In Darkness, Of Light

A/N:
Alright I finally managed to get this done, but I do want to apologize for how long it took.
I would have sent this to my new BETA but I felt like I should get this out as soon as possible, so this one is an un-BETA'd version, and when my BETA goes through it and all that fun stuff, I'll replace it with the BETA'd version.
So here ya go.....

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Chapter 4
Alright, So Where's The Canary?
-30 Miles From Lawrence, Kansas-

Hurried movements
Desperation evident
Flesh to flesh, lips to lips
Dancing tongues
Rising Desire

"Dean!"

Dean snapped out of his reverie, his eyes tearing away from the road to stare at his brother who was giving him a contemplative and irritated glance, "what? Right, the case."

Sam frowned, "are you ok?"

Dean shook his head, "it's nothing don't worry about it."

Sam only raised an eyebrow and turned back to his laptop, "alright we've got three suicides, all within the same two weeks so far."

"And that's enough to go to Kansas?"

Sam shrugged, "we've gone for less ya know."

Dean only grunted, "anything else?"

Sam gave a jerk of his head, "not really, seems each of these people were doing just fine. Well adjusted, happy, and then suddenly just spiralled down and finally killed themselves after a little bit of time."

Dean shifted in his seat as the bike behind them blazed past them, past the sign announcing their arrival into the sleepy town of Great Falls, "what's he in such a hurry for?"

Sam frowned at his brother again, "Dean, are you talking to me or yourself again?"

Dean only changed the subject, "so we gonna visit the families?"

Sam only gave a rise of one shoulder, "I don't see any other option that, we've got to figure out what's going on here."

Dean smiled, "alright, incognito."

Sam rolled his eyes, pulling his phone from his pocket, "I'll text Blake and let him know," he muttered as he began pushing the buttons on the phone, "by the way what are you thinking to go as."

Dean grinned again, "ah well, I was thinking FBI would be a little odd, so why not a pair of priests? Offer a little spiritual guidance."

Sam groaned as he flipped the phone shut, "Ahh, I feel like we're going to condemn ourselves to hell everytime we do that."

Dean snickered, "oh it's alright little brother."

Sam picked up his phone and read the incoming message, "Blake says fine, and he'll get the motel, again....also I'm thinking in a small, close knit town like this. Two priests at the same time might be a little much don't you think?"

"What like they would know we're not of whatever church they're going too?"

Sam nodded, "yeah."

"So what are you thinking?"

"One of researchs, while the other takes care of the families."

Dean looked thoughtful, his mind skittering over a few...awkward details, "alright, I'll drop you off with Blake at the motel and you do the research while I go see the families."

Sam shook his head, "fine, but take me to the library first, I'll want to get some backstory as well."

Dean revved the engine, "sounds good to me."

**************************************************

A sharp rapping at the door and Dean waited, casually checking his watch. As he waited he heard the sounds of someone approaching the door and he adjusted his collar, making sure the starch was holding it stiffly, the bible held in front of him. A harried and somber looking woman answered the door, a crumpled tissue in her hand, her eyes washed over Dean.

"Yes?"

Dean smiled his charming smile, "Miss Dufree?"

She nodded, "that's me...and you are?"

"Father Castle, I'm with the Association of Baptismal Care, and was at your local church when I heard of your tragedy and wanted to offer my condolensces."

The woman stared at him blinking slowly before clearing her throat and standing back from the doorway, "come in."

Dean nodded and crossed the threshold staring at the classically themed house that spread out around him. He followed her into the living room and shook his head when she offered him tea, restraining himself from making a face. He smiled softly as she sat down, dabbing at her eyes as she watched him.

He only gave a slight nod, "Ma'am...I really am sorry about your brother, but umm, how had he been these last couple of weeks?"

She sighed, "David was fine for so long, new job that was paying well, new car, bought his own house. He was on top of the world and then just spiralled out of nowhere, depressed beyond belief, we just couldn't get through to him, neither his friends or myself. And it just broke my heart to see him hurting so much and he wouldn't talk to me, we've been so close ever since our parents died when we were younger."

Dean shifted uncomfortably, "I understand that it was about a week after Mr Unger."

She nodded, "Yes David was friends with Trent from long ago, they went back to high school, but they didn't really see each other that much. Then he showed up on my brothers door the other week, destraught and raving about God knows what. Some girl or another that they'd known in high school. Then Trent went and...but anyways, it was just so weird, David left after Trents funeral I think he went to go to that girl and then a couple of weeks later..."

Dean's interested was piqued, "Oh? Who's this girl?"

Her brow furrowed, "umm, Patricia Felding...I remember her from school, she was such a strange girl. I didn't mind her too much, but she wasn't well liked, in a town like this having a reputation like hers wasn't exactly good, even if it was ignorant."

"What reputation was that?"

A soft but cynical laugh escaped her lips, "even you Father won't believe this, people called her a witch, as if something like that exists, it's so stupid."

Dean grunted, yes, how stupid indeed, "how did your brother know her?"

She stiffened, something that Dean noticed, "like I said they were from the same school, in a town like this, you know everyone."

Dean cocked his head, "is...there something you're not telling me?"

She whipped her head towards him, narrowing her eyes as she stood, "I think that's enough Father. I'm trying to mourn my brother and instead you want to question his integrity, his past, and about some strange girl that we haven't seen in years."

She all but shoved him out the door, leaving him bewildered on the doorway. He shrugged and plucked his phone from his pocket, dialing Sam as he made his way to his car around the corner. He informed Sam of what he'd heard, saying that the last guy didn't have any family, and the friends weren't talking. Sam grumbled something about picking up some information on the girl from the newspapers or even from school records, try to find out where she lived. Dean grunted and pulled the car around the corner as he talked with his brother, noticing an odd tone in his voice.

"Ok," Sam's voice drawled out, "so why don't you go to the motel room and explain it to Blake, I won't be more than an hour."

Dean stiffened, and it showed in his tone, "why don't I just swing by the library and pick you up?"

Sam sighed, "it's less than a 10 minute walk from the motel, I think I can handle that. Why are you avoiding the motel room, or better yet, Blake so much?"

