SORRY IT'S BEEN A WHILE
A/N: I love all the reviews/comments! Thank you so much. I'll try and update as much as I can. Enjoy! And sorry about previous-short chapters! Enjoy!
2nd A/N: "Scarecrow" was awesome! Hope you all watched it!
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Chapter Eight – Temptress Research / Missouri's Visit
"She told him to kill his wife?" Dean asked.
Sam nodded quickly and ran a hand through his hair worriedly.
"It felt like…" Sam said breathlessly. "I think what I saw is supposed to take place tonight…so the guy is going to kill his wife tomorrow night…at seven…"
"I don't understand," Amy asked as she brought Sam a glass of water. The three sat together at the dining room table. Sam drank the water quickly. "So," Amy continued, "she has the man's money…why tell him to go after his wife?"
"She's a nasty Temptress," Dean noted. "And if she's just trying to cover her tracks…why wait 'till tomorrow?"
"She has the credit cards," Sam explained, "she'll want to get the cash ASAP."
"Great," Amy sighed. "Do you remember where this takes place?"
"Umm," Sam thought. "A really nice place. I'm pretty sure it was a penthouse. I know it wasn't a home or an apartment."
Sam Winchester's latest premonition caused Dean to look more closely at his younger brother. This was the child who had to grow up not knowing his mother. He had to grow up knowing that something evil and unnatural took Mary Winchester away from his family. He was the one who hated to hunt and vowed to never do it again. And here he was. Being the closest thing to the very evils he faced.
"Did you see her enough to identify her?" Dean asked.
He nodded and Sam said, "I've seen her twice in visions."
Dean nodded and said, "If we can't find the location of the penthouse, we should go directly to that strip club. Dad told me it was called 'The Blossom'…"
"We can make phone calls today of all the five-star hotels downtown and see if we can figure out who is staying in the penthouse," Amy suggested.
They each heard a door open. Dean, Sam and Amy turned to see John Winchester come out of his room. His black hair was a mess and he ran a hand over his thin beard. He wore a flannel shirt and jeans. The same clothes he wore yesterday.
"Good morning," John greeted.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
In the kitchen, Amy poured a cup of hot coffee while Dean and Sam explained things to John.
"Temptress," John repeated. "Yeah, I admit it; I've been investigating a little bit. In August, two business men died. One was found by a bus port and the other in a hotel room. They were robbed completely of all their cash. Police reports give details that it looked like sexual activity took place or was about to take place. I didn't realize it was a Temptress."
"Well, you do later on," Dean explained. "Dad, I remember when you did this…"
Dean explained the story of John Winchester's hunt of the Temptress while Amy brought the coffee to John. He listened intently to his Older son's story.
"So, I do take care of the Temptress," John nodded.
"Yeah," Sam added, "but now that the three of us are here…we're not sure that you should be handling this alone…we feel that we need to help."
"Why?" John asked gruffly. "If I take care of it – no need to involve you."
"John," Amy explained softly. "We realize now that we do need to help."
"Care to explain why?"
Amy sighed and turned to Sam and Dean.
"Dad," Dean tried, "Sam and Amy…they've both had dreams…about the Temptress…" He paused and thought how to make the next words. "And, well, Sam just had another dream about her…"
"Dreams?" John asked. "C'mon, dreams-"
"Visions," Amy said quickly. John stared at her oddly. Amy swallowed and repeated, "Visions…Sam and I have visions…premonitions…and pretty perceptive feelings about things…we're sort of…umm…"
"Psychic," Sam finished.
John sat back in his seat. His hands rested on the table and he looked down as he tried to process the new information.
"You grow up to be psychic?" John asked.
"Well, it seems Amy's has had more…experience with it than Sam," Dean tried to explain. "For Sam, it's sort of been on and off…"
John nodded and looked at Sam.
"I guess I am the son you wanted me to turn out to be," Sam grinned – but it was in a sad, bitter way.
He sighed and John rubbed his head. "Time travel and now my kid's a psychic…" John thought. "You too Amy?"
