Missouri waved her hand over the mismatched sofa and loveseat dominating her small sitting room, Rachel cradling her hand to her chest as she picked the smaller of the two. As expected Puck squeezed in next to her, regarding the psychic with guarded eyes.

'Calm down boy. I'm not gonna do anythin' to hurt Rachel,' Missouri stated serenely, meeting Puck's glare.

'What happened?' Sam demanded before Rachel could.

'Ain't nobody taught any of you manners? Ladies respond better to sugar than vinegar Sam, and Dean if you even try to put those filthy boots on my coffee table I will bend you over my knee,' Missouri clucked, Dean dropping his feet to the floor in surprise.

'How did you…'

Missouri rolled her eyes, dragging her gaze back to Rachel. The fear she saw in the younger woman's eyes made Missouri's heart clench in sympathy, though the fear that lingered warred for control.

'Dean and Noah, I suggest you two boys help yourselves to some pie in the kitchen while I speak with-'

'Like hell,' Puck interrupted her, unconsciously leaning himself closer to Rachel. 'Whatever you're gonna say to her, you can say in front of me.'

'Noah,' Rachel's quiet voice was firm. 'I think you better listen to Ms Missouri.'

'What?' Puck said, affronted.

Missouri hummed. 'You heard the girl. Now both of you scoot,' the beads at the end of her braids clicked together as she jerked her head towards the kitchen. Rachel saw the way Puck's jaw flexed and the anger that radiated off his frame was apparent. Dean seemed reluctant to leave his brother as well, but a few stern words from Missouri had him disappearing through the door after Puck.

'Those two will be the death of anyone,' Missouri clucked her tongue maternally. Sam offered a small smile in response as the woman folded herself into a worn armchair, hands folded in her lap as she surveyed both Sam and Rachel for a moment.

'I've known both your families for a long time,' Missouri started, chuckling fondly. 'John used to come in here after your mother passed, seeking answers and most times seeking vengeance. Leroy and Hiram, though, came for other reasons.'

'What kind of reasons?' Rachel asked.

Missouri squinted her eyes as if contemplating whether Rachel was worthy of a decent answer.

'Leroy was my cousin. At least a few times removed. Hiram liked getting his palm read. Leroy would parade you around like a prize horse whenever he brought you 'round. Did the same when Blaine came around.'

'I don't remember…'

'You wouldn't,' Missouri shook her head. 'After a while life caught up and we kept in touch through cards. Drifted apart but I felt it when you fathers passed.'

'Felt it?' This time it was Sam who interjected.

'Because of my gift,' Missouri stated cryptically, deflecting.

'Why did…what happened when you touched me?' Rachel murmured, holding her breath while waiting for Missouri to speak.

'The two of you have power child. Different, but similar at the same time.'

'Wait. Are you saying we're psychic?' Sam sounded incredulous.

'I'm not sure. There's something...dark hovering over your auras,' Missouri muttered, almost to herself. 'Sam you've been having visions of things to come. And Rachel…you saw Annie didn't you?'

'Okay, this is ridiculous-'

'Don't be so quick to dismiss these things Sam Winchester,' Missouri snapped angrily. 'You see all sorts of strange things already, creatures that no one in their right mind would think possible.'

'Yeah but those are real.'

'Believe me, these powers the two of you have are as real as the pain in my knee.'

'But why didn't you react the same way when…when you touched everyone else? Why did you scream when you touched my hand?' Rachel demanded.

Missouri pressed her lips into a thin line.

'It did the same thing when you tried to touch Annie, didn't it?' Sam seemed stunned at the older woman's words, giving Rachel a cautious look. 'Don't you go lookin' at the girl like that Sam.'

Rachel huddled closer into herself at the admonishment, ignoring Sam's whispered apology.

'I don't mean to frighten you child but this power…it's nothing I've ever sensed before. It burns to the skin, and it makes my soul uneasy.'

Rachel looked alarmed, eyes widening.

'Are you telling me I'm evil?' Turning to face Sam, Rachel told him seriously. 'Do you have holy water on you? If you do, I fully suggest that you-'

'Hush,' Missouri said, Rachel snapping her mouth shut. 'I'll need more time to make sense of this. But know this you two – neither of you are evil. And Dean and Noah don't believe that either. Frightened, yes, but those fools would protect you two regardless you hear?'

'Yes ma'am,' Sam responded. Missouri nodded, telling Sam to fetch Puck and Dean.

'Why didn't I contact you when your fathers and Blaine passed?' Missouri asked, Rachel trying to mask her surprise as the former's eyes softened. 'I didn't think you'd appreciate some strange woman bargin' into your life.'

'You're probably right,' Rachel murmured, her chin meeting her chest as she looked down. There was the rustle of clothing, the whisper of movement and the faint clash of wood against wood. The smell of hickory smoke and rose filled the air around Rachel as she saw Missouri's darkened hand cover her knee.

'Well now you know you've got family. And Missouri doesn't ever forget her own.'

Rachel felt her heart warm at the words, but felt her chest constrict at the same time.

She isn't touching your hand, is she?