My Home Is Always With You {8}

Chapter 9: "Citizen Fang"

Liz and Sam are in the car, while Dean goes to get them food. Sam's on the phone with Martin and he says, "Yeah. And you're certain? You sure? Okay. Great. Just, uh, just hang tight till you hear from me, okay?" Dean gets in the car and whispers, "Who is it?" Sam holds up his finger and says, "No, listen to me. I said hang tight." Then he hangs up and Sam says, "We got to get." Dean says, "Can I at least finish my burger?" Sam says, "We got a vamp kill, Dean-- Carencro, Louisiana." Dean says, "Huh. It's been a while since I've had some etouffee. Who's the source?" Dean hands Liz her burger and drink and Sam says, "Martin Creaser." Dean says, "Sorry-- For a minute there, I thought you said Martin Creaser. Crazy Martin from the loony bin?" Sam says, "Glendale Springs discharged him last month." Dean scoffs and says, "And? Shouldn't he be assembling toys in a padded room? What's he doing back on the job?" Sam says, "I asked him." Dean says, "You what?" Sam says, "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 can't believe this and says, "You put "Mostly Okay" Martin on Benny? What is "Mostly Okay" doing hunting at all?" Sam says, "Not hunting, Dean-- Tracking. Observe and report only. I was crystal clear about that." Dean says, "Wow. I can't believe that." Liz says, "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." Sam nods and says, "So, I had Martin keep tabs on him. And right now, it's looking like I made the right call." Dean says, "So, Martin's saying Benny did this?" Sam says, "Yeah." Dean nods and says, "Okay." Sam says, "'Okay'?" Dean says, "If Benny's in Louisiana draining folks... we should look into it." Dean starts the car and their off. Later, they arrive in Louisiana and go to Martin's place and before they knock on the door, Martin already opens it and says, "You said "Look for an eruption." How's Mount Vesuvius?" They walk in and Sam says, "Oh, Martin, this is Liz. She spoke with you on the phone a couple days ago." Dean isn't even surprised that Liz is on Sam with this. Martin nods and says, "Hi. I worked a few cases with your dad a long time ago." Liz nods and Martin looks at them and says, "I got into town about a week ago. Up until last night, nothing. He's been clean." Dean says, "Doing what?" Martin says, "Just minding his own business. Working at the Gumbo Shack." Dean says, "Benny's working at the Gumbo Shack?" Martin says, "Yeah. Slinging hash, pouring coffee-- The whole bit. And he may be Benny to you. Folks around here call him Roy." Dean nods and says, "Martin, you sure you're running on a full charge?" Martin says, "Y-Yeah. L-Little s-shock therapy in the morning, and I-I'm good to go." Liz softly says, "Tell us what happened last night." Martin 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." Dean says, "Wait-- Did you actually see Benny kill the guy or not?" Martin says, "I saw enough." Dean says, "Well, then, how can you be sure it was Benny if you didn't actually see him do it?" Martin says, "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 ever hear of Occam's Razor? "Keep it simple, stupid?" It's not that complicated." Dean says, "There's a lot of holes, Martin." Martin says, "Holes?! The only holes we should be looking at are in the vic's neck." Dean looks at Liz and Sam and says, "This sound like the Benny you know?" Sam says, "We don't know Benny." Martin exasperatedly says, "The benny you know? Say what? Why am I getting the distinct impression that your brother is vouching for a vampire?" Liz says, "Guys, let's not argue." Dean says, "Nobody's arguing, but if this is Benny-- And that's a big "If"--" Martin cuts Dean off and says, "Oh, it's him." Dean says, "I got history with the guy, okay? I'm not signing up for a witch hunt. I owe him more than that." Martin can't believe what Dean's saying and says, "What in God's great creation could a Winchester possibly owe a vampire? Am I hearing this right?" Dean says, "Look, until we get the facts, we stow the bloodlust, and we work this case right, or we work it separately." Martin says, "Doing it right would be separating his head from his shoulders." Liz silently agrees with Martin and Dean looks at Liz and Sam and says, "I just need some time, guys." Martin says, "Oh, yeah. Let the fang take another life? I don't think so." Sam says, "How much time do you need?" Martin looks at Sam and says, "You're not actually considering this?" Dean says, "Couple