A/N: I decided to post this a day early for your reading pleasure. This weekend will be the six year anniversary of my first story posted to FF. It has been a thrilling adventure and one I never thought would last this long or that I could create so many adventures for the boys. I have passed the 3.7 million words posted now and hope I can hit 4 million. I hope I can continue to write stories even after the show has ended.

We are in the home stretch now, only a few more shorts left in this venue. I hope you have enjoyed the hunts and the creatures I have used. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like reviews. NC

I hope everyone stays safe during these trying times. Just like all the other diseases we have faced, we will get through this one too.


V & W

Sam stepped from his bedroom and started down the hall to the kitchen. The place was quiet, and he paused at his brother's bedroom door wondering if he should check on him. Dean had taken it hard when their Mom decided she needed space and left them behind. Mary had been brought back by Amara, the Darkness and God's sister, since Dean had gotten her and her brother, Chuck/God back together again. She gave Dean his deepest desire and that was to have his Mom back. It was a huge adjustment for Mary since the last time she saw them Dean was four and he was six months old. So much had happened and changed over the years, she was trying to play catchup, which wasn't easy.

It hurt Dean so much more than Sam since he didn't really know his Mom or have memories of her. He was an adult now and was trying to get to know her but could see she was struggling with being brought back. They were both trying to form a relationship and it was hard. She had missed most of their lives and so much had happened to them during that time that she didn't know about. It was like they were strangers to her and couldn't connect again.

Knowing Dean probably wouldn't want the intrusion, Sam continued down the hall and through the map room to the library and stopped short when he found Dean sitting in the library on his laptop. He had a neutral, almost noncaring look on his face and didn't look up as Sam continued to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He came back and sat down across from Dean waiting to see if he would say anything. Sam had tried to talk to Dean, but he shut him down and put up walls, closing himself off.

"Found a hunt," Dean said. His voice was dull and hard as he spoke, before getting up to head down the steps. "I'll go pack."

Sam sat there stunned at first, his cup still in midair, getting ready to take a sip. He had wanted Dean to get out of the bunker, where he had been holed up for over a week, since their Mom had left, but this was sudden and without warning. He got up slowly and followed his brother to go pack a bag, knowing he wasn't letting him go alone. He sipped on his coffee and glanced into Dean's bedroom seeing him putting clothes in his pack.

"I'll be ready in five minutes," Sam called to him before continuing to his room. He got his duffle and pulled clean clothes from his dresser to pack in the bag. He stopped by the bathroom to grab his small bag before continuing to the map room. He didn't find Dean there or in the other rooms, so he headed for the garage thinking he was already waiting in the Impala.

Sam put his bag in the back and dropped into the passenger seat of the Impala to glance at his brother as he started the car and pulled out onto the road running by the bunker without speaking. He headed north away from Lebanon, to a small town in Nebraska called, Beatrice.

spn

"So, what's this case we're checking out?" Sam asked breaking the silence in the car.

"Dead bodies showing up in towns along Interstate 80. Last one in Beatrice, Nebraska."

"What makes you think it's a case for us?"

"The hearts were missing, and the locals think it's animal attacks."

"You're thinking werewolf then?"

"Probably; good guess."

"Do you have a plan? Or do we do our usual thing?"

"Our usual thing has always worked for us before, why change it now?"

"Okay, we let the locals know we're there and start checking things out. How far is the town?"

"Not far, few hours or so. It's on this side of 80."

"We should have time to go by the station and see the bodies before it's too late then."

"Probably, the others haven't been linked by the cops yet since there're in different counties and states, but the program you set up showed that there could be possible links. So far there have been six deaths that it's pulled along that route."

"So, we have a roaming werewolf out there or more than one?"

"No idea. Let's hope it's only one."

Sam went silent as the wheels started turning in his head. When they got a motel room, he was going to try and hack the other police departments to get reports on the killings and see if it looked like the same one. They needed to know what they were dealing with to be prepared. Dean didn't bother continuing the conversation with him and Sam was okay with that.

spn

Beatrice was a quant, small town that merged the old with the new in a unique way. It was early afternoon and the traffic was steady but not heavy yet. The Impala drove slowly down the business section of the town and around to where the police station was located. Since the locals thought the killings were an animal attack, they were going in under the guise of wildlife officials.

