Author's Notes: Thanks to tuff_man for your review! I never intended to keep Ruby out so I'm also glad she's back. You will find out where Jo is soon enough. And the chain that Ruby wants...I can't really give that away just yet. Glad you liked it!

Sorry for the "Hiatus" of this story but it wasn't abandoned, just had less and less time on my hands but that isn't an issue now. I will update again in a week or so. Please review and let me know whatcha think!

Note: This chapter contrains sexual references!

Previously…

'Carlene White's spirit went after those that hid dark secrets from their family…and she went after you dude'

'So?' Sam frowned, turning away from Dean. 'So ah, any luck with Jo?' he tried to change the topic.

'No, she's still a no-go' Dean replied. 'Sam, since when did we have so many secrets between us?'

Sam didn't answer as he looked up and a bald man was standing on the other end of their motel room.

Dean was instantly to his feet and really mad.

'You' he glared.

'Yes' the man smirked, his eyes flickering emerald green. 'Me'

--

20 Weakness

'He's the one that kills Bobby' Dean explained to Sam. 'What the hell do you want?' he then yelled at the man.

'Me? Oh nothing' he shrugged. 'But I must say, creating those premonitions of yours…so much fun' he smirked. 'I mean last time we met I believe it was at the crossroad? Hm' he nodded. A simple movement of this hand sent Dean flying into a wall. Dean landed on his bed and bounced off it. Sam was also pinned to the opposite wall.

'Dean, Dean, Dean' the man shook his head and looked down at him. 'Those visions you've been having? They're all just a part of my fun' he smirked and then walked over to Sam.

'Now you my boy, I don't believe we've met properly. I'm Amaranth' he smirked and held out a hand but since Sam was pinned to the wall, he couldn't even move his hand to shake it…not that he wanted to.

'What do you want?' Sam gasped out angrily.

'Like I said before: nothing' Amaranth smiled. 'I just wanted to meet you boys properly and all, since I doubt you'll be living for much longer' he said knowledgably. 'I heard your little friend is back' he said to Sam. 'It's been what…almost a year now?' he sighed. 'But you haven't told Dean about that, have you?' he moved to where Dean was lying on the floor, very sore. It had been quite a throw.

'Oh no, little Sammy has been keeping so much from you' he smirked.

'It's Sam' Sam growled from the other side of the room.

Amaranth sighed and crouched down to Dean, ignoring the evil glare he was being given.

'It must be hard Dean, after all the faith you put in your little brother, after all the efforts you go to protect someone that doesn't need protecting…that he keeps such dark secrets from you. Secrets that would blow your mind' he sniggered and stared at Dean's left forearm.

'Argh!' Dean screamed out as a symbol burned into his skin.

'So you don't forget' Amaranth whispered and then went back over to Sam.

'Well, it's been lovely, but I got more of your friends to visit…'

Sam felt the grip on him weaken so he lunged himself at Amaranth but he had vanished too quickly.

'Son of a bitch!' Sam cursed loudly and then went over to where Dean was.

'Dean?' he asked, helping him up.

Dean shoved him away angrily and went to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Dean checked Sam hadn't followed and then looked down at his burnt forearm. A symbol was scarred there as though it had been there for months, but it still stung like hell.

'Damnit' he cursed and tried putting cold water on it, which helped a little. But it didn't go away. He then got into a shower as an excuse for hiding in the bathroom, again. Dean made sure he wore a long-sleeved shirt and then went back into the motel room.

Five days later…

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Jo Harvelle wandered down the walkway and paused at one of the motel room doors. She stood in front of it and knocked loudly.

'Jo?' Sam gasped as he opened the door and saw her there, and then gave her a quick hug. Dean jumped up from his bed at her name and came over as well.

'Hey, bit of a fuzzy welcome, don't you think?' Jo pulled a confused expression.

'We've been trying to call you for weeks' Dean said. 'Ellen is so worried she's almost having kittens'

'I'm touched…really' Jo said. 'Well, I'm fine, really…just bad reception and I've been busy'

'What, hunting?' Sam wondered.

Jo nodded and glanced down at the salt line at the door, hesitating. 'I ah, you hear about the Devil's gate?'

Sam nodded 'Did Bobby tell you about it?' he then asked curiously.

'Yeah' Jo nodded. 'Just our luck, huh?'

'What are you doing here?' Dean asked, finding it very odd.

'I haven't been here more than five minutes and you're already trying to get rid of me' Jo rolled her eyes. 'I have some important information for you' she lowered her voice.

'Come in' Sam offered, trying to provide more privacy.

