Present Time...

With a new found realization, Lex glared at Sam, seeing the demon possessing him rather than the man she cared so deeply for. "You're the demon who possessed me. You're the one who made me think I was reliving me nightmares while you used me to try and kill the people I love. Now you're doing it to Sam."

"I knew you were the smart one. But I'm not making him relive his past nightmares. Oh no, I am making him watch as I destroy the people he loves. That's what scares him more than anything." Sam rolled up his sleeve. "And don't trying any of that Latin exorcism incantation crap. It won't work." Lex noticed a small burn on Sam's arm. The mark wasn't anything significant or extravagant. In fact, it was nothing more than a small circle with a line going through it. Lex had never seen anything like it before.

"What does that do?"

"Why on Earth would I tell you?" Sam snatched Lex's face. "Do you know how many hunter's I've killed?" Sam growled.

"Then why am I still alive?"

"Someone wants you alive." Sam pulled Lex's face closer to his, well beyond the personal space limit. "And though I don't give a damn about the 'master plan', I'm not allowed to hurt you. For now." He smiled throwing her face free. "I'm curious to know why."

Lex flexed her jaw and neck. "If you ever find out, mind cluing me in? That is if you aren't dead first – of course."

Sam threw her a sinister smile. "Good luck with that."

"It's not me you need to be worried about."

"No, I suppose you're not." Sam sighed. "And given you're little phone call earlier, Dean's coming sooner than I originally planned. Guess I'll just have to improvise."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Demon?" Sam bellowed, as if that were the answer to everything. "But I need to get going. Say 'hi' to Dean for me. And let him know that I won't hurt Jo until he arrives," Sam finished with a snicker before walking out of the motel.

Lex fought her restraints. The demon was at least smart enough to zip-tie each hand and each leg to the actual chair making escape that much harder. Lex swore under her breath in frustration. She took a few seconds to gather her wits and consider her options – there was a knife in her duff bag, except it was on the other side of the bed – she could try and break the chair, except it was metal… meaning her best option was to try and break the ties.

With her left hand, Lex tightened the right tie until circulation in her wrist was gone. With as much physical force as she could muster, Lex pulled at the restraint using the metal chair as leverage. After several ties, Lex was finally able to break the first one – though not unscathed. The tie cut deep into her wrist. Yet, Lex ignored it and moved on to her feet. With far more ease, she was able to break free. Rather than playing around with the last tie, she pulled the chair along with her to the bed and reached for her knife.

Just as her fingers latched around the handle, her door slammed open. Lex almost threw the knife until she realized the only person who would crash through the entrance was Dean.

"Are you okay?" Dean reached for Lex's face. Until then, Lex hadn't realized her head was throbbing.

She thrashed away from his touch. "Ouch! Geez! I'm fine…. Relatively speaking." The knife cut the last of the restraints like butter. Relief washed over Lex's face. "We need to go to 'The Sandpiper'. Jo is there."

"What?"

"Jo! She asked me to help with some ghost haunting. Eli must've told Sam why I was here." Lex barked, grabbing her duffle bag. She went to reach for the keys only to realize Dean had them in hand.

"You're not coming."

"The hell I'm not! The demon currently possessing Sam is the same one who got me. Oh and that's my car."

"Lex – I can't worry about you, Sam and Jo."

"Worry about me? Thanks for the consideration now, you know after it's too late." Lex went to move passed Dean when she felt his grip on her arm. "I'm coming."

"Damn it!"

"Yes that's exactly right – Damn it!" Lex pulled away. "I am not just some unseasoned hunter Dean. This isn't my first rodeo, and it sure as hell isn't going to be my last."

Dean shook his head in frustration. "You should've seen what that demon did to Stephen Wendell." Dean caught Lex's puzzling stare. "A hunter. The thought of that happening to you or Jo…" Dean raised a curious brow. "Wait, why didn't he do that to you?"

"Apparently Yellow Eyes has a protection order on me. I'm not to be harmed, which is why you should worry less about me and more about Jo. I'm pretty sure she isn't so lucky." Dean hated when she was right – but she was. Instead of arguing with the red-head like he normally would, Dean handed her back the keys and followed in her wake. "How did you find me, anyway?"

