Sam and Mack sat in the Impala, waiting for Dean to bring back their food from the drive-in they'd stopped at. Sam was talking on his phone. "Yeah. And you're certain? You sure? Okay. Great. Just, uh, hang tight until you hear from me, okay?" Dean climbed into the Impala with the tray of food. "Who is it?" he whispered loudly. Sam held up a finger to silence him, and he turned in his seat, handing Mack her food while Sam finished up. "No, listen to me. I said hang tight." He hung up with a sigh. "We got to get."

"Can I at least finish my burger?" Dean asked. "We got a vamp kill, Dean- Carencro, Louisiana." Dean swallowed a bite, frowning. "Huh. It's been a while since I had some étouffée. Who's the source?"

"Martin Creaser."

There was a pause as the brothers looked at each other. "Sorry, for a minute there, I thought you said Martin Creaser," Dean deadpanned. Sam continued to stare at him, not saying anything. "Crazy Martin from the loony bin?"

"It's not a loony bin," Mack muttered to herself, too quiet for either of them to hear as they continued talking over her. "Glendale Springs discharged him last month," Sam informed Dean. "And?" Dean snapped. "Shouldn't he be assembling toys in a padded room? What's he doing back on the job?" Sam shrugged, "I asked him." Dean blinked. "You what?" he hissed. "Look, he called me when he got out, okay, asked if I had anything for him that might help him ease back into the game. He seemed okay- mostly- so I said yes. I've had him tracking Benny for the past week." Dean paused for a beat.

"You put 'mostly okay' Martin on Benny? What is 'mostly okay' doing hunting at all?" Mack chewed her lip, setting aside her food as she stared between her father and uncle while they argued. "Not hunting, Dean- tracking. Observe and report only. I was crystal clear on that." Dean scoffed, "Wow. I can't believe that." Sam glared at him. "Really, Dean? You can't believe that? Because Benny's a vampire. And any hunter worth his salt isn't gonna let one just walk around freely. So I had Martin keep tabs on him. And right now, it's looking like I made the right call."

"So Martin's saying Benny did this?"

"Yeah."

There was another pause, and then Dean nodded. "Okay." Sam blinked, surprised he'd gotten Dean to cave. "Okay?" he echoed. "If Benny's in Louisiana draining folks… we should look into it," Dean admitted. Sam raised his eyebrows as Dean started the car and they took off.

"You said look for an eruption. How's Mount Vesuvius?" Martin moved further into the room, leaving the Winchesters to follow him inside. Mack was sticking close to Dean, eyeing the new man warily. "I got into town about a week ago," Martin continued as Sam shut the door. "Up until last night, nothing. He's been clean."

"Doing what?" Dean asked. "Just minding his own business. Working at the gumbo shack," Martin shrugged. "Benny's working at the gumbo shack?" Martin nodded. "Yeah. Slinging hash, pouring coffee- the whole bit. And he may be Benny to you. Folks around here call him Roy." Mack looked up at Dean, but he was totally focused on what Martin was saying. "Martin, you sure you're running on full charge?"

"Y-yeah. L-l-little s-shock therapy in the morning, and I-I'm," he snapped his fingers, "good to go." Mack subconsciously moved closer into Dean's side nervously, and he reached down, putting a hand comfortingly on her head like he did when she was younger. "Tell us what happened last night," Sam said, glancing sidelong at Dean. "So, I followed him home, just like every night. He turned up a path. I hear a scream. I catch up. Then, boom- there he is. The old coot Roy was eyeballing at the joint- vamped." Dean frowned, "Wait- did you actually see Benny kill the guy or not?"

"I saw enough."

"Well, then, how can you be sure it was Benny if you didn't actually see him do it?" Dean pressed. "B-b-because I saw Benny turn up the path, and then two seconds later, I trip over a body with its throat ripped. Look, man, you- you ever hear of Occam's Razor? 'Keep it simple, stupid'? It's not that complicated." Dean shook his head. "There's a lot of holes, Martin." Martin blinked, "Holes? The only holes we should be looking at are in the vic's neck."

