Chapter 22

The night closed in around them as Dean drove the Impala down 29 hoping they were heading in the right direction. He cast a glance at Sky in the passenger seat and saw her looking at a map with a small flashlight. She looked up when she felt his eyes on her.

"We'll find them," he told her quietly.

"What if it's not in time?"

"Then someone's gonna pay dearly," he assured her glaring back at the road ahead of them. The headlights reflected off the blacktop as the tires ate up the miles. "How long are we gonna drive this way? We don't know where they went after the phones went dead. They could have turned off anywhere."

"If I know these men, they'd want an out of the way private place to do their dirty work. They'd want to be away from any populated areas."

"I'm sure you'll be contacted again and if Sasha is as good as she claims to be, maybe she can trace it," Dean said. "If not, there is something else we can try."

"What?"

"Location spell. We've used one before, should work."

"Good to know. Whatever it takes."

"What aren't you telling me?" he asked seeing a familiar look on her face that was similar to what he used when he was holding back information.

"Nothing," she said folding the map and looking out the side window away from Dean not wanting him to see what was in her eyes.

"Don't lie to me, I know you too well Sky, talk to me."

"I can't, not this time Dean, I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is my burden that I have to deal with please understand."

"Babe, you don't have to do this alone you know that right? I will always stand by your side. I can help bear the load; something like this is not new to me. I have strong shoulders and I've dealt with a lot of shit in my life. Please just don't shut me out."

"I'll try not to handsome, I'll try," she sighed knowing this was going to test their relationship. She reached across and took his hand feeling the warmth and strength he gave her.

spn

"How close are we?" Claire asked Krissy as she read the text from Sky.

"Couple of hours it looks like. They're gonna find a place to stop so everyone can catch up."

Trace looked over at Claire as she suddenly clutched her head and moaned softly in pain.

"Claire what's wrong?"

"Pain," she mumbled rubbing her temples when fleeting images of Alex flashed before her eyes.

"Claire?" Krissy asked looking over the seat at her.

"It's Alex; she's come to, tied up," Claire whispered as the pain began to ease up. "Cole is there too."

"Can you tell where?"

"No, I just got a glimpse," she panted leaning into Trace's embrace.

"I got ya babe, its okay."

"Text Dean, have them stop now so we can catch up."

"On it, Sam's about an hour behind us; I'll let him know too."

spn

Sam pulled into the motel parking lot and started looked for the Impala and Brody's SUV. He spotted the cars in the back of the lot and slowly pulled around to park by the Impala. They got out and grabbed their bags before heading for the room number Sky had text to them. A quick knock brought Brody to the door and he stepped back to let them in.

"Hey guys," he greeted.

"Brody," Sam nodded steering Sasha on into the room to see the others sitting around it.

"Good, we're all here," Dean said getting up to allow Sasha a seat. "To catch you two up, Claire saw Alex and Cole for a brief moment. They're alive, that's about all she can tell us. We're hoping she can make contact again," he said looking at the tired faces surrounding him. "Alright, I know everyone's tired and worried. We all need some sleep and then we'll work on a plan on finding Cole and Alex," Dean instructed the others. "Before you start arguing..." he added seeing Sky getting ready to object. "We need to be sharp; we won't do them any good if we're too tired to help."

"Dean's right," Sam said. "We need to rest."

"Here, we got two more rooms one for the girls and one for the guys," Dean told them holding out two keys. "They're beside ours; go on try to get some rest."

"Thanks," Brody said accepting the keys and handing one to Krissy.

"Okay, we'll see ya in a few hours," she said taking a key and going to the door. "Come on Claire."

"Wait, we'll walk with you," Trace said taking Claire's hand.

"Thanks," Claire mumbled to him leaning into his touch.

"We'll see ya in a bit," Brody told them following the others out.

spn

"You want the bathroom first?" Sam asked Sasha.

"Thanks, I won't be long," she said pulling a bag out of her pack along with an oversized tee shirt.

"You're next," Dean told Sky encircling her waist with his arms so he could pull her back against his strong chest. Sky allowed him to do this revealing in his strong embrace and feeling the comfort and love Dean gave her.

