Chapter Thirteen:
Let's Shelve That Problem for Another Day?
Breakfast was delicious, but Dean was a little unnerved at the sounds his baby brother were making while eating. Soft moans and even softer gasps at the explosions of flavor he hadn't had in years. As Dean can attest to now, food just doesn't taste the same when you're eating one base component part of a meal at a time. Having to choose in what order to eat this omelet that Sabrina made up. Green pepper first, then egg, then chunk of onion, then a chunk of sausage then back to egg. It's not the same as getting it all in one go. Flavors mixing and complimenting each other at the same time. Sam's vocal appreciation had him practically growling possessively over each bite. Dean shuddered when he actually felt half of those overlarge bites go down past his pocket to the stomach below. Gurgling happily away, Dean nearly lost his lunch before it's even served.
Sam was mid chew, working on one of the pancakes that she also made up, when he felt several elbow nudges and paused to make sure the other two at the table had their attention elsewhere before casually bringing up his hand to rub at his neck before trailing down to open up the top of the pocket and peer inside. Eyebrow raising as he swallowed the bite.
Dean didn't say anything just lifting both hands palm up and jabbing in the direction of the stomach, then holding his hands to his ears and then miming throwing up. Dean's pocket lifted and lowered from Sam's shrug and he went back to finishing up. Dean pouted and just had to deal with the hi-def sound effects of digestion. Thankfully, Sam was basically done so he surreptitiously wrapped up the corner of omelet that he had separated from his portion before he started eating, and slipped it off the table in a hand. Dabbing at his mouth with a napkin Sabrina pushed his way.
"That was delicious." Sam bowed his head respectfully, and Sabrina chuckled merrily.
"Really? I couldn't tell." Winking at him and waving him off. "Brandon, finish up your orange juice."
The teen gaped a little at her order, but shrugged, it had been a long time since he'd been looked after like this. Even with minor things. His own parents weren't ones for home cooked meals. Usually microwaving everything in the house rather then warm up the stove. Brandon tried to think back to when it was actually used. Coming up blank. He didn't have to see it to know that Sabrina's small kitchen was likely well worn. She'd only been here in this town for a few years, but gave off the impression that she must like making things from scratch. She might make some good money selling her own meals, if this Wicca thing didn't pan out. Everyone knows the lone diner in town charges far too much, that's why his pizza place is thriving. Brandon thought that her frequent pizza orders are probably for when she wants something ready made. The breakfast food was quite good and he noticed that she was packing away a good portion of the leftovers onto her previously licked clean plate. "You should watch how much you're eating, young man." He snickered, pointer finger playfully waving in the air.
"Yes Mooom." She sighed over dramatically. Glad that her favorite pizza delivery man was taking this pretty well, all things considered. Figuring that it might be easier for youths to deal with sudden changes easier then people that have lived longer, used to things being stable and unchanging because they've more or less gotten into a routine. In any case, Brandon was a trooper. He just had to work on his tiny people skills if he ever finds out about the man hiding out in Sam's pocket.
The building was set up strangely, that was becoming obvious to the guests, since the kitchen and tiny dining area were just on the other side of the wall separating the store's main room. A third of the first floor was the 'back area' which had the customers bathroom, storage area where the Brandon's couch was next to the side door, with the kitchen and the dining area behind the wall where the cash register was. The stairs leading up to her place were centered with the building, the door had a big sign saying 'private' on it along with the other doors, save for the tiny customer bathroom.
Sam had excused himself and went to the store room and sat on the couch, pushing aside the blanket and pillow Brandon had chucked to the floor. He lifted Dean from his pocket and set him on a nearby storage bin, wiping off an area to put down the napkin wrapped omelet. Dean waited for the huge hands to retreat before digging in. Sitting cross legged and looking around the room from this different view.
"So, Sammy, what's the plan today?" He said around a mouthful of egg.
"Well, we gotta get that potion mixed up and see if that works. Once it's all together it has to sit for several hours before we set it on fire, douse it, then put each thing in, one by one and hope that it works." Sam hung his head, hands clasped. "I hope it works." He muttered and heard Dean agree with him. Lifting his head again, "What did you want to do to pass the time?"
"I was thinking that I would rather get out of here, I don't want Brandon to get all handsy with me again." Dean shivered and chomped down on more egg to distract himself. "I think, and I know I'll never hear the end of this... I think we could take a walk around town. Check it out. I hate being cooped up like this."
