Dragon Dean is still scared of heights

by wolfie180g

The boys are after a monster taking women from the woods but it turns out to be a massive dragon! They split up to take on a nest full of twitching eggs and a huge fire breathing mother that decides to turn Dean into her next kid! How can they get Dean back to normal and who else is after him as a pet, for study, or a trophy kill? Who can they trust? Human angel/dem AU. sequel!

38. There'll Be Peace When You Are Done

Chapter 38

There'll be Peace when You are Done

Jody held out her hand, stopping Donna from going further. The trek back to the base took some time. All the while they heard roars, howls and crashes up ahead. Both were worried they would be too late to help. They stopped when Jody saw movement in a clearing just ahead. Spike was walking slowly through the trees, looking like utter hell. Their hearts lurched at the sight. Spike was bleeding everywhere, bruises showing up from under his dry scales. Blood pooled under some of the partially loosened scales signaling that he had been holding onto the old skin for too long. They could guess why. The extra layer of hardened scales probably helped during the fight but it might have also hindered his maneuverability. Once the old scales part from his body, they harden drastically turning into a stone like armor with the lack of moisture from his body. Similar to a hard scab versus pliant skin on a human. He dragged his side against some trees, loosening the already loose scales a little more without just laying down and rubbing them off completely. Like he was debating if he should do it now or later, but still scratching an annoying itch.

Neither one of them said a word. Both remembering the cruel way the others at the base had removed his outer and inner layers of scales. Basically skinning him alive with knives and saws without even checking to see if that's what Spike wanted or needed. Checking his vital readouts and video when they were nearing the end, proved that Spike was in intense pain but unable to stop them. Shot up with the dragon herb enough to incapacitate him but not enough to dull the pain.

Watching the huge tan and brown dragon now, they understood that the natural way of doing it was vastly different then what they expected. Spike was mainly coaxing the old scales off instead of scraping. Stretching his body out while some scales were pinned to a hard surface to loosen up the connecting edges for each one. He stopped himself from letting instincts take over and finishing the job.

Spike paused and breathed heavily for a few seconds, looking up and away at a spot ahead of him. As if composing himself before being seen. Donna felt a little guilty for spying on him in this private moment. Spike looked worried and tired and in pain. The weariness practically bleeding from him. He sucked in a breath and stood up a little straighter, wincing at the way the old scales pulled at the wounds. He itched at one and a few scales fell off to the ground but he must not have noticed because he started walking forward again. Holding back as many hints of pain as possible for whoever he was meeting up there.

Jody took a step forward and flinched when her foot slipped out from under her and she caught herself a second later with Donna's hand that shot out to keep her from falling further. Both shot their gaze upwards at the great dragon that stopped suddenly, head swiveling around to their general location and ears perking, rotating. He was clearly holding his breath, waiting for another sound but relaxed when nothing happened. Or maybe, he was debating if it was worth the effort to investigate. Thankfully he had bigger things on his mind because after another few seconds of listening and scanning, he kept on walking.

They followed after him and were surprised that even though they couldn't be quiet, it seemed like Spike wasn't concerned with them. The sounds of skirmish were everywhere in the woods. They recognized the voices of their fellow soldiers and strangers all shouting orders and calls back and forth. Spike had help, it seems.

Spike made a little detour and drank from a small stream, lapping up the thin trickle of water and it was clear to anyone that he was so parched, whining nearly inaudibly at the lack of a good drink. He dragged his tongue along the wet rocks and kept on walking with a slight limp.

They crept closer when they heard growls and rumbles in a small clearing. A black car was parked closely and they got down on their stomachs to watch as Spike couldn't keep up the rouse of being healthy so he imperceptibly shrugged and was staggering forward, chirping and rumbling something while looking straight over, close to the tree tops instead of down at the people on the ground. They were both startled as hell to hear a replying chirp and rumbles from Eve. Somehow they'd already managed to free the mother dragon from her cage and bring her out here.

Jody and Donna had missed nearly everything. Someone was laying on the ground and being tended to by a short brunette lady and an older gentleman with a cane. The man was actually talking to Spike and Spike was now looking to Eve. A tall black man was now visible, standing ahead of her and motioning towards the clearing, making a hand gesture that probably meant, 'Stay'. Jody got to her hands and knees to get a better view of the clearing and was shocked to see a simply gigantic circle in it. Strange writing and symbols were everywhere and it looked as though the people were avoiding standing on the circle, but they wanted Eve to stay right in the center.

Spike assessed the area and started laying out a wide circle of flammable saliva around the entire clearing except for a space big enough for the black car to drive out. Towards the end, he was seen heaving into the dirt, all liquid from his stomach and mouth being spat out to get as far as possible with making the future fire circle.

Donna's stomach lurched at the sight. Spike was so thirsty already but gave what little he had to make a protective ring around their group. Warding against intruders. He didn't ignite it however, probably expecting the people to do it if they needed it lit.

Spike then sighed heavily and entered the circle alongside his mother. Collapsing bonelessly to the ground next to her as if someone had cut his puppet strings. He chirped something to himself and gave a look to his mother which might have been trying to convey reassurance but not fooling anyone. Eve looked even more on edge but before she could rumble a response both of them were hit by something invisible. As if a wave of calmness swept them off their feet and to the ground. Eyes rolling and a purr coming from both massive bodies. A soft glow emanating from the two dragons and the circles marks.

The ground swirled dirt and light debris around the circle's edges and they heard the older man's voice recite something from an old book. A clay bowl with some stuff in it was on fire with a blue flame being held by the black man. The younger man on the ground and the brunette lady were shielding their eyes from the display and from where Jody and Donna were, they could understand why. The air was getting thick outside of the circle from all of the dust being kicked up. It settled a little and they were shocked to see the two massive dragons actually shrinking! Both were sliding inwards and defying all sense of logic as they were nearly hyperventilating as they shrunk. When they got to be the size of cats, Eve called something over to Spike and Spike started to respond when a secondary wave hit both of them from all sides. The old man stuttering in his recitation before starting up again loudly. A determined look on his face to continue as sweat dripped from his face and neck. The pause must have been caused by the dragon's talking to each other. Distracting him for a second to see if they were in pain or something went wrong.

The black man shouted something to the injured one that looked like he was about to run to the dragon's aide, "Stay back, Sam! It can't be interrupted or else y'all will be killed!"

The injured man, Sam, fell to his side, all attention on the tan dragon as both dragons got smaller and smaller. Clearly Sam wanted to run to Spike's aide but kept himself back, half from orders, the other half from his injuries. One arm clutching his chest as he panted with some exertion.

The two dragons were hardly seen now from their positions in the shrubs. The flames died out from the bowl and smoke swirled towards the circle lazily. The old man quieted his foreign speech and took the bowl from the black man and set it aside on the hood of the black car. Apparently it was done. No one moved closer for at least a minute as the sounds of battle continued to rage on inside the base.

The old man spoke up next, and now that he didn't have to shout to be heard, Jody and Donna were able to make out what was said. "Sam? You alright?"

"Don't worry about me, Bobby, get him out of there. I think something went wrong. He's too small."

The black man had a grim line to his mouth as he cautiously approached the center of the circle, heading towards where Eve was while the one named Bobby went to Spike. He hunched down and held out his hands carefully. Cupping something in them and bringing it to his chest, peering down with a gentleness that was a stark contrast to the fire and brimstone voice he used during the strange speech.

Donna turned her head slightly but kept her eyes peeled to the black man doing the same to where Eve had been, cupping something very small with care. "Jody," she whispered, paused, not quite sure what to ask or say at first, "Did they just..."

"Looks like." Jody whispered back.

Sam had gotten to his feet by then and used the brunette lady to help him walk.

"That's Megan!" Donna exclaimed in a surprised whisper just this side of a strained shout. She quieted herself and murmured into Jody's ear, "Megan was the snack lady. Spunky little thing that worked the evening shifts. No one really talked to her but she seemed real nice. She was always nice to me when I saw her in the halls, I guess she was their inside man, er, woman."

Jody had a tinge of emotion run through her at the thought of a traitor at the base but then remembered herself and that they were also considered traitors for what they were doing and planned to do. Their attention went back to the people all huddled around the two pairs of cupped hands.

