What is to Come
By: Ridley & Tidia
A/N: Thank you so, so much to all those who took the time to review. We loved all the speculations and guessing about what would happen. It really fuels the creativity! Tidia and I suggest re-reading chapter one before this one, just so you catch all the fun stuff. Please note that there is a new card campaign up on The Hunters Tomb. We are hoping to encourage the writers of Supernatural to come to their senses, hence the theme 'Get Well Soon'. Join us, it will be fun. There seems to be questions about ages from part one. Please note Sam says that he realizes James is around his age and the other boys are slightly older.
SPN&thebrotherhood&SPN
"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people." –Thich nhat Hanh
JAMES
James hadn't intended to stay outside staring into the fire. He should be inside with his brothers, trying to find a way to help his dad and uncles. It was hard to face the farm when it was so quiet. The house was usually alive with voices, laughter that permeated the memories of his childhood. Things had changed since Mac's death, matters getting immeasurably worse after the latest incident with Malachi Harris. New York felt more like home, or at least it was bearable. James refused to consider the possibility he might lose his father and his uncles. He wanted everything back to the way it was, or at least as close as they could get with his grandmother and grandfather gone.
James had been willing to take the risk to try to channel Samuel Colt. He would do anything to save his family. Ben had been against it, the scientist in him always rallying against using psychic abilities and crafting, especially if it put one of his brothers in harm's way. They had no choice and Ben was not part of The Triad, ultimately JT made the decision, they tried Joshua's spell and nothing happened except a residual headache.
He didn't want to complain about it because Ben would hover over him, JT would be worried and Max would tell him to stop whining like a girl. He sat down; the earth was damp, seeping through his jeans. Athos came over, licking his face in greeting before running off toward the dock to fetch his ball. The dog would make it there, then turn around, come back hoping James would take him up on a game of fetch.
He blinked a few times, the warmth of the fire sapping his energy until he closed his eyes to rest just a few moments, more drained by the spell than he had realized. James was surprised to find himself staring up at the star filled sky, Ursa Major winking down at him. He wished Athos would be quiet, he must have done his circuit to the dock, each yelp sent a fiery pain through his cortex.
Lifting his head, looking past his feet, he saw the silvery pool of water beyond him. His vision swam in and out of focus, as the world seemed to be spinning. The darkness was the first clue that something was wrong. There was no campfire; the lights on the dock were out, relying only on the moon for illumination. On closer look there didn't appear to be a dock, just Dad's fishing boat, staked and bobbing at the water's edge.
"Hey, are you okay?" In the darkness he thought he heard JT, but the person who slid in next to him was not his brother.
"What? Where is everybody?" James shoved to his elbows, turning his attention to the source of the loud barking, intent on telling Athos to hush. Only it wasn't Athos. It was Boo Radley. He recognized him instantly. James was used to the ghost of his father's dog hanging around the pond, but spirit Boo wasn't prone to a threatening bark and defensive posturing.
"Boo, hush." The dog stopped barking, circling to the shadowy person's side where it sat on its haunches and whined.
"Boo?" James blinked at seeing the flesh and bone dog in front of him.
"Sam? You alright? You passed out at the pond."
"What?" James looked at him then roughly rubbed his eyes. He had to be dreaming. "D…Dad?"
"No. Try again." Dean reached out and attempted to help James to sitting. "You sure you're awake, Sammy?"
"Sammy?" James looked down at his hands, noting the slight differences from his own. The jeans, over shirt and jacket were definitely not in his wardrobe, nor were the muddied boots. His personal style was khaki pants and polo shirts, easier to transition from work to school. He brought his hand to his chest. His dragon pendant was gone. He never took it off.
"Deuce?" A voice called from the darkness of the wooded path.
James glanced to the tree line where he could see the bouncing glow from a flashlight approaching them.
"Over here." Dean gripped James's forearm reclaiming his attention. James looked up, recognizing familiar concern hidden behind the half grin. "I told you and Caleb to go easy on the beer, Pansy Ass."