Sam tried to keep his feelings to himself. Reminded that he's basically keeping Dean captive, no matter where they go. It's surprising, really, he never really felt like Dean was doing it to him. It was his choice to go with him. Of course, he had his freedoms whenever he wanted to explore whatever hotel they were staying at, or when they went to Bobby's, he could go anywhere in the salvage yard with Rumsfeld at his side, or as his ride. But Dean's used to going much further then that. No one can blame him for feeling cooped up.
"Did you want to go back to the park?" Sam asked but saw Dean shake his head. "The bar?" He chided, "Can get you a shot glass of whatever you want, like a barrel for you."
Dean actually considered it, the bar would be mostly empty this early... "Nah. Just a walk for now." He finished up as much of the omelet as he could and leaned back, rubbing his distended belly. "Damn that was good."
"She's a good cook." Sam rubbed his own stomach.
Dean cocked his head with a lopsided grin, "Really? I couldn't tell! You only sounded like you were making love to it."
"That reminds me..." Sam started and saw the look on Dean face. "Got a girl's phone number in my pocket." He announced and pulled it out to wave it in the air in front of Dean. "Don't worry, we wont do it in the car."
"You'll be dead before you drop your drawers." Dean warned, flipping the silver knife out to aim it at Sam's nose.
Sam laughed and raised his hands up. "I promise. It will be a tasteful date." He crossed his heart and thought about it. Right. He'd never really went on a proper date before. He had considered courting Krissy, but well, that possibility was probably long gone. Especially if she could see him now. Sam's started to fidget again and he heard Dean groan below. "What?" Sam said defensively.
"You don't have a clue do you?" Dean said, folding his arms. "How to woo a woman of that caliber?"
"Shut up. Can't be that hard. You do it all the time."
"I have years of skill, Sammy." He sighed, taking in Sam's slumped posture, indecisive expression and stage fright eyes. And, being the awesome big brother he is, Dean lifted his hands up in a 'what do ya do?' gesture, before dropping them back down. "Alright, I'll be your dating coach."
"Didn't ask for one." Sam grumbled. Secretly thankful for any hints but playing it off like he's old enough to know how the mechanics of dating works. In truth, it's all what he'd seen on TV. Hardly practical in real world applications.
"A - always let her talk. If she starts, never interrupt. Ever. She could be talking about the life cycle of earthworms... do not interrupt. Rule number two, pay for everything, even if she offers to go dutch, says she fine with it. She's lying. Pay for it. We got what, thirty bucks left?"
Sam bobbled his head, more or less. Staying at Sabrina's helped their funds but they still wanted to pay her for the ingredients they'll need to use. It's not free for her, everything not sold to customers comes right out of her pocket. And her store isn't exactly the busiest in town. Most of her customers are coming in from far out of town since it's rare to find a Wiccan supply store in their state. The other good chunk of her business is mailed out to people's houses. Sabrina's already loosing money because they will be destroying all of the suspected objects as soon as they're done swapping their bodies back, and everything is sorted. So the brothers wordlessly agreed to pay for what they need. Trying not to take anything more than hospitality and space on her couch to sleep.
Sam listened to Dean's pointers with a disinterested air, but kept a running list going in his head. Flipping the paper between his fingers the whole time, number memorized by now. Dean boasted for a good ten minutes before he felt the ground tremble from an approaching giant and stood up, pointing in that direction until Sam heard what Dean was feeling and brought his hand over, it would take too long for Dean to climb on and get settled so he shot Dean an apologetic look for snatching him up in his fist and bringing him close to his waist out of view, moving Dean towards his pants pocket the same second Brandon stumbled into the room.
Kid looked like he wasn't expecting someone in there and waved a hand at the discarded blanket and pillow. "Was gonna, uh, clean up my mess." He said and picked up the blanket and started to fold it. "Sabrina offered me a job." He said, chin tucked down to hold the middle of the blanket still as he kept folding. "Can't believe it." He finished up and held it in front of himself, looking for a good place to put it before shrugging and setting it on one of the couch cushions and gathering up the throw pillows next, wiping them down as if they had dirt on them. "I always liked coming here, she's like, the only decent person in town. And she's got a lot of cool things here. No one else is as interesting as her." He pushed the hair back that kept swinging in front as he picked up the shoes Sabrina had worn the night before. Finding the bite of omelet on the box and frowning at it in confusion.
