Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!

Bait

Chapter 24 – Psychic Help

Dean cut into the steak he had ordered and swallowed with a satisfied grin on his face. He was feeling pretty good. The cold shower of course wasn't welcome…but the giggle he heard afterwards from his brother was a welcome sound to his ears. He watched as Sam pushed the food around on his plate. Sam kept glancing around him, as if he expected to be attacked.

"Relax Sam…there's nothing here to harm you…except maybe me if you don't start eating that food!" Dean knew the first outing would be hard on Sam, he just hoped that it helped his brother get back to normal.

"I'm not really hungry Dean…I just want to go home…I just" Sam trailed off. He knew that his fears were groundless, but he couldn't stop the feeling that he wasn't safe here. He felt fine when they entered the diner, but after dinner was served, he started to get a feeling that he wasn't safe…correct that, that they weren't safe.

Looking around the room again, his eyes landed on an elderly gentleman sitting alone in a booth in the back of the room. As their eyes locked, Sam felt a jolt of recognition hit him. He stood quickly and would have fled if Dean hadn't grabbed his wrist. "Sammy, what is it?" Dean asked, looking around.

Sam just stared as the elderly man walked slowly towards him. He tried to move, but his body wouldn't obey his commands. He jerked as the stranger reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. A small cry escaped from his lips as he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Dean jumped up and stood between the stranger and his brother. His eyes blazing, he pushed the stranger back, away from Sam. "Who are you and what have you done to him?"

The man stared for another moment and then shook his head as if he couldn't believe what happened. "I'm sorry…I don't know…hmmm…that's never happened to me before…Missouri was right to ask me to come here, this boy does need some help." The man watched as Dean reached down to check on his brother. Sam moaned and opened his eyes, rubbing his head; he sat up and stared at the stranger standing in front of him.

"Sam…I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself sooner. My name is Nathaniel…most people just call me Nate. Missouri contacted me when she found out I was going to be in this area. She said you might need someone to help you understand your…ah…abilities" Nate looked around and saw that they were being watched closely by the other locals in the diner. "Maybe we should continue this discussion outside…care to join me?" Nate didn't wait, but stopped at the cashier to pay his bill and walked calmly out the door.

Dean helped Sam to his feet "Are you ok kiddo?" Sam continued to stare after the man, he still couldn't stop the feeling of unease, but the panic was gone. "I think so…guess we should go see what he wants huh?" Sam asked as he waited for Dean to pay the bill.

Dean took a closer look at Sam "Are you up for this…I could just tell him to come back some other time?" Dean didn't like the fear he saw in Sam's eyes. "I'm fine Dean…really, he just startled me…if Missouri sent him here, she must have had a good reason…you told me that she knew about…about my problem…maybe this guy can help"

Dean shook his head; it wasn't like Missouri to send someone without letting him know. As they exited the diner, they saw Nate standing over by the Impala. Dean once again stood between Nate and his brother as they approached him.

"Sorry about the scene boys, I saw you go in earlier and thought I could grab a bite before I stopped by your cottage. Dean, when I spoke to Missouri…she was suppose to call you and let you know that I was coming…I'll wait if you want to call her now." Nate stood waiting for Dean to make up his mind.

Dean shook his head and staring at the man for another moment, decided he could check with Missouri later. "Hop in back; let's go back to the cottage where we can talk without drawing a crowd"

A few moments later the three men sat out on the front porch. Sam had been quiet, preferring to let Dean do the talking for once. Nate explained that he was a psychic. He had spent his life investigating the various psychic abilities that could be found in individuals, mostly to help himself deal with his particular abilities. "Just exactly what are your abilities?" Dean asked wondering why Sam wasn't asking more questions.

"I can read minds…don't worry…I don't do it unless I'm asked to, much like your friend Missouri…but when I was younger, my ability almost drove me insane." Nate looked off into the distance before looking directly at Sam.

"Sam, I don't know how, but somehow you got past the block that I normally put up to keep people's thoughts out…it has been years since that has happened…for a moment in the diner, I was pulled into your mind…I'm…I'm sorry…but your powers must be strong to do that" Nate looked uncomfortable for a moment. Dean had noticed that Nate had not looked directly at Sam the whole time they had been talking. "So, you can't block Sam?" Dean looked at his brother and saw the shocked look on his brother's face.

"You mean…I caused you to lose your ability to block thoughts?" Sam asked quietly. Both Nate and Dean jumped, a little startled since Sam hadn't said anything so far. "Nate…when did you first find out you had these abilities?" Sam was curious; he knew that until recently he hadn't really recognized his special abilities.

"Well, it was in my early 20's the first time I noticed that thoughts kept entering my head, I believe that up until that time, I probably naturally blocked the thoughts of others…I believe we are born with the abilities, but as with everything else, they grow with time." Nate looked off into the distance as if trying to calm himself.

"So…my abilities, they will continue to grow?" Sam asked cautiously, not sure yet that he could trust this person. He looked at Dean, who didn't seem concerned. Figuring that he was just over cautious after his last adventure with the vampires, he shrugged mentally. If Dean wasn't concerned, then he wasn't going to worry about it either.

"Yes, Sam…unfortunately, only you can learn how to control your abilities…Missouri mentioned that you were concerned about your telekinetic abilities…if you will allow me, I would like to see what happened each time your power presented itself, perhaps I can help you understand what triggers it and then we can work on helping you control it" Nate waited, he didn't want to push Sam.

"Can I turn it off permanently…I mean, can I just learn to block all my abilities so that…so that" Sam shook his head, who was he kidding…he'd never be normal, not with a demon after him.

"No Sam, you can't turn them off, but you might be able to control them a little better. Look, I remember the day that my abilities decided to kick in. I was in a restaurant when all of a sudden, every thought that every person had was suddenly in my head…I couldn't hear because of all the noise in my mind…I couldn't concentrate. I woke up in a hospital, with a psychologist trying to figure out which personality disorder I had. They diagnosed me as being schizophrenic and prescribed medication to make the noises stop."

Sam watched as Nate shuddered at the memories. Nate evidently had had to face one of Sam's greatest fears…the way others would treat him if they ever found out…he shuddered as well, he could understand how Nate must have felt. Sam looked at Dean and smiled, his brother never blinked when Sam showed some new freaky power…if it weren't for him…well he could have easily ended up in the same situation as Nate. "So how did you figure out that you weren't crazy?" Sam asked, curious to find out how Nate had learned to control his powers.

"Missouri found me…she helped me understand, that I wasn't crazy…she helped put me on the path that let me learn how to block the voices and regain my sanity…I would like to help you Sam, if you will let me." Once again Nate waited for Sam to make the decision.

Sam looked at Dean who had been unusually quiet. Dean sat and smiled at Nate before looking at Sam. "Sammy…I think you should let him help you…after all, what could it hurt?"

TBC

Raven524: Well now I'm at a quandary here…I seem to be heading into another chapter…just when I think it's ending, the story calls me on…if you're getting bored, just drop me a line…let me know what you think!