"I tracked Sam's phone."

"And you didn't think to do that – oh I don't know – the second he left."

The engine to the Honda Accord hummed to life. "I thought he was on another one of his 'need-to-be-alone' tantrums. I wanted to give him space!"

"Why did he need the space Dean? What did you say to him this time to make him run off?"

"Why am I always to blame?" Lex glared at the older Winchester. "Nothing! I swear. I didn't say anything."

"I'm not sure if I believe you."

Lex and Dean pulled into the lot. It was entirely empty except for one car – The Impala. Dean noticed the silhouette of Sam dancing around Jo. Jo was helpless. Dean felt his stomach start to knot. He needed to save her now. He reached for the handle before Lex could stop him. Lex raced around the Accord forcing Dean to back down. "We need to think about this logically."

"Logically? He's got Jo tied up for Christ-sake. He's going to kill her."

"No he isn't. Not yet."

"He told me to kill him Lex! He asked me. Begged me!"

"God damn it Dean. Listen to me. We can't just go in there guns-a-blazing."

"Sure we can. You stay out here. If shit hits the fan, you can come rescue us."

"Rescue Dean Winchester?"

"Yeah, it felt dirty just saying it." Dean pushed passed her. "Look, if Sam makes it passed me, I need you to stop him."

"Fine!" Lex threw her hands up in the air in defeat. "Go. I'll stay. But one shot – one anything that constitutes danger - and I'm running in, guns-a-blazing." She pushed the safety off her gun and readied herself for a fight, just to reiterate the point.

The Older Winchester accepted the accord with a nod. Lex walked away and found a perch outside one of the bigger windows. The moment she was in place, Dean crashed through the bar door, his gun up – aiming straight for Sam's head. "Sam!"

"I begged you to stop me, Dean" Sam voice cracked with fear and concern.

Dean faltered – but only just. "Put the knife down, God damn it.

Sam pushed away from Jo. "I told you I can't fight it." He was scared. "My head feels like it's on fire. Alright! Dean, kill me or I'm gonna kill her. Please!" The beg in Sam's voice felt so wrong. Sam wasn't a beggar but yet, Dean couldn't help but feel the sincerity in his words – in his expression. Lex felt it too. "You'd be doing me a favor. Shoot me." Sam spread his arms apart. "SHOOT ME!"

Lex, watched the whole scene play out. She was desperate to run to him. She wanted to help him, but she also knew he was a demon. The Sam she loved wasn't currently at the wheel.

"No Sammy. Come on."

"What the hell's wrong with you, Dean? Are you really that scared of being alone that you'll let Jo die?"

Lex couldn't help but glance toward Dean in curiosity. It never occurred to her that Dean had a fear like that – a fear of being alone. The look on Dean's face only just solidified the truth. After what felt like several minutes, Dean finally reacted. He, without being caught, pulled out his flask, unscrewed the cap, and flung Holy Water onto Sam.

Sam screamed out in pain as smoke and steam rose from his body.

"That's holy water you demonic son of a bitch." Triumph and relief echoed in his voice. He was happy to know that Sam was, in fact, not behind the murders and killings. No, it was a demon. Though Lex had told him as much, Dean needed to know for sure given what Sam might be.

Sam thrashed and twisted in pain before jumping through the window. The very window Lex was crouching behind. Sam caught her with his arm and pulled her to the ground with him. The impact caused Lex to lose grip of her weapon. Sam rolled on top of her and held her in place. "You're next." He laughed punching her in the face.

Lex took the hit in hopes of being able to reach her gun. But it was too late, Sam noticed. He jumped off her and ran into one of the marina boat houses, relieving her of her weapon in the process.

"Damn it!" She screamed. Dean raced out the door and to Lex's side, helping her to her feet. "He's in the boat house. He took my gun."

"I got this, go help Jo."

Lex did as told and ran back into the bar. To her surprise, Jo was just standing there, defeated and a little surprised herself. Lex wiped her nose of blood and shrugged with a sigh. "Sorry I'm late."