Sam huffed a laugh and said, "That's uh, that's mine. Sorry." Picking it up with the napkin and holding it in hand. "At my place I throw my leftovers out for the strays." He made up an excuse and fumbled with the door, finally getting it unlocked and open so he could toss the bit into the alley and shut it again, only to open it a second later. "Uh, I was just going to take a walk, tell Sabrina I'll be back later. No. Wait. Later. Yeah. Gotta do the thing first." He stumbled past Brandon and strode to the main store area to poke around at the spices and things.
Brandon followed him over, looking at them as well. Hands going to the pants pockets after he shoved his long hair behind himself again. "Damned hair." He grumbled and huffed, turning to Sam. "What did you need?"
"Got it covered." Sam said quickly and pointed at the other end of the store. "Since it's basically your first day, don't want to tick off the boss for your training lessons right?"
Brandon studied him for a few more seconds before shrugging. "Yeah." Then turned to leave but stopped. "So, I just wanted to say, thanks.. uh for what you did last night, and are trying to do. I was an asshole. I just... panicked. Used the excuse I was high and went and got drunk. Then back here, I'm just like, totally dickbag. Sorry."
Sam grinned at him and nodded. "Sure, it's not a problem."
Brandon nodded back and found Sabrina writing something down in her supplies lists. A bounce in his step for being given this new opportunity. He'd always been told everyone his age can only get jobs flipping burgers and there was no hope of getting anything better until his twenties. But here? Now? He's got the potential of becoming co-manager of a store!
Sabrina was doing all this by herself and thought that no one would ever want to work for her, so she never bothered putting up ads. Having an apprentice around that actually has interest in these things is a breath of fresh air. Of course, it will take a few days to get her paperwork in order for someone other then herself to make sense of it. But, small price to pay for the help! She's almost glad this strange event happened. Otherwise she'd still be working herself to the bone, and only having regular chats with whomever delivers dinner. It is sometimes too easy to see them as just the people doing a job, and not as someone with lives outside of that job. Brandon mentioned his home life, and Sabrina wanted to adopt him right up. It wasn't terrible, abusive, or anything, but his parents were not the kinds of people that cared where he went, if he aced a test or what happened at his work. Absorbed in their own worlds. Brandon needed someone to show him that they saw something more behind the name tag. She vowed to boost up his self esteem and keep him out of trouble. And he seemed to be craving some kind of structure. Work and school only did so much to a growing mind after all.
Brandon paid close attention to Sabrina's training. It was obvious she'd never done it before, and he thought her method of talking to him like a normal person was better then the training video he was forced to watch at the pizza place. Over acting and lame, they were outdated and not very useful at the end of the day. No plan of action for dealing with real life problems, like a-holes and thieves. Sabrina was showing him the basics of running the register first, how to fill an order, who to call for refills, then jumped right into self defense and how to handle a rifle for thieves. Now this... this is useful! He never wanted to leave this job. Of course, she would handle the register for the first few months and he was to stock and clean, work his way up to being responsible over the cash and mailing orders. Sabrina just wanted to teach him how to defend himself in case something bad happens, that is of course, something worse then supernaturally swapping bodies with people. Before becoming a Wiccan, she was a firm believer that everyone responsible and old enough, should know at least how to operate a gun safely. Whether or not they actually use it. Not knowing how they work and how to respect them is far more dangerous.
Sam felt Dean squirm in the pants pocket and he finally drew him out into the open again. "Sorry."
Dean waved off the concern, "Let's get the eye of newt and frogs breath and get the cauldron bubbling already. And never. I mean never put me in that pocket again. Jacket or shirt. That's it."
"Got it." Sam said dutifully and lifted Dean up to an old wooden shelf to be more eye level, resting his hand there for his brother to get off of the palm on his own. Already having suffered enough indignities this morning. "You know I'd never put you in danger."
"Yeah yeah, I got your back too, Samsquash. Now let's get this done so you can go disappoint that nice young lady." Dean chided and planted his feet on the shelf and felt a strange buzzing in his feet, looking down at the wood and then up at Sam who was zapped a second later from a static charge. Dean laughed at the jolt Sam got from wood, and felt his own a split second later. Sam's brows raised and he muffled a chuckle right back. "Jeez Dean, pick up your feet when you walk."
