Hearing the doorbell echoing through the house, Sarah galloped downstairs and flew through the hall. Her hands were trembling as she struggled with the locks and she groaned in annoyance. Finally opening the door, she saw his pale, weary face and flung her arms around his waist.

Sam wrapped his arms around Sarah's shoulders and nestled his face into her hair.

"God, I was so worried!" Sarah muttered into his chest and squeezed him tighter.

Kissing the top of her head, Sam nodded and stepped back from her. He moved aside and turned to the woman behind him. "Sarah this is Mina."

"Hello," Sarah smiled warmly and held out her hand. She frowned as she examined the bruising on Mina's face and gently pulled her towards her. "Come on in." Sarah glanced up at Sam in concern and placed her arm around Mina's waist as she guided her into the house.

"Is your dad home?" Sam asked warily as he followed them into the wall and closed the door.

Sarah shook her head, "He's on a golfing weekend with his buddies." She smiled thinly and led Mina into the lounge, indicating one of the large suede sofas.

"That's fortunate." Sam commented dryly, collapsing into the opposite sofa with a loud sigh.

Sarah perched on the arm of the sofa beside Mina and looked between the two of them. "Can I get you something to eat? Or a drink?"

"Oh, man, those are the magic words!" Sam nodded eagerly, "Thanks."

"I - " Mina clutched her arms around her tightly and looked up at Mina with a small shrug, "Just some water, please."

"Of course." Sarah stood and headed for the kitchen.

Sam watched her leave the room and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a loud moan, he delved into his coat pocket and grabbed his phone. He stared at the blank screen for a moment, unsure quite who he could phone or what - if anything - anyone could do to help him. Putting his phone away, he then reached into his jeans pocket and took out the small piece of paper.

The brief message made as much sense now as it had when he had first read it and he frowned in annoyance. If Burton - or whatever his true name was - wanted to help them, surely he could have been a little less cryptic about it. Sam sighed and put the note away, realizing that had he been found with the note then it had to be just as vague to anyone else that read it.

"I can't do this."

Sam looked up and saw Mina closing her eyes tightly, her face full of withheld emotion.

"I can't just sit here." Mina continued quietly, looking up at Sam and shaking her head firmly, "There has to be something we can do."

"Such as?"

Mina shrugged and rocked slowly back and forth, trying to stay calm despite the adrenaline charging through her. "I can't believe this …"

Sam nodded in agreement and then let his head fall back against the cushions. "It sucks. That's for sure."

"Here." Sarah set a small tray of drinks and packeted snacks on the large coffee table between them and then perched beside Sam. Placing her hand on his arm, she watched him wearily roll his head towards her and saw the sadness in his tired eyes. "God … what happened to you guys?"

Sam gave a small shrug and closed his eyes as he leaned forward and rested his head on her shoulder. "It's a long story." He muttered quietly.

Sarah put her arms around his shoulders and frowned in concern, "God, you're shaking!" She gasped, hugging him closer to her. "Sam? What is it?" She looked across at Mina, hoping to get an answer, and then she suddenly realized what was wrong with the situation, "Wait. Where's Dean?" Sarah watched Mina hang her head and continue to rock back and forth in agitation. She gave Sam a gentle squeeze and leaned her cheek against his head. "Sam …?"

"God, I - " Sam sat back upright and turned away from her, letting his head fall into his hands, "Dean's been arrested."

"What? Why?" Sarah placed her hand on Sam's thigh and edged closer to him. When he made no response, she leaned her cheek on his shoulder and could hear him gently crying. Without a word, she sat back and gently pulled on his shoulders.

Sighing gratefully, Sam lay down along the sofa. He swung his long legs up over the arm and rested his head in Sarah's lap. Sam felt her gently start to stroke her fingers through her hair and moaned gratefully, sniffing back tears.

Sarah watched Mina finally relax a little and saw the sorrow in her tired face as she flopped back amid the cushions.

"You want to talk about it?" Sarah asked quietly after a few moments.

Sam gave a small laugh and nodded against her thigh. "I just don't know where to start."

Sarah bent down over him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Take your time."

"That's just it." Sam rolled onto his back, groaning with the effort, and looked up at her. "I don't know how much time Dean's got."