Sam spoke first, "I can carry him. Them." he nodded to Megan and she grinned back. A wordless agreement that she would help him out. Sam's hands reached forward and first Bobby then the other man gingerly dropped off their little bundles into Sam's waiting hands. He cupped them together and made his hands into a kind of cocoon for the little things. Bobby put a hand to Sam's shoulder, and even though he was limping himself as well, took up Sam's other side. Both he and Megan guiding him to the backseat of the car and easing him in behind the driver's side. Megan slipping in on the other side of the rear bench seat. Bobby then surveyed the area, starting a walk around the circle and kicking dirt around to disrupt the pattern as he gazed outward into the woods. The black man doing the same on the other side of the circle, getting rid of the evidence. He grabbed the clay bowl, pulled out a charred lighter and pocketed it before unceremoniously dumping out the contents into the weeds.

Jody and Donna stayed perfectly still as the men crossed paths in front of their hiding place. They didn't risk moving a single muscle as the two older men stood just a couple dozen feet away.

Bobby nodded at the site. "Looks good. I don't think we'll need to set fire to his ring. There's already enough of his fires in the woods down there."

"Yup. Plenty of things to keep them occupied. Shame he had to use up so much of his juice. Now let's get out of here and grab the kids." The black one said and shook his head as they walked back to the car, cursing along the way when he remembered something, "I can't believe Dean totaled my truck!" shooting Sam an accusing glare. "Your brother is gonna owe me big time for taking off with my truck into the sky, setting fire to it, and dropping it like that only to have it blown to smithereens by the marines! How the hell can I explain that one to my insurance?"

Bobby interrupted the tirade, "Not marines, ya idjit. And you put insurance on a hunting truck?"

"Of course I put insurance on it! Some of us are responsible adults with more then just one job!" And bent down to glare at Sam. "Soon as he wakes up, tell your brother he owes me a truck on top of the coffee table he burned to ashes." and got into the passenger side.

"Would ya give it a rest, Rufus? Dean didn't have a choice." Bobby admonished and got into the driver's seat. The argument continued from there but was too muffled to discern much more as the car roared to life and drove out of the clearing away from the two hiding women.

Jody and Donna waited for another minute or so. Digesting all the information and revelations that were just exposed. They just looked at each other then the recently vacated space ahead of them before tentatively getting to their feet. The circle was gone, in its place was torn up scrub and dirt. The sticky residue from an unignited dragon spray and tire treads.

"You got the license plate?" Donna asked.

"KAZ 2Y5." Jody said and shook her head a little. "Spike's name is Dean. And he's got a human brother named Sam. Sam saved his brother, and then helped him save his dragon mother. And then they just... shrunk them both. Two fifty foot tall dragons are now small enough for a single hand."

"Weird right?" Donna practically chirped with a grin on her face. They saw several of their fellow soldiers not too far away from their position, band together and track the dragons footprints into the wooded area and find the circle. Donna and Jody made up their minds and exited the woods, waving their hands. They would lead that group away from where the car went. Helping them escape and buying them some time to get miles away from this place. After things calm down, both ladies were already planning on tracking them down later to properly thank Dean for saving their lives in the woods from friendly fire.

Cricket slowly came back into awareness. Not quite awake, but getting there. Some muffled but getting louder voices were heard, a couple of them she recognized, most however, weren't. Pressure appeared on the back of her head, gentle but insistent, like a force of nature pushing her carefully on her neck just enough to make it move forward a bit. The ridged roundish thing trailed along down her spine towards her tail and then started again at her head then back on down. The movement would have been considered comforting if it weren't for the size of the rounded thing moving along her whole spine from her head to the tip of her tail. She willed herself awake faster, able to twitch her head away from the force of the next prod. The pressure was removed with a sound like sand sliding off a rock and the pressure landed on her back and legs. Not crushing by any means, but unrelenting all the same. Secure. A warmth was felt through it and she found herself cuddling up to it just a bit.

More sounds. A deep rumbling constantly under her feet. She'd once experienced the earth quaking under her feet, when she was still growing up with Ness, but this was different. This was like the earth was jumping and lurching under her, but she rested on something warm and soft, minimizing the bumps, but the vibrations and sounds from the earth quaking and bucking unexpectedly remained as a constant background noise.

A whimper escaped her when the pressure remained and she couldn't move from under it. The loud roars heard from somewhere underneath her bed changed nearly imperceptibly like the earth was grating itself on something smoother, fewer jumps into the air. She wondered if she was inside a cave that was sliding slightly down a hill, the caves ground rubbing along another layer of rock. A lifetime spent in caves and staring at the different layers of rock running in lines along all the walls. Some layers softer then others, easier to dig out to form shelves inside the caves. The feel of one of the flat rocks falling off of another with her on it, riding it down the hill, grinding along another was similar to the sound and feeling of her current surroundings. But her flat rock ride of her childhood and whatever was happening now was different. This time, it's not nearly as rough of a ride, but it is taking a whole lot longer.

'It's ok, Mom, uh, I mean, Cricket.' her boy said, she could feel his hand appear suddenly on hers, rubbing soothingly. 'Pulled onto the highway instead of gravel.' he explained as if the words were normal. She was glad that he was still alive and sounded relatively calm despite them being in danger.

'What's going on, are you alright? What happened in the clearing? Why is it so loud here?'

The clawed hand rubbed along her shoulder, feeling her position out through touch, but also checking to make sure she's ok. She realized he couldn't see either. She could feel his hand trail down to where the pressure was on her legs and side. He sighed a little and shoved at the thing and it released her. She shuffled weakly away from whatever it was an into her boy's side. Feeling him out to make sure he was safe as well. The warmth of the thing had been nice, but she'd like to know what it was first before it pinned her down like that again.

'Guys? Little space? She's not gonna take this well.' he said which made her nervous by itself. The whole ground shifted again and she dug her clawed hands and feet in and found that the ground had some give to it. She eased up her claws and the ground returned to its shape. Dirt and plants don't do that. It felt like that thing that was trailing down her spine earlier.

She tried rubbing her eyes to make them open faster. A tired fog still covering her mind up, keeping her in a dazed state. 'Dee? What's going on?' she tried to focus but the world was still stubbornly a blur. A breeze was blowing past them and then moving the other direction. Rhythmically changing directions. Back and forth, but had a scent to it she couldn't readily identify.

Her boy huff laughed, his hand joined by another and a gentle head bump. Like he was feeling out where she was, how her body was angled to avoid poking out her eye with his forehead. He rubbed his smooth cheek on her side for a second to sooth her nerves like a cat would. A sentimental motion that actually relaxed her. His hand fumbled downwards and found her arm, trailing his hand to hers. His body shifting to face her a little better. She could only tell by the sounds and feelings of his movements that affected the ground they were both apparently on. She felt a little at ease knowing that at least he was with her here. Wherever, and whatever, here was, or is. Her head hurt. The warm leathery ground jumped slightly again.

'My name isn't Dee, it's Dean. And sometimes, well, it's Dane.' he rubbed her hand again. A deep sigh and then inhale, like he was preparing to say something important. Pressure formed next to her as something very large and soft brushed up against her side. The same thing as before that had had her pinned down. Her boy, Dean's wing shoved it aside and she marveled at how strong he was to move whatever it was completely away. It didn't move as easily for her as it did for her boy. His wing was right there, covering up her side instead, wrapping around her securely. She could hear him growl curtly at someone that was overhead. 'Sam. Let me.'

'Sam, that's your brother's name. Is he alright? I didn't...' she started and rephrased, 'I am sorry I hurt him.' Asking if she did was a moot point since it was obvious that she had literally tried to kill him in front of everyone. 'Please tell him I'm sorry?'

'Sammy, she says she's sorry.' Dean said upwards again. She wondered if Sam had scaled a tree since she last saw the little one, but startled when she heard and felt a massive rumble all around her. A gust of air more focused then the soft breeze hit them with a faint scent of peanuts. 'Dude, did you have trail mix?'

Another ground shaking rumble and the ground shifted to the side and back again. The air blowing past them obnoxiously now like a gust and a quick juddering motion that stopped as fast as it started. The scent overwhelming the two in their spot like that's all the world consisted of now. Her heartbeat quickened and she struggled to dislodge her boy's wing and hand grip. It was clear that he still couldn't see or move easily either.

