6. Skin

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural it belongs to Eric Kripke& Co. But my co-author, muse and best friend, does own Sonia Desjardins, and I own one of the other future OCs, one who is Sonia's childhood best friend (certain names may be changed though). And also I apologize for taking this long to update, I got busy with college and finishing up my degree, and have been looking at employment and internships. I have also been preoccupied with family and friends as well. I just got a part time job as well, and I do apologize if it seems to take up all my time, but I'm not giving up on this. This also wasn't my favorite episode, but I just wanted to give a shout out to LadyHimawari91 and to congratulate you on your fanfics too, and how much I love them. But I will try to update as much as I can, also look for new fanfiction stories that I might post up. I also wanted to wish everyone Happy holidays, since I'm a bit late on my deadlines, but with a new job, I'll do my best, and promise I haven't forgot any of the projects I promised to post.

[Third Person POV]

St. Louis, MO

The woman looked up at him, hoping and praying he wouldn't do this; from the corner of her eye she could see the blade gleam in the reflection of what dim lighting there was

The SWAT team was hurrying through the house with their guns ready, as they looked for the criminal. They found him in one of the rooms with his victim gagged and tied to a chair, as he was trying to get away through the window.

They tried to calm her down as she sobbed weakly into her gag, while they untied her – once she was free and the gag was loosened she pointed frantically to where her captor had gone.

They found him and tried to shout at him, "Freeze!" "Drop the knife!" "Keep your hands where I can see 'em!" And so on, but he refused to listen.

He just turned to look at them, flashing a knife in his hand. It was... Dean Winchester...?

One Week Earlier…

The Impala pulled up into the gas station, while the radio blasted some music that Dean liked. "Alright I figured we'd hit Tootencary by lunch, then head south," Dean drawled casually, while Sam stared downwards, "Bisbee by midnight," his voice trailed off as he glanced at Sam, as to why he was so quiet.

Sonia was relaxing in the back looking between the two, then looked to the side with interest, wondering if she could grab a quick snack.

"Sam wears women's underwear," Dean said flatly, hoping to get his brother's attention.

"Does he really," Sonia asked with an impish cute cheeky smirk.

Dean smirked and shrugged, "Maybe."

The younger brother was staring at his messenger sidekick, checking through his emails, "I've been listening, I'm just busy," Sam murmured distractedly.

"Busy doing what?" Dean asked with mild interest as he got out of the car.

"Whatcha doing?" Sonia leaned forward from her usual spot in the back seat. She was now peeking over Sam's shoulder, curiously.

"Reading emails," Sam answered simply.

"Emails from who?" Dean asked glancing back at him and bending down.

"From my friends at Stanford," Sam replied nonchalantly.

"You're kidding," there was a chuckle in Dean's voice as he went to fill up the tank. "You still keep in touch with your college buddies?"

"Why not," Sam asked turning to look in Dean's direction.

"Well.." Dean said as he fumbled around the car, "what exactly do you tell them?"

That seemed like a legitimate reason to not stay in touch with them, Sonia mused, though not a legitimately strong one.

"Where you been? Whatcha' been doing," Dean added with a smirk leaning against it then.

"I tell them I'm on a road trip with my big brother," Sam smirked up at him.

"I needed some time off after Jess," he added, and his smirk dropped then.

"Ah, so you lie to them?" Dean nodded in understanding.

"He just doesn't tell them the full truth," Sonia said, putting a hand on Sam's shoulder.

Sam nods, "Yeah exactly, they don't need to know every detail of my life," he explained, and wondered if he sounded defensive.

Dean stared at Sam flatly, "Yeah that's called lying."

Sonia sighed, "Oh, come on, Dean," She pouted playfully at him through her window.

"Oh hey guys I get it, telling the truth is far worse," Dean chuckled uneasily shaking his head. He didn't know whose puppy look was better Sam's or Sonia's.

Sonia batted her lashes at him adorably, "Exactly. We'll get put away for life."

