A/N: Hello all, here's another chapter
Ever since the revelation about Katie's status as a demon magnet Dean kept true to his terms that she wasn't to go off alone. Katie hated it. She loved her husband but having to spend every moment with him, was starting to send her off the edge. They'd just had a big fight about him accompanying her to the bathroom of the diner they were in. Let's just say Dean won and Katie was now not speaking to him. Dean didn't really care if she was mad at him or not, as long as she was safe. He thought about how one more month was gone and how that meant he was that much closer to the end. How was he going to look after her then? They'd been driving for a while now as the moon shined from the sky and there was an entirely different issue bugging Dean. He looked in the rearview mirror to make sure Katie was sleeping before finally speaking to Sam.
"So, I've been waiting since Maple Springs. You got something to tell me?" Dean asked as he shifted a bit in his seat. Sam turned to his brother with a confused look on his face.
"It's not your birthday." Sam said a little unsure of what Dean was taking about.
"No" Dean said matter of factly.
"Happy Purim? Dude, I don't know. I have no idea what you're talking abou-"
"There's a bullet missing from the Colt." Dean said cutting Sam off. Sam just turned away from Dean and looked out the window. "Do you want to tell me how that happened?" Sam just shook his head no. "I know it wasn't me. So unless you were shooting at some incredibly evil cans…"
"Dean-" Sam sighed
"You went after her, didn't you? The Crossroads Demon," Dean noticed his voice getting louder and looked in the mirror to make sure Katie was still sleeping. After seeing that she was he began whispering again. " after I told you not to."
"Yeah, well…" Sam said
"You could have gotten yourself killed!" Dean snapped.
"I didn't." Sam said simply
"And you shot her." Dean said
"She was a smartass." Sam stated.
"So, what? Does that- does that mean I'm out of my deal?" Dean asked a bit hopeful.
"Don't you think I might have mentioned that little fact, Dean?" Sam snapped turning toward his brother. "No, someone else holds the contract."
"Who?" Dean asked
" She wouldn't say." Sam said
"Well, we should find out who, of course, our best lead would be the Crossroads Demon. Oh, wait a minute…" Dean said really laying in the sarcasm.
"That's not funny, plus our best lead is asleep in the back seat" Sam said.
"Not this again, don't change the subject Sam it was a stupid freakin' risk, and you shouldn't have done it." Dean said. Sam turns to Dean not believing what he just heard.
"I shouldn't have done it? You're my brother, Dean. And no matter what you do, I'm gonna try and save you, and I know Katie would do the same if you would just quit being scared and tell her. I just don't want to see you die and I'm sure as hell not gonna apologize for it, all right?" Sam said Dean didn't respond just stared at the road ahead.
Katie stood in the middle of what looked like an empty play ground. She slowly spun around to see if there was anyone there, but there was no one. She suddenly heard what sounded like a child laughing. She turned but didn't see anyone.
"Is someone there?" Katie yelled, but no one said anything just laughing. She jumped at the poke in her back. She turned and looked down at a little girl with blonde hair who was laughing. "Where did you come from?" Katie asked.
"Wrong question silly?" the girl said
"Ok then what's the right question?" Katie asked.
"You gotta ask me who I am" the girl said giggling again.
"Who are you?" Katie asked seriously kneeling down so she was face to face with the girl.
"I'm the one whose gonna take away your heart" The girl said who childish giggling turned into an evil cackle.
Katie stood up and she was no longer in the playground but in the center of the crossroads once again. She heard someone scream in pain. She turned and seen Dean, just as she did before. He was covered in what looked like claw marks. He screamed again, but this time Katie ran over to him and tried to catch him as he fell to the ground. He was too heavy and they both ended up on the ground.
"Dean, wake up!" Katie yelled shaking Dean. "Damnit Dean wake up!" Katie said tears falling down her eyes. She felt a sharp pain and saw a blood stain on her shirt over her heart. She heard the giggling again and turned to see the girl standing with a beating heart in her hands.
"Told ya" the girl said still laughing.
Katie quickly opened her eyes from the nightmare. She could feel the sweat all over her body. She turned to see Dean and Sam were unaware that she'd waken up. They were quiet and there seemed to be tension in the air. But that wasn't surprising. Tension between Sam and Dean seemed to be a regular thing between the two of them lately. Whenever she asked them about they just denied it or changed the subject. Katie pulled off her jacket and laid her head back against the seat as she stared out the window. She hated these nightmares so much, and she didn't know how much longer she could see the same horrible things over and over again. She needed answers, she was just at a loss to where she'd get them.
The next day it was back to work as usual. Everyone was looking forward to focusing on something other than their own problems. The current case brought them to investigate a woman who died in her shower. They started with the woman's aunt who found the body.
"But I don't understand. I already went over all this with the other detectives." Gert Case said holding the picture of the dead girl.
"Right, yes, uh, but, see, we're with the sheriff's department, not the police department -different departments." Dean said
"So, Mrs. Case…" Sam said trying to change the subject back.
"Please, Ms. Case." Gert says staring at Sam with suggestive eyes. Sam smiles awkwardly back as Gert looks him up and down.
"Okay. Um, Ms. Case, um... you were the one who found your niece, correct?" Sam asked
"I came home, she was in the shower." Gert recalled.
"Drowned?" Katie asked.