'Cricket? Mom? It's ok, it's just Sammy saying he forgives you. We understand why you reacted that way with him earlier. No one blames you. You're safe. He's not gonna hurt you. None of us are.' the rumbling started again and then some other thing rumbled somewhat close and far away at the same time. It sounded like Meg, but amplified a hundred times.

'Meg's here too.' Dean confirmed and Cricket started to panic a little. Her eyes finally started to open more then a crack but it was just light and color, no forms or shapes. Her head started to hurt from trying to focus her attention to everything at once. Scents were getting stronger too, the prevalent one of Sam was nearly all consuming. She could just barely make out Meg's scent but once she did, realized how much of it surrounded them. Far more then one biped could produce unless they were actually inside her damned nose.

'What's going on?! Why are they so loud?' she looked all around her but everything was still a blur. 'Why can't I see?'

'It's ok, I can't see very well either. It will come back in a minute.' Dean breathed for a second then said, 'Ok, gonna try and explain what happened. That circle thing we were in? It was a spell. A kind of... thing.. that makes things shrink. Other circles and spells do other things, that one shrank us down to about the same size as rats.' A rumble from overhead again. A quick lift and drop of the very ground they laid on jolted Cricket into crouching down in fear.

Dean continued on like he was used to the ground acting like that. 'What? Oh that's just fu- brilliant. Brilliant, Sam.' Dean snorted and sighed, agitated but she could tell it wasn't aimed towards his brother. Another rumble, longer this time. Dean shifted a little, aiming towards where the gusts of peanut flavored wind was still coming from. Another jerk of ground before it tilted slightly downwards, but thankfully not enough to make them loose their balance. She guessed the reason why she couldn't hear Sam's voice was because it couldn't get past the deafening rumbles. Dean must have the little biped close to his ear. Dean carried on the one sided conversation. 'I know, I know, but ya should have... never-mind.' Dean's wing twitched in annoyance and he addressed her again, 'He says we are the same size as mice. Not rats like last time. Sam says it's because I grew when I was small so the reverse of proportion part of the spell made us extra small. As small as they were to us, we are to them now. I could fit three of them in my hand so... yeah. Mice.' Dean huffed but sensed the rising feelings she had beside him, hastily saying, 'But don't panic!' he insisted, holding her in his arms and wings, nuzzling her side. 'I was small not long ago. Granted, not quite this tiny, but still. We did it so that we can ride in their cars easier, get further away from the bad guys. I promise we're safe.'

Cricket started hyperventilating a little as it all was sinking in. 'We're little?' she exclaimed between clipped breaths. Not one of them filling her lungs.

Apparently less accustomed to weird then her boy, she just couldn't wrap her head around it. And she had seen some things in her day. Great metal beasts that flew in the air and rolled on the ground. Long poles in some bipeds hands that shot sparks of painful lightning from the ends. Images of things that weren't really there were on one of the cage walls. Those Meg had put up there somehow, showing different images of her biped brother and of places that Meg insisted existed. Meg called them birthday parties, houses, and bars. One looked like a great snake being held up by sticks all along its belly that she called a roller coaster ride and pointed out her and her brother riding the snake's back. But all of those crazy things happened to Meg, not Cricket. She had to take the girl's word on it. But this... who ever heard of making things smaller? Making them as little as mice? Mice were barely even visible to beings such as them.

She did recall seeing her boy get further and further away in the circle, but never guessed it was because they were shrinking! She just thought she was under the influence of that liquid injection the soldiers gave her sometimes. It made the world shift and her head swim. Different from the pain numbing plant.

Somehow her boy seemed to be alright with the idea of being so minuscule, fragile. Like it wasn't life threatening and terrifying. Her eyesight started clearing up and the first thing she saw was Dean blinking just as much, eyes going wide and squinting at random moments, trying to focus on her and their surroundings. His hand rubbing his eyes and blinking owlishly.

'Can you see me?' he asked timidly. Dean looked far up at something behind her, causing her to shiver in fear. There were things were that big to them now. 'Sammy? Little space?' Dean then turned towards a large black thing behind himself. 'Guys? All the windows rolled up?' he got a couple of different rumbles from behind the black wall like thing that rose into the gray shadowed sky. Some blocks of blue and white light blurs were seen to the sides and massive shapes started to form all around. 'Mom? Don't freak out. Ok? They aren't gonna hurt you. Look at me, do I seem scared?'

She had to hold her breath a few times, panic bubbling up from within and she felt Dean's wings lift up from around her to cup her cheeks and force her to look at him straight in the eyes and nothing else. The pleading look told the whole thing, he was fine, he was just freaking out because she was freaking out. She noticed that he was now just slightly larger then her. She darted her eyes up and saw a massive upside down face overhead, jolting out of his grip and scrambling forwards to get away from the colossal monster. She fell off of the wide ground and onto one that was rougher beneath her feet. Hardly giving it a second glance when she realized she had been in a huge hand this whole time. Sam's hand. Sam's hand that was big enough for her and her son to fit in. She backed up further, whimpering at the thought of how huge everything was. Dangerous. Sam could kill her with a flick of his fingers!

'No! Wait! There's a drop off!' Dean shouted alarmed, only vaguely able to see where everyone and everything is. He sighed exasperatedly and shouted up, 'Sammy! Grab her but don't like grab her grab her, ok?' he stumbled towards her fleeing shape, jumping down from the resting hand as well, heading towards the other Drauglin's fleeing shape. 'Mom! Stop!'

Sam lifted up both his hands and arched them over the two before positioning them a few inches from the edge of the seat. He splayed out his fingers, keeping her corralled onto the seat while Meg was scooting back a little from the two very sharp bundles of monster that kept on moving around next to her. Like mice with cactus sharp needles. Worry for her friends' sake as well as her own skin as one swipe of tail or talon could leave a lasting scar.

Cricket tripped over herself from the huge hands that landed on the ground behind her, she scrambled away from them now, pausing for just a second to see where she could run to next. A wall of blue was off to the side and Sam slowly brought his hands down and gently cupped them around Cricket's lower half, letting her head and neck through the hole his thumbs and forefingers made as she kept on looking up and around everywhere. The hands inched underneath her and picked her up again, gentle but unyielding as they brought her to the top of the blue wall to rest on it. Sam grunted a little from the movement, more then the strain of lifting up her body. The hand over top remained there, keeping her from escaping. Dean was no longer next to her but nearby, free of the hands.

Cricket kept herself from outright attacking because now that her eyesight was getting clearer by the second, she could see that just one biped was able to hold her down and there were at least four in this moving room with her. He breath came in short gasps and she finally saw her boy sitting on the ground close by, wings flapping, lowering down slowly, repeatedly to calm her down. She looked up and sure enough, the little biped that she had in her mouth was now the one that had her helpless and trapped in his hands. Sam was still coated in her now dried saliva, it looked like it caked on, probably itchy as hell, peeling up at cracks made in it where his skin crinkled and moved the most. The dried coating must not be thick enough for the wide nails to flick off. Sam restrained himself from fidgeting or scratching at its thin coating on his skin. Or maybe he was still too tired. He gently held her down and was looking to Dean for orders.

Cricket looked back at Dean as well. The huge biped that was holding her at his mercy was taking orders from someone who was just about as small as she was. The trust for both involved must be very great for her boy to be out in the open like this. If she were able, she would find the nearest hiding place, away from these colossal terrors. Sam made some more of those very loud rumbling noises and Dean nodded after looking at her for a moment. Then the hands lifted and laid at the sides but still at the ready should she try anything. She just now looked down and figured out that she was actually on Sam's lap, made of bent legs along with Dean who perched himself closer to the knees. Both of them fit on just one leg with plenty of room to spare. There wasn't enough flame spray in the world to take Sam out if he decided to hurt them. She wondered if she could ignite what was already on the god-like biped even though it was mostly dried... but he didn't look angry or vengeful. Just... worried. The scents coming from all around her confirmed it.

