To The Victor Go The Spoils

By: Ridley C. James

Beta: Tidia

Disclaimer: Nothing Supernatural belongs to me.

Timeline: Pre Season Three; Follows directly after the story Temporary Remedy. I suggest reading that one as well as the Prologue to this Paper Tiger.
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Chapter 5/11

“Sonofabitch!” Caleb Reaves threw his duffel bag into the trunk of the Impala. “I’m so fucking pissed!” He slammed the lid.

“You don’t say.” Dean scratched his head, leaned on the car. Caleb had been building steam since they left the Boonedocks last night. He wasn’t sure his friend had calmed down enough to sleep for a few hours. “Would you mind not taking it out on my baby?”

Caleb glared at him. “They lied to us. All of them! Fucking liars.”

“They didn’t actually lie,” Sam pointed out, sliding his laptop and bag into the backseat. “They avoided telling us things. Traditional Triads are…”

“Don’t talk to me about traditions!” Caleb interrupted, his fiery gaze going to the youngest Winchester. “They lied, Sam! What happened to all the steam you had at Mac’s apartment? All your piss and vinegar theatrics about how unfair our lives were?”

“What happened to all your ready explanations and justifications for their behavior?”

“I’ll tell you who lied,” Dean interrupted the argument. He rubbed his neck, stretched. “Kathleen. She said this was a nice motel. The bed was like a pile of bricks. I think she was more worried about her new lamps than our comfort.” Boone Adams had offered them a room at his house for the night, but his girlfriend of twenty years had been quick to suggest The Knotty Pine as an alternative. Dean caught the slightly panicked look on her pretty face. He hadn’t missed the hissed exclamation about her ‘new lamps’ being in grave danger. He bet Mackland and Bobby slept a whole lot better in their guestrooms. “More evidence to never trust a beautiful woman.”

“Never trust anyone!” Caleb countered indignantly, a deep scowl still etched on his face. “From now on, it’s just you two.” He pointed a finger at Dean and Sam. “We can only count on each other.”

Dean ignored the guilty look his brother shot him. He knew exactly what Sam was thinking. He exhaled heavily. It was going to be a long ride to Wyoming. “Dude, let it go.”

“What is it with you and this ‘let it go’ attitude, Deuce? It sucks. You can’t tell me it doesn’t eat at you that Jim, Mac, and John worked with these second-stringers. They trained with them. They stayed at the farm, probably in our rooms. Hell, maybe ‘their’ rooms when we weren’t there. My Dad is not only playing house with Esme Madrigal, but living some double life with Gideon Lane’s perfect family.”

“At least you knew more than me and Sammy growing up,” Dean snapped, his own irritation escalating. He understood Caleb’s frustration. But if having a limited future had taught Dean anything- it was that there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot a man could do about the past. He didn’t have time to be angry at the people he loved. “You knew what was going to be expected of you.”

“Please,” Caleb scoffed. “They only made it seem I was being involved more, telling me bits and pieces. The Knight needed to be worldly to protect The Scholar and The Guardian, they said. Worldly, my ass. The more I think about it, the more convoluted it becomes.” Caleb paced away from them, whirled to face Dean once more. “What I’d give for five minutes…just five fucking minutes alone with Johnny right about now.”

Dean nodded sharply. “Join the club.” His reasons for wanting to see his father were completely different than Caleb’s. “I’d give just about anything.”

His declaration sucked the wind out of Caleb’s sails. The older man ran his hands through his hair, dragged one down his face. “Shit, Deuce. I’m sorry.” He cut his eyes to Sam. “I just don’t know how many more twists and turns I can take on this fucked-up rollercoaster.”

Dean’s mouth twitched. “Payback for putting me on that bitch of a ride in Vegas.”

“Right.” Caleb laughed, but it sounded hollow. He put his hands on his hips, glanced towards a small brick restaurant across the road. “How about I treat for breakfast? The motel clerk said the food was good, and it’s no telling how long it will take Joshua to fix his freakin’ hair.”

Dean looked to his brother. “A guilty Caleb is a vulnerable Caleb. What do you say we have steak and eggs?”

Sam shrugged. “We’re going to have to drive through the night anyway. Might as well have one last sit down meal.” He jutted his chin towards Joshua’s door. “Should we call Josh and tell him we’re going to eat?”

“Are you kidding?” Dean snorted. “And have Two-Face think he’s invited? I don’t think so.” Dean was not happy about how chummy Joshua was with Griffin, not to mention the fact he spent most of the evening chatting it up at Boone’s bar with his good buddies, Ethan, Elijah and Gideon.

The diner was crowded, always a good sign in Dean’s opinion. He spotted an empty table in the back, then stopped as he recognized the three men occupying space at the one beside it. “Wonderful.” They couldn’t exactly turn around and leave. The trio had already spotted them. He looked to Caleb and Sam.

Caleb groaned. “Really?” He shot a quick glance heavenward, then met Dean’s gaze. “Somebody hates us, Deuce.”

“It could be worse,” Dean muttered as he continued to the table.

“Griffin could be here,” Sam finished his brother’s train of thought.

“Don’t jinx us, Sammy,” Caleb said, giving the younger man a small shove forward.

“Gentlemen.” Gideon lifted his coffee mug in greeting.

“Kathleen piled you boys off to the roach-inn too, I see.” Ethan flashed a good-natured smile. “Good to know her and Boone really are remaining neutral.”

“Don’t get too cocky, Mathews.” Dean returned the grin, which was more of a smirk. “I think she was more concerned we’d drop all these fake pleasantries and get to know one another like real men.”

“She thought we’d shoot hoops?” Ethan quipped, taking a long drink of chocolate milk. “Any time. Any place. I’ll warn you though, I have a sweet hook shot.”

Caleb folded his arms over his chest. “I think Deuce was referring to us kicking your asses.”

“Caleb.” Sam motioned to the chair furthest away from the alternate Triad’s table. “The nice lady is waiting for us to sit down so she can do her job.”

Dean glanced over his shoulder. A gray haired woman in an overly bright pink shirt proclaiming her to be Teresa was standing behind them, impatiently tapping grease-stained menus on the palm of her hand. “You boys ready to order or should I take a smoke break and come back when you’ve finished your schoolyard antics?”

“Damien?” Dean looked at Caleb and shrugged. “We can always kick their asses later.”

“Right.” Caleb smiled at Ethan. “I’m starving.”

