A/N: I hope you are liking Mama Edeline. She will have a big role to play in the brother's lives. Thank you for coming along on this journey. This story sets up the plot for the last story in this trilogy. I do like reviews. NC

Chapter 8

Dean watched Sam leave and sat back on the couch with his cup of wine. He sipped on it while reaching for a tea cake, wanting to do something with his hands as he tried not to feel like a bug under a microscope as Mama Edeline cocked her head slightly to look his way. Dean arched his brow with the twang of the wine, thinking it wasn't bad. He didn't know how much she was actually seeing and wasn't sure if he should say something or not.

"Tell Mama Edeline, child, how did you come to be this way?" she asked breaking the silence in the room.

Dean finished chewing the cookie before sipping some more wine so he could wet his throat and speak. He licked his lips and tried to decide how to start and how much he should say.

"I was saving my brother's life and I paid the price. A one way ticket to Hell," Dean started keeping his eyes downcast.

"Ah…I see that in you, to protect your brother no matter the cost," she nodded. "Go on young man, I'm listening. I know it may be painful, but it will help me to know you better. Don't try sugar coating it, I know about the supernatural and what you and your brother are, hunters."

"I made a deal with a crossroads demon; the price was my soul and a year later, when my contract time was up, I was dragged to Hell. I was tortured for fifty years and it changed me, but before I could be completely turned, I caught a break and got some help getting out of there. I found my brother and found out he had been changed too. I'm not sure how much you saw when you checked him out, but that is his story to tell. I'm trying to come to terms with all that has happened over the past month or so and the changes I've gone through. I mean, I'm still me, but improved you could say."

"I see, I think there's more to that story, but that is fine. So, child, are you willing to let me help?"

"Yeah, I said I would."

"But is that the truth?"

"What are you saying?" Dean growled getting a little miffed at her as she continued to badger him.

"That tone of voice doesn't scare me child, and it's not necessary, now is it?" she questioned, her voice a little chastising and gentle at the same time as she gave a small laugh. "I know you felt it when I tried to read you, but you didn't completely push me out. You want everyone to see you as a tough, no nonsense, strong person who doesn't show his emotions. You're leery and I understand. It's hard for you to trust so easily and it usually has to be earned."

"I'm sorry," Dean mumbled casting his eyes to the floor before looking back up.

"It's fine child, I just want you to understand, this might not be an easy path to travel. You may get discouraged and downhearted, but if you don't give up and work hard, I think I can help you." Mama Edeline eased back in her recliner waiting for Dean's reply. She stared past Dean and waited for his reply.

"I've been through worse and had to overcome it. If you are willing to help, I'll let you guide me," Dean agreed as he relaxed back onto the couch. He had nothing to lose in letting her help and hoped just maybe she could.

"Why don't you call your brother and tell him to come back now. I'd like to talk with him too."

"Alright," Dean said. He pulled his cell from his jacket pocket and sent a text to Sam to head back. After a moment, Sam sent a text back he was on his way and would be there shortly. "He's on his way."

"Yes, he didn't venture far. He is as concerned about you as you are about him. I can see a uniquely strong bond that links both of you and it has been there since you first laid eyes on your brother. Am I right?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. The first time I saw my little brother and held him, I knew it was going to be my job to keep him safe and protect him," Dean acknowledged.

It wasn't long before the front door opened, and Elias trotted into the room to take his place by Mama Edeline. She reached over and stroked his head as he stared at Dean. Sam followed a minute later and looked between the two for a moment before moving to sit down beside Dean.

"Child, if you wouldn't mind, would you pick up the poop in the back yard up so it can be mowed?" Mama Edeline asked Dean who looked up and frowned slightly. "I'd like to talk to Sam alone. You can take the tray to the kitchen and leave it by the sink. You'll find the bucket and scooper on the deck."