"Holy shit." James scrambled to his feet with his father's or Dean's assistance. It wasn't a dream, which left only one possible explanation-the spell. He kept his eyes on the younger version of his dad, not knowing what to say, but leaning towards the less said the better in this case until he figured out when he had landed.
James had no idea how he had ended up in his uncle's body. Channeling did not work that way. The spell Joshua cast was only supposed to amp his reach, help him pinpoint the spirit they were hoping to contact to connect him with a former Triad Scholar. Samuel Colt, not Samuel Winchester.
He searched within his uncle's body to see what he could sense. There was an impression of Sam, similar to when he channeled a spirit, but different in that he'd never been transported to another person's body. The opposite usually occurred with him hosting another's conscience, never mind the fact Sam was still alive. James was used to dealing with the dead. It had taken some getting used to, but it had become second nature. This aspect was brand new.
"Take it easy, man." Dean had gripped a hand on his forearm. "Your nose is bleeding. Is it your abilities? Tell me we're not going to have two psychics on the fritz."
"What?" James reached up and felt the sticky wetness beneath his nose. When he'd first started using his abilities his impatience had pushed him to go past his reasonable limits to gain control. He'd experienced migraines and nosebleeds, but that was years ago. It was more proof that something had gone terribly wrong.
"What's going on? Did you find out what Boo was barking at?" Caleb made it to the clearing, holding the light out in front of him.
"Caleb?" James forgot about his current condition, startled by his uncle's appearance. He did not remember this Caleb, mostly recalling the older one in his time. It was a good sign they were all on the farm, but he needed more information to make sure this was pre-Lucifer. He reached out psychically, despite all indications he had taxed his healthy limit. Reading minds wasn't his gift, but he'd had good teachers and could pick up strong emotions, especially from those he was close to.
Caleb dropped the flashlight, his left hand going to his head as he doubled over slightly with an intake of breath. "What the hell, Sam?"
"Damien?" His father looked torn between staying with him and checking on Caleb. "You alright?"
"That's not Sam." Caleb straightened, and drew his gun so quickly James didn't have time to realize the mistake he'd made.
Sam could read thoughts. He and Caleb shared a strong link. James's bumbling attempts at search and recon would draw attention- easily give him away as an impostor. Any hopes of him pulling off a good imitation of Sam until he could assess the situation were dashed as he caught the backwash of his uncle's anger before Caleb's blocks slammed in place at the unfamiliar intrusion.
"What?" Dean hissed, tightening his grip so much that James winced. "What the hell do you mean it's not Sam?"
"Step away from him." Caleb strode forward, the gun leveled at James's head. "Move, Deuce. Now!"
"Whoa, whoa…" James pulled away from his father's grip, backed up, raising his hands in surrender. "Just take it easy."
"Whatever is inside his body, in his head, is not Sam." Caleb moved forward. "Some kind of psychic. It tried to read me."
Dean didn't move, staying between James and Caleb. "Damien, I hate to point this out, but you're not exactly on top of your game these days. Maybe all the visions and nightmares have tripped a breaker. I think you should put the gun down. We're at the farm. Sam's wearing his ring."
"My abilities might be a little fucked at this point, but I know Sam when I see him." Dean stared at Caleb. "You know what I mean, damnit."
"He's right," James confessed, letting his uncle off the hook as he saw the similar dynamic he had with JT and Max play out. He wondered what type of greeting his uncle was getting. "I'm not Sam, at least not on the inside."
His father ignored Caleb's warning, stepping closer to James. "What the fuck does that mean? Where's my brother?"
James swallowed at being at the wrong end of his father's wrath. He'd only seen his dad's face like this when they were on a hunt. "Theoretically, he should be in my body."
"More body-swapping?" Dean stared into James's eyes as if he looked hard enough he could discover the charlatan taking refuge inside his brother. "Gary? I swear to God if you've done something to Sam…"
"No. It's not like that." James ran a hand through his hair, his uncle's longer and unkempt style foreign to his fingers. He still didn't have a good reading for what year it was. His father and Caleb were obviously much younger, but there were no telling details of what had transpired, and more importantly, what hadn't. This was not a good sign. "No one wanted to hurt Sam."
"Is this some kind of angel crap?" Dean stepped closer to James. "Where's Sam?"
