading to Roane County in the mountains around Spencer, West Virginia. The area was purported to be inhabited by a strange beast. Hunters had started the story; it was revived twenty years later with limited evidence, but it did keep people away from the area. It was a perfect place for a coven to be secretly located.

Dean notched the volume of Metallica up to drown out his worries. Joshua was uncommunicative, which suited him. There was not much to say except they had to help Caleb. Joshua was studying his journal. Dean glanced over, saw the neat script and the stiff pieces of paper carefully clipped and taped in; he wasn't exactly surprised at the crispness of it.

Without glancing up, Joshua reached across and lowered the volume.

"Driver picks the music—" Dean started.

"Passenger lowers the volume," Joshua interjected. "I'm trying to do some work."

Dean twisted the knob so the radio was completely off. "The work doesn't start until we get there. That's when I expect you to turn on your charm and get the potion for Caleb."

Joshua looked away from his journal. "Being a Guardian and ordering people about seems to come easy to you."

When Pastor Jim was The Guardian, he didn't seem to give orders. Everyone knew what was expected. Dean didn't know what kind of Guardian he'd make, if any, but Joshua didn't know about his deadline. It was going to stay that way. "I guess it does."

"The coven won't appreciate your sense of humor." Joshua returned his focus to his journal and flipped the page.

"You mean they're like you."

Sawyer slammed the book shut. "You need to show some respect for the craft."

Dean snorted in disgust at Joshua's reverence. "I have a lot of respect for something that is killing my best friend."

"That wasn't the original intent." Joshua fidgeted in the passenger seat, the leather squeaking. "I repeat: crafting is ancient, originally from alchemy. It is better defined as transfiguring—changing the composition of one thing to another using natural ingredients. So Agatha's coven will be familiar with the elements she used and their counteragents. I suggest not using the term 'black magic' around them."

"They'll give us the cure," Dean stated. If they didn't do it willingly, he would force them. Bloodshed was not beyond him at this point.

"I really hate repeating myself. They have agreed to talk to us, negotiate."

"And you have a manual on Negotiating Tactics 101 for Witches? I do, too: Smith and Wesson." Dean didn't catch what Joshua muttered under his breath, but then a thought occurred to him. "You're jealous because you're usually the go-to guy when magic is involved, but this time someone is smarter than you."

"You really can be an ass," Joshua said, rubbing a hand across his forehead. "Do you know anything about my family?"

Dean ignored the insult. He had been called worse by better men than Sawyer. He could also verbally retaliate. "Your mom and Mac are going at it, your father's a dick, and your grandmother is feisty. I like feisty."

"My grandmother, before marrying my grandfather, was part of the coven Agatha Hennings once led."

"Awkward." Dean liked Jocelyn, wondered how she could be cool and her grandson such an idiot. He hoped there would be no repercussions to her for their actions.

"Yes." Joshua placed his hand on his journal. "They were her family."

"They won't go after her, will they?"

"No, they would never consider her a threat now."

Relieved, Dean resumed his teasing. "So you're expecting some big welcome home party? Maybe a little BBQ? I bet they have a kick ass secret sauce."

"She was shunned, especially when she refused to spy for them." Joshua turned to look pensively through the passenger window.

"Your grandmother went rogue." Dean shrugged. "Maybe they've gotten over it."

"She was excommunicated. It meant she was not supposed to pass down her teachings," Sawyer explained in a clipped tone.

"Why's that?"

"A coven is powerful because they work together. They can't have one person with their own personal agenda." Joshua turned to look at Dean. "I think you know what happens when someone becomes obsessed."

Dean's anger flared. Joshua knew what buttons to push. "Spare me the innuendo, Josh. We got the Yellow-Eyed Demon."

"Sometimes it isn't just about you and your family. That wasn't my original insinuation. However, maybe that's your guilty conscience talking. You and yours did release two hundred spirits from Hell, adding strain to The Brotherhood."

Dean's first inclination was to hit Joshua; his second was to push his foot further into the gas pedal. The sooner they got to Spencer, the better. "Did you have plans to retire?" Dean questioned Joshua's loyalty. He had a cushy life away from The Brotherhood. "Think of Sam and me as visionaries. We didn't want hunters sitting on their asses behind a desk at their normal jobs when they should be in the field helping the cause."