Dean's eyes widened, "I'm not, just cutting back on time."

Sam rolled his eyes, knowing damn well he wasn't getting anywhere, "well I'm a big boy and I can walk. And since there's no problem with Blake, you can go back and tell him what's going on, it'll be easier that way."

Dean knew that he wasn't going to get away with insisting that he help his brother, it would just make things more suspicious. He agreed and hung up the phone as he swung the car around the corner. It had been just over a week since they'd left from their previous hunt, and he and Blake hadn't really spoken that much. Dean didn't really know what to say, and Blake seemed to be completely oblivious to it. A few times Dean could have sworn he felt Blake's eyes on him, but anytime he would check, Blake was looking away from him, either absorbed in his book, his laptop or casually watching something else. What had happened was nagging at him, throwing him off completely, he was just hoping that it wouldn't throw him off of this hunt. He couldn't allow himself to be freaked out, Blake hadn't brought it up, so he didn't have to worry about it coming up. It was just something had happened, nothing really big, just a kiss, born of desperation and pent up sexual energy. Yeah, exactly, it had been awhile since he'd gotten laid.

He pulled in front of the motel and slid out, closing the door behind him. He fumbled around finding the key, musing that this place still used actual keys for the room, instead of the card key system. He pushed the key into place and turned the knob, opening the door as he walked in. He looked around seeing that the room was empty, the table was littered with a couple of books, an empty mug and an ashtray filled with butts, the pack of cigarettes still laying next to it, so he figured Blake was still there. It was then that he became aware of the fact that he could hear the soft sounds of water running, and realized that Blake was in the shower. He threw his bag on the bed and pulled off the coat and pants he was wearing, tearing the stiff collar from it's place. He tore around his bag, pulling out a white tee and blue jeans, the ratty holes in the jeans evident as he pulled them on.

He lay back onto the bed, shrugging as he found that the bed wasn't all that uncomfortable for once, not the usual bed of slate that he was used too when it came to motels. He ran his hand through his hair, thoughts rampant through his head. Sure he was alone with Blake, but the man hadn't done anything to make things awkward between them, he'd actually never even acknowledged that anything had happened between the two of them. Dean sure as hell wasn't going to say anything about it, but he couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Blake seemed to just either take it into stride or didin't even think about it. He even smiled slightly that he wished more women were so blase about that kind of thing...then again they hadn't exactly had sex. Still the whole thing had been disconcerting to say the least.

He hadn't even realized that the noise of the shower had stopped until he heard the sounds of the door being opened, he sat up quickly, head snapping in the direction of the noise. Blake walked out, towel wrapped tightly around his waist, small water drops running down his body. Dean's eyes fell quickly on him, eyes tracing the contours of his muscles, the faint yet noticeable ab muscles that traces up to a defined chest, a dark tan, unlike a golden surfer tan, a deep olive tone instead. Blake glanced up immediately as if sensing someone else in the room and snorted when Dean only gave him a nod and resumed laying on the bed. Dean heard the faint sounds of a lighter and the sound of Blake inhaling and the smell of fresh smoke rose to his nostrils.

"You know," Dean continued, "it's kinda rude to smoke around a non-smoker."

Blake snorted again, "I'm not concerned about that."

"Pfft, figures."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Blake puffing gently on his cigarette as he waited, before leaning forward in his chair, "so how long are we going to ignore it."

Dean thought about playing it dumb, but he knew better than to try it with Blake, "I'd prefer forever."

Blake rolled his eyes, "it won't make it go away."

"One could hope."

Blake sighed as he stood up and walked into the bathroom, the sounds of shuffling and then emerged with his clothes on, or at least his black pants and a white tee.

"So you're not even going to acknowledge it?"

He was being offly persistent, "Blake...I am acknowledging it, I just don't want to talk about it."

Blake leaned back, looking mildly interested, "and why's that?"

Dean sat up slowly, placing his head in his hands and rubbing as if rubbing away a headache, "because..."

Blake only stared, "would be nice to have just a little more than that."

Dean just stared at him, his eyes speaking volumes as Blake raised his head, "ah, you're ashamed."

Dean looked startled, "no! Not exactly anyways..."

"And here I thought the great and virile Dean Winchester would have had at least one or two men in his lifetime."

Dean raised an eyebrow, "and you haven't?"

An amused look crossed Blakes face, "no, I haven't."

Now Dean just look bewildered, "so this has never happened to, and you can just talk about it so nonchalantly?"

Blake sighed, "to be honest, it was...shocking to the least. I've had plenty of downtime to think about it, and honestly I'm not going to waste my time feeling shitty over something like that. Of all the things in the world that I could do, or have done, I believe that being attracted to another man is the least of my worries."

"Things you have done?"

Blake frowned as he stood up, snubbing the cigarette, "subject change much?"

Dean only stared at Blake, "what so you think it's so easy?"

Blake walked over to Dean and only watched him for a moment, watching as Dean seemed to shrink back into himself and at the same time seemed to swell up. A strange smile played over Blake's lips, as did an even stranger glint flash in his eyes, he bent down and pressed his lips against a startled Dean's. When he pulled back Dean only looked at him, shock and confusion evident behind the fog in his gaze.

"Wha-?"

Blake smiled softly, "you made the first move last time, so I'm returning the favor. Reciprocity, a beautiful thing, and yes it's that easy."

"Blake, I don't thin-"

Blake rolled his eyes, all sembelance of patience gone from him, he pushed Dean back, "conversation is so overrated."

Dean landed on his back, he began to speak again when he felt Blake ease down on top of him, kissing him deeply again. His mind made to resist, but his body thought differently. His body pressing up deep into Blake's, his arms snaking around Blake's waist and holding tight as their lips meshed together, his tongue sliding into Blake's mouth. His body shuddered as he felt Blake's hand wrap around his neck, pulling him firmly into the kiss, their lips working around each other, their tongues slipping over one anothers. The hand around Blake's waist slid up, pushing itself under his shirt, the taut muscles shifting under his rough hands, his hips grinding into Blake's own.