"And what am I supposed to do, just cut everybody out of my life," Sam asked. Now it just felt like his girl and his brother ganging up on him~

"On the other hand Dean does have a point though... In our job, it's risky getting too close to people.. They could get hurt," Sonia sighed quietly.

She was used to this sort of thing by now, getting double-teamed by the brothers, and expected to pick a side – it was the same with her brother and her cousins, especially her best friends growing up.

Dean shrugged at that, but glanced at Sonia and nodded, "..."

"You're serious," Sam asked getting a little annoyed. "Sorry.." Sonia leaned back into her seat.

"Look it sucks, you just can't get too close to people period," Dean said simply.

Sam sighed, "You're kind of antisocial you know that," he asked them.

Dean was a hypocrite.. What about him and Sonia? He could only wonder if Sonia still had any normal friends, from college and high school. Sonia reached her hand out of her window and ran her fingers down Dean's arm. She gave him a little warm smile.

Dean turned and gave her a little half smile.

"Yeah whatever," Dean murmured and leaned back shifting closer to Sonia's touch.

Sam turned back to his messenger then frowned, and whispered out, "God..."

"What," Dean asked moving and going over to read what Sam was reading.

Sonia turned to look as well.

"This email, from this girl, Rebecca Warren. One of those friends of mine," Sam explained.

"She hot," Dean joked nudging his brother.

Sonia pinched Dean's side, hearing this.

Sam glanced at him gave him a flat look, "I went to school with her and her brother Zach," Dean jumped hissing a little and gave her a mock hurt look.

"She says Zach's been charged with murder," Sam went on, ignoring their mini spat.

Sonia pouted and stuck out her tongue at Dean.

Dean gave her a wink and shrugged. He wasn't asking for himself, he was asking for his brother.

Who knows? Maybe this girl was just his brother's type.

"He's been arrested for killing his girlfriend. Rebecca says he didn't do it ...but sounds like the cops have a pretty good case," Sam murmured.

"What kind of fiends do you have..?" Sonia blinked

"Exactly dude, what kind of people do you hang out with," Dean agreed looking at the text.

"No guys, I know Zach he's no killer," Sam insisted shaking his head.

"But if the police have a good case against him..." Sonia pointed out

"And you probably know Zach as well as he knows you," Dean added.

"They're in St. Louis, we're going," Sam said.

Sonia blinked and looked at Dean.

Dean gave a silent forced laugh, "Sorry about your buddy, but this doesn't sound like our kind of problem," he stated.

"It is our problem. They're my friends," Sam argued with him levelly.

"It's 400 miles behind us, Sam..." Dean started to say, but Sam gave him the 'look'. And with that they were off.

Sonia couldn't help but wonder, would Dean ever listen to her like this? Probably not; Sammy was his brother after all. Her relationship with Dean was still questionable.

And she wasn't exactly sure if it could be called 'hot-&-cold,' exactly.

She wasn't a fling anymore, but she wasn't his official girlfriend either.

She wasn't sure what she was to him, yet..

Sure he looked at other girls but he didn't flirt with them in front of her at least. Sonia looked at the back of his head as he drove down the road. A part of her wanted to ask what exactly he thought of her, but the other part knew it wasn't a good idea. She doubted he'd want to talk. And in front of his brother most of all...she remembered how her mother had always told her that boys were different, but either way no one liked being seen as vulnerable. Maybe if they were alone, or whenever... She knew she shouldn't rush Dean.

Dean continued to stare ahead, his mind a million miles away and on a million different of those things definitely was the blonde in the backseat.

It took longer than expected but thankfully to little traffic they made it to St. Louis. They found the house, Rebecca and her brother lived in and Sam knocked on the door.

A pretty blond answered it. "Oh my god Sam," she grinned up at him.

"Well if it isn't little Becky," Sam greeted his friend fondly, as he moved to pull her into a hug.

"You can cut the little Becky crap," the blonde smiled, hugging Sam instantly. "I didn't think you'd come here.." She admitted.

"Hi, I'm Dean, older brother," Dean held out his hand to Rebecca.

