I split the storyline of "Citizen Fang" in couple of chapters because I wanted to explore Braeden's relationship with Benny, even though there's going to be plenty of that in the future. Plus, I always thought Benny deserves more credit than he was given. Hope you'll like this chapter :)


I have to admit the last one was a strange case, even for us. The cartoonish effects were really… I don't think I have words to describe it. Cas decided to stay back with Fred Jones. I think this is for good. The angel is just not born to be a hunter, no matter how hard he tried on this case it was just not working out – not with his typical angel awkward behavior. I smile at the memory of him interrogating the cat at the assisted care facility…

Now we are traveling to Carencro, Louisiana in a grumpy sullen silence. I'm so mad I'm capable of strangling Sam with my bare hands. Instead I stare out of the window trying to ignore the wrath roaring inside my chest. We just got to our old relationship, we just started being friends again and he did this! I couldn't believe he put Crazy Martin on Benny. I need to hit something. Hard and ruthlessly. Or shoot something – countless amounts of times. With a huff I take my book and try to read but the fact "Vampire Academy" is story about vampires, shocker, doesn't help me distract myself from my violent thoughts. I know Sam was not really fascinated to learn about Benny and his relationship with me and Dean but I never thought even for a second our judgment won't be enough for him to let Benny be.

I clearly remember the night Sam and Benny met. It was right after Dean disappeared with some crappy excuse. I was mad at him for not telling me it was Benny and that they didn't take me with them. So when Sam finally got in touch with Dean and his brother asked for help, he and I got to the Eagle Harbor where Sam met Benny for the first time. Dean never had mentioned Benny to Sam before and the little Winchester had no idea Benny even existed, much less he was a vampire. I had followed Dean's lead about Sam's lack of knowledge to this matter, thinking Dean knew what he was doing. I was wrong. When Sam saw Benny and realized what he was, he reached for his weapon. Only Dean's instincts saved Benny. Sam was in shock. He was even more stunned when he realized I knew the vamp and I hugged him, greeting him as an old friend.

"Hey, leech" I smiled widely using the nickname I had given him when I first met him "Nice to see you're still in one piece."

Then I took his hand and he leaded me to his car, leaving Sam and Dean to talk in private.

"So…" I started as we walked "You're avoiding me"

"I'm not" Benny answered too quickly and I smiled

We were now next to his camper and I leaned on it.

"You are" I said and nudged him "Otherwise you were going to call me too, not only Dean. You know, I could've help"

"I didn't want you involved in this…" he sounded sad, his wonderful blue eyes full of pain

"But you called Dean" I arched my brows "C'mon, Benny, I can take care of myself. After all, I'm hunter…"

"And you hunt monsters like me" he interrupted me

"No!" I exclaimed and gently cupped his stubbly cheek "You're not a monster!"

"I'm a vampire, Braeden. How can you..."

"Because I know you Benny Lafitte" I looked him straight to his eyes "I believe in you"

He leaned in my hand, closing his eyes. He looked so desperate and tired, I wished there was something I could do for him. He gently took my hand and planted a kiss on my knuckles, a smile playing on his lips. I grinned at him, and rising on my toes kissed his cheek. All of a sudden Benny wrapped his arms around me and his strong embrace enveloped me.

There always was sexual tension between me and Benny, mostly because of me flirting shamelessly with him. I'm not sure why but he's acting like a true gentlemen, every time gently but firmly declining my innuendos. But that night it was different. He needed comfort and piece, he needed a friend and I didn't even try to flirt with him. I was just there for him, listening to him telling me his story, why he needed Dean's help and what happened with his Maker and the woman he loved. Benny was just sad because of the turn of the events and I understood that. Living for too long is making one to accept the cruelties in the world, the unjust and in the end of the day this brings only sadness and despair. But I knew Benny was strong and I believed he'd be fine.

Later Sam and Dean argued about Benny and Sam asked what we would do if he was the one to ice Benny because the vampire had to be put down for some reason. Dean answered that he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. But I believed we'd never come to this. Never.

I shake off of my memories as Dean pulls the Impala in front of a building offering rooms for rent. I look at Sam. How wrong I was to think we'd never come to this - Sam going after Benny. Unbelievable. I shake my head and follow the boys out of the car.

We get in and find Martin's room but the door opens before Sam has the chance to knock on it.

"You said look for an eruption. How's Mount Vesuvius?" Martin asks

We enter the room and the hunter closes the door behind us.

"I got into town about a week ago. Up until last night, nothing. He's been clean" Martin explains

"Doing what?" Dean asks

"Just minding his own business. Working at the gumbo shack."

"Benny's working at the gumbo shack?" Dean is surprised, just like me

I keep it quiet for now, listening carefully but not interfering. My arms are crossed in front of my chest and I stare at the three men in front of me, too angry to be part of the conversation.

