Disclaimer : Not mine.

A/n : Again, a big thank you to whoever reviewed. Well, to anyone who thinks that I've made mistakes in the ages, you're wrong. Please stop to think that there WILL be a few months' difference and for those few months Dean will be five years older than Sam. And sorry about the Lindsay Lohan mistake! Next installment is here. Some action! Enjoy!

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Stronger Than Blood

Chapter 3 : Inner Demons

It was another oneof their midnight discussions at The Hunter's Tomb and Joshua thought he had something. The candle light was glinting off the hunters gathered there and they were chewing their lips in anticipation.

"What do you have?" John asked; his eyes locked on Joshua.

"He was driving down Colby's Road, yes?" the crafter said, peering into the map in the thin light, "Well, there's a dirt road not far from where we found his hideous truck -"

"Hey," John protested. He had given it to the kid because it was no use to him anymore but that didn't mean Joshua could call it names. And it definitely looked better than Caleb's old jeep.

"Anyway, this dirt road leads to a warehouse," Joshua looked up, "Worth a check."

"And why's that?" Bobby questioned.

"Because a girl named Miranda Sach died there."

"What?" John leaned forward, "How?"

"Murdered by her uncle who confessed to the crime thirty hours later," Joshua grimaced, "He also sexually abused her."

"Angry spirit?"

Joshua shrugged, "Like I said, worth a check."

"Fine," John stood up, "I'll go check it out tomorrow."

"John," Pastor Jim tried to reason but John shook his head. "No, Jim. Caleb's my student. I know the kid's counting on me." And he was out of the door before anyone could say anything.

"This is hitting him really hard," Jim shook his head sadly. "I wish he wouldn't be so ... reckless."

"I'll go with him," Bobby comforted, "Don't worry."

"All right, now let's get down to real business," Joshua said, suddenly.

Bobby raised an eyebrow in Joshua's direction and exchanged a look with Jim, "What do you mean?"

"That has to keep Winchester out of the way for a couple of days," Joshua breathed out, loudly, "I know where Caleb is and I know how to get him back."

Bobby's jaw dropped but Jim's face was unreadable.

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Caleb grinned as two men came into the room, "What'cha want, boys?" Truth be told, his back was on fire and his face hurt something awful. 'Okay, any minute now Johnny…any minute.'

"Let's not make this difficult," Gunman from yesterday said, pulling Caleb into a sitting position, "I'm here to make a deal. You tell us where Sam is and we'll let you go. I'll pay for your hospital bills myself and ensure you a full recovery. What do you say?"

"I say - get the hell away from me, bitch," Caleb smirked, "Although ... once the nurses start to see this handsome bastard's face they're not gonna want to charge…Well, money, at least."

A left to his jaw sent his sprawling on his back.

"Do you think you're funny?" the gunman growled.

Caleb couldn't answer. Images swam before his eyes and he gagged. Finally, he spat the blood out of his mouth and looked up at the man, "Hell, yes."

The gunman knelt until he was eye-to-eye with Caleb," You're in trouble, Reaves. This place is protected by the most powerful of spells. Your little magician won't be able to locate you. Even if the Brotherhood does find you, you'll never get out."

"Never say never," Caleb laughed, "What do you want with Sammy, anyway? He's just a little kid."

Ignoring him, the gunman walked to the gate and before pulling the gates close, he said, "You know, you let up a really good chance to escape. Reconsider the offer."

Caleb sat up at this, eyes glowing in his pale face, "And what makes you think I value myself more than Sam? Huh?"

"You're in deep trouble," the man said again and Caleb tossed him a carefree grin, easy and fake.

"Stole my words."

The man spun around, fury written on his face, and Caleb almost smelled victory. Because an angry man didn't have any control.

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"What the hell are you saying, man?" Bobby very-near growled, "What'd you mean hiding it from John?"

Joshua had the grace to look ashamed.

"Explain," Jim's voice betrayed nothing. Joshua nodded and gestured to the map, "Along Colby's Road, there's a forest - uh, Dandson Forest - and I'm sure there's something to be hidden there. That one area is repelling all my location charms. Why would someone try to protect the forest unless there was something to be seen there? And besides, it would take a very powerful crafter to conjure spells as strong as the ones I sense. It has to be the demon. He has Reaves and he wants Samuel."

"Could you sense the demon himself?" Jim asked.

"No, just ... others; Minor demons but there is no mistaking his hand in this."

"Wait, wait," Bobby held up his hands, "But I still don't understand why we have to keep this from Johnny."

Joshua didn't meet his eyes, "We might have to use Samuel as bait."

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Sam sat up in his bed, breathing ragged and erratic. Immediately, his hands involuntarily sought his brother and clenching tightly around Dean's pajama top. He rested his head against Dean's chest, feeling the other boy stir, "Sammy?"

Sam shivered, holding on tighter almost pinching skin in his grasp and Dean tried to soothe him, "Bad dream, huh? Its okay, Sammy; I won't let anything hurt you. I promise," and continued stroking his little brother's hair until Sam's body stopped shaking, "Hey, kiddo. It's okay. Wanna tell me about it?"

"I - it was Caleb," Sammy sighed, "He was in some sort of room. All - tied up. I couldn't touch him."

Dean rubbed his back and held him tight," Go back to sleep, Sammy; ain't nothin' more than a dream. No one's gonna hurt you... not when I'm around."

Sam smiled into the half-asleep, soothing words, and then sobered slightly, "I hate it when you yell at me."

The older boy sighed. It was definitely not one of his prouder moments. "I'm sorry, Sammy. I won't do it again."

"S'okay," Sam's voice floated up sleepily and Dean couldn't resist bending down and tickling the boy just because he wanted to hear him giggle. And, of course, tickle spots were something a big brother could never forget.

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A/n : Do you guys want Sammy to be used as bait? Do you think he should be? Lol. Thanks to my beta supergirl3684. Review!!!