She simply nodded and Amy gave a small grin.
"Well…" John offered. "We…umm…" He paused and took a deep breath. And then another deep breath. "We…well…let's wait for Missouri…lets see what she has to say…"
O.O.O.O.O.O.
John had spent the last half hour on his cell phone trying to contact Missouri. Her house phone went immediately to an answering machine while her cell phone continued to ring.
Dean went through different television station, trying to keep an eye out on any reports related to the Temptress.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Amy and Sam sat at the desk in front of the computer in the up stairs room. Sam narrowed his eyes as he read the screen.
"A man named Clifford Chaplin- – son of the owner of Chaplin Chocolates – was found in an alley downtown…he cut his chest and then slit his wrists…" Sam read slowly.
"Eeesh, he killed himself?" Amy asked.
Sam nodded slowly. This isn't right…
"Chaplin was married and had two kids…he was pretty well off…" Sam continued, resting his thumb underneath his chin as he leaned in closer to the screen. "They're not sure why Chaplin would kill himself…he was apparently happily married and…"
"Well?" Amy asked after a brief pause.
"The screen froze," Sam sighed.
Amy cocked her head and shrugged. "Thanks to great Microsoft '97…"
"I do miss Dell XP," Sam laughed as he sat back in the black chair.
The computer screen was frozen on the article while Sam and Amy waited patiently for the page to move up or down – or do anything for that matter.
Sam sat quietly as his eyes went to the window. His focus was on a tree.
Amy stared at him for a moment and asked, "Sam, you okay?"
"Hmm?" he mumbled. He turned to her slowly.
"You seemed sort of…freaked…" Amy mentioned. "After the vision…you seemed shaken up…I don't think Dean noticed – I kinda hand it to my somewhat-helpful psychic perception."
Sam thought for a moment and he let out a quiet breath. "My vision made me feel like I was actually there. I could see the exact details of their faces. It was like I was forced to watch what was taking place. One minute I'm looking at trees and then…I'm just not sure about all of this…"
"You have the gift," Amy said plainly.
"'Wish I could return it," Sam chuckled. Amy laughed back and she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You're meant to do great things," Amy grinned. "Your visions led you back to Lawrence where you saved that woman and her kids…your visions even saved me the night Natiskawa was trying to come back…I'd say it's a pretty neat talent."
"And you?" Sam asked with a small smile. "Are you happy like this?"
She sighed sadly and tried to smile. Sam stared at her, concerned, and gave her a questionable glance.
"Don't tell Dean," Amy admitted slowly. "My own psychic abilities don't come to me like yours do…I haven't had visions – while awake – lately…sometimes I still wake up in the night screaming or crying…I can't remember the dreams…I just know something terrible has happened…and my feelings…sometimes I can use that power like an on-off switch…sometimes I can't control it. Sometimes I can feel everyone's emotions in one room…it feels like a headache…feeling everything they feel…sometimes I know what they're thinking – not clearly – but I can understand them…trust me…you're the lucky one…"
"We were supposed to have these abilities," Sam said softly. "There has to be a bigger purpose out there…you told me that…"
Her doubtful look slowly turned into one that appeared hopeful.
Sam smiled and his gaze went back to the screen.
It was still frozen.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
"Damn that woman," John slammed his phone angrily down on the kitchen counter. He came around to see Dean still flipping through channels.
"Why are we damning women?" Dean called from his side of the room.
John rubbed his temple and placed his hands on his hips. "I can't get a hold of her…she said she'd be back today…"
He laughed and Dean continued to go through the channels.
Looking up slowly, John started to stare at Dean softly for a moment. "Dean?"
Dean turned and asked, "Sir?"
His father gave him a warm smile. "You've really made me proud, you know that?"
His eyes flinched. It was like saying "Cristo" to a demon.
John took a step forward and said, "I appreciate it, son, that you've taken what I've taught you to greater lengths…I could never imagine this…it shows that you've listened to me and have obeyed orders."
"You're my father," Dean said slowly. "That's what I'm supposed to do."