"Me?! You were the one creating all the friction!" Dean shot back, feeling that buzz die down and shake himself off as his giant brother moved away. "Shut it, we gotta find this crap an... annn... annnnnn..." Dean trailed off, getting very tired all of the sudden.
Sam turned his head back to his brother after picking up a special candle to light the potion with once they get everything. He saw Dean stagger around as if he was drunk and then slowly fall to his knees, hand going up to rub at his forehead while the other was propping him up from falling further. Sam's worry skyrocketed and he stepped back over to Dean and reached his hand forward to catch his brother before he fell off of the old wooden shelf to the ground far far below. The second he got Dean in hand however, he felt a wave of unnatural calm pass over him. Lightheaded and peaceful in a way that predicts a violent storm. Looking at Dean he saw the same stunned look in the small eyes. Drifting from Sam's face to the ceiling and back.
"Sammy?" Dean whispered, barely audible and Sam couldn't stop himself from falling to his knees next, dropping so fast he barely held on, fingers curling tightly around his small brother and felt his hand warm at the contact. It spread all throughout his body and felt that the same thing was happening to Dean. He then slumped to his side in a semi controlled fall so Dean wasn't thrown from his cupped hands. Hearing other worried voices cry out from across the large room, but it got too muffled to understand.
"Dean?" He whispered back, worried he'd hurt him further, but knowing that if he let go, Dean could die from even this high up. A foot and a half for Sam, three story building for Dean. Sam's vision was fading in and out but he stared hard at the small body in his hands, watching Dean loose consciousness. Small head falling to one side. "I got-gotchaaa." He whispered as blackness overtook them both.
Indistinct sounds came to Sam, sounding far off but loud. His body was being moved. The sensation of lifting and falling. Up and down. On the down, it felt a little shaky, rough, until the thing he was laying on lifted and dropped suddenly with a harsh sounding cough. Then it did it again, and he felt like he was tilting sideways until whatever it was hit a solid unmovable object. His head hurt like crazy, but he had to see what was going on. The thing that slammed him down lifted him up again to a wide soft hill. A steady thrum beat underneath him in a rhythm that he sorely missed. The hill rose and fell again, steadier and less raspy then before. His eyelids finally started to cooperate and he saw the underside of a jaw turned to the side. The Adams apple moved when the person he was laying on top of swallowed thickly. Hands twice his size were holding him on top of the chest. Another loud swallow and a harsh breath, clearing out the rest of the throat without coughing as hard this time.
Sam closed his eyes again. The light too harsh just yet and fell back down to rest on his stomach, letting the rise and fall of the huge chest lull him back into semi-consciousness. The heart kept beating on. So familiar and sorely missed. He was back where he belonged.
Dean had come to first, hands grabbed a firm hold of his shoulders and kept him from sitting upright. Overpowering his weak attempt with ease. Even as his head felt like it was going to burst with the migraine, he had to see what happened. The hands were stronger then him and he gave up trying to sit up. He tried to speak but nothing came out but a harsh breath. He opened his eyes and felt like someone flashed a camera in his face with how bright it all was. Squinting them almost shut again, he used the small crack to see out. Two blobs overhead. Well that helps. He sighed and it turned into a rough cough which jarred loose a larger one that had him turned to the side by the same hands that were holding him down just a moment ago. Something was in his hands and he tightened his grip subconsciously. Not enough to damage the thing in his hands, just keep it from falling out. He coughed out what he could and laid back on his back, squinting up at the two blobs again. Both moving around his head and he heard murmurs coming from them. One of the blobs split apart a smaller appendage which split again into two even smaller. The muffled sound could be a voice? Is the blob a person holding up fingers?
Dean swallowed, hoping to trigger his mouth into salivating, wetting his sore throat. He lightly chewed on his tongue and that got those spit glands going. He swallowed again for good measure. His mouth was still dry as hell but better. One last big exhale and it was clear. After accomplishing that much, his head felt like it deserved to rest. The blobs went away and he closed his eyes from the light. Hands over his chest, he felt a small ball of warmth there and felt his eyes get warm and wet with emotion. He hadn't felt this for what seemed like forever. He dared not move either cupped hand, fearing that if he did, he'd find out that there was nothing there after all. Turning his head away to make sure he didn't see to confirm the empty hands, even if he feels it putting out warmth, no doubt these were traitorous thoughts. That things were fine and dandy. But, he'd take this fantasy right now.