'Ah' Jo glanced at the salt line again, which Dean noticed this time. 'No thanks; I'm in a hurry. Look-'

'Where were you?' Dean asked, his tone slightly harsher.

'What?' Jo frowned. 'I told you-'

'You weren't hunting' Dean stated and Sam looked confused.

'If you don't want my help…fine' Jo said angrily. 'You know, after everything that's happened, I thought you'd be a little grateful, apparently I was wrong' she turned to leave.

'Dean?' Sam looked at his brother questionably.

'Cristo' Dean hissed.

Jo flinched and paused for a moment. As the boys watched her back, her eyes flickered black for a moment. Jo turned around with normal, glaring eyes.

'What?' she asked. 'Oh, you think I'm possessed?' she snapped. 'As if'

'Then prove it' Sam told her.

'I don't have to prove anything!' Jo yelled at them. 'I come here to try and help you guys out, and this is what I get in return?' she shook her head angrily. 'I don't believe it!'

'Neither do I' Dean sighed, shrugging. 'I thought Jo was better than that' he sighed and pulled a holy water flask from behind his black, splashing her right in the face.

'Argh!' Jo screamed out, placing her hands over her steaming face. She fell to her knees and Sam cleared the salt line so they could drag her inside. Once she was inside the room and the door was re-locked, Sam fixed the salt line again. He then drew a Devil's Trap on the floor while Dean tied "Jo" to a chair. She glared at them and then sighed, her eyes turning black.

'Okay, you caught me' Jo said. 'But I really did come to offer information'

'Why the hell would you want to help us?' Dean asked, not believing her.

'I don't want to help you' Jo frowned and then looked over at Sam. 'I want to help you, Sam Winchester'

'I'm fine, thanks' Sam frowned.

'Argh!' Jo screamed as Dean splashed some more holy water on her while Sam started chanting Latin from memory.

'They're coming' Jo's voice changed to become deeper and darker, almost like a growl. 'They're going to find you and there is nothing to can do to stop him!' she said and then screamed again, staring up at the ceiling, mouth wide. The black demonic smoke poured from Jo's mouth and then vanished through the ceiling. Jo's mouth closed and she hung her head, blood dripping from her lip.

'Jo?' Dean asked in concerned while Sam untied her.

'Dean?' she gasped softly but didn't open her eyes. She winced and was helped up from the chair. 'Oh, my head' she placed a hand over her forehead.

'What happened?' Sam asked while Dean helped Jo to sit on a bed.

'I was checking my phone…' Jo tried to remember. 'About a few weeks ago and then…it just went dark. I could see and heard some things, but it was like it was too far away…I was possessed?' she opened her eyes and glanced at them, touching her bleeding lip carefully.

'Yeah' Dean nodded.

'We should have found out what it wanted' Sam frowned, since the demon said he had information for him.

'It had Jo, we couldn't torture it out of him!' Dean snapped.

'Yeah well he was going to tell us without that!' Sam snapped back, annoyed since he wanted to know.

'I am not going to have this conversation with you now' Dean growled. 'Since when do you care what demons have to say, other than with Ruby last year of course'

'Since when do you not?' Sam said angrily. 'Oh wait, yeah…you had a nice chat with Casey last year'

'That was different' Dean got up and faced Sam.

'Um, excuse me? Headache' Jo pointed out and the boys just turned away from each other. 'Thank you' Jo sighed. 'Much appreciated' She got up and winced again. 'Okay, I need whiskey' she announced.

'You sound more like Ellen everyday' Dean sighed.

Jo ignored her sore head and whipped around to glare at him. 'You ever say that again and I will not only kill you, but I will use pliers, knives and a whole lot of vinegar' she glared, her face inches from his.

'Point taken' Dean gulped. 'Whiskey it is'

'I'm not staying long though' Jo said as they sat at a table at a local bar. It was a classic country-styled bar and was rather crowded, a bit much for this time of day though.

'Clearly' Dean nodded and she took a big sip.

'You sure you don't want to call Ellen? Let her know you're okay?' Sam asked but received the same glare she'd given Dean before. 'Forget it' Sam replied quickly, not wanting to find out exactly what Jo could do with vinegar.

Both boys watched as a woman walked past, in her jeans and strapless shirt. Jo rolled her eyes as both boys seemed quite interested in her.

'She's pretty' Sam said.

'Sam, as your brother, I don't want to see you embarrass yourself. So, I'm telling you: you've got no hope' Dean told him, putting his glass down.

