Sam was still trembling as he made a last check of the room and wearily threw his bag over his shoulder. They hurried downstairs and apologized in earnest to the night receptionist, asking if they could settle their bill early. He agreed but regarded them in curiosity, especially Sam who was now looking decidedly ill.

Dean gave the man a generous tip and thanked him, noting in interest that Sam no longer inquired about where their travel funds came from. He followed his brother into the floodlit car park and opened the trunk.

Sam threw his bag into the car before heading wearily to the front and climbing into the passenger seat. Dean watched his brother in concern and his throat tightened as he saw how exhausted he looked. With a sigh he closed the trunk.

Sliding into the driver's seat and starting the engine, Dean glanced at his brother and saw he had covered his eyes with one of his hands. "Hey …"

"Dean - !" Sam grabbed at Dean's arm and turned to him, leaning forward with a slight sob.

"I know." Dean wrapped his arms around his brother and pulled him close against him. "I'm here." He felt Sam lean into him and held him tightly, feeling his brother shaking.

Sam groaned as he fought back tears and rested his forehead against Dean's shoulder. "I'm not sure I can take much more of this."

"I know." Dean hugged him tighter and closed his eyes. "We need to get away from here. Maybe some distance will help."

"Yeah …" Sam slowly moved away and nodded, wiping his face on his sleeve. "I'm sorry, man." He sniffed sheepishly.

"Dude," Dean urged, "Don't."

Sam managed a smile and sank down in the leather seat, his knees pinned against the dashboard as he rested his head back.

Lost in thought, Dean guided the Impala from the car park and headed into the town. He joined the main road and headed north, easing off the gas as they neared the forest. Turning to Sam, he shrugged and nodded at the trees. "Just need to warn Mina."

"Sure." Sam agreed, sitting more upright and peering into the forest in interest.

Dean pulled in to the edge of the road and headed for the gap in the trees where a narrow road began.

"Wait!" Sam ordered suddenly, pointing into the forest.

Dean slammed on the brakes and peered out to see what had caught Sam's attention. He then saw the twin headlight beams that swept through the trees and frowned in concern. Guessing the low set lights were not those of a camper van, he flicked off his own headlights and reversed back, easing his car into the shadows.

They both watched in curiosity as the black sedan emerged from the forest and turned away from them, heading out of the town.

"I don't like this." Dean muttered quietly and glanced at his brother. He saw Sam was equally concerned and eased the car forward.

Instinct told Dean to approach with caution and he idled the Impala along the long narrow road, peering out into the forest with what little light the moon offered. He was quiet in his concentration as he followed the bumpy track that opened up between the trees and gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"She's staying out here?" Sam asked in wonder, looking out at the dark forest.

"Yeah." Dean nodded, "She's got this freaky old Ford RV. Damned thing looks like it's come straight from Woodstock."

Sam raised his eyebrows in interest.

"It was her grandfathers, apparently." Dean continued, keeping his attention on the road. "It's covered in more of those Indian symbols and all sorts of weird talismans. For protection, apparently."

"Dude." Sam enthused, "Sounds like you actually managed to have a conversation with a woman."

Dean could not stop the wide smile that spread across his face and quickly merged it with a short laugh. "I can be a gentleman when I need to be."

Sam shook his head in wonder and looked back out into the trees.

Dean was still smiling as they turned a wide corner and could then see a dull amber light through the forest. They continued round the bend and were then able to see out along the straighter end of the road. The camper was still sat in the corner of the clearing, its door open and the light from the candles within dancing around the trees.

As they neared, a shadowy figure moved in front of the door and the light from the camper showed a man's silhouette.

"Shit." Pulling his car over towards the trees and off of the road, Dean winced as he heard branches scraping against the bodywork. He switched off the engine and they climbed out quietly, resting the doors ajar.

Hurrying to the trunk and opening the concealed arsenal, Dean grabbed a shotgun and handed another to his brother.

Sam took the gun and checked it was loaded. He then slid a long knife from one of the scabbards fixed inside the trunk and glanced at his brother.

"Decapitation," Dean agreed quietly and grabbed a small silver hip flask from his bag. He then paused and sighed loudly. "Just in case," He offered and grabbed a handful of salt filled shells.

Closing the trunk as quietly as possible, they then ran into the trees and headed away from the car. Using a silent understanding that experience gave and a few hand signals, they crept round to approach the van from behind. Nearing the edge of the trees, Dean peered out and saw the man standing a short way from the van. Unable to work out exactly what he was doing or saying, Dean frowned in thought.