"I didn't know you were friends with the Winchesters."

Lex swallowed down her guilt. Sometime ago, Sam mentioned what happened between Jo's father and John – and how Jo's father died. After finding out the truth, Jo decided to remove the Winchester's from her life. Lex decided it was good idea to keep her relationship with the Winchester's on the down-low. She didn't want to lose Jo's friendship. There were very few women in the hunting world – or women in general who Lex actually liked. "It's a long story."

"Yeah, there seems to be a lot of those."

Gun shots ricocheted off the walls. Lex knew immediately it was her weapon discharging. Any good hunter knew the sound of their own weapon. "Go find Dean. He ran into the boat house."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to try and stop Sam."

The two split up.

Lex ran towards the cars. She was desperate and worried. She knew Dean wouldn't hurt Sam, not if he could help it. But Sam wasn't in control. The demon was – and the demon had no quarrels killing Dean. In fact, Lex was started to get a sense of revenge on the Demon's behalf.

When the demon possessed her a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't trying to kill Lex, it was trying to get Lex to kill the Winchesters. Obviously the tactic didn't work. The moment the demon left Lex, it jumped into a very unconscious Sam. With everyone so concerned about her and making sure she was okay, no one noticed or even suspected the jump. God, we were so blind, Lex said to herself as she made her way to the Impala.

The sound of trees rustling and wood snapping pulled Lex's attention. Sam appeared out of the dark, gun in hand. "You just don't know when to give up, do you?"

"No, not really."

Sam raced forward. Lex moved out of the way tripping Sam in the process. The demon barked out in frustration. He was on his feet almost instantly. Lex went to punch him but he was faster than she expected. Sam took hold of her and threw her like she were a rag-doll. Lex sailed through the air until her body met the side of her car.

She fell to the ground, lifeless.

With an approving nod, Sam got into the Impala and drove off.

Lex stayed still until she was sure Sam was gone. It took several long minutes and multiple deep breaths before Lex even considered moving, only to whimper in the process. "God damn it… that hurt." The woman rubbed the back of her head and limped her way back into the bar.

Just as she reached the door, Jo came around the corner with an injured Dean under her arm. "Med Kit! Upstairs bathroom."

Lex didn't need to be told twice. She, despite her own injuries, ran up the stairs and into the bathroom. She opened cabinets and discarded items until she found a fully stocked kit, stitching needles and all. She raced back down and gave the kit Jo. She was practiced from the looks of her expert hands. Lex saw the blood and shivered. "I'm going to step outside."

"You don't like the sight of blood?" Dean mocked.

"This is all Eli's territory. I just kill things," Lex said, excusing herself. As she left she could hear Dean bellowing out obscenities and Jo bellowing back. Lex was glad she wasn't involved. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Bobby.

/Hello?/

"I think Sam might be coming your way."

/Sam? You guys found him?/

"A demon possessed version, but yes."

/Ah, hell…/

"Dean and I will be heading over as soon as he's all patched up."

/Patched up?/

Lex winced hearing another boisterous scream from Dean. "Sam shot him."

/Thanks for the heads up./

The car ride was quiet. The air was thick with concern and frustration. Every now and again, Dean maneuvered his shoulder up and down trying to get his range of motion back. Lex tried to stop him with evil stares and vigorous slaps. Nothing worked. Dean refused to comprehend that getting shot meant taking it easy. "Stop that!"

"It hurts."

"No kidding – you've been shot."

"I don't want you involved in this."

Lex rolled her eyes at the revolving conversation that never seemed to go away. "And again – way too late."

"Lex…"

Lex slammed her hands down on the steering wheel in irritation. "Don't! I'm not Jo. I've been hunting on my own for years. I've never needed your protection, or conern. I've never needed a knight in shining armor. In fact, if anything – you need one." Lex poked his bullet hole wound. Dean barked out in pain. "Point made?"

"Point made." Dean subsided into silence.

"So stop treating me like a god-damned newbie because I am getting seriously sick of it. I mean it; any more use of the words 'protection', 'safety', 'concern' or the like, and I will shoot your other shoulder out. I swear!"