Sam pushed his brother towards a seat, then claimed one for himself as Teresa pulled silverware and straws from her apron. “Let’s just eat and get out of here,” he suggested to the two hunters across from him. “Okay?”

“You must be the brains of the bunch,” Teresa said in her gravelly voice. She slid a pen from behind her ear, touching the tip to her tongue before putting it to her small pad of paper. “Now what can I get for you, handsome?”

“Steak and eggs with coffee,” Sam said quickly, handing her the menu.

“I’ll have the same.” Dean shot his brother a ‘are you happy’ look as he politely returned the menu with a charming smile. “And do you have any pie?”

“Had some apple left over from last night, but pretty boy over there just ordered the last piece.”

Ethan gestured to the untouched pie plate in front of him. “Hey, you can have it if you want, Dean. Consider it a peace offering.”

Dean looked at Caleb. “Why did the image of small pocked infested blankets and the Trojan Horse just pop into my mind?”

“Probably because you’re jaded, cynical and a hell of a good judge of character, Deuce.” Caleb gave his menu to the waitress. “Pancakes with sausage and eggs, sweetheart.” He glanced at their neighboring table. “And could you maybe rush their check along? It looks like they’re nearly finished.”

“You’re not enjoying our company?” Gideon asked politely, slowly sipping his coffee. “That’s too bad considering the amount of time we’re going to be spending together.”

Teresa took Caleb’s menu and tucked her pen behind her ear once more. “Boys,” she muttered as she moved to the counter to place their orders.

“We don’t usually seek out other people’s company,” Caleb replied. “This is completely out of our hands.”

“Like an arranged marriage,” Elijah said. Dean almost felt bad for him as they all stared at him. “You know, two patriarchs come together and arrange a union to the benefit of both parties mutually and…”

Ethan held up his hand. “Don’t help us, Eli.” He looked at Caleb. “You’re not the only one who was forced into this job, Reaves. We aren’t exactly in awe of working alongside you three either, but we’ve been more than fair. In case you didn’t know we’ve had to hear about you pretty much forever. It blows.”

Caleb leaned around Dean. “And in case you didn’t know, Mathews, we didn’t know shit about you until a few days ago. It sucks for us, too. Secret understudies we could have done without.”

“Understudies?” Ethan cocked a brow. “Understudies wait in the wings twirling their thumbs; we’ve been front and center stage, put in just as much time as you three.”

“And we didn’t manage to release two-hundred plus demons from the bowels of hell in the process.” Gideon set his cup down. “I’d say that scores one in our favor.”

“So this is a competition?” Dean asked. “You three got something to prove?”

“No.” Elijah broke in. He met Dean’s gaze. “This is not a competition and we are not challenging you three to some sort of contest. Just as Mackland said last night, we’re working together to save The Brotherhood from a possibly terrible fate. The Triad issue is a moot point at this juncture.”

“We’re willing to make concessions for the good of The Brotherhood,” Gideon added. “Is that not a common goal on your part?”

“Are you insinuating we’re not loyal to The Brotherhood?” Caleb asked.

By the tone of Caleb’s voice, Dean realized their somewhat half-serious conversation was edging into dangerous territory. “I think they’re smarter than they look, man.”

“They better be.”

“Or what?” Gideon challenged.

“Guys,” Sam spoke up. “This is exactly what Mac meant about not letting our personal feelings get in the way of this mission. We have to work together to finish the job.”

Dean shook his head. “The only reason they’re working with us, Sammy, is because they can’t finish it on their own.”

“And you wouldn’t even have known where to begin without Griffin’s intelligence,” Gideon replied.

“Griffin and intelligence, now there’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one.”

Sam kicked Caleb under the table. “Caleb.”

“Ow.” The older hunter glared at him. “Cut it out, Sam.”

“You cut it out.”

“All of you cut it out!” Teresa was back with their drinks. “You’re running off my customers with your squabbling. If you want to settle this- go out in the alley with the rest of the garbage.” She roughly set the coffee pot down and banged the three cups in front of the boys. “You construction workers are all the same. Think you can ride in here with your utility belts and take over the whole town while you’re on a job.”

“Construction workers?” Ethan sounded affronted. “I’m a cop, lady.”

Teresa looked doubtful as she turned to Dean. “And let me guess, green eyes, you three are prominent business tycoons?”

“No.” Dean grinned. “I’m a bank robber, wanted for murder in two states.” He jerked his thumb at Caleb. “But my friend here’s a millionaire a couple of times over. He’ll gladly pay for any damages we incur while we’re here.”

“Sure he is, sugar.” Teresa clucked her tongue. “Like I’ve never heard that one before.”

Gideon shook his head in disgust as the waitress moved away to another table. “You three are really mature, aren’t you?”

“What? Not living up to all that you’ve heard?” Caleb asked.

“No. You are exactly what I expected,” Gideon replied.

“What do you mean by that?” Caleb demanded.

Gideon clasped his hands together, leaning on the table so he could meet Reaves’s gaze. “I mean there are clearly valid reasons why so many are skeptical about your role as The Knight.” He lowered his voice. “It’s becoming obvious to me that you have no respect for the position or for the immense responsibility that it brings. And now I see that oddly enough, it could have nothing to do with your DNA. In fact, you’d clearly be wrong for the job even if you weren’t fathered by some demonic half-breed.”

Caleb slid his chair back, instantly on his feet. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”

He moved for Gideon, but Dean stood up, blocking his way. “Damien. Think about this.”

“Move, Deuce. I have thought about it, and I think the ass-whipping time is upon us.”

Sam slowly rose. Elijah did the same as Gideon and Ethan jumped to their feet. “It won’t be as easy as you think, Reaves,” Ethan promised.

Dean rolled his eyes. “Tell me you don’t use that weak line on the streets, Vic Mackey.”

“You boys better take it outside!” Dean groaned as a big man in a grease-splattered apron called out from behind the counter.”I’m going to call the police!”

“That won’t be necessary,” Sam tried.

Dean rolled his eyes at his brother, then caught a glimpse of the other man hurriedly approaching their tables.

Joshua Sawyer moved quickly towards the Mexican standoff in the back of the restaurant. Dean watched the blond hunter flash his most charming smile to the cook. “My associates will be leaving of their own accord, sir. No need to expend any tax dollars on the foolish antics of a bunch of Neanderthals.”

“Great,” Dean muttered. “Mackland’s watch dog is here.”

“Tell me you are not about to do what I think you’re about to do,” Sawyer hissed as he joined the six hunters.

