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 8/11

November 30, 1840
One would think that their deaths would have brought them serenity; but it is not so. Their memory is dragged through the mud, sullying the good name of all that they stood for-all they fought for. I will not let their suffering be in vain. If it takes me to the last of my days I will have vengeance, my brothers' peace, and The Brotherhood justice.

-Excerpt from Samuel Colt’s journal


Dean felt the tug of sleep as he watched the dancing flames of the campfire in front of him. The cavern was quiet except for the light lapping of the lake, the even breaths of those around him. Dean’s head bobbed; he forced his eyes open, denying himself the reprieve his weary mind and body needed. He tensed when he sensed the approach of another. His gaze unconsciously darted to Caleb and his brother sleeping only a few feet from his sentry.

“I’ll take the next watch,” Gideon said quietly.

Dean glanced up at the other hunter, willing his muscles to relax. He shook his head, dropping his hand from his gun. “I’m good.”

“I don’t get you, Winchester.”

“Don’t feel bad, Boy Scout. I’m an enigma.”

Gideon folded his arms over his chest. “You’re an ass.”

Dean smirked. “That too.”

The other hunter didn’t wait for an invitation, taking a seat beside Dean. “You’re not helping Caleb by denying yourself rest. We all need to be prepared for a long day tomorrow.”

Dean cast another gaze towards Caleb. The hypothermia had presented a battle, magnified by injuries from the fall which included a blow to the head. “You think he’ll be okay to travel?”

“I’ll know better in the morning when he’s more alert.”

Dean forced his eyes from his friend to meet Gideon’s gaze. “If I didn’t say it before, Lane…thank you.”

“I didn’t do much.”

“You helped save him. I owe you and Mathews for that.” Dean had threatened them, but suspected his promise to erase them from The Brotherhood was nothing compared to the revelation about Jarrett Mathews.

“What exactly did Griffin do to you?”

Dean turned to look at him, not surprised at the straightforward question. “So, the long and sordid story is to be your payment?” They had avoided the subject in lieu of stabilizing the patient. “Wasn’t Caleb’s trip down memory lane enough for you?”

“Ramblings of someone sick and in pain. You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve heard come out of people’s mouths.”

“Your personal polygraph told you it wasn’t some delusional rant.”

“Eli told us that Caleb ‘believes’ it to be true.”

“It is true.”

Gideon lifted a hand in conjecture. “What is true exactly? That Griffin and Jarrett kidnapped you and your brother? Reaves mentioned torture.”

“Do you really want details? They’re not pretty.”

“Want has nothing to do with it. Neither does morbid curiosity. I need to know.” Gideon glanced to where Ethan and Elijah were sleeping. “So I know what to tell them-how to tell them.”

Dean tilted his head. “Now who’s the enigma? You want to protect them.”

Gideon pursed his lips. “We were told Griffin and Jarrett were working alongside Mackland and your father to help save you from men plotting against Pastor Jim. Griffin-Jim even- told us that Jarrett died a hero, saving your lives.”

“In the end Jarrett did save us. I was out of it by then. But Caleb said he came through, tried to get Griffin to listen to reason. He died for the trouble.”

“But he was in on it from the beginning?” Gideon asked.

Dean nodded. “He was there when they took me and Sammy. Jarrett was the one who questioned Caleb about Jim and the mysterious stockpile of weapons.” The details had always been fuzzy, but Dean remembered some things well enough. “When Caleb didn’t have the answers they wanted, Jarrett let some hired thugs work him over. When that didn’t pan out, they added me to the equation.”

“Jarrett Mathews tortured you? Griffin Porter hurt an innocent child?”

Dean imagined it sounded ludicrous to Gideon, Mac’s earlier warnings about perceptions and loyalties ringing true. “Their henchmen did most of it for them, but it went down like Caleb said.”

Gideon glanced away. “Was Griffin directly responsible for Jarrett’s death?”

“You mean did he pull the trigger?”

“Yes.”

Dean recognized the dread in the other hunter’s eyes.“No. One of the men he hired did the deed. Griffin wasn’t behind it.”