hours, tops." Martin looks at Dean and says, "And what if it turns out to be Benny?" Dean says, "Then it's Benny and I'll deal with it!" Liz rolls her eyes knowing Dean's not gonna deal with it. Sam says, "Couple hours, Dean. No more." Dean says, "I'll be in touch." Dean walks away and Martin follows Dean and says, "H-Hey. Oh, look. Hey, uh--" Dean closes the door behind him and Martin looks at Sam and says, "You're joking, right? We're doing this as soon as he pulls away." Sam says, "No, we're not, Martin. We're gonna give him a little bit of time." Martin says, "Hey, it's your brother. It's your call. How long are you gonna let him go on like this? It's staring him right in the face." Sam scoffs and says, "Well, sometimes it's not easy to see things for what they are." Later, Dean finds Benny washing blood of his hands and Benny says, "It's not me, Dean." Dean says, "Now, which "Me" are we talking about-- Benny... or Roy?" Benny turns to face Dean and says, "I'm just trying to blend in." Dean says, "'Blend in'? Who'd you plant, Benny?" Benny says, "Victim number two. If you're concerned about the missed calls, I didn't want to get you involved. Now... want to safety that thing, talk a little bit or what?" Dean removes the machete from his back and holds it in front of him and says, "I'm all ears." Benny nods and sighs and says, "Rogue vamp. Came into the cafe a couple nights ago-- Youngster goes by the name of Desmond. He, uh, he remembers me from the good old days." Dean says, "The good old days?" Benny says, "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 says, "All right. So far, so good. Let's get to the part about the blood." Benny says, "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, Dean. Not this time." Dean says, "'Hometown?' You grew up here?" Benny nods and says, "Born and bred. 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 cafe, and... I even found someone I hold myself accountable to. Best kind of someone, Dean. Family." Dean realizes and chuckles softly and says, "Elizabeth." Dean puts his machete back in its sheath and Benny says, "My great-granddaughter." Dean says, "Really? Wow. Does she know?" Benny says, "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." Dean says, "Handle on things? Benny, you've got two stiffs on your hands and three hunters on your ass." Benny says, "Oh, please. The half-wit who found me at the cafe? I'll take my chances with him." Dean says, "That half-wit was sent by my brother and girlfriend, and trust me-- my brother and girlfriend are not someone you want to mess with." Benny nods and says, "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." Dean says, "You know there's only one way to do that, right? And that is for you to sit on the sideline while I convince Sam, Liz, and Martin to go after Desmond. They see you out there, they don't care if you're gonna be collecting for the March of Dimes. They are gonna slice first and ask questions later. You know that." Benny says, "You really think they'll go for that?" Later, Dean goes back to Martin's and tells them what happened with Benny. Martin says, "Let me get this straight. I follow your boy... down a freaking path and trip over fresh vamp kill, and then you practically catch him in the act of burying a second body and you're still taking his side?" Dean says, "Vampires pick people off from the outskirts of town, okay? Not in the cafes that they work in with their great-grandkids. In fact, killing any human-- It's not his style." Martin says, "'Not his style'? 'Not his style'?" Liz says, "Listen, Dean, we came here on a dead body. You asked for some time, and now there's another dead body. Are we just going on trust here?" Dean says, "Yes." Sam says, "Okay. Because we've killed for a lot less, and you know how these things turn out for us." Dean says, "Yes, I do-- Too well. In fact, almost relationship I have ever had has gone to crap at some point. But the one thing I can say about Benny-- He has never let me down." Sam scoffs and says, "Well, good on you, Dean. Must feel great finally finding someone you can trust after all these years." Dean says, "All I'm saying is that Benny is innocent." Liz says, "No. You're too close to this." Dean says, "You're not gonna find him. And if you do, I'm gonna tell you two this. You'll be lucky to get out alive. And you-- You got with them, you're a dead man-- Period." Liz says, "These are innocent lives we're talking about, Dean. And you're willing to risk that on