Dean smirked at him. “Fine, Josh. We’ll send you a memo after it’s over. Go wait in the car, like a good little lackey.”

“Must I remind you that Mackland warned you about this type of behavior?” He favored Gideon and Ethan with a look. “Frankly, I’m surprised at the two of you.”

“They started it,” Ethan defended.

“Us?” Caleb snapped. “I think your buddy Lane tossed the gauntlet...”

“Actually, it was a mutual misunderstanding…” Elijah started.

Ethan glared at him. “Don’t help us, Eli.”

“Enough.” Joshua pulled out his cell phone, brandishing it like a weapon. “One more word from any of you and I’m calling The Scholar. He will undoubtedly be highly displeased that six of the most prominent figures in our organization cannot even sustain civility with one another during a meal. Have you no cognizance of fake pleasantries?”

Ethan pointed to Dean. “I offered him my pie.”

“I’ll tell you exactly what you can do with your pie.”

“Dean!” Joshua snapped. “We’re leaving.”

“The hell we are,” Caleb said. “I haven’t had my breakfast.”

“Get it to go.”

“They can leave just as well as we can.” Dean pointed to Gideon and Ethan.

Ethan crossed his arms over his chest, glared at the oldest Winchester. “We were here first.”

Joshua’s cell phone rang, bringing the altercation to an abrupt halt. The blond hunter gave a smug little smile before glancing down at the screen. When he looked back up, Dean knew it wasn’t Mackland calling as Sawyer had assumed.

“Who is it?”

Joshua licked his lips. “Ian Hastings.”

“I’ll be damned.” Dean jutted his chin towards the cell. “Answer it.”

All six men sat back down. Joshua claimed the empty chair beside Sam, taking the call. “Ian.”

Joshua met Dean’s gaze as he listened to the man on the other line. “As a matter of fact, I’m having breakfast with Dean as we speak. If you’re close by you should join us.”

Joshua flicked his gaze to the other table. “Yes, they’re here, too. Everyone’s getting on fabulously. We have you to thank for that. A common enemy will bring out the best in people.”

“Josh,” Caleb growled.

“I hear you’ve made some new friends of your own from way down south?” Joshua raised a brow at Caleb. “And all this time you insulted me for the sorted company I kept when working with Reaves.” There was a pause. “Meg, is it?”

Sam and Dean exchanged looks at the familiar name. “Sonofabitch.” Dean gestured for the phone, but Joshua frowned at him, moving out of his reach.

“New body, new name? That’s understandable. So, what should I call you then, demonic force previously known as Meg?” Joshua strummed his fingers on the table. “Rose? How charming.”

“Yes, I’ll be glad to relay that message. Yes, flaying of skin, crushing of bones, etcetera, etcetera. I think I’ve got it all. And I look forward to meeting you, too. Goodbye.”

“What the hell?” Dean demanded. “You’re taking personal calls from demons now?”

“You’d rather I hang up.”

“What did Ian say?” Gideon asked.

“He wanted to inform us that the weather was nice in Wyoming.” Joshua cut his gaze to Dean. “He was also thanking us in advance for delivering the ‘Key’ to him and his new partner. They look forward to doing business with The Guardian.”

“Meg.” Dean nodded.

“Rose as she’s now calling herself.” Sawyer shifted his eyes to Caleb. “She asked that I tell you she’s looking forward to the family reunion.”

“They know about Dean’s connection.” Caleb ignored the insinuation, turning his heated gaze on Ethan. “Two guesses who relayed that information to Hastings.”

“Griffin didn’t know he was a traitor.”

“It doesn’t matter. He still placed Dean in danger.”

Joshua glanced to Sam. “I’ll spare you the sentiment Rose asked I relay to you.”

“Wasn’t she like your girlfriend or something?” Ethan asked.

“No!” Sam replied quickly. “I barely knew her.”

“She’s the demon who killed Pastor Jim?” Elijah asked.

“Yes.” Caleb nodded. “And he was only the beginning.”

Dean glanced at his friend, knew he was thinking of Moose and the man’s family. Meg/Rose had murdered them all, not to mention attacking both Byrd and Missouri just to lure Caleb away during Yellow Eye’s big demon showdown. “She won’t walk away this time.”

“What’s up with Ian showing us his hand?” Ethan looked around the table. “He doesn’t do much without a reason.”

“Bastard’s rattling the cage,” Caleb said. “It’s more fun for him this way.”

Gideon frowned. “You act like this is merely a game to him.”

Reaves shook his head. “If you think it’s not, then you don’t know Ian very well. He’s doesn’t have a higher purpose other than causing people pain.”

“He was loyal to The Brotherhood for a long time, wore a ring…”

“You’re kidding. Right?” Dean favored Gideon with an incredulous look. "I" an has always been, will always be, a bad guy.”

Gideon leaned back in his chair, folded his arms over his chest. “He’s said the same of you.”

“Fuck this shit.” Caleb stood up. “We don’t have to defend ourselves to you, especially against someone like Ian Hastings. In case you haven’t noticed your buddy Ian is sleeping with the enemy, literally. He will kill you without blinking an eye. But if you think for a minute that I’m going to let him keep breathing then you’re sorely mistaken.”

“We are in this job together, Caleb,” Joshua pointed out. “Your father…”

“My father’s not here!” Caleb snapped. “That means under protocol I’m in charge on a hunt and my number one priority is to protect The Guardian. If you stand in the way of that, any of you, I’ll consider it treason, mutiny, and will have no problem running you through.” He tossed a handful of cash on the table. “Ring or no ring.”

Joshua leaned on the table, pinning Dean with his ice blue gaze. “You’re going to have to do something with him.”

“Don’t worry, Josh.” Dean stood, nodding for Sam to follow him. “I won’t let him kill anybody until we have the weapons.”

Caleb slammed the door of the restaurant open. “Damn it!” he swore as they exited the early morning sunshine.

Dean hurried to keep up. His friend had his fisted hand pressed against his forehead. “Don’t sweat it, Dude. When this is over…”

“No…” Caleb blinked, breathing hard through his nose. “My head…”

Dean glanced over his shoulder. “Sam?”

“Vision?” Sam caught up with them. Dean bit his lip as he noticed Elijah was close behind.

“Not now, not now,” Caleb repeated over again as he managed a few more steps towards the street before he doubled over, both hands gripping his head.

“Damien?”

“Is he alright?”

