Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Supernatural but in a matter of weeks I will own season one of Supernatural on DVD :-)

A/N: Mild writers block held this chapter up for awhile so sorry for the wait.

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Chapter Six

Bernie smiled happily as he pressed harder against the young mans forehead. Dean's body began to go limp and as it did so Bernie pressed his free hand firmly against Dean's chest in order to keep him upright. Had Dean's eyes been open he would have had the urge to sock Bernie for that smug look imprinted on his face.

But Dean's eyes weren't open. He wasn't unconscious, though. No, unconciousness felt different. This was a new sensation. He could still think clearly but his body refused to obey any of the simplest commands his brain was screaming at it to do. At the moment his brain seemed to be the only thing left that he still had any control of but as Bernie's grip tightened around his forehead that too slowly gave way.

His head began to pound harder and he felt a spinning sensation begin to derive him of all conscious thought. Suddenly his felt his memories being pulled out, being yanked from his head.

Seeing Maryann, being brought to 1947, talking to James, talking to Annabelle, coming to The Sapphire Room, and then it went further, getting Sam from Stanford, his father going missing, his years of training, his mother's death. All the memories were fading, becoming fuzzy and then slowly being forgotten all together.

Dean couldn't think, couldn't move, couldn't breathe and then without warning he felt his body fall forward and he landed with a thud on the ground. Immediately all the memories came rushing back, the intense pain in his head was gone and he was left gasping for air.

Bernie reeled backwards. He backed himself against the wall as a sudden feeling of weakness overtook him. He couldn't see straight and his hand, the one that had been touching Dean's forehead felt like it was on fire. He glared at his hand and saw that a small burn had begun to form on his palm. He pressed his uninjured hand to his head and attempted to rub away the pounding in his head but it didn't work. The pain was still there, tucked inside his head, unwilling to ease up.

Bernie couldn't understand it. He had done this numerous times before. He had taken them from their time, brought them here, destroyed their consciousness, taken their memories, and then lastly, taken their lives. After all, they deserved it for coming into his club uninvited, attempting to reopen it without his permission, defacing it with graffiti and now they were trying to tear it down. Most recently he had taken a young woman named Shanice. She had challenged him by coming into his club and proclaiming that she didn't believe in ghosts. But she had fallen easily. Had she remembered there encounter, she'd be a believer now. Bernie had planned on doing the same thing to this boy and the one that had accompanied him but there was something different about this one. He was stronger mentally and physically than the others. The walls surrounding his mind were strong, too strong. He wasn't the average victim. No, this one had been trained and conditioned to deflect this kind of mental attack. This was going to be a lot more difficult than Bernie had originally anticipated.

Dean struggled to get to his feet. His energy was returning to him quicker than he had imagined. Whatever Bernie had done had worn off within seconds of Bernie releasing him. Dean braced himself against the wall until his breathing returned to normal. Once it had he noticed for the first time that Bernie was leaning against the opposite wall, slightly bent over, holding his forehead. Dean decided to use Bernie's weakened state to his advantage. He pushed himself off the wall and charged Bernie, slamming him to the ground. Bernie didn't have a second to react before Dean was on top of him, using his face as a punching bag. Bernie attempted to deflect the hits but his energy had yet to fully return. Dean cranked his fist back to give Bernie one finally hit when he heard the slow click of a revolver from behind him.

"Get up." He heard Tony order.

"Shit." Dean muttered as he raised his arms slowly and got to his feet. Once he was free of Dean, Bernie rolled over and coughed slowly trying to regain his composure. Dean had managed to split his lip and a small bruise was forming under his left eye. Dean looked on happily, taking pride in his handiwork but instead of displaying that pride he stood emotionless in between Tony and Bernie and watched as Bernie began to rise to his feet.

"This one of the ones you were looking for?" Tony asked holding Dean at gunpoint. Bernie nodded and wiped the blood from his lip as he studied Dean. He kept his distance as he did so though. Dean noticed it and couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph ring through him. The man had been obviously been shook and was now displaying his uneasiness with the situation. His attempt at brainwashing Dean or whatever that thing had been had backfired and now Bernie's 'Big Bad Wolf' routine had simmered down dramatically.