"This sound like the Benny you know?" Dean asked Sam. "I don't know Benny," Sam replied emotionlessly. "The Benny you know?" Martin echoed. "Say what? Why am I getting the distinct impression that your brother is vouching for a vampire?" Sam sighed, "Guys, let's not argue." Dean shrugged, "Nobody's arguing, but if this is Benny- and that's a big if-"

"Oh, it's him," Martin cut in.

"I got history with the guy, okay? I'm not signing up for a witch hunt," Dean looked at Sam. "I owe him more than that." Martin was staring incredulously at Dean. "What in God's creation could a Winchester possibly owe a vampire? Am I hearing this right?" Dean ignored him, continuing to address Sam. "Look, until we get the facts, we stow the bloodlust and we work the case right, or we work it separately."

"Doing it right would be separating his head from his shoulders," Martin insisted. "I just need some time, Sammy," Dean continued. "Oh, yeah. Let the fang take another life? I don't think so," Martin shook his head. "How much time do you need?" Sam asked Dean. Martin gaped at him, "You're not actually considering this." He was still ignored. "Couple hours, tops."

"And what if it turns out to be Benny?" Sam pressed. "Then it's Benny, and I'll deal with it!" Mack looked up at her father worriedly. "Couple hours, Dean. No more." Dean nodded, "I'll be in touch. Come on, bug." Father and daughter headed toward the door, Martin on their heels. "H-hey. Oh, look. Hey, uh-" They walked out, ignoring him.

"Actually, I already know what I want," Dean said as a waitress came and handed him and Mack menus. "Let me guess- gumbo?" she asked. "It was gonna be gumbo, 'til I saw…" he clicked his tongue, pointing down the counter at a display case, "... pie." The waitress smiled, "Well, the special's pecan." Dean smiled back, "'Course it is. Let's do that. And a vanilla milkshake for Mack, if you don't mind." The waitress nodded, looking over at Mack and back at Dean before taking the menus back and walking away. "Daddy," Mack pointed behind the counter. He followed her gaze, spotting a picture of Benny with the waitress on the wall.

"Bad news," the waitress returned with a sigh, setting a shake in front of Mack. "You're out of pecan," Dean guessed. "Story of my life. Uh, that's alright. Maybe you can make it up to me. We're actually looking for an old friend of ours. We heard he's kicking around these parts. His name's Roy." The waitress smiled, "Well, Roy works the night shift here. I mean, if we're talking about the same Roy."

"Uh, yeah, he, uh, putts around in a- a beat-up camper. Thing looks like a rolling death trap." The waitress laughed, "Yeah, I thought I was the only one who gave him trouble over that piece of junk." Dean laughed along with her. "You wouldn't happen to know where he's parking that thing these days, would you?"

"Well, he, uh, was parking it out back, but just called to tell me he's gone up the road to Mill Creek for a few days."

"Okay. Uh, did he say why?"

"Oh… fishing, I think," she shrugged. "He really deserves a break. He's been working doubles for the last two weeks straight."

"Um, listen, I, uh, I'll tell you what," Dean started, writing something on a piece of paper. "If he pops up before I can find him, you do me a favor and just have him give me a buzz. Or…" he slid the paper over to her, "... could just drop a dime yourself." He smiled. "Sure thing…" she picked up the paper, "... Dean." Dean stood up from the counter, "And, uh, you are…?"

"Elizabeth."

Mack abandoned her shake, hopping down from her stool to stand by Dean. "Elizabeth," Dean echoed. "Alright. Take a rain check on that pie."

"Definitely."

Dean took out his wallet, placing some money on the counter for Mack's shake and then he and Mack headed out. Out by the Impala, Dean paused, making a quick call. He got Benny's voicemail. "Benny. I got a body here in Carencro with two holes in it, and I just found out you went fishing. Do I need to tell you what this looks like?" He hung up.

