Chapter 3

"So you're saying that they wanted to pick a fight to test their skills?" Sam winced as a rag was placed on the cut to his lip.

"Yes," Angela replied as finished corking the vial she had just opened. "Young Chasers who think they are tough thugs. They pick on humans they think are worthy opponents. Basically high school bullies but ten times worse."

After the altercation, Angela had pulled Sam to her room. It was rather a surprise that Dean hadn't raised a ruckus over anything. It didn't matter as she pulled out her first aid kit and began cleaning the cuts. She began to explain what had just happened without waiting for Sam to ask.

Sam had his fair share of bullies mostly brought on because he was the freak and the new kid in school so the idea wasn't too new to him. He had just never been ganged up upon by people who were like Angela. He didn't really think that she was the only one since he had met her friend Akira but the idea that they moved in groups like that was a little new. He tried to make a joke, "I guess there's something about me that people just don't like."

Angela made a slight wry smile, "No you're just freakishly huge." She put her bag away but left out the vial she had been using. "So what did you do to get their attention?"

"That's the thing. I wasn't doing nothing except getting Dean some pie." Sam watched as Angela went into a thoughtful expression. He did find it interesting how they backed down after she interfered and spoke that language. "What were you talking about?"

Angela turned to look at Sam. Her healer's mind made a diagnosis on the condition of the injuries he sustained and taking note of the healing rate. The other half worried that when Dean saw the cuts and bruises in the morning he would start pestering about what happened. "About what?"

"What you were saying to them in that language you sometimes sound like you swear in."

"Oh," Angela paused a moment. "Well that language is a very old one; the language of the vampires. It sounds weird but it's true. I had a feeling they knew it… well their leader since I noticed his pendant."

"What did you say?"

"I was trying to appeal to any sense of honor if there was any." Seeing that Sam looked a little confused though it was hard to tell since he was still holding the cloth to the cut on his lip. She explained, "Most Chasers are born knowing their lineage meaning the vampire half so they know the old ways and the concept of honor dating back to the beginning. I asked them to leave basically after telling them who I was. I didn't foresee the result."

"It sounded like he was challenging you."

"Uh not me… it was actually you they wanted to fight in a formal challenge right then and there. I refused."

"So what happened?"

"They threatened to cause trouble for you and Dean if you didn't fight. I could have said no still but if they were to ambush us on a job, people could get hurt." Angela went to pack her bag, putting distance between her and Sam.

"So you agreed to it," Sam said as more of a statement than a question.

Angela turned to look at Sam, "Yes. One place and one time… it's called the Tournament of Souls named after the tournaments held in ancient times. It takes place around the Egyptian New Year. You will fight them all one by one. I am sorry about that. I should have been there. They would have left well alone." Angela grabbed her clothes for the evening and walked into the bathroom and shut the door. It was her way of saying that he was free to go and she still felt bad about how it went down.

Sam knew she was feeling bad but the way he saw it, she was just trying to keep him and Dean out of serious trouble. True he was going to have to deal with Dean saying he did something stupid but that was Dean being the big brother. He sat and waited until she came out and he could tell that she wasn't expecting him to stay.

"Thought you would have snuck back to your room. Dean's probably wondering where his pie is," Angela said.

"He can wait." Sam replied shrugging his shoulders. He knew she didn't want to talk about it anymore for now but he knew she would answer his questions if he asked. He always answered hers. He wanted to know more about what he was to expect about this tournament. "So we're not going to see those guys again?"

Angela stifled the sigh. She hated fighting that was nothing more than showing off. She had had been taught to fight in order to survive. She disliked any sport that involved fighting like boxing or the newest craze of kickboxing and wrestling. Fighting to the death she seriously disliked. She replied, "No. They will leave us alone until the tournament but if we don't show… open season."

"Not the first time," Sam muttered as he took the rag off. The sting had gone so there was no need to hold it on anymore. He handed it back to Angela who went and tossed it in the sink and filled it with water. "So what do we do in the meantime?"

"Focus on cases as they come…" Angela gave a slight toss of her head in a knowing fashion, "and train and I'm going to teach you and Dean both."

"Teach what?"

Angela thought about it some. Both boys knew how to fight more or less and she had shown new moves like the chokehold to Sam. She was going to have to teach them a few things and Dean was probably going to make some stupid 'wax on, wax off' comment but… "You and your brother already know how to fight."

"Then what is there?"