Mathews’s concerned tone had Dean’s blood boiling. “He’s peachy; just get the hell away from us. We’ll meet you in Wyoming as planned.”

Elijah hesitated. He glanced towards the restaurant. “Ethan and Gideon are both trained paramedics…our county cross trains police officers and firemen…”

“Leave us alone,” Dean said again, guiding Caleb towards the Impala.

“Sorry.” Sam offered Elijah an apologetic shrug before following his brother. “This isn’t a good time.”

Dean leaned Caleb against the Impala where the psychic promptly slid to the ground. “Goddamnit,” he hissed.

“Hey.” Dean kneeled, squeezed his shoulder. “What’s going on? Caleb?”

Caleb pulled his knees to his chest, resting his head against them. Dean could hear his harsh breathing.

“Dean, maybe we should…”

Caleb pushed back, banging his head against the Impala. “I…can’t…breathe, Deuce. I can’t….”

“Take it easy. If you can talk, you can breathe.” Dean shot a helpless look to Sam. “Break the connection like you did at Mac’s.”

“Dean.” Sam hesitated. “If it’s a vision it may be important.”

Dean grabbed his brother’s arms. “This is like the vision at Mac’s. He’s not going to come out of it on his own. Break the damn connection before he blacks out.”

Sam reached out, wrapped his fingers around Caleb’s wrist. In seconds, Caleb was breathing normal. He blinked a few times. “Thanks, Sammy.”

“Are you okay?” Dean asked.

Caleb turned to him, nodded. “That sucked worse than our breakfast being interrupted by the bizarro freaks.”

“Was it a vision?” Sam released the grip he had on the other psychic.

Caleb shook his head. “I don’t know what the hell it was.” He cut his gaze to Dean. “I do know it doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies about this plan. Last time I had this kind of thing happen…”

“Don’t go there.” Dean shook his head. He was not rehashing this discussion. “This may have nothing to do with me. You could be working yourself up. This happened after Ian made that threat. It might be nothing more.”

Caleb held out his hand, Dean grasped it to pull him up. “Or it could be a Knight thing. We’re not even sure how it all works. You have to be careful. I have to be even more careful.”

Dean frowned, understanding what his friend was saying. Caleb had always been protective; more so now that they had unofficially accepted their positions. “As long as you don’t do anything stupid, like throwing yourself in front of any runaway trains, Damien.” Dean let him go once he was sure Caleb was steady on his feet. “I mean it.”

“Then don’t end up tied to any tracks, Deuce.” Caleb took a deep breath, his color returning to normal. He slapped Dean in the stomach. “I’m going to hit the snack machine in the lobby before we get on the road. Want anything, Runt?”

“No thanks.”

“Suit yourself. Deuce?”

“The usual.”

Caleb nodded. “Who needs steak and eggs when you’ve got M&M’s and Mountain Dew. Breakfast of Champions.”

The brothers watched him disappear into the motel lobby before Dean turned to his gaze to his brother. “Don’t even say it.”

“What? That I think this weird vision thing has something to do with your deal? And that I think you and Mac are way off base on this secret thing?” Sam shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of wasting my breath.”

“Just keep your opinions to yourself, Sammy, and keep an eye on him.”

“And what are you going to be doing? He’s right to be worried about you. Ian wasn’t bluffing.”

“They obviously need me alive. I think I’m safe until we get the weapons.” Dean grinned. “And if Ian wants to end me, he’s going to have to get in line. But I don’t want Damien getting hurt for nothing.”

“Because you’re already dead anyway?” Sam clenched his fists. “How can you think that way?”

“I’m a realist, Sam.”

“You’re a prick, Dean.”

“You want to hitch a ride with the second-string Triad? You and their geek seem to be getting along.”

“Just because I’m not locking horns with Elijah and we’re not pissing on each other’s boots doesn’t mean I like him, Dean.”

“I bet you ten you’ve got his email address and have invited him to be your friend on your ‘My Space’ page before this gig is up.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Shut up, jerk.”

“Truth hurts, bitch.”

Sam cocked a brow. “Yeah. It does, Dean.”

Dean rolled his eyes. “For that underhanded reminder, you’re riding in the back with Josh.”

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“Tell me you two are not going to act like children again.” Elijah pulled his backpack from the hatch of Gideon’s Pathfinder. “You promised you’d drop the baiting conversation, Gideon.”

“Baiting? I do not bait people.”

“You kind of do,” Ethan countered. “It’s like verbal fly fishing.”

Gideon took his pack out and locked the door. “And what is it you were doing?”

Ethan slipped on his sunglasses. “I was deflecting with humor. That’s what I do.”

“You were not helping, is what you were doing,” Elijah reprimanded. He gazed out at the breathtaking scenery spread before them. “I don’t think Reaves or Winchester is the joking type.”

“They’re jerks.”

Elijah looked at his brother. “I’m sure they’re saying the same thing about you.”

“You like them so much, see if you can play on their team.”

“I didn’t say I liked them. I just know there are two sides to every story.”

“What did you make of Reaves’s outburst?” Gideon pressed the alarm button on his key ring, making sure the SUV was secured. “Then the whole ‘incident’ that Eli witnessed.”

Elijah’s brow furrowed. “You told the guy he was not suitable to represent The Brotherhood. From what I understand about him, he’s committed to the cause, takes it to heart.”

Ethan bumped Gideon’s shoulder. “And you called him a demonic half-breed, which even for you was a little over the top. Might as well have tossed some holy water on him and shouted Cristo.”

“I only spoke the truth.” Gideon picked up his gear. “You think he doesn’t realize what he is?”

Elijah sighed. “Baiting. It’s called baiting.”

“What about the psychic blip? You think he got a vision and is holding out on us?”

“It could have been. He appeared to be in pain. From my research, that can be a byproduct of premonitions.”

“Or he could have just been sick of you, G. That’s known to be a byproduct from one of your sanctimonious speeches, too.”

Gideon ignored the dig. “I can just come out and ask him and you could see if he’s lying.”

Ethan shook his head. “You’re forgetting Dean’s iPod.”

“Would it hurt you?” Gideon asked.

Elijah shrugged. “Griffin said I shouldn’t worry considering the feedback is based on the amount of psychic energy expended. I don’t think he was concerned for my welfare.”

“You know, Griffin,” Ethan said. “He always weighs in on the conservative side. Probably didn’t want you to worry.”

Elijah gave his brother a doubtful look. “Yes. I’m sure that’s what he meant.”

