A/N: I'm so sorry this took me so long. I apologize. Thank you again for your help, Churchlady. I had a little writer's blog and many personal things going on at home. But as a little apology, this chapter is a much longer one. Have fun! The next chapter is already in process.

For all who are interested. Caleb's ability is mentioned by Ridley in the story In The Company Of Dragons Chapter 4.

Dark Side - Chapter 5 - New Abilities

CALEB

Caleb's back protested after three hours in the Hunterstomb. Stiffly he stretched his aching limbs, heavily yawning. "Can I go out into the barn, Dad?"

"Sure, we'll call you when supper is ready. We won't last long here either."

Jim stopped him in the kitchen. "Here, my boy. Take the box for the chickens with you and feed them, okay?"

"Sure, Jim." Caleb took the box and called for Atticus. "Come on boy, we're heading to the barn."

He fed the chickens and watched them for a while. This all felt like a different world compared to New York. Like the time was running much slower here. Caleb sat down on an old box and scratched Atticus' ears which made the dog dance in joy. "Yeah, you like that, Atticus. If everything could be as easy as it is to please you."

Caleb sighed heavily. Missouri had promised to come tomorrow evening to care for him and his newfound talent. Talent - was it really this - a talent? It felt more like a curse. What if he couldn't control it? What if he hurt someone? And how did Missouri even plan to work with him on that? He definitely wouldn't just try it out on someone.

"CALEB! SUPPER IS READY!" Jim's voice sounded over to the barn.

"Come, my pawed friend. I'm gonna make sure you get your fair share."

*** Brotherhood ***

CALEB

Caleb felt the same anger he had felt in school exploding in his mind. He tried to stop it from forcing to the surface for anyone to see but as hard as he tried it was like stopping the force of a Coke mixed with Mentos with bare hands. He felt the all-consuming pressure in his head. All the things of the past weeks came to his mind and poured like oil into the fire of anger. Then someone grabbed his shoulder. He whirled around, looking into Mac's face. "Son, you have to stop this."

"I can't. The feeling is too strong! I can't control it! Go away! I will hurt you!" he screamed at his father.

But Mac refused to vanish, instead, he kept talking to him. But Caleb couldn't understand him anymore; a loud beeping sound was the only thing he could hear. It drove him over the edge. He felt something was wrong with his eyes. This was it - he turned into a demon. Everything around him faded except for Mac who suddenly clenched his hands to his throat desperately struggling for air. "Caleb…" Mac pressed out…

"Caleb! Wake up, Son. You are having a nightmare."

Mackland shook his shoulders with more force now. With a screamed, "NO!" he jerked upright from sleep, staring into Mac's grey eyes in total horror. His breathing was fast, and sweat-soaked clothes stuck to his torso. Helplessly he tried to orientate, breathing heavily. The pressure and pounding in his head made him flinch.

Still caught in his nightmare he babbled, "I didn't want to … no … go away … I'm evil …"

Mac didn't go away. Instead, he pulled him into a hug and tried to calm him. "It was just a dream, Caleb. You are safe. We're at the farm. I'm here, shh."

Slowly the shaking left him and gave way to a nagging feeling that this hadn't been just a nightmare but a possibility of what could happen.

"Do you want to tell me what the dream was about?" Mac asked carefully.

Caleb only shook his head, unable to wrap the pictures that had haunted his dream into words.

"I can sit with you for a while. What do you think about that?"

Unsure Caleb considered the offer. He tried to listen into his mind if he could find anything like the feeling of anger he had felt in school or the nightmare. He found nothing of it, just his overwhelming fear that still clung to his heart. What was he supposed to do, who could help him out of this misery?

Reluctantly he nodded for Mac to stay.

*** Brotherhood ***

Mac's presence must had helped with the sleeping. Now he woke with sun rays shining in his eyes. Mac sat in the armchair next to his bed with a blanket tossed over his lap, still asleep.