"Do not question my sense of duty." Sawyer's voice shook. "I am your best chance at helping Caleb. I am a member of The Brotherhood and supposed Advisor of The Triad. I'll do my duty. I always have."

"And when you, Ian and Fisher beat up Caleb? That was part of your duty?" Dean remembered everything from when he was a child—especially when it involved injury of someone he cared about.

Joshua slapped his journal against his thigh. "It always comes back to that one moment. I have done my penance for that act repeatedly."

"You really think so?" Dean seethed. "I remember going to the hospital, seeing you with your head down, then seeing Caleb in that hospital bed." Dean gripped the steering wheel. "I wished it was you in that bed instead of him." Dean never forgot when he made a connection with Caleb, one of the only people in the world he had ever let himself count on. Their mothers had died horrific deaths. Dean kept the link sacred. It didn't matter if he didn't have any friends his age; he had Caleb to turn to. But that incident had been a stark reminder of the frailty of life and love, meaning he had to be willing to protect all those around him.

"I wish it had been me, too."

"It wasn't, and in my book your so-called penance has been one step forward two steps back. You never told Jim that your father was involved with kidnapping either." Dean referred to the revelation in Wyoming. Joshua knew Harland had been involved, plotted against Pastor Jim. It was treason against The Brotherhood when Joshua purported loyalty.

"I didn't want to believe my father could be treacherous. I think you can understand not wanting to reveal your father's flaws." Joshua paused. "I chose you over my own father in Wyoming. You need to trust me and my abilities."

Dean placed his hand over his mouth. Joshua had gone too far in bringing up John. His father was a hero, unlike Harland. His father had faults, but they were tempered and not by a slick veneer. "Trust? More like tolerate, especially when you start poking me with a stick expecting me not to take that stick and ram it down your throat."

There was no immediate retort from Sawyer, only harsh breathing from both of them as their emotions spiraled.

"Perhaps it would be better for me to do this on my own. Trust is a two way street."

It was an unacceptable answer to Dean. Caleb was his responsibility. "I saved your life, Sawyer."

"And I have saved yours without as much as a 'thank you'." Joshua pointed to himself, hitting his chest. "But still I did my duty. Can you say the same?"

Dean performed his duty as brother first. The Brotherhood came second. "I do what I need to do, and at least I am not afraid of the consequences." Dean knew they had crossed into hurtful ground of vindictiveness. It was a lucky thing his phone rang.

"Sam, Mac get there yet?" He gave his full attention to the phone call, ignoring the other occupant of the car. "I'm fine. Josh is okay. Yes, Sam, he's breathing. Yes, through his nose." Dean sighed in frustration over his brother's concern for Joshua. There was no need to worry about the older hunter. He didn't need a defender. "Mac wants to speak to Josh? One second." Dean passed the phone to Sawyer. "Here, your step-dad wants to talk to you."

Joshua was looking down at his journal. Dean hit Joshua on the shoulder with the phone. Sawyer stared at the phone for a second before taking the phone call. "Mackland? The binding will hold for a few hours. He's in no danger." Joshua nodded. "Sleep will slow the spell." There was a pause. "I did speak to her and she said she was safe. She made the arrangements. Hold on." He turned to Dean. "Do you have anything further to say?"

Dean shook his head.

"We'll report back," Joshua stated into the phone, closed it, and handed it back to Dean. "You are The Guardian-elect, and I suppose we should consider that we need a decent working relationship. I think we need a détente."

Dean recognized the olive branch. He returned the phone to his pocket, mulling over the suggestion. "Are you saying that as Advisor-elect?"

"Yes, I am."

"Fine, but the volume on the music goes back up unless you give me a good reason why it shouldn't — in the spirit of détente and all." Dean's hand hovered in front of the knob.

Joshua flipped through his journal and spread it open to show the drawing over two pages. "This is a depiction of my maternal family tree. For our benefit I need to familiarize myself with it by the time we get to Spencer."

Dean didn't question Joshua further. There was more to this than he was going to understand in a car ride. What he did know was that somehow the fact he was related to the coven was important and could be used to their benefit. He had to trust Sawyer on this point. "You can make it a sing-a-long to Hotel California or make a rhyme out of it. Use the first letter of each name. Got me through the Revolutionary War. I know some limericks that may help." Dean recalled Caleb helping him to memorize certain facts in the fourth grade. He had been struggling, and Caleb along with his father, had become inventive, although John had disapproved of some of Caleb's little ditties.

