Summary: This is a redux of "The Benders", in which Dean discovers that Jamie Carter, a young lady he met in New Orleans, is among the victims who have been kidnapped, along with Alvin Jenkins.

My hope is that this will be the first of a series which spans season 1 through to the current season, whether that turns out to be 12 or 13. It is a work in progress and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Chapter 1: Across the Room

Dean couldn't resist a smirk of satisfaction. Three very attractive young women were looking in his and Sam's direction. There was a slender blonde in denim shorts and a navy blue tank top who seemed particularly interest in what he was doing. He could use a break, he thought, after pretty much hitting a dead end with not being able to find Alvin Jenkins.

Her companions, particularly the strawberry blonde with the long legs, stroked his ego even more with their giggles and whispers.

Jamie took a long deep breath in when she saw the blonde man in the leather jacket and cowboy boots enter the bar. She watched as his taller companion ordered two beers and carried them over to the dart board.

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Jamie was in the back, putting stock away when the frond door chimed. He looked like he walked off the cover of a GQ magazine, she thought. The way her friend and co-worker Rachel was acting, she was ready to bear his children.

The man flashed a Tom Cruise grin at her as he flashed his badge. "Agent Hardy, FBI."

Jamie barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her friend's behaviour.

"How can we help you, Agent?" Rachel asked, twirling her hair between her fingers.

'Agent Hardy' laid two 8x10 pictures by the cash register. "Have you seen these two women? We have a witness who saw them come in here to buy a bracelet."

Rachel finally managed to tear her eyes away from him. – granted it was only after Jamie subtlely kicked her in the shin- and looked at the two raven haired slender girls.

"I've been away on vacation, Agent. Jamie was looking after the store." Rachel looked at her friend. Jamie picked up both pictures to look at them.

"Hang on, let me find the receipts from the last couple of days."

When she was in the back, she could hear Rachel's attempts to engage Agent Hardy in small talk, asking him if he intended to take in some of the other festivities. It was Mardi Gras after all.

Sighing, Jamie began to hunt for the elusive receipts that plagued her memory.

She couldn't help a cry of triumph.

"Jaim?" Rachel poked her head into the backroom.

Jamie grinned. "Got 'em."

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"Jamie? It's your shot."

Jamie was snapped back to the realization of where she was: Standing in front of a pool table with a cue in her hand. Her vest friends Phoebe and Shannon were looking at her with concern and confusion.

"Is that someone you know?" The young man she had been staring at was now looking straight at the three of them.

"No…" she said softly, curiously sad. Meeting Phoebe's eyes, she added in a conversational tone, "I need some air. Just skip my turn, K?"

"Jaim…" Shannon started.

Dean and Sam noticed the pretty young blonde say something to her companions before putting down her pool cue and heading for the door. Dean gave his brother a "What the hell?" look as Sam grinned in amusement.

"Maybe you had something on your face."

Dean finally dismissed it with his customary half-shrug. "Com on, let's get another round. You're buying."

Sam grunted in a 'yeah right' way. "Actually, I think I'd prefer to find a hotel. I saw one about a half mile back."

"Come on, Sammy. Let your hair down. Have a little fun…"

"Let my hair down?" Sam repeated.

Dean gave his floppy-haired little brother a once over.

"You're right. It's already down," he deadpanned, earning an eye roll from Sam. "Fine…I'm gonna hit the head."

Sam shook his head even as she headed outside. He jumped out of his skin when he heard the thump behind him, as Jamie had done not even five minutes prior. As Jamie had done, he laughed at himself for trying to do in the cat that had run under the parked Chevy next to him. Thus was the irony. He wasn't even aware he was in danger. So when the hand reached out to grab his ankle, he didn't even have time to cry out.