“You realize your story goes against everything I have ever known about Jarrett and Griffin.”

“I’m sure it sucks to be you.”

“Ethan modeled his life after his dad. Jarrett was a decorated officer of the law, an exemplary hunter. His memory is all he had left of the man. Caleb stripped all that away, left him with lies.”

“This isn’t something Caleb's done to your buddy.” Dean clenched his fist, unwilling to let the truth be twisted yet again. “It was something done to him-to us. If you want to blame someone for Ethan and Elijah being hurt, how about looking to Griffin Porter.”

“Griffin Porter is my godfather, close to my family.”

“I didn’t say it would be easy.”

“I don’t know who to believe or trust anymore.”

“Yeah. Well, welcome to the fucking club.” Dean gestured with his chin. “Two people you know have your back. That’s a start.”

“Is that what keeps you sane?”

“That and I drink and get laid a lot.”

Gideon almost smiled. “That’s more Ethan’s thing than mine.”

“So, the Boy Scout has no vices?”

Gideon looked toward the fire for a moment, then cut his eyes to Dean. “Fast cars.”

Dean leaned forward. “Come again.”

“I like fast cars. Ethan and I have a dragster. We play around at the track in our spare time.”

“So you’re an adrenaline junkie?” Dean laughed. "That explains the jumping out of planes. I just thought you were crazy.”

“And I thought you were a smart-ass punk with a chip on your shoulder. I guess we were both wrong.”

Dean shrugged. “Maybe.”

Gideon drew his legs up, leaning his folded arms on his jean-clad knees. “You blame yourself for Caleb getting hurt, don’t you?”

Dean raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in conversation, but remained silent.

“Why?” Gideon asked. “It makes no sense.”

Dean frowned. “You saw the whole thing go down.”

“Yes, I was there. I saw The Knight doing his job of protecting The Guardian. If he had died it would have been an honorable death.”

Dean shook his head. “Did you miss the part where he’d be dead? Gone! Out of here. There’s nothing honorable about that.”

“I’m not sure he would feel the same.”

“Caleb’s head is full of noble obligations and heroic intentions. This isn’t the first time he’s fallen on his sword in the name of King Arthur.” He narrowed his gaze. “How the hell would you feel if it was Ethan?”

“I would have been proud of his sacrifice.”

“Proud? I thought he was your best friend?”

“He is. I love him like a brother.”

“No, you don’t or you would never think his life could be forfeit.” Dean would never want Sam or Caleb to die for him.

“I would do everything I could to protect Ethan, but if he died serving a greater cause, then his death wouldn’t be in vain. I would only dishonor his memory by blaming myself, or worse- being angry at him.”

Dean groaned. “Let me guess. You’re talking about the good of the many over the good of the one stuff again? Do you really believe your life is more valuable than Ethan’s because of your position on the team?”

“I have a duty to fulfill. A Guardian must survive to fight another day-to lead his men.”

“A Guardian must be willing to die for his men-to sacrifice,” Dean said.

Gideon’s face reddened. “Griffin taught us…”

“Dude, Griffin is few fries short of a Happy Meal. Did we not just discuss that?”

“I’m not saying what he did was right…”

“That’s good because I’d hate to think Jim was completely wrong about you.”

Gideon sighed, his shoulders slumping. “No matter what, I do believe that Griffin fights for The Brotherhood, Dean.”

“Griffin fights for his own cause, Dude. I’m not sure The Brotherhood is it.”

“I find it interesting that Jim considered two people so opposite in their beliefs for the same position.”

Dean grinned. “The pastor had a hell of a sense of humor.”

“I suppose,” Gideon said. He slowly made it to standing, jutted his chin towards Caleb. “Keep him warm and get some sleep.”

“More doctor's orders?”

“Yes.”

“Gideon?”

The other hunter hesitated. “Yes?”

“About Jarrett…I’m sorry you found out the way you did.”

“I’m sorry for Ethan and Eli.”

Dean nodded. “Then maybe we’re not so different after all.”

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Caleb tried to roll over, escape the heat that was smothering him, but was unable to move very far. His body responded sluggishly to the panic which seized his heart as he realized his restrained condition.