Blake felt Dean shift from under him, set off balance and thinking that Dean was cutting what was happening short, he stopped as he was rolled off of Dean onto his back. Thinking it was already over he made to move to his feet when he felt Dean's weight pressed against him suddenly, forcefully planting himself upon Blake's body. Blake was suprised, but wasn't arguing as he felt Dean's muscles working against his body, tightening and pressing as Dean's lips forced against his own. He heard the sound of someone let out a soft moan and realized it was himself as Dean's hands snaked down and gripped onto his hips.

Dean's hands traced into Blake's waistline, feeling the soft skin of the tip, sending a deep shiver through his body. Dean's mind was a blank slate of lust, breathing heavily as if he'd gone toe to toe with a demon as he snaked down further, suddenly finding that the button and zipper of Blake's pants were already undone. He frowned, wondering how that could have happened when the sensation of Blake's hands working off his own pants wiped any thought away. Blake's hands fumbled for a moment and then steadied as the sound of the button being undone and the zipper being pulled back was heard. Dean pressed his face into Blake's neck as he felt a warm and firm hand pressed against his hardened cock. Out of reflex he bit deep into Blake's muscled shoulder, a deep shudder followed by a gasp was all Dean needed to know that he'd done right.

Dean tore at Blake's shirt as Blake managed to get rid of Dean's, their rapid moving chests pressed against one another, lips meeting in ecstasy as hands around around the other's cocks. Both pumped on the other, the passion working in hand and mouths, pleasure seething from them. Dean's hand reached out slightly from Blake's cock and managed to circle around part of his own, pressing it against Blake's to get a better grip. Blake moaned against Dean's mouth as Dean began to pump the both of them together, Blake's hips twitching, the silky flesh rubbing against each other. Dean's mouth moved back down, tongue tracing along Blake's jawline, nibbling at his ear, swirling his tongue around the lob, then returning back to Blake's mouth. Minutes passed like this, their heavy breathing and occasional groans held in the air until Dean's grip tightened slightly, breaking his mouth away from Blake's to moan guttarly, as he bit down into Blake's shoulder hard. Blake shook as fire roped through both of their bodies, their release shooting against one anothers stomachs, coating them both, his grip biting into Dean's back.

Blake slumped back, not even aware that he'd bent up during his orgasm. With a sigh, Dean fell to the side, his breath ragged as warmth passed through both of their bodies. After a few silent moments, Dean stood up and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He flipped the water on and stepped into it, washing the semen from his body. He scrubbed, trying to erase the memories from his mind along with the thoughts, determined to get back to normal, where he was before. Nothing in this whole crazy situation made sense anymore, to him there were lines for everything, definitive lines that made things clear, but now they were blurring and disappearing, distorting everything. After several minutes of feeling the hot water scald his body he eventually stepped out, drying himself off roughly with the cheap towel. He grabbed his clothes and threw them on as he walked out, immediately spotting Blake sitting at the table, book and cigarette in hand. Dean resisted the urge to throttle him, he looked way too damn calm after what just happened.

He opened his mouth to speak when the sounds of the door being opened caused him to shut his mouth so quickly and forcefully that the sound of his teeth clicking together could be heard. He turned his head as Sam walked into the room, taking in his still damp brother and a relaxed Blake with a disinterested look as he threw papers and his bag onto the bed.

"What did you find out?" Blake asked, flicking a page of the book idily.

Sam sighed, "they're all in connection with Patricia Felding. There were reports of her being picked on constantly, it was rumored that she was a witch and what not. She was harassed constantly, and mostly by Dufree and his buddy, they tormented the hell out of her. There was a hospital report, apparently she tried to kill herself a couple of times, the first by downing a bottle of Valium, and the second time by slicing her wrists, obviously both attempts failed."

"Well were there any reports of strange things happening to them, or a hex bag?" Dean asked, steadily trying to ignore Blake's presence.

Sam shrugged, "that Dufree guy lived just down the street from the library, and I couldn't find anything when I went looking around, no hex bags whatsoever."

Dean sat down as Blake stood up, "well then it's not a witch...where are you going?"

Blake glanced over as he grabbed his bag, "I thought we were going after a rogue witch."

Dean gave him an incredulous look, "we've already established that there were no hex bags."

Blake shook his head, "doesn't mean she's not a witch pulling something, trust me, let's go."

Before either of them could argue, Blake was out the door and ready. The brothers just looked at one another and shrugged and followed him out.

***************************************************

The ranch style house seemed peaceful against the setting sun, a few small trees lay outside in the main yard, past the shrubery that was wild and overgrown around the house. As the three snuck along the back of the house, Blake's eyes fell on an upturned portion of the lawn and he bent down, the brothers stopping as Blake ran a hand over a few of the plants.

"Nightshade, motherwort, wolfsbane, ginger, we've got her."

Dean snorted, "either that, or she cooks some weird ass food."

Blake only rolled his eyes as he stood back up and squinted into one of the nearby windows, all he could see in the mostly darkened house was a faint, flickering light from within the confines of the house. He nodded at Sam who slunk up to the back door, easing the lockpick into the cheap door and after a few seconds of precise movement, a soft click was heard as the door was unlocked. Blake turned the knob and pushed it open, the door making little to no noise. They walked carefully into the dark kitchen, glancing around frequently until they heard the sounds of someone chanting. Blake glanced at the two of them before pointing down the hallway leading out of the kitchen, where the light of what was obviously a fire, flickered near the end. They nodded and followed him down the hallway, the light and voice growing louder with each step. When they reached the doorway, Blaked nodded at them and then froze as the voice suddenly stopped, Sam gave a soft noise and backed up, retreating through the kitchen to enter into the living room in a different direction.

Blake gave a countdown before whipping around the corner, the sight of a dark haired girl, surrounded by candles and runes on the ground met his view as he began to yell, "Freeze! Don't fucki-"

The air was filled with a crimson light that filled the room, blinding Sam who had whipped around his own corner. Blake was lifted off his feet and thrown backwards, past a temporarily stunned Dean as his body slammed into the opposite wall, the collision shaking the walls. The girl turned towards Sam, her mouth opening to speak, but before a syllable could be uttered, Dean swung, his fist collidding with the side of her head, crumpling her instantly. Dean panted slightly, the air in the room seeming to be devoid of the necessary amounts of oxygen. He glanced down at the site he stood on, odd but ancient looking runes were painted on the ground, several candles were lit in many different places, if Dean didn't know any better, he's say it was done in a hurry without any pre-planning.

