Angel in Flannel [d.w.]

//Chapter 5: Demons vs Winchester//

Tessa Sloane Morgans

"So this is it. Everything I know. Our whole lives we've been searching for this demon right. Not a trace. Just nothing Until about a year ago. For the first time I picked up the trail." John explained as Tess studied the various maps pinned to the walls.

"That was when you took off." Dean figured, unable to keep his eyes off Tess as she pushed herself up on her fuzzy sock clad tip toes to read a paper pinned a little to high for her to read. It was adorable and Dean couldn't help but watch.

"The demon must've come out of hiding or hibernation."

"Alright so what's this trail that you found?"

Tess turned her attention to John as he explained "It started in Arizona, New Jersey, California. Houses burned down to the ground. It's going after families just like it went after us."

"Families with infants?" Sam asked, Tess able to sense his hurt on the matter.

"Yeah. The night of the kids six month birthday."

"I was six months old that night?" Sam asked curiously, glancing at his brother.

"Exactly six months."

"So basically this demon is going after these kids for some reason, the same way it came for me? So Moms death? Jessica? It's all cause of me?" Sam accused himself harshly, Tess running a hand through her hair as Dean shot back "We don't know that Sam."

"I'd say we're pretty damn sure, Dean." Sam snapped.

"For the last time. What happened to them is not your fault." Dean reassured, not wanting his little brother to feel guilty.

"You're right. It's not my fault but it's my problem!"

"No. It's not your problem. It's our problem!" Dean corrected in a harsh tone that caused Tess to intervene.

Placing a hand on Deans chest, feeling him calm as she eyed both brothers "Bring it down a notch. Now I know this isn't my fight, that this is a Winchester affair, but you aren't going to get any closer to the son of a bitch if you two don't stop bickering about the blame."

"Tess is right." John backed the huntress up. "That's enough." Tess was surprised by his actions but remained quiet as Sam asked "So why is it doing it?"

"I wish I had more answers. I do. I've always been one step behind it. Look I've never gotten there in time to save..." John trailed off with guilt taking his features.

"Alright. So how do we find it before it hits again?" Dean asked, tearing his eyes away from Tess to look at his father.

"There are signs. Look. It took me a while to see the pattern but in the days before these fires dings crop up on an area. Cattle deaths. Temperature fluctuation. Electrical storms." John listed off, Tess perking up as she briefly explained "Demonic omens."

"They all happened in Lawrence." Dean realized.

John nodded grimly "The week before your mother died. And in Palo Alto before Jessica. And these signs... they're starting again. In Salvation, Iowa."