C14

-o-o-o-

Still on a high, back inside Dean kept glancing at Kate and erupting into bouts of laughter. Eventually, she put a stop to it.

"Dean, I appreciate how exciting and amusing this evening has been for you, but we're to work on how to find baby Daniel. Will it help you focus if I tell you that my life's also in danger now because of what I did out there?"

Sam wisely concentrated on removing pizza's from the oven and cutting them into slices. Dean's latest fit of laughter abruptly ceased and in less than the blink of an eye, he became deadly serious.

"How so? You got rid of the thing, didn't you?"

Kate sighed, then smiled up at Sam as he brought plates and a tray of pizza slices over to the table.

"Thanks Sam. No Dean, Sadly I didn't get rid of anything, not permanently anyway. I only kept it away from you for tonight. And, by doing that, what I've achieved is toreveal to the Pooka that I'm a Maiden, and that I'm trying to help the both of you. Where do you think the Pooka vanished to?"

Dean shrugged, admitting to not knowing. Sam' however, narrowed his eyes and went with the straight forward guess.

"Back to the Un-Sidhe Fey lands?"

Kate nodded.

"Right, for a start. Then it's more than likely he clip clopped straight to the Master to tell him that he saw a Maiden in your company. I mean, if the plan had been to attract attention, then between us all I'd say we've certainly achieved that goal tonight. So anyway, if it's alright with you two? I'll tell you what I can, and I truly hope it's enough to help keep the pair of you safe. I can't stand to think of anything happening to either of you, but, I can't stay around after tonight. It's not that I want to leave this place, but now I'm known to the Un-sidhe, I've got to make arrangements to move on as soon as I possibly can; again. That said, I can't think of anyone I'd rather share my last meal in this town with. I would've said last beer as well, except nobody's offered me one!

-o-

So my friends, one of the first things you need to know is that you, Dean, are now wanted as much as the baby was, and that means the Un-Sidhe will be trying to get their grasping hands on you at the same time as the you boys are going after our Pooka pal."

So many questions whirled around inside Sam's head, he almost didn't know where to begin. He settled on the query that caused him the most anxiety.

"Why? Why would they want Dean?"

"First, I've already told you, our Dean here is twice Fey touched. That alone makes you a rarity Dean. And secondly? Have you looked in a mirror lately Dean?"

Dean frowned, he had the distinct feeling that he had missed part of the conversation somewhere along the line.

"What're you talking about?"

"Surely you don't need me to point it out?"

Sam turned to his brother and looked at him, really looked at him in a way he hadn't done for a long time. Why would he? Dean's face was as familiar to Sam as his own. When you see something constantly, over time you stop actually looking and just accept it is there. Dean squirmed under the intensity of his brother's gaze.

"Dude! Seriously?"

Sam dropped his stare.

"Sorry. I think what Kate is hinting at is...Well...You're not exactly ugly, are you? At least, that's what you keep telling me."

Aware his cheeks were once again ablaze, Dean pointedly ignored his brother and fixed on Kate instead.

"So you're sayin' that, 'cos I'm not the Elephant Man, I'm a target?"

Kate shrugged.

"Pretty much. Course, if any of the high Un-sidhe catch a look at Sam. Well, what can I say? Buy one get one free?"

"But...That's not fair. It's him thatsquished their pet spider, not me."

Kate instantly rounded on Sam, feeling that she was rapidly getting out of her depth with these two.

"What spider, exactly?"

-o-

Kate looked from brother to brother, stunned.

"Tell me, do you always manage to create this much interest between you? Have neither of you ever heard the words covert or understated? Do you always start a case by actively yelling Hey! You! Is it ok if we hunt you? Unbelievable! That note boys was an offer. Your one chance to walk away. Instead, Big Foot here squashes one of the Master's personal messengers!"

Sam opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by a glare from Kate that screamed Mother Tone.

"Before you try telling me you didn't know it was a messenger from the Un-Sidhe Master...He doesn't actually care whether you knew or not. He's Un-Sidhe Fey. He only cares about the insult you've thrown at him by killing the thing."

Dean attempted to identify a positive out of what seemed to be turning into one giant sized cock up.

