(Disclaimer: Don't own anything Supernatural related; the following story and the characters of Finn and Caleb belong to me)

Through the Never.

Chapter Two.

Caleb slept fitfully; tossing and turning, his skinny legs getting caught in the coarse blanket as he fought the scenes laid out before him. His dreams were filled with images he wanted to forget. Dreams of his father being stabbed, being attacked by the dark forest, of him falling and falling into a dark abyss. Dreams of his mother trading her life for his, of her hanging from a rope off the city walls, the sound of her neck snapping… like a shot through the darkness; nightmares that ate away at him, nightmares that made sure he knew he was alone in the world.

He woke, a scream caught on his lips but he bit his tongue, refusing to give voice to the scream. His Mamma and Daddy might be dead but he was still a…...a…...; he frowned, his little face screwed up in concentration… Winchester… that's right; he was a Winchester and his father had told him all Winchesters were bad-asses.

He pushed the bristly blanket from him and stood up on his bed; he stared through swollen eyes at the three red moons that sat high in the night sky and shivered as the shadow of a winged-serpent flew across one of them, its malevolent shriek screeching across the barren plains of his prison. He didn't know where he was, he wasn't allowed to leave his room; all his 'lessons' were conducted in this musty cage. He pressed his face against the bars, trying to look left and right, trying to figure out where he was but he could see nothing but the red moons and distant dark mountain ranges that seemed to surround his jail.

He sat back down on his bed; willing himself not to cry, the salt would only sting the deep bruising round his eyes and the cuts to his lips. His mind roared in anger as complete and utter helplessness enveloped him; he was alone. His Mamma and Daddy had left him; they said they never would but they had. They had left him with the 'bad-man' and no-one was coming to save him. Not his Uncle Sam, not his Uncle Gideon and not his Uncle Gabe.

They would never come. He would never be found. He would never go home.

He let loose another silent scream, that one word echoing loudly round his mind 'never, never, never, never, never….'

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The first rays of the sun filtered over the land, peppering the terrain as it bought forth a new day. The melodious calls of the phoenix that now lived freely in the realm, floated harmoniously on the delicate winds that swept down the dark-red mountains and across the bright blue fields; announcing the arrival of sunrise.

Dean rolled over, his hand reaching out and finding an empty bed; he sat up, running his hand down his face, that one word still echoing through his mind…'never, never, never' … He'd woken in a cold sweat, a tempered roar bursting from his lungs as he felt a white-hot rage surge through him; Finn's reassuring whispers and gentle touch taking a long time to break through the slow-burning fury that shackled him to the nightmare.

He'd lied to her when she'd asked him what he remembered about it, telling her it was just the memory of that day; the day he'd lost Caleb. He didn't know why he'd lied to her, he never did; she was the one person, apart from Sammy, that he was completely honest with; but what was he going to tell her? That the only thing he remembered was one word repeated over and over and the shadow of what he thought looked like a snake flying across a red moon. She would have stayed up the rest of the night trying to figure out how it linked back to Caleb; and she was hardly sleeping as it was. No, he'd done the right thing; it was hard enough for her being back here and his only thought was to protect her...he wouldn't fail this time, not like he'd failed his son.

He swung his legs out of bed, wrapping a blanket round himself and went to find her. She was on the balcony off their room, staring out over the Citadel. He stepped through the doorway, the crisp morning air snaking round him as he put his arms around Finn, wrapping the blanket around the two of them "Can't sleep?" she shook her head and he rested his chin on her shoulder and looked at the construction going on below them. Gideon had ordered everything Jonas had built, torn down and had organised a complete re-planning of the city. A new dawn had risen for the Ancients and with it, a new city.

"They've done a lot of work" he said quietly.

She nodded "I don't like being here" she whispered.

He kissed her shoulder gently "I know. We'll speak with Fafnir, get some more books then I'll take you home. I promise"

"They're not going to believe us" said Finn, biting her lip as she remembered the sound of Caleb's voice calling her for her; the sorrow it held tearing at her heart.

"I don't care what they think. We know he's alive, Finn" he turned her round to face him "I won't stop until I find him. That sonofabitch stole our son……" Finn saw the fury flash in his eyes "he took my boy and I'm gonna hunt him down and tear him apart"

She nodded then smiled as the dragon tattoo that covered his back and shoulder, turned its head from Dean's chest, looked at her and roared.

"See? Keith agrees" said Dean with a grin.

Finn laughed softly, resting her head against his chest "Babe, please give him another name"

"What's wrong with 'Keith'?"

"Where to start…" she mumbled against his chest. She looked up at him "Are you alright?"