Dean found a visitor's parking spot and eased into it, cutting off the Impala engine and getting out. He walked around the car and waited for Sam to join him before heading for the front door. They stepped inside and to the counter where a deputy sat.

"May I help you?" he asked.

"We're with the State Wildlife Department and are here about the animal attacks," Dean told him. "Can we speak with the sheriff about the deaths."

"I'll let the sheriff know you're here," the deputy replied picking up a phone to call to the back.

Sam motioned to Dean to the chairs behind them and they took a seat to wait. Sam was skimming the wanted posters in a glass case while Dean was doing his best not to make rude noises. A cell buzzed and Dean pulled his from his jacket and looked at the caller ID before sending it to voicemail. Sam was sure it was their Mom calling but didn't say anything when he saw the stony look on his brother's face. He knew trying to intervene would only make matters worse and knew they had to work it out between them.

Luckily, they didn't have to wait long before an older man stepped out of the door behind the counter. They got up and waited for him to join them.

"Sheriff, Rangers Marsh and Wilson, we're with the State Wildlife Department and were sent here to check these animal attacks," Dean explained to him.

"Sheriff Stone, rangers. Strange, I never got any paperwork regarding this," Stone told them.

"It was a last minute assignment, so the paperwork is probably on someone's desk waiting to be sent," Sam shrugged. "You know how that is."

"Yeah, you're probably right. How can I help?"

"Could we get a copy of your police reports and we'll need to see the bodies," Dean told him.

"That I can do, can they be emailed to you?"

"Yes," Sam said. He pulled out a card and scribbled on the back before handing it to the sheriff. "Our number and email and if anything else comes up, please call us."

"Will do, and the bodies are at the morgue, basement of the hospital. It's across town on Walker Street. Go right when you exit for two miles and you'll see the signs for it."

"Thank you, Sheriff," Dean said. He shook hands with him, and they headed from the building. They got in the Impala and headed for the hospital to the morgue. Once they saw the bodies, they'd get a motel room and go over everything to see what they had and decide if this was a werewolf attack or not. They both knew that some humans could be just a horrific as the monsters they hunted.

"There," Sam pointed to the blue H on the sign letting them know they were heading in the right direction. It didn't take them long to find the four story brick building that was the hospital.

Dean pulled around to the back looking for the rear entrance and found a place to park where the car wouldn't be towed away. They got out and headed for a side door and checked the signs once inside to find the morgue. Even after all these years, morgues still gave Sam the creeps and he shivered slightly when the temperature dropped drastically once they stepped through the double doors.

They were in a short hall with a door on either side. One said cold storage and the other said exam room. Dean pushed the door open and went in looking around for the coroner. Sam eyed the three stainless steel tables positioned in the middle of the room and was glad there wasn't a body on any of them. The place was white, bright and spotless and made them both squint as their eyes adjusted to the lightening.

"Can I help you gentleman?" a female voice asked from behind them.

They turned to see an older woman dressed in scrubs and lab coat that emitted an air of authority. Her red hair was pulled up on top of her head and strands framed her face. She had not lost her looks as she aged and you could see the intelligence in her blue eyes.

"Yes ma'am, we were sent from the State Wildlife Department to look into the animal attacks you've had lately," Dean told her giving her a sexy smile, trying to win her over.

"Interesting," she said looking them over before walking across the room, not bothering to invite them to follow.

Dean fell into step with her and Sam trailed along behind and stopped at the wall with the small doors holding the autopsied bodies. He looked around and found gloves, pulling two pairs out and handing one set to Dean.

"Not much to see or tell, the guys were attacked, their chests were ripped open and hearts removed," she said opening two doors and pulling the sliding trays from within.

"What type of animal do you think did this?" Sam asked.

"If it was an animal," she replied. "It's inclusive right now. Samples have been sent to the state lab, but I have my doubts if they'll be able to shed any light on what actually did this. And you say you're with the Wild Life Department?" she asked studying them like she knew they were lying.