Gideon stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So the more powerful the psychic the greater the damage.”

“Exactly.” Elijah checked his water bottles. “From what Joshua said, Ian and Silas used Griffin’s version on Caleb and Sam when they were protecting themselves from an Elemental attack.”

“They probably weren’t aware of the side effects,” Gideon added.

“Weren't informed of the side effects.” Elijah tightened a loose strap on his pack. “Joshua said it was a demonstration of power. They both ended up in the hospital, it was touch and go for awhile.”

“Damn.” Ethan popped his knuckles. “Ian probably planned it-pushed the envelope as usual. You know Silas; he can be a little naïve about some things.”

“Whatever the reason, you can understand why Dean’s concerned. No one likes to feel powerless. And they’ve been sheltered from all of us. It’s got to be hard to accept that fact. If things had gone differently, it could have been us in their situation.”

“Without the demonic connection, however.”

Ethan grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “So, as long as you don’t try any fancy psychic stuff, you should be in the clear?”

“I’ll be fine.” Elijah slid into his pack. “As long as you and your buddy don’t start anymore fights.”

Ethan made the sign of the cross over his heart. “We’ll be good, Eli.”

“As long as they are,” Gideon added.

“Here’s your chance to prove it.” Elijah jutted his chin towards the black car approaching in the distance. “They’re here.”

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Caleb pushed the driver’s side door of the Impala open, then stepped out. “Can I say one more time how much this sucks?”

“If we say no, will it keep you from sharing that well-expressed opinion, yet again?”

Dean removed the keys and glanced over the seat to Joshua. “Just cover your ears and hum, Sawyer. That’s what we do.”

Joshua grabbed his bag and shoved the door open. “If anyone should be complaining, it’s me. Having spent the last twenty four hours in this ancient relic of a vehicle, seen far more of Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska than I ever intended, and learning extremely too much about the inner-sanctum you three share, should earn me some kind of saintly award.”

“Hey.” Dean got out of the car, then stretched. “I tried to convince you to ride with your buddies.”

“They are not my buddies; although I’m sure they at least had the modern conveniences of air conditioning and a CD player.”

Dean laughed. “Probably. They’re driving a foreign job.”

Caleb gestured to Joshua. “At least it’s not a chick car.”

Joshua frowned. “Excuse me if the Mercedes doesn’t exude testosterone from the tailpipe like that behemoth of a truck you inherited.”

“It’s beautiful here,” Sam spoke up as climbed out of the backseat, effectively changing the subject. “The pictures on the web didn’t do it justice.”

Caleb put his hands on his hips, looking around. He took a deep breath of the cool, dry air. The kid had a point. The artist in him couldn’t help the innate urge to capture it. The unique blue of the sky was indescribable, a perfect backdrop for the white limestone of the cliffs and vibrant green of the trees. There was no denying the allure. “Good thing we’re missing the tourist season. I’d hate to navigate this terrain at night.”

“Yep.” Dean popped the trunk. “This time next week, they’ll be a load of people with cameras and fanny packs.”

“Speaking of tourists.” Caleb gestured to the three men coming towards them, all decked out in hiking and climbing gear. “Looks like Dudley Do-Right and his goody-two-shoe brigade raided Camping World on their way here.”

Dean cocked a brow. “Gideon Lane was a Boy Scout wasn't he?”

“Eagle Scout,” Joshua informed them. “All of them.”

“Big deal.” Dean leaned against the car’s bumper. “I was a Wolf Cub.”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “For a day. I had to come pick you up from your one and only meeting because you got into a fight with one of the other kids. The pack leader asked very politely that I not bring you back.”

“I remember.” Dean nodded, a nostalgic smile gracing his face. “You told him where he could put his merit badge.”

Caleb laughed, remembering finding the nine-year-old sequestered away from the other boys, nursing a busted lip. It hadn’t been funny to him at the time. “Nobody puts Deuce in a corner.”

Dean glanced up at his friend. “Thanks for that.”

Caleb returned his gaze to the trio who were almost upon them. “Just doing my job, kiddo.” He pushed away, meeting Gideon head on. “Just like now.”

“Round two.” Sam sighed. “Ding, ding, ding.”

“Is there a problem?” Gideon dropped his pack.

Caleb pointed a finger at him. “I think you and I need to make sure we’re on the same page before we go any further.”

“I think you already made yourself quite clear back at the restaurant.”

The psychic tilted his head, testing his ability to read Gideon. The other hunter’s blocks were strong, but Caleb could bypass them without much effort if it became necessary. “I didn’t want you to mistake my instructions as empty threats flung in the heat of the moment.”

“You mean the part about running us through?” Ethan scratched his head. “Because I was kind of hoping that was just hype.”

“No, I meant that.” Caleb glanced to Ethan, then back to Gideon. “If you do anything that I think isn’t in everyone’s best interest, I’ll have to take measures to ensure safety. It’s what a Knight does.”

Gideon’s frown grew. “That’s merely a much more civilized way of threatening us.”

“Sometimes my human side takes over my mouth.”

Joshua cleared his throat. “I think Caleb is merely asserting the need for us all to be cognizant of each other’s feelings on certain things and...”

Dean rolled his eyes at Sawyer’s PR spin. “Shut up, Dr. Phil,” he interrupted, moving alongside Caleb. “What Caleb’s saying is we want to know what you’re doing, when you’re planning on doing it, and why you’re doing it, all before you do it.”

“Is that an official order from the future Guardian?”

“Do you naturally speak that way, Lane, or are you intentionally trying to bait me?” Dean asked.

Elijah coughed conspicuously and Gideon shot him a baleful look before facing Dean again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound challenging.”

“Sure you didn’t.”

Ethan stepped forward, his hands out in a gesture of truce. “How about we drop all the titles, prefixes, and name-calling and just be average run-of-the-mill hunters for awhile.” He looked at Caleb. “Everyone I’ve talked to agrees on one thing about you, Reaves, you’re a damn good hunter.” He gestured to Sam and Dean. “Your Dad was a legend in the field. You three were trained by the best. I know you don’t know us, but we’re also good at what we do. Look over G’s attitude, ignore Eli’s ambiguous nerdy comments and you might even find us an asset to the team.”

Dean looked at Joshua. “Mackland should have made him the peacekeeper. He speaks our language.”

Sam spoke before Caleb could. “I think he’s right, Caleb. We need to function as a unit, not as opposing forces. If Ian’s out there, the more people to watch our backs the better.”

