Chapter Fifteen – Temptress History

The phone call from Missouri Mosely had been an odd one. John awoke to his cell phone ringing at six o'clock in the morning. He had run a rough hand through his greasy hair as he answered with a rude: "Yeah?" Missouri informed John she believed to hold very important information about Temptresses. She didn't exactly fill in the empty blanks for John, who had scratched his head several times during the conversation, but Missouri agreed to stop by the house around noon.

O.O.O.O.O.O.

Amy was sitting at the dining room table with her leg propped up on the chair. Her hair was still damp from the shower she had taken half an hour ago and she was already fully dressed: a pair of jeans with a hole at the knee and a blue hoodie. Her eyes were scanning the articles of the morning paper. She half-expected to read an article heading like "Underground Club Found" or "Rich-Stupid Business Men Tell All." She found the regular headlines – headlines that seemed so familiar to her. Duh Amy, it's 1997…remember? Amy had almost forgotten she had been in 1997 for two days. She felt it was rather stupid to forget something like that. But then again, she, along with Dean, Sam, and John, were after a Temptress who had the power to seduce and kill men – while getting away with the whole thing.

She folded the black and white papers and gently placed them on the corner of the table for, if anyone was interested, in reading them. Her hand rested on her knee as she sat back in her seat. Amy let out a quiet sigh. The pain in her ankle came back whenever she applied slight pressure into it. She slowly reached down to her free leg and lifted up her pants slightly. The large black-and-blue bruise made a slight peanut shape around her ankle. It was gross to look at. The swelling had ceased during the night but the ugly mark was still there.

O.O.O.O.O.O.

Dean was sitting Indian-style in the center of the bonus room up stairs. He had different newspaper articles and clippings encircling him. The sleeves of his gray shirt were rolled up as he reached around him, using a pen, and marking personal notes in the margins. The pen's cap was squeezed in between his teeth as he concentrated on circling several different headlines. His eyes continued to dart back and forth from article to article.

The door slowly opened and Sam appeared carrying a large manila folder. He looked tired but fresh in his brown hoodie and torn jeans. The younger sibling came to his brother and dropped the folder onto the floor. Some of the papers it contained spilled out into the floor. Dean reached for the papers and flipped through them plainly.

"These are all the articles I found that could be tied in with Temptress activity," Sam explained. "I was able to search through the library archives and go deeper into national news. This type of stuff happens all the time – men and women tempting others and eventually getting money out of them…but these are the ones that feel Temptress-related."

"What makes you say that?" Dean questioned as he spat out the pen cap.

Sam cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. "Because those who are seduced and robbed…end up dead."

Dean tilted his head to the side and nodded. "Good sign right there." He sighed and finished, "Plus you're using that ESP thing, so it works."

The younger brother sat down on the floor slowly with his fellow offspring. The two Winchesters scanned the articles together. Dean focused more on the new ones that Sam had just retrieved while Sam back-tracked on the articles Dean marked.

As Sam was looking down at an article, he muttered, "Amy doesn't seem too good."

Dean looked up from an article and stared at his brother strangely. "What do you mean?"

Sam kept his eyes on the newspaper article. "She's been acting strange since last night. Maybe not exactly acting strange…but feeling strange…"

"One of your special vibes again?" Dean mocked.

"Dean," Sam sighed annoyingly. "I just passed her while coming up the stairs. She was just sitting at the table. She didn't even notice when I came back. Her ankle looks pretty bad…and you know what…" He paused as he stared into Dean's eyes. "I don't think she hurt her ankle because she fell when the rampage started…"

O.O.O.O.O.O.

John, after taking a long shower, came out of the bathroom with a white towel hanging around his neck. He came into the living room and spotted Amy sitting quietly at the table.

He buttoned his flannel shirt up slowly as John approached the young woman slowly.

"Amy? Amy? Aimes…?" John questioned with a slight laugh.

She reacted to her name being called slowly. It wasn't until she heard "Aimes" that she came back to reality.

"Hmm?"

"You okay," John asked. He gave her a large smile and tried to throw a comforting glance her way. She seemed to miss it.

"I'm fine," Amy muttered. "Just tired."

He nodded slowly and John pointed toward her leg. "How's that ankle of yours doing?"

"Fine, a little black and blue, but fine."

She stared down at her hands which were placed gently on the table. John continued to stare at her. He tossed the wet towel onto the floor as he made his way to the chair opposite of Amy.

He sat down at the table and coughed.

"Amy…" John whispered. "I…ummm…" He rubbed his hand against his mouth. "I wanted to thank you…" At this Amy stared at John questionably. "You've…Sam told me that you've been looking out for the boys. He told me that in the future…when you go off to college…that you still continue to take care of him. That you're always looking out for him. And lately…learning about your own supernatural talents and so on…and learning the truth about the world…I'm glad that you've continued to stick by Sam's side. Dean's too…"

Amy couldn't help but give him a small smile.

