Chapter 08 - Citizen Fang

Addison walks up to where Dean was waiting for their to go order in the Fifties themed drive-thru diner. She wraps an arm around his waist and presses her forehead against his bicep. "We need a weekend to ourselves," she tells him. "A weekend where we barely leave the room or bed."

Dean drapes his arm around her shoulders and tugs her against his side. "I second that. I'll get two rooms when we stop for the night."

A waitress brings up a box of food and Dean quickly pays for their meals. He grabs the box and they walk out to the Impala where they find Sam on the phone. "Yeah. And you're certain? You sure? Okay. Great. Just, uh, just hang tight till you hear from me, okay?"

They climb into the Impala. "Who is it," Dean loudly whispers.

Sam holds up a finger. Dean shrugs and digs into his cheeseburger. "No, listen to me. I said hang tight." He hangs up. "We got to get."

"Can I at least finish my burger," Dean asks.

"We got a vamp kill, Dean. Carencro, Louisiana."

"Huh. It's been a while since I've had some étouffée. Who's the source?"

"Martin Creaser."

Addison frowns and leans forward. "Did I just hear you say that Martin Creaser is your source," she disbelievingly asks. Sam stares at her. "Crazy Martin from the crazy house?"

"Glendale Springs discharged him last month," Sam defends.

"What is he doing back on the job, Sam? Shouldn't he be finger painting his emotions or something."

"I asked him."

"What," Addison shouts. Dean had an alarmed look on his face. "Are you fucking crazy now, Sam?"

"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."

"You put 'mostly okay' Martin on Benny," Dean disbelievingly asks. He sees Addison about to start arguing but holds up a hand. "What is 'mostly okay' doing hunting at all?"

"Not hunting, Dean, tracking. Observe and report only. I was crystal clear about that."

"Wow. I can't believe that."

"Really, Dean? You don'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 is saying that Benny killed someone," Addison softly asks.

"Yeah."

Dean remains silent for a moment. "Okay."

Now it's Sam's turn to be surprised. "Okay?"

"If Benny's in Louisiana draining folks...we should look into it."

Addison follows the boys down the hallway of the Baudelaire Motel. They stop in front of a door with the number '2' on it. Before Sam has a chance to knock, the door opens to reveal Martin. "You said to look for an eruption. How's Mount Vesuvius," Martin greets, moving to the side to allow them to enter. He looked better than the last time they saw him. "I got into town about a week ago. Up until last night, nothing. He's been clean."

"Doing what," Dean asks.

"Just minding his own business. Working at the gumbo shack."

Addison raises an eyebrow. "Benny's working at a gumbo shack?"

"Yeah. Slinging hash, pouring coffee - the whole bit. And he may be Benny to you two. Folks around here call him Roy."

"Martin, you sure you're running on a full charge," Dean questions.

"Yeah. Little shock therapy in the morning and I'm…" Martin snaps his fingers. "Good to go."

"Tell us what happened last night," Sam says.

"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 that Roy was eyeballing at the joint - vamped."

"Hold up. Did you actually see Benny kill this guy," Addison questions.

Martin glares. "I saw enough."

"Then how can you be sure that it was Benny? Maybe there was another vampire that you didn't see."

"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, sweetheart, you - you ever hear of Occam's Razor? 'Keep it simple, stupid?' It's not that complicated."

"There's more holes in your story than there are in that Shia LaBeouf movie called Holes."

"Holes? The only holes we should be looking at are in the vic's neck."

Addison turns to the boys. "Does this sound like Benny to either of you?"

"I don't know Benny," Sam coldly reminds her. Dean stays unusually quiet. He was on Addison's side. He didn't think Benny was the one who killed someone.

"The Benny you know? Say what? Why am I getting the distinct impression that your girl is vouching for a vampire," Martin angrily says, looking between the brothers.

"Guys, let's not argue," Sam says.

Dean steps forward. "Nobody's arguing, but if this is Benny — and that's a big if—"

"Oh, it's him," Martin quickly adds.