"Sammy," his voice came out hoarse, "you alright?"

Sam rubbed his eyes, "yeah, but I don't think Blake was quite so lucky."

"Oh shit," Dean yelped suddenly remembering Blake. He whipped around and hurried over to the wreckage of the the ruined wall and table underneath. As he pushed several pieces out of his way, Sam stood behind him. Suddenly Dean let out a yelp and leapt back in surprise. Sam's brow furrowed as he peaked over Dean's shoulder who had his gun levelled into the dark hallway. A low growl echoed around them as a large, long, sleek black, fanged and clawed feline walked from the hallway. Although Sam was taken back he reached out and pushed Dean's arm down, levelling the gun down at the ground.

"Dean....that's Blake."

Dean's eyes were wide, "Sam, it's a fucking tiger...."

Sam rolled his eyes as he hesitantly stepped out from behind Dean, "A panther actually."

Dean gave him a filthly look, "Tiger, panther, whatever, it's still a big cat, sharp claws and teeth. You know, maneaters?"

Sam raised an eyebrow at the large panther who was gazing curiously at it's own body, "I don't think it's just a panther...Blake?"

The panther's head shot up and stared fiercly at Sam, the intensity of the gaze was exactly like Blakes, but the fierce features of the large cat just added to it. Both brothers could only stare as the panther glanced between them, both having an indignant look and yet a constant feel of upheld dignity. Dean was hesitant and bent down to touch the large cat who stared at him with a mix of apprehension and patience. Dean tentatively touched Blake's head who relaxed slightly at the contact, he stroked a few times, feeling the velvet soft fur under the skin of his palm.

He gave him a glance over again, "it figures that you'd be a gorgeous panther."

Sam frowned at Dean but noticed that he was right, Blake as a panther was completely obsidian black, the fur glossy under the faint light. His body was sleek and powerful looking, he held a sense of poise, dignity, and danger about him. His eyes were a shock of emerald, the centers a blatant gold color that seemed to drink in the surroundings around him, he was a beautiful animal.

"Yeah," Sam began, "but what do we do about him?"

Dean frowned at this, "I don't know, this isn't the kind of magick we're used too."

Sam nodded, "this is quite advanced magick, maybe Bobby would know."

With that he turned and walked out of the room, dialing Bobby's number. Meanwhile Dean was left crouching next to the feline Blake, who was quite content with Dean's hand on his head. Dean just stared at Blake in disbelief, "dude....you're a cat."

Blake snarled and Dean leaned back, "fine, panther, whatever."

Blake seemed content with that and nudged at Dean's hand, Dean was bewildered right up until he realized that Blake wanted him to scratch him again. Dean was amused as he realized that the human and animal were mixing inside Blake's new bodies brain. He idily scratched the large cats head, and stared at him even longer as he heard Sam talking in the other room. He didn't even know where to begin of what had happened here, other than the fact that a spell of some sort had forced Blake's body into the body of an animal, and an conspicious one at that. Blake's ears perked up as he heard the sounds of Sam coming back into the room, wearing an all too grim expression on his face.

"What'd Bobby say?"

Sam licked his lips, "he says that this is pretty big mojo, and that we should see someone who knows something about this."

Dean didn't like the expression on his brothers face, "like who?"

Sam hesitated, "Missouri."

Dean swallowed hard, he'd thought they'd finally left Lawrence behind them, "are you sure?"

Sam nodded, "she's the only one close by that we can trust really."

He glanced down at Blake who only stared up at him with that eerie gaze that all cats have, the one that makes you feel like they're peering right into your soul, "alright then, we can't have him being a furball for life."

The next thing he knew he felt a large and powerful weight slam into him and knock him down. His eyes shot up as he lay on the ground to a mouth full of sharp fangs and a growling panther. He grinned weakly, "was only a joke, sorry."

The panther gave a last low growl before sliding back off of Dean, a smug look on his feline face. Sam snorted in amusement as he stepped over a disgruntled Dean, who was indignant over having to apologize, but it was a freakin' panther. For that matter, it was a panther in a foul mood over being a panther, he stood up, brushing himself off and followed after Sam. He stopped as he remembered the girl and turned back around, beginning to say something as the words died in his throat. The spot where she had lain just seconds before was empty, and the window was wide open, she was gone.

**************************************

They sat in silence, the only sounds were that of the Impala's rumbling beneath them. Blake had stretched out in the back seat of the car and seemed to be sleeping lazily. Dean couldn't help but wonder if the ability to sleep anywhere came with all cats or if that thing about being able to relax no matter what came with Blake's personality as well. The large cat's were twitching every now and then, a paw twitching as well, occaisionally pushing on the back of Sam's seat. Sam frowned but didn't say anything as the sign announcing their arrival into Lawrence shot by.

The silence was palpable as they approached Missouri's house, Dean eased the car into the driveway, eyes searching the darkened house. Within seconds of the car being shut off, lights flicked on within the house. A lone figure came out to the front porch and stared at the car, and then the thick and powerful voice of Missouri boomed out from the porch archway, "well, are you boys comin' in or not?"

Neither of them were surprised by her knowing that they were there as they slid out of the car. They walked up to the porch, hesitant smiles on their faces as Missouri smiled warmly at them, "and here I thought I'd never see you boys again."

Dean snorted, "like you didn't know we were coming?"

Missouri's eyes narrowed, "don't sass me boy."

Sam held back a snort of amusement, "Missouri, we've run into a bit of a problem, and Bobby said you'd be able to help."

She gave a small smile, "ah, well of course, no other reason that you'd come back here."

Sam shuffled uncomfortably, "well, I guess."

Missouri deigned to ignore it as she looked at the two of them, "well, what's the problem."