Caleb felt guilty. He brought so many problems to Mac's doorstep. He wasn't worth the trouble. Depressed but careful not to wake Mac, he gathered his clothes and sneaked into the bathroom. A heavy pounding behind his forehead didn't help with his mood. He undressed and gave his body a quick washover before he put on some comfortable black Sweatpants and a black tee. Then he dared to look into the mirror, extra closely studying his eyes. His light brown, nearly golden, gaze showed nothing unusual. "God, this is driving me insane." He let his head sink down, exiting the small bathroom. He shivered slightly from the chill that greeted him in the hallway. He longed for his hoodie but he didn't want to wake Mac. So he decided to go downstairs to the living room. With a bit of luck, he would find a warm blanket. With careful steps, he walked down the stairs into the kitchen. He had to pause on the steps to catch a breath and still the pounding in his head. His kidney still hurt. It was time for his medicine anyway. Then it would be better for sure.

Jim was already awake, like always. "Ah, Caleb. Good morning. Are you hungry?"

Caleb wasn't sure. But kids his age were always hungry. Maybe it would settle his pending migraine a bit. He nodded and took a seat at the counter, watching Jim making pancakes.

"Do you know where Mac has the Medicine from yesterday evening?" Caleb asked.

Jim turned with a kind smile and opened the drawer of the kitchen cabinet behind him. He placed the meds in front of him. "Do you know how many you need or shall I wake Mackland?"

Caleb was quick to answer. He didn't want to bother Mac and he knew anyways which pill he needed. "No, that won't be necessary. I know by now what I have to take."

Jim returned to the stove flipping one pancake over. The piping of the water kettle alarmed the pastor. He slipped a glove on and put the kettle from the heat, filling a prepared cup with boiling water. Jim put the cup with steaming water in front of him. "Here, this will also help your kidney."

Caleb eyed the yellow liquid that began to turn darker from the herbs. It didn't smell too bad at all.

A few minutes later he sat with Jim at the coffee table, nipping from his tea. The hot brew calmed his freezing cold body and he sighed in relief.

"You are not in a talking mood today, my boy. Did something happen?"

"I didn't sleep well," was all Caleb replied.

"Does your kidney still hurt? You should go to that check-up in Louisville. Mac is worried."

Caleb stared down at the counter. "A bit but it's not that. I … just had a nightmare."

Jim studied his expression. "Hm. Yeah, I might have heard something last night."

Caleb waited for the same question as Mac had asked - what it was about, but nothing came. He didn't intend to let Jim ask, so he tried to distract from the subject. "Can I have a blanket? I'm cold."

"Of course." Jim put their empty plates aside and returned. He took a warm blanket from the shelf and tucked it around Caleb who snuggled deeper into the soft fabric. "Here, my boy. Just tell me if you need something else."

Caleb considered telling Jim about the fears the nightmare had instilled in his mind but dropped it with a frightened look.

Jim must have seen his gaze. "If I'm the wrong person to speak to, you know, God listens always. When I have something on my mind, I speak to the Lord."

"Well of course you do. I mean you are a pastor and all."

"It doesn't matter if you are a pastor or the worst sinner of them all. He will listen if it comes from your heart. You can trust him with everything and you don't have to use complicated words or so. Just talk to him like you would talk to Mac or me. He is our father."

Caleb snorted at the comment. It would destroy his image of the bad-ass guy if he started praying but Jim's suggestion hit a string deep inside him. Would it help? It definitely wouldn't hurt anyone and he didn't have to tell anyone, not even Jim.

Mac came around the corner and interrupted Caleb's musing about praying. "Good morning, you two. Were you able to sleep after your nightmare, Caleb?"

Caleb had no intention to talk again about his dream. He knew Mac would ask him until he would finally tell him what it had been about but now was definitely not the right moment. He needed something to do to forget about the bad feeling, lurking in the back of his mind. "How about we continue with the puzzle, Jim? We just have to finish the flag."

Jim exchanged a short glance with Mac and nodded. "Of course. Actually, we should hurry to finish it. As far as I know Missouri, she would not be happy about a blocked kitchen table," Jim laughed.

They finished the puzzle in the late afternoon after some breaks to care for the animals. Caleb and Atticus accompanied Jim to the barn while Mac had to make some phone calls concerning his work. They fed the chickens, collected some eggs, and cared for the horses too. Jim placed a wrinkled apple into the teen's hand with the words, "Here, feed Fat Chance this one. He loves apples." Caleb looked unsure at the apple and then up at the old racehorse. Jim grinned. "You just have to give it to him with your flat hand. Try it," he encouraged Caleb.