Sam leaned back with a pained wince and looked like he wanted to go back to sleep. Her fear of Sam dwindled now that he was more or less just acting like a bed first and Guardian second. No hatred or hunger in that face, no cruel tooth filled smile that he had seen in her not too long ago. She was now small enough to be eaten by the biped. A thought that was very unnerving and made her stare at that mouth that hung slightly open, breathing with a slight rattle in his lungs now that she was listening closer. Not all of the rumblings were from the moving room. It was from Sam's body copping with the damage that was done to it. It almost sounding like he was fighting off a virus or cold. Too weak to do much more then breath and prop himself up.

Her fears of him were gradually being dismissed. Sam could barely keep his eyes open and breaths even. He was still in a lot of pain. She knew that neither brother would hurt the other, and since Dean was standing up for her, must mean that Sam would listen. The biped could kill her with the greatest of ease right now and she would be utterly powerless to stop him. If his hand simply rested fully on her, he could crush her bones. She shot looks at the digits as they relaxed again as Sam drifted off to sleep. One of the large hazel eyes peeking open just enough to watch his own right arm come up and over to hug his left side, wrapping around bruises and probably cracked ribs. Settling down into the seat again and breathing through the pain in his chest and stomach.

A rumble left Sam's slack mouth and he licked his dry lips before settling down, legs splaying a bit and jostling the two passengers.

Dean blinked a few more times, worried looks shooting up to Sam's face every few seconds. Dean laid down again once Sam was clearly asleep. Absently rubbing his hand along the long blue covered leg underneath them. Soothing his gigantic little brother any way he can. Cricket felt the love between the brothers and cursed herself again for even thinking of hurting them.

Then a look to her right at a more feminine rumbling sound made her focus on the other biped on their platform. Cricket recognized her fairly quickly. The new angle and sheer size against her at first. 'Meg!' she chirped but Meg didn't show any sign that she was able to understand her, just like old times they would have to talk without intelligible speech.

Dean didn't even try to translate, just grinned at Meg who settled a bit in her seat. Now that the excitement of discovery was over, Meg split her attention back between her phone which kept on chirping, 'flower petal' at her in perfect dragon speech, and looking out the window to where they were going.

Cricket was about to ask more questions when Dean interrupted with the answers. 'I can understand English, but only my Mate and my brother can understand me. It was another one of those spells I was talking about. They did it so we could chat easier. Before, we were using sign language, it's a kind of way of talking using your hands and fingers. I don't know how long the spell will last. It may crap out in five minutes, or ten years from now. It was meant for more traditional mammals and humans. And we are uh, decidedly not.'

Now that Cricket was getting a handle on the situation, she spoke with her son. Loving the fact that they could finally converse like this, that he wasn't dead or being tortured. She could teach him again. 'Honey, our kind has been around before mammals, don't you feel the history in your bones?'

Dean shook his head dumbly. He could barely work with the facts now, never-mind history. Maybe Dane feels it... he is the more Drauglin of the two. What's Dane going to think of all this? Is he gonna be pissed they're even smaller then anticipated? Does he still want to talk to her? He was just about to ask when he saw Cricket cock her head at him due to his rapidly changing expressions and scents. 'I was just uh, thinking how you might want to meet your son again. I mean, I am... kinda, but he is, uh, completely. He's the real Drauglin side, I was just the catalyst. I feel human, like I was before this. It's pretty hard for me to feel anything but. But Dane, he's all dragon. Erm, Drauglin. He wants to talk to you.' At the deeper confusion he clarified, 'Our mind split. A couple of times, heh, and uh, it's like there's several of us sharing the same body. Here, I'll show ya.' he said and went quiet for a moment, head bowing down a little.

Silence filled the car and Cricket thought he fell asleep in mid sentence until he looked up at her again. The warmth and love shining through those eyes made her sway in place. The posture straightened up and the Drauglin before her grinned too wide, elated. 'Hello Mother.' He said, same voice but different, more reverence. 'It has been a long time. I am sorry that we had to trick you, you would not have wanted to do the spell otherwise.' He bowed his head a little. 'Mother, I just wanted to say, that I love you, I never forgot about you. Even Dean cares deeply for you. His first mother died in a fire and you found him and became his second mother. But to me, you are all mine, and I wish...' he floundered a little. Dean told him the plan, as well as the back up plans, and none of the potential futures for them were as certain as it was for their mother since she never split. Even if she did split consciousness now, it wouldn't matter as much as them because they'd been separated in that head for nearly their whole Drauglin life. Right at the moment that Sam and Bobby showed up at his nest when he was a nestling. Memories of his old life crowding in and changing him. Now that he and Dean are show and telling, memories of the time when the hybrid was the ruler are bleeding into both of them. Dane doubted the hybrid even existed anymore. Or maybe, he and Dean would become the hybrid again if they lost themselves in each other. Becoming too close. It was a possibility. At least Dean, for all of his pros and cons, was still a good guy in the end. Dane just hoped that he could say the same for himself when this is all over. One way or another. He just didn't want to be alone anymore. Dane felt that Dean was feeling the same. Not just now, but all the time.

'I wish, that you choose to go with us, after we get you back to your home.' Dane said, his eyes wet. It shouldn't be up to him what his mother chooses to do. If she chooses to stay a Drauglin, she and he would go probably to the island together. If she chooses to return to humanity, she would go with Dean and he would be left to travel alone or try and stay hidden in the forest he was born in. Or find another way. Dane wasn't sure what he'd prefer his mother chooses.

Cricket didn't exactly know what to say. Dean was now apparently Dane, a full Drauglin. In control of his body, speech, and attitude. Dean seemed to be constantly struggling, to speak, move, act. He really didn't fit in as a Drauglin. But Dane, he knew what he was, who he was. It was natural. Effortless. Even his scent changed a little. More in tune with nature. A different kind of strength in each. But both had this under-layer of sadness. Loneliness. Dane seemed to hide it a little better, maybe it was just Dean's side leaking through. The thought of two beings inside one body... how could they cope? She looked at the man in front of her. Strong and kind. He'd be able to make it on his own if he was free of all biped ties. Dane would come into his own if given the chance. She was sure of it. He's just unsure right now. The indecision will pass. Dane will find his own strengths.

This was her real boy, Dean.. was... not. Not entirely. She could now see the difference and remembered how Dean was when he was a biped. She was startled into feeling guilty, she took Dean away from his little brother. When Dean was a biped, he wasn't playing with her earlier, on that cliff side, he was fighting to stay alive. He never wanted this life. And now that she thought about the other offspring, she could see that they were fighting her too. They'd given their all to get away from her but she was too powerful, blind in her ambition to turn those people into her offspring. She expected them to be fearful as all small things were, and ignored that scent. It was only natural to be scared of things bigger then them, she wanted to save them from a short life of fear.

A new troubling thought occurred to her. Was she like them? Was she once a biped too? Her mind often swam with thoughts and ideas that seemed to come out of nowhere, what if that was from her old life? Dane was suddenly there, hands on her shoulders as he sat in front of her, ducking his head down to look her in the eyes.

'Mother?' he worriedly chirped. 'Are you alright?'

She pulled away from him. 'I... I'm so sorry. Dean, Dane... so, so so very sorry... I did this to you, him. He never wanted this. I changed him into something he never wanted.' her eyes went to Meg who was simply watching the two. 'Meg told me that her brother would be forced to turn dragon and how much she didn't want that for him or for her. I thought she was crazy, who wouldn't want to be like us?' she started huff laughing a little hysterically. 'I did this. I ruined your life.' She backed up from him. 'Those girls, my baby girls, I was going to raise them... be there for them. But they never wanted it. The screaming wasn't nervous excitement, it was terror. I wanted to take that fear away... I was the one giving it to them.' She stared off into the middle distance. Looking up at the sleeping brother. How huge he seems to her, how fearful she still is of him. He's not even conscious right now and he's freaking her out. This is like her children looking up at her, before she turned them into something else. They had no chance against her. It was actually kind of funny how it took this new diminished perspective to help her see how wrong she was. 'I should have used animals. Like Phoenix and Ness. They were from the sky and sea before they turned into my siblings. I was... I was from the land, I walked with another man, on two legs. Kazz... no... his Drauglin name was Kazz, his real name was... James. My real name was Missouri.' Tears started to flow from her eyes. 'My name isn't Cricket. It was Mi... Missouri... Missouri.' She sobbed and laid down in Dane's arms, 'Misery.' she cried and Dean came forward, holding onto her and stroking her cheeks free of the tears.