"God … that sounds serious."

Mina gave a small laugh, despite her sorrow, "You have no idea …"

XXXXX

The small window was barred on the other side of the glass but he could see out into the car park and could make out her familiar tail lights. He groaned as he imagined a CSI team pulling apart the leather seats, ripping up the carpet and generally taking his baby to pieces. Banging his head against the concrete wall angrily, Dean closed his eyes and tried to think back over what he might have done to deserve this.

Deciding that fairy tales were evil for giving kids a false sense of hope and that heroes never won the day, he wandered back to his chair and took a sip of the warm water they had provided. He grimaced and set the cup back on the table before then leaning down and resting his forehead on the cool plastic.

Hearing the door open, Dean lifted his head and watched the Latino man hurry into the room. He saw the ID badge the man waved and groaned in dismay, letting his head fall back onto the table top. "What now …?"

"Hello Dean." The man sat opposite him and placed a thin file on the table, leaning his elbows on either side. "Ellen called me."

Jerking his head back up quickly, Dean watched the man smiling warmly . "Hey?" He urged.

"She said she thought you were in trouble." The man shrugged, "Though I doubt she imagined this." He glanced around at the small room and his smile grew. "My name is Tim Burton and I'm an attorney."

"You are?" Dean urged.

"As well as a friend of the family." Burton added, leaning forward as if to emphasize the last word.

Unsure exactly what Burton was implying but desperately hoping that his instinctive suspicions were correct, Dean regarded the man in interest.

Burton nodded slowly and then relaxed back. "Now …" He began, opening the file, "They have witness confirmation of your presence at the scene and your prints on the murder weapon." He frowned and took a deep breath. "Did you do it?"

"No." Dean answered firmly.

Burton nodded slowly.

"I mean … it was self-defense and …" Dean shrugged his shoulders, "I really didn't think it would do as much damage. It was more of a warning shot." He frowned and paused as he watched Burton nodding in understanding. "I thought those types always wore bullet-proof vests or something …"

Burton referred to the file for a moment and his frown deepened. "You say Murphy was threatening your cousin?"

"Yes. He had tried to talk her into changing her story." Dean answered carefully, aware of the cameras and the one-way glass. "Mina said Agent Cole was there as well to begin with."

"Hmm …" Burton steepled his fingers and rested them against his chin. "These are serious accusations."

"I know."

"And it's your word against theirs."

"Yes, sir." Dean smiled thinly, "And they are a very powerful organization."

Burton considered this intensely and then took a deep breath. "You'll be pleased to know that the charges against Mina and Sam have been dropped."

"Oh, thank god!" Dean sighed, lowering his head and groaning a sigh of relief.

"Well …" Burton closed the file and stood slowly, "I need to give this some thought and have a word with the state's defense attorney. There must be some leeway somewhere." He smiled and headed for the door. "Leave it with me."

Dean lifted his head and watched the attorney pause at the open door. "Thank you." He nodded.

XXXXX

Sarah leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees and she held her coffee cup against her chin, gazing in silence across the lounge. She then closed her eyes and sighed, her breath spattering the surface of her coffee.

"And that's where we're at." Sam concluded quietly, watching her in concern. When she made no reply and in fact did not even move, he nudged her gently. "Sarah?"

"Shit …" Sarah whispered and looked over at him in wonder. She put her coffee down on the table and took a deep breath. Smiling at his sincere face, she laughed nervously. "So … this is the part where you grin and say 'gotcha'!"

Sam shook his head slowly. "Believe me, I wish it was but … it's all true."

"Right …" Sarah looked away from him and turned to see Mina nodding in confirmation. She let her head fall into her hands and groaned softly.

"You okay?" Sam urged carefully.

"Um … no …" Sarah replied and lifted her head back up to turn to him. "Why have you never told me all this?"

Sam smiled and pointed at her, indicating her current state.

"Oh."

"And … " He gave a small shrug, "It's not something you can explain over the phone." Seeing the look she gave him, he sighed, "Or by e-mail."

Sarah watched him drag a hand through his hair and reached out to place her hand on his knee. "It's just a lot all at once." She offered carefully.

