Chapter 7

The morning in Sioux Falls started with a strange feeling for Bobby. He was waiting for the delivery of the Seal of Nameh and he really couldn't remember why he wanted it. He did sense that he needed it. He had called Red Eagle and said a code word that he just came up with and the old Indian said that he would have it. Bobby told him that Jo Harvelle would be coming to retrieve it. Where he came up with the idea that Jo would do it is beyond him.

That was a day ago and he had heard nothing but still the morning was peculiar. He hadn't heard anything from the boys and if they found any leads regarding Dean's deal. He knew that his girl had one option that he gave a lot of heat over until she explained. The other option she refused to say unless he gave his word to not say a damned thing. He hadn't given it so now he was dying of curiosity. He trudged down the stairs and towards the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. He felt like a shot of rotgut but it was too early for that.

He barely made it to the kitchen when he felt a gentle nudging on the back of his leg. He scowled down and said, "You're just as bad as she is with the getting up early stupid hell mutt."

Cerebus nuzzled Bobby's hand and gave a slight whine. It was part of the morning ritual ever since he had been given guard dog duty; strict orders from his mistress. He knew she loved the old one and the two males she traveled with. It made sense. She would protect them and he would protect the old one. He also had orders to come when called.

Bobby growled a little as he scratched the hell hound's head. To others it would have looked strange for him to be petting something that wasn't there. However hunters knew what to look for if you got caught with one. "Alright damn dog I'll git you yer coffee."

It had been an interesting experiment to see the types of food the hell hound would eat and could tolerate. There wasn't exactly a name brand of hell hound dog chow unless it was a something he was sent after. So it had been trial and error in finding what the thing could eat and not fart or barf and end up creating toxic fumes worse than Sam on a burrito. It was a freak accident when a fireball occurred during such an incident when his girl was conducting an experiment with fire.

Dean had been the idjit to feed the mutt the damned hot dog complete with sauerkraut, mustard and relish. The bomb that exploded nearly incinerated the shed where she mixed her hocus pocus and that would have been ten times worse if the thing burned down. Luckily she was prepared for that and had the water hose on it. Bobby did relish the fact that she knew exactly who it was that fed the mutt the bomb that went off and gave him a head smack for good measure even though she was laughing at the time.

This morning the mutt was begging for his usual coffee and sweet toast. Sometimes it was coffee and doughnuts if one of the boys made a doughnut run and once she actually made some. It gave her the idea to make some that were specifically for the dog though Dean couldn't keep his hands off them and that led her to saying that he really was a bull dog.

Bobby grumbled as he made the full twelve cups and pulled out the mutt's 'mug'. The crock of doughnuts was in the pantry and he snatched one out. The thing followed him and he growled, "Ya don't have ter babysit me like you do them idjits."

Cerebus gave a low whine. He really wanted two this morning and he knew that if he did just the right amount of whining he would get it. He whined again.

Bobby rolled his eyes. He was seriously turning into a big softie. "Fine. You can have two." He pulled a second one out of the jar of doughnuts she had made. He gave a soft growl at Cerebus and rubbed his head. It had taken time but Bobby learned where to place his hand when he wanted to pet the mutt. "Come on hell mutt. Coffee's on."

Cerebus gave a woof that was disturbing. Bobby was used to it. Having spent more time with the mutt, he was certain that it was attempting to make itself visible. Occasionally he thought he saw something shadow like where the mutt was. He had made a note to talk to his girl about it. Perhaps it was a quirk in hell hounds switching sides or something. After all Cerebus was the Cerebus, the mutt that was said to guard Tartarus or in other words, guard the pit.

It was when Bobby and the mutt were enjoying their coffee when the doorbell rang. Before that Cerebus looked up and gave a slight growl. It wasn't one that said danger was near. It was more of that recognition growl he gave when the boys came in. Bobby grinned because the last time they were there the mutt took a running leap and tackled both Angela and Sam and knocked Dean off the porch. He pinned the two and gave slobbering kisses all around. So the growl told Bobby that it was someone Cerebus recognized that wasn't out to get him. However the visitor was interrupting the morning coffee.

Cerebus growled and walked through the house towards the door. Bobby followed pausing to see the fur ball they dropped off earlier laying on the couch. It was sleeping… at least Bobby thought it was. The thing had a habit of sleeping with its eyes open to the point that you thought he was dead until you touched him. The fact that it didn't move told Bobby that it was possibly a friend. He wasn't going to take any chances though.

Grabbing the rifle he kept handy, Bobby went to his door and opened it to peer out. What he got was a surprise. "What the hell are ya doing here?"