Dean gave her his usual up and down while shaking her hand, but strangely seemed plain compared to Sonia. She wasn't as...what was the word? Alluring...

Sonia gave a little fake cough from behind the brothers.

Dean let go of Rebecca's hand, "Nice to meet you," Rebecca said politely.

She glanced at Sonia, and smiled, "Hi I'm Rebecca Warren and you are...?"

"I'm Sonia Desjardins, a friend of Sam's," Sonia said with a polite smile as she held out a hand to Rebecca.

"Tell us what happened," Sam said softly leaning forward against the counter of the island. Sonia nodded slowly, interested in Becca's side of the story.

"Well um...Zach...came home and found Emily tied to a chair," Becca said as she drew closer to the gang.

"And she was beaten up and bloody," she admitted, "And so he called 911, and the police...they showed up and they arrested him," she looked like she was descending back into heartbreak.

Sonia looked at Dean. She had to admit - he was right, it didn't sound like their kind of case.

"But the thing is that the only way that Zach could have killed Emily was if he was in two places at the same time," Becca murmured sadly and in disbelief.

"The police...they have a video," Becca went on, as she slowly eyed the 3 of them, "It's from the security tape from across the street," she explained, sniffling quietly.

"And it shows Zach coming home at 10:30," Becca added.

"Now Emily was killed, just after that," Becca stated, "But I swear he, was here with me having a few beers at least until after midnight," Becca admitted.

Sounded believable enough, if not for the fact that she was his sister, and without a doubt would cover for him and be his alibi.

Sonia frowned at hearing this

"We could look around, if you want," Sam offered quietly

"What can you do..?" Becca said carefully.

"Well, me - not much, but Dean and Sonia, they're cops," Sam said with a little smile.

"Right, partners," Sonia said carefully.

Dean nodded, "We're off the clock but yeah," Dean agreed.

Sonia nodded, "usually we're from..." She said, trying to think of a place that would sound convincing and where she wouldn't check.

"And it's detective actually," Dean gave a quiet laugh.

"Really," Becca looked from Dean to Sonia, "Where?"

"Bisbee, Arizona," Dean answered fluidly.

"But we're off duty now," Dean glanced from Sam to Becca with a smile.

Sonia glanced at Dean. Interesting.. A work place romance is exactly what they were having.

Probably when they were off duty...

"You guys…that's so nice to offer but...but I just...just don't know," Becca sighed lowly shaking her head.

"Maybe we can find something that the police missed," Sonia said slowly, "Dean and I are pretty good at that," she added, patting Dean's back.

Sam nodded with them, "Beck I know Zach didn't do this, now we have to find a way to prove that he's innocent," he stared at her imploringly.

Becca looked at them and sighed giving in, "Okay...I'm gonna go get the keys."

Becca walked out of the room to go get them. Dean walked around and faced Sam, whistling, "You're a real straight shooter with your friends," he said lowly.

"What if she looks us up?" Sonia asked quietly.

"Look Zach and Becky need our help," Sam murmured.

"I just don't think this is our kind of problem. Sonia's right what if she does look us up. It's not that hard to make a phone call," Dean pointed out.

"Two places at once," Sam pointed out adamantly, "We've looked into less."

Dean sighed and shrugged giving in. Sonia nodded as well; both brothers did have valid points – whatever the case was, she didn't want to be double teamed between them.

Sonia decided that she might as well think this through. What sort of creature, if it was one, could be responsible for such an ordeal?

Maybe a shape shifter...? Well, if not that then maybe some kind of double, twin...look alike...a doppelgänger maybe...?

She'd have to talk to Dean to share her suspicions. Looking at the crime scene should help.

Dean parked the car, and the 4 of them got out of the Impala.

Becca had said that she'd come with them.

She looked up at Dean, "You're sure this is okay?" She crossed her arms around herself.

"Yeah," Dean answered, "We are officers of the law," he stated, straightening his back.

Dean then made move to walk ahead and Becca followed after him, as did Sam and Sonia.

Dean picked the lock of the place and pushed the door open.

