A.N. Here it is, as promised, another chapter to be going on with. Hope it reads ok. Chick xx

CHAPTER 12

I'll see you soon.

Sam stood, panting, staring fixedly at the spot where Hecate had been. It was the sound of Barbara, sobbing and murmuring broken words of comfort and reassurance from where she knelt by Bryn, which brought Sam back to the here and now. Gathering himself, he turned to find Barbara's pale, tear streaked face looking up at him whilst she stroked the dog.

"Sam...You have to kill her...Promise me you'll do it? You'll make sure that bitch dies...for good!"

Sam walked over and knelt by Barbara, pulling her into a hug. As her sobs increased he nodded.

"I'll find a way. I will."

Bryn gazed up at Sam and whimpered. Reaching out, Sam gave the dog's ears a fondle.

"How's he doing?"

Barbara broke away from Sam's hug, returning her attention back to Bryn.

"He's just badly winded. He was trying to protect me. I think he managed to get a couple of good bites in before she ... Yes you did, didn't you my big, brave boy?"

Barbara looked at Sam again, fear clearly showing in her eyes.

"What about Ruth? How the fuck did she just go poof like that? What the Hell is she? Oh! Friggin' Hell Sam...What about Dean? Did you talk to Dean?"

Sam took a deep breath, struggling to contain his own internal anxieties.

"No. There was no answer. I'm going over there, he...if Hecate's witchy worm-holed herself back to Ruth's...I..."

"Try him again, now."

Sam hesitated, then shook his head,

"I can't risk it. If he is still in the house, there's a chance he might've seen Ruth appear without her spotting him; he could've managed to get hidden somewhere safe Last thing he'll need is his damn ring-tone starting up...

"He'll have it on silent, won't he?"

"Not a gamble I'm willing to take."

"But he could be in trouble, she might've zapped back right beside him! Sam...What if...?

"Barbara...Don't. It's Dean. He can handle himself, really. We're Hunters. It's what we do, what we've always done; and it means we deal with this kinda shit every day. It's constant, it's dangerous, it's definitely a pain in the ass. One of the very few things that helps us to keep us going, Keeps us in the game, is our absolute belief in each other's ability to survive; and knowing that we'll always have each other's back. I have to assume he's ok. There's no other choice. Look, I need to put some stuff together, and I need to borrow your car. Is there somewhere you and Bryn can go? Someone you can stay with for a couple of days if necessary? Maybe an address that Ruth doesn't know?"

Barbara lowered her head, thinking.

"Donna! We could go to Donna's. She's never been a part of this idiotic coven thing, she's always said I shouldn't be playing at being something I didn't fully understand. Boy...was she ever right!"

"Ok. That sounds good. And she won't mind you turning up out of the blue?"

Barbara actually laughed at that.

"No, no way. Not Donna or Turner, her husband. We'll not be the first to turn up at their door in some kind of crisis or other!"

Sam looked at Barbara seriously.

"Yeah? That's great, it is. But you gotta admit, this time it's a bit different to someone needing a shoulder to cry on. Any thoughts on what you might tell them?"

"Yeah. I'm going with the truth."

Sam raised his eyebrows.

"Barbara...I'm not so sure..."

"Trust me Sam. These people? They'll cope. Also, Bryn loves them and the feeling's mutual. Take the car. I'll ask Turner to pick Bryn and me up. Just, please...I'll need to know that you and Dean are ok. You'll ring me, won't you? When you can? I'll give Bobby a call once I'm at Donna's, tell him everything that's happened, is that alright?"

Sam nodded.

"Of course. Let him know I'm going after Dean, but tell him to stay put. Best thing he can do to help? Find me a way to end this. Tell him that, will you? For now I suggest you hurry up and go pack what you'll need, keep it simple."

...

Whispering. There was definitely whispering. That really irritating kind of whispering that means you can't make out one word, no matter how long you lay or how hard you try. Lay? Am I laying down then? Cause this bed? Not so comfy. No pillow. Wonder if Sammy stole it? He's in real biiiiggg trouble if'n he has, oh yeah baby brother! No...there's..Sammy? Something...there..someth...Shit!...Sheet! Sammy!...The shit, no, the sheet, the sheet killed me...Where...?

...

Sam's expression was grim as he threw his kit onto the passenger seat of Barbara's car. He felt bad about leaving Barbara alone to wait for her friend to arrive, but he didn't feel he had a choice. He had to get to Dean. Turning the engine on he glanced at Barbara as she stood on the driveway, arms folded, watching.

"You sure this guy won't be long?"

"He's already set off. Me an' Bryn, we'll be fine. Go on...go get your brother. And Sam? As soon as you can, you make certain you give that bitch a good hard smack in the teeth from me, ok? Be careful, stay safe. Oh! Crap! I almost forgot...here."

Barbara held out a closed fist. Confused, Sam reached out his palm and Barbara dropped a thin coiled up piece of red yarn into it. Sam's eyes flicked up to hers.

"I'm not sure, but I think it helped. Old creepy knickers sure didn't like the touch of it. Way I see it, you need it more than me right now."

Sam carefully uncoiled the knotted yarn and laid it over his wrist whilst Barbara tied it in place. Sam gave her a warm smile.

"Thanks...I'll see you soon."

With that, he closed the drivers door and pulled away from Barbara's house. She stood, watching, until he rounded a corner and disappeared out of sight. Sighing, she looked down to where Bryn stood by her.

"How the Hell am I supposed to explain all this to Bobby?"

...

With every part of his being screaming out to hurry, it was hard for Sam not to simply ignore any speed restrictions in his desperation to get to Dean's location; and he cursed every set of lights that were against him whilst he sat, engine revving, waiting for them to change.

"She can be a real pain in the arse that one, can't she? Hecate I mean, obviously."

The car swerved in response to Sam's immediate shock at the unexpected passenger who suddenly materialised next to him.

"Whoa there Moose. Eyes on the road!"

"Crowley! What the fu...?"

"Really? Now Sammy...Where are your manners? That's the kind of language I'd expect of your erstwhile brother. Speaking of...How is the scrumptious and yet strangely irritating one by-the-way? I see he's not with you? Not running away from him again, are you? I know that's become some sort of hobby of yours."

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A.N. Until the next chapter! Give me a shout if you're out there and following the fic, just to say hello if nothing else, ok?

Huggles! (cross between hugs and cuddles)
Chick xxx