Dean opened his mouth, "it's our...friend, our last hunt we ran into a witch, and none that we've ever heard of before."

Missouri's brow furrowed as she seemed to be paying attention to something else and then the light returned to her eyes, "ah so you've met Blake already."

Sam frowned, "you know him?"

Missouri chuckled, "oh yes, I know him. More trouble than the two of you combined, but he means well."

Both brothers snorted and Sam shot a strange look at Dean, his issues, whatever they were, with Blake seemed to be really affecting him. Dean in the mean time, realizing that certain things he could think and feel could be seen by Missouri. Instantly he clamped down on the thoughts, the last thing he needed was for her to be picking those kinds of things out of his mind.

He could have sworn she gave him a strange look as she spoke, "well where is he? Can't help you boys if I can't see what's wrong, can't expect me to pluck everything from those rat mazes you call minds."

Sam nodded and walked to the car but stepped back as the sleek body of Blake jumped out of the car, a faint squel from his claws making Dean wince. Missouri shuffled forward as the pitch black cat padded into view. He sat down at the bottom of the stairs and stared up at the seer who only gazed back at him with a contemplative look.

She whistled, "Ooh Blake, Animamorphism? You got yourself in deep, didn't you? It only figures that this is what you'd become."

Sam looked at her quizzically, "how so?"

She sighed, "panthers are hunters of the night. Fierce, deadly, skilled and fast, and mostly, they work alone. On the off chance that they do work around another, they're still alone, distant, and independent. Also they're exceptionally beautiful creatures."

All three looked down at the large cat who only gazed back at them, poised and ready. Eventually Missouri snapped herself out of her reverie and pulled open the screen door, "well, are you boys coming in?"

They only nodded but stopped as the panther pushed past them following after an amused Missouri. She flicked lights on as she went, bustling into the kitchen humming as she turned the stove on and place a kettle on it filled with water. Sam and Dean sat down in the dining room, casting a glance at one another and then down at Blake who just sat on the floor, his tail flicking idily as he waited patiently. Dean frowned, once again the man's patience with whatever was happening to him was astounding. Here he was as a panther, and he was just sitting there, looking as right with the world as he possibly could.

Missouri entered the room with a tray of cups and dishes, a teapot sitting in the middle. She idled herself by powering the tea and handing it to the brothers before sitting down. Dean made a face but sipped at it, knowing that if he didn't, Missouri would be on his case again. The panther gave a huff, drawing the three of their attentions, Missouri snorted in reply, "I would tell you to ask politely, but I'll forgive you this once."

Dean stared incredulously as he realized that Blake was asking for some tea of his own. Missouri poured some tea into a dish and carefully set it on the floor down in front of Blake. She stared at them as she waited for the story, they hesistated for a minute before catching on and let the story pile out. They started with the beginning of the day and spiralled down through it. Dean managed to conveniently leave out what had happened earlier that day between he and Blake, but could have sworn that Missouri's eyes flickered over to him, but then again he couldn't prove it. They relayed the story of finding more information out about the girl and finally hunting her down to her house and what happened with the girl.

"So can you help us out here?" Sam asked as he looked down at Blake who was vaguely paying attention to them.

"This is very advanced magick," Missouri said with a solemn look at them.

"That's why we came to you, hoping that you could help."

"This is not learned magick, not for how quickly it was done, although it was messy."

Dean stared, "learned magick?"

She leaned forward, "boys, in this world you have had the oppurtunity of meeting witches, and yes Dean I know you don't like them, get over it. My point is that you have been lucky only to meet learned witches."

"There's different kinds?"

She nodded, "yes, in the realm of witches there are different types, based on the school of magick that they follow, now that is irrelevant other than it's good to know when you're facing them. Your particular witch seems to favor altering bodies and minds. What's most important is the type of witch she is, not the school she inheritly follows. In this world there are two kinds of witches, learned witches, those who learn of magick and can be taught too use it, and born witches, those who naturally have magick in their blood. From birth born witches exhibit strange powers, whether visions, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, or other stranged occurences. Born witches are far more powerful than any learned witch could ever hope to be, they have magick in their blood, and they're a natural conduit for magickal energies. In the world of learned witches, women are always stronger than men, even though both can learn the same things, women are always stronger. In born witches, there are hardly any male witches, even though males are born into witch families, they are not born with magickal abilities, it rarely if ever happens. When it does though, a strange occurence appears in the boy's body, he is far stronger than any other witch, including a female born witch."

Sam took the information in with a nod, "so in other words, we're dealing with a born witch here?"

She nodded, "yes, a born witch is able to perform moderate magicks with only a few choice phrases and a bit of energy. Easier spells they can do without a word and with barely a thought. Harder spells like what's been performed on Blake here, they require a ritual of sorts, far less than a learned witch, but they're quicker and require less chanting and other instruments."

Dean sighed, "figures, one more type of witch to deal with."

Blake snorted, a short growl coming from deep within his feline throat causing Dean to stare hard at him. Missouri gave a small smile as she glanced at Sam, "to answer your oncoming question, this spell is beyond my knowledge at the moment to deal with. If I think it is what I think it is, then it may require more of an insight and research into it."

Dean stood up, "so we get started on that right now?"

Missouri waved her hand at him, "boy, calm down. Nothing else is going to happen to him, and you all need your rest, so go upstairs, there are two beds in the guest room, sleep on it, and then tomorrow we can work tirelessly to help Blake here."

The two of them looked at one another but shrugged and knew there was no arguing with Missouri. They shuffled outside to pick up a few things from the car before passing their goodnights to Missouri and Blake and heading up the stairs. Blake and Missouri sat in silence, although both knew that Blake couldn't very well speak to break the silence, but if he could have he wouldn't have.

When Missouri finally spoke, it was barely a whisper, "so this is the new mess I find you in Blake."

The panther only sniffed loudly in reply and she smiled, "yes, well in that extent I suppose. Trouble does seem to find you well enough without your help. So how have you found the Winchester brothers to be?"

She paused as Blake only stared at her, "oh! Well, it seems he's not the only one, a wonder the two of you have managed a sliver of sanity this long."

