Disclaimer. Boo for the fact that the Winchesters aren't mine. Boo, I say.

Dean glanced from one face to another. Chase, Lilly, Sam, Kisten, Madison. Fury, disapproval, confusion, smugness, fear. Fear?

"I thought you killed her?" Dean hissed at Sam. "Not that I'm trying to be insensitive or anything, here, but what gives?"

Chase quickly and discreetly slid beside him and elbowed him in the ribs. Hard.

"What the-" but her harsh glare cut him off. So, instead of asking the million and one questions that all ended with the phrase "fucking idiot," he sat on the back of the couch, slightly behind where Chase stood, and ran the blade of his pocket knife across the palm of his hand in, what he hoped, was a threatening manner. Someone had better start explaining.

"I thought you were in South Carolina," Sam started quietly, "I thought you were there."

Dean snorted. He thought she was dead. Chase shot him another death glare, and the phrase "if looks could kill" ran through his head. Then again, she probably could kill. And she probably wouldn't even give him a look before she did it.

Madison ran a hand through her hair. "I was." The girl gave answers almost as good as Chase's.

"Why don't we go into the kitchen?" Lilly tried to sooth the tension, "I've got pie, and cookies, and milk of course."

What was this women? The pack's mother? Almost like she could read his mind, Chase kicked him in the shin. Hard.

"What is wrong with you?" Dean exclaimed leaning down to run the now tender area. "I planned on using that leg!"

"Oops," was all she muttered.

"I…" Completely caught up in their own little world, Madison and Sam kept stuttering. "I…I wanted to tell you that I was here. I wanted to…come see you, but-" Madison kept twirling her crimped hair round and round her finger.

Dean was about to tell her to spit it the fuck out, but he was afraid that he might actually finish the job Sam was supposed to do, and, in his haste, take out the rest of the wolves as well. Or earn another will placed kick from Chase. It was hard to determine the worse fate.

"But what?" Sam asked in that touch-feely way Dean hated.

"She wanted to save you," Kisten answered in a sing-song voice. "She didn't want to rip that lovely little heart right out of that lovely little chest."

"Kist!" Lilly scolded.

"Stop it!" Chase said at almost the same time.

Madison kept here eye on the carpet. "No, she's right." She looked back up at Sam, "I didn't want to hurt you, and," now her gaze shifted to Dean, "I didn't want you and your brother to fight."

"Don't turn this on me, sweetie," Dean answered defensively. Chase leaned back to quiet him, but he pushed her away. "I wasn't the one who begged to die, and I wasn't the one that was supposed to kill you." Both Sam and Madison shifted uncomfortably. "Don't you dare bring me into this." Shoving the knife back into his pocket, he marched past the crowd and out the door.

"Where do you think you're going?" Chase yelled after him from the brightened doorway.

He spun around. Her athletic frame was haloed in the soft light that glowed from the busy living room. She looked almost angelic, and it was hard to keep hold of his anger. But somehow he managed. "We're in the middle of a hunt, if you haven't noticed, and I'm going to get some answers."

"You can't go alone!" Chase started to run after him.

"I've been alone before. I think I can handle it." He strode on.

"You don't know these woods. You'll get lost." Damn that girl could move fast. Only a second and she was beside him.

"I don't need you, Chase." Dean stated through gritted teeth. "Not at all."

Chase bit her bottom lip. "Fine, I'll meet you at the edge of the town. At least do me one favor and don't go in without me?" she practically snarled.

"Fine." Dean held up his hands in surrender. "I'll meet you."

Chase nodded and Dean watched in amazement as her shape slowly slid into the wolf's. Black fur immediately blended into the night, and Dean suddenly felt very alone.

X

An hour and a half later, after bumbling over logs, sliding on leaves, and walking in countless circles, Dean finally found Chase sleeping lightly in the shade of a tall tree. He watched her for a second, debating between waking her and joining her, it had been awhile since he slept, but she quickly decided for him as she slowly stretched and sat up.

"Well, hello," she said with a sly smile. "Good to see you, Dean."

"You dream anything helpful?" Dean didn't bother to hide the malice in his voice.

Chas simply leaned back on her elbows, and grinned. "A bouncing baby boy was born last night. That house," she pointed behind her.

"So?"

"The thing feeds off kids, right? If it was a woman in town, wouldn't it make sense to scope out the house before trying to steal a child?"

"But it's a baby. It won't be able to come out by itself." He wanted to fight her on this. Actually, he just wanted to fight, and she was around.

"But its sister could come and bring her new brother with her." Chase's smile got a little bigger.

"Oh." Dean scowled. "Well, maybe we should go look around."

"My thoughts exactly." Chase stood up and stretched. "This way," she said pointing to a well worn trail.

Dean followed her up the path and into the quaint town. There was hardly anybody on the street, but he couldn't help but notice the slight way she walked. It was like she was banned from the town or something. Chase stuck to the shadows, and kept her head down until they came to a door with a thin blue ribbon tied around the handle. Chase knocked quietly on the door before easing it open.

"Hey," Dean started to grab her arm, "we can't just go barging in."

Chase shook her head and stepped into the darkened house.

Fighting the urge to throw a temper tantrum, Dean quietly followed.

"Chastity!" a bell-like voice called. A tiny, golden haired girl ran into Chase's open arms.

"Hey, Alice." Chase gave the girl a hug, "How do you like your new brother?"

"Sammy smells. And cries," the girl answered matter of factly, "but he smiles at me and I love him."

