Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun!

Ties that Blind

Chapter 3 – Patterns

Dean pulled up outside their room and gently shook his brother awake. Sam blinked and immediately began rubbing his temple. Dean knew that his brother was still suffering from the after effects of the vision. "Come on Sam; let's get you into bed with some pain killers for that headache of yours. We can work on the problem in the morning."

Sam didn't say a word, but followed Dean into the hotel room. He dropped his bag at the end of the bed and fell onto it without undressing. He felt Dean sit on the bed beside him and saw he had a glass of water and some pills. "Here you go…you need to take these and then you can rest Sam."

Sam swallowed the pills and laid back down, his eyes closing before Dean rose from the bed. Dean removed Sam's shoes and covered his brother before getting undressed himself and dropping into the other bed. He really wished they had been able to save that family tonight. He knew that Sam would suffer with the pain of not being able to help for days to come.

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The young girl stood outside the house and watched as the family returned from whatever function they had been attending. As she watched, she could feel the hatred building in her. It was so unfair, why should they have a good home when she had suffered!

She heard the voice in her head. "Patience Sharon, you will get your revenge. You are getting stronger and better able to control your powers. This is good. Soon no one will be able to stop you. You will be one of the most powerful people on the planet and you will be rewarded for your services. But for now, you need to rest. It's too soon for you to use your powers again."

Sharon knew that the voice was right. She was tired, in fact she was exhausted. It had taken most of her energy to start the last fire. She would wait, but this family would soon become a memory just like all the rest.

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Jo got off the bus at the downtown Grey Hound bus station. The area really was run down, but Jo was confident she could handle any human threat. Her father had taught her well when he was alive and she had continued to hone her skills with the hunters who passed through her mother's bar. Pulling out her map, she decided to find a hotel.

A short time later, Jo dropped her bag at the end of the bed and stretched out. She would show her mother and Dean Winchester that she was just as good of a hunter as the Winchesters. And she wouldn't do anything to get someone else killed. Deep down, she knew it was unfair of her to blame John Winchester's sons. But someone was responsible for her father's death…taking him from her too soon. Pulling out the knife her father had given her, she put it close by her on the nightstand…within easy reach should she need it. Sighing she closed her eyes and hoped that sleep would come. She needed to be sharp to find the fire starter…so far all she had was a pattern, but she knew that by doing some leg work here, she should be able to find the connection between the fires and the identity of the supernatural freak responsible for the deaths of these innocent families.

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The next morning Ellen went to check on her daughter. She knocked on the door. "Jo, time for breakfast!"

When there was no answer, she opened the door and then quickly slamming it headed for Ash's room. She didn't even bother to knock as she opened the door and glared at the young man who was staring intently at the computer screen. "Ash…I told you that you weren't to help Jo anymore. Where has she gone this time…and don't tell me you don't know."

"Hey, what can I say…she doesn't tell me anything anymore…besides, she almost broke my arm after she found out that I spilled the beans last time. I need my hands to do my work…so excuse me if I stay out of this one!"

"Ash, you're going to have more than a broken arm if I find out you helped her…seriously, are you sure you don't know where she's gone?" Ellen could tell that Ash was as clueless as she was at the moment.

"No, but I can start trying to trace her…I'll let you know if I find anything." Ash returned to his computer pulling up more screens.

Ellen sighed as she headed for the bar. "Damn it!" She yelled as she slammed her fist onto the bar. She knew something like this would happen. A few moments later she began to dial the phone. After a few rings, she heard the sleepy voice of Dean Winchester on the other end.

"Sorry to wake you Dean, but I have to ask…is Jo with you?"

Dean stared at the phone, not again he groaned as he sat up on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry Ellen, but she's not here…really…she's not here this time."

"She left last night and I just know she's heading into trouble. Look, if you see her you'll give me a call…" Ellen paused, not wanting to repeat the same mistake as before. "I know she's not your responsibility Dean, but if you find her could you please just let me know. I'll handle her from there."

"I can't imagine that she'd be here Ellen. She and I haven't spoken since…well since we left. But we'll keep an eye out for her, don't worry. Could I ask you a favor? Sam and I are working on a case that might involve someone with supernatural abilities. Can you have Ash double check and make sure that the demon is not in this area?

"Sure Dean...you and Sam be careful ok?"

"We always are!" Dean said as he hung up the phone. He glanced at the clock and sighed. It was only 7:00 am. "So much for sleeping in!" Dean mumbled as he headed for the bathroom. Before he got too far, he heard his brother from the bed beside him.

"What did Ellen want Dean?" Sam yawned as he stretched. He had tossed most of the night; the images of the family kept haunting him in his sleep. But Sam was getting used to operating with little to no sleep.

"I guess Jo slipped out on her…she was just checking to make sure that Jo hadn't shown up here."

"Why would she be here Dean?" Sam asked, confused.

"I think Ellen is just calling everyone, trying to find her. Oh, I asked her to have Ash check the demon locator for us and let us know if there is any activity. I'm going to take a shower and then we can head out for some breakfast ok?"

Sam nodded as he rose and headed to his laptop. "I'll start seeing what I can find out while you're in there…and don't use all the hot water this time!"

Dean grinned as he disappeared into the bathroom. Sam sighed as he turned on his computer…he should have kept his mouth shut…he had just guaranteed that he would be taking a cold shower this morning. Sam pulled up a list of all unexplained fires in the Chicago area for the past year. He pulled out a map and began to mark only those fires that involved deaths of families. By the time Dean came out of the bathroom, Sam had a clear picture of the area that needed to be searched.

"So have you solved the case yet Sherlock?" Dean quipped as he started to get dressed.

"Elementary my dear Watson!" Sam grinned

"Dude, I'm not Watson!"

"I don't know Dean, you are beginning to look a little fuller around the middle…with the right clothes and a mustache, I can see the resemblance." Sam ducked as a wet towel headed in his direction.

"Seriously Dude, have you found out anything?" Dean sat on the bed, pulling on his boots.

"Well, from the looks of things, I think we are dealing with a fire starter. The fires are concentrated in the area of South Chicago and they are increasing in frequency over the past 7 months. It's the same pattern as the other's Dean. I'm betting that whoever this person is, they started to experience psychic abilities about the same time as the fires started."

"Great, so all we need to do is figure out who this person is…I don't suppose your vision gave us a name?" Dean could have bit his tongue as he saw Sam's face fall at the mention of the vision.

"No, all I saw was the family dying Dean…nothing more." Sam moved quietly to the bathroom and closed the door.

TBC

Raven524: Wow, thanks for the wonderful response to this story. Good old Sammy found the pattern, but how will they figure out who is responsible? Guess you'll have to just continue reading to find out! Thanks again to all of you who are reading and a special shout to those who are sending reviews…hugs to you all!