'Oh, really?' Sam laughed. 'As my brother, you'd love to see me embarrass myself. You just want to hit on her'

'I saw her first!' Dean said in his own defense.

'You did not' Sam retaliated.

'Did' Dean replied, just as stubbornly.

They watched the woman going over to a table; she turned back and winked. Although it was rather difficult to tell which of them she had winked at.

'Sorry buddy…looks like she has taste' Sam smiled at Dean.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Dean frowned.

Jo grinned and turned to the man beside her. 'Ten bucks saids Dean gets her' she said.

'Nah, the taller one…Sam' the man ran a hand over his beard. 'Twenty bucks' he handed it to Jo.

'Bring it on, bitch' Jo smirked and the guy laughed. His friend then came over.

'I dunno, Dean might have her' he nodded, holding up a note.

While the boys started to make their moves, Ruby was halfway across the state…

She frowned and stared hard into the mirror of the public bathroom. She moved some hair from one side so she could see the mark on her neck; it was identical to the mark on Dean's forearm. She placed her hand over it and winced a little, once she removed her hand…the mark was gone.

'Nice try' Amaranth smiled from behind her.

Ruby spun around in genuine fear. 'Leave me alone!' she pleaded. 'I swear, I didn't tell Sam! Just…leave me alone!'

'And Sam sleeps with a nightlight' Dean told the woman smugly.

'Oh…' she raised an eyebrow at Sam.

'Yeah, well Dean doesn't always go for the ladies' Sam told her, smirking at Dean.

'Oh!' the woman cast a frown at Dean.

'Ha, ha! He's so funny!' Dean laughed sarcastically but the woman walked off.

'You take that back!' Dean glared at his brother.

'Make me!' Sam replied.

Dean grabs and tackles Sam while Jo accepts more bets, since she had developed quite a crowd of betters now.

Sam released Dean once he saw his brother wince in pain.

'Dean?' he asked, but Dean just rushed off out of sight.

'Is he okay?' the woman asked, coming back over which provoked cheers from the crowd.

'Oh great' Jo rolled her eyes, seeing she'd lost her bet. 'Dean Winchester owes me big!'

Dean moved back his sleeve to see his scared burning. He placed his hand over it but nothing happened. It felt white hot, but the room and sounds surrounding him were getting foggy. His eyes rolled back into his head as he fell sideways and lay unconscious on the floor…

'Dean' he heard someone's voice. 'Dean?' she asked again, a bit louder.

'Hm?' Dean opened his eyes and looked around. He was lying on the floor only a few meters from the toilets.

Kirsty was crouched down beside him, looking concerned.

'Are you drunk? Cuz you passed out' Kirsty told him, helping him up.

'What are you doing here?' Dean asked, stretching, since he felt a bit weird.

'Hunting, some ancient gargoyle creature is feeding off people in their homes before setting it alight' she shrugged. 'I'm glad I ran into you though because I might need some help since you've got the colt and all. The gargoyle is immune to salt, iron and holy water' she sighed. 'I don't know how to kill it and it's a stone during the day'

'Tried smashing it?' Dean asked.

'Yeah, it just forms itself back' she sighed. 'Where's Sam? Shouldn't he be here?'

'He is here' Dean said and went back into the main room in search of his brother and Jo.

'They were here' Dean frowned and then spotted them nearby. 'Hey Sammy' he said, reaching him.

'Dean, where were you?' Sam asked. 'You were gone like an hour'

'I was?' Dean winced a little. 'Jo, this is Kirsty' he then introduced her.

'You a hunter?' Jo asked.

'Something like that' Kirsty nodded and the girls shook hands. 'And I guess we both lost our money, betting on the wrong horse' Kirsty gave Dean a glare.

'Hardly' Sam sighed, glancing over at the woman, whom was now dancing with another guy.

'Anyway, I gotta get going' Jo sighed; pocketing the money she'd stolen from the betters. 'See ya around Winchester' she said and left through the back door.

'Yeah, I'm gonna go too' Sam said as he glanced over at the clock and it was well past 10pm.

'I'm staying' Dean replied. He wasn't giving up on that woman yet, there was no way his brother could beat him at a very attractive woman like her.

'I got nothing better to do either' Kirsty shrugged. 'My shout?' she asked Dean and he nodded.

'What is she doing here?' Sam asked, finding it strange.

'Working a case, some ancient gargoyle thing that we hadn't picked up on' Dean said and handed Sam the Impala's keys. 'I'll be back late'

'I know' Sam rolled his eyes and left.

Dean watched him leave, he then sighed and turned back to Kirsty as she was heading over with their drinks.

