A/N: BrookfieldSPNFan thanks for the review and what part of NC do you hail from? Loved to hear from you PM me. NC

36

-oOo-

Lucenda followed Missouri back into her study carefully looking at the things neatly displayed on the table. She reached down and picked up the picture that had distressed Sam so much and stared intently at it.

"So this Amazonian beauty queen is her? My Great-Great Grandmother?"

Bobby nodded, watching Lucenda for any signs of her looking like she might be starting to freak out

"Yup, the very same. Her Royal Highness herself."

"Well, she was certainly stunning, but I'm glad I don't look anything like her really."

"No child, your own beauty is a blessing from your mother's side; I have the feeling that you're very much like your mother in many ways. You've got nothing to worry about from the Princess' side. Only real strong similarity to your father is that caring heart of yours. I saw a whole lot of good in you, don't you ever forget that sweetie."

-o-

Lucenda flopped herself down on to the same chair that Missouri had used whilst logging the items from the trunk. She visually scanned the items at the side of her with a sigh and looked up in bemusement at Bobby and Missouri

"I don't get it. I don't understand you people."

Missouri cocked her head to one side and frowned a little.

"How's that child?"

"What I mean is, I know you're being nice to me 'cause you need some of my blood. But here's the thing, you're all acting like you really care about me."

"Oh child, that's because we do! Even if we weren't needing your blood, each one of us would still care about you. You're in trouble and, my girl, we don't take kindly to those who try to harm the innocent."

Bobby nodded his agreement.

"You listen good to Missouri, she's right lass. There ain't nobody here who needs to want something off a person before they'll try to help. Hell! Those two boys are both willing to spend the rest of their days in the wrong bodies if by trying to break the curse it means any harm comin' to you. You need to know sweetheart; this thing don't go ahead if we find out it needs us to intentionally put you in harm's way, and that's a promise!"

-o-

Lucenda's shocked stare darted between Bobby and Missouri as she tried to digest Bobby's revelation.

"I...I don't know what to say!...No one, not since my mom and dad, no one's ever told me they care about me like that...I just...! Missouri? You were right earlier. After my parents died, I did sort of shut myself off from the world and everyone in it. Hell, I think for a while I even hated the whole world. Then my Dad's family started trying to push themselves on me, like a heap of bacteria, pretending they wanted to help, to be there for me. I don't know how, but I could tell it was all a pile of bull...poop. So, I showed them the door every time until, finally, I got Sampson and Zeus. Then I told every one of those creepy asshats that if they ever set foot on my property again, I'd dial 911 and have them charged with harassment, after they'd spent some time as a squeaky toy for my boys."

Lucenda laughed at the memory.

"I even told them I'd had the dogs specially trained to attack on my command. My wee boys. They're the only thing I've let myself care about, my big babies."

Bobby arched one eyebrow.

"Babies? You do know Ridgebacks were bred to hunt lions, and that's two bloody big lads you've got there? You might not've trained 'em, but Missouri, you should've seen 'em when young Lucenda here decided I was one of the enemy. I tell yer, it's a rare thing to see two dogs so tuned into their owner like that. I hate to admit this lass, but I was more worried by them than I was by you and your knife!"

Lucenda scrunched up her face, looking deeply hurt.

"No! That's not fair Bobby. You told me I looked threatening!"

Bobby looked at the floor abashed.

"Yeah well. I was tryin' to cheer you up."

Lucenda began to giggle, hearing her laughter, Missouri smiled.

"That's the spirit my lamb. You keep a smile on that pretty face and you'll be ok. Bobby and me, we'll do whatever we need to be sure everyone stays safe through this."

"Thank you, both of you. What you've said? It means a lot to me. I just hope we can break that damn curse and get the guys restored back into their rightful bodies, they are pretty awesome."

Missouri gave Lucenda a sly wink.

"The boys? Or just their bodies?"

Bobby looked aghast at Missouri.

"Listen to yourself old woman! Good Lord. You're old enough to be their, their...

Missouri flashed a look at Bobby that said Watch it you!

...Yeah well. Whatever, you've known 'em since young Sam was still in diapers!"

Missouri stuck both her hands on her hips and turned her back on Bobby, glancing at him over her shoulder.

"Yes I have. So what honey? I still got me some go left in me, you old fart!"

As she spoke, Missouri gave her booty a hearty wiggle and shake in Bobby's direction, leaving both herself and Lucenda breaking up with laughter at Bobby's horrified expression and the sudden scarlet of his cheeks. Missouri couldn't resist gifting Bobby with a second burst of booty, and Lucenda raised a hand to the tears of laughter now beginning to trickle down her face, catching her fingers lightly against the ornate golden fretwork decorating the jar of Angel feathers as her hand swept past it.

-o-

Lucenda drew in a sudden gasp of air as she was flung back on her chair like she'd been jolted by electricity. She grasped either side of her head between her hands, twisting her fingers into her hair, uncaring of the knotting and tangling she was causing. She was staring directly at the jar with a wild look in her eyes and she began to rapidly rock back and forth. A low pitched whining moan started to crescend from her, eventually turning into words that were slurred and difficult to understand at first. Only when she finally threw her head back and screamed them out in desperation did they become clear.

"Oh my FatherrrrrrrrFatherrrr Helpppusss Helpus wemusssttthelp help them WE HAVE...TO HELP THEM!"

Bobby was already moving when Lucenda stopped screaming and tearing at her hair, instead violently throwing herself forwards off the chair; he managed to catch her before she hit the floor and he pulled the heartbrokenly sobbing girl into the safety of his arms. Lucenda's hair whipped and swirled wildly around her head and face as though it were caught within a strong and powerful wind, but Bobby and Missouri felt nothing, not even the softest of breezes. Held in Bobby's arms, Lucenda was no longer screaming. She had begun to repeat a high pitched moan over and over again, before stilling and, at last, becoming limp in Bobby's grasp.

So another twist thrown in here, hope you enjoy. The next chapter will give you more insight. Thanks so much to all of you who are still hanging in here and following and those who favored and to the ones who have left us reviews, they are greatly appreciated and much welcomed. Please review

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