"So the coroner says. Now, you tell me, how can someone drown in a shower?" Gert replied
"How would you describe Sheila's behavior in the days before her death? I mean, did she seem frightened? Maybe she said something out of the ordinary?" Sam asked
"Wait a minute, you're working with Alex, aren't you?" Gert asked. Katie, Dean and Sam look at each other before deciding to just go with it.
"Yep, absolutely. That's, ha ha ha...Alex and us, we're like this." Dean said chuckling crossing his fingers.
"Why didn't you say so? Alex has been such a comfort. But I'm sorry." Gert replied sitting down and putting the picture next to her. "I thought the case was solved."
"Well, no. No, not yet." Katie said looking down at the woman.
"I see." Get said still staring at the picture.
"So, anyways, we were talking about your niece." Sam said.
"Well, yes. Sheila mentioned something quite strange before she died. She said she saw a boat." Gert stated looking up at Sam.
"A boat?" Dean repeated.
"Yes, one minute it was there, then it was gone. It just disappeared right before her eyes. You think it could be a ghost ship?" Gert asked. Katie looked over at Sam and Dean. It wasn't something she expected for civilians to be aware of such possibilities. "Alex thinks it could be a ghost ship."
"Well, uh, could be." Sam says, Gert just nods not taking her eyes off Sam.
"Well, you let me know if there's anything else I can do for you." Gert says reaching out to stroke Sam's hand. Dean notices and look at Sam shocked. Katie just turns her head trying her best not to just bust out in a fit of laughter. " Anything at all" Sam just nods and looks over at Dean.
"Uh excuse me" Katie said holding up a finger and walking out the door. She couldn't hold the laughter in much longer, but she could at least leave the room when she did it.
"Wait up" Dean said getting up and following Katie out the door, not before turning back to Sam giving him a thumbs up before leaving the room. Sam looked at his brother angrily before turning back to Gert and slowly slipping his hand away.
"Uh I should probably go too" Sam said " If there is anything else you remember just give us a call" Sam almost ran out of there. He saw Katie and Dean standing next to the impala looking at him. " Can we go" Sam huffed as he got into the car. Katie and Dean's laughter roared as they got into the car. They drive to the boardwalk and walk along where the ships are docked.
"What a crazy, old broad." Dean says.
"Why? Because she believes in ghosts?" Sam asks
"Ha, ha look at you, sticking up for your girlfriend, you cougar hound." Dean says laughing. Katie even laughs a bit.
"Bite me" Sam replies
"Hey, not if she bites you first." Katie says.
"Good one, So, who's this Alex? We got another player in town?" Dean asks.
"Maybe, maybe not. Doesn't change our job." Sam says
"And we're thinking ghost ship, right?" Dean asks, before he notices Katie walking further past them. " Hey"
"I'm just walking geez, you can still see me" Katie snaps before continuing to walk. Dean just sighs and turns back to Sam.
"Yeah, ghost ship it's not the first one sighted around here, either." Sam states.
"Really?" Dean says gazing back down the boardwalk to where Katie is standing.
Katie looks out on the water as the sun reflects off of it. Its one of the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. She closes her eyes as the salty air blows through her hair. She suddenly gets a flash of a bloody Dean in front of her. She quickly opens her eyes and tries to shake the image away. She looks down to see Sam and Dean still talking. She catches Dean's eye, as he's watching her. Katie turns back to the water and takes a deep breath. She hears footsteps approach and know before they even arrive who they belong to.
"So we're at a loss with this who ghost ship thing" Dean says. Katie just continues to stare at the sea. "So the silent treatment still, kind of immature don't you think?" Katie turned and looked at him.
"No this is immature" Katie says before reaching and pinching Dean on his arm.
"Ow, what you do that for" Dean says rubbing his arm and Katie smiled.
"Just giving an example, so we heading back to the room?" Katie asked.
"Oh so now you're talking to me?" Dean asked.
"Life's too short Dean to dwell on the little stuff" Katie says smiling.
"Ok what do you want?" Dean asked
"To go to the restroom" Katie said. Dean just nodded. " Alone" she added.
"No way" Dean said.
"Dean I wasn't asking" Katie said. " Look I get that care about me enough to want to spend every waking moment protecting me and I love you so much for that, but I couldn't do that to you" Katie said.
" I really don't mind" Dean said with a shrug.
"Well I do" Katie said seriously. " Look I love you I really do but if you keep following me around I am going to scream"
" I just don't want anything to happen to you" Dean said grabbing Katie's hand.
"Aren't I the one who usually says that?" Katie says laughing a little. All of a sudden she see blood stains forming all over Dean's body.
"Hey what's wrong?" Dean asked looking into Katie's eyes.
"Nothing, just gotta use that bathroom, look its over there and I'll be 5 minutes tops, I'll meet you at the car" Katie says easing away.
"Three minutes" Dean yells.
"Four and a half" Katie calls back.
"Deal, four and a half minutes and I will be checking my watch" Dean said. Katie turned and ran to the bathroom. In four minutes Katie did her business and was headed to the car. She saw Sam and Dean talking to some woman. What she didn't see was the impala.
"Guys, what's going on?" Katie asked as she approached.
"You must be the Misses I'm Bela" Bela said holding out her hand. Katie just looked at the woman's hand and then back at the guys.
"So this is the thief who took the rabbits foot?" Katie asked.
"I'm not a thief, I am a procurer" Bela says lowering her hand.
" Well if I weren't sick that week, you'd be procuring my foot from your ass" Katie says with a smile.
"I see why you two are together" Bela said.
"Why are you here and the car's not?" Katie asked.