Sam tapped Dean's shoulder and pointed urgently towards the van, signing to his brother to look underneath. Dean followed his brother's gaze and groaned as he saw a slumped figure leaning against the far side and he then watched in concern as the man stepped closer kicked the body.

"No!" Sam hissed, grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him back. He watched Dean spin at him angrily and he shook his head. He then pointed to the large pile of logs at the edge of the clearing.

Dean nodded and watched his brother move away from him to hurry round and approach from the other side of the shelter the wood provided.

Gripping his shotgun tightly and barely breathing, Dean made his way to the corner of the log pile and paused to collect his thoughts. Peering round the edge of the logs, he could just see round the van and watched the man walk out of sight. Seizing the opportunity, Dean ran out from behind the cut wood and sped to the front corner of the van. Crouching down beside the wheel, he closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing.

At his close position, Dean could hear the man laughing softly and then heard a slight whimpering. Clenching his teeth, it was all he could do not to charge round and empty his rounds into whoever this guy was. He then reminded himself that in his line of work he could be dealing with more of a what and waited to allow time for Sam to get into position.

"That's quite a neat trick you've got."

Dean opened his eyes as he heard the man's voice and adrenaline surged through him.

"Screw you." Came a quiet reply.

Hearing Mina's voice, Dean stood and peered around, desperately looking for his brother.

The man chuckled in amusement. "So," He continued, matter-of-fact, "How exactly did you block a demon?"

Dean paused and frowned in confusion, leaning his head curiously to listen for a reply.

"I'm gonna fucking kill you." Mina hissed angrily.

"Right." Came an amused retort, "Tell me. Can you block a bullet?"

And Dean had heard enough. He leapt out from beside the van and aimed his shotgun at the man's head. Smiling proudly, he saw that his tactic had worked and the man spun at him in surprise, lowering his handgun.

"Tell me, you son-of-a-bitch," Dean glared angrily, "Can you block a bullet?"

Murphy turned to face Dean squarely and held his arms out by his side. "Why don't you find out."

"Okay." Dean agreed and pulled the trigger.

Murphy recoiled with the force of the shot and looked down in interest at the bleeding holes in the centre of his chest.

Dean reloaded and took a step towards him.

"Dean - !"

Taking a quick glance in Mina's direction, Dean kept his attention and his aim on the man.

"It's a demon."

"I know." Dean husked and watched the man lifting his head back up. He saw the intrigue in the man's face and then noticed his eyes darkening.

"You got anything else?" The demon sneered, taking a step forward.

Dean smiled, "Sammy?"

"Got it!" Sam shouted, emerging from behind the van.

Dean watched his brother hurry past the demon and then Sam ran by his brother, patting Dean's back. Dean took a few steps back from the demon and smiled as he nodded at the ground.

The demon looked down and saw the uneven white circle of salt that surrounded him. "Shit."

"Gotcha." Dean declared and pulled the trigger. He cheered in delight as the man cried in pain, his right arm flung back by the force of the blast and his gun flung beyond the edge of the circle. "Oh, I've gotta just take a moment here!" Dean laughed and pointed at the now furious demon. "That was awesome!"

"Dean!"

Hearing Sam's voice, Dean spun round and saw his brother crouched down beside Mina and he was worriedly checking her face.

"Crap." Dean hissed and hurried over, kneeling beside Mina.

Mina clutched Sam's arms and groaned as her helped her sit up. She hung her head and paused to catch her breath.

Dean lifted her chin and winced as he saw the bruising and cuts to her face. "Oh, man …"

"I'll be fine." Mina looked away from him and slowly got to her knees.

Sam helped her stand and supported her as she swayed dizzily. "Easy."

Mina straightened her back and clenched her teeth, leaning against the side of the van and giving a loud sigh. "Shit." She whispered in dismay, "He took my knife."

"What?"

She saw them both look over at the trapped demon and shook her head. "Not him. The other one."

"Other one?" Sam urged, then recalling the car they had seen leaving and groaning in dismay.

"He was more powerful, with these freaky yellow eyes." Mina saw the worried glance the two brothers shared and frowned slightly. "You knew …" She groaned and nodded in understanding. "He's why you were here."

Dean sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah …" He confirmed, sensing Sam tensing.

Mina held Dean's gaze evenly and gave a small laugh. "So, all this time, you just wanted the knife?"

"No!" Dean gasped, "I - "

"You bastard." Mina hissed angrily.

Sam watched the exchange in confusion and saw the regret that crossed his brother's face. "Wait. You - " He looked at Mina and saw her glaring up at his brother. "You mean - " He raised his hands and took a step back, laughing nervously, "Okay … I'll go … I'll go get the car."