Sam nodded quietly and looked down at his hands.

"Hey …" She moved closer and placed a kiss on his cheek, "I love you."

Sighing in relief, Sam enveloped her in his arms and pulled her close against him. "I love you, too." He replied quietly, glancing at Mina and watching her politely trying to ignore them.

"Oh, man …" Sarah laughed suddenly, hugging him tightly, "I can just imagine trying to explain this to my dad."

"Not that you ever can." Sam pointed out.

"I know." Sarah nodded against his shoulder, "I kinda guessed that. I just … can you imagine the look on his face?" She chuckled softly and could hear Sam smiling at the idea. "Hey dad. You know that boy who you think is below me and has that brother you want to take a swing at? Well, he's kind of a super-hero."

"Hey?" Sam leaned back from her and smiled in amusement.

"What?" Sarah shrugged, smiling at him and then turning to Mina as her smile grew. "Troubled childhood, secret missions, supernatural powers. You so need tights and a cape."

"No way, dude!" Sam gasped in horror.

"Yeah!" Sarah giggled merrily, "We've gotta think of names for you both!"

"Okay, you can stop this shit right now!" Sam ordered as sternly as his amusement would allow.

"Or?"

"Or I'll accidentally drop that last e-mail you sent me into your dad's inbox."

"You wouldn't!"

Sam folded his arms and grinned triumphantly. "Try me."

"Bastard." Sarah relented and shook her head in disappointment. "Oh well." She folded her arms to match his stance and bit her lip to hide her smile. "Guess I'll just have to fantasize about it on my own."

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh, I knew that would peak your interest."

Sam raised his eyebrows and grinned, "That's not the only thing that peaked."

"Oh, you've spent far too much time with your brother." Sarah sighed and leaned forward to rest her head on his arms. "And not nearly enough time with me …"

"I know …" Sam unfolded his arms and wrapped them round her. "I'm sorry." He kissed her head and slowly stroked his hands up and down her back. "I wish things could be different."

Sarah lifted her head and smiled thinly. "Maybe one day they will."

Nodding in agreement, Sam leaned down and placed a kiss on her mouth. He sighed as she returned the kiss and moved closer to him.

"Guys." Mina sighed loudly and dragged a hand across her face. "As much as this schoolyard flirting is endearing …" She saw the two of them cringe with embarrassment and frowned in annoyance. "It's not helping Dean."

"Oh!" Sam gasped and reached into his pocket. "We couldn't make anything out of this." he pulled out the note and unfolded it, showing it to Sarah. "I'm pretty sure our legal counsel was an ally in disguise and he managed to secretly give this to me but … it makes no sense."

24 Main Arches 1130

"Does it mean anything to you?" Mina urged.

"Not really," Sarah shook her head and took the note, frowning in interest. "But … wait …" She turned the note around and then back upright, her frown growing. "Maybe …" Glancing at her watch, she gasped and smiled up at Sam. "11:30!"

Sam checked the time and raised his eyebrows. "Twenty minutes from now." He turned to Mina with a small shrug, "Could be …?"

"And the other part of the message …" Sarah took a deep breath, "Well … they could - Shit!" She laughed suddenly and nodded her head in eager excitement. "There's a McDonalds on the corner of 24th and Main!"

"What?" Sam enthused, taking the note from her. "Ha!" He exclaimed in delight, "Arches!"

"It must be." Sarah declared with a determined nod.

"Come on." Mina stood quickly and gulped down her glass of water. "How far is that from here?"

"About 10 minutes, I guess." Sarah replied, "We can take my car." She turned back to Sam and watched him frowning. "Sam?"

Sam closed his eyes and raised a hand to his head, pressing his palm into his temple. "I … oh shit … it's - " he clenched his teeth and drew in a hissed breath, dropping the note and clutching his head with both hands.

"Sam? What's wrong?" Sarah moved closer to him and put her arm around his shoulders.

"Don't!" Sam shrugged her away from him and groaned as he flopped back against the sofa. Arching his neck, he bit back on a sob and covered his face.

"Is it a vision?" Mina asked in quiet concern, edging closer and perching on the arm of the sofa beside him. "Sam?"