John sighed with a smile. "If only Sam was like you…" He shook his head.
Dean stared at his father. "Dad, Sam really has made you proud…you just haven't seen it…you know he would have gone off to law school if Jess hadn't…" He paused.
"Dean," John sighed. "I know you love your brother. And I do love Sam. But what makes me proud is that he's hunting…"
John turned around and went back to the kitchen to continue the phone calls.
He stared after his dad. Dean sighed sadly and his eyes went back to the T.V. Sam was a good kid in school…straight A's…never got into trouble…Stanford…and you're not proud?
"You've really made me proud, you know that?"
He stopped playing with the remote control and dropped it onto the couch.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Amy and Sam came downstairs with three different printed articles. Sam handed Dean the packets as the three huddled around the table.
"First victim: Oliver Prate, most of his fortune came from inheritance, had a fiancé, body found at a bus port in his car, half naked…his tie was wrapped around his neck – someone strangled him with it…" Sam announced.
"Second victim: Victor Micha, owned a chain of hotels, divorced three times, his body was found on the balcony of one of his hotels – The Emerald Jewel – he drank enough Jack Daniels and tequila to put him into a fatal coma…he was, umm, completely naked when they found him," Amy continued.
"And the third victim…from last night…" Sam sighed slowly. "Clifford Chaplin…father owns a chocolate company… married and had two kids…found in an alley…he slit his wrists…"
Dean stared down at the articles. "All three robbed completely of everything…" His eyes grew wide. "These guys were wiped out…bank accounts and wallets emptied…damn…she's good."
"But deadly," Amy whispered. "We need to go to this 'Blossom' place…Sam needs to identify her and then…well…we can chase her into a street if it helps…"
"She's still partially-human," Dean offered. "We've taken care of pissed off ghosts, demons and monsters and all that jazz before…" He licked his lips. "But she's still partially human…"
"So was the shape shifter," Sam reminded.
"Yeah, but that was different…he was about to kill you," Dean defended. "Plus, there can only be one me in this world and that guy was about to ruin my life-"
John joined the three by the table. He shook his head and said, "No word from Missouri."
The three sighed together and stared back down at the articles.
"'Kay, here's the game plan," Dean constructed, "we go to the 'Blossom' tonight…Sam, you identify her…we pull her off to the side – try not to fall ill to her charms – and restrain her somehow…"
"We'll have to look like rich men," John reminded. "Or at least act like them. We have to wear suits and all that. Men are only allowed in-"
"Hey," Amy protested. "So I'm not involved with this? Are you kidding me?"
"Amy," John sighed. "Men get in through the front…women get in through the back, catch my drift?"
"The only women in that place are dancers?" Amy asked. "Ugh, men…"
"You need to stay here," Dean told her softly. "Or stay in the car outside the club. We'll-"
"You want me to wait in the car while the three of you are in danger of a Temptress – remember? All she has to do is do a little dance and then force herself on you and the next thing you know she's going to rob you-"
"Amy," Sam tried to calm her down. He knew she didn't like it when she wasn't involved. "Shady men get in and shady men come out…the women are just toys to them – things – plus you've been through enough…relax…you didn't exactly get the Christmas break you wanted."
"Just because Dean tried to kill me doesn't mean I just want to take a break," Amy complained. She tried to calm herself down and took a breath.
There was a sudden knock at the door.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
John sighed as he opened the door as he gave an annoyed glare to the person standing outside the house.
Missouri Mosely remained the same height Dean and Sam remembered back in Lawrence. Her black hair was much longer and was together in tight braids. She wore a black sweater and jeans and carried a large brown purse by her side. Her plump and cheeks grinned at John as she was finally allowed in.
"Sorry," Missouri apologized with a giggle. "I just got back to Kansas. Came straight here. My cell was dead…"
She walked pass John and came into the living room area where Dean, Sam, and Amy were waiting.
Dean and Sam stared at the woman they were familiar with.
"Well well…" Missouri whispered, gazing at the three. "Future travelers…how interesting."
