Chapter 32

It was late when Dean pulled into Newcastle, Wyoming and found a suitable motel for them to stay at. Sam was asleep in the passenger seat of the Impala. He had followed Dean in Bobby's car to Billings, Montana where they met up with Mackie, another hunter, and friend of Bobby's, who took the car and was going to drop it off at the salvage yard so they wouldn't have to worry about driving two cars. Mackie did not ask any questions and was happy to help. He had known John Winchester and respected him as a hunter and had hunted once or twice with the brothers. He knew they were two of the best hunters out there.

"Hey Sammy, I'm going in to get a room," Dean said. He gave Sam's knee a shake rousting him before getting out of the Impala.

Sam jerked awake and looked around with bleary eyes, trying to see where they were. He yawned widely, only wanting to go back to sleep, but made himself stay awake to wait on Dean. His eyes were almost closed again when he felt the shift of the car as Dean got back inside and moved the car around to the back of the office and parked in front of a room.

"Not going to sleep out here all night are ya?" Dean teased pushing on Sam's shoulder. "There's a nice comfy bed just waiting for you," he cooed before getting out and going around to get their bags.

"Ye'h," Sam slurred fumbling for the handle to open the door and almost let himself fall from the car before catching himself. He shook his body and got woke up enough to weave his way inside and went straight to the bathroom first before coming out and shucking his boots and jeans and climbing into bed. He was still catching up on sleep deprivation from earlier and the shock of finding out what happened to his brother.

Dean did not say anything as he watched Sam moving around on automatic pilot. He got his bathroom bag and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed himself. He figured they could get five or six hours of sleep before the town would be waking up and they could get started on the case. It felt good to have Sam back by his side again and to know he had his back. It might not be like old times anymore, but it still felt right.

After turning off the lights, Dean slipped into bed and settled down listening to the sounds around him. He had to get used to being around more people again and having a heightened awareness of everything. Dean zeroed in on his brother's soft snores, as he snorted and turned over. He focused on only him and it was not long before he could hear Sam's steady heartbeat. He matched his breathing and let that lull him to sleep while he closed out the rest of the world.

spn

Sam woke to the smell of coffee and food as he sat up and looked around the room. He saw his brother sitting at the table drinking coffee, eating something and looking at the laptop. He stretched his long frame before sitting up on the side of the bed.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Sam asked willing his mind to start working and pushing out the fog that wanted to cloud it.

"Thought you might need the extra sleep," Dean replied around the mouth of food he was chewing. "Got you breakfast, you need to eat."

"Thanks, I hope," Sam mumbled getting up and heading for the bathroom first. He came out and took the other chair at the table and pulled a disposable coffee cup his way. After adding some creamer and sugar, he sipped on it and looked at the laptop trying to see what he was doing. "Dude! Don't get grease on the keyboard!"

"I'm not, I licked my fingers," Dean retorted making a big deal of licking his fingers and wiping them on a napkin before tapping at the keys.

"What are you doing anyway?" Sam rolled his eyes and pulled the bag closer and looked inside to find a breakfast sandwich and a cup of fruit. He pulled them out and was happy with Dean's choices.

"I'm checking out all the articles in the local papers and what I could find online about the deaths," Dean replied. "Everyone is screaming about a serial killer mimicking a vampire and draining the blood out of the victims. Not sure what the local cops think, they're not saying much."

"So, how are we going to know if it really is a vampire?"

"I'll be able to tell," he noted with confidence. "Don't forget, I'm powered up now, I can hear your heartbeat and I don't know what you were dreaming this morning, but it got you hot and bothered." Dean arched his eyebrow at his brother as he gave him a curious look.

"Wha'…I wasn't…It…" Sam stammered, too flustered to talk as he felt his face get hot. He did not really remember much of the dream, but it did get steamy. He darted his eyes away and concentrated on his food, avoiding his brother's steady, mischief gaze.

"When you finish, we'll hit the police station and see what we can find out." Dean threw his trash away and picked up the suit bag to go change into his suit to play the part. He knew he could tease his brother more but did not take advantage of it.

Sam breathed out a sigh of relief that Dean dropped the subject and finished his meal. He needed a shower before putting on his suit and glanced at the clock to see he had time. Once Dean came from the bathroom, Sam grabbed up his clothes and took his place.

The shower felt good and finished waking him up. Sam towel dried his hair and ran his finger through it to comb it. He looked in the mirror and decided to do a quick shave to look more the part of an FBI agent. It did not take him long and he looked at his face in the mirror, turning it from side to side deciding he was good.

"You 'bout done primping in there?" Dean yelled through the door.

Sam gave the door a bitch face and slipped on his shirt, buttoning it up and draping the tie around his neck. He tied it and adjusted the collar of the shirt before stepping to the door and opening it. He found Dean pacing the room, anxious to get going. Sam could feel a different energy around Dean. He had always gotten excited about their cases, but this was more, he seemed thrilled and eager to get started.