Blake gave a snotty look with a snort and stood up to walk out of the room, leaving a pleased smile on Missouri's face.

******************************************

Dean couldn't sleep, no matter how long he'd lain there on the double bed and attempted to drift off, he just couldn't. He'd eventually given up and went downstairs, slipping quietly out of the bedroom and down the stairs. On his way through the living room he'd almost tripped over the sprawled form of Blake, who had lain down and seemed to be deeply asleep. Dean for not the first time could only marvel at the man, but figured that everyone needed sleep, just like he should be doing at the moment. He pushed out the front door and sat down on the top step, his mind rampant. He couldn't shake the thoughts of what had happened earlier and they were bugging the shit out of him, Blake of course had just taken it all into stride and acted like it was no big deal, calm and collected as ever.

"Oh, you'd be surprised at what that boy hides deep within his mind."

Dean jerked around at the sound of the seer's voice to see Missouri standing just behind the screen door staring at him. His mouth flapped uselessly at her, unable to come up with words until, "how-"

"Boy, your brain could have woken the dead around here if they were tuned to do such a thing."

Dean snorted but only sat there in silence, "you have any booze."

She pushed open the door with a small sound, "boy you know that I don't drink, and I don't allow it around my home. Pfft, when Blake was here he had to smoke out in the road, none of that around here."

"Sounds about right, and he actually listened?"

She sat down in a chair on the porch, "you just have to know what to use to get him to listen. He's no bigger mystery than you are Dean, you just have to solve the mystery first."

Dean threw a rock down the walkway, "yeah, well he's one big enigma."

Missouri looked thoughtful, "well he prefers to keep things close to the chest, not that I blame him, things he's seen and done, a lot of guilt in that boy."

Dean looked at her, "what do you mean?"

She smiled sadly, "you didn't think he was always like this did you? No, everyone is a representation of their past, and he is no different, but that is his story to tell when he wants too, not mine."

Dean scoffed, "figures."

She gave him a look, "don't get that tone with me. Actually I'm more interested, as should you, with the thoughts screaming through and out of your head right now."

Dean looked startled and then mumbled something unitelligable to which Missouri only smiled, "earlier I made a remark that you'd finally met him. Well I had seen that, back when you boys came back here not too long ago, I wasn't sure when, but I knew it would come to be."

Dean raised an eyebrow, "you didn't know when?"

She gave a soft laugh, "that was actually the influence of Blake in there. He's what you would call an odd wind of Fate, he never sticks to a certain path along the way, but he always finds his way to the end, one way or another."

Dean gave no response so she continued, "the funny thing is, because of that, I sometimes miss things when it comes to people like him. There was something else there, amongst the fog that he creates, something I couldn't quite make out. Now I usually don't deign on those things, but amongst it all I could see it was important to him, and somehow that particular thread of fate intertwined strongly with your own. That's all I could make out amongst it all, and then you come to my doorstep a second time, and your mind is seething with guilt, confusion and lust."

Dean gave a strangled noise, she had been reading into his mind he opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off with a hand gesture, "hush, you listen to me speak my piece and then I'll leave you be. Now I find myself looking at someone like you, and I see someone who doesn't run from anything, you face down anything that comes your way, that's what makes you a good hunter, if not a bit thick at times. Now I see you cowering in the corners of your mind, hiding from something that's so blatant. In people Fate can be denied, sometimes for the course of their life, it is possible. Now these people wander through life, lost and alone, never whole and never truly alive, even if they try. Sometimes the things that we want the most don't always come in the shape that we want them too, or expect them too. It's best to just suck it up and take what we receive immediately, and we'll find that it's exactly what we wanted all along. Guilt is such a useless emotion, it gets us nowhere, and we learn next to nothing from it. Stay true to who and what you are Dean Winchester, and you'll find your answers, and maybe some sleep too."

Dean could only stare forward as he became lost in her words as they swirled about in his mind. She stood up silently and swiftly and walked back into the house, leaving him to his thoughts. She walked into the living room and stared at the large cat sitting on the floor staring up at her with watchful eyes. She smiled and shook her head, "and don't you go fighting things either, you more than most should know the price of fighting things like this."

Dean on the other hand just sat on the porch, staring at the inky blackness around him....

"Shit..."

He only barely heard the sound of the door opening again as he felt a large weight rub up against him. He gave the panther a dirty look, to which a patient and knowing look was returned. He sighed and rubbed Blake's head as the big cat lay down next to him, resting his large head on Dean's lap, making a soft pleased sound. Dean rolled his eyes as he continued stroking the cat and thinking.

"Double shit..."

******************************************

Sam rose and walked downstairs to spot Dean at the table, cup of coffee in his hands and several books all around him. He raised an eyebrow and walked into the kitchen with a groggy "morning," as he went to the pot of coffee. He turned with the hot cup in his hand and watched his brother who had turned around for a moment and had set a dish on the ground that seemed to have food and another with what looked like tea. He hid the surprised look on his face as he watched this little exchange of kindness to Blake who took the food and drink gratefully. Dean squinted over the books before glancing up at Sam, giving him a "what?" look.

"Did you even sleep?" Sam asked.

Dean just gave him a wave of his hands as he pointed at the book, "it's nothing, just taking the time to fix flea bag here."

Sam glanced at Blake, expecting an aggressive response to the tease, but saw nothing different in his stature as he continued eating and drinking as dignified like as he could manage. Apparently he had missed something along the way, "well, what did you find out?"

"Well from what I can tell, only another born witch can undo what that witch did, and since we don't know any other witches, we're left with only the one we had found."

Sam sat down, taking a drink of the coffee, "yeah but she disappeared, and even if we managed to find her AND somehow restrain her from doing something, how would we convince her to undo the spell?"

"I'd say put her in some sort of position where she's forced too," Dean mumbled as he flipped through some pages.

Missouri who'd slipped into the room reached around and placed a hand in front of Dean on the book, "there may be a way to convince her to reliquensh her hold on Blake."

Dean scoffed, "like what?"

She smirked and flipped the pages of the book he held a few more back and pointed. He leaned down, squinting to read the page and then a smile went across his face, "Missouri, I think I love you, and I think I know how to make this work."