Benny's word alone?" Dean nods and says, "Damn right I am." Then Martin knocks Dean out and Sam says, "What... was that?" Martin says, "Dean made his choice. Let's go do our job." They cuff Dean to the radiator, and they leave the room and Martin says, "Glad your dad wasn't around to hear that. He'd have a mind to take you both out the woodshed and show you what's what. Half inclined to do it myself." Sam then grabs Martin and slams him against the wall and says, "You listen to me. We brought you into this. We can bring you out just as easy. So, the only thing you're gonna be inclined to do is shut up and follow our lead." Sam grabs Martin's keys and they walk away. Martin says, "Just saying-- Brother chooses a vampire over his family? I know how I'd feel." Later, they arrive where Benny is supposed to be and Martin says, "Something spooked him." Liz then finds a picture of Benny and who she assumes is his grand-daughter. Liz and Martin hear the car engine and see Sam drive off and Liz says, "Sam! Wait!" Martin says, "Winchesters." Liz says, "Tell me about it. Look, we don't need Sam. Look, at this." Liz hands Martin the picture and he hums and says, "I've got an idea." Liz's phone vibrates and she looks at it to see a message from Henry saying, "Mom, I accidently hurt someone with my powers." Liz looks at the message and knows Henry doesn't have any powers, so she clicks on the message and she knows it's Dean and he's trying to make her not go after Benny. Liz scoffs and looks at Martin and says, "You get motion sickness?" Martin says, "Why?" Liz grabs his arm and they both disappear and they're in front of the Gumbo Shack. Martin then starts throwing up and Liz says, "Sorry." Martin says, "It's okay. I'm good." Martin starts throwing up again and Liz grimaces. Then Martin's phone rings and he answers it and puts it on speaker for Liz and he says, "Hey, Dean." Since Dean is thinking that he has Liz and Sam away from Benny, he says, "Look, I'm just calling to let you know that the situation is resolved. Benny was not lying. There was another vamp, and we ganked him-- Together." Martin says, "Oh. That's good, Dean." Dean says, "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?" Martin says, "You don't have to worry about me, Dean. I'm long gone, too." Dean says, "Oh, and, Martin?" Martin says, "Yeah?" Dean says, "Find a new line of work." Dean hangs up not knowing that Liz is with Martin and that their planning to kill Benny. They walk in the cafe and they both order a slice of pie. Liz askes Elizabeth if she can use her phone to call a friend. Liz then calls Benny and he says, "Hey, Liz. How's your shift going?" Liz smirks and says, "Wrong Liz, I'm afraid. I'd say she's covering for you just fine... Benny. But us regulars-- We miss you." Benny says, "How the hell you get her phone?" Elizabeth walks up to her and Martin and she says, "You enjoy the cherry?" Liz pulls the phone away from her ear a little and says, "Yeah. Best cherry pie I've tasted in a long time." Elizabeth smiles and says, "Did you, uh, reach your friend okay?" Liz smiles and says, "I did. Thanks. I can't believe I left my cell on the bus. I'll just be another minute." Elizabeth softly smiles and says, "Well, you take your time." Liz says, "Thank you." Elizabeth walks away and Liz speaks through the phone and says, "She's a nice girl. Takes kindly to strangers." Benny says, "You leave her alone-- Now." Liz says, "How far away are you?" Benny says, "An hour." Liz says, "You got 45 minutes." Benny then hangs up and Liz smirks at Martin and he says, "Well?" Liz says, "He's on his way." Martin smiles and says, "Good." Later, they tie Elizabeth to a chair and Benny walks in and Martin says, "Lay down your arms, you unholy thing!" Martin puts a knife under Elizabeth's neck and Benny says, "You got me here, now. Why don't you just let her go and walk away?" Liz says, "I don't think so." Benny says, "You realize I'm not asking." Liz says, "We realize that completely." Elizabeth's whimpering and says, "Roy, what's going on?" Benny says, "It's okay, Lizzie. They ain't gonna hurt you. Ain't that right? Come on, now. I got no beef with either of you. You got not beef with me." Martin says, "We got plenty of beef with your kind." Benny says, "All right. That may be so, but not for anything that happened here. I did not kill those people." Liz says, "We heard. You and Dean dealt with it." Elizabeth begs with tears in her eyes and says, "Roy... please just tell me