Author's Note: Thanks so much to lljn105, sam's folly, SARA1988, KnightJellyOfCamelot, DaughterOfPoseidon333, apester, and moni9576 for your awesome review. I'm very greatful for your support.

Chapter Eight: What Comes Next?

Dean leaned back on the couch waiting for Missouri to say something. He had told her a little about where he came from and how he'd gotten here. It was nice to be able to tell someone the truth and not have to convince them or worry about them thinking he was nuts. With Missouri's unique gifts, she was able to discern truth from lie with no problems. Of course, that didn't mean it was easy to absorb everything.

"Boy, will you stop thinking so loud. It's making it hard to concentrate here."

"Sorry." Dean apologized automatically. He didn't know why, but this woman really intimidated him.

"Now, first off, no knitting needle can transport you anywhere, so I'm gonna assume that was just your impression of it. Let me see that hand."

Dean put his right hand in hers. She pulled off the small gauze pad he'd taped over the wound and examined it. He found himself staring at it too. Although he'd cleaned it out several times, the puncture mark was still inflamed and the surrounding tissue seemed to be even more infected-looking. Dean had been aware of the pain it was causing, but he was so used to ignoring anything that wasn't life threatening that he'd just put it out of his mind. He gritted his teeth as Missouri ran her fingers over it.

"There's some kind of writing, just below your skin."

Dean snatched his hand back. "Dude, you're not opening up my hand to read it."

"Boy, what do you take me for? A butcher? Besides, I can see it already, I just can't read it. But whatever did this to you is very old and very powerful."

"Nah, it was just some skanky demon bitch."

"You watch your language, Dean Winchester. And use your brain while you're at it. Just because a demon's the one who stabbed you doesn't mean it was her weapon or her plan."

"So, she was just a flunky. But to who?"

"I don't know that. It's not like he signed his handiwork. But I can tell you this. The key to getting you home lies with him."

Dean didn't like the sound of that. "But I'm here and he's there."

"Yes."

"Oh hell no! No, I can't just sit on my ass here hoping that Sam and other-Dean can fix this. Hell, neither of them even saw what happened so who's to say they even figure it out? No, there has to be something I can do."

"Not that I can tell. Look, I know these aren't the answers you wanted to hear, but maybe for once you have to rely on someone else to save you."

"Sorry, that's not the way I work."

"Well, there is one thing you can try, but it's not my area of expertise."

"What?"

"A summoning. You can try to call whatever sent you here. If he's powerful enough, he might just hear you."

"But what good would that do? If he sent me here, I don't think he'll let me go home if I just ask him politely."

"Boy, I don't think you're capable of being polite. But to answer your question, a powerful enough medium might be able to open a door between the two worlds if you get a dialogue going between the dimensions. It's a long shot, but still…"

"Great!" Dean thought about Pamela and wondered if she was still doing her thing here in this reality. But then something else came to mind. "Wait, if a door's opened, won't it be two-way? Can this thing and demons and other kinds of crap just walk through into here?"

"Yes. And they will know it's opened."

Dean's shoulders slumped. "Then no. I can't do it." All he could think about was the hundreds of demons that might pour through, all knowing the name Dean Winchester, and the two little, innocent children back at other-Dean's home. He couldn't put his personal agenda before their lives. He couldn't be like his own father. He could never do that to them. He'd have to find another way.

"You're a good man." Missouri offered him a smile.

"Wow, a compliment from you? I think that's a sign of the apocalypse."

"No, but you showing some respect would be."

Dean thought for a moment. "You knew. You knew before you even suggested a séance that I'd never go for it. Why did you even tell me about it?"

"You deserve the truth. But seriously, Dean, you need to have faith in your brother."

"I do. It's just…"

"Hard for you to sit still. Well, you can keep looking for a way to help, if it'll help you. Lord knows I don't know everything."

Dean stood and reached to shake the woman's hand. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. And you leave some kind of message for that other Dean. You tell him to come here and let me know that everything turned out alright."

"Will do."

Dean drove back to the house deep in thought. He needed to get home and he needed to get other-Dean back here with his family. But now he had to consider the fact that any actions he took might put other-Dean's loved ones in danger. Man, he hoped his mother was having better luck. But while contacting the Harvelles was a good idea, he wasn't sure how they'd be able to help. But any lead was better than none, right?

As he pulled up to the house, he let out a groan. Sam was sitting on the front steps, obviously waiting for him. Dean got out of the car and plastered a smile on his face.

"Hey, Sammy, back from work early?"

"It's Sunday. I only went in to consult with one client who couldn't meet with me yesterday."