"She had my car towed" Dean said still angry.
"You did what" Katie said taking a step toward Bela, but Sam caught her arm and pulled her back.
"She's Alex" Dean stated.
"Alex as in Gert's Alex?" Katie asked.
"Gert's a dear old friend." Bela states.
"Yeah, right, what's your angle?" Dean asks.
"There's no angle, there's a lot of lovely old women like Gert up and down the eastern seaboard. I sell them charms; perform séances so they can commune with their dead cats." Bela stated rolling her eyes.
"And let me guess, it's all a con, none of its real." Katie states.
"The comfort I provide them is very real." Bela says before going to walk away.
"How do you sleep at night?" Sam asks
"On silk sheets, rolling naked in money." Bela says with a smile.
"Ok ew didn't need the visual" Katie said, before turning to Dean who looked like the idea of her wasn't unappealing. She slapped him on the arm.
"Really, Sam, I'd expect the attitude from him." Bela said nodding toward Dean. " But You?"
"You shot me." Sam stated
"I barely grazed you." Bela replies and Sam just looks away. "Cute, but a bit of a drama queen, yeah?" Bela says.
"Yeah really not in the best place to be calling people out of their name" Katie says folding her arms.
"You do know what's going on around here. This ghost-ship thing, it is real." Dean says looking over at the woman.
"I'm aware. Thanks for telling Gert the case wasn't solved by the way." Bela said frustration filled her tone.
"It isn't." Katie replied.
"She didn't know that. Now the old bag's stopped payment and she's demanding some real answers. Look, just stay out of my way before you cause any more trouble. And I'd get to that car if I were you, before they find the arsenal in the trunk." Bela says before walking away. " Ciao"
"Can I shoot her?" Dean asks as they watch her walk away.
"Not in public" Sam says.
"Yeah way too many witnesses" Katie says looking around.
That night there was another "drowning" in the shower. When Dean, Katie and Sam arrived they saw someone familiar posing as a reporter.
"Look who's here" Katie says getting out of the car and leaning against the hood.
"C'mon Sam" Dean says as they walk in Bela's direction. Katie watched Sam and Dean walk away when her phone started ringing.
Yea
Now is that any way to answer your phone deary
No JT but this is how I hang up
Wait, I'm calling to collect on my favor you owe me.
Really already, ok just don't go overboard.
Ok I need you to pick up a bottle of tequila, a clown and a rubber ducky.
Funny, what do you want
Just checking in, I got word that you were playing for the other side there for a while
Yeah that yellow eyed bastard found a way to bring my bad side out
Everything's good now right?
I guess, but some times I still feel that evil inside of me
Well just try to keep it from getting out.
So you really just called to check up on me?
Don't sound so surprised.
Can you blame me, do you remember what you did the last time I saw you.
I was drunk, you can't hold me responsible for what I do under the influence of alcohol.
Yeah yeah JT, look thanks for calling but I'm fine.
Well that's not the only reason why I called.
Well spit it out.
Ok so what are you wearing?
Katie laughed and hung up the phone. And looks up to see Sam and Dean walking rather quickly back over to her.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Bela happened, get in the car and we'll explain once we get out of here" Dean said. Katie looked confused but jumped in the backseat of the car as Sam and Dean got into the car as well.
"Ok so what did he see?" Katie asked once they were far from the Warren house.
"The ghost ship" Dean said as they all started to get out of the car. They headed to the trunk where Sam and Dean started loading their guns. Katie leaned on the side watching them.
"Did he say what it look like?" she asked.
"Yeah he said it like the old Yankee clippers. A smuggling vessel, with the rakish topsail, a Barkentine rigging, angel figurehead on the bow." Sam replied.
"That's a lot of detail" Katie said.
"He said he saw it too" Dean said. Katie looked up just as Bela was walking up.
"I see you got your car back." Bela stated
"Do you really want to come near me when I've got a loaded gun in my hands?" Dean said looking over his shoulder.
"Now, now, mind your blood pressure. Why are you even still here? You have enough to I.D. the boat." Bela said.
"That guy back there saw the ship." Katie said as Sam and Dean tossed their guns in the trunk and turned to face Bela.
"Yeah? And?" Bela asked
"And he's going to die, so we have to save him." Sam replied.
"How sweet." Bela said sarcastically.
"You think this is funny?" Dean asked angrily.
"He's cannon fodder. He can't be saved in time, and you know it." Bela replied.
"And on that note" Katie said before turning around and heading to get back in the impala. Sam and Dean shook their heads and did the same.
"Yeah, well, see, we have souls, so we're gonna try." Dean said
"Well, I'm actually gonna find the ship and put an end to this. But you have fun." Bela said crossing her arms.
Katie turned and watched as Dean walked over to Bela. She really didn't like this woman. Katie sighed, she could go and stop Dean, but nah this woman had it coming. Katie hopped in the car when she had this strange feeling in her stomach. It was familiar. It was painful but she didn't want to cry out, Dean would never let up then. She looked up in the rearview mirror to see her eyes the darkest black she'd ever seen. She reached her hand to the side of her face, when the door to the impala came open and Sam and Dean came in. She turned back to the mirror but her eyes were normal again.
"That woman is a real piece of work" Dean said before turning back to Katie. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, uh maybe we should look into this ship thing too. How about you guys stakeout Peter's place and I hit the library to see what I can find out about this ship" Katie said.
"I don't think so" Dean said starting the car up.