Dean gave his brother a thin smile and nodded in thanks. He waited for Sam to leave and turned back to Mina. "I can explain - "

"Save it." Mina husked and stepped past him.

Dean closed his eyes and clenched his fists. Turning, he saw Mina walking towards the ensnared demon and quickly hurried over to her.

Mina held the demon's gaze and it smiled calmly back at her. "What will happen to it?"

Dean looked down at her and shrugged, "It can't escape until the salt dissolves away."

"Can't we help him?"

"Not like this," Dean sighed, "It would only set loose an even more pissed off demon." He saw her glance at the gun lying in the mud and placed his hand on her arm. "And so would killing him."

"Fine." Mina husked and turned to head back to the van. She then spun at Dean and elbowed him in the face, startling him and seizing the opportunity to tear the shotgun from his hands.

"Mina!" Dean gasped, "No - " He looked on in dismay as Mina fired and the trapped demon's head flicked back, his head exploding in a spray of bright red.

Mina watched the body slump to the floor and closed her eyes, letting her head nod forward with a heavy sigh.

"Shit!" Dean groaned and stepped up to her. Glancing at the unmoving form inside the white circle, he shook his head in dismay and took the gun from her. He then watched her turn and silently walk across to the van. Hearing laughter, he then turned and watched the practically headless body slowly sit up.

"Ooh, that stings." The demon chuckled, reaching up to touch what was left of the body's oozing flesh.

"Shut the fuck up!" Dean hissed angrily and headed after Mina. "Twisted son-of-a-bitch." He sighed and walked slowly up to the open camper door. He watched Mina sit down on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath as he moved towards her. Pausing at the door, Dean saw her gripping the side of the mattress and her knuckles whitening. He placed his foot on the step and saw no reaction from her so climbed inside the van. "I'm so very sorry."

"For what?" Mina looked up at him defiantly, "Fucking me or lying to me?"

"Lying!" Dean gasped, "Of course, lying."

Mina looked back down at the floor and gave a small shrug.

Dean edged nearer and slowly sat down on the end of the bed beside her. "I really am sorry."

Mina made no reply.

"I should have told you."

"No shit."

Dean winced at the anger in her voice and closed his eyes, nodding as he understood how she must feel. He sighed and looked down at his hands in uncertainty.

"Could - " Mina cleared her throat and closed her eyes, tears dripping onto her knees, "Could my knife really have killed that thing?"

"I don't know." Dean answered honestly, "But if he sought you out just to get it, then …"

Mina sighed and then coughed on a sob.

Dean watched her warily, seeing her shoulders trembling and then noticing the tears dripping under the hair that hung beside her face. "Oh, dude …" He moved closer and put his arm around her shoulders.

"No!" Mina shoved him back and moved away from him. "Just go."

"No."

Mina looked up at him through her tears and was surprised by the sadness in his eyes. "Why?"

Dean sighed and shook his head slowly, "Please. We need to leave."

"Fine."

"You can't stay here like this."

"Oh, you think?" Mina retorted, frowning as she saw the pain that crossed his face. She watched him for a moment and then looked back down at the floor. "I'll be fine. I'll go across the border or something." She swallowed back further tears and gave a weary sigh. "I can't finish this without my knife, anyhow."

Dean heard the familiar rumble of the engine that approached and peered out of the van to watch the Impala pull to a halt a short distance away. He smiled and could see that Sam was going to wait for him in the car.

"The demon knows you're after him."

Dean turned back to Mina and saw her regarding him in concern. "We know," he nodded, "That's why we have to get out of here." He took a deep breath and then stood slowly. "Listen," he ventured, "You're in no state to drive. Let Sam take care of it and you can ride with me."

Mina seemed unsure.

"Or rest in here while ..." Dean shrugged, "Please … let us at least get you to safety."

"Okay." Mina sniffed and gave a small smile. "Sure."

Dean returned her smile and exited the camper, shooting a warning at the still entertained demon and heading over to the car. He leaned his arms on the driver's door and gave a heavy sigh. "Crap."

"Dude!" Sam grinned up at his brother, "You didn't waste any time - " He stopped as he saw his brother grimace in anguish and Sam groaned in dismay. "Oh, man … I'm sorry. I didn't mean - "

"I said we'd get her somewhere safe." Dean stood up straight and wiped his face with his hands.

Sam nodded and climbed from the car. "I guess I'll be driving that thing, then."

"We can always toss a coin."

"Yeah, right." Sam laughed and saw his brother smiling merrily. "Best of however many spins it takes until you win." He shook his head, "I remember how that works."