Joshua shook his head. "Somehow I think they wouldn't be appropriate."

"Who mentioned appropriate?" Dean grinned, trying to remember the one about certain parts of a woman's anatomy. "And Josh?"

"Yes?"

"This peace agreement is temporary."

"Agreed. This is taking a lot out of me." Joshua sighed.

"Yeah. Thinking before you talk must be difficult for you." Dean smiled as he kept his eyes on the road and got in the last word.

----------------------------------------

The quarrel with Dean was inevitable. They both had divergent concerns—Dean for Caleb and Joshua for his mother— not that he was shirking his duty towards Reaves. However, he felt his mother was in harm's way, and if the attitude toward him was any sign, she would not be defended. He would have to make sure she remained safe.

Joshua was happy to suggest a peaceful stalemate, especially after Dean's comments. He would always have the stain of being Harland's son, never to be fully trusted, and his actions would never be sufficient to prove his loyalty.

They were pulling up to Spencer with Joshua still memorizing the important names of the coven. Somehow he found himself humming along to the tune in the car, discovering the names did rhyme if placed in a certain order. It was the only preparation he could think of. The rest would be based on his wits and the variable of having Dean with him.

"Showtime," Dean stated.

He closed his book, slipping it into his bag. He carried minimal weapons though Dean carried an arsenal. Weapons in this case would not be useful, only providing Dean with a semblance of protection. Joshua tugged at the drawstrings of his sweatshirt. He had changed at the rest stop under protest from Dean that he was wasting time. He needed his clothing to be more functional: a black fleece hooded sweatshirt, a t-shirt, cargo pants and hiking books. The sports jacket and slacks were packed away.

"According to the map I looked at while you were putting your makeup on, there's a trail that leads to a clearing. Does that sound right?"

Joshua recalled his mother's direction. "Yes, there should be a well-marked trail."

They stepped out of the car, turning on their flashlights to catch the signage of the start of trail. Dean took the lead of the hike since neither of them knew the area, so it didn't exactly matter unless they got lost. Dean set a quick pace for the unfamiliar terrain.

Joshua looked around at the ominous trees in the darkness. He stopped, calling out to Dean, "Don't you feel it?" He shivered.

"What?" Dean turned around but held his few steps ahead.

"We're walking into a trap." Joshua crouched down, taking out a blade from his pack and digging into the earth.

"Tell me something I don't know," Dean replied, taking a few steps closer to Joshua. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to protect us." Joshua thought about linking them to the earth, providing at least a moment of time. He cut the top of his finger, dropping some blood into the small pile of dirt he had made. He pulled one of the branches of green wood, lit it and then blew on it to cause its embers to burn quick. "If something happens, run for it."

"And you'll what? Hold them off?" Dean snorted. "Like I'm a lightweight? Dude, I can take care of myself."

The elder hunter took his blade, placing the dirt mixture on the blade and handed it to Dean. "Not amongst a coven. Rub your hands with this."

Dean narrowed his eyes but surprisingly did not further question Joshua, who also rubbed his hands liberally.

They made it to the clearing, Dean holding his arm out to stop Joshua from going forward. "They already know we're here. Why don't we wait for them to show themselves?"

"Because we are the invited guests," Joshua stated, waiting for Dean to drop his hand. When he did, they walked into the clearing with both Dean and his gun at the ready.

"Now what?" Dean asked as they got to the center, using their flashlights to see into the dark inkiness.

Then one light which looked more like a firefly led to another light until they were surrounded in a circle by small lights. The lights got closer as people carrying candles came forward, limiting their escape.

"Stop. Back up." Dean pointed his gun straight ahead.

Joshua followed suit, back to back with Dean, covering the other side. Out in the open, there was a feeling of claustrophobia.

A woman stepped forward; she was wearing a long sweater that fluttered around her, a belt loosely tied around her waist. "It is just a warm welcome."

"Lady, this isn't friendly," Dean answered, his weapon at the ready.

She put her hands up. "I'll rectify that. I'm Nadine, I'm—" She took one hand and extended it to Joshua.