When they finally tracked down Benny, it was to see him burying a body. "What now?" Mack asked Dean, looking at him. "Stay close," he murmured, and she nodded. They trailed Benny to a well in the woods where he washed the blood off his hands. "It's not me, Dean," he said, not turning to face them. "Now, which 'me' are we talking about- Benny or Roy?" Benny turned around, briefly eyeing Mack at Dean's side before focusing on his friend. "I'm just trying to blend in," the vamp defended himself. "Blend in? Who'd you plant, Benny?" Dean asked. "Victim number two. If you're concerned about the missed calls, I didn't want to get you involved. Now… want to safety those things…" he put a hand on the machete at his belt, "... talk a little bit or what?"

Dean and Mack both took their own machetes out from behind their backs. "I'm all ears," Dean told him. "Rogue vamp. Came into the café a couple nights ago. Youngster by the name of Desmond. He, uh, remembers me from the good old days." Mack glanced up at Dean. "The good old days?" he echoed. "I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't always been this cute and cuddly. He's chasing a memory, Dean. That's all. He's crewing up a new nest. He's hoping I can give him some cred. I told him no."

"Alright. So far, so good," Dean nodded. "Let's get to the part about the blood." Benny sighed, "Didn't want to take no for an answer. He's trying to roust me out, leaving dead bodies in my wake 'til I sign up. Two bodies in two days. No amateur is gonna kick me out of my hometown, Dean. Not this time."

"Hometown? You grew up here?"

"Born and bred," Benny confirmed. "With Andrea gone, and you hunting again, seemed like the right time for a homecoming- you two being the only ones who keep all my ducks in a row. Went back to my old job at the café. I even found myself someone to hold myself accountable to. Best kind of someone, Dean. Family."

"Elizabeth."

Dean took a few steps past Benny, sheathing his machete. Mack stayed right where she was, also putting her weapon away. "My great-granddaughter," Benny said. "Really?" Dean made a face, still facing away from Benny. "Now, hold it, now. You didn't-"

"Uh, no," Dean turned back, chuckling a little. "No. Does she know?" Benny shook his head, "No. No, as far as she's concerned, I'm just another drifter. I'd like to keep it that way. It's been tough walking the line here after all those years in Purgatory not having to deal with the hunger. But Elizabeth… She keeps me honest. I finally feel like I got a handle on this thing."

"Handle on things? Benny, you got two stiffs on your hands and two hunters on your ass." Benny scoffed, "Oh, please. That half-wit who found me at the café? I'll take my chances with him." Mack swallowed nervously, shifting in place as her father argued. "That half-wit was sent by my brother, and trust me- my brother's not someone you want to mess with."

"I don't have time to worry about them, Dean. I didn't think Desmond had an ounce of steel in his spine, but I was wrong about that. So now I'm gonna do what I should have done two days ago, which is put him back where he belongs."

"You know there's only one way to do that, right?" Dean pointed out. "And that is for you to sit on the sideline while I convince Sam and Martin to go after Desmond. They see you out there, they don't care if you're gonna be collecting for March of Dimes. They are gonna slice first and ask questions later."

"You really think they'll go for that?" Dean glanced past Benny at Mack, sighing.

Back at the motel, Dean was trying to convince Sam and Martin that Benny was innocent. "Let me get this straight. I follow your boy… down a freaking path and trip over a fresh vamp kill, and then you practically catch him in the act…" Martin took an ice cube tray out of the freezer, "... of burying a second body, and you're still taking his side?" Dean glared over at him, "Vampires pick people off from the outskirts of town, okay?" Mack glanced over at her uncle, who was brooding silently at the table while Martin and Dean argued. "Pfft," Martin scoffed, stabbing the ice cube tray with a fork to loosen the cubes. "Not in the cafés they work in with their great-grandkids," Dean continued. "In fact, killing any human- it's not his style."

"Not his style?" Martin echoed. "Not his style?"

"Dean, listen, we came here on one dead body," Sam piped up. "You asked me for some time, and now there's another dead body. Are we just going on trust here?" Martin took a sip of his drink, glaring over the rim of his glass at Dean. "Yes," Dean snapped. "Okay, because we've killed for a lot less, and you know how these things turn out for us."