As soon as Sam asked the question he saw a fist right in front of his face. Her knuckle was barely touching his nose. Angela looked at him and replied, "You didn't see that did you?" She took her fist away. "The Chasers you'll fight move like this. I need to teach you and Dean both to counter and learn how to read the body and see it coming. In the process I'll probably end up showing you both a little of martial arts."

Sam touched where her knuckle brushed his nose. He had never seen her move that fast. He wasn't sure if it was possible for him to learn what she needed to teach him and she was going to include Dean. "How do you intend to teach both of us?"

"Teacher's discretion for now." Angela gave a slight smile. "You should go now. I'll figure it out and we can talk about it later. Right now we have a case to worry about and I got a racer to build in Terre Haute."

Sam gave a slight nod and stood up. He stretched slightly aware that he was still a bit sore but it wasn't as bad as before. He opened her door to leave after picking up the bag from the minimart. He stopped and turned to see Angela pulling one of her books out of her bag and she began thumbing through it. He was amazed how she could compartmentalize her mind and tasks. He worried though that she was going to work herself to death over this but he wasn't going to say anything unless it became a problem. He left and went to deal with his overprotective big brother.


"Okay so we're here in Terre Haute. Where are we supposed to go?" Dean glanced over to where Angela was sitting in the passenger seat.

The morning had Dean griping about Sam's face and he didn't buy it when Sam said that he tripped and ran into a pole. However he was mollified slightly when Sam admitted that he went to Angela for the injuries. Still he punished his brother by having him sit in the back seat crowded with the ice chest and the bag Angela kept there to lounge against. He had been tempted to ask Angela to summon her hell mutt and have him keep Sam some company by drooling on him but he wanted to save that for a different time.

Having Angela sit beside him was a nice change. She could even sit in the front seat with her legs crossed at the knees which was a feat he couldn't achieve if he wanted to. He glanced at the mirror to see Sam trying to get comfortable in the back seat and he marveled at how Angela managed to make herself comfortable back there.

"We need to go to Kasey's Auto Body near the warehouse district. Take the next exit and hang a left."

"No problem," Dean replied as he followed her directions. "So Angie, you gonna tell me what you got stashed there that you're gonna build into a racer?"

"I prefer to show a finished project," Angela replied giving a wry smile as she drank the coffee that she had bought before they took off. She had a late night reading up on the tournament and then switching gears to other things she was looking at. On the way to Terre Haute she mentally went over the procedures regarding engines and modifications. She knew that Dean was itching to know what she had in mind and she was going to make him wait for it.

"You're killing me Angie." Dean grinned to show that he was kidding. He knew it was a poor choice of words but Angela's teasing was often more than he could bear especially when it was good.

Angela just smiled. "At the next street turn right go two blocks and hang a right. You'll know you're there when you see the ten second car on display outside. Kasey's pride and joy when the car won the 200 meter drag race in 2000."

Dean gave a mock grumble as he made the turns as directed. When he saw the car, he knew that he was at the right place. While it was newer like one of those Honda's he did have to admit that it was a pretty nice looking car. He pulled into a parking spot just as a mechanic came out wiping their hands on a rag.

Angela got out and said, "Kasey, been a while."

The mechanic laughed and pulled off the headscarf to reveal shoulder length hair and spoke in a feminine voice, "Imagine the surprise I got when I got your message that you needed parts and a car. Dad pulled the strings on the rush shipment. Hell he did the hard driving himself. He said he owed you."

"We've been even for a long time," Angela replied as she patted the girl's shoulder. She then introduced the brothers. "This is Sam and Dean. Guys, this is Kasey."

Dean was astounded. The people that Angela seemed to know or had met were downright cool. Another girl who knew her cars; it was his kind of case. He pushed his brother's hand out of the way and grasped Kasey's, "Pleasure to meet you. So you're the Kasey that owns this shop?"

"Actually she's Kasey Jr. I'm the Kasey that owns this joint," and older man came out wiping his hands and wearing identical coveralls. He wore middle age wear, his dark hair streaked with silver. He was smiling as he said, "Angie you haven't changed one bit. Must be that good living."

"Usually is," Angela replied as she shook his hand only to be grabbed into a bear hug. She never did get used to people doing that when they were that glad to see her. She glanced over at the boys. Dean was busy ogling Kasey and Sam was grinning at her because she had been caught in a bear hug. She gave a meaningless glare towards him and said, "So Kasey was telling me that you didn't have trouble with the parts?"

"Nope. Got everything you selected and it's all taken care of. I had it put in the biggest room with all the equipment. You can get started as soon as you want. Kasey you wanna show our guests where they'll be staying?"

Kasey gave a slight roll of her eyes, "Come on in." She motioned for Sam and Dean to follow.