The great struggle that ensued ended in him barely managing to turn his head and open his bleary eyes. Caleb felt like he’d been hit with a tranquilizer meant for a man twice his size as he once again unsuccessfully tried to lift an arm. It was embarrassing.

He blinked; proud he could at least manage that feat and was able to focus on a sleeping bag beside him, a familiar dark blond head peeking out at the top. Dean was asleep on his stomach, one arm tucked under his head, the other resting close to Caleb. Caleb frowned, looking down. He was mummified in a sleeping bag of his own. That explained the confinement, but not the pounding behind his eyes or the raw burning in his throat.

He wrestled with the blanket, grimacing when the movement sent a sharp stabbing pain through his chest. He bit his lip to keep from crying out; winced when an echo-like sensation thundered through his skull. “Ow.”

“Caleb!” Sam’s sleep-tousled head popped up from beside him, his concerned face looming inches from Caleb’s.

Caleb pressed against the ground, willing the other psychic to back off both physically and telepathically. “Sammy?”

“You okay?”

Caleb cleared his throat, his voice sounding scratchy and pathetic. “That depends…”

Sam propped up on one elbow, peering even more intently into his eyes. “On?”

“On why I’m the melty middle of a Winchester sandwich?”

Sam grinned. “What? Don’t you remember Dad’s lecture about spooning for body heat?”

“Spooning?” Caleb blinked. “There was spooning?”

“That was after the mouth to mouth,” Dean said.

Caleb turned to find Dean now awake, an amused gleam in his best friend’s green eyes. “Mouth to mouth?” he croaked. “You didn’t.”

“It was a sacrifice, I know.” Dean pushed himself up to his knees, yawning. “Especially since I know the places your mouth has been, Damien.”

“Ethan and Gideon helped,” Sam said, contributing to the levity. “They did most of the work.”

“You’re not making it better, Runt.” Caleb groaned, fighting one hand free of the sleeping bag to bring to his chest, shaking what looked liked mud from his hand. “Deuce, maybe you should think about letting women in The Brotherhood.”

“Could have been worse - we could have let Josh have a go at you. That's his warm-up goo on your hands.”

“You know I’d rather have died first.”

Dean laughed, reached out a hand and rested it against Caleb’s forehead. “At least you’re not doing your shitty imitation of Han Solo after the carbon freeze anymore. How you feeling?”

Caleb closed his eyes. “You mean aside from defiled and slightly violated?”

“Yeah, besides that.”

“Like I swallowed a whole lake full of ice water and an elephant stepped on my head before jumping up and down on my chest.”

“That about sums it up. Thanks for the gray hair by the way.”

Caleb looked up at him. “You’re welcome.” He glanced at Sam. “You guys okay?”

“We’re fine.”

He struggled to sit up and Dean reached out to help him. “Take it slow. Gideon thought you might have some cracked ribs.”

“That feels about right.” Caleb rubbed at his chest, paling slightly. “What the hell happened?”

Dean and Sam shared a look. “What do you remember?”

“Not a whole hell of a lot. I remember pushing you out of the way, falling…then everything went black.”

“We’re going to have to talk about that shoving problem you have, Damien.”

“I take it things didn’t go well from there.”

“No, but on a positive note- you found the hidden lake.” Dean gestured to the body of water behind them.

“Kudos for me.”

“Then you drowned in it,” Sam said.

“Fate loves to make me her bitch.”

Dean squeezed his shoulder. “You make it easy.”

“That explains our new intimacy level.” He met Dean’s gaze, “How long was I out?”

“Long enough. You scared the hell out of us.”

Caleb opened his mouth to offer some reassurance, but Gideon interrupted him. “It’s good to see you awake.”

“Sounds like I owe that to you and Ethan.”

“Thank the Winchesters. We gave you up for dead.” He kneeled in front of Caleb, reaching out to prod at the gash near the psychic’s temple. “How’s your head?”

Caleb winced. “It’s definitely still attached.”

Gideon’s touch moved to the hunter’s side, his fingers carefully palpitating from rib to sternum and back again. “And your chest?”