Missouri only smiled.

****************************************

"Remind me why we're walking through shit," Dean mumbled as he watched what he hoped was a candy bar float by.

"This isn't a human waste pipe Dean, and Missouri said we'd find her here, so we've gotta keep looking here," Sam snorted as they stepped up onto dry land.

"Fine, but I still want a shower after all of this."

Sam just ignored Dean and continued walking on, making sure to keep his flashlight down. If it hadn't been for Missouri, they would have never known where to even begin looking for this woman, but thankfully she was able to spot her here, or at least somewhere around here. She'd apparently been using this place as a means of hiding from the world, they had just been lucky in finding her at her house originally. The walls were decorated with runes and various different symbols that neither of them recognized. Candles lay all around, unlit but apparently had been burned before all of this. Sam couldn't see the girl around, which meant she had be somewhere, he couldn't exactly see her going off too far from her hiding place.

As Dean poked around, glancing into nearby tunnels with his flashlight, Sam walked over to the altar. He knew from what Missouri had told them that breaking the altar apart wouldn't do them a whole lot of good at this time, but it was still a tempting idea. He glanced at the herbs and small inscriptions etched into the table and then his eyes fell onto a book on the table. He opened it, training the flashlight on the pages. Various images and words flashed around on the pages as he flipped through the small book, actually the type of book looked slightly familiar to him, he swore he'd seen it somewhere before, just couldn't remember where. He came across a few pages that talked about different spells used to pierce a persons mind, bring up the worse parts of their lives and intensify the feelings that came with those memories, he guessed that that's what she had been using on the men, what some people would do for revenge. He scanned some more until he felt the presence of someone behind him, he turned around to see the girl, her dark eyes flashing with malice as he was suddenly thrown to the side.

He landed in a heap, spotting Dean laying on the ground, apparently out cold. He grunted and hoped that Dean was ok as he rolled over just in time to miss a dagger being drove down to where he had been. He twisted his body around and delivered a blow to the side of her head which sent her rolling away from him. He leapt up as she recovered herself and muttered something into her palm and then shoved her palm at him, dark energy warped out and slammed into him. He crumpled to the ground, his head suddenly swimming as images and mutterings flashed through his mind. She stood shakily over him, long dagger in hand, his mind worked furiously despite the noise that seethed in it.

He threw up his hands, "wait! All we wanted was for you to change our friend back!"

She hesitated, "that man?"

He nodded, holding the side of his head, "yeah."

She sneered, "oh right, the one who came into my house, and you two were with him," she laughed darkly, "well I don't think s-"

A loud metallic sound rang through the air as Sam blinked in surprise, for the second time in a 24 hour period the girl dropped to the ground, unconscious. Sam looked up to see Dean standing there, breathing heavily, a long shovel in his hand. Sam's gaze fell back on the woman, "dude, did you...?"

Dean reached down and felt on the woman's neck, "no, just knocked her right out. Bitch got me from behind, some mojo, God I hate witches!"

Sam pulled himself up, "yeah, and what's new about that?"

Dean shook his head as he bound and gagged the girl, "no, now I hate them even more, now there's others who can do worse things. At least with the other ones we had a good chance of fighting back."

Sam helped him pick her up, "well we did ok this time."

Dean snorted as he hefted her onto his shoulder, "yeah only cuz this bitch is dumb as hell."

Sam rolled his eyes, "alright, well let's get her back to Missouri."

*************************************************

She groaned, her head throbbing as she woke groggily, feeling cold concrete beneath her. She rolled over, the hard floor pushing uncomfortably against her. She seethed with pain that radiated from her head as she tried to collect her thoughts. She'd been about ready to finish the man off when a sharp pain, and she realized that she'd been hit from behind and she'd been out cold. That's when her eyes snapped open and through blurry vision focused on the shape of a few people staring at her from the opposite side of the room. She sat up, her head swimming and glared at them.

Dean shrugged, "we tried it the nice way, now we're doing it our way, change him back."

She sneered again, "I'll rip the flesh from your bones before I take that back!"

Dean motioned around the room, "try it."

That's when she noticed the white markings all over the bare room, runes and symbols that she began to piece together, magick negation. She thought to herself furiously, here where she didn't have the power to fight, they could easily overcome her. She smiled, she still had an ace though, and that was what they wanted, "no."

Missouri sighed, "somehow I saw that response coming, let's try it a different way then."

She walked easily over to a nearby door and opened it, the sleek black panther easing into the room. The woman's eyes darted from the panther to the others, trying to figure their game. Dean shrugged and the three of them walked from the room, leaving her alone with Blake. She stared in fear, "wha-?!"

From outside the door came Missouri's voice, "we figured if you won't do as we ask, then Blake should at least have his revenge."

She scuttled backwards as the panther snarled and advanced on her, suddenly he leapt into the air at her, knocking her flat on her back. She whimpered as she watched the glinting fangs coming closer and closer to her neck, ready to tear her throat apart. Finally she bellowed, "fine! I'll do it! I'll do it! PLEASE!!"

With those words the panther backed up and the door opened, breaking the seal on the room. She stood shakily and stared at them, she knew if she even tried anything otherwise, the seer's abilities would hold her off long enough for them to close the door again, sealing her off from her magick and allowing the panther to attack her again. She'd lost and she knew it. She sneered as she took the dagger from her hip and made a cut across her skin, she mumbled quietly, the blood dripping down once onto Blake's head. She raised her hand and aimed it at Blake at this point and muttered only two words, whispering them fiercly, "Reverso Animus"

A bright light filled the room as a low rumble echoed out through the confines of the room. Everyone covered their eyes as the light reached a brilliant pitch. When the noise and the light stopped, they brought their hands down and opened their eyes. Sam and Dean choked in surprise as a completely naked Blake stood in front of the woman. Blake glanced around, happy to be able to see as a human once again. He turned back around towards the three in the doorway, where Dean and Sam were focusing intently on Blake's face, and only his face. He frowned and then glanced down at his body which he noticed had not a stitch of clothing, and then seemed unperturbed by it.