what's going on here." Benny says, "Please. I'm asking you-- Do not do this. The bad guy is gone, okay?" Martin says, "She doesn't know... Benny." Elizabeth says, "Roy? Who's Benny?" Martin says, "'Who's Benny'? Lent's find out, shall we?" Liz then grabs the knife from Martin, and he says, "What are you doing?" Liz rolls up her sleeve and she slices herself and blood starts dripping from her arm. Martin says, "Look. See that?! Dilated pupils! Hair standing! Signs of hunger! Don't worry there's only two people in this room he can feed on. The only other person he can't feed on is his own flesh and blood." Elizabeth says, "'Flesh and blood'?" Martin says, "Tell her, Benny. Tell her how you're long-lost grandpappy. Tell her about all the dead you left behind. Tell her about the monster that you are!" Benny says, "What do you want?" Martin says, "Isn't it obvious? I want your head on a stake." Benny walks forward and places his head on the table and Elizabeth says, "Ohh... Roy, no." Benny whispers, "I'm sorry." Martin says, "Well, hope they're saving a special place for you... whatever it is you come from." As Martin swings his machete at Benny, Benny springs into action and starts attacking Martin. Liz unties Elizabeth and says, "Get out." Elizabeth immediately runs out and gets in her car and drives away. Benny looks at Liz and she glows her eyes and he says, "You know, Dean told me a lot of good things about you. I thought you of all people would understand since it's happened to you." Liz looks at him confused and says, "What are you talking about?" Benny chuckles and says, "Your first love was werewolf. You two were friends. Me and Dean are the same thing were friends. Me and Freddie boy helped your boyfriend get out of Purgatory. So, why can't you let me go?" Liz says, "How do you know about me and Freddie?" Benny says, "Because he told me." Liz widens her eyes and Benny uses this as a distraction and tackles her to the ground and bites on her neck. Liz screams and pushes Benny off her and blasts him out the window. Liz sighs and goes to touch her neck and winces. Liz goes over to Martin, who's dead and she says, "Damn it." Liz then goes to call Dean. Dean picks up and says, "Liz." Liz shakily says, "Dean." Dean softly says, "Hey, what's wrong?" Liz says, "There's something you need to see." Dean says, "Where are you?" Liz says, "The Gumbo Shack." Dean's confused on why she's there since he sent that fake text so she could be away from there and he says, "I'm on my way." Dean turns his car around and drives to Liz. Dean pulls up to the Gumbo Shack and gets out the car and sees Liz on the steps. When he walks closer, he sees a lot of blood on her neck and he worriedly says, "What happened?" Liz nods her head inside and says, "Why don't you go look inside to see for yourself?" Dean takes out a cloth and places it on Liz's neck and she holds it there. Dean walks inside to see Martin with his throat ripped out and he knows it was Benny. Then Liz and Dean are on the road and Sam calls Dean, and he says, "Sammy?" Sam scoffs and says, "'Sam, I need your help. Come quick.' Nice one. Swapping Amelia's phone out with a burner, sending a distress signal... you got me good. I suppose you did the same with Liz. When did you do that?" Dean says, "I did do it with her, although she's smart and she joined up with Martin. I did it a while back, in case I needed it. Looks like I made the right call. So, did you see her?" Sam says, "Yeah. Yeah, I saw her. And she's doing just fine. But, 'course, you know that." Dean says, "Actually, I didn't. I did know it was the only way to get you to lay off." Sam scoffs and says, "So? Is it done?" Dean says, "Yeah, it's done." Sam says, "Any casualties?" Dean says, "Martin." Sam says, "Was it Benny?" Dean says, "He had it coming, Sam. I'll tell you what happened." Sam says, "I-I know what happened, Dean." Dean says, "Okay, you want to listen to me or not?" Sam then hangs up the phone and Dean says, "Damn it. What the hell where you thinking!" Liz's wounds on her neck and arm are healed and she says, "I was thinking that a vampire needed to die." Dean's says, "You almost got yourself killed, you know that right?" Liz angrily says, "Yes, I know that. I know what I was doing. Martin was too... arrogant and I got distracted by what Benny was saying and that's how he got the jump on me, but I blasted his ass out the window. You happy that your best friend is alive?" Dean ignores her questions and says, "How did