Caleb gritted his teeth, willing himself not flinch. “I think the compressions might have been a little heavy-handed.”

Gideon shared a look with Dean. “There could be some fractures. Traveling will be painful.”

“I’m not staying behind, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Dean turned to him. “Of course not, because that would make complete and total sense.”

“If I don’t go, no one goes.”

“I could offer you some pain meds…”

Caleb shook his head. “No. I need to be sharp. Drugs and my abilities don’t mix.” He wasn’t sure if he would get a heads up on Ian and his gang, but he needed to be alert to sense if Dean was in danger. For that alone, he couldn’t risk going ‘off-line’.

“I assumed that would be the case. Elijah could help. He can block the pain receptors…”

“Like Griffin’s trick?” Dean asked.

“Griffin taught him, yes.”

“No.” Caleb felt vulnerable in the current situation as it was. He didn’t need anyone else in his head. “I can manage.”

“If you change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

“Then I’ve asked Joshua to make you some tea. It will take the edge off.”

“That I can live with.” Caleb rubbed his ribs. “Where are the others?”

“Ethan and Eli went to check out the new trail we discovered at the mouth of the lake.”

Caleb’s frown increased. “They shouldn’t have gone alone. Ian and his pals could be close by.”

“We assumed they would be behind us, not lying in wait,” Gideon said.

“That’s only if there’s not another way into this place,” Dean said. “It’s best not to assume anything where Meg is concerned.”

“One of the tunnels we didn’t choose could have also been a viable way in here,” Sam agreed. “Without the dramatic entrance.”

Dean nodded. “The Rise shouldn’t be ruled out either. If the water ends up there, it has to have a way to get out.”

“But Ian would have needed the Guardian,” Gideon said.

“Only to get into wherever the weapons are,” Caleb countered. “I don’t think we’ve made it there yet. And Dean’s right. We can’t discount Rose.”

Gideon looked towards the water behind them. “This lake feeds into a stream that snakes along parallel to the trail. It might take us where we need to be.”

“Then we should be ready when Ethan and Eli get back from their walk.”

“It shouldn’t be long. I imagine they needed some time to discuss your revelation.”

Caleb’s brows drew together. “Revelation?”

“No permanent damage?” Joshua suddenly appeared, holding a steaming Styrofoam cup, which he presented to Caleb. "Beat the odds once again, I see.”

Caleb took the cup with a shaky hand and a smirk. “Sorry to disappoint.” He turned his gaze back to Gideon. “What were you saying?”

Gideon looked at Dean. “I thought you might have explained…”

“We were getting to that.”

Joshua raised an amused brow. “You didn’t inform him of his impromptu floor show? The spectacular climax to this already surprising trip.”

“Shut up, Josh,” Dean said.

Caleb glanced at Joshua. “My drowning was entertainment for you?”

“The drowning was more of an opening act. The show stopper was you pointing a gun at Elijah and revealing his father’s squalid past in a very dramatic reenactment.”

Caleb nearly spilled the drink. “What?”

“Nice, Josh,” Dean said.

“What? It’s not as if we have need for more secrecy.”

Gideon stood. “I’m going to make sure our gear is packed and ready for when Ethan and Eli return.” He nodded to Caleb. “Drink the tea. Joshua tells me it also has antibiotic properties.”

Caleb watched him make his escape, his gaze moving to Dean. “I guess it’s too late to ask for something to help me from running off at the mouth.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Sam said. “You were hypothermic…out of your mind.”

“Again, you’re not making me feel any better, Runt.”

“You told them about Porter and Mathews.” Dean held up a hand to cut off Caleb’s reply. “You thought Elijah was Jarrett, some kind of freaky flashback to North Carolina. It’s not that big of a deal, man. Everyone’s fine.”

“Except that Ethan and Eli have to deal with the fact they’ve been lied to most of their adult lives. Their father is now cast in an entirely different light.”

“We didn’t mislead them.” Dean stood, narrowing his gaze. “Lying doesn’t come as easy for us as it does some people.”

“I assume you mean me.” Joshua's arms were crossed.