It wasn't long before Sasha came out dressed in a tee shirt that hung to mid thigh. She looked at the two queen size beds and back at Sam not sure what to do.

"That one," he pointed to the one in the far corner. "Go ahead; I'll join you in a minute."

"Okay," she replied going to the bed and turning it down before crawling in it. She settled on a pillow and watched as Sam pulled a pair of light sweats from him bag and waited for the bathroom. Neither Dean nor Sam seemed uncomfortable about sharing a room or having girls with them in the room.

Sky stepped out of the bathroom and didn't hesitate to go to the other bed and get comfortable.

"Mind closing your eyes?" Dean asked Sasha as he stepped to the bed Sky was in.

"Oh, yeah, sure," she replied covering her eyes. She could hear the rustle of clothes and then Dean's voice talking to her.

"Okay you can open them now."

"Are you going to do the spell?" Sky asked Dean when he got settled in the bed.

"Yes, when we get up, now go to sleep."

Sasha looked and saw Dean in bed with Sky curled up next to him. He pulled her closer resting her head in the nap of his neck as they settled down. Sam came out of the bathroom and put his clothes on a chair before turning out the lamp and slipping into bed with her. He pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips across hers before whispering good night into her ear. She listened to the sounds of each person's different breathing as they evened out and slowed when each drifted to sleep. She let the sound of Sam's steady breathing lull her to sleep as she snuggled in his warm embrace.

spn

Quiet mumbling roused Sasha from her sleep as she searched for the missing warmth. Cracking open an eye, she saw she was alone in the bed. Glancing over at the other bed, she found it empty too. Sasha stretched and sat up looking around the room in time to see Dean coming out of the bathroom with only a towel riding dangerously low on his lean hips.

"Oh crap, sorry," she gawked wanting to look away but was too intrigued with enjoying the view.

"Good you're awake," Dean said ignoring her stares as he pulled clothes out of his bag. "Sam and Sky went for breakfast, should be back in a few minutes. I'll be through in the bathroom in a few," he continued walking back into the bathroom. "Oh and you can close your mouth now, don't wanna catch a fly or something," he smirked watching Sasha blush deeply as she looked away. She could hear him chuckle from the bathroom before closing the door.

spn

"Hey," Sam smiled seeing Sasha was up and dressed and sitting on the bed. "Got breakfast."

"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked getting up to join him by the table. She glanced sideways at Dean to see if he seemed uncomfortable and was awarded with a wink from him and a sly smile. Sasha looked back at Sam hoping he didn't notice the heat in her cheeks.

"You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you," Sam said frowning at her discomfort and looking at his brother with his what did you do now bitch face.

"Are the others up?" Sky asked Dean as she set bags on the table beside the coffees Sam sat down.

"I heard movement a few minutes ago."

"I'll text the girls let them know food's here," Sam said fishing his cell out of his pocket.

"Do you take your coffee black?" Dean asked Sasha holding out a cup. "Or do you have to ruin it like Sammy does?"

"Actually I drink hot tea," she said taking the small coffee pot to the bathroom to fill so she could make some hot tea.

"Why does that not surprise me?" he told her watching her pull tea bags from her pack.

"The girls will be here in a minute and they'll check on the guys," Sam said reading the text on his cell.

"After we eat, we'll do the location spell. Did you bring the books?"

"Yes, I picked the simplest ones so we should be able to find what we need pretty easily."

"Sounds good," Dean said picking up a sandwich and cup of coffee. He veered toward the door when someone knocked and allowed the others entrance. "Foods on the table eat up and we'll get to work," he told them taking a seat on the bed beside Sky.

"Thanks," Brody and Trace said together as they strolled to the table.

"You girls get any sleep?" Dean asked.

"A little," Krissy answered joining the guys to get food and drink.

"Claire, you okay?" Sky asked noticing how tired she still looked.

"I'm fine," she yawned. "Just need some caffeine in my system."

"Be sure to eat something too," Dean told her glancing around the room to be sure all of them were eating. Being the oldest in the group, made him feel responsible for all of them just like a big brother should. They all needed to be at the top of their game if they were going to get Cole and Alex back.