"Okay! Deal! You're scary you know that?"

"Good."

The two pulled into the driveway of walled cars and potholes. Before the engine died, they were out of the car and in the house. Bobby stood over Sam's unconscious body taking another sip of his beer. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry, Dean wasn't handling the bullet removal very well."

"Says the girl who walked out because of a little blood."

"Will you two stop bickering and help me move Sam before he wakes up."

Dean and Lex exchanged a cheeky glance before Lex grabbed the closest arm chair and held it in place while Dean and Bobby lifted Sam into it. "I got some rope in the upstairs closet. Would you mind grabbing it for me Lex?"

The girl nodded and disappeared around the corner. Bobby threw Dean a paint can, which resided in his desk for moments like these, and pointed to the ceiling. "We're gonna want to make sure the demon can't escape."

Dean noted his understanding. He maneuvered a step ladder from the hall into place and went to work. Lex appeared with a large rope in tow and began to tie Sam to the chair. Bobby pulled out a couple of Latin books and several older books containing older incantations. Lex gave him a curious glance. "Just in case the usual doesn't work."

Lex phone began to sing, jolting her to attention. "Lex…" She paused. "I'll head over in a bit. Thanks Ash."

"You know Ash?"

"We went to MIT together." Lex put her phone away. "He and I have been working on the whole…" Lex pointed at Sam. "Thing."

"Go. We've got this."

"Dean…"

"That's just as important. Bobby and I can handle an exorcism." Dean almost begged.

Lex considered pushing back. There was a look in Dean's eyes that caused her to pause. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something. "Fine. I'll let you know if we come up with anything. Will you at least call me and let me know how this goes?"

Dean agreed with sullen shake.

Without another word, Lex began to walk away, but not before asking Bobby to walk her out with beseeching stare. Bobby understood the gesture immediately and followed her out. The girl ran her hands through her strawberry hair in concern, as Bobby closed the door behind them. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah…" Lex lifted her head trying to hold back tears. "This is my fault. I'm the one who got possessed. Now…"

"Don't you dare start that crap with me." Bobby ordered. "This is the risk of the job. You know that. They know that."

"But we should all know better. We should've figured out how to protect ourselves from shit like this, long before now, because of the god damn risk. Now I have to live knowing I almost killed the most important people in my life. And Sam… on top of everything else, he has to live with the blood of Stephen Wendell."

Bobby swore under his breath. "Does anyone else know?"

"I don't think so."

"People are gonna be out for blood."

"Have an address? I can head over there before I go to The Roadhouse. Make sure…"

Bobby clapped his hand on Lex's shoulder to give the girl some kind of moral support, for what little it was worth. "This won't be the last time something like this happens – we'll be ready next time."

"For us, it will be." Lex reached into her jean pockets and pulled out two small metal trinkets. "I picked these up a couple of days ago. Planned on giving them to the boys. Guess I was too late."

"These are hard to come-by. How did you get them?"

"I'm not entirely sure you want to know."

"You're right. I don't. Because it probably involves a thieving antiquities dealer."

"It might."

Bobby put the trinkets away for safe keeping. "Won't you need'em?"

Lex pulled down her shirt to reveal a still healing tattoo of a pentagram encircled in sun-like flames. "I had the ink blessed by every religious sect I could find, imbued it with holy-water, and had it drawn by a high-priest just above the heart."

"You put out all the stops."

"I never want to be possessed again." Lex smiled sheepishly. "I have some ink left. In case you're interested."

"No thanks. I'll stick with the jewelry." Bobby patted his pocket. "They're lucky you came into their lives, Lexi. You help them more than they will ever know."

"It's mutual." Lex hugged the old hunter and left without saying another word. One more second, and Lex wouldn't have been able to leave. All she wanted was to make sure Sam was okay, but Dean would see to that. Lex also knew her place with the boys. Regardless of how close they were becoming, she still hadn't earned the right to be considered family - not yet anyway. "I'll let you know if we come up with anything."

"Thanks, kiddo..."