"Yeah. Slinging hash, pouring coffee – the whole bit. And he may be Benny to you. Folks around here call him Roy."

"So? He changed his name. Big deal" I say in irritation

"Martin, you sure you're running on a full charge?" Dean asks in concern

I roll my eyes and huff. What a nice way to ask him if he's still crazy. Sam eyes me with unreadable expression and I know he doesn't approve my behavior but I don't give a rat's ass about his opinion.

"Y… yeah. L… l… little sh… shock therapy in the morning, and I… I'm" Martin snaps his fingers "good to go."

But I don't think Martin's fine. He looks on the edge, too nervous and jumpy for my taste. I think he's unpredictable and unreliable. Dean's expression tells me that he might be thinking the same.

"Tell us what happened last night" Sam asks Martin

"So, I followed him home, just like every night. He turned up a path. I hear a scream. I catch up. Then, boom – there he is. The old coot that Roy was eyeballing at the joint – vamped."

"Wait" Dean says "did you actually see Benny kill the guy or not?"

"I saw enough."

"Oh, he saw enough" I say in mocking tone in the same time as Dean asks "Well, then, how can you be sure it was Benny if you didn't actually see him do it?"

"B-b-because I saw Benny turn up the path, and then two seconds later, I trip over a body with its throat ripped. Look, man, you – you ever hear of Occam's Razor? "Keep it simple, stupid"? It's not that complicated."

"He didn't do it" I firmly state provoking Sam or Martin to object

"There's a lot of holes, Martin." Dean says instead

"Holes?" Martin exclaims "The only holes we should be looking at are in the vic's neck."

I have to admit he's right about the holes but I also know Benny didn't do it.

"This sound like the Benny you know?" Dean turns to Sam

"I don't know Benny" Sam retorts

"But I do!" I snap sharply

"You know him?" Martin asks in disbelieve "Say again? Why am I getting the distinct impression that you two are vouching for a vampire?"

"Because we are!" I rage at him "Because we know him and we know Benny would never do something like that."

"We got history with the guy, okay?" Dean tries to reason Martin "I'm not signing up for a witch hunt." he turns to Sam "I owe him more than that."

"We. We owe him." I correct him and Dean nods in agreement

"What in God's great creation could you two possibly owe a vampire? Am I hearing this right?" Martin exclaims in disbelieve

"You are hearing it right" I hiss at him "Benny is a friend, I care about him and I won't see him get killed because of hollow accusations!"

"You care about him?" Martin repeats after me "You're defending him with such fierceness one might think there's more to it." And he pushes further "That you might be in love with that monster"

"And what if I am?" I bark back "What if I'm in love with Benny?"

Dean's expression is unreadable, even for me; Sam is staring at me in complete shock. They should know I'm saying it just to play on Martin's nerves. Yes, I like Benny – he's gentle, kind and caring - and I really care about him but being in love with him… it requires much more than what we have. Maybe one day, but definitely not now. Martin looks at me, accusation and pity heavy in his eyes.

"What would your father say, Braeden, if he…"

"Don't you dare!" I growl in anger and raise my fist but Dean knows me too well and grabs my hand before I have the chance to hit Martin "Don't you dare speak of my father!" I warn the hunter, treat dripping from my voice as Dean pulls me back

I yank my hand from Dean and walk to the window, staring down at the street. My father is… Let's just say the topic is a sore spot for me. Really sore spot. Whirlpool of emotions is raging inside me. Dad raised me in the life of a hunter. After Mom's death he became a hunter. He and Rufus taught me everything I know about hunting. Sam and Dean were frequent visitors and growing up with two boys taught me to never back down and always stand my ground no matter what. It wasn't a perfect life but I loved my father and I was content with the life I had. And then Dad died. And I wasn't there for him because we had an argument. My last words to him were cruel and angry. I was mad at him because he didn't let me go on a solo hunt after a wendigo. I was so angry with him I stormed out of the house and didn't come back home for weeks… Only if I wasn't so stubborn and didn't let my pride guide me… I shake my head. Bobby would never approve the friendship Dean and I have with Benny. I knew him well enough to know for him the world was black and white. But the current situation is deep in the shades of grey. This is giving me a headache. I lean my forehead to the cold glass hoping to get some relief.

"How much time do you need?" I hear Sam asks and I force myself to pay attention to the present situation

"You're not actually considering this?" Martin exclaims

"Couple hours, tops." Dean tells his brother

"And what if it turns out to be Benny?" Sam asks and I suck a breath in irritation; why everybody is ready to point fingers when nothing's certain?

"It's not him" I say

"Then it's Benny" Dean gives me a sharp warning look so I shut up and stare at him grumpily "and we'll deal with it!"

"Couple hours, Dean." Sam agrees "No more."

"We'll be in touch" I say and storm out of the room, Dean following me closely behind


How do you like the chapter? Drop me a review and tell me :) Wishing you all a happy weekend :) Till next week