Caleb glanced at Sam. The kid knew him too well-using ‘John’ speak was sneaky. If he was going to be The Knight, and Caleb really did want to be The Knight, he was going to have to learn to work with other hunters on terms he couldn’t control sometimes. “Do you all have the map?”

“I have it.” Eli held up the document. “The trails have changed over the years, but from what I can tell the place we need is about a mile from here.”

“Do we know what we’re looking for? Any certain landmarks?” Sam asked.

Eli offered him the map. “It’s not really clear on that point. I mean there are no mysterious clues like in Indiana Jones.”

Dean snorted. “Yeah, Riley would have loved that.”

Ethan nodded. “I promised him a copy of that when we’re done.”

“It’s only fair, considering he suffered a concussion and all.”

“Dean.” Sam elbowed his brother.

“Ian improvised on Griffin’s orders,” Ethan defended. “Griffin would never have hurt Riley on purpose.”

Caleb looked at him and something in the other man’s earnest gaze kept him from his first reply. Mackland was right; Jim had gone to great lengths to preserve a father figure for Mathews. He bit his lip, nodded. “Ian’s a lone wolf now. We’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

Dean read over Sam’s shoulder, pointed to a place on the map. “This doesn’t look like it’s too far from where the river turns and feeds into the Sinks.” He lifted his eyes to Elijah. “But didn’t Porter say that the openings were too narrow, jammed with debris and junk?”

“He did. We’re hoping the geologists missed something we won’t.” Elijah pulled a notebook from the side of his pack. “In Daniel’s journal he wrote that The Triad left their mark on the earth. Hunters would know where to look; members of The Brotherhood could enter but only by a Guardian’s will.

“This brings up a point that I still don’t get.” Ethan moved his gaze to Dean. “How do you know if you’re the chosen one? I mean, chosen by whom? No offense, but the new Triad isn’t exactly official yet.”

“I’m guessing the whole ‘promise of death to any imposter’ will pretty much be the deciding factor.” Dean’s mouth twitched as he met Gideon’s gaze. “I’ll let you go first, Boy Scout, seeing as how you’re pretty sure you’re the better choice.”

“This isn’t funny, Deuce.” Caleb growled.

“It’s a little funny.” Dean laughed. “Did you see his face?”

Caleb wanted a real answer to Ethan’s question, one that didn’t send his heart into overdrive and have his head feeling like it was in a vice. He returned his gaze to Mathews. “Are you sure there was nothing in any of the journals…”

“No.” Elijah shook his head. “Wilmington and Tanner were ranchers and hunters, simple plain-spoken men. I think they said what they meant.”

“Death means death,” Dean said, flatly.

“Exactly why you’re not doing anything until I deem it safe?”

Gideon shot Caleb a surprised look. “You don’t believe he’s the next Guardian?”

“I know he is.” Caleb glared at Lane. “But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to let him walk into some trial by fire.”

“Being The Guardian is about one’s willingness to sacrifice for the good of the many, The Brotherhood.”

“Dean has the sacrifice part down,” Sam said.

Caleb frowned at the younger Winchester, didn’t miss the glare Dean shot his brother. “Nobody’s sacrificing themselves on my watch.” He smirked at Gideon. “But if you’re so willing, you’re more than welcome to go first, like Dean suggested.”

“I think he’ll pass on that,” Ethan said. “Your guy is the one who’s expected at the coronation.”

Joshua let out a heavy exhale. “All of this is a moot point if we don’t find the entrance to the tomb and discover whatever it is that The Guardian is supposed to do.”

“For once, I agree with, Josh.” Dean turned, grabbed his duffel, two handguns and a shotgun from the trunk of the Impala. “Little more action, lot less talking.”

“We’re in a state park.” Ethan pointed to the weapons. “You could at least be discreet.”

“You gonna’ arrest me?” Dean passed the guns to Caleb, retrieved two blades and a box of ammunition. “Because I doubt you have jurisdiction here.”

“I’ll let it slide this time.” Ethan grinned. “But when this is over…I might think twice about that reward Henrickson’s offering.”

“I hope you’re joking.” Caleb slid one of the hand guns into the back of his jeans and handed the other to Sam. “Because you remember that whole running you through dialogue…”

“He’s joking,” Elijah answered for his twin brother. “He’s always attempting to be humorous, often in the most inopportune times.”

Sam picked up the rest of his gear. “That sounds eerily familiar.”

Dean slapped his brother on the shoulder. “See? Geek-bonding. How sweet.” He glanced to Elijah, slammed the trunk of the Impala. “Are you on My Space?”

“Can we go now?” Sam growled.

Caleb gestured for Gideon to lead the way. “After you.”
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The terrain wasn’t too difficult, nor was following the Popo Agie River that rushed through the canyon. Sam enjoyed himself. The sound of the rushing water combined with the perfect weather lessened the threatening thoughts that wanted to dampen his spirits. He listened to Elijah’s running dialogue of the detailed history of the park, made comments when the professor touched on something he too had found interesting in his research. As much as he hated to admit it, Sam found himself liking Elijah despite his earlier feelings of irritation at The Boonedocks.

“Will the water level prevent us from reaching the Sinks?” Sam asked after Elijah’s revelation the river was at its peak, considering the winter melt off and the amount of snowfall the Wyoming winter had provided.

“We may be in for a swim, but I think it will be possible.” Elijah pointed to Lane, who was in front of them, along with Ethan and Joshua. Dean and Caleb were pulling up the rear. “Gideon brought a couple of portable oxygen tanks and diving masks in case we need them.”

Sam glanced over his shoulder when he felt a quick flash of anxiety from Caleb. “But that probably won’t be the case. Right?” Caleb was an excellent swimmer. They all were. It was part of the John Winchester training program. You would have thought the man was a Navy SEAL.

Elijah shook his head. “From the pictures I’ve seen, the water in the cavern appears fairly shallow. But the current will be rough, sort of like breakers on a cove.”

“Lovely. It’s getting better and better.”

Sam grinned at Caleb’s comment. He glanced over his shoulder and watched as Dean shoved the older hunter. “Don’t tell me you forgot your waders and inner tube, Damien?”

“Mac didn’t mention getting wet.”

“Did you block out the whole raging river and underground lake part of that conversation?”

“Does Caleb not like the water?”

Elijah’s quiet question brought Sam’s attention back to the professor as they picked their way along the trail. “It’s not his favorite thing.”