“Sharp as ever, Josh.”

“However distasteful Harland’s acts may have been, he is still my father.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Caleb glanced to Sam, raising a brow. “Something else I’ve blocked?”

Sam shook his head. “It’s not important. All that matters is you’re okay.”

“How’d they take it?”

Joshua was the one to answer. “As about as well as you can imagine.”

“So much for Mac’s gag order,”Caleb said.

“He’ll understand.” Dean kept his eyes on Joshua. “It wasn’t like you intentionally betrayed a trust.”

“On that note…” Joshua waved a hand towards his gear. “I think I’ll ready myself for the rest of this titillating journey.”

“For once, I agree with Josh.” Caleb wrapped a hand around his ribs, and drank the tea in one gulp, hoping it would be fast acting. He needed to get back in the game and figure out what the hell he had lost and exactly what else he’d missed.
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Sam nearly lost his footing, sliding on the loose rocks as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder to where Caleb and Dean were pulling up the rear of their little convoy. Going on like nothing had happened to him wasn’t working out for Caleb. The older psychic’s misery was invading his senses, despite the shields Sam attempted.

“It doesn’t look as if he’s doing too well.”

The youngest Winchester glanced up; surprised Elijah was now alongside him, having dropped back from Ethan and Gideon’s side. Joshua was up ahead, taking point. Both Mathews had been quiet upon their return, providing only the necessary information from their scouting. “He’s stubborn,” Sam said.

“I could help, if he’d allow it.”

“You’d be willing to do that?”

“It’s not like you used our father’s misdeed against us. If anything, I’d say I owe you a debt.”

“Still.” Sam shrugged. “It can’t be easy.”

“I guess we can take comfort in the fact he tried to make amends in the end.”

Sam motioned to the two men in front of them. “Does Ethan feel that way?”

“Ethan will find a way to deal with it in his own time.” Elijah’s mouth lifted slightly. “He’s stubborn.”

“Knightly trait I guess.”

“Strong possibility.”

“Well, there’s stubbornness and then there’s stupidity.” Sam stopped abruptly, rubbing his head. “I think it’s time Caleb accepted the difference.”

“What’s wrong?” Dean asked as Sam and Elijah met them along the trail.

Caleb stopped beside Dean, leaning over his arm held protectively across his ribs. “Trouble?” he said.

“You tell me.” Sam touched his own head. “You’re not making it easy to concentrate.”

“Sorry for the inconvenience.” Caleb glared at him. “Try some privacy. That might help.”

“I’m not reading you on purpose. I can’t close off from you completely.” He didn't have the same control over his abilities as Caleb. He was unable to filter, which was why he didn't use them, and he could only lightly read thoughts, not probe them or project. However, Caleb was broadcasting his pain loudly.

“Can you help with this?” Dean asked Elijah.

“I can,” Elijah replied.

“Deuce…”

Sam saw his brother grab Caleb's arm as if restraining him. Shut up and let him work his mojo.”

Caleb tried to back away. “You don’t have to do this.”

“It’s no trouble. I know you may not remember, but I meant what I said last night. I am on your side.”

Sam gave an approving nod. Elijah had kept his cool under the worse of circumstances.

Caleb sighed. “What do I need to do?”

“You’ll have to trust me.” Elijah removed his backpack, placing it on the ground by his feet. “I don’t have the skill to maneuver around your blocks. You’ll have to give me access.”

Sam didn’t miss the look Caleb shot his brother. It held a hint of desperation, fear and it was so foreign that Sam almost regretted pushing the idea. Dean must have felt the same unease.

“I like you, Eli,” Dean said. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Sam was grateful Dean hadn’t promised a quick death if Elijah misused Caleb’s confidence, at least not in so many words. “I’ll be there, too.” Sam caught Caleb’s gaze. “Just in case.”

Elijah didn’t seem offended. “It’s not a complicated process. I can’t read thoughts or project beyond simple procedures.” He lifted a hand. “I have to have physical contact.”

Caleb huffed. “And here I thought I could spare getting up close and personal with everyone on this trip.”