The brothers went under the yellow police tape, and looked around the apartment.

Sam looked over at Becca, "Becky you wanna wait outside," he asked her softly.

Becca shook her head, "No...I wanna help," and she crossed the yellow tape.

They all looked around, there was blood spattered and smeared almost everywhere.

"Poor girl.." Sonia murmured to herself.

Becca nodded in agreement as she took a shaky breath.

"Tell us what else the police said," Sam lowered his voice, while Dean continued his search.

"Well,...there's no sign of a break in," Becca said shakily, "And they say that Emily let her attacker in."

"And the lawyers...they're already talking about a plea bargain," Becca's eyes drifted to one of the number tags of the crime scene nervously.

She saw more blood stains smeared on the walls, and breathed out a quiet sob, "Oh god…"

"Look Beck, if Zach didn't do this," Sam started out, "It means someone else did."

"Any idea who," Sam asked her softly.

Becca shook her head at first then paused, "Um...there was something. About a week before...somebody broke in here,...stole some clothes...Zach's clothes," Becca recalled. "And the police...they don't think it's anything..," Becca rolled her eyes with a sniffle, "I mean we're not that far from downtown...," Becca sighed, "I mean sometimes, people get robbed...," her voice trailed off.

Sam nodded slowly then stopped as he noticed something.

There was a sudden loud barking sound outside, and Dean went to look and see what it was.

Sonia went to the door to see a black dog, "it's okay, buddy," she said quietly to the dog.

The mutt gave a growl and gave another bark, then moved again.

"That used to be the sweetest dog," Becca said sadly.

"What happened," Dean asked.

"He just changed," Becca answered.

"Do you remember when he changed," he asked again. "I guess around the time of the murder," Becca replied.

"He must be a witness.." Sonia nodded.

"You're sure...? Seriously," Becca asked slowly and incredulously.

Dean nodded slowly staring at the dog again then at Sonia and gave her a nod.

"They have eyes too, Becca. They just can't explain to us what it is that happened.." Sonia nodded, looking at the dog the whole time. She felt bad for him too, having to witness his owner get killed, and not be able to do anything.

The dog barked some more and tried to get through the fence, then whined. "It's okay..." Sonia cooed quietly to the dog, looking into its eyes.

The dog glanced at her then whined and stared at the fence. Becca and Dean retreated back inside the house, leaving Sonia to follow after Dean. Sam was staring at a photograph of himself, Zach and Becca together on the refrigerator.

Dean approached Sam, and stole a glance at Sonia and motioned for her to follow him. "So the neighbor's dog went psycho right around the time Zach's girlfriend was killed," he whispered.

Sam raised his brows, "Animals can have a sharp sense of the paranormal," Sam admitted.

Sonia remembered any pet that she had, sometimes would.

"Maybe Fido saw something," Dean suggested lowly. Sonia nodded, "You know it," she agreed.

Sam fought back a smirk, "So you guys, think maybe this is our kind of problem?"

Sonia sighed, "Might be..." she said lowly.

"No probably not," Dean shook his head again, "But we should look at the security tape, just to make sure," he added, and Sam smiled nodding in agreement.

"Should we go, partner?" Sonia asked with a faint smirk.

Dean nodded, "Yeah we need that footage."

Becca soon approached them, and Dean turned to her, "So the tape, uh the security footage? Think your lawyers can get their hands on it? See we just don't have this kind of jurisdiction," Dean said.

Becca managed a smile, "Already got it," she glanced at Sam, "I don't wanna say something in front of a cop," she admitted.

"I stole it off the lawyer's desk," she went on sheepishly, "I just had to see it for myself," she said as she glanced at Sonia pleadingly.

"Hey, it's what I would do if it was my brother. Mine is a troublemaker.." Sonia chuckled.

Becca relaxed at that and smiled slightly, "I bet...always making us worry."

"But he's my big brother, he's the one usually keeping an eye on me," she admitted.

Becca nodded nostalgically but fondly, "That too..," she sighed.

Sonia grinned, "Same goes for those two," she motioned at the Winchesters.