"Could we get a copy of your autopsy reports please?" Dean asked politely changing the subject. She seemed smarter than some coroners they had met over the years and he hoped she didn't challenge them.

"Of course, have a peek; let's hope you have a strong stomach," she nodded walking away from the covered bodies to copy the reports.

Sam took one body and Dean the other. He pulled the sheet down to the waist and looked at the grizzly mess that was once a young man's chest. There was a gaping hole and flesh had been shredded around the site. He gingerly ran a finger over the ragged skin and bent closer to examine what looked like claw marks. Sam took out his cell and snapped photos from different angles when something caught his eyes.

"Dean, do you see something strange with your body?" Sam asked looking over at Dean and the other body.

"Other than the gaping hole in his chest where his heart should be?"

"Funny," Sam replied sarcastically. "I mean do you see anything else unusual?"

"Ummm…" Dean hummed as he leaned closer and frowned. "You mean a bite mark that looks like a vampire?" he asked quietly so no one else could hear.

"You have one too?"

"Yeah, almost missed it with the damage done here."

"Doc, when the bodies were found was there a lot of blood?" Sam asked when she came back carrying a folder.

"No, hardly any. Sheriff thinks they were killed somewhere else and then dumped where they were found."

"And they've not found that site where they were actually killed?"

"No and if you want my opinion, no animal would do that," she said looking knowingly at them. "Here you go."

"Thanks for your help," Dean nodded accepting the folder.

"I just hope you catch whatever is doing this before I have another body on my table."

"We'll do our best Doc," Sam assured her. He snapped off his gloves and threw them away before following his brother from the room. Once they were out of hearing range, Sam spoke, "What are we looking at here? A vampire and werewolf tag team?"

"Never heard of those two ever working together. This is a new one on me. It's getting late, let's grab some food and get a room. The sheriff should have the police reports emailed to us by now and we can go over what is in them and try to make sense of this case."

"Hopefully there's some link to all the victims that we can check out and maybe this will make sense," Sam sighed settling into the passenger seat.

"We know a vamp would want to feed before the victim is killed, so they get first dibs and then the werewolf would take its turn and tear out the heart…" Dean mumbled more to himself than to Sam. This was a strange one that they'd never run across before. He started the Impala and pulled from the hospital to head toward some motels they had seen coming in. They usually had restaurants nearby within walking distance and would suit their needs.

spn

Sam had his laptop opened and was checking the emailed police reports that were sent to him. He scribbled notes on a pad and flipped between the different ones. Dean had the folder from the coroner in front of him and was looking through the reports and the photos of each victim. Sam looked up when Dean's cell buzzed and wasn't surprised, he didn't answer it again. He knew it had to be their Mom calling to talk to him and Dean wasn't willing to answer the call. Sam knew how stubborn his brother could be and sighed softly to himself knowing it wouldn't help to get into a fight about it with him.

"You know it looks like both victims were taken during the day. One had gone to the grocery store and never made it back home and the other was coming home from work, stopped at a gas station and disappeared between it and home."

"Tell me, what would make two healthy, strong men let their guards down and be taken?" Dean asked looking up from his reading.

"Someone needing help, like a defensive female," Sam noted with a huff. "If our theory is right one of them is a female and probably the other a male."

"So, the female lures the guys to a spot where they won't be seen and the other knocks them out," Dean said holding up a photo. "Coroner found a contusion on the back of both of the victim's heads. Seems they were knocked out."

"And taken somewhere, drained and heart ripped out," Sam snorted angerly. "How are we going to catch them? There's too many places to stake out."

"Did you get that map?" Dean asked looking up at his brother.

"Yeah," Sam said getting up to retrieve a map of the town. He spread it out and turned it toward Dean.

"Give me the addresses where the victims were last seen and where the bodies were found."

"Sam pulled up the right pages and rattled out the locations, watching as Dean marked them on the map before leaning back at studying it for a moment. His mind was whirling as he problem solved. After a few minutes of silence, Dean leaned back toward the map and placed a finger on a location. "My best guess will be here; I think they're probably getting ready to leave town and will make one more kill before that to tide them over. The full moon has one more day in the cycle, so it's today they'll hit again before leaving."