you get distracted?" Liz doesn't say anything and Dean watches a tear slip out of her eye and he softens his voice and says, "Liz?" Dean sighs and sees a sign for a motel and goes go to it. Dean parks the car and Liz gets out and grabs her bag. Dean grabs his and they go to the front desk to get a room. The guy behind the counter looks at Liz's bloody neck and says, "You okay, ma'am." Liz says, "Fine. We'd like a room." He nods and says, "Okay." Dean pays and Liz grabs the key and walks to the room. Liz unlocks the door and Liz drops her bag on the bed and takes out her pjs. Liz softly, "Why didn't you tell me the whole truth about Purgatory?" Dean says, "What?" Liz looks at Dean and says, "Why didn't you tell me Freddie saved your life?" Dean realizes Benny told Liz and he sighs and says, "Liz... I wanted to tell you, but I wanted you to have your last memory of Freddie when you knew him." Liz scoffs and says, "When I knew him? Dean, I had to kill him." Dean says, "I know. Freddie told me." Liz says, "Did he tell you everything?" Dean says, "What are you talking about?" Liz's crying and says, "I didn't want to kill him, but your dad found out about me, and Freddie and he threatened me if I didn't kill Freddie he would. Benny was comparing his friendship with you, with me and Freddie's. They're completely different. Benny drinks human blood, Freddie never in his life ate a human heart, he only ate animal hearts." Dean didn't know his dad threatened Liz and Dean wants to hug Liz, but he knows that's not going to make her feel better. Liz grabs her pjs and goes to the bathroom to wash her blood off. Liz is crying in the shower and Dean's on the bed with his head in his hands hearing Liz cry is breaking his heart. Dean's mad at Benny for hurting Liz and he's mad at himself for choosing Benny over Liz and Sam. Liz comes out of the shower and wraps herself and looks at herself in the mirror and thinks about what Benny said about him helping Dean get out of Purgatory. Liz sighs and knows what to do about her and Dean. Liz changes into her pjs.

Liz walks out the bathroom to hear Dean sniffling and her heart breaks. Liz walks over to Dean and kneels in front of him and lifts his head up to see his green eyes all watery and she softly says, "Dean. I'm sorry." Dean looks at her confused and says, "Why are you sorry?" Liz says, "Because I was being a little insensitive of your feelings. Look, you were right about me and Sam not knowing what it was like for you in Purgatory. Maybe if I were you, I probably would have worked with someone like Benny. I just got so upset, when you thought Benny was the only one who never let you down and that really hurt me." Dean grabs Liz's hand and says, "You had every right to be upset, okay? I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Freddie and I'm sorry that I have been such a dick to you these last few weeks. Liz, I love you so much that I don't want you to think I'm a bad person for keeping Benny alive. I don't know how I can make it up to you." Liz softly smiles and says, "You can make it up to me by showing me how much you really love me." Dean softly smiles and lifts Liz up in his lap and softly kisses her. Liz wraps her arms around Dean and gently pulls on his hair and he moans in her mouth. Liz smirks in the kiss when she feels Dean's boner. Dean stands up with Liz in his arms and turns around and lays Liz on the bed. Dean takes off his jacket, button, and shirt. While Liz lifts her sweatshirt up and takes it off. Liz also takes off her tank top. Dean takes off his belt and unbuttons his jeans. Liz takes off her shorts and panties. Dean's eyes are blown with lust when Liz's is completely naked in front of him. Dean takes off his boxers and crawls over to Liz and holds himself up over her and slips inside of Liz and she softly moans, "Dean." Dean slowly moves his hips, and he leans over and passionately kiss Liz and slips his tongue and her mouth. Liz holds on to Dean when she climaxes, and Dean pulls out of her and lays next to her bringing the covers over them and wrapping his arm around her waist. Liz lays her head on Dean's chest and softly says, "It's been awhile since we did that." Dean kisses Liz's head and says, "Yeah, it has. I love you, Liz." Liz looks up at Dean to see nothing but love in his eyes and she smiles and says, "I love you, more." Dean smiles and softly kisses Liz. Liz pulls away and cuddles into Dean. The couple sleep good for the first time in a long time.