"Damnit, Deuce." Caleb moved shoulder to shoulder with him. "This isn't an angel. Getting a read on Castiel's mind is like catching wind in your hand. It's not a shape shifter either."
"I'm human. I swear." James looked down at Boo, hoping the dog could at least be on his side. Instead he got a growl.
"Forgive me if we're not inclined to believe you." Dean pointed a finger at James. "Humans don't usually have the ability to jump bodies."
"I think he might be telling the truth." Caleb cocked his head to the side.
Dean looked at Caleb. "Then it is some sort of body swapping?"
"I don't know, but his mind feels human. He's got strong blocks, but with a little time I can tear through them."
"You're right. I'm psychic." If James understood anything about time distortions, it wouldn't be a good idea for his uncle to have complete access to his thoughts and memories. "It won't be so easy to bypass my blocks, especially considering you taught me everything I know."
"Funny, you think a guy would remember something like that."
"Well, it hasn't happened yet." James took a step back as his father and Caleb closed in on him. He was garnering a new appreciation for their intimidation factor.
Caleb glanced at Dean. "That make any sense to you, Deuce?"
Dean shook his head. "I think this sonofabitch wants us to believe he's from the future."
"Is it really that far of a reach, Da…Dean?" James dropped his hands, frustration wearing through his caution. This was his family, after all. They could threaten all they wanted, but he knew better than anyone that Caleb or his father wasn't going to do anything that might hurt Sam. "You've traveled back in time and to the future."
"Put your hands back up." Caleb growled.
"How do you know that? How do you know me?" Dean narrowed his gaze. "What have you done with my brother?"
"I'm a hunter. Actually, I'm The Scholar of The Brotherhood, at least I will be." James raised his hands back into the air. "After your Triad retires."
"That won't be happening anytime soon."
"Don't worry, Caleb, you guys are the longest running Triad so far." James was sure his uncle would have held out for a few more years if they hadn't lost Mac.
"Told you so, Deuce."
"So we live and we win?" James watched his father's face change, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. Boo remained by him, more passive.
James smiled. "You win, so to speak." It hadn't been pretty, but the eventual outcome was worth it.
"That's great, and I want to know how, but are you saying that my brother's in the future? Are you sure he's not in there with you?" Dean pointed to Sam's torso.
"I'm sure no one's here but me." James patted his uncle's body.
"Damien?"
"I'm not sensing Sam." Caleb sighed, but he didn't lower the gun he had pointed at James. "It's like when you guys did the astral traveling, and when the angels fuck around with you. I can't connect with him."
"How do I know my brother's in your body in the future?" Dean rubbed a hand down his face. "It doesn't even make sense."
"You're going to have to trust me." James knew it was a long shot, but the softening around his father's eyes told him he'd gained some ground.
"If you're a hunter, and you think you know me, then you know that doesn't come easy."
"I know you very well-both of you." James looked from his father to Caleb. JT was more the cup half full optimist of the family, but James could see the opportunity he was being offered. He had no problem recognizing possibility and taking advantage of it. James was getting a glimpse of how his father's Triad came to be the most famous in Brotherhood history.
Caleb lowered the gun slightly. "So it won't come as a big surprise when I find a way to kill you if do anything to risk The Guardian or The Scholar."
"If it makes you feel better my Triad is going to be flipping out too." James could only imagine how his brothers were dealing with him being gone and Sam showing up in his body, especially in light of the trouble they already had on their plate. He hoped JT kept Max on a short leash.
"No, not really."
James gave his father the best pleading look he could muster. "Can I at least put my hands down now?"
"What do you say, Damien?"
"Fine." Caleb lowered his gun the rest of the way, but James noted he didn't holster the weapon. One of the first things the Knight drilled into them was to never let their guard down.
James took full advantage of the rare gesture of trust. He flipped over a discarded white feed bucket to use it for a makeshift chair. He was still feeling the effects of the spell.
His father stepped into his personal space. "What the hell should I call you, because I'm not calling you Sam?"
James hesitated, unsure if being completely honest with his father was the best policy in this scenario. He didn't know what repercussions could come from his actions, but figured disclosing a simple name would unlikely wipe him from existence. "James. You can call me James."