Elijah nodded. “I have an intense fear of heights.” He jutted his chin towards the two men in front of them. “I blame it on Gideon and Ethan. They once used me as a guinea pig for one of their inventions. I’ll spare you the details but it involved a dramatic launching from the top of our horse barn and left me nursing a broken arm and some cracked ribs.”

Sam laughed. “Can’t say I was ever endangered by Dean or Caleb.” He glanced back once more. “More like smothered.”

Elijah gave him an understanding smile. “I think the three of us being closer in age probably saved me from that.”

Sam shrugged. “It wasn’t always a bad thing. You get used to it.” It was true. Sam knew if he got in trouble, someone would be there to save him. But over the years it had become as much of a responsibility as a comfort.

The other hunter nodded. “I’m sure it can also be daunting at times.”

Sam frowned, wondering if Elijah had the ability to read thoughts. Joshua had not included that bit of information. He licked his lips. “When they risk life and limb, yeah.”

“Some cultures believe if you save a man’s life, he’s your responsibility forever.”

Sam glanced over his shoulder at his brother, who was currently involved in some animated tale, probably a distraction for Caleb. “Dean would agree with that. Caleb, too.”

Elijah didn’t have a chance to reply as Gideon’s loud voice sounded above the roar of the Popo Agie.

“There it is. The Sinks.”

Sam followed Elijah’s gaze and sighted the dark cavern several yards ahead of them. It was as if the force of the river had burst through the canyon wall like Mother Nature’s personal wrecking ball, causing a gaping crevice.

“Wow.” Elijah breathed. “The power water wields never fails to amaze me.”

Sam nodded. It was just like Griffin had described. The water rushed into the Sinks beneath the low overhang, crashing against the unyielding walls and simply disappeared.

“We’ll have to pick our way across the rocks, and make our way inside the cavern,” Gideon called.

Joshua dropped his pack with a disgusted look. “No one mentioned the need to frolic in the water.”

Elijah cocked a brow. “Does Joshua have a fear of water also?”

Sam grinned. “No. He’s just worried about his designer hiking boots.”

“I heard that,” Sawyer scoffed.

“You being a girl again, Josh?” Dean asked as he and Caleb joined the others at the bank of the river.

“If you’re so quick to get wet, then please be the trailblazer and go first.” Joshua gestured to the river.

“We won’t be the first.” Caleb pointed the ground near them. “Those tracks aren’t ours.”

“I saw that.” Ethan bent down, studied a faded shoe print. “This is small for a man.”

Caleb joined him, tracing his fingers along the grooves stamped in the soft earth. “Meg. They’ve scouted the area.”

“Rose,” Joshua corrected.

“Uber-bitch,” Dean said.

“Can you sense her now?” Sam asked, watching Caleb as he stared towards the cavern.

“She’s here.” His gaze searched the wooded area and bare cliffs surrounding them. “Somewhere close. Ian and Fisher are with her.” The older psychic pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “I can’t get a fix on where.” He looked up at Sam. “She’s doing something to shield them-it’s like pounding my head on a concrete wall.”

“Could Ian have one of those iPod gizmos?” Ethan asked, glancing towards Dean.

“No.” Caleb answered. “I’ve been zapped with one of those. This is different.” He met Sam’s gaze. “You getting anything, Runt?”

“No.” Sam turned to Elijah. “How about you?”

The professor looked slightly taken aback, shocked he was being included. “That’s not really my area. I can get flashes of thoughts, but I need physical contact.” He lifted his hand. “But if you want to know if she’s lying about something, hey, I’m your man.”

Dean snorted. “Considering most demons lie all the time, I’d say you’d be batting a hundred.”

“We don’t choose the gifts we get.” Elijah shrugged. “They choose us.”

Caleb stood, sharing a quick look with Sam. “Be thankful you weren’t picked for the death vision team.”

“You think this a trick?” Gideon looked nervous. “We’re completely in the open. They knew we were coming, and I imagine if you can sense the demon, then she can sense you.”

“She’s knows we’re here.” Caleb sighed. “But Ian already let us know they would be waiting.”

“He could easily kill us from the get go and take what he wants.”

“Meaning me?” Dean laughed. “He knows better. He’s worked with me before, knows I won’t do a damn thing he wants if he backs me in a corner.”

“Deuce is right. He’ll want us in a position where he can swoop in and claim the prize with the least amount of work on his part.”

Dean glanced from Caleb to Sam, his face grim. “He also knows what will get me to do what he wants.”

“You suggest we stay behind and I will personally kick your ass before Ian has the chance to even try,” Caleb replied.

“I’ll help him,” Sam added. It would be just like Dean to think he should do the job alone to keep the people he cared about safe.

Dean held his hands up. “Just don’t expect me not to say I told you so when the shit hits the fan.”

“Like you’ve ever held back from rubbing our faces in it before?” Caleb asked, moving past Dean to come alongside Gideon.

“So how do you want to do this?” Lane asked, hefting his pack higher on his shoulders.

“We have no choice but to go in. Searching for Ian and the others will be a waste of time. They’ll stay hidden, waiting to see what we find. .”

“Then let’s not disappoint them.”

Despite the warm afternoon temperature, wading into the frigid river water took Sam’s breath away. The current tugged and yanked at his legs, soaking his shoes and drenching his jeans up to his knees. Traversing the slimy wet river bedrocks was like walking on a sheet of ice. More than once Sam almost lost his balance. The fear of being the only one to take a header into the freezing water kept him on his feet more so than any natural agility.

It was easy to see why the average hiker or enthusiastic explorer would not have found the opening that Daniel Wilmington’s Triad had so cleverly placed in the back of the cave. Not many would have fought the cold river long enough to do a close inspection of the limestone walls, considering the water was almost to their waists at the apex.

“Here,” Elijah called out, pointing to a place nearly three feet above their heads. The ‘X’ that marked the spot was three interlocking circles etched at the top of the cavern.

“Well I’ll be damned.” Dean whistled. “Our boys didn’t have a lot of imagination, now did they?”

“I’m guessing time played a part in their decision,” Elijah said. “Convenience over cleverness, considering they were expecting the revolt that eventually cost Daniel and Cole their lives.”

“Still, they did their homework.” Ethan pointed to one of the jagged crevices in the back of the cave. “Who would have thought there was anything beyond this except more rock? And only someone looking for the sign would actually know what it was.”