“I promise not to take advantage.”

“I appreciate that.”

Elijah laid his hand on Caleb’s head, closed his eyes. In moments, Sam could sense the difference, Caleb’s pain no longer thrumming through their connection. Instead a wash of incredible relief flooded through, and Sam wondered if Elijah could teach him the technique. It would come in handy.

“Thanks,” Caleb breathed.

Elijah withdrew his touch. “You’re welcome. But remember, it’s not a cure, more like a psychic shot of Novocain.”

“In other words, Damien, don’t push it,” Dean said.

“Pain is our body’s warning system. It shouldn’t be ignored.” Elijah glanced over his shoulder. “At least that’s what Gideon says.”

“Fuck that,” Caleb said. “I’m all for denial.”

Elijah nodded his approval. “Sometimes the situation calls for it.”

Caleb twisted the silver ring on his finger. “Elijah, about your dad…”

Sam wondered if it was the appropriate time for this conversation, if there would ever be the right time. It was the same situation with Dean's deal. The lesson was that secrets eventually came out in the least expected ways, better to divulge them when there was some control.

“Yeah?”

“For what it’s worth, I really do think he believed in Griffin. He thought he was doing the right thing at the time-maybe the only thing he could do.”

“Sometimes the people we’re closest to disappoint us,” Elijah said.

Sam watched his brother fidget, Elijah’s sentiment obviously striking a chord. Dean held himself to an impossibly high standard while maintaining the incredible ability to ignore the misgivings of those around him.

Elijah picked up the pack he had discarded. “That’s when we love them enough to forgive them for being human.”

“What’s the hold up?” Ethan’s deep voice rang out in the narrow passageway.

Elijah shouldered his bag. “Duty calls.”

"Come on, let's catch up," Sam said to Caleb, sensing Dean needed some space. Elijah had spoken true words. Sam knew Caleb would forgive Dean, but it would come at a high price.

"Maybe we should catch up with Josh.” Caleb smirked. “At least he won't touch me or ask me how I’m feeling."

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"Guess that leaves me and you, Professor." Dean gestured for Elijah to lead the way. “How do you feel about baseball?”

Elijah picked up the path, but gave Dean a wary glance. “That’s a loaded question.”

“Really?” Dean frowned. “It’s not like I asked if you preferred brunettes or blondes.”

“I think that would have been safer territory. I’m not actually a sports enthusiast. It’s been cause for torment in the past.”

“You hate apple pie, too?”

“No.” Elijah smiled. “I loved Pastor Jim’s apple pie.”

“Who doesn’t.” Dean felt a twinge at the thoughts of sharing the same memory with almost a complete stranger. “His fried chicken did it for me. What the man could do with meatloaf was pretty damn amazing too.”

“I’m a vegetarian.”

“Damn.” Dean shook his head. “That blows the next topic- my quest for the world’s perfect cheeseburger.”

“Red heads,” Elijah said.

Dean grinned, recognizing the offering of common ground. “Now you’re talking.”

How their promising conversation veered from women to Elijah’s dissertation Dean would never know. One minute they were discussing Carmen Electra and the next the cultural impact of close knit, secret societal structures erected for defense and protection of the mass population at large.

Dean felt as if Charlie Brown’s muffled teacher was in his head as Elijah pontificated and conjectured away the next ten minutes. All those times of pretending to be interested when Sam prattled on about something had finally come in handy.

“You hear that?” Dean asked, thankful for a reason to interrupt the academic.

Elijah stopped mid-sentence, cocking his head to one side. “Water. I hear rushing water.”

“Sounds almost like a waterfall.”

“Hey guys!” Sam appeared breathlessly from around the bend in front of them. “You’re never going to believe what we found.”

Gideon joined him, looking more animated than Dean expected from the solemn man. “This could definitely be what we’re looking for.”

“You could be right.” Elijah’s attention was drawn to a wall off to their right. “It’s the symbol.”

Dean followed the professor’s line of sight and watched him take off in the direction of the glyphs, panning his flashlight along the stone. Something besides the familiar circular symbol of The Brotherhood caught Dean’s attention. He aimed his flashlight. The circles reflected the light like sunlight on water. All of the other symbols had been dull, as if done in charcoal or granite, these were different.

