Only a Year

And the Clock Strikes

May 1, 2008

We lay a map of the United States on the table. Bobby set up this old tracking device over the map. The device has three wooden legs coming out from a glass ball at the top. The ball has a flat metal piece surrounding it, symbols engraved all over it. From the ball hangs a pendulum and at the end it comes to a sharp point.

"So you need a name, that's the whole kit and caboodle. With the right name, right ritual - ain't nothing you can't suss out." Bobby informs us as he places his hands on the table.

"Like the town Lilith's in?" Sam asks.

"Kid, when I get done, we'll know the street."

Bobby begins the ritual, tapping the pendulum; it swings over the map as he chants in Latin. We all watch in silence, waiting for it to stop to tell us what we need. The pendulum searches over the map silently until it comes to a sudden stop.

"New Harmony, Indiana." Bobby huffs. "And we have a winner."

"Alright." Sam pushes the pendulum away and stands. "Let's go."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on." Dean throws up his hands to stop his brother. "Let's holster up there, Tex."

Sam stops and stares at his brother intently. "What's the problem?"

"What's the problem? Come on, where do I begin?" Dean's using that bored, cocky tone that always drives authority figures crazy. "I mean, first of all: we don't even know if Lilith holds my deal. We're going off of Bela's intel? Now when that bitch breathes, the air comes out crooked. Okay. Second: even if we could get to Lilith, we have no way to gank her. And third: isn't this the same Lilith that wants your giant head on a pike? Should I continue?"

"Ain't you just bringing down the room." Bobby's words are laced with accusations.

Dean shrugs, "Yeah, well, it's a gift."

"So what are we supposed to do, Dean?" I question. "We know where she is, or at least think we know. It's worth a shot."

"Just 'cause I gotta die doesn't mean you have to, okay. Either we go in smart or we don't go in at all."

"Okay, fine." Sam crosses his arms over his chest. "If that's the case I have the answer."

"You do?" I ask raising my eye brows slightly.

"Yeah. A sure-fire way to confirm it's Lilith and a way to get us a bona fide demon-killing ginsu."

"Damn it, Sam, no." Dean's on edge, his rising pitch makes that very clear. He moving toward the door, but I can tell he isn't trying to leave. His movements are too edgy: full of the excess energy.

"We're so past arguing. Dean, I am summoning Ruby." Sam argues.

Dean swings around, facing his brother head on. "The hell you are! We have enough problems as it is."

"Dean." Stepping toward him I place my hand on his shoulder. "We're running out of time, we don't have much of a choice here."

"Come on, Lena, she is the Miss Universe of lying skanks, okay. She told Sam that she could save me, huh – lie. She seems to know everything about Lilith but forgot to mention, oh right – Lilith owns my soul!" Dean shakes my hand off of his shoulder.

"Okay, fine. She's a liar. But she still has that knife."

"Dean." Bobby cautions but Dean doesn't hear it.

"For all we know, she works for Lilith." Dean's emotions are obviously getting the better of him.

"Then give me another option, Dean." His brother pleads. "Tell me what else."