"We got history with the guy, okay? We're not signing up for a witch hunt." Dean turns to Sam. "We owe him more than that."

"What in God's great creation could a Winchester possibly owe a vampire? Am I hearing this right?"

"Look, until we get the facts, we stow the bloodlust and we work this case right or we work it separately."

"Doing it right would be separating his head from his shoulders."

Addison shakes her head. "Look we just need some time."

"Oh, yeah. Let the fang take another life? I don't think so."

"How much time do you need," Sam asks, looking between Dean and Addison.

Martin looks at Sam with an incredulous look. "You're not actually considering this?"

"A few hours," Addison answers.

"And what if turns out to be Benny?"

"Then it's Benny and I'll deal with it," Dean snaps. He knew in his gut that it wasn't Benny. Hell, he needed it to not be Benny, if not for his sake but for Addison. He knew that she would beat herself up if it turned out to be Benny.

"Couple hours, Dean," Sam tells them. "No more."

"We'll be in touch."

Addison walks out of the motel room with Dean right behind her. Neither of them says a word until the Impala pulls away from the motel parking lot. "This isn't Benny," she softly says, gazing out the window.

"I know," Dean quietly replies.

Guidry's Cajun Cafe was a small building off the side of a two-lane highway somewhere in the middle of the bayou. Dean parks the Impala and they climb out. The restaurant was pretty busy when they enter. A few people glance at them but then go back to their meals. They sit down at the counter and a pretty brunette woman places a couple of menus in front of them. "Actually, I already know what I want," Dean says, smiling at the woman.

"Let me guess," the woman replies, smiling back. "Gumbo?"

Dean chuckles. "Was gonna be the gumbo till I saw pie."

"Well, the special's pecan."

"Course it is. Let's do that."

Addison shakes her head as the waitress walks away. "You are unbelievable," she amusedly tells him.

"Hey, if she was a he then you would be doing the same thing," Dean quietly defends. "You got to butter 'em up before you question."

"Well, while you were buttering her up, did you notice the photos?" Addison points to the photos pinned up on the cash register.

"Bad news," the waitress says, walking back over to them.

"You're out of pecan," Dean finishes. The waitress shoots him an apologetic look. "Story of my life. Uh, that's all right. 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."

"Well, Roy works the night shift here. I mean, if we're talking about the same Roy."

"He drives a beat-up camper. It looks like a death trap on wheels," Addison explains.

The waitress laughs. "Yeah, I thought I was the only one who gave him trouble over that piece of junk."

Dean chuckles. "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."

Addison frowns. "Did he say why?"

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

"Um, listen, I, uh, I tell you what." Dean grabs a napkin and pulls a pen out of his pocket. "If he pops up before we can find him, you do us a favor and just have him give me a buzz."

The waitress takes the paper. "Sure thing…Dean."

"And, uh, you are…" Dean trails off, standing up.

"Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth. All right. Take a rain check on that pie."

"Definitely."

Dean and Addison walk out of the cafe. Addison pulls out her cell phone and dials Benny's number. "Leave a message at the beep," Benny's voicemail greets.

Dean grabs the phone out of her hand. "Dean," Addison snaps.

"Benny. We 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?"

It doesn't take but a few hours for them to track down where Benny had gone. Through when they arrive, Addison frowns seeing Benny finishing burying a body in the woods. Dean had grabbed a machete from the trunk and was hiding it behind his back. They walk over to where Benny was washing off his hands in a tub. "It's not me," the vampire tells them.

"Now, which 'me' are we talking about," Dean begins. He tightens his grip on the machete. "Benny or Roy?"

Benny turns around to face them. "I'm just trying to blend in."

"Blend in? Who'd you plant, Benny?"

"Victim number two. If you're concerned about the missed calls, I didn't want to get you two involved. Now…want to safety that thing." Benny motions to the machete that Dean was hiding. "Talk a little bit or what?"

Dean takes the machete out and lets it hang at his side. "We're all ears."