Angela watched as the boys followed her in. Dean as usual was drooling more over the fact the girl knew cars and it added to the fact that she was a good looking girl. She couldn't help but shake her head at that. Sam tagged along behind them. When they had gone in she turned to Kasey Sr. and said, "I take it things are going good."

"All thanks to you."

Angela gave a humorless chuckle, "I'm glad things are going well. So how much do I owe you for everything?"

"It's all right."

"Come on Kase. It's only right. I can have the money wired in increments or all at once," Angela replied as she pulled out her computer pad. She pulled up the page for the bank she wanted.

"Hey, you don't have to do that. What you did for me and my Nancy, nothing could compare to what I owe you. You do a great thing for people. We have soldiers who defend this country, what you and I suspect your friends do is just as worthy but can and never will be acknowledged. I get plenty of business and occasionally I offer services to hunters."

Angela looked at Kasey Sr. "At least let me pay one of your mechanic fees or at least labor. Please."

Kasey Sr. gave a slight sigh. He knew that no amount of money would ever be worth the debt he owed her for saving his and Nancy's life. Hell he suspected she did enough when Nancy died of cancer by covering the funeral expenses. He never said anything about it but continued to offer services to passing hunters and even started a small circuit of mechanics that helped hunters when then needed help with their cars. "Alright, labor only and that'll be sufficient. I'll type up the bill for ya okay? Now I'm sure you're itching to get to work so let me get you started."

"You know me well Kase. So how are things with Kasey? She still in school?" Angela walked with the elder human as he showed her towards the workroom he had all set up.

"She's doing good. She wants to be a master technician but she's also working on that business degree."

"Family business I see."

"She loves working on the cars but she also has a good head for business. You should see her when she haggles with the shippers," Kasey Sr. gave a slight chuckle as the pride filled his voice. "Nancy always handled the business side and then Kasey took over though I think someone encouraged her a little."

Angela gave a slight chuckle. When Nancy died Angela checked in on the daughter and found that she was in a bad place. She worked with her tirelessly until the girl realized that someone cared what happened to her. Eventually father and daughter talked about it and things seemed to work out. Kasey finished high school and was now in college while working in the shop. "I merely opened the door."

"Well it's people like you that make all the difference."


"Well it's been a while since I made a good roast. Hope you guys like it," Kasey said as she put the roast on the table. She took her place at the foot while her father sat at the head. On either side sat Sam and Dean.

"Smells good," Dean replied flashing a slight smile.

"Where's Angie?" Sam asked the question quietly.

Ever since they arrived, Angela had shut herself inside the shop and hadn't come out… well at least not when he was looking. Sam had passed the time doing more research on the Silver Streak while Dean spent time flirting with Kasey. He was surprised that Kasey got anything done while Dean was hanging around her and talking about God knows what. He wondered if that was what Angela went through when he pestered her about something for the Impala.

Sam was used to being on his own when Dean pursued his interests but this time he felt a little lonely. Most of the people around the shop talked cars. Sam appreciated a good car yet he just wasn't the enthusiast like Dean was. It was somewhat a relief when Kasey shooed Dean out of the kitchen to start on dinner. At least he and Dean were able to talk about the case they were going to work on.

Kasey detected something in Sam's voice but hide the smile. She glanced at his brother and Dean took a drink of his beer and gave a slight motion that was completely missed by Sam. She replied, "Probably still in the shop. It's easy to pass the time in there."

"Shouldn't someone tell her…?" Both Sam and Dean knew Angela had only eaten a dish of fruit that morning and she had probably had those dried snacks she made.

"Don't worry about it," Kasey Sr. said, "She would probably shout at you to get out at this point. When I walked by the door I heard the welder going on."

Kasey passed the bowl of green beans and said, "I'll bring her a roast sandwich after."

Sam looked over at Dean who shrugged his shoulders. Kasey did say that she would bring her something but being a general worrier, it was on Sam's mind through the whole meal. When it was finished he waited while Dean followed Kasey's father to talk more about cars and whatever to help Kasey clear up.

Kasey had been observing the brothers throughout the whole meal. She could tell they were worried about Angela. Apparently they knew things about her that she had heard about and certainly her dad knew but wasn't going to tell. Dean was calmer about it but the thoughtful look Sam was more interesting. She smirked and said, "So Dean makes you do the 'women work'?"

Sam had been quiet and putting things in the sink when she asked the question and realized she was teasing him much like Dean would. He went on the defensive but took care not to be rude, "Can I help it if I want to help out?"