'It's ok. It's alright, Mom.' Dean felt himself tremble along with her. They got through to her, without even trying. It was a great relief to know that she was human and remembered her past, but also, that she knew what she'd done. She would not do it again. 'Mom? Cricket?' he asked after her sobs slowed. 'I know most of us Drauglin's weren't originally humans. You just didn't see the difference in using people over animals. I understand, and don't blame you for it.' Dean took a breath and chirped a little optimistically, 'I think we turned out alright.' He shrugged a little, trying to make her feel a little better.

'But... you - ' she stammered, trying to piece her thoughts together, 'you left me.' Eyes shining with tears. 'You liked it? At least.. a little? Being with me...'

Dean closed his eyes. He wasn't conflicted on the matter, he just didn't want to be a Drauglin anymore. Sure he felt strong, invincible sometimes, but, he couldn't live like this. Hunt his own food, mate with other dragons. It's just not him. He wants to be human again. 'I...' no sense lying to her. She needs to hear the second part of their escape plan. 'I want to be human again. And if you want, we can make you human again too.'

She squinted at him. This was insane. No Drauglin has ever been changed into anything else. Of course, no Drauglin had ever been shrunk before, but here they are. Apparently Dean had been shrunk before and it had been temporary. Maybe they could do it. Become bipe- human again. But did she want to do it?

Dean patted her shoulder, 'You don't have to decide right now. But, the time is coming up pretty soon. We have one day. Half of it is now spent driving to Freedersville. We've already put a lot of miles between the base and there. Get there in no time. And I'll tell ya what. Once Sammy and I are all monkey suited up, we can go in and have some of our people turn it into a wildlife preserve. A forged document here, petition there, and boom, Sanctuary. There will be no Hunters of either kind in your woods. It will be left for animals and nature alone. Any human caught inside will be arrested. The base you were kept at is under attack right now, they wont be able to hunt you down again if you decide to stay in Harkade valley. Uh, that's the name of your forest home. Once we get there, we are going to do the spell to change me back into a human, and uh, you as well if you want us to. We will of course have to grow large again, so don't worry about having to hide from squirrels.' Dean huffed a laugh to lighten the chat. 'It shouldn't take as long this time around as it did for me last time because Sammy here word fumbled up the reversal.' He jabbed at the leg under them. The movement too small to be noticed by the human, they weren't sure if that was comforting or not. Don't poke the bear, or being too small to even matter to the bear. Dean shook his head, getting back on topic. 'When the reversal spell is done the right way, it should be just as fast as when we went down. And then we can even start right away on the big one. The one that brings us back.'

Cricket seemed to be listening but also not. Drifting a little in her mind.

'I'll uh, let you think about it. In the meantime, are you hungry? We got hot dogs!' Dean chirped and looked down at the floor of the car, climbing down the pant leg to the floor well. Sounds of claws on plastic were heard and then some teeth chomping off a portion of meat from the rest. Dean used his wings to help him laboriously climb back up with a very large brown thing in his mouth. Twice as long as his head. Meg had caught on to his intentions but didn't interrupt him and squash his pride. He was doing fine on his own. Showing off for his mom no doubt.

Meg lifted up another hot dog from the torn package and laid it in front of Cricket who backed up a wary step. The thing was as big as a tree but apparently made of an animal. It was anyone's guess what it once was... Meg didn't seem to take offense at the confused and slightly disturbed look Cricket was giving the log of mystery meat, and just grinned at her. Meg soon went back to looking out the window and messing with a large flat black thing that was obsessed with chirping the words, flower petals.

Dean finished off the meat and sighed happily. He scratched at an itch and remembered something he wanted to do for awhile now. He figured it would make a nice little keepsake when he gets big again. He started to rub his body against the rough denim of Sam's jeans next to him and the ground, pulling off his old outer layer of scales in as big of a piece as he could. It split more or less down his spine, Cricket helping him out once she caught on what he was going for. Getting his hands and feet without shredding the skin was tricky but worth it when they popped off like gloves. He could see it already start to harden as it dried. Looking like a lizards skin but not. Some spots missing, but for good reason, lost in battle. Already he was looking better then he had in months. The burn spots were still there, but not as big. Still numb thanks to the herb continuing its effects after the initial contact in the field. Cas was right, he got it off at the right moment before it overwhelmed him. Some bruises were seen under the new skin, but not as bad as before. Most of the minuscule bullets that lodged themselves into his hide went with the skin and a few fell down to the seat. Smaller then specks of dust to him.

Cricket started doing her own, enjoying the feel of the under layer getting a chance to touch free and clean air. Dean helped her out as well, and when both were free of the old scales, he grabbed one at a time and tucked them into a space in the backseat where the seat belts came out of the leather. The shell of hides were still pretty small so he didn't want them smashed or damaged before he could get to them again. With human fingers. His eyes looked around the dim interior of his car. His Baby. Come tomorrow, he will be able to get behind the wheel of his car and just drive. Hug his brother and not worry about Sam needing stitches afterwards. And Cas... oh the things he wants to do with Cas. Surprisingly enough, making love was on the list but it wasn't even the top anymore. He wanted to hold his hand. Put a ring on that finger. Hold him forever. Wake up with their legs tangled and complaining about morning breath. Just... everything.

Dean spied the Styrofoam cup of water that was set out for them placed in the middle of a coat to keep it upright in the moving car. It spilled a little but there was plenty left for both of them to drink their fill. Once they'd shed, were fed and sated, they slept. Hard. Curled up together back in Sam's hand for warmth and some kind of protection in the moving car. The curl of fingers providing a good bowl like a nest.

Meg for her part, was texting back and forth with Balthazar. Castiel and he were taken to a small hospital outside of the Base's watchful eyes to get checked out. They weren't planning on staying long, just enough to make sure neither was going to die from all the injuries sustained in Dean's evasive and reckless flight. Above all, Castiel needed a sturdy cast on his broken arm and none of them could stop their mission to cobble a good one up for him. The two scientists would need to sneak out right after the knockout drugs wear off.

Since Bobby was driving, Rufus was sleeping to take the next driving shift, Sam was dead to the world and Dean and Cricket were the size of cat toys, Meg was in charge of finding a ride for Balthazar and Castiel. A driver and vehicle preferably. She doubted a taxi would be an affordable option to get them to Freedersville. Thankfully the spot they picked out for the spell was just a few hours away now, they didn't need to do it directly in Harkade valley, just within flying distance for a Drauglin. If the spell was meant for anything on two legs, it would have been within regular walking distance before a rest was in order. The specifications laid out didn't count if the subject needed to sleep to continue on. So however far one could travel under their own power before collapsing. Thankfully, dealing with Drauglin's, that was pretty far if they were healthy. There were always some kinds of specifications for these kinds of things... apparently. Meg just went with it. Left the supernatural stuff to the experts and helped where she could.

Everything was quickly coming together even though they all were or would be showing bruises or even broken bones. They can rest when it's over. Hopefully.

Meg was just happy that with Cricket out of Azazel's reach, her brother couldn't be forced into turning into a dragon. Sam and the others already filled her in on their plan to rescue Crowley and take out Azazel in one swift attack. Azazel was on the top of their shit list. They just didn't have time to do it before the Equinox. And, it would be nice if they had another trusted and experienced Hunter like Dean with his never miss shooting skills. If the monster the brothers were hunting needed to be shot with a single special bullet, it was almost always Dean behind the trigger. Sam wasn't a slacker, but Dean just had more years of training.

Bobby grumbled as he pulled his chime-chirping phone out from his pants while trying not to crash the Impala and looked at the name, handing it back to Meg to read, and text back a reply.

"It's from someone named Ellen? She says that the base has been neutralized and the Hunters are all backing out now that conspiracy theorists are flocking to the area. Balth's crazy friends must have been successful in spilling the beans on the secret base. They'll have their hands full for years to come." Meg giggled.