"Well. I guess we can stop looking for a way to call the Pooka to us. From what you're saying, I just hang around in the open and he'll come. Right? I figure he'll take me to their leader? So really, that just leaves how to protect ourselves from Fey magic, although I think I've got that covered with the bread thing, how to gank the Pooka and the Master and, finally, how to get the baby back here again."

Kate had her head tilted slightly on one side as she listened to Dean, nodding and smiling at him occasionally until he finished and looked at her expectantly. Kate grabbed another slice of pizza as she stood up from the table.

"Right then. Sounds like you've got it covered, guess I'll go home and start packing. Oh, I am confused about one thing though. I'm not sure why you think feeding Un-sidhe ducks would be useful? I'll save you wasting your time anyway, there are no ducks in the Un-Sidhe Fey lands."

Sam was getting a headache.

"Kate, why're you talking about ducks? Dean never mentioned ducks...Um, did you?"

Dean shook his head, looking baffled. Kate drew her eyebrows together, acting confused for the benefit of the two Hunters.

"Oh. That's not what the bread was for? Feeding ducks? 'Cos it's no good for anything else. Ooo! Unless you're planning on having a picnic when you get hauled off into the Un-sidhe lands?"

Worried, Dean wondered if Kate was now having a meltdown?

"It's to protect us from Fey magic. You know, dry bread carried on you?"

"Please, tell me, what pile of rubbishy fantasy comics did that crap come from? Seriously? Dry bread? You've a lot to learn boys, so we might as well get started. Take me through your research notes.

-o-

It was the early hours of the following morning, the Maiden and the Hunters were all desperately tired and weary by the time they had sorted, thrown out, and added to the original research notes until Kate was satisfied that the brothers had most of what they needed to complete the task ahead. The strain showed, it was especially bad on Kate as she moved stiffly to retrieve her jacket. Dean took it from her and held it whilst the Maiden slipped her arms into to it.

"What the Hell have you got in here Kate? It weighs a tonne!"

Kate grinned.

"Hold your hands out."

Reaching inside the pockets, Kate began extracting handfuls of various sized rusty iron nails and dropping them into Dean's hands.

"These are what stopped the Pooka from following you into the car park. I threw a load of them on the ground across the car park entrance. They create a barrier impassable by any Fey. Effective, but quick and easy to carry and use. Now, much as I'm going to miss the company of you boys, and I am, it's time I was gone. I've got a lot to do before I can move on to somewhere new. I hope you find Daniel. Please be careful both of you and I'll think about you often. Look after each other. Now, hugs, or else!"

-o-

The first light of dawn was just visible on the horizon when Kate pulled out of the motel car park and turned onto the road, heading towards the flat she had called home for the past eight years. She felt a deep seated sadness that she wouldn't be going into work that morning. She had enjoyed working at the hospital and made some good friends there. The more she thought about the people and things she was having to give up, the more her vision blurred. Turning into a blind bend, she almost didn't see the police patrol car parked just around the corner and she had to swerve out into the road to avoid slamming into it's rear end. Shaking, she pulled up at the side of the road a few yards in front of the patrol car. Looking up into her rear view mirror, she saw the drivers side of the patrol car open.

"Oh great! Shouldn't have parked straight after the bend, asshat. Oops! Now, now Kate. Pull it together. Smile for the nice police officer."

She lowered her window as the uniformed cop unhurriedly strolled towards her car. Kate turned and smiled as the officer came to a halt by her side, bending down to peer at her through the open window. Odd. Why's he wearing sunglasses? It's still dark! Man, what a jerk.

"Morning Officer. I'm truly sorry about that, I didn't expect anyone would be parked just the other side of the bend. I assume you want to see my licence?"

The officer grinned and removed his sunglasses. Kate frowned, there was something familiar about the guy's face.

"That won't be necessary ma'am. You won't be driving this, or any other vehicle, ever again anyway."

"I'm sorry? What did you just say?"

"I said...Good bye Maiden."

It was too late for Kate to do anything when she finally saw the barrel of the officer's gun pointing directly at her.

"Wha?...,...

Kate had just enough time for one, final, fleeting thought before she died. Detective Phillips?

-o-o-o-