"Yeah - " Sam managed to confirm, his body shuddering and a whimper catching in his throat.

"God …" Sarah husked, looking at Mina in horror, "Is this what they're like?"

Mina shrugged in uncertainty and then watched Sam tensing in pain. "Easy …" She offered gently, "Breathe out …"

Sam blew out a shaky breath and instantly inhaled with a gasp.

"It's okay. It will pass." Mina continued quietly. "Tell us … what can you see?"

"I - " Sam reached out a hand and grabbed Sarah's arm tightly.

Sarah flinched as his fingers sank into her skin and she removed his hand, offering the grasp of her fingers instead. "It's okay, Sam. We're here."

Covering his eyes with his other hand and his lips trembling, Sam nodded and forced another slow exhale. "Fire." He whispered after a moment, "And screaming." Sam groaned and held his breath for a moment. "Black arrow." He then gave a loud sigh of relief and began to gradually relax.

"Okay …?" Sarah asked carefully, watching his shoulders sink and hearing his breathing return to almost normal.

"Yeah …" Sam moved his arm from across his face and let it flop down at his side. "Man … they're getting to be a real pain in the ass."

"You mean 'head'." Sarah smiled.

"True." Sam gave a small laugh and then opened his eyes, blinking as he winced at the lingering ache in his head.

"What did you see?" Mina asked quietly.

Sam took a deep breath and then shook his head. "Normally they're so clear … I mean, I get clues and faces and see things happening … but … these are vague images of this thing …" He turned to her and frowned in concern. "It's like nothing I've ever seen … this enormous black bat-type creature with horns and - " Sam closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, "And it terrifies me."

Sarah leaned into him and rested her head against his chest. She wrapped her arm around him and sighed in sympathy.

"It doesn't make any sense to me." Sam continued, hugging Sarah close to him and looking up at Mina.

"What was the black arrow?" Mina asked in interest.

"The first time, I though it was carrying it," Sam replied, "But … I'm not sure that this time it didn't have it in it …" He saw recognition wash across Mina's face and reached out to place his hand on her arm. "What?"

Sarah lifted her head and watched Mina shaking her head slowly. "I don't know for sure but … I know someone who will."

"Who?" Sam urged.

"My uncle."

Sam sat slowly forward, keeping his arm around Sarah. "Where is he?"

Mina smiled thinly, "Last I heard, he was in New York." She shrugged her shoulders slightly, "I can try and get his number."

Sam nodded warily, "You think he can help us?"

"Jay is the Bihkeh'hi of my family. A skilled warrior." Mina shrugged and gave a small laugh, "And an accoutant."

Smiling, Sam reached out and patted her arm. "Excellent. Give him a call. And, in the meantime, we'll go get a BigMac."

XXXXX

Sipping at his near-freezing coke and munching on the last of his fries, Sam sighed happily and glanced up at his two companions. He wiped his fingers on a paper napkin and nodded in approval. "I could eat another one of them."

Sarah laughed and picked at the last of her blueberry muffin. "How d'you manage not to get it all round your face? All I remember about those burgers is how messy they are."

"It's an art." Sam acknowledged. "One I've perfected since setting out on this endless road trip with my big brother." His smile faded a little and he gave a small shrug, "We've lived the high life. Shit motels and fast food."

Sarah watched him in concern and saw him shrug off the melancholy that threatened.

"He's late." Mina commented in annoyance.

Sam glanced at his watch, "Only three minutes," He offered, seeing the impatient anger in her eyes. "Let's wait a while longer."

Mina nodded reluctantly and used her straw to scoop out what remained of her milkshake.

Watching her in concern, Sam felt suddenly guilty for not seeming to be as keen as her to rescue his brother. But he knew that it was not a simple task to undertake and rushing in without thinking things through would more than likely end badly.

"I see you deciphered my message."

Startled, Sam spun round and saw the smiling face of the attorney. "Tim!"

"Actually, it's Carlos." The man shrugged, sliding onto the bench beside Mina and offering Sam his hand. "Carlos Bandiera."

"Pleased to meet you." Sam nodded eagerly.

"Mina," Carlos turned to look at her, his smile falling from his friendly face. "How you holding up?"