Bobby grinned, "That's great news." and was tempted to wake up the others but shrugged instead. Let them sleep. He hadn't heard a peep from the little Drauglin's so he figured they drifted back off to sleep as well once they got some water and food in them. They'll need the rest and full stomach. "Text her back and say that Cas and Balthazar will need a ride to where we're going. She should have an idea for breaking them out of the hospital unnoticed. Pretty sure Cas would dissect me in my sleep if I let him Miss out on Dean's transformation." he chuckled a little.

Meg smirked too but it faded a little. Talking about her ex-husband like this was a little stressful. Pretty soon she'll have to stand by and watch her first love see his true love in person. She kept reminding herself that she was the one to break it off, but seeing that loving look that they have for each other, makes her breath hitch sometimes. She had that once. And lost it. Her own fault. By this time tomorrow there'll be nothing standing in the way of Castiel's and Dean's love. Who'd have thought she would be helping them get there.

"Awful quiet back there." Bobby noted out loud. Eyes dancing between the road and Meg's own.

"Just... thinking." she sighed.

Bobby nodded, adjusting his grip on the wheel. The sky was getting dark out. The list running through his head again. Changing along with the clock. 10 hours to go. 6 of them driving. 30 minutes for breaks, tops. Two hours set up because the devil's shoe-string needs to boil down to mush. Bring Dean and Cricket back to full size. Get their tracking chips out. Bone saw is in the trunk. Might need a skill saw. Moon crest we start the spell, fully shown is when the spell needs to end. Not a minute later. Need to find a place where we can see the moon come up. Throw one Drauglin in first, do spell fast, reset and get the other one in before the moon fully rises. We have minutes. Just minutes.

Bobby frowned to himself. Finishing the list; if they're too late, calm down a pissed off Drauglin or two. Find Azazel and drain him dry for the blood spell. Drain Alistair too if we need to do it for both of them. Bobby looked at the rear view mirror again. Meg shouldn't have a problem with the Hunters killing a worthless human or two. Especially not them. Bobby just wondered if he's only justifying it because his boy's involved. Alistair and Azazel never actually killed a human. Shot at and injured yes, but not killed. They were useful to Hunters in figuring out how to take down monsters, but now, he's not sure if he would do that if Dean wasn't the one that got turned and needed the blood spell. Months of sleepless nights over this. And still he's no closer to coming to terms with it. Hunters don't go after people that haven't killed any humans.

Half of the Hunters viewed Azazel's work with respect and awe. For years they depended on collectors like Azazel to figure out how to take down monsters using different methods. The only way to do that is by capturing the monsters and trying out everything and anything. The tide of compassion for non-violent monsters is slowly turning, but, many are set in their ways like Gordon had been before he turned. Anything not human needed to die. Bobby wondered if the Hunter community had heard of Gordon's current activities. The fact that he's feasting on humans. He'd have to sick the Hunters on his evil hide the second Dean and Cricket get back to walking on two legs again. Any sooner and the Hunters would just hunt Dean and his mother down with even more ferocity. Add that to the list as well. Have Ellen sic Hunters on Gordon's ass. He's flightless now, according to Sam, but he's still got size on his side. No telling how fast a Drauglin can run if they've got a reason to book it.

Bobby loosened his white knuckled grip on the wheel, spotting a gas station ahead. Grumbling to himself at how expensive the Impala can be, sucking down gas just because it's an older car model. Gas was just cheaper back in '67. His own '72 Chevelle isn't that much better for gas mileage, so he didn't voice his thoughts on the matter. At least they had a car. Rufus will have to pick out a new substitute truck from his salvage yard to replace his completely obliterated one. If Bobby is gonna claim the boys as their dad then he's gonna help them out when one of them needs to steal a truck, launch it into the stratosphere, set fire to it, then have a missal explode it while it's hurtling its merry way to the ground like a flaming meteorite. It's only fair. A truck for three lives. He can spare a good one for his old friend.

He pulled up to one of the empty pumps and nudged Rufus awake. "Your turn." he said and got out of the car, stretching his sore legs and back, then limping a little to the main station to get some energy drinks, and celebratory or consolatory liquor. Depending entirely on the outcome.

Meg watched the older Hunter go and quietly went back to texting, frowning at how fast her battery was dying. She was surprised that already, two hours had passed since she and Bobby spoke. One look to her side showed the tiny dragons curled up in Sam's free hand that rested on his lap. Safe a place as any. Sam himself adjusted his head since the car stopped, but stayed sleeping. He needed it. She got out and stretched, looking at the sun slowly setting. Clouds coloring the sky in pinks and purples. The colors changing so gradually and beautifully that she found herself staring at it instead of heading to the bathroom.

She smiled sheepishly at Rufus when she noticed him looking at her and started to walk around the car to the station.

He said at her retreating form, "They are lovely, aren't they." And got a small grin out of her. All that's happening and they can still appreciate the beauty around them. It felt, nice.

In the car, Meg's phone gave a warning ding for low battery. A few minutes after that, the screen went black just as everyone got settled. Phone forgotten and accidentally dropped to the floor of the backseat.

Ellen paced the hall of the hospital outside of Castiel's room. Unable to reach that Meg girl to tell her that she's got Castiel and Balthazar ready to go and will meet them there when it's showtime. She just needs the coordinates for the meet. Ellen figured that they probably didn't even know where they were going, and would reply when they find out. For now, she's just waiting for Balthazar to help his friend back into some stolen cloths that were big enough for the cast, so they can get the hell out of dodge before some soldier or Hunter comes looking for them. Ellen sent a text out to her daughter, Jo who had been acquiring a jeep that pulled up to one of the back doors, gassed up and ready to go.

Ellen had to admire all the work that went into planning the complete takeover of the Base by conspiracy hounds. So elegant in its design. She'd love to meet those guys, Wes and Brandon. She could appreciate fighters that didn't have to lift a gun to win battles. That is, if that British Balthazar guy ever tells her where his geek batcave is. Either way, she's glad those guys are on their side. They reminded her of Ash back at the roadhouse. Her own mullet haired tech guru. Oh the trouble those boys could get into if they ever cross paths. Or perhaps they already did. Not like anyone uses their real names online anymore.

She was distracted from her thoughts as Balthazar and Castiel exited the room quickly and silently. She was impressed that these two former civies were already better at sneaking around then some of the Hunters that frequent her bar. They'd be good troops for the cause if they wanted to go into the Winchester's family business. Hanging out with those boys have taught them a thing or two.

She made sure the room was cleaned of evidence and followed after them. Surprised they knew where to go. She guessed that Balthazar guy that's leading them had already mapped out the hospital before she got there.

Ten minutes later and they were already leaving town, headed towards the last known whereabouts of the other half of their group. Lucky for them, Jo was a master at exceeding the speed limit and not getting caught. They'd make it there with time to spare.

"Here. Right here is the best spot I've seen. Pull over would ya, Rufus?" Bobby nudged his elbow into his friend's side who slapped his hand away.

The Impala came to a stop on a clearing that was on the top of a small hill. They could see for miles in nearly every direction that mattered. The sun had set half an hour ago, sky still fading to black and the stars were out and getting ready for moon rise. Bobby checked his watch and compass as Meg woke up the Drauglin's first by gently tilting Sam's hand to a decline and letting the tiny things onto her own hand. They didn't really appreciate the abrupt wake up at first but in the following half second of waking Sam up, they were eternally grateful as that lax free hand they called a bed shot up and went for a knife. Sam gasped in pain as the muscles all spasmed violently at the sudden movement. Arm wrapping tightly around his chest and teeth clenching shut along with his leaking eyes.

Breathing through the pain, he finally looked around himself and down at the hand holding the knife, dropping it instantly and looking around himself in a panic.

"I got them." Meg reassured from outside of the car. She had ducked back just fast enough to avoid getting sliced open. Dean and Cricket were having heart attacks of their own at all the movement and sound. Meg brought them up to her eyesight to check on them and was a little sad to see them so afraid of her. "You're fine guys. Just gonna, uh, hold onto you for a second. If that's alright with you?"

Cricket clearly wasn't in the conversing mood so Dean swallowed down the lump in his throat and hoped that she could see his absolutely tiny hand sign, 'We are ok with you.' before going back to holding his mother close to keep her calm. Giving an exaggerated thumbs up and full neck and head nod if she couldn't see him all that well in this darkness.

