AU: I am so very sorry about the wait, I hope that this will make up for it (even though it's not very long). I'll try to update soon... real life is kicking my behind though. Take care!

John stared in shock at his little brother, not believing that that was what Dean thought of him; but then again, it shouldn't have been any real surprise. Sighing, he had known this was going to happen, but he had tried so hard to ignore it. This needed to be dealt with now, before anything else popped up and threatened their remaining family.

"Dean, I'm not leaving. I want you, me and Sammy to stick together… why do you think I was doing everything I could to do what Judge Anderson wanted? It wasn't so I could pawn you or Sammy off on anyone; it was so no matter what we were together."

Dean gave a snort of disbelief before he turned his attention back to Sammy. He didn't know why he was so mad at John, and he didn't know if he believed him, but he did know that right now he couldn't take care of Sammy by himself – no matter what he said. There would be times that he'd have to go find food, and he wouldn't be able to take his brother with him, but wouldn't be able to leave him by himself either.

"Look kiddo, things will be better tomorrow. Right now we're both about to explode and that's not going to help our baby brother at all. So how about we forget this conversation for now and deal with later, when we're both feeling better." John said as he found a blanket and placed it on the couch. He knew that Dean would want Sammy as close to the fire as possible without putting the kid on the floor, and he couldn't agree more – too much had already happened for him not to realize the importance of that one little act.

It didn't take any time at all to get Dean and Sammy situated on the couch and John comfortable on the floor by their side, it took even less time for the older brothers to see that their ministrations had at least a small effect on their baby brother as they watched him close his eyes and fall asleep.

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As Tara stood and looked around, she could feel her new body move just as she liked – with a fluid grace that most people only dreamed of. She hadn't planned on picking this one, but something called out to her, most likely it was the innocence the young woman exuded; so much easier to get what she wanted if people didn't expect her manipulations.

Smiling, she danced around in a circle, once again enjoying the feel of the body's movements and gathered her plan closer while schooling her features to one of pure guilelessness. Her mark was close by; all she needed to do was lure him in before setting the trap she knew would bring the Winchesters to their knees.

Quickly adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder, she hurried inside the darkened establishment allowing her eyes to dart around like the skittish girl she was portraying. It didn't take long before others noticed her, but it was one that she set her sights on and smiled inwardly when her efforts were rewarded when he slowly made his way to her.

"Darlin' I'm pretty sure you're in the wrong place." He drawled; his rough voice and scarred face belying his gentle words.

"Ummm… no, I don't think so." Tara said nervously while looking around as if the people in the room were going to jump out at her. Although if they knew what she really was, she knew that's exactly what would have happened. "I was told I could find a Mr. Mackenzie Lane here."

Suspicion clouded the man's face as he looked over the tiny woman in front of him. He was never one for coincidence, and today was no exception. "Cristo." He hissed under his breath and wasn't surprised when he saw the violet eyes turn black. "Sweetheart, you really wandered into the wrong place." Mac Lane sneered menacingly as he grabbed hold of the arm of the young lady, knowing that there was possibly an innocent trapped somewhere in there.

Tara smiled, knowing that she got everyone's attention. "Fine, you found me out, but you can't blame a girl for trying… and before you ask, yes… I'm a girl. Now, how about we get back to business." She said before she turned and looked at one of the other patrons in the bar. "You really don't want to do that, because I can do a lot of damage in here before you finish with that little exorcism of yours… that, and I'll be back out of the pit before it's time for breakfast." Seeing their shocked expressions her smile widened. "Ah, I see I have your attention… good. I have a message to deliver and I was told that only you would do Mackenzie Lane. Little Sammy Winchester is making a name for himself down below and it's making some of my kind very nervous."

Mac looked at the girl before him before smirking. "Yeah, and? The kid's young, but he was born into this life so I'm not surprised he's making waves. Maybe you should find someone who cares if your friends are 'nervous'."

Laughing, Tara shook her head. "No honey… not nervous as in 'oh no the big bad hunter is coming to town', more like nervous as in 'oh crap the kid is ready to take over'. Think on that awhile." She said before she released the host, her blackness blanketing the ceiling for a moment as she watched the hunters below her mull over her parting words, her only regret was not being able to watch what she caused.

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Caleb wasn't in a good mood and he didn't care if anyone knew about it. He felt like he'd just been screwed in the head by a demon and what do you know… he had! Between that and wrecking his car, he felt that he was entitled to be a bit moody – that and the knowledge that Sammy was in more trouble than they thought. He didn't know how he knew, just that something was bothering him about the little bitch's visit had him sure that there was more to it than what she had let on.

"Calm down, we're almost there." Bobby growled as he tried to ignore Caleb's fidgeting. He was worried too, but he knew that they wouldn't be able to do anything if they all were in a ditch somewhere.

As Jim listened to both Bobby and Caleb, he knew that they needed to get to the boys fast if for no other reason than to save the men next to him from coming to blows with each other. His patience was already worn thin, but he also knew that it wasn't going to help matters any if he actually jumped into the fray of the argument he knew was brewing in the truck.

"Look, I know you don't believe me but something's wrong." Caleb said tightly as he pointed to the last turn, knowing that it wouldn't be too much longer before they got there and it wasn't going to be a moment too soon.

The cab of the truck was quiet, the tension building ever since that last turn and none of the occupants dared to think of what they would find. It was bad enough that the boys had felt they had to go into hiding, but to think that Sammy was hurt in some way was tearing them all apart. Finally seeing the small cabin, Bobby forced himself to stay calm. They had no idea what they were walking into and they all needed to stay calm, at least until they saw for themselves what was actually happening.

As the truck came to a stop, Caleb climbed over Jim to get out and stumbled his was towards the cabin door, knowing that both Jim and Bobby had already caught up with him and were just as anxious to see the boys as he was. Not bothering to knock, he pushed open the door and the three men stepped just inside the doorway and stopped suddenly, horrified at the meaning behind what they saw.