Sam and I were feeling much better after getting a few days rest. I was so glad we had convinced Dean to take a break. We had all been running on fumes and I wasn't sure how much more we could take before it got one of us, if not all, killed. I understood why Dean wanted to hunt so much, but it wasn't healthy and running wasn't going to make it better. Honestly I think the short break we took made him realize just how much running was hurting instead of helping. Of course our break couldn't last that long considering how many things there were to hunt. That is how we found ourselves in the same town as a bunch of magicians.

Dean, Sam and I were walking down the street. There was a murder during a magic show and it sounded like our kind of gig. However I wasn't that comfortable being around people who made money tricking people. Sure I liked magic tricks before I found out about the things that go bump in the night; now I knew I hated the fake magic junk. I felt sorry for the people who honestly thought this stuff was real, but better to be in the dark then living the lives we live. As we were walking we could see someone doing tricks for an audience. "This, this isn't a trick, okay? I, I, I don't do tricks. This is a demonstration—" he says as we approach. We had our suits on since we were working a case but I really didn't like the thing. "—about demons and angels—" he looks at the crowd "—love and lust—" the magician continued.

I looked at Dean and Sam with a raised eyebrow. This guy couldn't be serious, could he? "What a douchebag" Dean said. I let out a noise letting him know I agree. "All that stuff mixed up in my head." The magician informed the crowd. "That's Jeb Dexter," Sam said. When Sam said the guy's name, I furrowed my brows in confusion. "I don't even want to know how you know that," Dean said. I on the other hand was very curious as to how Sam knew this. "He's famous kind of," Sam explains. "Really?" I question while watching Jeb "—no matter how messed up this gets don't touch me okay?—"he says. "For what douchebaggery?" Dean asked. I shook my head at how many people were actually paying attention to this guy. "For your own safety." Jeb finally stops talking.

Jeb exhales, shaking his head, then imitates something like a seizure. "Is this guy for real right now?" I asked as I watched this weird display. With one hand he grabs for the cards in his other hand and scatters them, flinging them in the direction of the window behind him. "Go back to hell demon," He yells. The card that sticks to the window is the ace of diamonds. Jeb drags his hand over the card to show that it's on the far side of the glass. "Is this your card?" he asks the crowd and they applauded. "You've got to be kidding me. A fake demon possession?" Dean asked. "It would seem like it Dean and so I officially agree with you on the whole famous for douchebaggery thing. That was just ridiculous and I feel for the people who believe it." I tell the boys.

Dean had started to walk away, so Sam and I followed with his arm around my shoulders and mine around his back. "I can't believe people actually fall for that crap." Dean said. "Well they do unfortunately." I tell him. "It's not all crap." Sam says. I look up at him confused. "What part of that was not a steaming pile of BS?" Dean asked. "I have to agree Sammy. The guy faked a demon possession while we actually have to deal with them." I say. Sam looked at Dean and then down at me. "Okay, that was crap, but that's not all magicians." Sam says. "I know that but I really dislike the ones that are like that." I reply. Sam smiles at me glad I understand what he's saying. I smiled back glad I had made him happy. "I dislike them too, gives others a bad name. It takes skill." Sam continues his explanation to Dean. "Oh, right, right, I forgot. You were actually into this stuff, weren't you?" Dean asked. I looked over at him my eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Wait really? How into it was he?" I asked really wanting to know. I could feel Sam's slight embarrassment, but I really wanted to know. "He was pretty into it. I mean, you had, you had, like a deck of cards and a wand." Dean answered. "Dude, I was thirteen. It was a phase." Sam said. I smiled up at him. "Please tell me you still have the wand." I said. They both looked at me funny. "To play naughty student and professor." I explained while laughing. Dean let out a slight laugh while Sam just looked at me like 'really now'.