Caleb did as told, though he was afraid the horse would bite into his palm but Fat Chance didn't. Glad Caleb took his hand back and watched the huge lean horse devouring the fruit. For a moment Caleb could not turn his eyes from the horse's huge dark brown eyes. He felt a slight tug in his mind.

"Ah, here you are," Mac broke the spell. Time for your medicine, Caleb. You should rest and finish this puzzle. So we can clear the table. Missouri will be here in about two hours."

*** Brotherhood ***

Missouri arrived in the evening by the time Mount Rushmore was erected and destroyed again just in time. She brought a spirit of good mood with her and her happy chatter soon filled the room. She and Jim prepared together the meal in the kitchen though it didn't need a mind reader to see that Jim felt kicked out of his own realm. Caleb watched the spectacle at the stove with amusement, smirking innerly.

"Did you stir the sauce long enough, Jim?" Missouri asked, taking the spoon from Jim before he had the chance to answer. She began stirring the sauce herself and nodded satisfied.

More of such things happened and Caleb had to hold back several times not to burst out into laughter over Jim's expression. The dinner the two had made was delicious and a warm and sated feeling spread through Caleb's stomach. With a tired sigh, he leaned back in the chair but flinched when his back touched the seat back. He really wished his body would heal faster. This sitting around all day began to suck.

After dinner, Mac went to the phone again and Jim cleaned up. Missouri took a seat in the recliner next to the sofa where Caleb had laid down to rest again.

"And?" she asked, tucking back one of her black curls which had sneaked out of her hairband.

"And what?" Caleb asked though exactly knowing what she wanted to know.

"Tell me about that incident in school, so that I know how to help you," she demanded.

Caleb looked at the blanket covering him and sighed. "They mocked me the whole week after the party." Caleb looked up, "Mac has told you about that, did he?"

Missouri nodded. "To drug a friend. These were no friends at all. You should be lucky to get rid of them."

Caleb's gaze went back to the colorful rectangles and triangles of the blanket. "Yeah, probably you're right," he tried to hide his disappointment about Jenny. How could he have been so wrong about her?

"Tell me what happened before your new ability showed up." Missouri interrupted his brooding.

"Well, this asshole…," Caleb noticed her reproachful gaze, "I mean this guy came with these brass knuckles over me, I felt pure panic and anger rise in me. A few years ago I had been in a similar situation back home in New Orleans. I definitely didn't want a replay now. I just wanted him to stop at any cost. I felt the rushing of his blood and the rise and fall of his breathing and, and just stayed there focusing on it to stop." Caleb fell silent, staring at the pattern in front of him.

Missouri placed a hand on his and patted it slightly. "It's alright, my dear. How about you go to bed and we work on it over the next few days?"

"Okay." Caleb untangled his limbs from the blanket, getting up yawning. He climbed up the stairs, feeling the exhaustion of his body only then. The teen sunk to his bed not stressing himself with brushing his teeth and fell into a deep dreamless slumber.

*** Brotherhood ***

Caleb coughed again. The air of the Hunterstomb was thick with smoke. Missouri had burned sage and other herbs which now smoldered in a copper bowl before them. She said it would help to focus his psychic abilities but this was worse than the esoteric dope mix they had tried at Carlos' in summer.

"Try to slow down your breathing and focus on the task. Imagine a ring like a rubber band. You have to stretch it when you're breathing in and press it harder together when you're breathing out. Nice and controlled," Missouri's voice guided him through the task.

Caleb had his eyes closed and saw the rubber band before his mind's eye. Mac was in the room too. If anything would happen he would interfere. The thought alone he should use his power on Missouri panicked him slightly. He tried to focus on the rubber band again. It barely moved during this half an hour they were working on it.

Caleb sighed frustrated and opened his eyes, glancing at Mac. "Dad, my head is about to explode. Can we stop for today?"

Missouri interrupted Mac's answer. "Okay, but tomorrow you're gonna try harder. Rest now."

He nodded briefly and got up to go to his room. He wanted nothing more than to escape from the smell.

