My Home Is Always With You {8}

Chapter 15: "Man's Best Friend with Benefits"

Liz and the boys are at a motel and as they get out of the car, Dean says, "Wow. You know, of all the lame-ass things you've ever said, that's got to be the lame-assiest." Sam says, "I'm sorry, but I happen to think Shemp was a funnier Stooge than Curly." Dean says, "Curly was a freaking genius!" Sam says, "I always found Curly's work a bit obvious." Dean says, "It's supposed to be obvious, man. They're Stooges." Liz softly laughs at their little disagreement, and they walk into the motel and Liz says, "So, we calling James tonight?" Dean says, "No. I'll just call him tomorrow. That drive was a bitch." Liz says, "I wonder what he wanted." Dean says, "Well, his text said that he needed help. He's a cop. I figured it was work-related." Sam says, "Yeah, well, we do owe him." Dean says, "The guy saved our lives once, Sammy. I mean, it's not like the guy--" Sam says, "Saved our lives?" Dean says, "I'm gonna go for a beer run. You need anything?" Sam says, "No, I'm good." Liz says, "Can I come?" Dean nods and looks at Sam and says, "You sure?" Sam says, "Yeah." Dean says, "'Cause you did just gank a Hellhound, which is no slice of pie, and, uh, there is a mine field of who knows what crap ahead. Just want to make sure that you are okay." Sam nods and says, "I'm good." Dean says, "'Cause, you know, we could find another devil dog. You could tag out. I could snuff that son of a bitch." Sam says, "Dean, Kevin doesn't even know what the next trial is yet. So, whatever it is you're worried about, stop. I'll be ready." Dean walks away with Liz behind him. Later, Liz and Dean are back at the motel and Sam walks out the room and says, "Hey!" Liz and Dean say, "Hey." Sam holds his hands up and says, "Okay, okay, okay. Before you get pissed off, look, I-I just want you to know this isn't my fault. She just showed up at the door, okay? Didn't track in any mud. Just wanted her belly scratched. I-I figured maybe she could stay tonight, and we'd try and find her a home tomorrow." Sam opens the door and Liz and Dean see a woman on the bed and Liz checks the woman out and says, "She can stay the night." Sam looks at Liz confused and turns to see a human woman on the bed. Sam looks at them and takes out a silver knife and says, "Two seconds ago, she was a dog. All right, who the hell are you?" The woman says, "Not a shapeshifter, so you can stash the blade. I'm a Familiar." Dean says, "A what?" Liz says, "Companion to a witch-- some witches. I had one when I was younger. Split their time between human and animal form." The woman says, "I get a more accurate read on people in my other persona. Approaching two men and a woman in a motel room like this-- well, it gets complicated. My name's Portia. I belong to James Frampton." Dean says, "No. No, no. See, that-- that doesn't work for us, 'cause that would mean that our buddy James is a witch." Portia sarcastically says, "Wow. You're quick." Dean says, "James is a freaking witch?" Portia says, "He wasn't when you met him, but that last case you worked on with him--" Sam cuts her off and says, "Uh, lunatic alchemist. It was nasty." Portia says, "James wanted to learn more about that world-- the black arts, witchcraft. It became the center of his life." Dean says, "Wait, so you're telling me that James the cop became a witch because of us? Unh-unh." Portia says, "You don't like dogs, do you?" Dean softly scoffs and Liz says, "Wait. So, James isn't a cop anymore?" Portia says, "Sure he is. Homicide Detective. His new powers make his work even better." Liz says, "Then what does he need from us?" Portia says, "Well, something's been happening to him. It started with excruciating headaches, screaming sounds in his ears, horrible nightmares. Unable to sleep or think. He can't work. It's-- it's like he's having a breakdown. Maybe you can find a way to help him." Dean scoffs and says, "Well, here's the thing. Uh, witches-- not real fans." Portia walks up to him and says, "Really? Well, James is a cop with a spotless record. He's used his skills for nothing but good. So, why don't you lose the ignorant bigotry for maybe two seconds and give him a shot?" Dean sighs and says, "All right, fine. So, these dreams James is having-- He thinks that they're real? He thinks that he is actually killing people?" Portia says, "I think so. At least that's what I picked up before he started blocking me." Sam says, "What does that mean, blocking you?" Portia looks at Liz for her to explain and Liz says, "Familiars and their masters-- they can communicate telepathically." Portia nods and says, "I can get inside of James' head anytime I want. But he shut me out." Sam says, "So, what, you think maybe there's something in there he doesn't want you to see?" Portia says, "Possibly, yeah-- something dark, you know, that's destroying him. He can't go to the police, and he doesn't trust other witches." Dean says, "But he trusts us? You do know who we are, right? We're the last people that somebody like James needs to be telling his troubles to." Portia says, "This was my idea. I was the one who sent you the text under James' name. He doesn't know you're here. But... I think you're maybe all he has."