"Guess that's the thing about big brothers, they're willing to get in trouble if it means keeping you out of it," Becca smiled a little at her.

She had no idea how right she was...

Sonia looked over at Dean. She kind of wanted to stay with him more, but now that they were on a job, she knew it wasn't an option. They needed to see the tape anyway to know what to make of this case. She however still walked after Dean, trying to keep close to him.

Dean walked with her, matching her pace, "So...any ideas on what this might be," he whispered to her as he watched Sam and Becca talk.

"If this is our case, I'm thinking maybe doppelgänger or shifter... Evil twin?" Sonia whispered quietly.

"You know that last one sounds completely dramatic," he admitted, "Like something off of Lifetime," he chuckled a little, "But that doppelgänger and shifter theory, might actually be a good theory," he murmured to her lowly.

Sonia gave him a little smile. "It is my job," she said, rubbing her arm and nodding.

"And we make one kickass team," he grinned at her,"Heh, it's like a superhero league," he laughed huskily.

Sonia nodded, with a smile of her own, "I know, huh?" She chuckled quietly, touching his fingers just slightly with her own. Dean smiled and slid his fingers against hers.

Sonia smiled warmly at this gesture and gave his hand a tender squeeze.

He rubbed the pad of his thumb against her hand as he gripped back.

Sonia looked up at him, at his lips specifically. She wanted to kiss him, but Sam and Becca were right there... She didn't want them to see.

Dean stared at her, looking her over but smiled and gave her a promising look.

Sonia silently nodded, in understanding and gave him a smile. Dean gave her hand another squeeze and rubbed her thumb against her hand again.

They drove back to Becca's house, and sat on the couch while Sam remained standing, watching the footage carefully.

"Here he comes," Becca said softly watching Zach make his way up to the location.

Sonia leaned forward a little, curiously.

"22:04, that's just after 10," Dean said looking down at Becca from the screen, "You said time of death was around 10:30," Dean added.

Sonia nudged Dean and motioned to something she thought was strange on the footage.

Zach's eyes...

"Our lawyers hired some kind of expert," Becca explained, "He says the tape's authentic, it wasn't tampered with.

Dean glanced at Sonia then back to where she was staring and froze.

Sam glanced at Becca and smiled, "Hey Beck, can we take those beers now," he asked.

"Sure," Becca said, "Sonia did you want something other than beer," she asked her.

"You got chips?" Sonia asked.

"I got chips. But what do you think this is? Hooters," Becca smirked, laughing quietly, before going to get the refreshments.

Dean grinned, "I wish," he murmured to himself.

"Thank you," Sonia smiled, "I like her."

"Yeah you would," Dean chuckled, though he kept his own remark to himself, 'That's a first.' Dean got off the couch and moved closer, "What is it?"

"Check this out," Sam said moving closer with him.

Sam slowed the tape down to where they could see Zach's face and his eyes glowed.

"I was telling Dean that maybe it could be a shifter or doppelgänger.." Sonia said quietly.

"The doppelgänger part would make sense," Sam admitted, "But I don't think they're eyes glow like that. They're technically human supposedly," Sam admitted.

"It might be just a camera flare," Dean murmured in thought.

"That's not like any camera flare I've ever seen," Sam commented.

"You know a lot of cultures can believe that a camera can catch a glimpse of the soul," Sam added.

Dean nodded, "Right."

"Remember that dog that was freaking out? Maybe it saw this thing," Sam motioned to the screen, "Some kind of dark double of Zach's something that is him but isn't it," Sam admitted.

"So like Sonia said a doppelgänger," Dean offered.

"That'd explain how he was at 2 places at once," Sam sighed.

Dean sighed, "Don't know about you guys but my eyes are starting to close after looking at this thing," he grumbled.

Sonia patted his back, "Maybe we should turn in for tonight? Sleep on it..?" She offered to the boys.

Sam nodded, "Yeah let's do that, maybe I can ask Becca if she's got any spare rooms."