Nick expected the lack of polite welcome from Bobby. What he didn't expect was to have the hell mutt come up to him and put two huge paws on his shoulders. The bad breath and slobber were not expected either. He had only met the thing and now it was like an overgrown puppy. He managed to fend off the beast and replied, "Um I came because I'd like to borrow your dog."

Bobby had put the rifle down and gave a slight whistle and Cerebus had gotten down to sit next to him. "He ain't mine ya know. Ya gotta ask her."

Nick thought this was going to be the hard part. Bobby didn't know yet and he wasn't sure about bringing him on board with the plan. Then again if she was with the boys, they would probably tell him. He had to lie and hope that he didn't suck at it. "Well I did. She quizzed me about using him."

"Ya better not be doing any fool experiments on him. I don't need that idjit Garth or some other hunter calling and saying that there was demonic omens or something because ya decided to make toxic fumes," Bobby raised a hand in warning.

Nick chuckled. He had no idea what Bobby was talking about since he wasn't privy to the food experiments. He did know the beast liked alcohol and had a preference for fine wines though he would drink the hard stuff like it was nothing. He replied, "Nothing like that. I was going to do a job that required sniffing out a demon and maybe some heavy lifting."

"Cerebus ain't a horse."

"But he likes a good workout don't you?" Nick turned on the disgusting fawning over the cute puppy routine. He reached out to rub the hell hound's head and was rewarded with slobbering on his hand. "That's a good boy."

Bobby growled a little at the disgusting display. At least his girl was cuter with it. "Well if she said that you could, I guess it's fine by me. Just don't do anything stupid and I have ta bail ya out or something."

"Nothing like that," Nick replied with a slight smile. He was certain Bobby could sense through the lie and most definitely the beast could. "Just a demon tracking thing. She mentioned a special project."

Bobby narrowed his eyes slightly at that. As far as he knew she was working solo on that. Or she was probably outsourced but only partial work; multiple contractors so no one got the full picture. Then again that didn't sound like her. It was troubling to him. "I see." He glanced at the mutt who was sitting next to him. He asked, "Well ya dumb mutt do you want to do this?"

Cerebus panted a little and gave a woof. He got up and went to stand by Nick. He sensed that the witch knew something was up. There was the possibility of trouble with his mistress. The witch seemed nervous about something. Perhaps he could help him with whatever he needed to do. The old one would be all right. He marked his territory yesterday.

Bobby was satisfied that the mutt was okay with it. He had a vague idea as to the type of training that Angela had been giving the mutt. Certainly he knew how to respond when called and over distances. There were certainly some rough spots on that front and Bobby had his fair share of repairing windows until the mutt figured out he didn't have to create a ruckus to do it. The distances were lengthened and it was impressive.

Bobby looked at Nick. While it had only been months since they last saw him, he could tell a few things about the warlock. That boy had worse family issues than the Winchesters and that was from when he made small talk with him when they were trying to find a solution to the witch problem then. "Alright then. Any idea how long you'll be?"

"Depends on a few things but don't worry. If you need him, just call."

Bobby watched at the pair left. He still was unsure about a few things. There was something suspicious going on as he went back to finish his coffee. He had job and he had to let that idjit Garth know the details. It would be hours before the Winchesters would show up on his doorstep to tell him what really happened. For now he was happy as a clam and an old softie when the fur ball Setna decided that he wanted to help.

"Stupid fur ball get off my stuff." Bobby growled and tried shooing the cat off his stuff aware that he was looking like an idiot doing so. Still it was worth a shot since most things moved when he ranted.

Setna just looked at Bobby with round yellowish eyes. Bobby returned the stare with a glare as the cat settled on the papers that he had laid down. He didn't hold out long since he took a sip of his coffee and petted the cat, taking care to rub the ears the way the damn fur ball liked it. I really am turning into a softie.

Jo looked at the setup of the camp. It was late afternoon by the time they got to Sioux Falls. By following Angela's instructions in her head they made it before the Winchesters arrived and all she saw was an open field and a bunch of trees of the nearby forests and rock formations. "Great so you brought me here to the middle of nowhere."

Plain sight Jo. It's one of the more practical means of protecting things.

Jo rolled her eyes as she made a job of hiding Rusty. It was imperative that the Winchesters didn't know she was there until it became necessary. They wouldn't understand until the act was committed. "You know it would be easier if I just called them and told them…"

They would probably have listened but believing is another story. Would you believe you?

"Point taken but you could give them some credit."

I give them plenty of credit Jo. I was thinking about how it would sound if you were to show up and say that I am dead but not dead and that I am in your head. I know them. It wouldn't have gone well.