I couldn't help myself. The moment was there and I took it. I had said it to get a laugh out of the boys because the moment needed a laugh. Plus seeing Sam blush was super cute. However if we actually did have the time to do a little Harry Potter role-play I wouldn't complain. It wasn't that often that we got a break to spend time together alone. Since the first time we had been together, we had made love a handful of times if that and this included our three day break a few days ago. Of course now that we weren't chasing cases back-to-back, maybe Sam and I could spend a little more time together. Yes, hunting is important I'm not saying it isn't. I am however, saying that most hunters don't get what Sam and I have found, and it should be cherished as long as we do have it.

"Just—it bugs me. You know, playing at demons and, and magic, when the real thing will kill you bloody," Dean tells us getting back to reason we are here. "Like a guy who drops dead of ten stab wounds without a single tear in his shirt?" Sam asks. I nod agreeing with that statement, because let's be honest that's just creepy. "That's what I'm talking about." Dean said.

We had made it to the hotel where our victim had been staying before his untimely demise. I looked around his room as his assistant was packing up stuff. I turned toward her as she tossed a bunch of metal rings into a trunk that was almost fully packed. She then turned toward us. "So did your boss have any enemies that you know of?" Dean asked. "Vance had plenty of enemies," the assistant replied as she leans down and grabs the end of a series of tied-together handkerchiefs. I raised my eyebrows surprised; that wasn't the answer we normally got. "How so?" Sam asked. "He would steal from other magicians. All the time." She replied. Well that's just plan rude, you should ask to use something not steal it. "What would he steal?" Sam asked. As if that really matters, point is guy was a bloody thief. "Stage effects, close-up techniques, anything he could get his hands on." She told us. Dang, as much as I hate to say it, sounds almost like the guy had it coming. "Is that enough to get him killed?" Dean asked. I was about to say something, but the assistant beat me to it. "These guys take this stuff pretty seriously," She said. I looked over at Dean. "I know this is a little different situation, but where I'm from if you got caught stealing, you got shot. So if they take it as serious as she says it's possible." I told Dean.

He nodded his head letting me know he had heard me. We looked back to the assistant as she picked up a cloth that was covering a white rabbit. I smiled at how cute he was; after all I'm an animal lover. "There you are," she said picking him up and petting him. "Did you find anything weird in Vance's stuff? Well, weirder?" Dean asks. It was a good question cause a lot of the stuff he owned was already kind of weird. "Matter of fact, I did," she answered. Not sure that's a good thing or bad thing; hopefully it helps us find our bad guy. She puts the bunny in a bag and pulls out a Rider-Waite tarot card: the Ten of Swords. The image on the card is of ten swords sticking out of a man's back. That sure is pretty ominous, considering how Vance was found. "I'm guessing this didn't belong to Vance." Sam said. I looked over at him for a moment and said lowly so only he could hear, "Kinda creepy if ya ask me. Wonder if it was a threat or how he was killed?" Sam looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. "He hated card tricks. Never wanted them around. Let alone in his precious cape," the assistant informed us. She then handed the card to Sam. He looked it over, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Now that we had a clue it was time to go question some people. Sam, Dean and I went to the theater all the magicians were performing in. There's a sign up that reads The Incredible Jay over the Table of Death. Jeb Dexter is on the phone nearby. I rolled my eyes seeing that prick again. "It's a lame gig. I'm in a fleabag hotel doing this man-of-the-people crap, and freaking Angel's in Vegas doing Cirque du Soleil! That should have been mine," Jeb says. I glance at him with a 'you really think so' look. That guy was so full of himself and it really was sickening. Jeb sat down at a table and I spotted the guy we were looking for at an adjacent table. I nudge Dean to point him out and we walk over. "All right, boys, get it in gear, I don't got all day." Jeb tells his cameraman and microphone guy.