"A place like this – she better," Sonia chuckled to herself. Dean shrugged, "Maybe she'll feel better not being alone," he offered, agreeing silently with Sonia; he could do with spending at least one night in a regular house, instead of a cheap motel room, and he could be on alert, if this thing targeted Becca.

Sonia nodded in agreement, "Right.."

Sam nodded and went to go talk to Becca.

Sonia took her chance and moved closer to Dean to sneak a kiss to his lips.

Dean smirked and kissed her back, leaning into it. Sonia nipped at his lips then pulled away, smirking mischievously. Dean grinned at her.

Sam came back in, "Becca agreed to let us stay," he said.

Sam nodded, "So how do you guys wanna do the rooms," he asked them. Personally he preferred a night without any pheromones stewing in the air.

Dean smirked, "Well it's obvious how the rooms should be," he joked, earning an eye roll from Sam, "So not what I wanna hear before passing out," he grumbled.

Becca finally came back with snacks, and they proceeded to discuss on what to do next (though the gang still kept their supernatural theories to themselves) but they did discuss the timing, until it was getting too late, and Becca was getting tired, to which Sonia advised that she get some rest and clear her head for tomorrow. Becca showed them to their rooms, and of course, at Dean's request gave him and Sonia a room for the two of them and Sam his own room (much to his own relief).

"What do you think this might be?" Dean asked her now that they were alone, as he started to take off his shirt, while Sonia was getting their stuff settled in.

The blond haired girl shrugged, "Honestly? I wanna say that there was nothing wrong with that camera, and there's very few things that can do that thing with their eyes," she admitted. "You face down anything like that?"

Dean thought for a moment, "Well there was a skin walker," he answered vaguely, while he wracked his brain, "But how'd you know there's nothing wrong with the camera?"

Sonia smirked a little, "My cousin and best friend knows her camera, they're a hobby, she taught me whatever I needed know, so I could operate my camera. They can't make eyes flare up like that, there's no known glitch out there like that."

"Okay Miss Smarty-pants," Dean chuckled, removing his jeans and shirt next, "Well at least we solved that mystery. Now onto another mystery," he smirked and moved to sprawl across the bed, plopping his head onto the pillow.

"We already talked about the possibilities of what this thing could be," Sonia chuckled.

Dean snickered, "Not that mystery." He grinned at her, propping himself up on his elbow, and that just made him look really appealing in that low dim lighting.

"Oh there's another one I don't know about," she asked, "What mystery is that?" Sonia asked with a snicker.

"Why you still have your clothes on," Dean replied jokingly, making Sonia snort out in laughter, "And why you're not in bed now," he added humorously.

"That's two mysteries," Sonia smirked at him.

Dean laughed, "Details," he waved his hand at that sarcastically, "Now get over here," he smirked back at her.

Sonia chuckled and moved towards him, and started unzipping her jeans, and slipping out of them.

The Next Morning

They woke up extra early that morning, got dressed, had a bite to eat and piled into the Impala to get back to the crime scene to look for clues that the police might have missed. Sam sat in the front passenger seat, as Sonia moved to sit in the back, while Dean as always was the designated driver.

Once they got there, Sam got out with Dean following after, with Sonia, being the last one to slide out. "Alright," Dean drawled out, "So what are we doing here at 5:30 in the morning?"

"I realized something," Sam answered; Sonia didn't appreciate being woken up early, but did her best to hide her irritation, since Sam had thought up something related to their current case, "The videotape shows the killer coming in, but not coming out," Sam explained, while Dean held his coffee, "So he came out the backdoor," he suggested as he took a sip of it.

"Right. So there should be a trail to follow," Sam said over his shoulder as he walked ahead of them, "A trail the police would never pursue," he added.

"Wouldn't, or one they wouldn't be able to see," Sonia commented, to which Sam agreed with silently.

"Cause they think the killer never left. They caught your friend Zach inside," Dean stated, leaning against the hood of the Impala, as Sam investigated. Sonia stuffed her hands in her sweater pockets and moved forward towards Sam, fingering the small knife she had hidden there.

