"Stop pacin'" Dean brought the half full paper coffee cup up to his lips and took a healthy drink. He didn't look over at his brother who had started walking from the front of the car to the back then after a few moments turning and walking to the front again.

"She's not coming."

Dean sighed and glanced up towards the sky as though calling upon some unseen force to help him. "Listen, we know she works at the library, if she doesn't show we will just go back tomorrow. Okay?" He looked pointedly at his brother "OKAY?"

Sam sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah. Okay." He agreed. Noting his brother continued stare he joined him and leaned back on the hood of the Impala. "It's just to be this close and not…."

The sound of a car's engine pulling into the small parking lot both brothers standing and turning to check out the occupant.

Relief prompted the smile that came to Sam's face as he saw CJ. "Told ya." Dean said slapping his brother on the back as they waited for her to park.

The last thing CJ had wanted to do was meeting with the two brothers. She had debated on not showing up, even toyed with the idea of leaving town. After all this wasn't home, she had lived in New Harmony less than six weeks. She was use to moving around, living out of a suitcase or backpack if needed.

The tiny woman knew why she didn't run, knew why she was parking her car a few spaces away from the black impala. It was all summed up in one word.

Charlie.

Her eyes met Sam's through the windshield. CJ didn't immediately turn off the dark blue 76' firebird's engine. She drummed her slender fingers on the steering wheel for a moment, then broke eye contact and looked down at the notebook on the front seat next to her.

"Looks like tink is having second and third thoughts." Dean murmured as he swirled the cooling coffee in his cup around. "Now ya gotta ask why."

Sam glanced at Dean then back to the car as its engine fell silent. He didn't move when the car door opened. He knew without any question that she would leave if they made the first move.

"Hi." Sam said "Thank you for coming."

CJ closed the car door and shoved the keys into her jean jacket pocket. She had gone home and changed, from business attire to comfortable pair of jeans, plain white t-shirt and jean jacket. Her hair was still in a braid, and if she wore makeup, one would be hard pressed to say where.

"How did you…meet Charlie?" CJ responded quietly her eyes examining Sam with an intensity that made the younger Winchester feel she was 'seeing' him. Really seeing him.

Sam blinked then taking a stab in the dark he murmured "Missouri."

Dean darted him a look then turned back to the small woman which stood so still, she almost appeared to be a statue.

"Don't move." He said under his breath to Dean. "No matter what…don't move."

Before his brother could protest or question Sam took a step forward and held out his hand. "I understand that for some, touch is needed to 'discern' the truth from the lies."

CJ's eyes grew wide, then narrowed. She eyed his hand then looked back into his face.

"Charlie didn't tell me…well….not specifically…but he hinted. Look, before today I didn't even know you existed, but Charlie…well he said he had a few 'gifts'" He nodded to his hand, "Go ahead. I want you to."

It could be a trick, a way to reach her, then again, he knew…

CJ looked over at Dean, noting he didn't' look to happy at the situation. She also saw the change in him when he caught her eyes. He was good, very good at hiding, but she was better. He just didn't know that yet.

Slowly CJ walked towards Sam, not stopping until she was within two feet of him. She looked up into his eyes then down at his hand. His arm was steady, his hand open, fingers slightly bent. His stance was relaxed, unthreatening, as was his aura.

Her indrawn breath filled the silence between them as she prepared herself for what would come. CJ looked up and once again locked her eyes upon Sam's, the height difference faded as her hand lay tentatively upon his, the world darkened, then burst forth in blinding light.

Her breathing grew ragged and a tiny moan escaped her. She more 'felt' than saw Dean move. Blue piercing eyes dropped from Sam to capture the brother. "Talk…" She said softly as her eyes held one brother captive, her hand the other brother.

Satisfied Dean wasn't coming any closer she looked back to Sam then began the painful process of sorting through colors that wound around him, dividing them, until she found the one that was his very life's thread.

"I met Charlie via an email." Sam began. He forced himself to remain relaxed, unmoving, not even looking over at Dean when he shifted. "He contacted me. Told me we were in the same business, and warned me about a certain …gig.. Dean and I had."

He paused as her hand moved down to his wrist, her fingers touching it as though taking his pulse. "The next email was mine, to thank him, the information he gave saved our asses." Sam shrugged "That was how it began…just about a year ago."

CJ's hand shook as she dropped it to her side. She lowered her head and for the first time felt the pain of having it tilted so far back to meet his eyes. Her lids fluttered shut as she exhaled.

"So much pain…so much….guilt..." She whispered softly almost to herself, but Sam heard her.

"You speak the truth." With that she looked up, the blue in her eyes, duller, less captivating, startling so.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked as he too dropped his hand.

"Beat me to the question Sammy." Dean said as he joined his brother. His own eyes scanning his sibling to verify everything was okay. "Are YOU okay?" He nodded towards CJ "She a physic?" He continued "Like Missouri?"

"She is standing right here." CJ said before Sam could respond.

"So she is." Dean grinned as he baited the small woman who had abilities that made him more than a bit uneasy.

"Not like Missouri, but similar." Sam responded. "Empath?"

CJ smiled "Charlie was a very strong empath, but he was a stronger in telepathy." She gave a small shrug. "Touch empath, pre-cog, and I can read auras"

"Great. Just great. As if the shinning wasn't enough, we now have ms super shinning." Dean muttered

CJ was a skittish as an unbroken horse. While her brother held sway over her, it was apparent that Sam was 'learning' very quickly those same brotherly tricks. Dean didn't bother to hide the grin than played about his lips as he watched the petite woman's dazed expression as she tired to figure out how she wound up inviting them not only to her home, but to stay for dinner.

There was no doubt she knew her way around a kitchen. Both watched her with appreciation as she checked on the steaks before returning to the kitchen island with two beers for them.

"They had been talking for over an hour, Sam about the emails he hard received from Charlie, CJ about the past year without Charlie and the past four months without Chad.

"He just …vanished." CJ said as she stared down into her ice tea. "No note, nothing, one morning I got up and his truck was gone. I haven't heard from him or been able to track him down since."

"Would he have gone looking for Charlie's killer?" Sam asked

"No." CJ responded quietly. She looked up "Chad…Chad wasn't like Charlie or me. He resented the fact he was different." Her lips twisted "He hated being 'normal' like everyone else. Chad never understood…" CJ trailed off.

"Understood what?" Dean asked gently.

"Understood, I would have given anything to be 'normal." She replied meeting his eyes for a long moment.

Dinner was a lighthearted affair. The three of them went out of their way to not discuss serious topics. Laughter filled the room as they good naturedly argued about music, movies and sports.

"That has to be the best meal I have had in ages CJ. Thank you." Dean said as he set his fork down for the last time. "How do you feel about hiring out as a traveling chief?"

CJ snickered as she rose and began gathering the plates and silverware up. "Thanks, but I have a job, and cooking for two men isn't in its description."

"Sure it is. It's under, other duties as assigned!" Dean responded smoothly as he too stood, automatically reaching for Sam's plate, placing it on top of his.

Sam chuckled. "We will do dishes CJ.

"We will?" Dean asked incredulously giving his brother a 'are you out of your mind' look.

"Yes we WILL. The cook doesn't clean up." Sam said emphatically.

CJ's soft laughter was replaced by a scream of pain as Dean's fingers closed over hers as he took the plates she was holding.

She stared in shocked horror into his hazel eyes, all color leaving her face just before the world spun and went dark.

The crash of plates and pointed cussing went unheard as she spiraled down into the land of the unconscious.