Dean waited, expecting Bernie to retaliate and hit him back but instead he just stared at Dean with a fiery look in his eyes. Dean clenched his jaw and returned the stare.

"Bring him." Bernie finally ordered as he walked past Dean and started down the hallway in the opposite direction of the spiral staircase. Tony grabbed Dean by the back of the neck and jabbed the gun nozzle into the small of his back, giving him a slight push. Dean reluctantly started to walk down the hallway behind Bernie.

Dean gritted his teeth at the amount of manhandling but redirected his annoyance towards Bernie who was stomping angrily in from of him. "What's the matter, Bern?" Dean asked once he was close enough to catch Bernie's attention, "You were all big and bad when you were a ghostly, phantom thingy, throwing people into desks and shit but now, it seems you're losing your touch."

"What's he talking about, boss?" Tony asked as he tightened his grip on the back of Dean's neck.

"Nothin'." Bernie barked, "This boy is clearly deranged. You saw how he attacked me."

Dean smiled, "You mean you didn't even tell your own henchman?"

"Shut up!" Bernie yelled at him, Dean's cockiness and Bernie's lack of control over him was suddenly getting the best of him.

Dean caught a glimpse of Bernie's expression as Tony pushed him further down the hallway. The man was seething with anger and Dean was basking in it. He could care less that he was technically the man's hostage at the moment; all he cared about was that he had gotten his hits in and now had all the leverage in the conversation.

"You know that's cold Bernie." Dean continued, "Tony's out doing all your dirty work in the club but he doesn't even know what you did to him?"

"I said shut up!" Bernie yelled again but this time his fist followed the order and Dean felt his head snap to the side. Tony tightened his grip on Dean's neck once again causing him to look Bernie straight in the eye once he recovered from the hit. Bernie was grinning proudly at the one meager hit he had given Dean. Dean, however, shattered his confidence by cracking a smile of his own.

"You know for someone who has so much power," Dean smirked, "I never expected you to punch like a bitch." The smile slowly melted off of Bernie's face as Dean continued to shoot him that sideways grin. Bernie clenched his fist and jammed it as hard as he could into Dean's stomach. Dean didn't see it coming and was forced to double over and grab his stomach in order to ease the sudden burst of pain. Tony had dropped his hold on Dean but was still hovering behind him in case Dean decided to try and run. But running wasn't on Dean's mind right now. Bernie may not have been a strong man but considering he was wearing three heavy rings, the hit was effective enough to leave Dean momentarily stunned.

"Was that better, Mr. Winchester?" Bernie asked sarcastically. A small grunt was the only response he received from Dean. "Good." Bernie smiled and then addressed Tony. "Take him to the office and tie him up."

Tony renewed his grip of Dean and beginning pushing him towards the hallway followed by Bernie but none of them noticed the small set of eyes watching them from down the hall. Peering out from behind a long forgotten doorway was Maryann, a look of disgust planted on her face. She knew Bernie had been up to something.

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"Dean?" Sam called as he jogged up the stairs into the attic room. He stopped short when he saw the empty room. "Dean?" he called again. But there was still nothing. Sam didn't allow himself to panic. His confrontation with Jo had been shorter than expected so it's possible that Dean had just had better luck with Maryann and hadn't found his way back to the attic yet. Sam was mildly disappointed that he had not had the same luck with Jo. As soon as he had spit out the question about believing in ghosts Jo's sister had pranced over and dragged her away, begging for her to dance with them. Jo had invited Sam to come along but considering that he had better things to do than dance for eternity he kindly declined. He watched them dance for a while before deciding to go back to the attic and meet up with Dean.

He glanced anxiously at his watch. Dean was supposed to have shown up fifteen minutes ago and it wasn't like Dean to be late. Sam headed towards the spiral staircase and peeked down. He couldn't see anything but he heard voices. One distinct voice caught his attention. It was Dean. Sam listened for a minute. He could only hear bits and pieces of the conversation but it became clear that Dean was taunting someone.