"Still don't know what we're doing here at 5:30 in the morning," Dean grumbled against his coffee cup.

Sonia smiled faintly at that, "Looking for anything before the real killer comes back to clean up the trail, and before it has a chance to go cold, and saving Zach's life before they lock an innocent guy up," she listed all of the explanation in detail.

Dean smirked, "You really should have been a detective," he joked.

"I know right," Sonia grinned at that.

Sam looked around the red dumpster then inspected the fence, until something caught his eye, which didn't go unnoticed by Sonia, "Sam? You see something?" She asked him, as she followed his gaze inquisitively.

There was a dried bloodstain on wooden electricity pole, on the metallic tube, which Sam instantly identified. Sonia moved closer to him to take a look at it, but wisely didn't touch it.

"Somebody came this way," Sam observed cleverly.

"Maybe the trail ends, I don't see anything over here," Dean drawled out leisurely as he looked around. Sam looked up and Sonia looked over her shoulder to spot maybe any small drops of blood leading to the pole.

It was then ambulance sirens sounded out, gaining the trio's attention; it raced past them and Sonia and the brothers shared a look together, "There's a trail," Sonia stated quietly.

They piled back into the Impala and followed after it then parked away from a crowd gathering around a moderately nice looking house. They climbed out and walked towards the gathering crowd; Dean looked at a girl standing close to them – looked like she was one of the neighbors. She had mocha skin and dark hair tied into a high ponytail.

"What happened?" Dean asked with interest, as Sam and Sonia observed the scene, but they all heard the story.

"He tried to kill his wife. Tied her up and beat her," she answered delicately.

"Really?" Sam asked slowly.

She nodded, "I used to see him go to work in the morning. He'd wave, say hello," the woman shook her head, "He seemed like such a nice guy," she murmured.

They watched as an Asian man wearing a suit was being assisted into a police car.

Sonia was already beginning to plan ahead in her mind, and nudged Sam, "C'mon," she urged him, "Let's go see the house," she whispered. This was a fresh crime scene and there was more of a chance to find more clues and answers.

Sam nodded and motioned for her to go with Dean, "See what you can find out," he whispered, "I'll look around."

Sonia nodded and followed in the direction that Dean went into and started to conduct her own search and ask others questions. Apparently all of the neighbors were shocked, until she approached one, a middle-aged man who was taking out the trash, said he saw Alex coming back, car nowhere in sight, before the attack, and he didn't see him come back out, until sometime later he had seen what looked like Alex's car pull up in front of the house, but dismissed it as something else.

"Hey," Dean approached her, as she stepped away from the witness, "Find out anything?" Sonia nodded, "Something useful," she said in thought, "We'll both tell Sam together," she added, wanting to tell them both at the same time. They both spotted Sam and went to talk to him together.

"Hey remember when I said this wasn't our kind of problem," Dean asked as he approached Sam with Sonia behind him, as Sam nodded quietly.

Dean pursed his lips and nodded, "Definitely our kind of problem," he stated firmly.

"What'd you find out?" Sam asked.

"I just talked to the patrol man first on the scene, and Sonia talked to some of the witnesses. They said something that close to the same thing. He heard this guy, Alex's story. Apparently the dude was driving back home from a business trip when his wife was attacked," Dean said as he jabbed his thumb over his shoulder motioning to the patrolman.

Sonia nodded, "And one of the neighbors that I talked to said he saw Alex coming back before the attack and not coming out, though he didn't see Alex's car pull up, until much later when he heard it, and took a glance out his window but thought it was nothing," she told the brothers.

"So, he was at two places at once," Sam assumed instantly.

Dean nodded in response quickly, "Exactly. Then he sees himself in the house. Police thinks he's a nutjob," he adds, shrugging his shoulders.

Sam ponders, this and Sonia has the same thing on her mind, as Sam voices his opinion, "Two dark doubles, attacking loved ones in the same way," Sam murmured in thought. Sonia glanced at Sam as he paced in thought, "Last I checked, doppelgangers travel through familial lines, Alex and Zach are far from related, unless you count this attack and being framed," she mused cleverly.