*** Brotherhood ***

In the evening Mac checked once again on him. "Is your headache better?" he asked.

"Yeah, nearly gone. But I'm not exactly looking forward to this patchouli session tomorrow," Caleb murmured.

Mac chuckled, "I know what you mean. She tries to help. I would feel better when you can control this new power. Can I do anything to help you?"

"Just let me sleep for now and take care that I don't kill anyone, that would be enough to make me feel better," Caleb replied.

Mac patted his leg. "You won't hurt any of us. I promise."

"How can you promise something like that? I'm evil," slipped from Caleb's lips faster than he had been able to stop it.

"Son, does this fear of hurting one of us have anything to do with your nightmare? You said the same thing when I woke you from it."

Mac was too sharp-minded and Caleb too exhausted. The pounding in his head was still much too present. He could tell Mac even now. The man would not stop anyway until he knew what his nightmare had been about. "I was overwhelmed by the new power in my dream and you were there trying to calm me down but I was about to choke you and … and I'm sure I would have killed you if you hadn't woken me then." Caleb glanced at Mac to read his reaction. There was none. The doctor only looked at him like always full of warmth and comfort.

"Caleb, I don't like the idea of trying it on someone either but I see no other option to train it. Don't be afraid. I'm able to protect myself. My blocks are as strong so as Missouri's. It will be okay. I promise. She should be able to kick you out when she wants. I will wear some snowflake obsidian too, so you won't be able to affect me. And if you will be able to affect Missouri in any way dangerous I will be there to stop you, okay?"

Caleb nodded, not fully convinced but calmer.

*** Brotherhood ***

They practiced the next three days and Caleb was now able to imagine the ring and squeeze or stretch it to his likes. It gave him a feeling of control. Missouri and Mac were satisfied with his progress so Missouri wanted him to try it on her today.

It was silent in the Hunterstomb, the ever present smoke now triggered Caleb's ability to focus on the task. He tried to connect with Missouri. He felt the psychic presence of her and Mac. Following the link to Missouri's mind, he began to concentrate on her breathing. He found it but wasn't able to affect it in any way. With a sigh, he stopped trying after the third time. He felt so tired though it was only eleven am. "Can we take a break?" I need something to drink and some air," he asked her, breaking the connection.

"Okay, Caleb. We should go for a short walk around the farm, I'm gonna come with you," she demanded.

Caleb nodded and got up to get some tea from the kitchen and slip into his winter jacket.

"I have to make some phone calls, son. Are you two okay without me?" Mac asked.

"Yeah, sure, dad. We'll be fine."

Walking along the driveway next to her, Caleb yawned loudly.

"Didn't you sleep well?" she asked curiously.

"No, it's just so hard to concentrate for three days in a row. I'm gonna sleep for at least two days when our work is finally done," he chuckled.

They walked a bit more before Missouri asked, "What exactly did the kids in school say to you to make you so angry?"

Caleb didn't want to repeat the hateful things the kids had thrown at him. But one look into Missouri's merciless demanding glance told him she would not let him go with an 'I don't want to talk about' comment. He sighed once more. "They said 'demon worshipper' to me and even wrote it in thick letters over my locker. Some called me a freak and some even said Mac did some brain surgery on me and messed it up. They were assholes."

"Is there more?"

"Uhm, how Jenny looked at me in school. She was … terrified … and yet she did this to me together with Pietro. And except for an apology she dumped me and threw herself at Monroe only two days later. It … hurt." It was hard for Caleb to say such touchy things out loud but Missouri's aura of trust let the words just flow.

Missouri nodded. "Jenny was your girlfriend?"

Caleb nodded and slipped his cold hands into his Jeans pockets unwilling to tell more now.

"Let's go back to the cozy farm. I'll make us some cacao and instruct Jim how to make a really good New Orleans Gumbo", she said with a smirk, hooking in on Caleb's arm.

Caleb grinned. "Jim's cooking is great though I'd love to eat a good Gumbo. You reckon that Jim hates it when you tell him what to do in his own kitchen?."

"I know but it is so much fun to see him angry at least then. He should blow off some steam here and there. Our pastor is ever so calm," she said, playfully pouting.

"You are the real evil one of us two."