Chase grinned. "Sammy huh?"

"Yes. Papa named him. It's a good name."

"Very good." She glanced at Dean over the girl's head. "Can you tell your mother I'm here?"

Alice ran back into another room, and Dean could make out quiet voices. "You've made friends?" Dean scoffed, "That's a surprise."

"I'm chalk full of them." Chase muttered as a tall man came into the room.

"Miss Stone," the man inclined his head, "It's nice to see you again."

"Evan, please, call me Chastity." She grinned at the man. "How is your mother?"

"Good, miss…um…Chastity." He grinned, "My brother's been the spectacle of the town all morning, so you understand that she's exhausted."

"Of course." Chase said with ease, "We just came by to see Sam, I believe Alice said."

"Yes. Samuel. After Grandfather." Evan glance back to the room and then back at Chase. "I could bring him out for a moment, if you'd like?"

"Oh, would you?" Chase's smile was so sweet, it almost made Dean sick.

Evan blushed, "Sure. Just a moment." He headed to the back of the house.

"Someone's got it." Dean stated as Chase's normal, cold look came back.

"I seem to pick them up," she answered simply as she sat in a wooden rocking chair.

Dean followed suit and settled in a hardback seat. "So this is how we're gathering information?"

"Hush," she snapped as Evan walked in with a bundle of blankets.

"Here, ma'am." He said handing her the almost insignificant weight. "He's been sleeping for the past few hours, so don't be surprised if he wakes."

"Of course," Chase smiled into the covers.

Evan watched a moment more before explaining. "Mother says hello and that she's sorry she's so indisposed."

"No worry." Chase said only quasi-attentive. "I'll come back and see her soon."

"Evan!" Alice ran into the room. "I need you to help me fix my doll house."

With an apologetic shrug, Evan followed his sister out of the room.

"He telling you anything about our Malaysian witch?" Dean asked as he stared at the ceiling, "Chase?" he asked when she didn't answer, He looked over to find her completely wrapped up in the kid. Women. "Earth to Chase," Dean snapped his fingers.

"Hush," she snapped.

"Sorry," he drew out the word. "I was just wondering if we're actually going to look around. Or are you too busy with that thing?"

"It's not a thing," she began, but the baby began to cry.

"Looks like one to me." Dean sat back in his chair and watched Chase stroll around the room, cooing to and bouncing the baby on her hip. Maybe what they said about maternal instincts and all that was true. Chase seemed to know exactly what she was doing. "You're good at that," Dean commented when she sat back down. "Experience?"

"Yeah. I've got a few kids holed up in the basement at home," she replied sarcastically.

"Sheesh," Dean said, "It was just a question."

"Stupid question," Chase muttered readjusting the baby in her grasp.

"Actually, it's not." Dean replied standing up. "For all I know about you, you could have ten kids in France or something."

Chase glared at him. "Well, the first thing you should know is that I don't have nor will I ever have kids." She shook her head. "Sit down. We'll go in a minute."

"Why?"

"Because you need to learn patience."

"No. I meant why won't you have kids? Given up on the male species so soon?"

Chase snorted. "Not exactly. I just don't know how they would turn out."

"I don't get it."

Sighing, she explained, "Would they be wolf? Human? And if they did come out like me, I'd feel horrible for bringing someone into this life." She looked down at the baby again, "No child should have to learn to hunt as soon as it can walk."

Was there regret in her voice? Dean examined her as she rocked back and forth. She was even more guarded than he was, and that was saying something. "But you want one?" he prodded.

"A baby? No. It would ruin my lifestyle."

"Sorry," Evan came back into the room. "Everything alright?"

"Of course," With one last look, she handed the baby back to its brother. "He's adorable. Please, tell your mother I'll be by later?"

"I will." Evan showed them to the door. "It's good to see you," he said as a goodbye.

"You, too." Chase waved as the door clicked shut behind her.

"Now what?" Dean asked shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Now we-" she became stock still.

"What?" He glanced around nervously, gripping the knife in his pocket.

But instead of answering him, Chase walked off down the small road.

"What is it?" Dean insisted as he followed her.

"I smell it."

"Smell what?"

"Vinegar."

It was amazing how much one, random word could mean. "Where?"

"I don't know…" she trailed off. Suddenly, she stopped walking. "Right here."

Dean could feel the smooth blade against his thumb. The only thing he could see was a house surrounded by a white fence.

"That's twisted," Chase muttered.

"What is?"

"That's the house where everything started." She took a step closer, "And that's where it's coming from."

Dean stared at the house. The tiny door opened and a young women came strolling out. "Can I help you?" she asked cautiously.

Dean smiled, "Just admiring your home, ma'am. It's…great."

The woman smiled hesitantly in return. "Oh, well, thank you."

He waved to the woman and Chase pulled him away. "It's here," she snarled. "That's who it is."

"How can you be sure?"

"Could you not smell it?"

"Obviously not." They made it to the edge of the town and forced their way through the branches of the forest.

"We can rest here until nightfall. I don't want to be too far away."

"Why don't I rest here. You can head back."

"You can't just dismiss me," Chase retorted.

"I just did." Dean crossed his arms. "Go pacify your pack or something."

Chase ignored the insult. "You shouldn't be out her alone."

"I'll call Sam." He pulled out his phone.

Glaring at him, she conceded. "Fine." And stalked off.

"Fine," Dean mimicked, and dialed Sam's number