He nodded "Yeah" pulling her back against him, not wanting to look into her eyes when he lied to her "It was just a nightmare, Finn. Same one"

She nodded against his chest; he rarely spoke of that day and if anyone but her or Sam brought it up, the person usually found themselves on their arse and nursing a bloodied nose or worse. "I love you"

He smiled and held her close "Baby…" he kissed her; he wanted to tell her he loved her but every time he felt the words rise in him, he stopped them…he wouldn't, he couldn't tell her until he got Caleb back. He knew it was irrational that she probably wanted to hear him say it but she never pushed him, never asked him why he didn't say it …she just told him and never expected to hear it back; and he loved her more because of it.

"I thought maybe…we'd hear him again" she whispered. She looked into his eyes "I want to hear his voice again"

"We will. We'll get him back, Finn. I promise you"

She nodded again, laying soft kisses over his chest and up his neck.

"Finn…" he whispered as she nipped at his neck, finding the spot she knew drove him crazy.

"Make me forget I'm here" she whispered.

He kissed her, his hands running slowly down her back and over her ass; he picked her up as she wrapped her legs around him, taking her back to bed and making them both forget, for at least a while, why they were here.

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Sam was in the main office with Gideon and Gabe when Dean and Finn came in. He smiled warmly at his brother, he hadn't seen him in almost a month; not since his Stanford days had he gone this long without seeing Dean. He ran an expert eye over his brother, he knew every expression, every nuance and while his hair was a little longer than usual, he seemed the same…almost the same…there was something in Dean's eyes, something he hadn't seen in a long time. Hope.

"Hey, dude" he grinned.

Dean smiled at his younger brother; Sam was now so immersed in the Ancient culture, it was like he'd been born into it. He was in leathers Dean hadn't seen before and he had a new dagger strapped to his thigh. Sammy had finally found a home "Hey, Sammy" he grinned "You telling Gideon how to run the place?"

"Nooo, just offering suggestions…"

Gideon laughed as he came out from behind the desk "Suggestions? Yeah, right" he went to Finn and hugged her "Hi, sis. You sleep alright?"

She nodded "Fine. You well?"

"I'm good, Finn" he looked at her "I'm glad you're back"

"Just staying for the day, we're off to see Fafnir" she said.

Gideon nodded slowly "We heard the dragons are still searching"

"At least someone is" said Dean testily.

"Dean…" started Gabe as he hugged Finn, kissing her forehead.

"We heard him" said Finn; her anger rising when she saw the disbelief in their eyes "We did"

"Finn, I know…" said Gideon.

"You don't know shit!" she said "We know he's alive…don't you look at me like that Gideon, I'm not crazy. Dean heard him too and so did the dragons"

"What did he say?" asked Sam.

"He just said our names…but it was him. I know it" she glared at them "He's not dead"

"Okay, Finn. I'll get in touch with Ankou, we'll go out again" said Sam "He say anything else? You see anything?"

She shook her head "Just heard him say…'Mamma' and 'Daddy' " she looked at him "The Phoenixes haven't heard anything?"

"No, and they know to get in contact if they hear anything" he smiled at her "Leave it with me" he walked towards Dean "You heard him?"

"I know my son's voice, Sam" he said evenly, trying to control the anger he felt rising in him.

Sam patted his shoulder "I'll be back this afternoon, don't leave until I get back okay?" Dean nodded and Sam left the office.

"Dean, I need you to sign some papers" said Gideon. He didn't want to fight with them over this; he wished he could believe like they did that Caleb was still alive but if what they'd said was true, if Abiel Kilpatrick was alive and had taken Caleb then there was little doubt his nephew was dead. Finn had killed Abiel's oldest son, Dean his youngest…he would kill Caleb out of revenge. He just hated seeing his sister deny the truth.

"What kind of papers?" asked Dean, looking out the window as he heard the shriek of the phoenix, Sam waving as he shot past the window on it's back, pure joy on his face.

"Official ones…" said Gideon. He sighed "I know you don't want the job ...but Dean, but you are the Supreme Royal now"

Dean shook his head "No. I told you…"

"Dean, we explained that Gideon and I can't hold the office; it was always going to you. It was foretold..."

"And I told you..." he shook his head "I don't even live here" he said angrily "How…"

"Just sign them, babe" said Finn softly "They'll just argue the point with you and Peluda will be here soon"

He walked to the desk, grabbed a pen and signed the papers Gideon held out to him, mumbling under his breath.

"You want to know what you're signing?" asked Gideon.

"No, You run Larten Vola, not me. All I am is a signature" said Dean.

"The people know you're our leader, Dean" said Gabe "Whether you like it or not"

"Well I don't like it" he threw the pen down "Come on, Finn" he took her hand and they left; Dean slamming the door behind them.

Gabe looked at Gideon "You get them in there?" he asked.

Gideon nodded "He's gonna be pissed when he finds out"

"You had no choice, Gideon" said Gabe "He needs to understand who he is"

Gideon nodded slowly, Dean was going to be more than pissed when he found out he'd signed not only his oath to office but Caleb's death certificate as well.