He smiled, "hello Missouri, good to be able to speak to you again."

Missouri smiled, "and you Blake, though I think I prefer you clothed."

He only smirked, "yes well, in that matter can I have my clothes then?"

Before they could say another word, the sounds of the woman's sudden murmuring caught their attention. Blake whirled about, eyes flashing as he held up his hand in sudden movement his voice heard by all, "Terga!"

There was a sharp cracking sound and the woman was thrown back into the wall with a harsh sound, her mumbling stopped instantly. She slid down the wall and stared up at Blake in amazement, a look shared by both Dean and Sam. His eyes glinted with a deadly look as he stared at her, as if thinking about her fate, a thought she too was wondering about. Missouri watched from behind the brothers, wondering what Blake would do. A thoughtful look crossed his face, "I think I have an idea."

He bent down and took her hand and wiped some of blood of hers on his hand, and with a few hand motions began speaking, "Expugno Lumen, Nillus Lox, Vis Levis, Luciens Nox!"

She screamed in protest during his chant, which he began to repeat, a faint dark outline appearing around her as she begged and pleaded for him to stop. Suddenly a dark shean of grey washed over her body and then disappeared as he finished the chant a third and final time. He wiped his hand back on her and smirked, "an amateur like you shouldn't be allowed to roam free."

She glanced at herself, frantic and panicked, suddenly she burst into hysterics as Blake turned back around to the others, Sam and Dean still perplexed and Missouri wearing what looked like a relieved smile.

"What'd you do?" Dean asked as he stared at the girl who's hysterics were growing worse and worse.

Blake shrugged, "Simple, just severed the tie between her and her magick, she can't do magick until I let it go, or someone stronger than me unblocks it."

"So uhh," Sam began, "you're a..."

Blake glanced over at him with a faint smile, "what? A witch? Oh didn't I mention that?"

Sam shook his head and Blake shrugged again, "oh well now you know, Hunter's on my dad's, Witche's on my mom's, I was born a male witch, fancy that, now clothes?"

Dean looked shocked, "you've been able to do stuff like this all along and never bothered to tell us or help us?"

Blake only shrugged once again, "eh, I have my reasons."

Dean looked disbelieving, "and those are?"

Blake rolled his eyes, "is that even the dis-..oh shut the fuck up!"

He yelled suddenly as the woman's crying and begging had reached an unbearable level, he whipped around and drove his fist violently into the side of her face, knocking her against the wall and into unconsciousness. He rubbed his knuckles and turned back to the trio, "so guys.....clothes?"

************************************************

Sam was grabbing a few things from the house as he talked to Missouri, Blake had slipped off outside, further down the road to have a cigarette, something Sam was sure was one of the many things Blake enjoyed about being human again. Dean on the other hand had just disappeared and Sam was curious as to where his older brother had disappeared off too. When he had asked Missouri she had only given him an odd look and told him that he shouldn't worry about it, don't sass her like his brother does, and get back to packing.

Meanwhile Blake had been standing past the treeline of the house enjoying one of quite a few cigarettes when he heard footsteps behind him, "let's hope this isn't your version of stealthy."

Dean could only snort, "heard me eh?"

Blake waved his hand in a whimsical manner, "well that and any sensitive could hear your brain a mile away."

Dean's eyes narrowed, "you too?"

Blake only chuckled, "I'm not a seer like Missouri, I can't pick up on thoughts quite as easily as she can, but I can read people pretty well, and certain people I can even get glimpses into their brains, and yes, you are one of them, no I didn't read that from your mind, I'm not a seer remember, I just know you well enough."

Dean stood next to him, "some people would call that intuition."

Blake shook his head, "well this is different, and from the fact that you seem to have been intent on catching me without the presence of Sam or Missouri, I'm guessing you have something you wish to say."

Dean nodded, and paused before beginning, "well, Missouri talked to me-"

Blake snorted, "somehow I knew that woman wouldn't be able to stay out of things."

Dean smiled, "she's something eh?"

Blake gave another snort, "she means well. Don't let her cantankerous behavior fool you, she's just a mother hen when it comes to people, and for some reason she is with me."

Dean cocked his head, "I've noticed, but she talked about a few things, and it got me thinking," Blake only listened as Dean took in a breath, "you see, I don't really know what to think about this whole thing. I mean, I'm not you where the oddness doesn't even phase you, but Missouri made a couple good points about things, and I don't like to admit that she's right, but I guess in someways she is. That doesn't mean I'm good, but I'm thinking, and I guess whatever comes, comes."

Blake snorted, "a touch of destiny."

Dean looked confused, "what?"

Blake only shook his head, "nothing, and I never asked of anything from you, nor do I expect anything other than honesty. But....is the Lifetime channel done premiering now?"

Dean frowned as he thought about that and then punched Blake, "Jerk."

Blake stood up, "now, now, save that for your brother and the road, come on, let's get going before Missouri hunts us down and drags us out of here."

Dean could only give a grin and follow close behind, both unsure of the road ahead.

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A/N:
So what'd ya think?
It's good to see that with all the hits a couple of people have decided to post a review or two, and that is REALLY appreciated, so of course I'm going to do Reviewer Responses ^_^

-Kay: Well I finally got the new chapter out for ya, so don't worry, I'm not sick of this story yet, just taking my time with it, so don't worry. Oh and I wouldn't hold your breath for them to proclaim their love, it's not quite their thing, but don't worry there will be some emotions and of course there will be some sex, lol. ;-)

-Jstar7: It's great to see that you loved my story, and yes I love Wincest too, but it's not always my thing, though I'm sure eventually a story will come up from my brain, though most likely it will be a oneshot or short. So of course I also added another update :D, so go ahead and enjoy and I'll keep updating a bit at a time.

OH, I'M GOING TO START PUTTING PROGRESS REPORTS FOR EACH OF MY STORIES NEW CHAPTERS ON MY PROFILE, SO IF YOU'RE WANTING TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH A PARTICULAR STORY, JUST CHECK OUT MY AUTHOR PROFILE.

Till the next chapter,
~Braioch~