Chapter 9

"How are things going Sammy?" Dean asked cautiously as Sam climbed the couple of steps to the deck.

"We talked and I think I know how to proceed now. We're going to continue this afternoon if you want to be there?"

"You don't mind me sitting in?"

"No, I think it's a good idea," Sam said. "And Missouri was the one who suggested it."

"Good," Dean agreed glad he was being included now.

"Did you find everything on the list?" Missouri asked as she neared the brothers.

"Yep, no problem," Dean replied.

"Have you been by your old house?" she questioned.

Dean faltered in his steps and tensed with the question. He had been avoiding the street even thought it was only a short distance away from Missouri's house. He put on a neutral face, trying to hide his uneasiness before answering, "No, not sure I want to."

"I understand Dean, there's a lot of bad memories in that place, but you have to remember there are good ones too, don't let those be taken away from you," Missouri surmised.

"Does anyone live there?" Sam asked, curious about the place. He had only seen the house in the background of a picture their father kept in his journal.

"I believe so," Missouri said. "I think it's a young couple with two kids. Haven't been there long. It sat empty for a long time after the fire before it was fixed up and rented out."

"I'd like to go by and see it," Sam said. "You don't have to come Dean; I can go on my own," he continued when he saw the look of disbelief on Dean's face.

"I can't let you do that bro."

"The place doesn't have the same meaning to me as you, I'll be okay."

"If you go, I go," Dean stated firmly. "I won't let you go alone."

"Alright. Have you talked to Bobby today?" he asked changing the subject when he saw Dean getting agitated.

"I was going to call and see how things were going. Maybe I'll do it this afternoon if he hasn't called me first."

"Why don't you boys help me in my workshop? I could use a little muscle moving some things around and getting ready for harvesting my herbs before cold weather gets here," Missouri asked. She knew keeping them busy with small tasks would help reduce the worry and stress they were both feeling.

"Sure, we can do that," Dean said. "You just have to tell us what you want done."

They stepped from the deck and followed Missouri across the yard to her workshop. She pulled a key from her pocket to unlock the door allowing them entrance into the building. Their noses were bombarded with different scents from herbs that were hanging around the room drying and others that were chopped up in trays sitting on tables on two sides of the room. There were shelves with small jars and boxes with zip lock baggies full of a variety of herbs, spices, and such. Dean and Sam looked around in wonder and with interest. The sunlight shone in a side window, giving the place a sort of magical feeling.

"If you'll get down those two boxes over there on the top shelf and I need to pack up these herbs to sell," she instructed, pointing to what she needed.

The brothers moved to do her bidding and helped her in the workshop for nearly three hours getting orders ready to go out and helping gather herbs from the garden to hang to dry on lines stretched around the room. Once Missouri saw they had finished all that could be done, she called it quits for the day and that it was time for lunch. They headed back to the house and she sent the brothers upstairs to clean up while she got lunch ready.

spn

"Shall we go to my study and continue our work?" Missouri asked Sam once the kitchen was cleaned from lunch.

"Yes, I asked Dean to join us," Sam replied looking over at his brother feeling a little shy for Dean to see him use his powers.

"Good, I think that's wise," she said. Missouri led them down the hall off the kitchen to a room that had the door closed. She opened it and switched on the light before stepping on into the room.

Sam stepped in and was followed by Dean. They surveyed the room, checking out the round table sitting in the middle of it, bookcases filled with books of all sizes and age, and a cabinet with doors. Missouri moved to the cabinet pulling open the top doors to reveal shelves and cubby holes filled with all manners of mythical items. She pulled an incense holder and fingered several different kinds before taking one. She set it up on the table and lit the incense allowing a spiral of smoke to rise toward the ceiling. The room slowly filled with a mild, scented, woodsy odor with a hint of spice. Missouri sat a speckled color rock, the size of a tennis ball, but flatter, on the table near Sam before speaking.

"Sit," she told the boys as she pulled a chair out to sit herself. "Now Sam, let's try a few things. I want you to relax and move the rock for me."

Sam fidgeted in the chair for a moment before he turned his focus on the rock. This should be easy since he had been moving larger things for a while now. Within a few seconds the rock tilted slightly and then it rose off the table and Sam held out his hand, moving it to land on his palm. Sam let it rest there for a moment before lifting it again and spinning it in the air before sitting it back down on the table. He smiled at Missouri as she studied him and looked to Dean who hadn't taken his eyes off his brother. She could sense some mixed emotions thought he was doing a good job of hiding them.

"Very good. It seems you've mastered that one. When you told me you had what you thought was a vision can you describe it to me?"

"I think I can do better than that," Sam said. "May I?" he asked holding out his hand for her to take.

Missouri cocked her head slightly as she laid her hand into his and waited. Sam closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her hand and pulled up the memory of the vision. He let her see what happened to him the day he had the vision of his father. He closed his eyes and winced, remembering the pain that came with it. After it played out in his head, Sam let go of Missouri's hand and sat back, rubbing his temple when an ache began to build behind his eyes.