"You don't think so, what does that mean?" Katie asked.
"That mean no princess" Dean said simply.
"Ok which part of what I said sounded like I was I asking for your permission?" Katie asked.
"Well when my wife is on the demon's most wanted list, I think I get to start making these types of decisions" Dean replied.
"Guys" Sam said trying to intervene.
"Stay out of this Sam" they both said in unison.
"I thought we talked about this Dean. You can't be with me twenty four hours a day trying to protect me, One I'm a big girl who can protect herself and two I love you but this really isn't your decision to make" Katie snapped.
"You know what fine, you want to put your life in danger than go right ahead just don't come crying to me when there's hundreds of demons coming after you" Dean snapped back.
"Dean that already happens, look I know you want to keep me safe, but you're being too overprotective Dean, you have to let me breath a little" Katie said. Dean sighed.
"There's no way I'm winning this is there?" he asked.
"Nope" Sam and Katie said in unison. Dean turned and glared at Sam. " Fine but I swear, you stay in the library until I come back to get you ok."
"Deal" Katie said before kissing Dean on the cheek. " Don't worry, I'll be fine"
"Yeah I'll believe it when I see it" Dean muttered. Katie smacked him on the arm.
Katie sat in the library searching through books about the ship. She really didn't want to be research girl, but she just had to get away incase she had another whatever that was back there in the car.
"I guess great minds think a like" Katie heard a voice say behind her.
"Or I just have really bad luck" Katie said turning to look at Bela.
"Oh don't be like that, us women have to stick together" Bela said taking a seat. Katie looked at her then grabbed her book and went to sit somewhere else. Bela got up and sat at the table Katie was at again.
"Really, c'mon just go away" Katie snapped.
"I'm just trying to see what is it about you that they want" Bela said.
"Who?" Katie asked.
"Some clients of mine have come to me requesting that I procure you" Bela said. Katie eyed the woman. " Don't worry I turned them down of course, I don't do the whole kidnapping thing"
"I wasn't worried Bel" Katie said before turning back to read her book.
"So what are you?" Bela asked.
"I am getting annoyed, that's what I am now go away before I go from annoyed to pissed off" Katie snapped. Bela just stood up and went over to the computer. Katie watched the retreating woman. She watched as Bela walked over to the librarian, and take some sort of big box from him. Bela turned to Katie and winked before walking out.
"Why do I get the feeling everything I want to know is in that box?" Katie asked herself. She sighed and closed the book. She stood up and walked through the aisles of bookcases. She found herself walking further, she turned when she thought she felt someone following her. She heard someone laughing. She turned quickly in the direction of the laughing but she didn't see anyone.
"You thought you could get rid of me huh?" a voice called. Katie looked but didn't see anyone. "I'm still hear, so just let me out so I can play"
"Who's there?" Katie asked. When she turned and she was face to face with her evil counter part. Katie looked her up and down. " This can't be real, how are you doing this?"
"Na uh, that's a secret" the evil Katie replied. "Just letting you know I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere"
Katie felt the pain in her stomach once more, this time its was stronger causing her to fall down to her knees. She looked up at herself, with black eyes cackling. She closed her eyes cringing at the pain.
"You're gonna give in sooner or later" she said before stepping into Katie's body. Katie opened her eyes and they were once again black. There was suddenly music playing.
It started when we were younger you were my, my booo
Katie sat up from the book. She looked down and saw a pool of drool . She wiped her face and quickly answered her phone.
Hello
You find anything
Uh no, but Bela was here, and I think she may have the information we're looking for.
Look we're on our way
Wait did something happen?
Yeah, Peter's dead.
Damnit ok I'll be outside waiting.
Right
Dean this isn't you fault.
Yeah
Dean hung up the phone. Katie grabbed her jacket and waited outside the library for Dean and Sam. The ride back to the house they were staying was quiet. Katie didn't say anything. It was their job to save people from the supernatural, and when they failed at that it hits really hard.
Back in the house they are staying Sam is sitting at a table in front of a fire place. The table is scatted with books. Katie is sitting across from him, reading one of them, while Dean was looking at his phone. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. They all look at each other before Dean grabs his gun and walk over to the door. He looks out the peep hole to see Bela standing there. He turns to look at Sam and Katie before opening the door and letting her in.
"Dear god... are you actually squatting?" Bela said before crossing the room.
"You did see her in the peep hole right?" Katie asked, Dean just nodded. " Then why'd you let her in"
"Charming, so, how did things go last night with Peter?" Bela asked. Sam and Dean share a look before turning back to Bela. "That well, huh?"
"If you say "I told you so," I swear to god, I'll start swinging." Katie said crossing her arms..
"Look, I think the four of us should have a heart-to-heart." Bela said.
"That's assuming you have a heart." Dean said.
"Dean, please." Bela said a glint of humanity shining through. Dean walked over and sat at the table next to Katie. "I'm sorry about what I said before, okay? I come bearing gifts."
"Such as?" Sam asked
"I've I.D.'ed the ship." Bela said smiling.
"I guess that's what was in the box at the library" Katie said.
"I don't know what you mean" Katie just rolled her eyes, as Bela hand the picture to Dean. "It's the Espirito Santo, a merchant sailing vessel. Quite a colorful history, in 1859, a sailor was accused of treason. He was tried aboard ship in a kangaroo court and hanged, he was 37.
"Which would explain the 37-year cycle?" Sam said looking at the picture.