“It’s fresh.” Elijah called, holding up his hand towards Dean.

Dean watched Elijah bring his fingers to his nose. “It smells like blood-” He looked up at Dean. “-but that doesn’t make sense.”

Of course it did. It made perfect sense. “Elijah! Move!” Dean shouted as he ran. He wrapped his hands in the other hunter’s jacket, spinning him, propelling them both away from the wall.

“Dean!”

Dean heard his brother’s voice, echoed by Gideon calling out to Elijah. “Get down!” Dean yelled, stumbling through the gurgling stream, shoving Elijah towards a large crevice in the cavern-hoping it would be enough to shield them both.

The explosion was deafening in the small area, the world rocking beneath their feet. The wave of heat hit Dean from behind like a runaway car. His momentum pushed Elijah farther into the crevice. Dean felt the rough jutting rocks tear at his arms as he was shoved deeper into the granite, the bullet-like debris pummeling him. He held his breath, ignored the pain and waited for the ceiling to cave in on them.

Then as suddenly as it had begun, the roar died, the shaking ceased. Dean was aware of Elijah’s harsh breathing, then his own as silence fell over the cavern.

“Dean!”

He heard his brother call out to him. Ethan must have closed in, calling out, “What the fuck happened?” and then, “Oh God, were they in there? Elijah!”

Finally Caleb added, “Deuce!”

“Are we alive?” Elijah asked softly.

Dean snorted. “Either that or everybody ended up in hell with us.”

“You saved my life.”

The words sounded distant, muffled. Dean wasn’t sure if was due to the ringing in his ears or the throbbing pain at the base of his skull. “You hadn’t finished your lecture yet, Professor. I was on the edge of my seat.”

Elijah laughed, despite the situation. “You’ve cinched a place in the dedication of my dissertation, believe me.”

“Dean?!"

Deuce, can you hear me?”

Dean stumbled out of the fissure that had saved their lives. He lifted his hand to the back of his head, feeling the warm wetness saturating his hair. “Stop yelling!”

“Thank God!” Sam said.

“Eli?” Ethan splashed into the water alongside Caleb and Sam. “Is he okay?”

“I’m fine.” Elijah crawled out of the gap, dusting pebbles and dirt from his jacket. “Thanks to Dean.”

“He pushed him out of the way,” Gideon said. Dean noticed Jim's other choice sounded confused or maybe it was awe. It didn't matter; Dean only hoped Gideon still had some aspirin in his med kit.
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“What the hell were you thinking?” Caleb demanded, frisking Dean for injuries. He couldn't believe he had let this happen, as a Knight he was already shirking his duties.

“That we needed to move.” Dean hissed. “Easy with the merchandise, Dude!”

“It’s amazing that explosion didn’t bring down half the mountain on us.” Joshua gestured towards the pile of rocks and dirt that had once been a wall. It had collapsed across the stream, covering the trail.

“Part of the tunnel’s collapsed,” Gideon said.

Ethan reached Elijah, helped him over the stream. “Are you sure you’re okay, Eli?”

“I’m fine. Really.”

“Watch him,” Caleb said, carefully delivering Dean’s care to the youngest Winchester, checking to see the rest of them were whole.

“I’m good,” Dean growled, but didn’t refuse Sam’s help across the stream or his assistance in sitting.

Caleb jutted his chin for Joshua to follow him towards the rubble.

“Shouldn’t we proceed with caution?”

“I think we’re safe for now.” Caleb knelt beside the rocks, fingering the remains of a metal wire and casing. “This was controlled and precise.”

“This? Exactly what is this?” Joshua asked.

“Demolitions.” Caleb surveyed the damage. “The same kind used on construction sites- a small blast can do a day’s work in seconds.”

“Death by dynamite. How quaint.”

Caleb flicked his gaze to where Dean and Elijah were recovering. “I don’t think death was the direct objective, although I’m sure taking a few of us out would have been a bonus.”