Dean's smile grew and he gave a small shrug. They then headed over to the camper together and saw Mina packing a few things into a duffel bag. She blew out the candles and stepped from the van, closing the and locking the door.

"Please tell me it's not a stick-shift." Sam smiled up at her and held out his hand.

"No, you're okay," Mina gave him the keys and patted the side of the van tenderly. "She's a bit temperamental but then she is getting old."

Sam gave his brother a quick smile and then climbed up into the cab. He turned the key in the ignition and raised his eyebrows in surprise as the engine turned over instantly and then idled with a quiet hum.

"Grandfather changed the engine a few years back," Mina explained, "But I've had to take care of her, tinkering regularly to keep her on the road."

Sam nodded in understanding and looked to his brother, seeing him watching Mina in interest. He caught Dean's eye and saw the same thought in his brother's eyes. Dean was in trouble.

The dawn brought with it clear skies and a still morning. Smiling happily, Sam glanced at the enormous red sun rising above the horizon and then turned his full attention to the road ahead. The sleek black Impala glided around the gentle corners of the country road and he followed a short distance behind, humming merrily to the songs on the radio.

Dean had been right about the unusual decor of the camper and Sam was fascinated by the symbols drawn on the interior panels. He smiled as he guided the van around a sharper bend and the dreamcatchers and carved wooden trinkets hung from the rear-view mirror swung into his view.

The tone of Sam's cellphone ringing then played and he answered the call, pressing the earpiece into his ear. "Morning." He offered merrily.

"You got through yet?"

"Nope." Sam sighed.

"Maybe we should rethink our plan."

"I guess." Sam glanced at the clock and frowned in thought. "Maybe it was just too early. I'll try again."

"Sure." Dean yawned loudly, "But I'm gonna need me a cup of java soon. I'm starting to see blurry doubles here."

"Okay." Sam laughed and ended the call. Pressing the quick-dial code into the handset, he adjusted his position in the seat and listened to the ringing tone. He yawned and then gasped slightly, startled as the call was answered.

"This had better be real good." Came a quiet, tired voice. "D'you know what time it is?"

"Yeah," Sam winced, "I'm sorry, Sarah. I'd not call so early unless - "

"Are you okay?" She demanded, suddenly more awake.

"Yeah. Yes, I'm fine." Sam answered quickly, "But … I've got this friend who needs a place to stay."

"Oh?"

"Just for tonight." Sam urged, "We don't want to be an inconvenience."

"Sure." Sarah agreed, "Where are you?"

Sam smiled, "About twenty minutes away."

"What?"

"I know, I'm sorry." He chuckled, "I tried to call before so you had more warning. I know you girls need an hour just to roll out of bed and put the coffee on."

"Cheek!" Sarah defended, "And who says you're getting coffee?" She yawned wearily and then gave a loud sigh. "I'd best get dressed."

"Or not."

"Or not!" Sarah echoed in amusement, "See you soon."

"Thanks." Sam said softly.

"Sure." Sarah concluded, "Oh. And Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Seeing you is never an inconvenience."

Sam grinned and ended the call. He took a moment to enjoy the happiness that wrapped itself around him and then called his brother to let him know that he had spoken to her.

"Sweet." Dean enthused.

"You want me to take the lead?" Sam asked in interest.

"Yeah," Dean chuckled, "Seeing you know this area so well."

"I've only been up here three times." Sam defended.

"Oh, yeah, I forget. You and miss arty-farty prefer that phone-sex you're so good at."

"Hey!" Sam gasped in offense and then smiled as he heard Mina in the background, loudly voicing her objection to Dean's crudeness.

"Man," Dean groaned, "Tough crowd."

Sam laughed as they ended the call and he then saw the Impala pulling in towards the side of the road. He pressed down on the accelerator and checked the road was clear before swinging out and overtaking. Sam waved merrily as he passed his brother and then swung back onto the right side of the road.

And then he saw them. Two white and tan patrol vehicles appearing over the hill behind them and moving at speed. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and glanced at the Impala, wondering if he had time to phone his brother and ask him what the hell to do. He then saw the sleek black Chevy move to the side of the road and he followed suit, clearing a path for the approaching vehicles and muttering a silent prayer.

Sam held his breath and then groaned as the patrol car lights burst to life, the sirens whooping a brief warning. He shook his head in dismay and was about to pull over and stop when the two cars suddenly swung out and shot past him. Smiling in relief, Sam patted the steering wheel happily and could feel his heart pounding in his chest. And then he watched in dread as the two cars skidded into a slow spin and stopped, blocking off the road.