"Tilman's youngest daughter. I know who you are." He didn't accept the handshake.

"Cousin." She nodded.

"Twice removed," he retorted.

"Not related at all. Have to agree with him." Dean gestured with his head.

"You're Joshua Sawyer," Nadine prompted.

"This is Dean Winchester," Joshua finished the introductions.

"The future Guardian of The Brotherhood." Nadine bowed.

Joshua grimaced, recognizing his mistake. He should have never revealed Dean.

"That has no bearing, Nadine. This was arranged in good faith," a familiar female voice interjected.

Joshua narrowed his eyes and dropped his arm when he saw the woman walking towards them. "Mother?"

"Hello, Joshua." She smiled. "Dean."

"Mother?" he repeated in disbelief. She had promised she was staying safe. This was not his definition of a safe situation.

"I got here a little early, hoping to come to some sort of terms before you got here. However, they insisted we wait."

"Are you okay?"

"She's fine. Although, Esme, I do not believe you are acting in good faith. Guns smack of brute force. It does not make us feel very generous." Nadine crossed her arms.

Esme sighed. "Boys, can you please put your weapons away?" She looked at Joshua. "Please?"

Joshua tried never to deny his mother's requests, if only to make up for her marriage to Harland. He knew his father had repeatedly cheated on his mother. He never understood it. This, however, was not his decision. He had to allow Dean as The Guardian-elect to make the decision in regards to his safety. If it came down to it, he would sacrifice himself for his mother but could not ask Dean to do the same.

"Fine. We'll put them away, but we better be walking out with Caleb's cure." Dean tucked the gun in the back of his jeans. Joshua did the same. It was better for easy access.

"I think we should speak about the antidote," Esme stated as she raised her arms and threw something in the air. As the particles fell, she brought her wand up. They burned bright, forming a circle around them until landing in the grass and glowing a bright yellow. "No one leaves until we have an agreement."

"How come you never do that?" Dean commented. "I like her style."

"Light shows cost extra." Joshua limited using his knowledge around the members of The Brotherhood. It had always been frowned upon by his father. Esme had created a barrier that would cause discomfort if crossed, but it did provide the necessary level of seriousness.

Nadine gave a twisted smile. "Such a lack of trust. However, we are willing to forgive Jocelyn for her past acts, no longer call you abominations."

"Oh, goody. It was weighing on me," Joshua replied, looking at his mother. He hadn't realized they were called abominations; it was graver than being shunned.

"That's not what we're here for. Your witch did something to my friend. I want you to fix it," Dean stated.

"We kindly granted this meeting because of the past connection with Jocelyn. It is a monumental step in the right direction." She lifted a hand to silence Dean. "As for your friend, Agatha cast that spell without the permission of the coven. This is not something we wish to get involved with at this time."

"At this time?!" Dean yelled. "That's the wrong answer!" His hand moved towards his weapon.

Esme interrupted, placing a hand on Dean's arm. "She was the representative you sent to the meeting. You had to have some idea she was planning something. Even working with Griffin Porter."

"Accusations, cousin?"

"A possibility," Esme retorted.

Joshua noticed Dean seemed to calm down. He didn't shake off Esme's hand. "I get it. You think he's going to be the winning side? Think again."

Nadine cocked her head to one side, smiling. "We are autonomous. For us, there is no winning side, so to speak."

"That isn't the same as neutral," Joshua added. He didn't know about the summit, but both sides were vying for the help of the witches. It put them in an enviable position, giving them more power where once they were hunted.

Dean seemed to understand. He wasn't going to entertain Nadine any longer. "Then you just need to answer one question: do you have the antidote?"

"Yes." Nadine nodded.

"What do you want in return?" Joshua asked because they were down to the basics instead of the subterfuge.

"Your oath to the coven," Nadine said directly to Joshua.

"No," Esme stated, and this time it was Dean who put a hand on her arm.

"My oath is to The Brotherhood," Joshua explained as his stomach knotted. They had truly walked into a trap.

"We understand. Those, however, are the terms. We will allow you to serve both." Nadine gestured to Dean with an open palm.

"I will swear an oath."

"Mother." Pride welled in his chest at his mother's willing sacrifice, so unlike what his father's reaction would be if the situation was reversed.