*** Brotherhood ***

"Go, summon some demons! You are a freak. Demon Worshipper!" Missouri's teasing words hit him hard and her voice turned into the ones he had endured at school, his anger on the rise now.

He was connected with The Advisor for over ten minutes now trying to affect her breathing without much success. But now he felt the anger override every boundary. The force washed over him like a wave. Already focused on the breathing of his enemy he squeezed the boundary of her throat together. She fought him - he felt it - but he only pressed harder. Someone called his name far away.

"Caleb! Let go! Focus! You are safe here! You're with friends!"

Mac's voice finally broke through to him. With a gasp, he broke the connection and heard Missouri struggling for air.

He needed a moment before his vision cleared. "Oh God, Missouri, are you alright?"

She raised her hand to make him understand she would come around. Mac let go of her and turned to him. Caleb noticed the snowflake obsidian his father had word hung now around Missouri's neck.

"Caleb, are you alright? Your nose is bleeding," his father held out a handkerchief.

He took it from him and swiped his nose. "Yeah, I'm okay. What happened?"

Missouri cleared her throat. "Well, I would say you made progress, my boy."

"I'm sorry Missouri, I didn't want to hurt you. I just got so angry."

"That was my intention. Now we know what triggers it and we can work with that. What do you think Dr. Ames?" She glanced over at Mac's reaction.

"I'd say we call it a day. You both have to rest. Let me check your throat, Missouri."

The woman stopped the doctor's attempt to examine her with a hand gesture. "I'm alright, Mackland. Care for your boy. I had much worse."

*** Brotherhood ***

JIM

Setting the dinner table, Jim saw the three exiting the Hunterstomb. "You look rather exhausted. We should have a relaxed evening without further training, don't you think so?" He saw Mac nodding in comparison and even Missouri, usually vibrant like a riptide, was silent. Caleb looked even more down, rubbing his temples.

"At least we made good progress today, Jim. Missouri's departure is tomorrow," Mac said.

Caleb looked suddenly shocked, "You're leaving tomorrow? But I'm not able to control this in any way ."

Jim answered him quickly. "We will keep on the sessions with you, my boy. Don't worry."

Missouri took Caleb gently by the shoulder, "I know you can control it you just have to focus. Try to train with the band every evening and you will soon be able to control it even when you are angry. You have to gain control over your feelings then the rest comes by itself. I know you can do it."

18th December - the next day

Jim was secretly a bit glad Missouri left the next morning. Though he really liked her as a person, he couldn't wait to have the rein back over his home.

In the afternoon the pastor hummed while taking the fresh apple pie out of the oven in peace and quiet. The smell filled the room which soon caused Caleb to enter, drawn into the kitchen by the heavenly smell of cinnamon and warm pie crust.

"Can we eat it right away?" the teen asked eagerly, nearly devouring the pie with his eyes.

Jim replied grinning satisfied, "Sure, you set the table. I'll whip some cream. Go and get Mackland too."

It was good to see the tension lessen a bit in Caleb but it would be good when they all left the house for a while. When they were settled around the table eating their first piece of apple pie in silence, Jim asked, "How about we three go on a ride after the pie."

Mac looked surprised. "You mean me on a horse?"

Jim laughed. "Yeah, of course. Have you never been on a horse?"

"No, why should I?" Mac looked quite shocked.

Jim grinned and studied Caleb. He saw a glimmer of hope in the teen's eyes. He had worked hard enough on his abilities. It was time he could get his head clear.

"But it is winter, Jim. Don't you think it is much too cold?" Mackland tried to persuade him otherwise.

"C'mon, Dad, time for The Scholar to learn something new. I really want to try it."

*** Brotherhood ***

CALEB

Jim searched the barn for some fitting riding boots for the two and prepared the horses with Caleb's help. Caleb had never been so close to the horses. He had filled the water for them or had helped put some hay in the manger. But never had saddled one. The animal was nervously scratching the ground with its hoof and the teen made a step back.

Jim saw the movement. "Easy, Caleb, just stay calm and he will feel the same way. Horses are extremely sensitive. Nearly as if they can read minds," Jim twinkled at him.

Caleb relaxed somewhat. "Funny, Jim."