"I'm glad that you stick around in their lives…" John continued. "And words can't express…how grateful I am that you still continue on protecting them…you showing up at the club last night…really shows how far you'll go to keep an eye out for my boys."

"John…" Amy whispered sweetly. "I grew up side by side with Dean and Sam. I love them both so much. That night…with the house…and fire…" She gulped in an embarrassed way. "You and I both know that night did something to the bond between those brothers. Dean feels he's the only one capable of fully taking care of Sam. You remember how Dean used to sit in the crib with Sam in his arms…" She sighed sadly and rested her hands in the pockets of her hoodie. "You three stayed with my family for a couple of months…and…even though I remember how Dean protected Sam…I also remember that I felt…like…Dean felt it was his job to take care of Sam…well…it's my job to take care of the two of them."

O.O.O.O.O.O.

Dean and Sam trailed down the stairs quickly to find Amy sitting on the couch with her leg propped up on the opposite arm of the sofa. She finished placing a Ziploc bag of ice on her ankle and Amy rested against the cushion.

John was seen on the back porch drinking his morning coffee.

"What time did Missouri say she was coming?" Amy asked as her face cringed at the feeling of extreme coldness on her injury.

"Noon…it's around eleven now," Sam offered. He watched as Amy tended to her ankle and came toward her. "Everything okay?"

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Everyone keeps asking me that. I'm fine. Really. I'm just anxious…Missouri says she has more info on the Temptress deal." She looked up from the bag of ice and asked, "Any good news from those articles?"

Dean shrugged. He couldn't pull his eyes away from her ankle. "Yeah umm…not much, actually. Same story…some rich suit gets robbed completely and suddenly ends up dead."

"What about the weird behavior?" Amy asked. "Sam said that the guy in his last vision was laughing like a sappy little school boy. Anything like that?"

"No reports of it," Sam answered. "There have been a lot of cases like these. I guess we'll just wait for Missouri."

Amy slowly shook her head. "I don't think we ever should have gotten involved…remember?" She questioned as both boys looked at her. "When we go back home, everything that happens here goes back to the way it should have been…it means that whatever we do…this Temptress, Jezebel, she will get hit by the car and she will die…we should have let John handle it his own way."

"You know why we got involved," Dean assured. "We felt like we had to. Remember? Missouri told us that we're here for a reason. There's something here we have to look at."

"For ourselves…we're not here to help 1997…we're here for whatever personal issue we need to work out…that's why we're here…" Amy reminded. "I hate now that this situation is being taken out of hand."

"We'll handle it," Sam whispered comfortingly. He sat on the edge of the couch and rested a hand on Amy's knee. He gave her a small smile and said, "We'll take care of it. We always do."

"I just…" Amy closed her eyes and shook her head. She seemed stress. Concerned. Worried. "I just want to make sure that the three of us get back to 2005 safely. If we die here…we die completely. We have to be careful."

O.O.O.O.O.O.

The doorbell rang and it was Sam who decided to answer it.

Dean was placing a bag of fresh ice on Amy's ankle as John sat down on the other sofa. The three remained quiet as they could hear the other footsteps enter the living room.

Missouri and Sam weren't alone. The man, Missouri's guest, looked to be in his late fifties or early sixties. He wore a rugged jean jacket and brown pants. His hair was more silver than gray and he had soft, kind brown eyes. He smiled down at Dean and Amy who were on the couch. John realized they had another guest and rose quickly from his seat to shake hands with the man.

Wearing a green shawl and brown dress pants, Missouri folded her hands in front of her and watched as John greeted her friend.

Dean stood up too to shake hands with the older gentleman.

"Missouri…" John questioned as he continued to stare at the man.

"Everyone…" Missouri announced. "This is my friend Roderick."

"Please, call me Rod," the old man said gently. He quickly moved toward Amy who was trying to sit up. Rod reached for Amy's hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. "It's very nice to meet you, Amy."

Amy stared at the man strangely but she gave him a generous smile. "Likewise, Rod."

Rod stood back as he glanced at everyone in the room.

"So, Rod…umm…why exactly are you here?" John asked.

"Are you a psychic?" Sam asked as he stood beside Dean.

Rod shook his head and said, "Not exactly."

"Dean, Sam, Amy, John…" Missouri announced again. "Roderick has been a friend of mine for many years…and he can help you with the Temptress."

"How?" Dean asked.

The whole room was staring at Rod. The old man gave a small chuckle. The type of laugh your sweet grandpa would make. He smiled and blinked several times. "Because I used to be a Tempter."

O.O.O.O.O.O.

Tobias was pacing the floor of the penthouse. He wore his usual black clothing while Jezebel was in her rather revealing, red attire. She sat on the couch with her eyes closed. She was breathing slowly and humming to herself.