'So, should I leave you to it?' she asked.

'Hm?' Dean glanced away from one of the waitresses.

'Well you're clearly here hit on some slut and hope to get her number, if not take her home and have your way?' Kirsty asked casually, taking Dean a bit by surprised in how upfront she was about it. She smirked at his expression and nodded. 'Yeah, thought so'

Dean frowned and hated an almost complete stranger to have figured him out so quickly so he tried to prove her wrong. 'Nah, I think I might go' he shrugged.

'Without finishing your beer?' she glanced at it. 'Whatever, I'm not staying long'

'Then we better make it worthwhile' Dean smirked, not being able to help himself since she was attractive and he found her very interesting.

'You're right' she nodded. 'Oh you mean together? Nah, I have taste' she smirked.

'Or…you could just leave' Dean frowned, taking another sip of his beer. 'By the way, how did you get into this business?'

'Huh?' Kirsty frowned at him, drinking the last of her beer.

'Hunting' Dean said, slightly suspicious since she seemed utterly confused at first.

'I…' Kirsty sighed, putting her empty glass down. 'I'm not a hunter; I mean I am but…not really. I mean…not anymore'

'Not anymore? What about the horseman, and you said you're in town hunting a gargoyle thing' Dean frowned, putting his glass down as well.

'It's a long story, not one I'm in the mood to tell' she sighed, looking away sadly.

Dean saw the look across her face and glanced at her empty glass. 'Well, another beer?' he offered.

'I'll pass' she rolled her eyes. 'I do stupid things when I have a bit too much to drink' she sighed.

'Everyone is entitled to make mistakes' he shrugged. 'I do it all the time'

'Of course you do' she smiled. 'But…' she looked him up and down. 'I guess some mistakes are fun doing, just once' she winked.

Sam sighed as he closed his laptop. He held his phone against his ear and continued his conversation with Bobby.

'Kirsty Gale' Bobby told him. 'She's a hunter alright, but she checks out…why?'

'Ah, nothing' Sam sighed, shaking his head. 'Dean's with her now, at a bar'

--

Dean shut the bedroom door behind him as he kissed Kirsty, leading her over to the bed. She smirked a bit and turned gracefully to push him onto the bed.

--

'Yeah?' Bobby asked Sam. 'He got any chance with her?' he joked, but was curious.

--

Dean grinned as Kirsty pulled off her jacket and then slowly crawled on to the bed and onto him. She looked down at him and licking her lips a little.

--

'Nah' Sam shook his head. 'None' he rolled his eyes. 'Dean's got no hope with Kirsty!' he laughed a little at the thought.

--

Kirsty pulled Dean's shirt over his head and ran a hand down his naked chest. He kissed her as she leaned forward and then surprised her by rolling back atop of her.

'My, how are you just so yummy?' she teased, staring at his naked chest that was now exposed clearer in the light of her beside lamp.

'It's a gift' he winked and leaned over her again. He kissed down Kirsty's neck while playing with her shirt buttons…

Sam was outside with the Impala when he saw Kirsty's red car pulled up. Dean got out and then waved to her as she turned around and drove off.

'You were with Kirsty all night?' Sam raised his eyebrows, shocked.

'Yeah, so?' Dean looked slightly offended. 'Dude? What the hell are you doing to my car?!' he growled, seeing all the doors were open, including the trunk and hood.

'Relax, nothing' Sam sighed, concealing the hidden compartment in the truck again. 'I was cleaning the weapons, emptying out the rubbish and one of the things were loose near the engine'

Dean stared at him in shock. 'And you did all that because…?'

Sam shut the trunk and rolled his eyes. 'Because it needed to be done and it's past two in the afternoon'

'Yeah, so?' Dean asked again, shutting the doors.

Sam ignored him and went to the front again to check for any more leaks. 'So ah…long night?' he asked, giving a small grin.

'Yeah' Dean then for some reason didn't feel like gloating about sleeping with Kirsty, he wasn't sure how she would react. And she never appeared to be someone that would forgive such things, so he just shrugged it off.

'Yeah um, she wants some help with the whole gargoyle thing. It's immune to-'

'-Salt, iron and holy water' Sam finished his sentence. 'Yeah I know, I asked Bobby about it'

'And?' Dean questioned, staring down the front of his car, making sure Sam wasn't killing it.

'He thinks he's heard of it before, but it is very ancient. He also said to be damn careful cuz it works with demons and only high-powered ones'

'Did he say how to kill it? Kirsty said the gargoyle turns to stone during the day'

'Yeah, it does' Sam nodded and shut the hood, wiping his hands on his jeans. 'But there one way that might work' he glanced at Dean.