"Aren't you a sharp tack?" Bela said searching around her folder. "There's a photo of him somewhere...here." Bela said handing Dean another picture.
"Isn't that the customer we saw last night?" Dean asked showing Katie and Sam the photo.
"You saw him?" Bela asked
"Yeah, that's him, except he was missing a hand." Dean said looking up at her.
"His right hand." Bela stated.
"How did you know?" Katie asked
"The sailor's body was cremated, but not before they cut off his hand to make a Hand of Glory." Bela said
"A Hand of Glory? I think I got one of those at the end of my Thai massage last week." Dean said smiling before getting a slap on the arm from Katie.
"Dean, the right hand of a hanged man is a serious occult object. It's very powerful." Katie said.
"So they say." Bela said.
"And officially counts as remains." Dean says.
"But still none of this explains why the ghost is choosing these victims." Sam says looking over at Dean.
"I'll tell you why. Who cares? Find the hand, burn it, and stop the bloody thing." Bela snapped
"I don't get it. Why are you telling us all this?" Dean asked.
"Because I know exactly where the hand is." Bela said smugly.
"Where?" Dean and Katie asked in unison.
"At the Sea Pines Museum, as a macabre bit of maritime history. But I need help." Bela said.
"What kind of help?" Katie asked.
Apparently the kind of help none of them wanted to do. Bela explain about the charity event at the museum and how they could covertly sneak in and steal the hand. The only problem was that they had to dress up and none of them wanted to dress up. She'd brought the guys tuxes and Katie a dress that didn't fit. Katie knew she'd did it on purpose. After a long tiring conversation with Dean, she left and went on a search for something to wear, under the conditions that she answer her phone on the first ring when he called. She knew that the search for a dress on such short notice would take time so she decided she would meet them at the museum.
Katie wasn't like most girls, but you probably knew that by now. She wasn't too big with the shopping, she usually left things like that up to Lacey. After picking a dress that helped her blend in she then managed hair and make up and now she stood outside the museum waiting in line. She figured by now the others had made it in. Katie walked over to the guard who was holding the guest list.
"Well here goes nothing" Katie said, she smiled at the guard before leaning and whispering in his ear,
I know you, you know me, allow me entrance into the party
After reciting the spell Katie stood back and looked at the guard. He looked at her for a moment before smiling.
"Hey you long time no see" the guard said.
"I know its been like forever" Katie replied with a big smile.
"Well I hope you enjoy yourself in there" the guard said letting Katie pass him into the party. Katie sighed in relief as she entered the museum. She stood there for a moment taking it all in. These were exactly like the parties she'd been force to deal with when she was younger. She then remembered the last party she attended, the one that ended with the death of her grandfather. Katie snapped out of daze when she saw something that surprised her, but it was a good surprise. It was Dean in a tuxedo and he was looking all sorts of sexy. Katie looked her husband up and down before seeing a arm intertwine with his. She looked over to see that it was Bela. A twinge of jealousy went through Katie as she watch the two of them.
Dean already felt uncomfortable in the tuxedo around a bunch of uptight pansy's, but right now he was starting to worry about Katie. He turned and there she was. She was wearing a long black sleeveless evening gown with her hair in loose curls falling over her shoulders. She looked back at him and smiled that smile he loved so much. He couldn't help but smile back as he released himself from Bela and walked over to her. Bela looked confused then turned and noticed he was walking over to Katie. Bela eyed the woman, and had to admit that she looked good. Dean walked over wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him so their faces were inches apart.
"You look beautiful" Dean whispered.
"You're not looking too bad your self" Katie whispered back biting her lip.
"Uh I hate to break this up, but we have work to do" Bela said coming behind Dean. Dean let out a low growl when he turned to Bela, his arm still around Katie.
"Is that Sam with Gert?" Katie asked smirking.
"Yeah, I told him to tell me all about it later" Dean said smiling down at her.
"Shall we go then" Bela said. Katie and Dean looked at each other before following her. The walk back to the entry way trying to see how they were going to go upstairs.
"Private Security?" Bela said looking at the guards who were posted all over the place.
"I don't think so. Look at the way they're standing, they're pros, probably state troopers moonlighting." Dean replied.
"Posted to every door, too." Katie said. She looked at Dean. They both knew she could just use her powers, but that is definitely something she didn't want to do in front of Bela.
"Yeah. I don't think we're gonna be able to just waltz upstairs." Dean said.
"What do you suggest?" Bela asked
"I'm thinking" Dean said.
"Don't strain yourself. Interesting, how the legend is so much more than the man." Bela said.
"You got any bright ideas, I'm all ears." Dean snapped.
"Wait I got one" Katie said. Bela and Dean both looked at her, before she handed Dean her purse. She put the back of her hand to her forehead and pretends to faint. Dean catches her before she hit's the floor.
"Honey? Honey? Are you all right? Waiter-" Dean yells.
"Please my friend needs help" Bela said. The waiter turns around and comes over with a plate of food.
"Hi...uh, my wife has a severe shellfish allergy. There's no crab in that, is there?" Dean asked
"No, sir." The waiter says looking down at the seamlessly unconscious Katie.
"No?" Dean asks before taking one off the tray and eating it. "Oh, they're excellent, by the way." One of the guards sees whats happening and comes over to check it out.
"What seems to be the trouble?" the guard asks as the waiter walked away.
"Uh, the champagne. My wife she's a lightweight when it comes to the sauce. Is there somewhere I can lay her down till she gets her sea legs back?" Dean asks.