Amy was about to say hello but Missouri turned her focus to the young woman quickly. "Amy, very nice to meet you…" she said gently.
"Oh, hi," Amy murmured.
Missouri looked at Dean and Sam and gave them a secretive smile. "And well…we've already met."
"Hi," Sam grinned.
John joined them and put his hands on his hips. "So, do you have information-"
"John Winchester, you damned fool," Missouri rolled her eyes. "I came, didn't I? Ppsshh, don't doubt Missouri Mosely, now." She had a soft, sweet, but stern tone.
"So," Missouri sighed, sitting on the couch while the three remained standing. "Like John told you…you three have nothing to worry about. Time loops are quite simple. According to theory."
"And what is the theory?" Dean asked.
She shook her head in an aggravated way. "You're just like your father…not always a good quality." Missouri shot John a glare. "But…I've talked with some close contacts of mine. They call themselves scientific psychics. Time loops allow those who enter it – you three – the opportunity to pass through them and relive the past or future…you three came to 1997…so…you're from 2005…interesting…"
"Can we get back?" Sam asked.
"Yes," Missouri answered nicely to Sam. "And this is how you can…you'll know it…you'll feel it…you'll know when it's time to leave…"
"What?" Dean questioned.
"Time loops are rare but they choose locations for a reason," Missouri explained. "This time loop found you three interesting…you each share the same past…time loops have a mind of their own…they attach to those who have interesting histories…like you…you're here for a reason…you're here to relive the past because there's something each of you must look at very meticulously…
"This part…I just don't understand…" Missouri shook her head and laughed. "Well…this isn't exactly the past…this isn't your past necessarily…this is a different world on a different plane…it means whatever you do in our time…it won't change the future…to you…this is just a repetition, an echo…so once you know when the time is right to return back to your normal time…everything that has happened here since the moment you three arrived will go back to the way they should have been-"
"Everything will go back to the exact moment we came back?" Amy asked.
"So our Dad is going to go through and go after the Temptress, anyway?" Dean questioned.
Missouri nodded. "John can fall dead right now…but when you three go back to 2005, he'll sure be live and kickin' and annoying the hell outa me." The woman laughed and Amy let a shy smile reveal itself.
"What about our time?" Sam asked.
"Your time is frozen," Missouri went on. "You have nothing to worry about."
Amy sighed in relief and said, "Well that's good to know."
"Coffee?" John asked as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Yes, please," Missouri replied sweetly. She placed her brown purse beside her feet and stared at the three with a grin.
"Thank you," Amy smiled. "Thanks for telling us everything…I was worried-"
"You worry too much, girl," Missouri laughed. "You're brave…strong…you just worry too much. Ah, and I understand you're having difficulty with your powers…trust me, it's all a big bumpy road…but you'll get there…"
Her dark eyes went to Sam. "Heh, well," Missouri smiled. "You seem to be handling things just fine. So, a Temptress? I met one while I was a teen, a nice young man, he liked to get free food but he made up for it, trust me."
"You're a mind reader?" Amy asked.
"I have a few other talents-" Missouri explained. Her eyes went to Dean. "I don't like jokes, boy."
Dean raised his eyebrows. He had forgotten how quick her mind worked.
Missouri turned back to Amy and she smiled. "May I give some advice?"
Amy nodded.
"Relax…" Missouri said softly. "I understand you're having problems sleeping. I had the same thing when I was younger. You must try and relax. Take baths at night. Like I said, you worry too much…"
John returned with a red cup of coffee.
"Thank you," Missouri said as she took the cup generously. She took a sip and sighed.
"So everything's fine, then?" John asked.
"So much worry in this household…" Missouri sighed. "All the Winchesters…and those who get involved with the Winchesters…so much worry. Dang, people forget how to relax…"
O.O.O.O.O.O.
A/N: I apologize…I've been spending the last 3 days writing this – ten minutes each day. I've been working a lot and I've been stressed. Sorry if my writing has been, well, SHITTY…things have been difficult but I don't want that to affect the story. Hope you're all enjoying. I just need some pep. I'll update ASAP.