'I'll never get used to this.' Cricket whispered fearfully at Dean while staring nervously up at her old friend. 'In a hand. We are in a hand. Both of us.' she forced herself to shut out the world and leaned into Dean's embrace and soothing words.

'Wont have to get used to it. Gonna be big again in just a few minutes. Promise.' Dean hugged her with a wing and they kept each other steady in the swaying hands. Meg shaped her fingers into a bowl and held them just under her chest as close to her body as possible. Standing off to the side of the men clearing the area of saplings and scrub. Sam unable to do much more then kick stuff down and wince.

Bobby called over to Meg. "You can hold them, but I'd feel better if you were armed." and pointed to the opened truck of the Impala. "Pick the one you know how to use but leave the weird looking ones alone."

She wandered over and eyes went comically wide at the wide array of weapons the trunk held. "Who are these people?" She whispered before remembering herself and looking down at her hands. Dean was the owner of this car and its trunk-o-goodies. "Sorry." she flushed in embarrassment, and smiled a little tight lipped before she set about looking for a simple .22 pistol. Having had one as a birthday gift from her brother years ago when she moved out on her own to the 'big city'. Meg heard Dean chirp something at her and nod. Apparently he thinks the simple pearl handled .22 was a good choice and grinned back. "I'll treat it with care."

'No problem, just won it in a pool game.' He trilled up and hoped that if she did have to fire the gun, she'd at least put them somewhere safe first. The sound might make them deaf before they get big again. Dean turned his attention back to his surroundings while still holding onto Cricket. She was taking everything rather well, considering. 'It's ok, gonna all be over soon. The big circles almost done so Rufus can start working on the ingredients. Sam's going over the reversal for our shrinking now. See?' Dean pointed over as Sam was seen mumbling the words over and over. Simple enough, his brother just didn't want to screw it up and make the transition as slow as last time. Quick and concise is what they need.

Sam half limped over to Meg, grinning down at her hand and giving the one with the gun a passing glance. "I'm good, you guys want to get big again?"

Dean straightened up. 'Oh hell yes.'

"Good to hear. Then we gotta figure out how to remove the chip from your spines." Sam frowned.

"Oh!" Meg exclaimed and handed over Dean and Cricket back to Sam who took them in a surprised hand, trying to keep it stable while still holding the sheet of paper in that hand and the other wrapped around his chest.

Meg dove into the car and pulled out her small purse and rummaged through it and pulled out a nail file.

Dean peeked over Sam's curled fingers and looked quizzically at the giants. 'What's she got? A file? My claws are fine for now and pretty soon they'll be gone. Why would I need -"

"Meg that's brilliant!" Sam crowed before remembering about little ears and quietly said, "Dean, this is gonna work. We just need some more light." Sam went back to the Impala and set the two Drauglin's down on the dash, lighting up the interior lights and pulling out several flashlights that they could spare. Two flip phones for their backlit screens helped get some more angles covered as he took the nail file into his good hand and leaned forward. Dean backed up.

'Sam?' Dean trilled nervously as Meg got into the car next to Sam and held her hands on either side of him. Dean could only see three giant's hands and intense eyes around him.

"Don't worry, Dean, you're going to do the fine tuning since I can't feel how far down it is. I'll start, then you finish. Cricket will let us know when the chip is free. Wont you, Cricket?" Sam looked to the small frightened Drauglin. "Dean? Little help translating?"

Dean finally caught on and said, 'That thing is going to scrape off the spike where they hid a tracking chip in us. For me it's under the half flat spine in-between my shoulders, probably the same for you too. When Sam gets close, I'm going to take over, rubbing my back against it, and you've got to be my eyes since I can't see that spot very well. If you see something flat and metal, dig it out and then we will do the same for you. When we do the spell, we can't have anything in our bodies that we weren't born with. Nothing man-made that we weren't uh, originally swallowed with. You got me when I was still wearing my ring and boxers so hopefully those wont interfere. What were you wearing when you were changed? Anything new added that isn't natural?'

Cricket frowned deeply, she couldn't remember since the day she was turned she was nearly frozen to death in the snow with her lover. Only this 'chip' thing was new. She didn't recall the soldiers doing anything else. She eventually shook her head and was ushered over to Dean to sit next to him and monitor the human's actions. The first scrape of that huge flat board on her boys spine sent her teeth on edge. A relatively large chunk was scraped off all at once. Too much! It was flipped over to the fine side, and the next scrape wasn't quite so harsh. Meg had said something that sounded like an apology going by the scents.

Sam started slowly and very carefully dragging the board across Dean's back and Dean shivered visibly. 'Like magic fingers. Fuck yeah.' and started purring mindlessly. 'Best massage ever, Sammy. Do the rest of them afterwards.'

"Keep it up, Toothless." Sam grinned and scraped again, ignoring the pleased little humming purr his brother was making. He was secretly glad it wasn't painful at all for Dean, and hoped that he wouldn't sand it down too far. The spikes near the one he was working on were filed down as well, Dean's body was just too small to single one out.

'Stop!' Cricket shrieked and Dean startled. Sam's hand shot up and both Drauglin's winced involuntarily at the huge movement and whoosh of displaced air. She found her cracking voice again, just loud enough for Dean. 'He was getting close to your skin.' And crept closer now that the huge hands were gone. She assessed the area and blew away the dust, wiping her hand over the area and grinning. 'I got it.' She said and using her claws, scraped off a metal shard no bigger then a grain of sand. She put it on the ground beside her and smashed it with her toes. It crumbled into a fine powder. 'Gone now.'

Exuberant smiles all around. Something so tiny was such a pain in their sides for such a very long time. And they got rid of it with a nail file and a mouse sized dragon's finger.

Dean tried to bend his neck to see the area but gave up. 'I trust you.' and flexed his shoulders, wings flapping. 'Not paralyzed, but I'm pretty sure I would have felt it if I was. Or if we went too deep.' he looked up at Sam, Meg, and then his mom. 'Thanks.'

"No problem." Sam and Meg said. "Now, Milady?" Sam hovered the file closer and planned on using the part that was still clear of spike dust.

Dean guided Cricket on over and the process was repeated. Cricket didn't have as many spikes so it took no time at all to find the right one, it being shorter then the others, and Dean crushed it into micro-millimeter pieces. Each chunk barely having atomic weight to them they were so small. He longed to set fire to them but at this size they'd go up in flames as well.

Sam licked his thumb and wiped Dean's spike area clean, much to his older and smaller brother's chagrin and used a napkin to gather up condensation from a cold water to help Cricket wipe herself down. If they wait, they'll be too big to clean later. Sam smirked at the indignant look Dean was giving him as he manhandled the tiny Drauglin to wipe him down with the cleaner side of the wet napkin. "We can't risk any part of that metal or anything man-made getting stuck to your feet. I'm gonna carry you now." he said as he plucked Dean up into his hand and turned it around for Cricket to get up on her own. Dean sorely wanted to bite Sam but knew it would be more effective if he waited just a minute later.

Sam walked slow and carefully to a clear area inside the circle. Dean was placed a good dozen feet from Cricket who was nervous about being on the ground with so many giants looming overhead. Every night creature that was in the woods made themselves known in hoots, cries and calls. Likely sensing the magic that was about to course through the ground from the circle. The dog barks set Dean on edge the most. Dean could just barely hear Cricket gasp sharply at a shadow flying overhead.

'Do it quick, Sam! Before some owl makes us into lunch!'

Sam pulled his sheet out and said the reversal loud and clear and above all, quickly. When he said it before at the hotel, he was basically asleep so the length of his recitation might have had an impact on the results. He needn't have worried because all at once, a glow came from the circle and everyone could see Dean and Cricket getting larger and larger, their bodies curling up and beginning to arc, just because their feet would have to constantly shuffle outwards or else get bound together. Dean just flopped onto his side to limit the awkwardness of always stepping outwards, and let himself slide back into his full 50 foot form. Cricket taking a cue from him did the same and they were looking back down at tiny humans and a toy sized car.