'The colt?' Dean guessed.

'Yeah, and tonight is a good night to hunt it' Sam added. 'Don't ask why…Bobby said so'

'I'll call Kirsty' Dean nodded and pulled out his cell phone.

Sam put the rubbish bag down as his own phone rang. He pulled it out and saw it was Bela calling. He flipped his phone open to answer it.

'Yeah?' he asked.

'Sam?' Bela's rushed voice replied instantly. 'I just heard from one of my contacts that a group of demons are looking for you and Dean' she said. 'They know about your ability'

'What?' Sam snapped, so shocked that Dean frowned at him after hanging up his call with Kirsty.

'You know about that?' Sam then whispered to Bela, turning his back on Dean.

'I saw' Bela stated. 'Back in Oklahoma' she told him and sighed. 'Look just…be careful'

'Why do you care?' Sam asked, a bit confused.

'I'm returning a favor' Bela said. 'Ciao' she then hung up suddenly.

'Sam?' Dean asked him in concern.

'Ah…Bela, she said some demons are after us…giving us a heads up' Sam shrugged.

'And…why?' Dean raised an eyebrow. 'I mean Bela's not exactly one to care so much about other people'

'I dunno, she hung up' Sam said. 'Kirsty coming tonight?'

'Yeah, she said she'll meet us at the cemetery because that's where the gargoyle is'

'Okay' Sam nodded, going back into the motel room…

'That's it' Kirsty pointed to the red-eyed gargoyle statue that was a few meters from the front gates of the local cemetery. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a flask of holy water. 'I know it's immune to this, but it wakes him up' she said at the expressions the boys were giving her. She undid the lid and splashed the holy water onto the gargoyle's face, making it's eyes glow.

The three of them watched in alarm as the gargoyle faded from grey stone to a dark brown colour and it's wings grew larger. It let out a dinosaur-like sort of sound and then flapped it's strong wings while keeping it's red-pupil eyes on them. He made a sound again and shook it's head, flexing it's clawed hands and feet. It snarled at them with his fanged mouth and then lunged at Kirsty, beating it's wings to keep itself in midair.

Kirsty dived out of the way, making the gargoyle miss her by only inches. It slid across the ground and then turned to face them again. It was only about two meters tall, but it looked like something that could to severe damage with ease.

'You okay?' Dean asked casually to Kirsty while he aimed at the gargoyle.

'Yeah' she gasped, wiping some blood off a cut on her right palm. She got up again and stood beside Sam.

The three of them got noticeably worried as they heard more wing-beating coming from behind them. They turned cautiously, seeing three smaller, black gargoyles flying right at them.

Kirsty was knocked off her feet by the nearest one while Sam struggled with another. Dean shot the third one, making it fall to the ground like a shot bird. It faded back to stone and then crumbled to dirt. Dean glanced at the large, brown one but it seemed to be watching the others. He shot Sam's gargoyle and it turned to stone and crumbled just like the other had.

'Thanks' Sam gasped, wincing a bit at a cut across his cheek from where a claw had gotten him.

Dean aimed at Kirsty's gargoyle but the brown one jumped up and with it's feet, it grabbed the colt between it's strong claw. It flew upwards into the darkness of the clouds and glow of the moon.

'YOU SON OF A BITCH!' Dean swore loudly and searched for another weapon.

Kirsty kicked the black gargoyle and it spiraled through the air and into a tree, turning to stone and then it smashed, sending pieces everywhere. While the three of them ducked the flying bits of stone, the brown gargoyle flew further and further away, clenching the colt tightly with it's feet and disappearing in to the night…

Teaser:

The demons are closing in…

'Easy there tiger' a woman grinned as she walked in front of Sam. 'We're not gonna hurt ya' she smirked, her eyes going red…like a crossroads demon's did.

And they want Sam…

'I guess we got more than we bargained for…he's further advanced than we assumed' she grinned and ran a hand down Sam's face, ignoring his flinching.

But something big…

'No more omens, no dry lightening…it's clean' Bobby grunted. 'Too clean'

Has everyone worried-

Even Ruby…

'But that's the situation, that's the reality…so DEAL WITH IT!' Ruby screamed at him

A search for Sam…

'We're wasting time here' Jo butted in. 'Ever heard the saying "shoot first, ask questions later?" Hm?' she frowned

A search for answers…

'I don't hunt for vengeance or for some sort of sick closure' Kirsty said

Could cost them…everything!

'I would stop looking for Sam if I were you'

Coming soon…