"Anything?" Tobias asked.

"Hush Brother…" Jezebel whispered. "I've tried to link to your girl…your precious Bellezza…she's blocking you out so obviously there's no way I can penetrate inside…"

"And what of your Mr. Green?" Tobias complained. "What about him?"

Jezebel remained silent. She continued to hum underneath his breath as her eyes remained close.

"There's a barrier now…" Jezebel whined. She opened her eyes and took in a deep breath. "It's not him. Something else. There's a very powerful force surrounding him. And everyone else close to him. It can't hold for long. It feels like a spirit. My love still has no idea how much potential he has. The power…"

Tobias stared at his sister and turned toward the window. Sunlight was streaming in and it felt good to have the warmth against his cheeks.

"Don't worry," Jezebel reassured. She stood up slowly and placed her hands on her hips. "We'll find a way of meeting with them again…"

Her brother remained silent. He continued to stare out the window and let the sunlight cover his front body.

"It's like I've been cold for so many years…empty…deserted…" Tobias whispered. "She is my sunlight…I must meet with her again. I have to know her name."

"At least Bellezza is better than Mr. Green," Jezebel laughed. "Trust me…give it time…we will eventually link to them. And they shall come to us. And I promise…they won't refuse us…we'll be happy…forever."

"The time has almost come, dear Sister," Tobias reminded. "We must find a heart…"

O.O.O.O.O.O.

"Time loops…evil Temptresses…seeing our Younger selves…and now…right in front of us…is an ex-Tempter?" Amy questioned as she sat up in the couch.

Rod laughed at how Dean and Sam were suddenly on defense-mode.

"I assure you, everything is alright…" Missouri informed.

"Missouri is right…" Rod whispered. "I am of no threat to you."

"We'll be the judge of that…" John warned with his arms crossed over his chest.

Missouri shook her head and said, "I told you, Tempters can be good or evil…there's mostly good in the world but there are the occasional bad apples."

"Missouri called me and told me she needed help. I was close by. Decided to come and see what was going on…" Rod explained.

Amy stared around at the men in the room. They were all tense.

"Look," Amy muttered. "Let's just hear him out. Hear what he has to say."

Dean didn't answer but instead slowly sat down on the couch beside Amy. Sam sat down on the arm of the sofa.

"Well," Rod laughed as he slapped his hands together. "Where should I start?"

O.O.O.O.O.O.

Both Tobias and Jezebel were sitting on the couch. They held hands as their eyes closed in unison. Their focus was on Mr. Green and Bellezza…

O.O.O.O.O.O.

"It was a long time ago…731 years exactly…no one is sure of how it happened. There are theories. Stories. All as unbelievable as the next. But then again…the supernatural can't all be explained in a book…every Temptress and Tempter in the world is 731-years-old. This is a fact. This is apparently what happened…every Tempter-an'-Temptress was born at the exact same time. Perhaps it was dark magic or some other type of paranormal force…but these children…born of lust…born at the exact same time…became Tempters or Temptresses…

"How it happened has never been explained, like I said before. These are real people, remember that. They're human. No demonic abilities. But they do have the special talent of getting what they want, when they want it. It's a tricky lifestyle…not all Tempters have the same amount of powers. There have been weak ones…and more powerful ones. Over time…Tempters were learned to be mostly good. They used their abilities to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Or in war and battle decisions or government…but there have been the bad ones…"

Rod sighed sadly as he stuck his hands into his pockets. "There have been those who used their powers to get whatever they want…and trust me…they always cleaned up the mess…" He rubbed his forehead. "Tempters can live for a very long time and look as young and beautiful as they want…but there is a catch. It was learned many, many years ago that Tempters could only live for so long until they actually had to sustain life for themselves. Immortality does come at a price…the early evil Tempters learned of a dark ceremony that could help…you see…once they reach that certain stage…in order to continue to look young and live forever…every year…they must find an innocent…most of the time, they search for virgins…specifically those who are pure in heart, body, mind, soul…and…"

He gulped. The warm smiles he had given earlier seemed to be forgotten behind his trembling lips.

"Tempters perform a dark charm and they…they cut out the heart of the virgin…and they eat it."

Everyone's eyes grew wide. Amy placed a hand over her mouth.

"You see…" Rod explained. "This is why there aren't as many Tempters out there anymore. Especially the good ones. The ones who used to use their power for good…they could never take a life…so they eventually lost their powers and continued on the natural way of life. Most have died now…"

"That's how they sustain life?" Dean questioned. "Every year they have to eat a heart…"

"A pure heart…" Sam repeated.

Rod nodded slowly. "In the supernatural word…things like that travel fast. I used to use my power, yes, to sometimes gain the advantage of getting free food…but I did good…"

"A lot of good," Missouri smiled weakly.