Dean waited a few more seconds as the wind calmed down again, the glow receding all the way, before he stretched out fully. Wings extending to their limits, he felt like roaring one last time before it's back to human-hood. Memorizing the feel of wings stretching and flapping. A tail that's long and agile, great for balance but also as a club when needed. He wondered if he'd miss any part of this.

'Dane? You ready to be sole proprietor of this fine body?'

Dane was getting antsy but understood where Dean was coming from. They were going to be split. Forever. He would know what life was like as a pure Drauglin. No human bits to get in the way. He would have joined in Dean's fun but he saw something out of Dean's eyes that he must not have noticed. 'Wait, Dean. There's something out there.'

A jeep pulled up with two women and two men. Sights for sore eyes.

"Ellen! Jo! We are so glad you could make it for the fireworks!" Bobby greeted and hugged them both. Rufus gave a respectful handshake with his teeth showing a bright smile. Sam waved from his location on the other end of the circle, already getting the other circle started. Dean leaned his head back so he could see the jeep past his mother and giddily bound past her to the new arrivals.

'Cas! Cas you alright? I was so worried about you.' Dean purred, inhaling the scents in the area to get a better picture. 'The doc's give you guys any trouble? How's uh, how's your arm? Your chest?' he faced Balth and checked him out as well. Both seemed fine. He remembered himself and backed up a step from Ellen and Jo who had never seen the Drauglin in person before. 'uh, Hey guys. Thanks so much for helping, promise I'll repay you guys.' He bowed his head to seem slightly less tall and intense. He was glad that they didn't outright open fire or run from him, but he could definitely scent the startled worry from the two ladies. That was probably just due to his size and fast movements. The others had gotten used to him to the point of acting like it was no big deal, no matter what size he was.

'Cas, check it out, we got Mom! She's fine, probably confused as hell right now.' he murmured quietly and gave a quick look behind himself. Sure enough, Cricket was looking into the woods for her son's Drauglin Mate named Cas. Time to tell all. Deep breaths. Dean ushered Cas forward enough to be able to sit behind him and placed his hands on either side of Cas, close enough for Cas to reach out and place his right hand on Dean's wrist.

'Mom, this is my Mate, this is Castiel.' He announced and even those that didn't speak Drauglin could tell what was going on.

Everyone was quiet, watching the huge midnight black dragon. Barely visible in the dark clearing before the moon rise.

Cricket looked at Dean then way down to the human between his hands. Surely that was a mistake. Maybe the human helped get his Mate out? She lowered her head and inhaled a little. The human leaned back into Dean, unsure what to do. Dean moved his right hand a little closer, rubbing the human's leg with the side of his thumb. It was a male. The human was male. She looked up at her son blankly.

'Cas, don't be rude, say hi to my Mom.' Dean muttered.

"Uh, hello Miss Cricket." Castiel's voice wavered a little. Not wanting to end up on her bad side. "Dean has told me so much about you, I am glad you're free and that we can help you out." Cas looked up to Dean to translate which he did with some pride in his voice. Castiel frowned when some of the chirps and purrs were nothing more then chirps and purrs to his ears. Half of the understood words changed into gibberish or just sounds.

Dean beamed down at Cas and winked. Cas shot a glance at Sam who was also looking up at Dean with a quizzical eye. "Dean? The communication spell is wearing off!" Cas shouted up.

Dean's heart pounded harder. No. Nonono, not when they're so close to the end! What if he needed to tell them something? What if? His eyes shot up to his mother. 'If there's anything you want to tell the humans, better say it quick so I can tell them!'

Cricket came to herself, out of the frozen state of coming to terms with her boy apparently Bonding and Mating with a male human! 'Uh... uh...! I don't know! Uh, congratulations? He is uh,' she leveled a look at Dean. 'You did notice he's a human didn't you?'

'I'm human!' Dean snapped. 'Or at least I will be in ten minutes.' He looked to the soft light that was coming from the horizon. 'Moon rise.' Dean said like a hopeful sigh and a curse. Long time coming, but right now, too soon. He frowned, shooting a look down at Cas. 'Mom is happy we are together, Cas. Aren't you, Mom?' with Dean giving a pointed look at her.

She nodded hesitantly then more firm when she saw how much Dean needed his mother's approval of his Bonded Mate. 'You two will make a handsome couple.' and grinned at Dean then gave a warm smile to little Castiel. 'Treat each other well.' She looked back to Dean who grinned widely, a happy purlling chirp when he told Cas this.

Castiel could only pick up some words but the expressions and tones said more. He let out a breath. Apparently Cricket approves. "Thank you." and rubbed his hand on Dean's arm.

Once Dean noticed the others hastily working on the circle, he knew time was coming fast. His stomach churned a little, just knowing that his Mate was going by body language then understanding his words. 'Cas? Nod if you can understand me?'

Castiel frowned deeply, nothing but a trill from his Mate's mouth. He waited but all that followed was a soft murmur that turned into an agitated growl that he knew must mean Dean realizes that he doesn't know what he's saying anymore.

"It's alright, my Love, I fell for you before I knew what you were saying. Love has no language." He said and reached a hand up for Dean to dip his head down and nuzzle. Dean had to turn it to the side and let his eyes drift close as Cas caressed his chin then nose. He then kissed the bridge of Dean's nose and Dean practically collapsed at the warmth of his Mate's love.

'You two really do love each other.' Cricket mused and grinned again. 'I hope it goes well tonight.' She looked at the humans all working in a frenzy. 'Dean? Are they uh, ok? Need our help?'

Dean lifted his eyelids and focused on the outside world again. 'Hmm?' He saw the others mixing up the potion and running along the circle with a paper in everyone's hand, shouting directions for everyone's part to draw in the huge area. A circle twice the size as any before. 100 feet across with more strange sigils and words then any Dean's seen before. Bobby kept looking at them then the circle and the spell every few seconds. Then to the moon that was just now lighting the horizon but not yet showing.

Dean was just about to offer his help but Bobby raised up his hands. "You can't step foot on it Dean! It's meant for you! You can't touch it before it's done or else it wont work for you!"

Dean held Cas back as he went to his mother's side, a wing wrapping around her side. 'They're almost done. We have to wait for them to tell us to get in. One at a time. Once you're turned, get out as fast as possible so they can reset it for me.' He pulled her closer in his wings, facing her more fully to hold her in his arms, one of her hands coming up as well to reciprocate. 'I love you, Mom.' and squeezed her tight. Worry, and hope and love and too many emotions clawing at the surface. Of course he would make her go first. They didn't know if they could do both transformations in the limited time. Missouri deserved her human life back. They'll have to see if the spell will split her up like they plan on doing for Dean and Dane. Otherwise, he'll have the real Drauglin named Cricket as well as Missouri coming out. They'll find out soon enough.

'Dean...' she sighed, sobbed. Glad that he's alive. Thrilled that he didn't hate her for all that she's done. Forgiving her. She pulled back, looking him in the eyes and hearing one of the humans call out something that sounded important.

'It's time, Mom.' Dean's eyes watered. He let his wings drop to his sides. Both of them looking at the horizon. A bright white moon peeking tentatively out from the distant trees and mountaintops. Just a sliver of light but it hurt their eyes to stare at it from the darkness. Hope shining through. Dean walked her to the circle to wait for the signal from Bobby to enter. He felt her wing around his back and trail up his long neck to pull his head down gently. Giving a kiss to his forehead that he leaned into. Bobby started the incantation, hand at the ready to drop for one of them to take those few steps into the new uncharted future.

Dane roared inside his head. Breaking through the emotional haze Dean had been in ever since Cas showed up. All of his warnings were just muffled and went unnoticed. Dane could tell Dean wasn't doing it on purpose, but he needed Dean to listen right the fuck now! He pulled frantically at Dean's attention again and finally got it, 'Dean! There is something in the woods! We are all in big trouble!'

A devilish monster snarled lowly from the woods, downwind of everyone there. Biding his time. Silent and still. The spell they were setting up was done, it just needed a dragon to enter. He'll have to act fast.

Dean's head whipped around to where Dane was screaming warnings and threats at something evil that was approaching. The Drauglin's consciousness was battering around in the mindscape like a firefly in a bottle, desperate to protect his family. Dean's heart leaped into his throat. A dark figure was approaching. Blood on fangs, death in the air.

The moon started it's climb.