Sam and Dean tracked the small coven to a clearing in the woods.
In what seemed almost a parody there was a mist hanging low to the ground and the witches were dressed in black robes. They chanted loudly under a full moon as a small white dog whimpered and struggled against the rope around his neck. He was tied to a tree ready for sacrifice.
Dean whispered, "I hate witches."
Sam opened the small, worn, leather bound book to the page with the silk embroidered bookmark and glanced over the words holding a small penlight to see in the dark. He had the verse memorized but Sam was a perfectionist and every hunt including this one put them both in danger so he wasn't taking the chance of missing a single word.
When Sam was sure he was ready he leaned over and kissed Dean full on the mouth, "Wish me luck." He stepped out and began chanting in a deep, booming voice. Two novices fled on foot while three others shrieked and flailed their arms in distress.
Dean circled around and placed the iron bowl on the ground then lit the juniper fanning the smoke toward them.
The one robed figure that hadn't reacted up until then suddenly launched straight for Dean. He slammed a stake carved from a Rowan tree through the coven leader's heart. As she burst into flames Dean dove for the bushes to watch from a safe distance as she rapidly turned into ashes and then crumbled to the ground.
The other three collapsed and perished on the spot. Sam crouched over the pile of ashes poking around with a stick until he found what he was looking for. He lifted the medallion out and lowered it into the leather bag Dean was holding.
Dean gave his brother a satisfied look, "Well that went quicker than expected."
Sam untied the little white dog and picked him up, "He has a tag, the dogs name is Winston and he lives in that little town about ten miles back."
Dean looked at the scruffy mutt, "Great then he can find his way home."
Sam didn't bother to answer that, he got in the passenger seat of the Impala with Winston on his lap.
…..
It was almost dawn by the time they found the house. Sam set Winston over the wooden fence just as man stepped outside dressed for a morning jog. When Winston barked and ran to him that was when he noticed Sam and Dean walking toward the Impala.
"Hey…hey you two, are you the assholes that stole my dog?" He pulled out his cell, "I'm calling the cops!"
Dean turned around and growled, "Why would we steal your dog and then bring him back? We saved your damn dog!"
Sam took his arm, "Let it go Dean."
…..
They were a good half hour out of town before Dean spoke, "Even when we do good things for people we still end up looking bad."
Sam rubbed his brother's thigh and gave it a squeeze, "I know but Hunting isn't a job where we get paid or get thanks for what we do."
Dean placed his hand over Sam's and drove one handed, "I know baby."
Sam moved over closer and kissed the warm, salty skin on his brother's neck then whispered in his ear, "Does it help to know that you're my hero?"
Dean smiled then, Sam always made everything better, "Yeah, as long as I'm your hero Sammy I'm ok."