Once we reach the table Dean crouches down behind them. I stay standing considering how short I am. "You Vernon Haskell?" Dean asks. "Who's asking?" replies Vernon. I look at him, but don't say anything just yet. "Federal agent Ulrich. And this is my partner agent Mikaelson." Dean replies showing his badge as I show mine. "Looking into the death of Patrick Vance." Dean tells him. He doesn't seem to be paying attention however. Instead he is watching Jeb who is sitting across from Jay as they record a show. "I'm Jeb Dexter. This is Devil Twist. We're chilling at the International Magicians' Convention, which is a dope chance to tip my hat to the wicked cats who came before me. Smoking hot effect last night, Jim" Jeb says. Seriously, at least try and get the person you're talking to name right. That guy was starting to get on my last nerve and I wasn't one to anger easily. "Jay," he told him. "Huh," Jeb replied actually confused. He was way to self-absorbed, it was kind of sickening. "My name is Jay," he replied. "Yeah, whatever. We can loop it later." Jeb told him.

"What an ass," I said at them same time Vernon said, "What a douchebag." I smiled at the fact we all seemed to agree on something. "Couldn't agree more. Is, uh this familiar to you?" Dean asked pulling out the tarot card we had gotten earlier. "Should it be?" Vernon asked genuinely confused. I knew he wasn't our guy. "Well, I heard that you used tarot cards in your act," Dean replied. "My act?" Vernon questioned before laughing. I was wondering why he was laughing. Did he not consider what he did an act? Or was it something else? I looked over at Dean and he just shrugged his shoulders. "That was a long time ago. I haven't touched a deck in years, you know." Vernon said holding up his shaking hand. I let out a sigh, but I hoped this wasn't a complete bust, after all he may know something. "Do you know someone that might use them now?" Dean asked. I looked at Vernon hopeful.

"Any information is helpful." I tell him. He thinks for a second before replying, "Well, there was a guy down on Bleeker Street" I smiled glad that we had managed to get some kind of information. "Oh, yeah. He, he peddles that kind of specialty stuff." Charlie the other man at the table said. "Did he have a problem with Vance?" Dean asked. Why he asked the question I don't know; Vance seemed to have a problem with everyone. "Matter of fact, Vance crossed him about a year ago. Probably cost him fifty grand in royalties." Vernon said and Charlie nodded. I let out a low whistle. "That's a pretty penny. Enough to get someone killed." I whispered to Dean. "You know the exact address?" Dean asked. If someone had cost me that much money I'd be pissed enough to hurt someone so this seemed like a good lead. "Four twenty-six Bleeker." Vernon told us. "Ask for Chief," Charlie added. Odd name for a guy, but whatever floats your boat I guess. "Chief. Thank you." Dean replies. We then stand up so we can head on our way.

Dean and I walked down the street, toward where Charlie and Vernon told us to go. I wanted to be with Sam, but I didn't mind being with Dean. We got along great; he was like the brother I always wanted growing up. I was happy that I had found Bobby and the boys and they helped me to move on. We continued to walk until we came upon a neon sign that read 426. I looked at Dean with a raised brow. "Why is it neon?" I asked. Dean shrugged his shoulders and knocked on the bars on the door. The chain-link door opened and revealed a young man. I was still wondering about the neon sign and the door so I didn't notice him eyeing Dean. "We're, uh, here to see Chief." Dean tells him. I then looked at the young man. He raised his eyebrows, but opened the barred door to let us in.

I was really becoming curious about the place we were walking into. Dean walked down the stairs following the young man and I followed behind. "Stay here. Don't touch anything," the young man tells us. Why on earth would we want to touch anything? We came to see a guy and ask some questions not mess with your stuff. The young man left so Dean and I looked around. There's graffiti on the walls and the bass line of music is audible and the emotions I could feel were raw and sexual. This place was really starting to freak me out and I'm pretty sure Charlie and Vernon were trying to pull one over on Dean. I was not happy about this turn of events, but before I could say anything a door opened beside us. Dean turned toward it and I looked at him before looking at the door. A big man came through the door who I assumed was Chief. He was wearing all leather and carrying a flogger, which he slaps into his other hand a couple times. I let out a groan now knowing exactly why I was feeling the sexual tension and almost animalistic urges. We were in a gay BDSM sex club. This was not how I expected my night to turn out and to say I was upset was an understatement.