“No vision?” Joshua inquired. “Could it be because I was on point?”

“You accusing me of playing favorites, Josh?” Caleb stood, shoved his gun back in his jeans. “Hand picking my premonitions?” Caleb wondered where Joshua got the audacity to question him.

“You wouldn’t necessarily have had a premonition,” Elijah said.

“What?” Caleb turned to look at the professor. “How do you know?”

Elijah motioned towards his own head, a sheepish look on his dirt-streaked face. “Psychic Novacain…remember?”

“It numbs my abilities?!”

“To some degree. I thought you knew that.”

“Great.” Caleb stood, tossing the wire aside. “You both could have been killed because I was being a major wuss.” Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to work up some pain in his body to overcome the temporary deadening of his psychic abilities. He relied on them to give them all an advantage- to protect Dean and Sam.

“Sorry.”

“If not death, then what was the intention of this controlled and precise demolition?” Joshua asked.

“They sealed us off,” Dean said. He lifted his head to meet Caleb’s knowing gaze. “We’re blocked in. No way out.”

“A boxed canyon move?” Caleb sighed at the tactical maneuver. “Fucking Ian.”

“We have no choice but to go forward,” Gideon said.

“Do I need to remind you that this trail dead ends?” Caleb asked. He made his way to Dean and Sam. “Then there’s the freaky big-ass waterfall to contend with.” When the were out of the mountain Caleb wanted some time in the desert, away from water.

“Waterfall?” Elijah said. He gestured to the stream. "How is there a waterfall ahead of us if the water is flowing towards it?”

Caleb didn’t miss the way the professor instantly perked up, neither had Dean. Evidently, they had bonded during their moment of peril. Dean glanced to Ethan. “The choice of problems we have and that’s the big mystery he focuses on?”

Ethan grinned. “He’s always had screwed up priorities.”

“The water feeding the falls looks to be coming from an opening in the ceiling of the cave we found up ahead,” Sam said. “Apparently this mountain is a labyrinth of twists and turns.”

“Ironic how it mimics this hunt,” Joshua said.

“So where the hell are Ian and his buddies?” Caleb asked, lifting Sam’s hand to get a look at the gash on the back of Dean’s head. It was a good size cut, still bleeding as head wounds did-it had been preventable. Caleb tried to test the perimeters of his ability, but got no vibration. “The cavern was empty, but they obviously wanted us here. Now what?”

“Now we surround you like sitting ducks.” Ian appeared from around the bend, Fisher by his side. Both held guns at the ready, as a striking red-haired woman slinked from behind them. The redhead was the new Meg, reinvented as Rose.

She gave an enigmatic grin. “Nothing like getting caught with your pants down, huh boys?”

Caleb dropped his hand as Dean stood; both Caleb and Ethan went for their weapons. Ian fired without hesitation, and Sam staggered back with a yelp.

“Sam!” Dean turned to his brother, whose left leg had crumpled beneath him. He caught Sam before he hit the hard ground, taking them both to the floor. Caleb glanced over his shoulder at the Winchester brothers.

“Ian!” Meg hissed.

Ian laughed. “Relax, Rosie. You said I couldn’t kill your little boy king. I barely knicked him.”

“You sonofabitch!” Caleb brought his gun up, trying to get some revenge for Sam's injury, Dean's being hurt. He sighted Ian’s forehead, but the weapon was wrenched from his hands by an invisible force.

“Not so quick, Nephew,” Rose said. “I can’t let your misguided loyalty ruin the fun just yet.”

With a wave of her hand, Ethan’s gun was wrought from his grasp and she clucked her tongue at Gideon and Joshua. “I don’t need the Ken doll twins, Lovelies. If you want them to keep breathing I suggest no one plays the hero.”

“I could always take them out now,” Ian said. “Less headache later.”

“Don’t yank at your leash, Ian. It’s unbecoming.”

Caleb's frustration grew. They were being toyed with, he thought about the ankle holster and its accessibility until Dean turned, his hand still on Sam's wounded leg as he glared at the demon. “What the hell do you want, bitch?”

Rose grinned. “So funny you should ask, Dean.”

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