"Yes, I do- too well," Dean nodded. "In fact, every relationship I've ever had has gone to crap at some point. But the one thing I can say about Benny- he has never let me down." Mack shifted on the bed uncomfortably as Sam scoffed. "Huh. Well, good on you, Dean. Must feel great finally finding someone you can trust after all these years." Dean glanced down guiltily, then looked back up at his brother. "All I'm saying is Benny is innocent." Sam stood up, "No. You're too close to this."

"You're not gonna find him. And if you do, I'm gonna tell you this. You'll be lucky to get out alive. And you-" Dean pointed at Martin, "you go with him, you're a dead man- period." Martin drained his drink, picking up a knife. "These are innocent lives we're talking about, Dean. And you're willing to risk that on Benny's word alone?" Martin moved to stand behind Dean, and Mack narrowed her eyes at him, rising from the bed. "Damn right I am," Dean replied. He turned to face Martin, who cold-clocked him, with the hilt of the knife in his fist. Dean fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Daddy!" Mack cried. "What… was that?" Sam addressed Martin. "Dean made his choice. Let's do our job. What are we doing with the girl?" Sam looked over at his niece, who had rushed over and was kneeling beside Dean on the floor. She tore her gaze from her father to look up at him, waiting to hear his response with wide eyes. "Leave her… Dean would freak even more if we took her."

"But-"

"I said leave her. Head out to the car, I'll meet you down there." Martin frowned, but nodded, exiting the room. "Uncle Sammy, please," Mack begged him. "I'm sorry, Kinley," he told her. He reached into his bag, taking out two pairs of handcuffs. "Don't do this," she shook her head. "Get by the wall, Kinley." She shook her head. "Uncle Sammy-"

"Get by the wall, Mckinley." She flinched, backing away from Dean to sit by the wall near the radiator. He put one of the pairs of handcuffs around her wrist, attaching her to the radiator. Then, he stripped Dean of his jacket, tossing it on the bed out of reach and dragging his brother over next to his niece. As soon as Dean was also cuffed, he grabbed his bag and headed out without another word. "Dad. Daddy, wake up," Mack reached over with her free hand, shaking him. Dean groaned, stirring. "Dad," Mack shook him again. "Bug? What-" his eyes widened when he realized they were both cuffed to the radiator. "Oh, I'm gonna kill them."

After getting himself free of his cuffs, he worked on freeing her. "Come on," he muttered, focusing. The cuff finally sprang open. He left her side, heading over to grab his phone out of his jacket on the bed. Mack headed over to the kitchenette, wetting a washcloth while Dean called Benny. "What'd they say?" Benny asked him. "They didn't go for it. They're on their way to you. I'd get scarce." Mack handed him the washcloth, and he smiled at her gratefully, working on cleaning the blood off of himself from Martin's hit. "No offense, Dean, but your little brother doesn't exactly put chills up my spine."

"Benny, listen to me. Do not underestimate my little brother, okay? He can and will kill you given the chance." Dean finished cleaning himself off, focusing on Mack. "I'm fine," she muttered, shaking her head. He frowned, continuing to check her over, but ultimately relented when he realized she hadn't been hurt. "Alright. So what now?" Benny asked him over the phone. "Mack and I go find Desmond."

"You take me with."

"Hey, I just told you- best thing you can do is lay low," Dean argued, grabbing his stuff and leading Mack out the door. "That ain't gonna work this time, bub. You take me with, or I don't tell you where he is." That made Dean pause. "You know where he is?" he asked. "He said he's not gonna stop killing 'til I join his little nest. Two bodies is enough. I told him I'm in," Benny replied. "Benny," Dean groaned. "Dean, this is my fight. Are you in or are you out?" Dean paused outside of the Impala, Mack staring across at him from the other side. "Alright."

He hung up, climbing behind the wheel. Mack slipped into the passenger seat. "What's the plan?" she asked him. "We're gonna meet up with Benny and go after Desmond. Do me a favor, hand me the burner from the glove compartment." Mack opened the compartment, taking out a burner phone and handing it over. He typed on it for a few moments, and then snapped it shut, handing it back to her to put away.