This can't be good. Sam crept further down the stairs and was met with the sound of his brother's winded gasp for air. Bernie was standing next to Dean smiling at his discomfort. Sam felt the anger bubble inside of him. He started down the hall, creeping the best he could even though everything inside of him told him to run and save his big brother but he wasn't willing to announce his presence just yet and allow himself to be captured as well. Then he'd be no help to anyone. As he got closer, surprisingly still unnoticed he saw the bigger man grab Dean and force him down the hallway behind Bernie.

Out of habit Sam attempted to call his brothers name but before he got the name out he felt a hand clamp down over his mouth and trap the words inside.

"Shh!" The owner of the hand hissed. Sam pulled the hand away and spun around to face his assailant. Sam was speechless when he saw that he was facing a beautiful woman in her mid 20's with coffee brown skin and hypnotic hazel eyes. Sam immediately recognized her as the singer Dean was supposed to have been talking to.

"Maryann?" Sam asked. Maryann nodded.

"How'd you know my name?" She asked but Sam was too busy looking behind him down the hallway to bother to answer. Bernie, Dean and the man holding him had disappeared around a corner.

"I have to get my brother." He stated, not even thinking about telling Maryann about Bernie. While he did think it'd weaken Bernie's powers he didn't think they'd weaken in enough time to be able to help Dean and at the moment that was what was of the most importance. He turned and started charging down the hall but Maryann caught his arm and stopped him.

"What?" Sam asked angrily.

"You can't just go rushing in there," Maryann insisted.

"He's got my brother!" Sam shouted, "I'll do whatever I can." Sam started moving again but Maryann called after him.

"Then think with your head, not with your heart." Sam stopped and looked back at her. "If you rush in there Bernie will overpower you." Sam knew that Maryann right. Rushing in unknowing would result in both of them being incapacitated. He turned and walked back towards her.

"What do you know about Bernie?" he asked.

Sam could see the hint of fear in Maryann's eyes as she began to talk, "I know that that man's been messing with unnatural forces." Maryann looked moved closer to Sam and lowered her voice, "I know that his behaviors become more erratic lately and tonight people who shouldn't be here have been showing up here out of nowhere with no memory of who they are or how they got here." She pointed through the door that looked out into the ballroom, "You see those people?" Sam looked and saw a group of black men and woman standing together by the bar. "People like that, people like me, don't go to clubs with white folk unless they're entertaining but they're here and no one seems to care. And there's more like them, white, black, brown, just turning up."

Sam's eyes widened, "You think Bernie's behind it?"

Maryann nodded, "But I don't know how or why and it's starting to scare me."

"Listen, me and my brother are here to help but if I don't get to him soon-" Sam didn't finish the sentence. He wasn't sure what would happen if he didn't get to Dean soon and he didn't even want to think about it at all.

"I'll help you." Maryann said. Sam looked down the hall thoughtfully before finally turning and looking at Maryann.

"You got a plan?" Sam asked.

Maryann walked towards him, "We'll need a distraction."

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Dean sat silently in a chair in Bernie's office watching Bernie and Tony as they conversed near the door. He twisted his hands awkwardly trying to test the strength of his bonds but Tony had tied them far tighter than they needed to be and had allowed no room for give. Bernie cast a sideways glance at Dean and smiled at his futile attempt at an escape.

He placed a hand on Tony's shoulder and said loud enough for Dean to hear, "Go get the brother." Dean clenched his jaw tightly in an attempt at discouraging his features from displaying any outward concern but inside his stomach was churning. He had faith in Sam but all the faith in the world wouldn't be able to save Sam from a bullet. Tony tucked the pistol into waistband and covered the handle with his vest. Then he turned and headed out into the hall leaving Dean alone with Bernie.