"You have a plan?" Sam asked looking to his brother.

"I'm bait and we stake the place out. Which we should head out and get set up before it gets too late or they find another unsuspecting victim."

"Why are you bait? Why can't I be bait?" Sam questioned getting up when Dean did.

"You're too tall and besides, I'm the better looking," Dean stated smugly.

Sam snorted in disgust giving his brother a bitch face with his remark. He followed him to the car and got in and Dean headed to a store across town near the road that led out to the interstate. Sam was still pouting when Dean pulled into the parking lot and drove through it before parking toward the back and leaving it running as he got out.

"You go find a place to park where you can watch and I'm going to go inside grab a drink or something and mill around inside and come out and walk around. You keep an eye out for anyone suspicious and probably a van of some kind. They'd need to get away with their victim easily."

"Be careful and don't take any unnecessary risks," Sam advised him as he slid across the seat to the driver's side. "Dean," he called. "Keep your cell on and hidden. If you do get taken, I can track you."

"Smart Sammy," Dean answered. He pulled his cell out and made sure it was on before slipping it into a hidden pocket on his jacket. He went inside and walked around the store, going to the bathroom and coming out taking his time to study the selections as he gave the customers a once over. He didn't think anyone inside was their monster and grabbed a soda and chips. After paying, he headed outside and walked to a bench at the side of the building to sit and eat his snack. He saw the Impala parked near the back in the shade of a tree but couldn't make out his brother inside.

Dean was sipping the last of the soda wondering if he was wrong about the location when his spidery senses went off. He knew they were here and looked toward the parking lot when a cute, brown haired, young woman started walking toward the entrance but paused and changed her direction when she saw him sitting alone.

"Heads up Sammy, got company," Dean muttered as he got up to throw away his trash and ignoring the woman.

"Excuse me," she said politely.

"Hey," Dean said.

"I was wondering if you could help me? Seems like I've got a flat tire and I can't get the lug nuts off to change it," she explained sounded helpless and needy. She flirted just enough to encourage a guy to help.

"Sure, no problem. Where are you parked?" he asked giving her a fake smile.

"It's over there toward the back. Guess I was lucky to park there. Makes it easier to change a tire with no cars beside you." She started to walk away slowly, waiting to be sure Dean was going to follow her.

He wiped his hands on a napkin and tossed it in the trash, before strolling along beside her. "You do have a spare, right?"

"Yes, thank goodness."

"It's probably a doughnut, so you'll need to take your car to a garage and have them fix the flat and put it back on."

"Are you a mechanic? You seem knowledgeable about these things."

"I know my way around a car," Dean shrugged. He let his eyes wander to the Impala and saw Sam had slid down in the seat and was watching them walk away from the other cars to the very back of the lot.

"Here it is," she told him stopping at a silver Nissan.

"Which tire is it?" Dean asked leaning over slightly to look at the two tires on this side of the car. Before he could raise up, everything went black when he was hit in the head with a slapjack. She slipped zip ties over his wrist and tied his hands behind his back.

A tan van pulled up beside the car and the side door opened. Dean was quickly tossed inside, and the female got in and it drove away. They never noticed the black car that followed them out of the back entrance and kept pace with them. The van drove for twenty minutes to a remote, wooded area where a lake could be seen nearby and parked. The driver and woman got out.

"This should do," the man said. "We need to do this quick and move on before any suspicions are aroused."

"It's all good. No one is going to peg us for killers," she laughed. "I'll drain him, and you can take his heart for later. Did you get ice?"

"Yeah, it'd be more fun to wait a little longer though, the moon is supposed to be up early tonight, and I can have a warm meal."