Dean couldn't quite think straight, remember what happened before laying down here... on the floor? Something very cold and flat. His muscles ached. How long had he been here? Where was 'here' exactly? He sighed out those concerns and drifted off into a doze again. Something added to the padding that was already under his head and a half grin crossed his lips in his sleep when he felt a soft bump against the inside of his hands.
"But it's a tiny dude!" Brandon whisper shouted. Being shushed yet again by Sabrina.
"Yes. But they are safe. Both of them were trying to find and get rid of the thing that did this to all of us. We should show them some respect." She watched as both fell into a deeper sleep then when they'd passed out. Responding to their voices for just a few seconds each. She looked the brothers over, unsure how or if they should try and move them. "We'll let them rest here for a bit. Maybe they'll come to."
"But... tiny... dude."
She sighed. Of course, she had a different reaction then the teenager, but his first impulse to grab was not acceptable. She'd only just managed to catch his wrist in her much stronger grip and was grateful for the male physique that was strong enough to intercept. "Go grab a blanket for them." She ordered sternly but not unkind, and pushed at his side to get him moving. Finally, with something productive for him to do, she was left alone with the boys. Carefully checking Sam's pulse on his neck while he held onto his brother. Still going strong. She had no idea what happened. They both were standing here by the shelves and then from what she gathered, Dean was collapsing where he stood, Sam caught him and then fell to his knees right after, protecting the small man from harm as they both passed out without saying a word since then. Even now, it was clear that there was implicit trust between them, not just when they're awake, but sleeping too.
There was no way of knowing if she should try calling paramedics for Sam at least, maybe get a hint as to what happened to his small brother... but couldn't bear separating them, not when they were holding onto each other so tightly. Like the other might float away. Brandon came back with two blankets and a washcloth and she grinned at him for his consideration and he helped her tilt Sam up onto his side gently to tuck in the blanket on both as far underneath the tall man as possible. Trying to cushion his body from the cold floor. The washcloth went over Dean's small form but it looked like the cupped hands were doing pretty well keeping him warm.
They sat back from them and watched them sleep for a bit. She finally stood and double checked her store windows, and door, making sure that no one could see in from outside now that the town was bustling outside. They watched for another hour and finally she pulled Brandon away with her back to the register to get some useful work done. Always in sight of the two in case either of them moved or made a sound. "A Pot doesn't boil when watched."
Brandon snickered. "But it might get smoked." Getting the desired eye roll.
They worked for just thirty minutes on filling out orders she was supposed to send out when he heard groaning coming from the floor. Both abandoning the packing supplies to check on them.
"Sam, Honey? You alright?"
The man blinked up at her, face scrunching before the eyes focused and widened. "You're my size."
It was her turn to squint. "Of course, Sam."
"Sam... Is he alright?" The man looked up and around for some reason before a look of enlightenment hit him and he looked down at his hands. "Sammy?" Lifting one up at a time, carefully, with infinite slowness. Seeing the prone figure underneath. Unmoving and pale.
"Dean?" She asked, hand going to her mouth to contain her gasp.
"Yeah. I'm back... but Sam... he's not..." His voice was cracking, dry. Swallowing thickly several times. Accepting the cup of water that Brandon thrust into his personal space. Instead of drinking it himself, he dipped a pinky finger into the water and brought the digit to Sam's face. Letting the droplet condense on the end and drop onto the tiny face. Splashing over it and soaking his hair immediately.
No reaction. Dean heart was hammering hard, dipping his finger in again, his whole body trembling. "Come on, Sammy." he muttered. The finger came back with a bigger drop of water and it fell when Dean was startled at Sam squirming away from the heavy drop of water and bright lights.
Tiny grumbles from the small man who was trying to pull the thick blanket up over his head again. "Noo..."
"Sammy?!" Dean's voice became louder, happier at the complaining man. Fingers gently pushing his brother back out into the open to get a better look. Check on Sammy. The mantra running through his head was shouting so loud right now. Finally, Sam's squirms were turning petulant and the man pushed himself to his stomach to lift his torso up and away from the wet spot on the shirt caused by the water. Dean set the cup aside to free up his hands.