"Rouge vamp. Came into the cafe a couple of nights ago. Youngster goes by the name of Desmond. He, uh, he remembers me from the good old days."

Addison raises an eyebrow. "The good old days?"

"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."

Dean nods. "All right. So far, so go. Let's get to the part about the blood."

"Didn't want to take no for an answer. He's trying to roust me out, leaving dead bodies in my wake till I sign up. Two bodies in two days. No amateur is gonna kick me out of my hometown. Not this time."

"You grew up here," Addison softly asks.

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

"Elizabeth," Dean states.

"My great-granddaughter."

Dean turns away from Benny as he sheathes his machete. "Really?" Addison shakes her head.

Benny frowns. "Now, hold it, now. You didn't—"

"He just flirted for info," Addison defends. "Does Elizabeth know that you're her great-grandfather."

"No. No, as far as she's concerned, I was 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."

Addison sighs. "Benny, you have two dead bodies on your doorstep and two hunters looking for you."

"Oh, please. The half-wit who found me at the cafe? I'll take my chances with him."

"That half-wit was sent by my brother and trust me - my brother's not someone you want to mess with," Dean tells him.

"I don't have time to worry about them, Dean. I don't think Desmond had an ounce of steel in his spine, but I was wrong about that," Benny says. "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 begins. "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 be collecting for the March of Dimes. They are gonna slice first and ask questions later. You know that."

Benny looks between the two hunters. "You really think they'll go for that?"

Addison wrinkles her nose. She had been trying to beat the Candy Crush level she had been stuck on for days. She had elected to stay in the Impala while Dean went up to talk to Sam and Martin. She didn't think there was anything she could add to change Sam's or Martin's minds. Addison looks up when she once against loses the level. There had been no parking close to the motel entrance. Sam and Martin walk to the beat-up car that Martin was driving and drive off. "Shit," Addison mutters, shoving her phone in her pocket.

Addison quickly climbs out of the Impala and quickly makes her way up to the room Martin was renting. "Dean," she calls out, pushing open the motel room door. She finds him unconscious and handcuffed to the heater. She rushes over to him. "Dean, wake up. Come on, Dean, wake up." Blood was slowly streaming from a small cut on his forehead. He lets out a groan and slowly opens his eyes.

"Fucking Martin," Dean groans. Addison pulls a bobby-pin from her hair and easily picks the lock on the handcuffs. Once he's freed, she runs into the bathroom and grabs a towel.

Addison lightly dabs at the cut, slowly cleaning the blood off his face. She holds up two fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

Dean pushes her hand out of the way. "I'm fine," he mutters, digging out his cell. He quickly dials Benny's number.

"What'd they say," Benny answers.

"They didn't go for it," Dean informs him. "They're on their way to you. I'd get scarce."

"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."

"All right. So what now?"

"Dean and I will go find Desmond," Addison says, throwing the towel towards the bathroom.

"You guys take me with."

Addison sighs. "Benny, the best thing you can do right now is to lay low. Trust me when I say you do not want to go up against Sam."

"That ain't gonna work this time. You guys take me with or I don't tell you where he is."

Addison and Dean exchange a surprised look. "You know where he is," Dean angrily asks.

"He said he's not gonna stop the killing till I join his little nest. Two bodies are enough. I told him I'm in."

"Benny..."

"Dean, this is my fight. Are you in or are you out?"

The Impala pulls up to a boat dock that night. They could see Benny standing by his truck with the beat-up camper sitting on the back of it. "What is with vampires and shitty docks," Addison mutters, starting to climb out of the Impala.

"Hey," Dean says, grabbing her wrist. She looks at him, waiting. He pulls her into a deep kiss. Addison is so wrapped up in the kiss, that she doesn't notice Dean handcuffing her to the steering wheel. He pulls back and climbs out of the Impala.

Addison goes to slide out of the Impala. It's then that she realizes what Dean had done. "Dean," she shouts. He doesn't turn around and walks off with Benny. "Fucking asshole."

