C7
Nearly a week had past and it felt like they were no closer to finding a solution than when they had started. Bobby continued to research ancient books, even pulling from the boxes in his basement. He'd made calls to a couple of his contacts with no joy. Sam and Dean fell into a semi-routine, at least Sam did. Dean was starting to get hyper at being in one place for so long, and a hyper Dean was generally also an irritating Dean. He wasn't much for the research part of the job, and only did it when he had no choice. He was beginning to go stir crazy.
-o-
Alone in his kitchen, Bobby was about to pour his first mug of coffee for the day when a sweaty and red-faced Sam, still inhabiting Dean's body, all but fell through the door. Startled by the unexpected drama of Sam's appearance, Bobby missed his cup with the coffee, pouring it over the work surface instead.
"Hell boy! You wanting to give me a heart attack? What in the blue blazes is after you?"
Sam leaned against the counter trying to catch his breath as he held up a finger to Bobby, signalling the older Hunter to wait a second. He gulped in several deep breaths, needing a good-sized hit of O2 before he could attempt to slow down his breathing.
"Went...went for...a 10 mile run...De-e's body no...no like"
Bobby opened the fridge and handed him a bottle of water shaking his head. He grabbed a dish towel and mopped up the coffee spill before it ran in the floor. Dean rounded the corner in time to see Sam panting heavily and holding himself upright with the counter.
"Sam? What the Hell? Are you trying to kill my body off? I swear, if you do? I'm gonna keep yours an' you'll have to make do with a rinsed out peanut butter jar!"
Bobby snickered as he sat himself down at the table with his newspaper.
"Evidently, your brother went on one of his runs. Looks to me, Dean, like your body didn't stand up to the challenge."
"Sam! You know I hate the road running, are you nuts? You might've seriously sprained somethin' on me! Let me take a look."
Sam stepped back as Dean stepped forward, Sam raised both hands to ward his brother off.
"No way! Back off! You can't just decide you need to have a grope. Your body's mine right now! I just wanted some air and exercise, which I forgot you don't do very often."
Sam moved away from Dean and sat in the chair beside Bobby. He sipped on the water allowing his body to cool down and his breathing to return to normal. Dean pointed his index and forefinger at his own eyes, then pointed his forefinger at Sam in the classic I'm keeping my eyes on you gesture. He followed up by mouthing Peanut Butter jar before going to grab himself a coffee.
-o-
"So, Bobby? We've all been at this close on a week now, and still zip. I gotta admit, I'm feelin' uneasy. I mean, what if the longer Sam and me stay swapped, the harder it gets to undo the curse? Man, we could be on a time-table here and not even know it."
Sam stared in wide-eyed shock at Dean.
"You think that's likely?"
"Honestly Sammy? I don' know."
"You do think it might be. You're seriously worried we really could be running out of time, and don't try to deny it...I know you are!"
Dean affected a casual, unconcerned air.
"Really? You know I am, do you? You tellin' me I've miss something? What happened? Did you suddenly become a mind reader overnight?
Sam looked Dean straight in the eyes.
"First, it'd be a short read, believe me and, second? You called me Sammy."
Dean's forehead creased as he frowned.
"So?"
"So. You generally call me that when you think something's wrong and we might be in trouble."
"I don't! Well, not just at those times, I don't."
"Ok, but I'm not getting the sense that you're having a laugh and simply trying to wind me up right now. Or are you going to tell me I got that wrong?"
Dean turned away without further discussion, leaving Bobby again to try to calm the waters.
"Sam? Dean? Listen, I gotta admit, I'd been wondering about the whole permanency possibilities too, so I did a little side trackin'. Only way the curse becomes permanent, is if the shrunken head is destroyed while you two are still swapped. If that happens? The curse is pretty much cast and sealed."
Dean immediately turned to his brother, the relief coming over loud and clear in his voice.
"Sam...You gotta promise me you won't go anywhere near that damn head. Stay well away from it, and I promise you that I'll pimp your peanut butter jar for you. Deal?"
-o-
It was later that day that Bobby called Sam and Dean together into the study. The brothers both looked at Bobby expectantly.
"Ok. So I might've found a lead, but it means I'm gonna be away for two or three days. I need to go see an old friend who has some books that may be helpful. He's a day's drive east, already called him to expect me."
Dean glanced around the kitchen.
"So what are we suppose to do? Can we go with you?"
"Nope. You two are goin' to be busy."
"We are? Please, say you're not expecting us to spring clean this place?"
"Hmmm, hadn't thought of that one!"
"Well don't. No way I wanna go falling over your hidden piles of porn mags."
"Never gonna be a problem, I ain't got any, I always borrow yours instead. Anyway, I'm sending you two off to stay with someone else who thinks they might just be able to sort this out, and I've got a possible case for you to check out on route...Though if that spring cleaning's a real option here?"
Sam's hair flew around as Dean emphatically shook his head.
"Oh no, I don't think so. C'mon Bobby, share. Where we goin'?"
Bobby wore an expression of mock uncertainty.
"If you're both certain?"
Sam was beginning to get impatient.
"Dean, shut it will you? Bobby? Just give us the info! Pleeease!"
"Ok. First, I got wind of a haunting a couple of hours from here, a little town called Highmore. Thought you two could check it out, seein' as how it's on your way an' all."
Sam nodded.
"Sound's good but,...On our way to where?"
Bobby switched his gaze between the two brother's, uncertain how they were going to react, but ready to take any immediate verbal battering they might dish out at first.
"Kansas...Lawrence...To Missouri's.