"Esme, cousin, it's not enough — although required." Nadine scuffed her foot in the grass, kicking up some dirt which fed the burning circle, causing it to flame up a purple color.

"Was this part of the plan?" Joshua asked, trying to deduce how it had all worked against his mother and himself.

"No, it was an opportunity. Agatha acted alone in her deal with Griffin. Her failure and your need, however. . . it was an opportunity. You may find it reassuring; we've changed for the better. But ask your grandmother. She will tell you the good stories of her family."

"Was that before or after you asked her to spy on her husband? That sounds like some fun times." Dean's hands were fisted by his side.

"As I have explained, we have changed. No need for you to worry that secrets will fall into the wrong hands."

"Oh, I'll worry because I don't trust you," Dean retorted with a growl. "And when I worry, well . . . Then you have a cause to worry, too."

"It is not your trust we seek." Nadine turned her head. "Joshua, your answer?"

This was the only way to save Caleb. He couldn't break down the compound now and still piece together a solution since too much time had been lost. He looked up and closed his eyes. He had separated from his father, no longer walking the line between his parents. Finally, he was fully committed to one side, and now this, pulling him in two different directions again. He tried to keep the defeat out of his voice as he demanded, "This will not bind my children. When I die, so does the obligation."

"Unless your children come to us willingly," Nadine answered.

"Agreed."

Nadine pointed to the yellow circle. "Esme, can you remove the barrier please? Robert needs to enter the circle to complete your initiation into the coven."

Dean put his arm out to stop Esme. "And once that is done, you will give us what we want?"

"Yes."

Dean dropped his arm, allowing Esme go into her satchel and pull out some other herbs. She sprinkled them over a one foot section; the yellow circle flickered and died out. The occupants of the circle spaced out a little more, Joshua, too, finding it a bit confining.

"Thank you," a man said as he came forward with a bow to Esme.

"You stay away from her," Dean said, coming to stand next to Esme.

Joshua would have been amused, Dean protecting Esme from another man. However, his smirk was short lived as Robert blew on the candle he was holding to excite the flame, then drew out a small dagger over it. "Are you willing to carry the mark?" he asked.

"Don't touch her." Joshua stepped to the side so he was between Robert and his mother. "She's already agreed. I'll carry it for both of us."

Robert looked over at Nadine.

"Whoa — what's with the branding?" Dean called out.

Nadine pointed the silver rings. "They are like your bands, worn to show honor and loyalty."

"But this isn't painful." Dean lifted his hand, muttering under his breath enough for only Joshua to hear, "So to speak."

"And neither is this." Nadine pulled up her sleeve to show the mark on her forearm. "I promise, there is no pain, and it will be allowed that Joshua can carry the mark, unless Esme changes her mind."

"She won't," Joshua answered. Robert came forward with the blade, emitting a blue light. "Wait, here." Sawyer lifted his sweatshirt and t-shirt exposing an area high on his rib cage.

"Hidden?" Robert frowned.

"Yes." Joshua swallowed, seeing the lifted pattern that was on the side of the dagger about one inch in size.

"Very well." Robert placed the blade against the spot indicated.

It didn't hurt, more of a cooling sensation. After a minute Robert lifted the blade and revealed the black puckered spot. Adorning his otherwise scarless skin was a pentagram with five dots surrounded by a circle. Each coven had its own symbol, like a flag. He studied it for a moment before feeling his mother's hands over his, pulling down the shirt. She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"It's fine," he whispered.

"You got what you wanted. Where's what we wanted?" Dean stated. The gun was in his hand now, resting at his side but still at the ready. Joshua appreciated the act and the concern it showed, but also knew this was more about Caleb and his cure.

Nadine pulled a vile from her pocket and handed it to Joshua, who shined his flashlight on it. This red liquid had cost him some semblance of freedom. It had better be the real deal. He wasn't leaving until he was positive it was. "No directions on what we do with this?"

"Come now, I know you're intelligent. You understand the principal," Nadine stated with a smile.

Joshua frowned. He was familiar with the concept but found it distasteful.

"Are we free to leave?" Esme asked. "You've wasted enough time for your games, Nadine."

"Yes, Robert will escort you. There is a quicker way back to your car. And cousin, you will find your car returned to your home. No need to worry. We take care of our own."