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Dean and Finn walked out to the rear of the Palace, the Royal Guard saluting Dean and addressing him as Supreme Royal. He returned each one, his jaw clenching with every salute as the anger rose in his eyes. He didn't want this job, he just wanted to find his son and go home.

"Here he comes" said Finn, pointing towards the horizon.

Dean looked up and saw the dark shadow of Peluda rocketing towards them; the dragon let out a roar as the sun hit his scales, the rays bouncing off his scales and dancing over the fields underneath. He soared over the Palace walls and landed gracefully in front of them, bowing his head.

Slayer, Griffin…Fafnir awaits

He lowered himself to the ground and they scaled the dragon quickly, Finn settling herself behind Dean.

"Lets go, Peluda" said Dean and Peluda shot to the sky, issuing another roar as they flew out of the city; the Ancients below them smiling as they realised their true leader was back in the realm. The Dragon Slayer had returned home.

They sailed over the outer-territories, the blue fields changing to a rust colour as they neared the Dragon's Land. Dean took in all they flew across, automatically noting the changes that had been made; more agriculture had been set up, there were new farms and cottages scattered about the realm, closer to the Dragons Land now that the people were not in fear of the majestic creatures that now flew freely over their homeland.

Griffin…

"Yes, Peluda?"

Hold on

She tightened her arms around Dean as Peluda shot over the chocolate coloured mountain range that separated the Ancients land from that of the dragons; the dragon took them high before barrel-rolling across golden fields, his leather wings tucked tight against him. They were joined by a fleet of dragons, flying in formation around them as they raced towards Fafnir's mountain home.

Peluda pulled up, settling gently on the ledge outside the main entrance. Dean and Finn slipped from the dragon, Finn going round to face Peluda, He lowered his head and she put her hand to his snout "Thanks for the barrel-roll" she smiled.

I remembered you enjoyed it the last time I allowed you on my back. I am glad you didn't yell like you did then. My ears have only just recovered.

Finn laughed softly "Still the smart arse, Peluda"

I have spent too much time with the Slayer, I believe

"Don't start blaming me, Peluda" said Dean with a grin; he loved this land and being back here lifted his spirits "You had attitude way before I came along" he grinned again "I just bring out the best in you is all"

Peluda bowed his head Slayer…

Dean took Finn's hand and led her into the cavern, taking the familiar path to Fafnir's lair. Finn lowered her head as they stepped in, the dragon's energy still as palpable as ever.

Slayer…Griffin…

Finn lifted her head and smiled at the dragon "Hello Fafnir…Azhi"

The two dragons lowered their heads Sit

They removed their swords, placing them in front of them as they sat.

We must speak

"Peluda said you heard Caleb as well" stated Dean.

Fafnir nodded It was a whisper but it was what it was

"We know he's alive, Fafnir" said Dean "We just need to figure out where he is"

He is not in this realm or the one of mortals. Of this we are certain.

"Do you have any idea which realm he is in?" asked Finn.

There are many realms, Griffin. You are aware of this.

She nodded "Which is why its so damn difficult to figure out which one he's been taken to"

"Can you send dragons to the other realms?" asked Dean.

We are not welcome in many realms. Our presence would be seen as an act of war. We have sent dragons to those that welcome us and your son is not there.

"So how many realms are we left with then?" asked Dean.

Many

"How many?" asked Dean.

Too many to risk an all out war

"So we're in the same position as we were before we came here" said Finn.

Do not give up hope, Griffin. The Little Slayer is alive and if he is alive then we will find him.

"I will never give up hope, Fafnir. I will find my son" said Finn.

Griffin, you have a guest in the far cave.

She frowned "Guest?"

Raja

Finn smiled "The griffins are here?"

Fafnir bowed his head They felt your presence enter the realm. He awaits you

Finn rose "I'll be back" she bowed and left the cave.

Fafnir turned his eyes back to Dean's You lie to you beloved?

"What?" he shook his head "No"

Yes, Slayer. Those were your son's words that carried to you last night. We heard them also.

"No, I know Caleb's voice. That wasn't him" he said as loudly as he dared, not wanting to Finn to hear the conversation.

But it was. He is in grave danger, Slayer. His mind is slipping from him, you must find him before he succumbs to the darkness that surrounds him.

"I don't know where the hell he is!" he said with exasperation.

But you do, Slayer. We hear only the calls, it is you that sees the hell in which your son lives.

"Fafnir…"

Slayer, your son is more powerful than even we understand. If he embraces the darkness, the evil that comes for him, it will be the end of everything. You must find him before he turns…

"And if I don't?"

Then you know what you must do. If your son allows the shadows to grow within him, he will be a holocaust on all the realms.

To be continued…