Sam hung his head, still fighting sleep and wakefulness, and blinked several times at the thing he was propping himself up on. Feeling the warmth in his hands and knees now that he's becoming more aware. The ground lifting up and down in faster waves and he could immediately discern the beating heart underneath. Sam shot his head up and finally saw the wide grinning face of his brother. The shock made him fall back down again and scramble backwards to sit up. Legs akimbo and hands grasping at the shirt beneath him. "Dean?!" He croaked out and got an excited nod back, a move so exuberant that his body shook along with the chest he was sitting on. He stumbled to his feet and used a nearby hand to stay standing. That hand turned and cupped behind Sam, making him fall into it's protective hold as Dean sat up fully. Other hand coming back to pull his brother up closer to his chest, flattening him out as they hugged.
They were so happy they got to change back that they almost forgot they weren't alone and heard a teenage voice start to blubber behind Dean. Turning slightly to the side to see Sabrina was fighting tears, grinning widely at them. Brandon was still staring at the sight. Unsure what this means for him and Sabrina. What did they do to change back? From what he'd been told is that touching the objects didn't work, and the potion spell or whatever it was in the large cauldron wasn't even done soaking or whatever it had to do, it wasn't done yet. How did they do it?
That question was asked aloud seconds later in various ways by the other three so at least he wasn't the only one there confused as hell.
Dean finally let Sam back out of the hug and offered up the cup of water to his once again tiny brother. Sam cupped it and drank his fill before Dean downed the rest. Both were thankful for the lack of headaches that they'd gotten when they first switched. Sam's 'big brain', as Dean dubbed it, came up with a theory that because of the difference in size, that their minds were trying much harder to cope with the swap then Sabrina and Brandon who didn't get the headaches when they swapped... at least, not nearly as bad.
Sabrina crossed her legs as they all sat on the floor. "Retrace your steps. What did you do?"
"Nothing!" Sam spread his arms out. "I was just getting the candle up there and Dean started to pass out on me on the shelf. I caught him before he went over then I started feeling woozy as well. I don't remember what happened after that before waking up just a minute ago."
"Yeah. I mean, you set me down on the shelf and then bam. Lights were going out in London." Dean shrugged. "Oh, there was a static charge though. Remember?"
Sam frowned and thought back. "Uh, yeah. I thought it was weird for wood to hold a charge like that." Both of them looked up at the old wooden shelf and snapped their heads over when Sabrina inhaled sharply. Both hands covering her mouth in shock.
"I never!" She started standing up quickly and hovering her hands over the shelf, looking at all the thing that rested on top. "I thought when you said object... I wasn't thinking... a damned shelf! Shelves just hold things!" She said and looked at it from all angles. "I bought this. I needed something rustic looking for the display!" She was dancing in place and Dean leaned back to avoid getting pranced on. Pulling Sam closer to himself. She looked down at them with an apology on her lips but was too excited to stop. "Brandon! Get up here and touch this with me!"
Dean scooted back to give them room and struggled to get to his feet, his body aching from the hard floor but also from what Sam had done to it the day before. He warned the kid to take it easy climbing... but, he'd take these sore muscles and more to have his brother back to normal. Already he could see Sam finally relax. The panic attacks were gone, he was breathing easier and all around just doing better. Dean had to agree. Felt so good to be normal again.
Just before Brandon got close enough to touch, all three humans jumped at Sam's shout, "Stop!" His arms up in alarm. "If what happened to us, happens to you, you're both gonna fall over." He explained and said, "Dean, put me down over there so you can catch them. Or maybe one of you guys puts it on the floor? Because Sabrina touched it plenty of times but there was no one else touching it at the same time." His mind working through the problem. "I think, whatever activates it needs two people simultaneously. Should be safe handling it solo. We should be careful with it."
Dean nodded along. "Yeah. I'm following ya, Pint size. Here." Dean said and reluctantly set Sam down on a counter nearby, so he could still watch what was going on. Dean held out his hands for nobody to make a move till he gets back. He left for the store room, Sabrina winced at hearing something clatter and fall to the ground but nothing glass or ceramic sounded like it broke in the tumble. Dean came back with a cardboard box long enough for the shelf to fit in. He was about to reach for the shelf but hesitated. "Uh, yeah, no offense, but I don't know what will happen if I touch it again. We don't know what touching it would mean for one of us that had already did the body changing thing twice. I don't want to make either of you swap with me, so until we get this thing destroyed, the safest thing to do for everyone is for only you or Brandon to put it inside the box before you slap the wood together."