"You were in a lot of pain, I could tell," Missouri finally spoke. "Maybe I can help with that. I know you can't control when you have a vision, but maybe I can lessen the ordeal it takes out of you. Did you feel anything when it started that would let you know one was triggered?"

"There was a sharp pain in my head that got worse and I felt sort of off balance and a little dizzy."

"Okay that's good, if you start to feel like that again, don't try to stop it, let it come out and happen. Sit, lay down, whatever you need to do to be comfortable, do it. A vision is not going to hurt you. What you are seeing are future events that might or might not take place. Since you've only had one, I can't say what might trigger them. But if you accept and let it come, don't resist it, that might lessen the pain and will help you to see the vision clearer. Think of it as a dream and you're watching it play out in front of you."

"I'll try, but what if I don't have another one?"

"Then you move on. If it is something you were meant to develop, I think it will present itself again," Missouri explained. "Sam, your potential is enormous. Like I told you before, some of these abilities are natural, you've had them since birth and others are manifesting the stronger you become. But one thing you need to do is not be afraid of them. You are the one in control, not the other way around. Whatever this demon had planned for you is not going to happen now that it is dead, so embrace them, learn them, let them become a part of you and accept them."

"Okay, I'll try," Sam said. He looked down at his hands because he could feel surprise in Dean's thoughts when he listened to Missouri talking about his powers.

"And you," she said turning to Dean who looked uncertain when he was put in the spotlight. "You have decisions to make too. Sam is still your brother, maybe not the brother from before the kidnapping, but nevertheless, he is still Sam and he's going to need your support and help as he finds his place in this world. Can you accept him like he is or is this going to be a problem? If you can't, then walk away now and let Sam mourn the loss so he can move on. It's better it happens now than later." Missouri paused as Dean thoughts lashed out at her. "Don't get all riled at me Dean, and no need for that language," she chastised him as he started to open his mouth, but she had already seen his thoughts.

Sam looked to Dean a hint of fear in his eyes, but he spoke. "It's okay Dean, if this is too much for you, I understand. This was never part of the plan for either of us. If you do want to leave I can…."

"Stop it!" Dean spat out madly and with venom. "Why are both of you throwing me out the door? Do you think I would abandon you Sammy when you need me? I told you before, you're still my brother and just because you can do this crap doesn't mean I would leave. Hell Sammy, you could be our secret weapon out there against the monsters. You still need someone to watch your back and keep you in line, so, who's better at that than me?"

"I was sure you'd feel that way child. I just wanted you to know it too," Missouri said. She reached over and patted Dean's clenched fist until he relaxed it and smiled at him. "I know some of what Sam can do might scare you, but you need to talk to him. Ask questions so you understand. You'll be his anchor to reality because he might need it at times. Be the big brother you have always been to him."

"Missouri is right, if you have questions or concerns ask me," Sam added. "I promise not to keep anything from you if you promise to do the same. If you don't feel comfortable with something, you tell me. It's a two-way street here for us and I…I want you here with me."

"I think that sounds reasonable don't you agree Dean?" Missouri questioned.

Dean sat there mulling over what they both said. He looked up at his brother seeing he was waiting for a response. "Yeah, I can do that. But you gotta tell me about things, no matter what and even if they're bad okay?"

"I will," Sam agreed.

"C'mon bro, I got some beers, I think we both need one," Dean stated. He got up and pulled Sam from the room and toward the kitchen deciding he didn't want any more of this conversation.

"Hey!" Sam complained as Dean manhandled him toward the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

"Look, what you can do, I get it, you want to help, but Sammy you've got to be careful too. You know how some hunters will see this and I don't want you to be in danger," Dean stated. He went to the fridge and pulled two beers out, handing one to Sam.

"Look Dean, I understand that just as well as you do. I won't be showing off to anyone or putting myself at risk," Sam offered. "I know I have to be careful, I read Dad's reaction to knowing I killed the Demon. I know you think he'll change and maybe he will; I don't know but I want to stay here and learn all I can from Missouri. If you want to head for Bobby's that's fine, we can meet up later."

"Not happening dude," Dean said. "I'm not letting you go anywhere alone right now, and you should know that. Wait, you've been reading my thoughts, haven't you?"

Sam looked away and could feel his cheeks grow hot as he tried to figure out how to answer without seeming prying and intrusive. "Only once or twice, but I really didn't mean to," he responded quietly glancing up and quickly looking back down. "It's just you think so loud and sometimes I can't help it."

"It's okay Sammy, we could pretty much do that anyway. But bro, if you want to know what I'm thinking, ask me okay?"

"Yeah Dean, I can do that. I'm sorry 'bout the other times."

"No worries bitch," Dean smirked.

"Jerk," Sam shot back feeling the tension ease between them.

"So, wanna go out on the deck and relax and enjoy the last of the sunshine?"

Dean bumped shoulders with Sam as they headed for the backdoor and stepped out onto the deck to enjoying the end of the day together. An understanding and peace had been made between the brothers and it was what both needed.

A/N: Dean has made it clear he's going to be there for Sam, no matter what. This give Sam the confidence he needs to continue to train. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like reviews. NC

Stay safe out there during this time of turmoil.