"Good, let's go," Dean told him grabbing his suit coat and slipping it on. He picked up the car keys and room key before heading out the door, not waiting on Sam.

"Man, where's the fire?" Sam called struggling into his own suit coat as he hurried to catch up with Dean. He found him in the running car and barely got in before he was driving away.

"I already got directions to the police station and hospital, so we'll go there next to see the bodies."

"Over achiever, today aren't we?" Sam noted.

"Just want to get this case solved so no one else dies," Dean replied. He pulled out into traffic and headed for the sheriff's department that was across town. Since the bodies had been found in the county, they were the lead investigators on the crimes.

spn

The deputy behind the counter looked up as Dean and Sam stepped into the foyer of the station and paused to look around.

"May I help you gentlemen?" he asked thinking they looked official.

"Yes, FBI, Agents Shaw and Planet to see the sheriff," Dean told him pulling out his badge while Sam did the same.

"Right," he drawled out before picking up the phone on the desk and calling to the back. He spoke softly for a moment before turning his attention back to the brothers.

"Take a seat agent; the Sheriff will be out shortly."

Sam looked around and saw the plastic, uncomfortable chairs sitting against a wall and moved to sit in one while Dean joined him. His eyes roamed around the room taking in the bulletin board hanging on the walls displaying random things. He casually glanced back at the deputy who was looking at them but went back to his paperwork when he saw Sam had caught him staring.

Fifteen minutes later an older man dressed in a uniform stepped out of a door behind the deputy. He looked toward the brothers as they stood sizing them up before moving their way. He looked distinguished, with short, salt and pepper hair, trimmed mustache, and trim body. He carried himself with authority and intelligence.

"Sheriff Walker, how may I help the FBI?" he greeted them.

"Sheriff, Agent Shaw and my partner Planet. We're here to look into the strange deaths you've had in your town the past few weeks," Dean replied shaking his hand and being careful not to squeeze too tightly. Sometimes he forgot he was stronger now.

"Why don't we talk in my office? If you'll come with me." The sheriff led them through the door and into a squad room with desks scattered around the area. They could see plaques designating, conference room, interrogation room, break room, and the last one was the sheriff's office. "Have a seat."

Dean and Sam sat in the two chairs facing the sheriff's desk and waited for him to settle and speak.

"I'm surprised to see you made it here this fast. I only sent the request for help in last night."

"Deaths like this get noticed pretty quick and our boss likes to be ahead of the game," Dean told him.

"What can you tell us about the victims Sheriff?" Sam asked wanting to change the subject.

"Normal, upstanding citizens from what we can tell. It looks like they were randomly chosen, wrong place, wrong time kind of deal. Can't find anyone that had any beef with any of them and there's only a couple of casual connections between two of them, but not with the others."

"The way they were killed, Sheriff; the blood was drained from their bodies. Was there any found at the crime scenes?" Sam asked.

"No, hardly any. We're thinking they were killed elsewhere, and their bodies dumped around town."

"Did you find anything unusual at the crime scenes?"

"No, not that we could find. The coroner thinks they were still alive when their blood was drained from them. What sick bastard does that?"

"Can we get copies of your reports and we'd like to see the bodies if you'll let the coroner know."

"Of course, maybe you can see something we missed. I want this sicko stopped before he takes another life." He picked up the phone on his desk and called to the squad room to have copies of the reports printed for them.

"We do too, Sheriff and we'll do our best to stop him."

"In your line of work, have you seen stuff like this before?"

Sam and Dean looked at each other knowing they had seen much worse for that matter but was not going to tell him that.

"There have been some gruesome killings Sheriff. Like you say, it goes with the job."

"Were there any witnesses to any of the abductions?" Sam asked.

"No, all five were in a location with no cameras or other people around. The bodies were dumped at night and the best we found was a homeless person saw some type of vehicle speed away from one crime scene. We've not had any new leads pop up since the last victim was found. It feels like we're spinning our wheels."

"I hope we can help Sheriff," Sam said.

"One of the deputy's is getting those files for you, you're welcome to wait in the squad room. There are coffee and doughnuts in the breakroom, help yourselves."

"Thank you, Sheriff, coffee sounds good," Dean nodded. He stood and shook his hand noticing how tired he seemed and figured a case like this would do that to a person.

"Sheriff," Sam said.

They stepped from the office and headed into the open door of the breakroom to find coffee and several boxes of pastries sitting on the counter. Dean poured a cup of coffee and took a napkin to snag a bear claw from one of the boxes. He took a huge bite smearing the sticky coating across his face.

Sam grimaced when he saw it and handed him more napkins before pouring a cup of coffee for himself. They took a seat to wait for the files so they could head to the morgue.

A/N: Thanks for all the thoughts and support. I see the doctor on Monday to see what needs to be done. So tired of the hard cast and lugging it around. Hope you enjoyed the read and are ready for the hunt. The brothers are feelin each other out. I do like reviews. Nc