"I guess we can, I mean there's no reason to rush it or anything. I don't think he'll be missed for a while yet." She moved to the back of the van and opened the door to pull out two folding chairs. She looked over the seat and saw Dean still unconscious on the floor. "Why don't we relax a bit, he's not going anywhere." They set up their chairs and looked out over the lake to wait for sunset and the rising of the moon.

spn

Sam parked the Impala and got out hurrying to the back for a machete and made sure he had silver bullets in his gun. He could just make out the van, stopped further up the road by a lake. Moving quietly, he worked his way through the trees hoping the vampire wasn't feeding yet. He was careful to not be seen by the two and was surprised to see them sitting in folding chairs looking out at the lake. They weren't acting like typical monsters, but things had changed over the years and monsters along with it.

He stopped and positioned himself where he could see them and the side of the van to wait. If Dean was knocked out, he didn't want to face the pair alone and get taken down too. He would wait and when they decided to attack Dean, he hoped he would be awake and could fight. He could hear them talking and was shocked when the female mentioned something about some new hunters with British accents. She was complaining how her nest was slaughtered and she was the only one that got away. She wanted to see all hunters dead for killing her family and was going to get revenge for them. The man spoke softly, and Sam couldn't hear his reply as he tried to sooth her rage. He heard her thank the guy for helping her and that they made a good team.

"Guess we better check on him. He should be coming around by now," she said getting up and going to the van. She opened the van door and was suddenly propelled backwards as Dean kicked out hard with his feet catching her in the stomach.

Dean had come to and was just trying to get out of his bindings when he heard someone at the van door. He rolled and positioned himself to deliver a surprise to whoever opened the door. With his legs drawn up toward his chest, Dean made ready to send the person flying backwards and hoped Sam was nearby and could back him up until he got loose. They hadn't checked him before tossing him in the van and he still had his gun in the small of his back. He figured the other victims were harmless and they thought he was too. As soon as the door was open and a body stood in the opening, Dean lashed out with both legs sending the woman flying backwards out of the way.

"Sally!" the guy cried out jumping from the chair and growling angrily. He started to advance toward Dean who was working on sitting up and get out the van's open door.

Sam choice this moment to run from the woods and fired two shots at the guy as he started to turn making him jerk and wail in pain before dropping to the ground.

"No! No!" the female screamed as she scrambled to her feet to face Sam. Her fangs dropped and she hissed at him. Rage was filling her, and she launched herself at Sam before he could bring up his machete to attack. They rolled on the ground and he lost his weapon and was using an arm to hold her gnashing mouth away from his neck.

Neither saw Dean getting a knife from his back pocket to cut his ties and get free. He spotted the machete and grabbed it just as the vampire bit into Sam's arm making him cry out in pain as her fangs dug into his arm.

Dean hurried to them and with a strong, swift swing took her head off, watching it roll away. Her body dropped on Sam, blood splattering down the front of his jacket and shirt and onto his face.

"You okay?" Dean asked kicking the body away. "You didn't get any in your mouth, did you?"

"No, I turned my head away when I saw you getting ready to swing," Sam grunted as he let Dean help him up. "I did get it down the side of my neck and in my hair," he grimaced wiping his jacket sleeve across his mouth to be sure none was there.

"I almost hated to kill them before finding out why they hooked up," Dean sighed looking at the two bodies.

"Maybe it had something to do with the British Men of Letters," Sam replied. "I heard the vamp talking about her nest getting wiped out and she was the only one survived. Somehow they found each other and decided to team up."

"It's a first and I hope a last as far as I'm concerned. Teaming up like that is just double trouble for us. Guess we need to hide the bodies and move the van somewhere else."

"Let's do it. I want to get back to the motel so I can shower. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bump on the head, I'll live," he sluffed off. "How's the arm where she bit you?"

"I'll live. The jacket stopped the worse of it."

"Grab the legs and let's get them out of sight."

Dean picked up the head of the vampire and laid it on her stomach and waited for Sam to get the legs as he got her arms. They moved the body deeper into the wood and went back for the werewolf. Once they had them covered with branches and leaves, Dean threw the chairs into the van and got in. They were going to drive it to some parking lot and leave it before heading back to the motel. The room was paid for so they would head out early in the morning and go back to the bunker. This was a hunt both would document in their journals, wondering if there might be other monsters out there that might start working together.

The End