"And this is better?" Jo made sure Rusty was locked before fishing out her gun. The seal was in her jacket pocket along with the map. "You know they will be pissed if we caught."

Just be glad that they know you.

"Right and what's to stop your Phoenix friends from going after me?" Jo started forward down the path that led to nowhere. "Not that I can't take care of myself."

Because I know one person who would make sure that didn't happen. She sees the world differently.

"That's a relief. A psychic or something?"

Something like that. She's unique and has been trying to pay me back like she owes me a debt.

Jo gave a wry grin. "Well the things you do for people would constitute the need to pay a debt. I know you don't ask for repayment but people feel the need because you give without expecting a reward. Mom paid you back with a place to stay if you needed it right?"

I entered into a partnership over the new Roadhouse. We split fifty-fifty and her shares would be paid for from the profits. I like to play fair.

Jo couldn't help but laugh. That last part sounded so much like a pout that it was just hilarious. She knew that it was true. "And let me guess: the profits you put back into the business without Mom knowing. Very clever."

It's not like I need the money.

"I know. You love hustling and living each day as it comes. You prefer to think that the money doesn't exist. No one knows but me and Mom about the Roadhouse."

I know. Hustling and living each day is my way of coping with eternity.

Jo paused a moment. She had a thought and she was not sure if she wanted to hear it. Yet she was doubly curious. "Is it worth it?"

What do you mean?

"Living each day, facing the whole world; seeing people like me and Mom live, grow old and die. You must have seen people you knew die like hunters." Jo looked down at the ground. She moved her head slightly as if listening for Angela's reply.

I admit that it's hard. Living can be depressing when people you know live their short lives but… living in the moment with them… that is something. Of course it doesn't help when everything you touch gets ruined.

"You don't really mean that. Mom and me are still around and Sam and Dean…" Jo frowned in confusion.

Ash is gone. Sam died on my watch and I might lose Dean. I was the cause of them losing their mother. I'm a bad seed Jo.

Jo huffed indignantly, "You are not a bad seed. If anything you've done a lot more good. You said it yourself that living in the moment with humans was worth it. Don't you hear how contradictory you sound?"

The silence was rather worrisome for Jo. She wondered if Angela left her. Maybe she was thinking about what she said. The nagging thought that she was growing weaker worried Jo. It spurred her to go faster about the plan. Even though she was feeling exhausted, the adrenaline from the fighting and just the urgency of getting the job done kept her going. Plus she suspected that the presence of Angela in her head or body was keeping her up. "Angie?"

I'm still here.

Jo sighed in relief. "Listen I'm…"

Did you think I was going to leave you at this point in the game? I wouldn't do that to you Jo. I already did that to the boys.

"You didn't leave them."

Try telling them that.

Jo was going to say something when she heard a noise. She pulled out the gun she carried and held it ready to fire. She looked around trying to find the source of the noise. It was then that she heard the telltale growl of a hell hound. She looked around trying to find where it was coming from. She knew that it wasn't a good idea to be around a hell hound. If they caught you scent they would track you until they got you. There was no way to avoid it.

She continued down the path with her gun drawn. She turned to cover all the angles since she was a one man unit. She felt her breath pick up and coming in short rapid bursts. It was nerve wracking since she couldn't see them. She couldn't see spirits if they were invisible but hell hounds were another story. She turned when she heard a rustle.

Jo looked around as she heard the rustling. She realized that there was someone else. It must be a demon. Only demons played with the hell hounds. She decided to get the drop on him. She got her chance when the brush rustled. She reached out and grabbed who it was in there. She grabbed a guy who was thoroughly surprised but he had the sense to retaliate and give her an elbow in her stomach. It allowed him to jump away.

Jo staggered back from the blow but she managed to hold onto her gun. She pointed it at the guy. She was surprised when he held his hand up and the flame appeared in his hand. She then saw the brush rustle and the hell hound came out growling. "You're a fricking witch?"

Nick had arrived where he was supposed to. The girl Jo had told him to come to this place with the beast from hell. He had no idea what she looked like. It was a really bad idea to go out there since he didn't know anything about this contact except the fact that she knew Angela and she said that she was dead but not dead. It sounded like a good setup for a trap. Hell it was something that his dick brothers would do but then again they didn't know about her.