He bit his lip and Rod tried to smile.

"But there are certain things about a Tempter you should know…" Rod explained. "Especially the bad ones…they will do whatever it takes to live. And I think the Temptress you met before…she'll have to feed soon…"

Dean and Sam looked at each other.

"They're also very…" Rod tried to find the words. "Delicate…fragile…when it comes to love…" He paused and sighed. "These are people who were born out of lust…the children of concubines and whores…but they're very gentle with love. They can fall in love easily…" Rod turned and stared at Sam. "And I already feel, young man…that this Temptress became very fond of you."

Sam stared at Rod oddly.

Missouri nodded. "I feel it as well."

Rod nodded and stared around at the ceiling strangely. He paused for a moment and then turned back to Missouri.

"Tempters also possess psychic ability…they can create strong links with their targets…" Rod muttered. "And right now…they're trying to link to you."

"They?" Dean asked.

Dean, Sam, and John noticed that Missouri and Rod were staring at Amy.

O.O.O.O.O.O.

They opened their eyes and dropped their hands.

"Dammit…" Jezebel gritted. "That fool broke the connection."

"He's old…but still has some power left," Tobias explained. "I could feel it…"

"So…their names are Amy and Sam…" Jezebel smiled. "My dear, beautiful Sam…"

Tobias smiled and stared out the window again. "My Amy…"

O.O.O.O.O.O.

1:21 P.M.

"Jezebel has a brother?" Dean asked incredulously.

Amy nodded slowly. "Tobias helped me several times last night…he rescued me from some stupid idiot drunk who tried to make a move on me…" She sighed and rubbed her temple. "At some point I knew immediately he was trying to get into my head…that's when I felt like I couldn't trust him. I punched him and ran…that's when I ran into Sam…"

Rod nodded slowly. "Twin brother and sister…" He put his hand underneath his chin. "A Temptress and a Tempter…"

"And they're in love with Sam and Amy…" Missouri whispered.

"So we definitely have a problem, right?" Dean questioned loudly. His anger was obvious to all. "They're 'fragile' when it comes to 'love' right? They're going to come after them, aren't they? Rod, you just said you felt them trying to make a connection."

The old man nodded. "They were trying to link to Sam and Amy."

"Why us?" Amy asked.

"Yeah," Sam questioned. "They've met others, haven't they?"

"Your powers…" Missouri explained as she approached the two. Dean and John had begun to pace the living room.

"You see…" Missouri continued. "It's what made them attracted to you in the first place…they feel power…and they felt yours…"

Amy stared at Sam as he sat down close beside her. The two stared at each other and then back at Missouri.

"This is okay…" Rod explained.

"OKAY!" Dean roared. He approached the old man. "My brother and Amy are now targets! How is this okay!"

"They're twins…" Rod explained. "Born from the same womb. You kill one, the other one dies as well."

"Good to know," Dean snapped. "'Cause we're going to find them, and kill them-"

"Dean," Amy tried to calm him down.

"Look…" John intervened. "Whatever happens…it doesn't matter…remember? Once you kids go back to 2005…Jezebel will get hit by the car and she'll die…and that means that Tobias will die as well."

"Good…their fates are sealed," Dean snapped. "But still…Jezebel and Tobias are NOT coming near them."

"They don't give up on the things they want…" Rod warned. "Trust me…I've seen this sort of thing."

Amy placed both hands underneath her chin. She sighed as she thought for a moment.

Sam was sitting straight up in the couch, trying to understand everything that was happening.

"I think Jezebel was linking to me earlier this morning…" Sam explained.

Missouri stared at the young man and nodded. "When Temptresses try to link…sometimes they can allow old memories to be experienced…is that what happened?"

Sam nodded. "It was like I was reliving everything."

"She has a hold over you…" Rod said.

Dean turned angrily toward Rod and said, "I guarantee she'll regret the moment she even thought about him. TOBIAS TOO."

"You must be calm, lad," Rod whispered. "This Tobias has targeted Amy. And you must be careful…because I guarantee…they will come after Sam and Amy…and they'll want to keep them forever…"

"How?" John asked. "You said that evil Tempters want to live forever…Sam and Amy definitely going to age…"

Rod sighed as he stared at the older Winchester. "I should probably explain another dark ceremony that evil Tempters and Temptresses learned…" Everyone was back to staring at him again. "A ceremony that keeps Tempters from getting lonely."

O.O.O.O.O.O.

A/N: Hope you're enjoying. FUN, EXICITING, ADVENTUROUS CHAPTERS coming ASAP! Feedback/Reviews much much much appreciated! (I have so many new ideas for my 'series', it's driving me crazy! I can't wait to get done with "Time Loop"!...I LOVE SUPERNATURAL!"