Sabrina belted out a single laugh at the euphemism that was not lost on her, and saw Dean wink at her for getting the dumb joke. She sobered up and considered the plan and put her hand to Brandon to back up and give her room to do this. She gingerly picked up the other things resting from on top of it, without actually touching the shelf itself. Removing candles, spices, herbs and small statues. Setting them off to the side in case these things soaked up some of the magic or whatever the shelf was imbued with. Then took and held a deep breath as she gripped the shelf at both points where it was hooked to the wall and lifted up at the same time, freeing it from the wall and as careful as handling a huge bar of plutonium, she brought it to the box and set it inside. Letting go and sighing deeply that she didn't transport her soul into something else.
A collective whoosh of air filled the store from all of them finally exhaling.
"Ok, now, Brandon and Sabrina? Sit down here and here so you land on these blankets." Dean instructed as he laid the blankets out and they did as they were told. "And I guess, go ahead." He shrugged. There didn't seem to be anything more to it. Each reached forward and touched the old wooden shelf and felt the tingle of an electric charge go up into their fingers. Letting go, the charge zapped them and both jolted at that. Each one nervous and expectant before dizziness overtook them both. Just before falling asleep, being guided down tot he floor by Dean hands, they both grinned happily. Their bodies were warm to the touch and dean knew it was working.
Sam and Dean watched the kid and woman carefully. Dean checked their breathing and pulses and gave a thumbs up to a proud Sam. "Nice work, Dean!"
"Me? Dude, you rocked." He said and stood up again to give their version of a high five where Sam slaps the end of Dean's index finger.
A few hours later, the shop owner and pizza delivery boy woke up and looked at their hands and clothes. Laughing and hugging each other. The shelf had been sealed up in the cardboard box while they slept, and Dean was currently drawing protection sigils on the cardboard top, bottom, and sides. He had to cross off all of the previous marks labeling it as a Christmas tree box before adding the sigils. Sam dutifully informed him that the origin of Christmas symbols were originally pagan based but adopted into Christianity. Dean let him talk, enjoying hearing Sam's voice in Sam's voice.
"There. One curse box, to-go." Dean announced and capped the marker again. He lifted it up and brought it to the store's front door and set it just off to the side for now. Turning back to see that Sabrina and Brandon were packing up the other things suspected of being riddled with magic and putting in big bold letters 'Do not touch!' All the while they were swapping stories and observations of their short time being each other. Becoming new friends despite their differences and this whole ordeal. Even if Brandon was no longer tethered here by necessity, he knew there was no other job he'd want to do then this. The excitement of finding out magic exists and then wanting to help people in need. Sure everyone loves pizza being delivered, but there's nothing like feeding the mind. Even if he doesn't want to practice Wicca, he likes the idea of finding peace of mind using the right meditation and herbs.
Sam was glad everything worked out in the end. Watching the going's on from his perch on top of the register counter when Dean came by and gave it a good solid hip check. Moving it over at least an inch from the blow. Sam stumbled from his seat and glowered up at Dean who looked up and away, whistling nonsensically.
Dean then turned to Sam and a feral glint sparkled in his eyes. "Hey, remember when you turned on the faucet with me in the sink? Tumbled me around in a towel and mussed up my clothes and hair? And remember when you nearly swallowed me whole in the car? And remember when -"
As Dean went on, Sam's face paled. Oh... right... his hands went up placatingly as Dean crouched down low to be at perfect eye level. The green glint turning mischievous.
"My turn." Dean finished and plucked Sam up by the back of his jacket. His bag nearly falling off before Sam caught it with his foot. "Come along, Pint size!" Dean carried his squirming brother over to the kitchen downstairs and rooted around the cupboard for a second, pulling out something out of Sam's line of sight. Dean's grin was practically manic, chuckling darkly and Sam couldn't spin himself around to see what Dean was up to.
"We can talk about this yeah?" Sam whined but knew it'd do no good. "Ok, I admit, it was wrong of me to do all those things... tell ya what. You get to pick the music and movies for a month."
"Nope."
Sam started to sweat when he heard something clinking on the counter, kicking about more to loosen the grip. His jacket almost slipping up enough for him to wiggle out below but Dean clever fingers turned him around to encase him in a loose fist. The bag pinched with his curled pinky finger. "Ok! Fine. Two months. Deal?"
