C21

-o-o-o-

"You look like you're off your head on something very illegal doing that."

Having cleaned themselves up and each satisfied themselves that the other wasn't trying to hide any breaks, sprains or internals, Sam appeared out of the kitchen carrying coffee and combined anti-inflammatory and pain control tablets for both of them. Dean was sat on the edge of his bed, he had both hands up in the air and held as if he was pegging washing out on a line. Head back and squinting, he was closely inspecting the empty air between both hands in fascination. Sam winced when Dean turned to him, seeing again the dark bruising his fist had caused to one side of Dean's mouth.

"There's nothin Sam. I can't see anythin' at all, even though I know it's there 'cos I'm holdin' it."

"I think that's how it goes when something's invisible. Here, put it down and take these. Just, don't forget where you put it!"

"You gotta admit, it's pretty awesome. No way we're leavin' this behind when we've ganked old Pukey."

Sam gave a short laugh.

"Dean. Once you'd put it in the trunk, you'll never be able to find it again!"

Dean took his drink and tablets from his brother.

"You've got a point there Sammy. I'll have to tie something to it first!"

Sam sat himself down on his own bed facing Dean.

"It's not gonna be an easy thing to lasso Pukey with an invisible rope."

Dean gazed at Sam, knowing already that his brother wasn't going to be happy.

"Yeah...About that. I think there's a better way to make sure we get it over him first time."

"Really? Let me guess...Oh, here's one. How about you act as bait then, while Puckey's chewing on your ass, I sneak up and hook the loop over it's head? That about cover it?"

Dean shrugged nonchalantly.

"If you got a better idea, out with it."

"No. I'm good with it."

-o-

Dean stood up and walked a little stiffly to the kitchen, talking on route.

"Great. So, once you've got the rope around his neck, give the end to me and I'll ... I'll hang onto him while you lay a circle of nails around him."

Dean made his was back from the kitchen.

"Still feelin' ok with the plan?"

Sam was busy taking a closer look at the two wooden pendants.

"Yup. Like the nail part ... What the...? Dean!"

Sam leaned forward, reaching down he brushed the stray sugar off his feet and onto the floor to join the small heap of sugar that was there now Dean had just poured it in front of Sam.

"Sure you don't feel the urge to count it?"

Sam gave his brother an irritated glare.

"No, I don't. How about you count it instead? What was that for?"

"'Cos you didn't argue about me being the bait. You always argue against that one, admit it. Can't blame me for thinking maybe you weren't you."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint. If it helps I'm not thrilled about you being dangled on the hook, but seeing as they've got a thing going for you anyway, makes sense I guess. So, if you've finished playing around, any chance we can look at the where and when we're goin' to do this thing?"

-o-

Standing at one side of the kitchen table, Dean glanced across at Sam.

"Ready?"

Sam nodded and moved to drop a piece of butter soft grey leather into a loaf tin that stood on the table between the brothers. On top of the leather Dean dropped a handful of dry leaves taken from the lengths of bindweed that was amongst the items left behind by the Sidhe Queen. Striking a match, Sam held the flame against a corner of the leather, making certain the material was alight before withdrawing his hand. The brothers watched in silence as the leather and leaves burned, sending a pungent greenish smoke into the air. In turn, each brother leaned their head into the plume of smoke and breathed in deeply, filling their lungs and holding their breath for as long as they could before exhaling again slowly. Both Hunters closed their eyes against a brief dizzying sensation as the smoke was filtered and travelled throughout their bodies carried in their blood. They remained standing until the last of the leather and bindweed had burned away and the flames flicked out.

-o-

Dean stared hard at Sam.

"You sure you've got it?"

Sam sighed and patted the air just above his left shoulder.

"Yes Dean. It's right here, ok? Can we go now?"

"And you've got your twiggy bit on?"

"Yes Dean."

"And you remembered to put your socks on inside-out?"

"For Chrissake Dean! Yes! And I've got a pocket full of rusty iron nails, and I sprinkled some dried St John's Wort out of it's little pot and into my shirt pocket. The vacuum flask's been filled with salt and sugar, crossbow's in the bag, bolts as well, along with Hag stones and your iron dagger. Oh, and from the twenty first century we have torches. Satisfied yet?"

"Maybe. How about what you're carrying on you? Gun loaded?"

"Dean!"

"Well?"

"Chrissake. It's not my first hunt you know!"

Dean remained unmoved by Sam's comment. Sam gave up with a sigh.

"Loaded and in the bag. I even put the safety on mom, ok?"

"Fine. One more thing, then we can get gone."

Sam stared into the palm of his hand at what his brother had just dropped there.

"Seriously Dean?"

"Look, I know what Kate said, but what harm can it do? Put it in a pocket, please?"

With a roll of his eyes Sam did as Dean had asked and pushed the dry chunk of bread into the back pocket of his jeans.

"Happy now?"

"As much as can be. Right brother of mine, let's go rock the Fey!"

"Did you see that on a t-shirt?"

"No, but it'd be kinda cool!"

"I guess, in a strange What's that guy wearin'? Let's beat him up! sorta way."

"After you, Samantha."

"Age before beauty, Deanie."

-o-

In the dead of night, the Impala exited the motel car park and turned in the direction that would take the Hunters close to the area where Dean and the Pooka first came across one another.

-o-

Hanging around in the shadows further back down the road, the driver of an innocuous brown Ford waited a while before starting up the car, and steadily following in the direction taken by Sam and Dean.

-o-o-o-
Ooo-er ;p
Chick xx