"You are really gonna get it tonight, big boy. And I'm guessing you like to watch little lady," Chief said. My eyebrows went up in surprise and I was at a loss for words. "There's been a misunderstanding. I, uh, think I've been had." Dean replied. I looked at him and then Chief then back to Dean and cocked my head slightly. I wasn't sure whether I should laugh, scream, or be mad. I can honestly say I had never been in a situation this weird before. "Oh, you ain't been had till you been had by the Chief," he told him. Dean frowned at this and looked at me. "Oh, and before we get started, what's your safe-word?" Chief asked and Dean swallowed. I looked over at Chief and say, "Listen he doesn't want to be had by you okay? And there is definitely no safeword" Chief smiled at me thinking I was just nervous. "It's okay sweetheart I'm not gonna hurt your man too bad," He told me. It was now my turn to frown. Dean wasn't my man; he was like an older brother.

The following morning we met up with Sam at the theater entrance. Last night was a mess and I really didn't want to think about it ever again. "Find anything interesting?" Dean asked. Sam looked at us and replied, "What? Uh, no. You?" I just shook my head. "Nothing I want to talk about, or think about, ever again." Dean told him. I could feel Sam's curiosity as he looked at me. "Seriously Sam lets not talk about it," I told him. Normally I wouldn't keep things from him, but last night was just weird and creepy. I felt a shiver run down my spine just mentioning that I didn't want to talk about it. I honestly have no clue why Charlie and Vernon would send us there. Dean I could kind of see as a joke, but I was this tiny innocent looking girl (for the most part) so why did I deserve the prank?

Charlie and Vernon were standing together. "He's crazy, and you know it," Vernon said. "He says he can do it." Charlie replied. I could vaguely hear their conversation, but what got me was the worry coming from Vernon. "Did you even try to talk him out of it?" Vernon asked. Now I was curious as to who and what they were talking about. "Till I was blue in the face. But I tell you, Vernon, there was...there was something in his eyes." Charlie told him. "'In his eyes'? You're both nuts." Vernon said. That was when we approached them. "The Chief, huh?" Dean asked raising his eyebrows. I just gave them both an evil look. "What's the matter? Chief not your type?" Charlie asked, smirking. I let out a low growl and Sam looked at me in confusion. I didn't want to talk about what happened so I just mouthed 'Gay BDSM sex club' to Sam. He frowned and nodded his head now understanding why Dean and I didn't want to talk about last night.

Dean smirked back at Charlie. "You know, I could have you both arrested for obstruction of justice." Dean told him. "How? You're no Fed" Vernon replied. I looked at them with a raised brow. "We con people for a living, son. Takes more than a fake badge to get past us." Charlie added on. Well that explains why they sent us to see Chief; payback for trying to pull one over on them. I still wasn't happy about it though. "You got us. Yeah, we...we are actually...aspiring magicians," Dean told them. Well if that's how they want to play it then I guess I'll go along. "Yeah, we...we came to the convention 'cause we thought we could learn something." Sam explained. I can't believe they are going with this, but it is more believable than the Fed act since this guys saw through that. "Yeah, get some ideas for our new show." Dean said.

"Ooh, what kind of show?" Vernon asked seeming genuinely interested. "Well, it's...it's a..." Dean started. "It's a brother act." Sam finished since Dean couldn't seem to articulate anything. I stood there smiling not saying anything for the moment. "Yeah. Yeah, you know, with the rings and doves and...rings." Dean told them. Vernon and Charlie looked over at me. "And what's your part in the show?" they asked. "Well I'm his girlfriend—" I pointed to Sam "—And what's a magic show without a lovely assistant?" I replied popping my hip out with one hand on it the other in the air like I was showing something off. I felt so dumb doing this, but they seemed to buy it. Dean and Sam were amused by me, I could feel it, but they didn't say anything. "You want to learn something? Stick around." Charlie told us. We all sat down and looked at the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, what you're about to witness is a feat so daring, So dangerous, even the great Houdini dared not attempt it. I give to you...The executioner!" Jay exclaimed. I could feel his and the crowd's excitement, his friends worry and intrigue, Dean and Sam's mixed emotions. I had a feeling something bad was going to happen tonight; I just wasn't sure what it was.