"Oh, well, no rest for the wicked, right?" Dean tried to go around his brother, but the taller man wouldn't let him pass.

"Dean, we need to talk."

"Dude, again? Didn't we already do this?"

"Yes, but that was before you skipped church this morning and then went to see a psychic."

"First off, I didn't go anywhere this morning because you kept me up late with your first asinine intervention, and secondly, why the hell would you think I visited a psychic?"

"I had Jess tap into your car's GPS."

"Dude, isn't that illegal?"

"I'm concerned about you Dean."

"So you keep saying. Look, Missouri is an old friend. She was a guest speaker when Missy and I were in college. She heard about what had happened and wanted to talk. And before you ask, I didn't tell you because after all that crap you accused me of last night, I knew you'd react poorly to her chosen profession."

Sam studied him, looking for any sign of deception. Luckily, Dean was a master at lying. "Are you sure that's all that's going on?"

"Yes! Dude, can I go in the house now, or do you wanna take me out back and try to torture me into revealing whatever the hell you believe the truth is?"

Sam stepped aside with a muttered apology. Dean knew he wasn't completely convinced and that he'd have to be more careful from now on if he didn't want to end up in a padded room before he could get back home. And wouldn't other-Dean just love to come back to that?

…

…Supernatural…Supernatural…Supernatural…Supernatural…Supernatural…

…

Dean sat on the couch trying to wrap his head around everything that had happened. He briefly wondered if he was just insane and was imagining all of this. But he knew that wasn't the case and believing so was dangerous. If he couldn't accept the truth he was as good as dead. And he couldn't die. His family was depending on him. He hoped that alternate-Dean would take care of them if anything happened to him, but he really didn't want it to come to that.

"You seem troubled."

Dean gasped as he turned towards the previously empty spot on the couch to see Castiel looking at him.

"Yeah. I miss my kids and well, obviously I'm nervous about the upcoming battle. I mean, I almost got myself killed by some creature yesterday and if I'm understanding everything right, this abomination thing is like a million times more powerful."

"He is yes. But you are the key to ending him."

"No, your Dean is. Isn't that why he went through all this. Because he knows I don't have any hope of winning against him?"

"There is always hope. The abomination did not believe that you would fight. He has already underestimated you. It gives you an advantage."

"I guess. But, dude, this is so seriously screwed up. Bobby thinks that we may have to confront him as soon as tomorrow."

"That makes sense. The abomination would put all of this in motion at the time when his plans were to come together."

"I guess that I just wish I had more time to prepare."

"You have until tomorrow. I will assist in the research to free Sam up to help you train."

"Really? That would be awesome." Dean grinned. "You know, it's pretty cool to have an angel around. These guys are lucky to have you."

Castiel shifted uncomfortably. "That is very kind of you to say."

"Something wrong?"

"No, it is just… I have been busy fighting a war in heaven and working to solidify my power and have not been able to give as much attention to Dean as I perhaps should."

"Dude, you got a lot going on. I'm sure he understands. Besides, it seems like you're always there for him when it counts. And you've helped me now too."

Castiel stood. "Then perhaps we should both begin to prepare for tomorrow."

"Yeah." Dean walked into the study. "Sammy, come on. I need you to teach me how to live through tomorrow."

Sam looked up from the book that was open in front of him. "You know you're not really my older brother, right? You can't just order me around." He smiled to show that he was kidding.

"Hey, what's the fun of being in an alternate dimension if I can't boss around an all new Sammy?"

"What do you want me to show you?" Sam asked, getting up and approaching the shorter man.

"Well, how to shoot for one. I know some hand to hand but I'm sure you know more. And we have to go over a plan and practice how exactly I'm supposed to infect that thing with my blood."

"And all in twenty-four hours? Yeah, this is gonna be easy."

"Hey, I'm a quick study. Seriously, I got a black-belt in no time at all and even graduated from college two years early." He shrugged. "Mom says I just pick up on things fast."

"You went to college?"

"Yeah. Got a teaching degree."

"Wow. Either you are way different than my Dean or he really just didn't apply himself much."

"Well, I suppose if I grew up the way he did normal things like school probably wouldn't seem that important."

"I guess." Sam looked thoughtful.

"And speaking of important things… are you gonna get around to training me sometime before I fight that creature and he kills me?"

"You know, you and my Dean… not so different."

Author's Note Part Two: Sorry it's a little shorter than usual but I had to stop here for story telling purposes. Hopefully you all still enjoyed it. Please review and let me know your opinion. Thanks so much.