"Nu uh." Dean shook his head once. Licking his lips.
"Three! Four!"
"Give it up, Short stack." Dean chuckled at his joke and finished up his masterpiece one handed. Before Sam could blink, he was dropped unceremoniously on top of cold leftover pancakes from breakfast, his bag bouncing right next to him. The second he landed on the fluffy bread, Dean tipped a bottle of syrup over head and squirted the thick brown maple flavored goodness all over Sam's small form. Trying to get up and escape did nothing but evenly coat him in the sticky stuff. Feet sinking into the pancakes like quicksand. His bag wasn't left out of the assault, and Sam knew it would weigh him down due to it being completely coated. At least it was sealed shut so his things should be fine inside.
"Dean!" Sam sputtered out. The over sweet syrup getting literally everywhere. He kept his face mostly clean and fell back onto his butt onto the pancakes when Dean lifted up the plate and brought it to the table.
"Mmmm. Not usually what I have for lunch but, beggars and choosers." Dean teeter tottered the plate, and picked up a fork that was nearly twice as long as Sam was tall, and chopped off a good portion near Sam's legs. Bringing it to his wide open mouth and chewing noisily. "Oh yum." Dean smacked his lips, giving his brother a good show. "Sammy, gotta try this!" He cut off another chunk and pushed it against Sam's chest before wiggling it just a bit and bringing it up to his mouth. Chewing just a few times before swallowing it in one big gulp. "Oh, yeah." He said, letting Sam get his legs free thanks to the chunks missing from the stack. The little man scramble out of the pancakes and onto the plate to wipe off as much syrup and doughy crumbs as he could with his hands. Looking towards the edge of the table to see if he could manage to get down with a sugar laden pack and hook.
"Hang on there, can't get down with a slippery line! That's dangerous!" Dean admonished playfully, using a napkin to wipe his mouth daintily. "Here, I'll help ya out." Dean smirked and Sam backpedaled.
"No no! I got it!"
"Nonsense, it's not a problem at all." Dean curled his hand around Sam's sticky body and brought him back into the main store and got down on his hands and knees. "Here ya go." And dropped his tiny brother off underneath the counter where the most dust was. "Lemme know if you find anything useful down there." Dean winked before lifting up off the ground and walking away. Pretending he didn't hear the numerous curses being shot at him.
He leaned against the counter by Sabrina and Brandon and said, "Modern day tar and feather." And nodded down at Sam's form, stumbling out from underneath the counter. Doubled in size from the sheer amount of lint and dust. A scowl that could kill gods and devils on the itty bitty face.
"Find something already?"
"Yeah." Sam growled out as loud as he could. "Your untimely death."
"Says the nicest things!" Dean laughed and came back over to kneel down again. "No really, you should look again." Winking and pointing with his finger to the spot where the counters met.
Sam flipped him off but curiosity got the better of him and he turned back around. Spitting out a bit of stubborn dust and syrup from his face. Squinting in the dark he saw a long string of gold, glinting in the reflected light from above. Staring dumbly at the necklace. Remembering Sabrina telling Dean that he could keep whatever he finds and suddenly, it didn't matter that he was a little gray ball of sticky dirty floof. He was now the richest little gray dirty ball of floof that ever was. Picking it up by the clasp he dragged it out, it weighed a lot to him but this thing could buy him all the little sized meals he could eat for a good year or two. Or maybe his own cell phone. Or new furniture. Or a him sized football field of nothing but mini M&M's like the worlds biggest ball pit. Eating the chocolates while swimming in them.
Sam looked up at Dean and couldn't even be mad anymore. They were even. If anything, Sam made it out of this better then before. "Fine. You win." He claimed defeat and felt the warm laugh wash over him.
"God you're a sticky mess. Anyone ever teach you to clean up before appearing in proper company?" Dean clucked his tongue and offered up a palm for Sam to climb on. Sam clutched what he could of the necklace and was lifted up and away. Sabrina was watching the whole thing and winked. The necklace wasn't hers, probably belonged to the previous owner and forgotten for years. No loss on her end. And she felt good for paying them back in this small way.
Dean dropped Sam off in the plugged sink so he could clean up, while he put everything into his car for the trip back to the grand kids that hired he and his brother to take care of this mess. Wouldn't they be surprised to find out what this hunk of old wood does?