"Follow me." the guard says. Dean hands Katie's purse to the guard, before picking her up and following the guard to a room upstairs, Bela right behind them. Dean lays Katie on the couch anc follows the guard to the door and takes Katie's purse from him.
"You think she's a pain in the ass now? Try living with her. Thank you very much." Dean muttered to the guard, before turning back to Katie and Bela.
"You know I heard that" Katie said standing to her feet.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Dean said playing dumb. He walked over and handed Katie her purse. " Next time warn me before taking a nose dive to the floor.
"There was no time for that" Katie said
"Whatever so where is this hand at anyways?" Dean asked
"Room 235, it's in a locked glass case wired for alarm. I'm sure that won't be a problem." Bela remarked. Dean turned and begin walking, Katie was right behind him.
"Where do you think you're going?" Dean asked.
"With you" Katie said.
"I don't think so, thanks to your little plan, you have to stay here or our cover gets blown" Dean said smirking. " You girls play nice now" Dean said before turning and leaving the room. Katie turned to look at Bela who was smiling at her.
"So that dress is… cute" Bela remarked.
'Dean better hurry up" Katie said rolling her eyes. After a while Bela starts rummaging around the room they were left in, while Katie just sat there waiting. There was a knock on the door. Katie and Bela looked at each other.
"Sir? Ma'am? Everything all right?" the guard asks. Katie stood to her feet, she quickly slides one of the straps of her dress down and opens the door.
"Hi" Katie said leaning her head against the door.
"Feeling better, I see?" the guard asked, when Bela comes from behind Katie.
"Yes she'd doing much better, thank you" Bela said. The guard's eyes went wide as he looked Katie and Bela over. Katie looked at her then back at the guard,
"So if you're...done with the room?" the guard asked
"Well, not exactly. Could we have a few more minutes?" Bela asked
"Uh, yes, ma'am." the guard says before Bela pulls Katie back into the room. The guard hears Bela giggling through the door. The guard shakes his head before walking down the hall just as Dean was coming up the stairs.
"Whoa! Sorry...it's, uh...nature called." Dean said
"Uh-huh." the guard said.
"Thanks for looking after my wife." Dean said giving the man a pat on the shoulder.
"Oh, she's being looked after, all right." the guard says before walking off. Dean looks back and gives the man a strange look before walking back over to the door. As he enters Dean sees Katie and Bela both fixing the straps of their dresses.
"Dear god, what did I miss" Dean said mind racing with dirty thoughts.
"Nothing" Katie snaps. "So did you get I?
Dean pulls the hand out of the inside pocket of his jacket, Bela steps closer and so does Katie.
"May I?" Bela asked.
"No." Dean and Katie said in unison. Dean wraps the hand in his hankerchief.
It might be more inconspicuous in my purse." Bela said
"Nice try." Dean said putting the hand back inside his pocket of his suit. "Now let's get out of here" Dean wraps his arm around Katie waist before heading back downstairs. The notice Sam and Gert dancing and their faces were close.
"Oh I have to take a picture" Dean said reaching in his pocket.
"Stop it Dean" Katie said before walking over to Sam and Gert. Dean and Bela followed behind her. "There you guys are" Katie said stepping in between Sam and Gert. Sam looked down at Katie relieved.
"Well, having a nice time?" Bela asked. Gert walked over to Bela.
"He's delightful." Gert replied before kissing Bela on the cheek. "He wants me"
"Oh-" Bela says before turning back to Sam, Dean and Katie. " I'm going to get Gert into a cold shower."
"Great idea." Sam said
"See you at the cemetery." Bela replied before walking Gert out.
Dean checks his inner pocket, making sure Bela hadn't stolen it before looking over at Sam.
"You stink like sex." Dean said smirking up at his brother. Katie couldn't hold back her laugh, as they left the museum.
"Really funny Dean" Sam said as they headed toward the impala. Dean hurried in front of Katie and opened her door for her.
"Why thank you" Katie said running her hand over Dean's as she got into the car,
"You're very welcome" Dean replied before closing the door and getting into the car himself.
"You got it, right? Tell me I didn't get groped all night by Mrs. Haversham for nothing." Sam asked from the passenger side.
"I got it," Dean said before realizing what his brother just said. " Mrs. Who?"
"Never mind, just let me see it." Sam said looking over at Dean. Dean pulls out the handkerchief, looks at it funny and starts to unwrap it.
"What?" Sam asks. When Dean finishes unwrapping it, he holds up the small bottle with the clipper ship in it from the desk that Bela was looking at. He figured Bela stole the hand and left this in its place. SAM looks at it, obviously not the hand, and his eyes go wide.
"I'm so gonna kill her." Katie says looking at the bottle. They drive back to the house and quickly change into more comfortable clothes. They go back into research mode and Katie looks through the pictures Bela brought with her.
"Guys I think I figured it out" Katie says looking up at Sam and Dean. She explains to them about how the captain is the one who killed the sailor and how the two were brothers.
"So the spirit is killing people who've killed their family" Sam said.
"Looks that way" Katie said looking back down at the picture. She thought about her grandfather, maybe she'd see the ship soon. Dean noticed Katie's expression and was about to say something to her when there was a knock on the door. He pulled out his gun and went over to the door. He looked through the peep hole and couldn't believe Bela was the one standing there. He opened the door just to see how she was gonna talk her way out of this one.