Kasey saw his defenses go up and figured that Dean called Sam a girl at least twice a day. She replied, "It's okay. Most girls like it when a guy knows his way around good housekeeping habits. Dad's pretty good at it." She then began cutting slices of the roast to make a sandwich.

"Angie's a bit of a tyrant with it."

Kasey laughed, "Don't I know it but she means well. When Mom died from cancer, she actually took care of most of the arrangements. Never said a word about it but Dad knew and I figured it out after she left."

That had Sam thinking. He figured it was something like that about Angela. She had money and probably a lot of it but she didn't like people knowing about it. She liked hustling for money and traveling like he and Dean did and she used her share to go towards supplies. He remembered that kid she paid for the picture of her. "She is generous and she has the bad habit of often ignoring her own needs."

Kasey finished what she was doing. She had made a sandwich with the roast and the vegetables with some French bread she had. For sauce she used gravy knowing that it would be a good filler. She replied, "I know." She handed the plate along with a fork, a napkin and a bottle of beer. "Here, I'll finish up here. There will be the least likely chance of her scolding if you go in."

Sam frowned slightly at that but took everything anyway. He asked if Kasey would be okay with everything and she shooed him out, telling him to go to the biggest room with the sign that said 'keep out.' She wasn't joking about the sign on the door. He tentatively knocked and called, "Angie?"

He was sure that she didn't hear him and decided to go in. Sam was sure that it was something out of a movie with most of the lights off. The only source of light was from one of those lights for outdoor lighting. He prayed that he wouldn't trip over anything as he made his way over to a cleared worktable. He put the plate down just as Angela slid out from underneath the car on her creeper and her foot bumped him.

"First Dean and now you. What is it with people tripping over my feet?" Angela sat up chuckling as she said that.

"Maybe if you had more lights on…"

"You know I can see even in the dark," Angela replied. She spotted the food that Sam had brought. She gave a sniff and could make out what it was. "Roast I see." She got up and wiped her hands on the rag she had.

"Uh yeah. Kasey made it."

"I figured," Angela replied with slight sarcasm mingled with her teasing tone. She took up the smaller half and took a small bite. She chewed and swallowed before saying, "I forgot about dinner. Thanks for bringing it."

"Dean and I figured you would. You seemed really excited to get your hands on what you're working on," Sam replied as he watched her take another bite of the sandwich. Even when it was clear that she was starving, she still managed to look like a lady. "So, are you going to work on it all night?"

Angela finished the bite she had taken and replied, "Not much longer. It'll be really late but good time. Then there's the thing about actually getting street cred." She took another bite as if to hide behind it.

"What do you mean street cred?"

Angela popped her beer and took a sip before replying, "I actually have to race it in order to get in good with the other racers at the Torge. I figured that Dean and I could work that angle while you do the usual routine." At the look Sam was giving her, she explained, "I read the paper you bought about the two kids who narrowly escaped being killed. Maybe we might find someone who actually saw the whole thing."

Sam had to admit that Angela was right about that. As usual she took the initiative and figured out a plan that seemed to work out. Sometimes though she let him or Dean figure it out and that was usually on cases they stumbled across. "I guess that might work. You talk to Dean about that?"

"Not yet. I've been in here all day. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to sneak in here and talk to me and try to find out what I have been doing." Angela leaned against the counter. "I guess he took me seriously for once about me presenting finished projects." She smiled and then looked at Sam's face. "That cut is healing pretty good."

Sam couldn't help but smile with her. "Sometimes I wonder how you do it; that whole compartmentalizing everything. It's like you can leave off one thing and pick it up say a month later and remember exactly what you were going to do."

Angela thought about it for a moment. It was true and mostly it was because of the mental discipline her father taught her. The other was a natural talent when it came to reading books. She replied, "Well what I could do with reading multiple books, I learned to apply to other things. A gift and curse but when you have things going on over the long term, you kind of learn to keep it on the fire but on the back burner while you work on the more immediate thing."

"Makes sense but I would think that it could burn someone out especially if they feel they have to take everything on their shoulders," Sam replied.

Angela nodded thoughtfully as she speared a piece of potato with the fork. She got the hint. Smiling, she put the fork down and disappeared into the darkness. When she came back, she had what looked like a computer pad. She held it out, "You're right Sam. I could use some help. Could you program this so I can wire it in? The basics are right here." She then sat back down on the creeper, slid underneath and continued working leaving Sam to chuckle and work.


A/N: Things are moving along and Sam learns something about Angie from Kasey. What is the mysterious new ride that Angie is working on? Find out next time on Ghost Battle...