Dean got up and mumbled under his breath as he picked up the tray, 'Sam gets to walk to dog and I've gotta pick up dog poop. Not an even deal,' he fussed disappearing through an entryway. Dean found the backdoor and went out onto a small deck glancing around before seeing a bucket with a plastic liner and a scooper beside it. He walked out into the fenced in yard and began to walk slowly around it picking up dog poop as he went dropping it into the bucket.

spn

Sam didn't say anything as he watched Dean pouting and mumbled to himself as he took the tray to the kitchen. He couldn't help but smirk that he thought he got the better end of that deal. He looked to Mama Edeline as she stared at him, and but didn't really see him. He squirmed around on the couch not sure what to do and tried not to act too nervous.

"Young man, did you enjoy your romp with Elias?" Mama Edeline asked sensing Sam's discomfort.

"I did. He's a good dog. We played fetch and I let him run around in the field below your house. I hope that was okay," Sam replied.

"That was fine. Neither of your childhoods were what you would call normal, were they?"

"I guess not," Sam agreed. "Our Mom died when I was six months old and our Dad…Her death changed him, and he made it his life's mission to find what killed her and take his revenge. We moved around a lot and Dean; he took care of me even thought he was a kid himself. He became an adult way to soon and never really got the chance to be a kid."

"I can see where your bond comes from now. Yon kosyon ki toujou fò jodi an. Would you like to tell me your story? Dean thought it would be better if you told it yourself," she told him.

Sam drew in a slow breath and fiddled with the hem of his jacket and tried to gather his words. He didn't want to sound as weak and naive as he thought he had been back then. He had allowed himself to be taken advantage of and got hooked on the demon blood.

"It's okay Sam, tell me what you want me to know," she said.

"I guess Dean told you he saved my life by making a deal and selling his soul. When his time was up, he was killed by hellhounds, and his soul was taken to Hell. I did everything and anything to try and get him back, but nothing worked. I stayed drunk for the first few weeks. I even offered to take his place in Hell, but no demon would deal with me or kill me," Sam told her, keeping his eyes downcast as he talked. "I was on my last leg when a demon named Ruby found me and offered to help me find the demon who did that to Dean. It gave me a purpose again and she told me I had to learn to expel demons and then when I got stronger, I could kill them. Ruby told me I could get stronger faster if I…If I drank her blood…." Sam's voice trailed off with the last sentence as he darted his eyes up for a moment before looking back down at the floor. "I couldn't see how addicted I was and how she was using me. I didn't know Dean had come back and saw us together. He saw right through her and…Well, he did something about it. I started going through withdrawals and Dean took me to Bobby's; he's always been our surrogate father. Dean took care of me like he always did. After I detoxed, I found out I still had powers and Bobby suggested I come see Missouri to see if she could help me." Sam stopped and huffed out a breath glad that was over with. He looked to Mama Edeline almost afraid of what he might see.

"Thank you, young man for being honest with me. Putting the stories together lets me build a better picture of both of you. When I looked into your mind, I saw such power waiting to be released. You are such a special person, young Samuel, more than I think you know. I am going to try and help your brother and I'd like to see you occasionally too. You continue with Missy and work with her. She's a powerful psychic and you can learn a lot from her."

"My brother, is he going to be okay?" Sam asked, not concerned about himself.

"We will see, we will see," Mama Edeline said softly, not really giving him an answer. "He has agreed to come back to see me and I will see what I can do to help him. The forces within him struggle against each other and so far, he has been able to control them. I hope to help him with that."

"Good," Sam agreed as he let what she said sink in.

"Enough of your brother, what about you, young Sam? How are you dealing with all this and the changes you are experiencing?"

Sam looked up a little surprised because he hadn't even thought about himself really. He was more concerned about Dean. Before Sam could answer, noises in the kitchen let them know Dean was back.

"Is it safe to come in?" Dean asked from the doorway. "Do I need to go pretend to pick up more poop?"