"Just let me explain. I sold it." Bela said coming in the house. She took a seat at the table across from Katie and Sam. Dean walked over and stood behind Katie's chair as they all waited for what Bela had to say.
"I had a buyer lined up as soon as I knew it existed." Bela stated.
"So, the whole reason for us going to the charity ball was…?" Sam asked.
"I needed a cover, you were convenient." Bela replied.
"So the fact that people were dying meant nothing to you" Katie snapped. Bela didn't say anything.
"Look, you sold it to a buyer, just go buy it back." Sam suggested.
"It's halfway across the ocean, I can't get it back in time." Bela said
"In time for what?" Dean asked. Bela just looked down, looking a bit frightened.
"What's going on with you, Bela? You look like you've seen a ghost." Katie said looking over at the woman.
"I saw the ship." Bela said.
"You what?" Dean asked, but Bela didn't say anything. Dean and Sam exchanged a look while Katie continued to look at Bela.
"Huh, wow, you know, I knew you were an immoral, thieving, con-artist bitch, but just when I thought my opinion of you couldn't get any lower…" Dean said.
"What are you talking about?" Bela asked.
"We figured out the spirit's motive." Sam said, pulling the picture out and explaining, what Katie found.
"So, who was it, Bela? Hmm? Who'd you kill? Was it daddy? Your little sis, maybe?" Dean snapped.
"Dean" Katie warned.
"It's none of your business." Bela said looking up at Dean.
"No, right. Well, have a nice life -you know whatever's left of it." Dean said before patting her on the back and walking over to pack up his things. "Sam, Katie let's go." Dean called from over his shoulder. Bela stands up from the table watching him
"You can't just leave me here." Bela snaps.
"Watch us." Dean says.
"Please, I need your help." Bela pleaded.
"Our help?" Dean says in disbelief. Dean walks over to her. "Well, now, how could a couple of serial killers possibly help you?"
"Okay, that was a bit harsh, I admit it, but it doesn't warrant a death sentence." Bela replied.
"That's not why you're gonna die. What did you do, Bela?" Sam asked.
"You wouldn't understand, no one did." Bela said looking over at them. Neither side wavering. "Never mind, I'll just do what I've always done. I'll deal with it myself." Bela turns to leave.
"You do realize you just sold the only thing that could save your life." Dean said.
"I'm aware." Bela says turning around and sighing.
"Well today just might be you're lucky day" Katie said standing to her feet. " As always I have a plan" Everyone in the room looked at her slightly confused.
They all end up at the cemetery watching as Katie set up an alter of some sort. She lit candle at points of a pentagram drawn on a stone. She then pours a liquid in a bowl followed by a lock of Bela's hair. Dean watches with his gun in his hand as he leans against a headstone.
"Do you really think this is going to work?" Bela asked.
"Almost definitely not." Dean said looking over at the woman " But if anyone can get it to work, its my wife" Dean said turning back to Katie. Thunder cracks and it begins to rain. Katie seems to distracted to even notice. Dean and Sam look around the cemetery then at each other.
"Babe, you better start reading." Dean calls over to her. Katie just nods her head as she begins reciting the incantation.
Aziel, Castiel, Lameniel, Raboc, Erly et Belam ego vos coniuro per deum verum, per deum vivum
The candles all blow out, but Katie just continues to read. Her eyes begin to alluminate a bright white. Sam and Dean share a look before turning back to Katie.
"Stay close!" Dean shouts and him and Sam come close to Bela gripping their guns tighter.. All of a sudden the ghost appears over Dean's right shoulder.
"Behind you!" Bela yells. Dean tries to shoot the ghost, but he flings him away. The gun goes off and he hits a large grave marker and crumples to the floor. Sam starts to shoot the ghost but he too is flung across the cemetery. The ghost turns and grabs Bela's face as Katie continues the chant. The ghost stares at Bela then steps back and she starts to choke and cough up water. Dean makes his way back over to Bela and holds her while she coughs, drowning.
"Katie, read faster!" Dean yells
As Katie finishes the incantation and the clouds part, the rain stops and the ghost turns around slowly to see the Captain of the ship standing behind him.
"You...hanged me!" the ghost yells
"I'm sorry." the captain replies.
"Your own brother!" the ghost says
"I'm so sorry." the captain repeats, but the ghost lunges at his brother and they disappear in a wave of water. Once they were gone Bela stopped drowning. Sam walked over and help Bela to her feet as Dean turned toward Katie's whose eyes were still shining white.
"What is she?" Bela choked out still trying to catch her breath.
"C'mon" Sam said helping Bela back to the car. He looked back one more time as his brother approached Katie.
Dean walked up to Katie carefully. He didn't know what was happening and he wasn't going to take any chances. Katie suddenly closed her eyes and looked down. When she looked up her eyes were normal again. She turned and saw Dean.
"Did it work?" Katie asked. Dean nodded, still looking strangely at her. " What's wrong?"
"When you were reading, your eyes they changed. Like- like before when you kill all of those demons" Dean said. Katie reached up and touched the side of her face by her eyes.
"I don't feel different" Katie said looking at him. " I don't know" She said.
"Its ok, let's go" Dean said wrapping his arms around his shivering wife as the headed to the impala.
The next day when Sam, Dean and Katie were packing up, Bela walks in the door of the house.
"You guys should learn to lock your doors. Anyone could just barge in." Bela said with a smile.
"Anyone just did. You come to say goodbye or thank you?" Katie asked.
