CHAPTER THREE

Sam and Dean had been looking over the files for hours now. Each case had an official and unofficial version, with their own reports, photo's, and notes.

"Dean, look at this." Sam handed him a small sheet of paper with a handwriting note:

FROM THE DESK OF:

DR. ROBERT C. CUMMINS

Amy –

Talked to Prof H WKU – based on distance of b/

drop he said psi = to Mack 95 – 100.

No W-go I know. To far S anyway.

Sent remains for autop – will forward results.

Call if you need me.

Bob

Dean stared at it for a minute or two.

"Okay, what's a psi?"

"Pounds per square inch."

"Which means?"

"It has to do with pressure – force – a hit." he kept adding to Dean's blank stare.

"So, what does this mean?"

Sam handed him the photo of the blood drop and ruler.

"Okay?"

"What he's saying is, based on the distance from the foot to the drop of blood, something hit this kid hard."

"Like a Mack Truck doing 95 or 100?" Dean smiled, proud of his deciphering that part of note.

"Right"

"What does that?"

Sam shrugged. "He's right about one thing – not a Wiendgo."

Dean looked back at the note. 'W-go'.

"Wait, so you're saying Dr. Bob here's diagnosing monsters?"

"Sounds that way."

"So you think he's a hunter?"

"I don't know what he is."

The knock came around 10:00. Dean opened the door to find Amy and a man slightly taller than Sam. By his face, he figured him to be around 35, muscular build and a clean shaven head. According to the tight black T-Shirt he was a Rolling Stones fan. He wore a Rutger .9mm on his right hip and was carrying a .12 gauge shotgun, which he set just inside the door as they entered.

"Hey." Dean leaned in to kiss her, but she brushed past him.

"Guys, this is Tony. Tony, this is Dean and Special."

"Sam." he corrected her.

Tony grinned, then shook Dean's outstretched hand.

"I kinda figured Bobby Singer'd be with you boys. "Tony commented.

"You're the one who called Bobby?" Sam asked. This threw him a little off guard.

"Yeah." Tony replied, still grinning. "I really just called with a few questions, but he volunteered some help, and I'm not one to say no." he chuckled.

"Well, we weren't far." Dean explained. "I guess Bobby figured it'd be easier for us to head on down then for him to spend three or four days on the road."

"Guess he's staying pretty busy, too." Tony added.

Dean stared at him, puzzled. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Sam, who practically shouted, "So, how do you know Bobby?'

"By reputation, mainly. But we've run into each other on the road from time to time, working a job." Tony's smile had faded and he became more serious.

"So, you guys come up with anything?" Amy asked, grabbing a piece of cold pizza from the box lying there.

"Ahaa… not really." Sam came to life. "It could be a number of things, pretty hard to narrow it down at this point." Sam shut the file. "Then there's the dogs, that's weird."

She shoved the box across the table. "Tony. You hungry?"

He reached behind Dean and grabbed a piece of the pizza.

"Don't suppose you got a beer to go with this." It was more of a statement.

Dean opened the cooler at this feet and handed Tony a bottle.

"Amy?" she nodded, still chewing.

Sam sat silent, watching Dean open her beer and wipe off the top with a paper towel laying there. When he finally settled back in his chair, Sam went on.

"Says they were in a pen 6 foot high and it was still closed."

"Yeah." She washed down the pizza. "I'm not sure Arvin was wrong about them being 'borrowed'"

"There were 10 dogs left." Tony added, "So anything that's gonna take a grown man would probably take more than two dogs." He walked across the room and sat on the other bed.

"You ever have anything like this before?" Dean asked her.

"Bought a year ago we had three boys go missing on down the river in Tennessee." Tony jumped in. "Same M/O – no blood or tracks found around the campsite. But hunters – game hunters-they'll wander a mile or two from site. If there was any trace of what happened it could have got washed away long before we made it there.

"Truth is, folks get lost in these swamps from here to Louisiana – it's usually just wrote off as snakes or gators or drowning."

"So what's the difference with this one?" Sam asked.

"Shit boy, did you see that foot?"

One hour and half a case of beer later the group was no closer to an answer. Amy yawned and stretched.

"Maybe we should take this up in the morning." She said, standing. Then, to Tony, "You driving back down tonight?"

"Nah. I'm just going to get a room here – wouldn't want the local PD to hit me with a DuI." He chuckled, holding up his beer.

"You don't have to do that." Dean jumped in. "You can bunk with Sammy, here. He's got the room next door."

"I do?" Sam looked up, shocked.

Dean laughed nervously, pulling a key from his pocket.

"Yeah, remember, you bitched about my snoring so bad I had to get you your OWN ROOM."

"That'd work out great for me." Tony said, taking the key from Dean's outstretched hand before Sam could even move. "That is, if you're sure you don't mind."

"No." Sam said, still a little confused. "You head on over and I'll be there in a minute."

After exchanging good nights with Amy and Dean, Tony grabbed his shotgun, and one last beer before leaving.

"Mind if I use the…" she motioned to the bathroom, slightly blushing, "it's a way down the road."

"No problem." Dean smiled – that smile was back. As soon as the door was closed Sam stepped over to him.

"When did I get my own room?"

"When you went out for the pizza – I figured I'd get it just in case. I thought you'd be happy. You don't have to sleep in the car."

"What are you doing, Dean?"

"Everything I can, Sammy. Now, go – go." He reached for the door.

"We're suppose to be working."

"Oh, I plan on working." Dean was rocking back and forth on his heels, still smiling.

"Stop, okay." Sam snapped, teeth clenched – this removed the smile. "Look, we're about to go up against. . . I don't know what. . . and I can't have you losing your head."

"Dean opened the door, shoving Sam out. "Too late."

"Alone at last." He held out his arms for her. She didn't move. When it became too awkward, he lowered his arms.

"Dean, let's not do this."

"Why?'

"It's just not a good idea, that's why."

"But last night. . . "

"Last night you were just some guy passing through with a band tattoo on his chest."

"And now?"

"And now you're a hunter. You're not just a hunter – you and Sam or like super hunters." She smiled slightly at the surprised look on his face. "And, we've got something out there. We need to focus on that."

She reached for her keys lying on the table in front of him, but he caught her hand first.

" I don't know exactly what's going on here." He motioned between the two of them, "but I know it's something. . .Look, I'm not good at this, just know that I have never felt like this before. I can't help it if I'm a hunter. I can't help it if you are. " her eyes were moist, but so was his.

"I can't afford mistakes." She tried to turn away, but he wouldn't let go. "I've got a kid, I have to have my head together, and so does anybody going in there with me."

He stepped towards her. "I can do this with you, but I can't do it without you."

She fell into his kiss. Her lips fed every hunger he'd ever had.

4

(Would love comments or criticism, but please be gentle as this is my first time posting)