He could freely admit that it was his feelings for her that had him out here. He admitted that he was drawn to her in the beginning because he was able to pick out the healer in her. It was a known thing that healers could detect one another if they tried. The rest of it was because he was enamored with her. He had seen how she took care of the Winchesters when they were small. He saw how they interacted with one another… Maybe it was simple infatuation but when he kissed her…

Nick knew that she couldn't or wouldn't reciprocate his feelings except in friendship. He could live with that but she was the first that accepted his help without making fun of him or turning him away because he was a freak. It was foolish to be out here but he took small comfort in the fact that he had the hell beast with him. He knew that they were capable of taking out even a demon and were ruthless in the chase; they never gave up.

So they arrived and he didn't see who he was supposed to meet. He was surprised that the mutt managed to keep up with his motorcycle which he hid in the brush. They wandered around trying to see if they could find this camp that Angela's body would be at. He was curious about meeting the Winchesters again. He wondered if Sam would have animosity towards him still. While he maintained a civil tone the last time they spoke, Nick could tell that the younger Winchester was very protective and it wasn't a simple protective nature. He was hoping to see him again and see if they could go about being friends.

The girl caught him by surprise but he managed to get himself free and put himself in a position to defend himself. He found himself facing a blonde wielding a gun and he was annoyed that the hell hound wasn't doing anything about it. Rather the mutt had been growling but he stopped the moment he saw the girl. Nick though didn't let his guard down and reacted with his powers. That seemed to be the reaction nowadays. He had done that with Crowley.

The girl said, "You're a witch."

Nick couldn't help but correct her, "It's warlock actually."

The girl lowered her weapon slightly but she still had it in a position to aim and fire. The mutt was doing nothing but it was clear that she was nervous around it. Nick wouldn't blame her for that. Anyone in the hunting business knew about the hell beasts. She said, "You're a warlock… with a hell hound?"

"Yes. We seem to be at an impasse at the moment. Maybe learning our names would help." Nick decided to be the gentleman and offered his name first after putting out his little fire trick. It was best to shoe that he didn't mean any harm. "I am Nick and the hell hound is Cerebus."

Jo listened to the explanation the warlock gave. He was the one that she called. She recognized the voice from the phone except that it was a little less grumpy and he brought the heel hound. At first she didn't believe Angela when she said that she had a pet hell hound. That was laughable in of itself but Jo knew better than to question it even though it sounded insane but here she was standing her with the truth. "I'm Jo. You sound a lot better now than the grumpy ass I called."

"You would sound the same if you had been woken up at three or four in the morning and after an hour or so worth of sleep," Nick replied. The girl Jo sounded just like the one he talked to on the phone. He was relieved that she lowered her gun. That was a start. "So do you mind explaining why you used Angela to get me here?"

Jo heard the underlying implication that she had been stringing him along. She felt her temper bristle at that. She was not a liar.

I know you're not a liar Jo. He is just being cautious. That is how Nick operates and I don't blame him.

Jo didn't say anything in reply except make a slight movement of her head to indicate that she acknowledged that response. She calmed down and replied, "I didn't use her. She jumped in my head and told me that she was dead and needed my help. She also said that I would need yours and the hell hound's help too."

"That's a pretty good story little girl. You could just be using that to get to me. Did my dick ass brothers put you up to this?" Nick crossed his arms trying to decide whether or not to smite the girl.

"It's not a story dumbass," Jo retorted. "Believe I wish this was a bad dream…"

Jo, tell him that he must have sensed something in the spirit realm.

Jo paused mid rant to listen to the request. She didn't know what good that would do but she had to trust that Angela had a pretty good reason for suggesting that. She said out loud, "She told me that you must have sense something in the spirit realm… whatever that means."

That had Nick paused a moment but he kept his arms crossed. That was a first that Angela acknowledged the whole connection between healers and the source of their power and all that hoopla. She would know. The mentioning of the disturbance… could it be that she caused it? Nick wasn't completely convinced. He would need something else. "You could have just made that up."

Jo was frustrated. At that moment though, the hell hound came forward. He wasn't in attack mode but Jo held still and her hand gripped the gun still but didn't bring it up to fire. She stiffened as the hound circled her. She could feel its breath on her and she closed her eyes and listened to it growl. Finally it came to face her and she felt a wetness on her hands. The thing was licking her hands?

Nick watched the whole thing. Cerebus was like any hell hound and recognized and operated on scents. He knew what belonged to him and what didn't. What he saw confirmed it. The girl was a friendly. Her story though would require faith but he wasn't sure if… "So you are a friendly."

Jo looked at Nick as she tentatively pet the hound. "Yes and I am telling the truth. I can prove it by using the mutt."

A/N: Looks like Cerebus is being brought into play and Angie has a nice talk with Jo. Let's see if they can manage to work with Nick next time on Phoenix Rises...