It's hours later when the Impala is speeding down the dark highway. Dean and Benny had easily taken care of Desmond. Addison had not spoken to Dean since he and Benny had finished the job. She glances over to see Dean fish out his cell phone. "Look I'm just calling to let you know that the situation is resolved," Dean says. "Benny was not lying. There was another vamp and we ganked him - together. Yeah, shut up and listen to me. Benny's long gone and he won't be coming back, ever. So for your own sake, do not follow him. Are we clear? Oh, and, Martin? Find a new line of work." Dean hangs up his cell and tosses it on the seat next to him. "You gonna speak anytime soon?"

"You handcuffed me to the fucking steering wheel," Addison snaps. "Why the hell would you do that?"

"I was trying to protect you," Dean argues. "You're a fucking Kobe beef steak to vampires, Ads. I'm not gonna lose you because a vampire decided to have you as a last meal."

Addison stares at him, then shakes her head. "Just...don't handcuff me to the steering wheel, okay. Next time you decide to handcuff me to something at least make it a bed or something."

Dean smirks. "You want me to handcuff you to a bed?"

"Any idea where we were heading to next?"

"To find a bed to handcuff you too."

Addison looks around at the dark scenery. She places a hand on his inner thigh. "You know, we could pull over for a few minutes. Take care of a few things."

Dean pulls the Impala over to the side of the road and shuts it off. "Don't gotta tell me twice," he mutters, pressing his lips against Addison's. Her arm wraps around him. Her back hits the seat. His hands slide under her Henley.

A vibration startles Addison. "Phone," she breathes. Dean reaches under her and grabs his cell phone. "Ignore it."

"Yeah," Dean answers. Addison lets out a frustrated sigh. "Elizabeth? What do you mean? Roy? Is - is he there right now? Elizabeth, what's going on?"

Dean sits up and quickly starts the Impala. Addison doesn't say anything. Given how Dean had reacted to Elizabeth's phone call, she doesn't say anything. It doesn't take them long to reach Guidry's Cajun Cafe. The lights were off. Elizabeth was sitting on the steps outside of the main door. They each grab their guns and climb out of the Impala. The waitress was covered in blood. Elizabeth looks up at them. Her hands are shaking. Addison grabs a towel out of his back pocket and sits down next to her. She motions for him to enter the cafe and places a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.

A few minutes after Dean enters the cafe, he walks out. He shakes his head. The words didn't need to be said about Martin's fate. And Addison, while she was never a big fan of Martin, had felt sorry that the hunter had died.

A cell phone ringing cuts through the silence of the Impala. Dean glances at Addison and finds her still asleep, her soft snoring had been filling the air. He reaches over her and fishes through the glove compartment, finding the ringing cell. He finds the phone and sees Sam's name on the screen. "Sammy," Dean greets.

"'Sam, I need your help. Come quick,'" Sam angrily greets. Dean tenses. "Nice one. Swapping Amelia's phone out with a burner, sending a distress signal…You got me good. When did you do that?"

"Benny is the only reason that I'm alive Dean," Addison argues, not looking up from Sam's cell phone as she changes the number in his phone. "This is nothing more than an insurance policy to make him back off if it comes to that."

"You know he's gonna be pissed," Dean reminds her. He didn't know if he was referring more to Addison being overprotective of the vampire or her changing Amelia's number to one of the burner phones.

"Then Sam should've looked for us when we were in Purgatory."

"While back," Dean lies. "In case I needed it. Looks like I made the right call. So, did you see her?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I saw her. And she's doing just fine. But, of course, you know that."

"Actually, I didn't. I did know it was the only way to get you to lay off."

"So? Is it done?"

"Yeah, it's done."

"Any casualties?"

"Martin."

"Was it Benny?"

"He had it coming, Sam. I'll tell you what happened."

"I-I know what happened, Dean."

"Okay, you want to listen to me or not," Dean snaps. Sam hangs up the phone. "Damnit."