"It is fine child, I think I have learned enough," Mama Edeline told him with a small laugh. "I will see you in the morning around nine."

"Is there anything we can do for you before we go?" Sam asked standing.

"No, no, I am fine, but thank you," she replied. "Se pou lespri yo veye sou ou pitit mwen yo."

"I'll be back in the morning ma'am," Dean told her being polite.

"Call me Mama Edie, we will be seeing a lot of each other child."

"Alright, Mama Edie."

"Goodbye," Sam said.

The brothers left her house and climbed into the Impala to drive back to Missouri's house. Neither really spoke about their experiences with Mama Edeline.

spn

Missouri was putting away the last of the groceries she had bought when her phone rang.

"Hello," she answered.

"Hello there old gal," a rough, male voice greeted her warmly.

"Bobby Singer, you old coot, it's about time you called me."

"How are my boys doing?"

"Better than I expected Bobby. I found a family friend to help with the older one while I work with the younger."

"Good to hear. I knew if anyone could help, it would be you."

"Would you like me to have Dean call you when they get back?"

"Naw, I just wanted to check on them. I got a hunter that needs some help and will be heading out."

"Alright Bobby, if there's any problems I will call you," Missouri assured him. "I better go, I think they're back."

"Take care and watch out for those boys."

"I will, goodbye." Missouri hung up the phone as she heard Dean's voice calling down the hall.

"Missouri, we're back," Dean called as they stepped into the living room looking around for her.

"In here boys," she replied from the kitchen. "I hope things went well. Did she agree to see you Dean?"

"Yes, I go back in the morning."

"That's good to hear. I think you will see she has a special talent."

"She wanted me to continue with you Missouri," Sam told her.

"I thought as much. This is good. With both of us helping, I think you boys will have a better chance at making this work."

"Did you get extra supplies?" Dean asked seeing a couple bags of jerky on the counter. He grabbed one and opened the bag pulling a piece out. He offered bag to Sam who turned his nose up and shook his head no.

"I did, Sam there's yogurts in the fridge and fresh fruit in the bowl there. Dean don't go spoiling your appetite, I'm going to be fixing dinner in a bit," Missouri said. "Here's your card back and I hope you don't get in trouble with me using it."

"Naw, it's all good. Anything I can help you do?" Dean asked picking up the card and putting it back in his wallet. "You know Sammy, we should hit the store and grab a few things for ourselves before this expires."

"Like what?" Sam asked peeling a banana and taking a bite.

"You know, socks, T-shirts, maybe a couple pairs of jeans, toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, whatever we need."

"I'll work with Sam in the morning, so you two could go to town in the afternoon if you like," Missouri suggested.

"That work for you Sammy?"

"I don't see why not," Sam shrugged.

"Dean you can peel some potatoes for me if you like," Missouri said.

"That I can do. How many do you need?" he asked going to the sink to wash his hands.

"I want to make some potato salad; I'd say maybe fill that bowl there with cut up potatoes."

"Can I help?" Sam asked not wanting to be left out.

"You want to cut up some celery and onions for me?"

"Sure," Sam nodded waiting for Dean to finish washing his hands so he could do the same. He went to the fridge to find the celery to chop.

"The onions are in the bin over there Sam. With you boys helping, we'll have dinner ready in no time." Missouri began to hum as she checked the ham in the oven and eggs that were boiling.

The brothers worked beside Missouri to fix the meal and got out of her way once they did all they could. They stepped out on the deck to enjoy the end of the day as the sun sunk lower in the sky. It was Sam's favorite time of day and he settled into a chair letting the last of the sun's rays warm his face. Dean huffed a sigh as he put his feet up and sipped on the beer he had snagged before coming outside. Maybe they had caught a break by getting Mama Edeline helping too. Dean had a good feeling about all this. Finally.

Yon kosyon ki toujou fò jodi an = A bond that is still strong today

Se pou lespri yo veye sou ou pitit mwen yo = May the spirits watch over you my children