Caleb watched Jim put the saddle blanket over Fat Chance. After that he stroked the stallion on his neck, speaking calming words to him. "Easy, my boy. Caleb is your friend. Would you take him on a ride?"

The psychic locked eyes with the stallion, opening the connection he used to read another person. He felt the water-like wall radiating from Jim, Mac's open connection, and another presence. He took the link of the new one and felt the stress the horse was in. It was different than to sneak into a human's mind. All feelings here were raw.

A loud noise came from the side. Something had fallen to the ground. Suddenly Fat Chace began neighing and rose a few inches. Caleb felt his panic. He sent calming feelings through the link. 'Easy, boy. There is no threat. Just something that had dropped to the ground. It's okay.'

The horse's nerves calmed a bit and Caleb felt compelled to touch him. As soon as his hand was connected with the animal, pictures flooded his mind.

A lost race - Fat Chance being hit by a man brutally - as he had kicked at the man - the man on the ground, hurt - more men wielding a whip at the horse - pain - panic - fear it was suffocating.

"Caleb, breath!" Mac's voice came from somewhere far away.

The psychic pulled back from the link and blinked at his father's concerned gaze. He took in a long breath. "What happened, Dad?"

"You suddenly grunted out like you were in pain. Are you alright?"

"I'm … yeah I just somehow connected with Fat Chance," Caleb stuttered.

Mac looked at him surprised. "You connected with an animal? That is .."

"... weird," Caleb ended Mac's sentence. "It felt weird, raw, and uncontrolled."

"We better cancel the trip, Jim," Mac said to Jim.

Caleb was quick to protest. "No, please, I'm alright, I wanna go on that ride. Please, Dad."

The men shared a look before Mac answered. "Ok, but no more connection with a horse. I don't want you to fall off."

"Don't worry, I'm not longing for a second round."

Jim led their horses out of the barn. "There are some helmets on the right side. Choose one."

Outside, Jim instructed them on what to do. "Okay. Try to sit upright and relaxed. When you put pressure on your thighs combined with a click of your tongue it will be the order to move for the horse. To stop it pull slightly on the reins together with a 'ho'. To move to the right or left steer with the reins. Should we give it a try? He helped Mac and Caleb to climb onto their horses.

It took Caleb a bit to figure out how to move. But soon he had found a pace with Fat Chance. He felt the warmth radiating from the horse's flanks, his power as he sped up a little. It felt powerful, wild, and free. This was something he wanted to repeat on a hot summer's day at full speed. Though his hands felt stiff from the cold and he barely felt his cheeks anymore, a satisfied smile was plastered on his face when they came back from their ride along the outer borders of Jim's property.

Caleb glanced over to his father. Mac looked happy to have solid ground under his feet again. He giggled. "I think this is not gonna be your favorite thing to do on the farm, is it?"

"No definitely not, but it was an experience," Mac looked even a bit pale.

Jim smiled sheepishly. "How about you prepare a coffee and a cacao for us while Caleb and I take care of the horses."

"I'd love to do that, Jim." Mac looked pleased with the easy task inside. "Be careful around the horses, Son."

"Don't worry Mackland, I think Caleb did pretty good with Fat Chance."

Jim turned to Caleb. Here, you have to rub him dry and then you can brush him down." The pastor handed Caleb a cloth and turned to his own horse.

Caleb did what Jim did and saw Fat Chance enjoying the attention. When Jim was over at Mac's horse Caleb began whispering to the stallion. "That was fun, buddy. Why were you so tense before we rode out? Did they hurt you, as you showed me? Maybe you have nightmares too. It's alright. You're safe here with Jim. He's a saint."

The stallion bent his head down to the manger filled with hay, nickering a bit.

Caleb took the brush and started stroking from the head to the back of the horse in long controlled strokes. He felt the animal relaxing. "That must feel good for you. I wouldn't mind a massage either," Caleb chuckled. He was sure his thighs were sore from the unused movement. But it was totally worth the experience. The Winchesters would be here in two days. He should ask Jim if they could take Deuce on a ride too.

TBC

A/N: Please let me know your thoughts about the psychic training. Was it fitting? What do you think about Caleb and horses? A little review would make my day. Thanks for reading.