After dark, they pulled up to a shipyard where Benny was waiting for them holding a machete. Dean and Mack both climbed out, armed with machetes of their own. "This is the place, huh?" Dean asked him as they moved around to the trunk. "So, what's the plan? Mack and I hang back while you guys do some trust falls and binge-drinking?" He put a syringe of dead man's blood in his jacket pocket, handing one to Mack as well. She slipped it inside her own jacket. "Man, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you had an extremely low opinion of us vamps," Benny scoffed, watching the exchange. "Pssh. Call it healthy skepticism," Mack quipped, grinning at him.

Dean snorted, and Benny smirked. They made their way into the shipyard building, Benny hanging back while Mack and Dean investigated. As they did, Desmond dropped to the ground behind them. Dean took a swing at him with his machete, but Desmond attacked, sending both him and Mack flying to the ground. Dean groaned, too dazed from the impact to move, but Mack managed to grab the syringe of blood out of her jacket as Desmond stalked over, straddling her.

She immediately froze up, flashes of being in the exact same position with John flying through her head. "Benny never told me he was bringing friends," Desmond snarled, fangs descended. Mack whimpered, adjusting her grip on the syringe and trying to stab him with it. He caught her hand before she could, squeezing it so the syringe broke. She whimpered again as he pinned her hands down with one of his, using his free hand to slash her neck with his fingernail. He licked the blood from his fingers, then snarled, lunging at her neck. "Daddy!" she cried out fearfully.

At that moment, Benny grabbed Desmond, pulling him upright and decapitating him. Desmond's head rolled, settling next to Mack's head and she instinctively scrambled away from it. Dean had gotten to his feet right when Benny saved Mack, and hurried over to help her up. She whimpered again, throwing her arms around his neck. He clutched her shaking form, looking over at his friend. The vamp was staring intently at Mack's neck, which was still bleeding. "You okay?" Benny tore his gaze away from Mack, looking at Dean. "I'm fine," he said, walking away.

Dean convinced Benny to go far underground. After threatening Martin to stay away from the vamp and find a new line of work several hours later from the road, Dean got a call from Elizabeth saying she saw Benny. So, they did a u-turn and headed back to the café. When they arrived, Elizabeth was sitting on the front steps, covered in blood and her hands shaking. As Mack and Dean approached, she pointed behind her inside the café. After giving her the towel he'd used to clean Mack's neck earlier, Dean headed inside, Mack following him hesitantly. There was blood on the floor- a lot of it.

"Dad?" Mack asked, but he ignored her, following the trail. She gasped when they found Martin laying in a pool of his own blood, his knife laying next to him and his neck badly mauled. "Dad," Mack said again, keeping her voice quiet. He turned on his heel, heading out of the café without a word. Mack swallowed, turning away from Martin's body and hurrying out after him. After talking to Elizabeth about what happened, they hit the road once more.

They had been driving in silence for several hours when a phone rang. Mack opened the glove compartment, taking out the burner from before and handing it to her father. "Sammy?" he answered it. "'Sam, I need your help. Come quick'," Sam quoted the text Dean had sent him. "Nice one. Swapping out Amelia's phone out for a burner, sending a distress signal… You got me good. When did you do that?"

"While back, in case I needed it. Looks like I made the right call. Did you see her?"

"Yeah, yeah, I saw her," Sam answered. "And she's doing just fine. But, of course, you know that." Dean swallowed, "Actually, I didn't. I did know it was the only way to get you to lay off." Sam was quiet for a minute. "So? Is it done?" he asked. "Yeah, it's done," Dean answered. "Any casualties?"

"Martin."

Mack looked over at her father, but his expression was stoic as he focused on the road in front of him while he spoke. "Was it Benny?" Sam asked angrily. "He had it coming, Sam. I'll tell you what happened." Sam scoffed, "I-I know what happened, Dean." Dean sighed, "Okay, you wanna listen to me, or not?" Sam hung up on him without another word. "Damn it." Silence fell in the car once more.