"I've come to settle affairs." Bela said before reaching in her bag and pulling out three wads of cash. "Giving the spirit what he really wanted; his own brother, very clever, Katie. So, here." Bela said tossing the money to the three of them. " Its 15,000, that should cover it"
"Really" Katie said flipping through the bills.
"I don't like being in anyone's debt." Bela stated.
"So, ponying up 15 grand is easier for you than a simple 'thank you'? You're so damaged." Dean replied.
"Takes one to know one." Bela said before turning to Katie. " And I promise to keep your little secret"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Katie says simply.
"Of course you don't, well goodbye all" Bela said before turning and walking out the door without so much as a backwards glance.
"She got style, you gotta give her that." Sam says.
"Probably not as much style as Mrs. Haversham huh Sammy" Katie said laughing.
"Good one" Dean said looking over at Katie.
" Ha ha, You know we don't know where this money's been." Sam stated changing the subject.
"No." Dean says snatching the wad of cash from Sam's hand. "But I know where it's going." Dean walks walking past Sam out the door laughing.
They'd been driving all night getting further and further from the memory of their ghost ship. The sun was gone and the moon sat high in the sky. Katie sat in the back seat thinking about what Dean told her. She didn't know what happened to her, but she figured whatever it was probably had something to do with why demons were after her. They pull into the gas station and Katie hurries into the bathroom. She splashed so water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror for a moment. She grabbed some paper towel and dried her face before heading back to the car. When she walked up she noticed Sam and Dean serious expression as they looked at each other from either side of the impala. Dean saw Katie and quickly plastered on a fake smile.
"You ready?" He asked and Sam turned to look at her, with his own fake smile.
"What happened?" Katie asked looking between the two.
"Nothing, c'mon we gotta hit the road if we're gonna make it to Atlantic city in time" Dean said starting to get into the car. Sam was doing the same when they both looked over at Katie who didn't move. "You comin?" Dean asked
"No, its time you tell me what's going on" Katie said crossing her arms. Dean sighed as he began walking over to her.
"Look I said its nothing, so lets just go" Dean said grabbing Katie's arm but she snatched it from him.
"Dean stop lying to me" Katie snapped. " Do you know how it feels to have someone lie to you and know they're lying?"
"Dean just tell her" Sam said leaning on the side of the impala.
"Shut it Sam!" Dean yelled before turning his attention back to Katie. "Look there is nothing you can do, so let's just drop ok" Dean said.
"Just drop it" Katie said in disbelief. " For months now I walk up on these moments of hostility between you two, and then you tell me its nothing. Dean I know its not nothing, and I'm not just gonna drop it, so just tell me" Dean stood there not saying a word. He looked at her and could bring himself to say the word. " Fine" Katie said walking over to Sam. " Tell me Sam"
Sam looked over at Dean who didn't turn his back. He didn't want to be put in this position, he knew she was gonna take it hard.
"Somebody start talking now!" Katie snapped.
"Fine" Dean said his back still to her. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Five months ago when yellow eyes kidnapped you two something happened"
"What happened" Katie said and Dean was quiet. She walked over and stood in front of him. She grabbed his chin so his face was looking at her. " Dean look at me, what happened."
"Sam was killed" Dean said. Katie looked at him confused and then over at Sam who just looked down.
"Sam was killed, that doesn't make any sense Dean, Sam's standing right there" Katie said. She looked back at Dean who couldn't look her in the eyes. " Why is he alive Dean!" Katie yelled. " huh" she shoved him. " What did you do Dean?" She pushed him again. He just stood there taking the hits. She stopped hitting him and walked backward looking between Sam and Dean. She put her hand over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. "What did you do?" She replied again, this time it was a whisper. It all made sense now, her dreams that is. Why she was in a crossroads with Sam and Dean.
"Katie" Dean said taking a step toward her.
"Don't come near me Dean" Katie said holding up a hand at him. She turned to face him and he could see the tears streaming down her face and it broke his heart. He did this, he did this to her. " How long?" she asked.
"I was given a year" Dean said.
"And you just now tell me Dean" Katie said wiping the tears away with her sleeve. "You tell me when you have seven more months to live"
"I'm sorry I just didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you" Dean said.
"Well it looks like that plan sucked ass" Katie said. Katie turned back toward the gas station. She could see her reflection in the window. That's when it happened, that's when she gave up on it all. "Thanks though"
Dean looked up at Katie. Her voice was different when she'd just spoke.
"Princess?" Dean asked when Katie turned around and he saw her cold black eyes staring back at him.
"Sorry, Princess isn't here right now" Katie said smiling. "But I just want to say thank you Dean, she'd was so hell bent on keeping me locked up in here, and she was strong I tell you. But then your little revelation, it, it broke her" Katie laughed. " I bet you did not expect this" Katie stepped closer to Dean. Sam pulled out his gun and pointed it at her.
"Get away from him!" Sam yelled.
"Really little brother to rescue is it?" Katie looked over at Sam. " it's a little late for that Sammy boy" Katie turned back to Dean. " Take a really good look at what you did Dean. Don't worry I'm not gonna kill you, not yet any ways. I want you two to see the fun I'm going to have" Katie walked backwards looking between the brothers.
"Get ready boys, your little princess has left the building" Katie said before disappearing. They both looked around for a moment but she was gone. Dean just stood there looking at the spot his wife was standing.
A/N: So tell me what you think, I haven't been getting any reviews from my last couple chaps and I'm getting worried. Let me know you're out there!