Author's Note: I have to admit to taking a little liberty with using vampires in this story. Clearly we learned that Dean believed there were no such things as vampires in "Dead Man's Blood," but I can't not have them in the story I've envisioned, so please forgive a little AU here. I also had to stop myself as I was planning to incorporate the return of the character of Kate when I realized … DOH! … they haven't encountered her yet! Ah, the frustrations a writer faces. Anyhoo…

Chapter Four -- In The Know

"I swear I've told you everything I know!"

Upon arriving at Peter Swathmore's ranch, Dean wasted no time in jumping into his own interrogation of the captured vampire. Truth be told he had believed vampires were one supernatural species that didn't exist. Guess again, Winchester, he thought to himself as he stood before the very-real creature, whose name was Vinnie.

Yep, Vinnie the Vampire. Dean had a good chuckle over that one.

What wasn't so funny was the fact that the vamp didn't seem to have much more information to offer about the mysterious compound he'd been held at. Peter had apparently worked him over pretty well and since he seemed to be kind of a lightweight and not a fan of pain, Vinnie was more than willing to answer any and all questions just to avoid any further torture.

Dean decided to try a different tactic and threatened him with a large crucifix, but Vinnie merely looked at him befuddled, as if to say "you're gonna hurt me with that?" So much for traditional vampire lore.

So Dean resorted to tried-and-true, in-your-face intimidation – along with a loud, booming voice. "C'mon, you've gotta know more! How many of them were there? What was security like? What are they planning to do with the hunter they were going after?"

"It's like I told you, they got like hundreds of things in there, you know? Human things, non-human things, monsters, all kinds of things, you know? I don't know how many guards, but it's like Fort Knox, you know? Big walls, long hallways, I'm sure there gotta be lots of guards, cameras, too, but I didn't see none, I swear! I just saw a way out and I took it! I just ran, you know?" Vinnie rattled off, hardly ever taking his eyes off Dean, or more specifically, Dean's balled fists.

"That doesn't make any sense," Sam interjected. "If it's that much of a stronghold, it doesn't seem likely you'd be able to escape so easily, if at all."

"Unless they let him go," said Peter.

"Why would they do that?" Dean asked.

All four men took a moment to think of a plausible reason, but seemed to draw a blank. Then Sam had a thought.

"Vinnie, you said you overheard some of the guards talking about bringing in a hunter for the games."

"Yeah, but I didn't hear a name or nothin'."

"Did the guards openly discuss things, operating procedures and such, in front of the prisoners a lot?"

Dean, Peter and Bobby looked at Sam, wondering where he was going with this, but Dean knew his brother could easily think outside the box and trusted he was on to something.

"Not a lot, no," Vinnie answered. "Come to think of it, we hardly ever saw them outside of them taking someone to and from their cells, and they never said a word while doing that."

Sam turned to address everyone. "Seems like they wanted our pal Vinnie here to overhear their plans to bring in a hunter, then made it possible for him to magically escape."

"But why?" asked Peter.

"To get the message to us, I guess." Sam offered.

"But how could they know we'd even meet Vinnie?" Dean asked.

"Pete, how did you find out about the vampire nest?" Bobby asked.

"Got wind of it from a local contact. Kind of a go-to snitch of the paranormal."

"Who could have gotten the intel from just about anyone, right?" Bobby asked again.

"Yeah, sure."

"Wait, Bobby, you think this whole thing was an additional set-up? For us?" Sam asked.

"Looking that way, isn't it. They made sure word got to Peter about the nest, and trusting that hunters talk to other hunters, figured word would eventually get around to us."

"Wait, that doesn't make sense," Dean said, frustration growing. "If they wanted us, too, why not just take us along with Dad? God knows they had the opportunity."

Sam sighed. He had nothing.

"This Collector guy, with these 'games' of his, he watches, right? Likes to watch the prisoners fight?" Peter asked Vinnie.

"Yeah," answered the vampire.

"Maybe he's jonesing to see all three Winchesters in action, your dad up close and you two coming in for the big rescue."

"Yeah, but why us? I mean, sure we're awesome and all…" Dean said, forgoing all modesty.

"Dean, be serious…" Sam said.

"I am serious, Sam!" Dean snapped. "Some power-hungry freak with a voyeurism fetish and a team of hunters is targeting us and doing a damn good job of leaving us pissing in the wind. They've got Dad, along with God knows how many creatures – things we've hunted and killed, mind you, so, you know, no love there – locked up in some super fortress in the middle of butt-crap, Missouri, and now it looks like they're gonna get off on watching us come for Dad, like we're some friggin' mice running around a friggin' maze! So excuse me for being a little upset about not knowing what the hell is going on! Dammit!" Dean finished his rant by kicking a nearby table, rattling the contents upon it.

Outburst complete, Dean turned away from the men and ran both hands through his short hair, frustration at an all-time high. None of the others, including Sam, knew what to say. Even Vinnie knew to keep silent.

Dean eventually turned back around and met Sam's eyes, finding only sympathy and understanding. Sam still said nothing, and Dean loved him for that. For knowing when not to say anything. For knowing that this was a time when there were no right words to say. But still being able to say so much, give so much support, with just his eyes. That was Sam's gift, and Dean treasured it.

With a huff and a nod, Dean went to release Vinnie from the chair, still keeping his hands bound. "C'mon, Vinnie, we're going for a ride."

"Boy, don't you even think of going out there by yourselves, especially since we're pretty damn sure they're expecting you. Let's be smart, take a minute, make a plan first."

"Dean, Bobby's right, we should…" Sam added.

"Sam," Dean said in that way of his that clearly meant "don't even think of questioning me on this." With that, Dean proceeded to lead Vinnie out to the car.

"Sam," said Bobby, with his own way that meant "will you talk some sense into that thick-headed idgit brother of yours."

"It's Dad, Bobby," Sam said sadly. Of course the smart thing to do would be to take a moment and think things through. But ultimately he had to stand by his brother and trust they would get the job done like they always do. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out. We'll be careful, I promise. Hey, at least they don't know that we know that they're expecting us, right?" he said with a small smile. He picked up their duffles and went to join Dean in the car.

"I hope to hell you're right, kid," Bobby said worriedly.