"Okay, Jimmy, let's say we believe you, why are you here?"
"James," he repeated, disliking the nickname even when his dad said it. He looked from his father to Caleb, searching for a way to explain. "I was hoping to channel the spirit of Samuel Colt."
"So you're a medium-that's your ability?
"Medium has a negative connotation to it." James felt a pang of grief as he thought about his Grandfather Mac. He always worked so hard at reframing James's gift, wanting to encourage his pseudo grandson to rise to his full potential. "I'm clairvoyant and clairaudient. It's an optimal talent for a hunter."
"You see dead people?"
James smiled at his father. "Yahtzee," using one of his dad's expressions.
"Do you see any dead people now?" Dean moved around slightly, Boo giving his owner a perplexed look.
"You're totally standing on Atticus Finch." James never tired of torturing his brother with the spirit of Pastor Jim's dog. His father's reaction was just as classic.
"He's messing with you, Deuce."
James grinned, knowing Caleb never did fall for his bullshit. He chalked it up to his uncle's keen Winchester expertise.
"So you're a smartass?" Dean snorted.
"It runs in my family," James replied, stretching out his legs. This body was bigger than his own. His uncle was taller than his father, whereas he was shorter than JT. Life was unfair. James would have loved to have had the height advantage.
"Why Samuel Colt?" Caleb asked with raised brows.
"Malachi Harris is causing problems." James would skip the part about his father's Triad being in a coma. "Long story short - my Triad used a spell hoping Samuel Colt could help us with how to get rid of him."
"Harris killed Benjamin Mosley," Dean said. "Do you know who that is?"
"Former Advisor to Julian Smith's Triad." He had read Sam's journal entries about Missouri's father. He had also heard her version of his story. Caleb accused her of revisionist history, but James understood wanting to believe only the best about your family. "Have you killed Malachi yet?"
"No, not yet," Dean said slowly. "That's part of the plan, but we have more important issues at the moment-issues you just made a whole hell of a lot worse by booting Sammy out of his body."
James felt relieved. Knowing his father's Triad hadn't taken out Malachi helped him pinpoint the year. They hadn't faced Lucifer in Detroit, but it had to be close. "Good. That's good."
"Wait." Caleb held up his hand. "You said 'yet' as if we kill Harris."
James licked his lips. "Harris dies soon."
"Then why is he still running amuck in the future?" Caleb stepped forward.
James's eyes were adjusting to the darkness; he could see his uncle's rougher appearance. It reminded him of how Caleb looked after Mac's funeral. "That's part of the problem."
"Isn't there a time continuum you should be worrying about?" Dean gestured to James. "Have you seen Back to the Future?"
"So you believe me now?"
"Nope, but I'll play along until I get my brother back." Dean glanced at Caleb briefly. "So if you are not worried about the time continuum, then what happens in the future?"
"You're right in that I can't tell you specifics – it might change everything and I kinda like the way things turn out." James knew how lucky he and his brothers were, Max too. They had lived blessed lives, full of family and happy memories. He knew his father's Triad had not been so lucky. James refused to believe their story would end badly. A business deal could be executed beautifully and still fall apart in the end. He was a details kind of guy, all about the bottom line.
His dad frowned. "Do I like the way things turn out?"
"I think so." James was older before he recognized some of the cracks in his father's armor; the happy life he'd managed in spite of his past didn't completely heal his wounds. His dad had only talked about his time in Hell once, the war with Lucifer and Michael on rare occasion if it was relevant. One glimpse of the scars was enough for James, who preferred to see his father as invincible.
"Deuce, we need to call in back up." Caleb interrupted the uncomfortable situation.
"Mac and Bobby?" James was hopeful. He wouldn't pass up a chance to see his honorary grandfathers.
"I was thinking Joshua." Dean looked at James. "You know him right?"
"Yes." James stood, a brief smile touching his lips as he thought of the current Advisor. Joshua would no doubt be confounded over the latest mix-up. "He's the one who got us into this."
Brotherhood*SNSNSNSNSN*Brotherhood