Mina sighed, "Just tell me how we get Dean and get the hell out of here."

"Sure …" Carlos agreed, sitting back round and glancing from Sam to the woman beside him.

"Oh, this is my good friend Sarah." Sam explained quickly, putting his arm around her, "We were on our way to see her when - " He shrugged slightly, "Well, you know the rest." Sam then frowned and leaned forward in intrigue. "Except … how did you know where we were?"

"Ellen used Ash to track the GPS on your phones. She was worried when she didn't hear from you." Carlos smiled sheepishly, "Let's just say she was very persuasive in her request that I should find you."

"I'm glad you did." Sam acknowledged merrily.

"So." Mina sighed, "Dean?"

Carlos turned to her and his smile thinned a little. "Well … the fuss has died down a little and most of the FBI big players have gone."

"Cole?" Mina demanded.

"He left a short while ago." Carlos nodded.

Sam saw the disappointment on Mina's face and felt a cold shudder run through him. He then looked back at Carlos and bid him to continue.

"Presently, there are three deputies, the Sheriff from Wilton and a handful of clerical staff." He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I suggest we create a diversion to pull the officers out of the way and then make our move."

"And what is our move?" Mina urged in interest.

Carlos smiled and sat back against the padded bench with a sigh. "Open to suggestion," He replied, "But I have had some experience at being a hostage," Laughing softly, Carlos blushed and shrugged his shoulders, "Not that I would normally admit such a thing."

Mina gave him a small smile and looked across at Sam, watching him frown in thought.

"Oh." Carlos reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of car keys. "And you'll need these." He gave the keys to Sam and smiled merrily, "I managed to locate them before the forensics team arrived."

"Oh, man!" Sam laughed in delight, "Is my brother gonna wanna kiss you!"

XXXXX

Sarah splashed cold water onto her face and sniffed back further tears. Lifting her head, she stared at her pale reflection in the mirror and groaned. She padded her face dry with a handful of paper towels and turned to leave the restroom.

The door swung open seconds before she reached the handle and she almost collided with Mina as she hurried inside.

"Here you are." Mina sighed, "You ready?"

Sarah gave a small chuckle and shook her head.

Mina regarded Sarah for a moment and stepped further into the restroom, letting the door close behind her. "You don't have to be a part of this."

"I know." Sarah nodded, "But …" She took a deep breath and combed her hands through her hair, resting her fists at the nape of her neck. "I've only ever seen a small part of what Sam and his brother do and … god, if there's any way to help them …"

"Good," Mina smiled and placed her hand on Sarah's arm. "And you'll be fine."

"Yeah." Sarah lowered her hands and shoved them into her jeans pockets. "I'm just the getaway driver, after all."

Mina nodded and turned to open the door. They hurried outside and met Sam and Carlos in the car park.

"You okay, baby?" Sam urged, stepping forwards to put his arms around her.

Sarah clutched her against him and nodded into his chest.

"Hey …" Sam kissed the top of her head and gave her a tight squeeze before then stepping back from her. "I don't want you to do anything you're not totally happy with."

"No, I'm fine." Sarah urged, "I collect the Chevy and wait around the corner. I've got the easiest part."

"Well …" Sam laughed softly and leaned down to kiss her mouth. "Just remember," he muttered against her lips, "That's my brother's car. You'd better be careful."

"What?" Sarah laughed and shook her head in disbelief, "Never mind that we're doing over the cops. You want me to be careful not to scratch the car?"

"Believe me," Sam grinned, "It's a big responsibility."

Sarah groaned and stepped back from him. "Come on. Let's get this over with before you change my mind." She turned to Mina and smiled warmly, "Be careful, yeah?"

Sam watched Mina nod in agreement and he then turned to Carlos. "I guess we'll see you at the rendez-vu."

"Yup."

"I sure hope this works." Sam sighed.

"You hope this works!" Carlos laughed, "You haven't got Ellen's angry threats ringing in your ears!"

Sam laughed, nodding in understanding and then watched them climb into Carlos's car.

"God …" Sarah sighed, linking her arm around Sam's. "How will I ever explain this to my dad?"

Sam shrugged slightly, "If all goes according to plan … you won't have to."

Tbc ...