Bernie walked past Dean and casually leaned against his desk smiling at Dean cynically. Dean didn't want to question how Bernie had known his name or how he had known that he and Sam were brothers but he was curious. Bernie's powers seemed to be becoming more and more sporadic and Dean was unsure what the source of his power actually was. The spell was the start but there had to be something else that was sustaining the power.

Bernie walked and stood next to Dean's chair. He stared straight ahead as he lifted his hand and placed it back onto Dean's forehead. Dean tried to pull his head away but Bernie grabbed the back of Dean's head and held hid head steady. Bernie tightened his grip but Dean unlike last time, Dean felt nothing. He heard Bernie begin to gasp. He released Dean's head and took a few staggering steps backwards.

Bernie turned his hand over and looked at the reddened burn on his palm, "What are you?"

"Stubborn." Dean pushed the word out through clenched teeth.

"I'm not finished with you yet." He said without looking up from his hand, "Maybe you're brother will fall faster than you," he smiled and looked over at Dean, "Then you won't be far behind."

"You talk a good game," Dean pointed out, "but if you're gonna kill me why not just do it."

"I don't kill people Mr. Winchester, whatever would give you that idea?" Bernie grinned.

"I don't know, maybe the fire or the fact that Lucky Montgomery was killed in this very office and no one knows how it happened."

"Oh well, Lucky was different. He shot me so I figured it was only right to return the favor. An eye for an eye. I'm sure you can understand that logic, Dean." Bernie pushed himself off the desk and began to pace in front of Dean, "The fire, the fire was needed."

"In whose eyes Bernie?" Dean asked, "You think those people out there wanted to die?"

"It had to be done." Bernie muttered to himself. Just as Dean was about to open his mouth and tell Bernie just how off his rocker he really sounded Tony came rushing back into the room. Dean was pleased to see that he wasn't hauling Sam along with him.

"Uh, boss." Bernie's head snapped up and he glared at Tony.

"What?" Bernie shouted.

"There's something going on in the ballroom that I think you should see, er, uh, hear." Bernie cast a suspicious glance at Dean.

"Don't go anywhere." He taunted as he turned to follow Tony out of the office. As soon as Bernie was gone Dean began pulling at the ropes trying to loosen them.

"C'mon you son of a bit-"

"Who ya talking to?" Dean heard a familiar voice ask.

He spun his head around and looked at the door to see Sam casually waltzing into the room. He walked to Dean's chair, knelt down behind and started working on the ropes.

"Damn, what took you so long?" Dean asked, "I told you not to get busy with that ghost girl."

"And I told you to be careful." Sam quipped.

"I was careful, I just didn't take Bernie's Jedi-mind tricks into account."

Sam stopped working for a second, "Jedi-mind tricks?"

"I'll explain later." Dean replied, "What did you use as a distraction anyway?"

"I uh, met Maryann when I was looking for you and I sorta taught her the lyrics to "I Like Big Butts."

Sam undid the last knot and Dean pulled his hands free, "Wait," Dean rose to his feet and turned to face Sam, "you have a 1940's blues singer out there singing Sir Mix-a-lot?"

Sam shrugged, "It worked didn't it?"

Dean laughed, "Guess so."

"Come on, we gotta get out of here. I don't think Bernie's gonna be too happy with Maryann's choice of music."

"Hang on," Dean said as he began riffling through Bernie's desk and picked up a small revolver that Bernie had hidden in a side drawer. He smiled down at the gun before tucking it into his waistband.

"So you talked to Maryann?" Dean asked as he came back around the desk.

"Yeah," Sam nodded, "Get this; we're not the first people who Bernie has brought to his time. Apparently he's done it quite a few times. He somehow makes them forget their pasts so they can't tell anyone else about what really happened. Any idea why or how he could do that?"

Dean's brain started spinning. He thought about Bernie messing with his memories and about how Bernie didn't kill him outright. "Sammy, I think I have a plan."

"You gonna fill me in on it." Sam asked as Dean headed towards the office door.

"Eventually." Dean smiled as he stepped into the hallway. He had a plan, he just hoped it wasn't really as crazy as it he knew it sounded.

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TBC…