Caleb splashed through the water to place his hand directly below the symbol of The Triad. “There’s something here alright.” The large flat stone jutted from the wall, appearing to the mere passerby as any other natural formation of the cave. “This isn’t limestone. It’s silver.”

“What?” Dean made it to his friend’s side, peering at the black, shiny rock. “Like in the same silver as our rings?”

“Same silver.” Caleb slid his hand over the rock, a small smile gracing his lips. “I can sense it.”

“No way.”

“Touch it.” Caleb cut his gaze to Dean, nodded to the black stone. “Feel it.”

Dean quirked a brow. “Is it going to start to glow, Obi wan?”

“Idiot,” Caleb mumbled with a frown, before grabbing Dean’s hand and placing it on the rock. “Just do it.”

Dean smirked, but closed his eyes for a moment. He jerked his hand away. “Fuck.”

“Told you.” Caleb grinned. “Same energy.”

“It doesn’t look like our rings,” Joshua commented with a scowl. “And how exactly would it have gotten here?”

“Water.” Caleb looked at Dean. “The Guardian is somehow connected to water.” He frowned at Joshua. “And I think a big chunk of ‘shiny’ silver would have gotten some geek geologist’s attention.”

“Water is The Guardian’s element,” Gideon said. “Just as fire belongs to The Knight, and earth to The Scholar.” He frowned. “Didn’t Jim tell you the story of how Merlin created The Brotherhood?”

“No.” Caleb dropped his hand from the wall. “Griffin told me.”

“I think Jim thought he had more time,” Sam interrupted. “He never got into the specifics with us.”

“So water represents The Guardian?” Dean looked at Gideon. “What exactly does that mean?”

Lane shrugged. “You tell us.”

“What?” Dean snapped. He lurched away from the rock, would have fallen in the water if Caleb didn’t reach out to steady him. “You think I know what to do?”

“Guardians control the silver,” Gideon gestured to the rock. “This has to be why Daniel wrote the Guardian would have to allow them entrance.”

Sam’s gut twisted. He wasn’t sure if all the fear was his own or if Caleb had realized the same thing. Was this the test his brother would have to face?

“Maybe you should just wait on the bank, Deuce, while we see if this thing can be budged.”

Dean shook his head. “You think this is the doomsday part?”

“I’m not willing to take a chance on it.”

“I think the real threat comes when we find the place where the weapons are kept,” Elijah said thoughtfully. “In Daniel’s journal when he talked about returning the weapons to the ‘source’. He wrote of the true trial taking place in the inner sanctum when the Guardian would walk alone.”

Caleb glared at the professor. “You know Mathews I find it interesting that you keep remembering this wisdom Wilmington imparted at the most convenient times. Maybe I'd feel different if we had gotten to actually read the journals ourselves instead of counting on your recanting it to us at your will!”

Sam silently urged Caleb to calm down. He knew the older man’s anger was stemming from worry, but losing his cool wasn’t going to change the situation at hand. “Dean, do you have any idea what you should do?”

His brother’s green gaze flashed. “Well let’s see, Sammy, considering the amount of on the job training Pastor Jim gave me I’d say that’s a big negative.”

“Daniel said the Guardian would have to will it to be so.” Elijah looked at Dean. “As I said before, I think they spoke what they meant.” He gestured to the rock. “Perhaps you should merely will it away.”

“Will it away?” Dean laughed, tapping his head. “In case you didn’t read it in my personnel file, I missed the whole gift thing when the Big Guy was handing out abilities. So, I can ‘will’ it all I want, but nothing’s going to happen, Professor.”

“Try it.”

Dean turned to Caleb. “You’re kidding me? You think I can move this rock with my mind, Damien?”

“I think The Guardian can control the silver.”

“It won’t hurt to try, Dean,” Sam said. His brother had no problem believing the most of other people, but it was a huge leap of faith for him to entertain the idea of greatness for himself. “What are you going to lose?”

“How about my self respect?”

“Let’s not forget the part where we are all freezing in this godforsaken cavern, Dean!” Joshua spat, through chattering teeth. “So either you do your Guardian thing or I’m removing myself from this river and calling Mackland.”

Dean took a deep breath and looked at Gideon. “Let me guess where the hot air element comes in.”

Gideon nodded. “Merlin believed magic was in the air we breathe.” He gestured towards the rock. “I’ll be willing to try it first if you want me to?”

“No.” Dean shook his head, then glanced to Caleb and Sam. “I’ll do it.”

He moved to the rock again, and Sam watched him falter as he placed his right hand on the stone. “Just focus, Dean.”

“Just shut up, Skywalker.” He flashed his brother an annoyed glare. “I’ll do this my own way.”

Sam could only imagine what his brother was thinking, what silent mantra he might invoke as he tried to do the unimaginable. Like Caleb, Sam could no longer read his brother’s thoughts, though he had done so infrequently after Caleb had trained him how. Sam had never needed his abilities to be on the same wavelength as Dean. But at that moment, as Dean closed his eyes and furrowed his brow in deep concentration, Sam felt distance between them.

The rock shimmered. What once had been solid wavered, changing from black, to steel grey and then murky green. Then the rock was no more solid than the river pounding against them. The silver melted away as if Dean’s touch were a torch. It dropped in a heavy sheet to join the water below.

“Holy fuck, Deuce. That was incredible.”

Sam looked at his brother, seeing Dean as the next Guardian. Sam had understood the concept on an intangible level. The reality was a tragedy. His brother was Dean the next leader of The Brotherhood with an uncertain future because of the deal his brother had made to save Sam’s life.

Dean appeared shell-shocked by what had happened, by what he did. He was standing in the same spot, his hand now hovering in empty space. The transformation of the silver had left a large opening high up on the cave wall, above the waterline. He watched his brother turn towards Caleb as the psychic spoke. Caleb’s face instantly changed from one of wonderment to that of concern.

Sam instinctively stepped closer to Dean. “Caleb?”

The psychic didn’t look at him, instead remaining focused on Dean. He reached his hand out to grip Dean’s arm. “Deuce? You okay?”

Dean didn’t answer. Sam watched his unbreakable brother waver, his mouth opening slightly as if he were about to speak. But his legs suddenly gave way, and Dean collapsed into the water.

“Deuce!” Caleb caught him, going to his knees to keep Dean’s body from going under.

Sam lunged forward, grabbed his brother’s other arm. He barely saw the sliver of mossy green as their gazes met before Dean’s eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped unmoving against Caleb. No. Not yet. “Dean!”

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Onto Chapter 6

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