Both of the brothers agreed with her, "And they've got nothing in common," Dean muttered to himself, "But it could be the same thing doing it too," he concluded.

Sam turned around and faced them, "Shape shifter," he assumed, to which Dean shrugged, "Something that can make itself look like anyone," he summed up, as Sonia nodded, "Never actually faced down one, but I've read a lot about them, there's tons of lore about them from almost every corner of the world." She said in thought.

Dean nodded, "Every culture in the world has a shape shifter lore," he agreed with her, "Legends of creatures who can transform themselves into animals or other men," he stated.

Sam nodded once, "Right. Skin walkers, werewolves," he listed off, as Dean went on, "Well yeah two attacks within blocks of each other. I'm guessing we got a shape shifter prowling the neighborhood."

Sam looked pensive as he looked upwards, while Sonia stared at the ground in thought; how could this thing just walk out without being seen by anyone? "Let me ask you this. In all this shape shifter lore, can any of them fly?"

Dean thought through this, before answering, "Not that I know of. Sonia?" He turned to her, as the blond bit her lip in thought, "My cousin told me, that only if they were really good at shifting, and it would have to be short distances cause keeping that form can take a lot out of them, and flying is a strenuous enough activity for them."

Sam was looking up as he sauntered ahead of them, "I picked up a trail here. Someone ran out the back of this building, and headed off this way," he informed them of this finding.

Dean hummed as he commented on that while Sonia was engrossed in what her cousin had told her after encountering a shifter. Sam and Dean spoke of this, and Sonia quickly snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention back to their case, "Like at Zach's house, the trail suddenly ends," Sam concluded, "And whatever it just disappeared."

Dean paused as he thought of another possibility and it had suddenly dawned on Sonia just now, "Well there's another way to go. Down," he added.

And together the trio both looked down and saw the sewer lid right behind Sam's feet. They got it open, while Sonia kept a lookout, and Dean went down first, followed by Sam then finally Sonia joined them. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she quickly scanned her surroundings, observing how wet it was and how it reeked of water, and other fluids and whatnot, and it looked dank. Dean was also doing the same thing, looking and walking towards different directions. Sam stared behind them, as Sonia slowly followed after Dean, as Sam pointed out how this must run by Zach's house too.

"The Shape shifter could be using the sewer system to get around," Sam stated as he got to Dean and Sonia, while Dean looked ahead of them, "I think you're right," the older brother stated, and Sonia followed his gaze, squinted and made a face.

"Look at this," Dean observed as he crouched down, and pulled out a pocket knife – before them was a pile of unidentifiable sludge that looked like melted down rubber, skin, blood, and something else. "Shape shifters are disgusting," she said what they were all thinking.

"You know, I just had a sick thought, when the shape shifter changes shape, maybe it sheds," Dean muttered dipping his knife in the sludge and lifted it up to see closer.

"That is sick," Sam agreed in a murmur, also pulling a face.

"Let's just go," Sonia murmured, as she stood up to her full height and headed back towards the sewer ladder. The brothers agreed and followed her out, and back up to the surface. Dean made a beeline for the Impala, opening his trunk to grab equipment, as he commented, "One thing I learned from dad, no matter what kind of shape shifter it is, there is one sure way to kill it," he rummaged through this things until he found what he was looking for, a pack of bullets.

"Silver bullet to the heart," both Sam and Sonia voiced it in unison, then glanced at each other and smiled faintly. Dean smirked up at them, "That's right," with that, he returned to load the weapons in and pocket some spares for emergency.

While they were getting ready, Sam's phone started to ring. He went to answer it right away, and stepped aside while Dean and Sonia got ready.

Dean and Sonia started looking at the weapons as Sonia searched through her own bag that Dean let her put into his trunk. She looked up at Sam when she heard him mutter something about wanting to help, and she saw his shoulders sink.

Dean held up a handgun and smiled at her, which she returned, "You're gonna need that," she giggled under her breath.

Sam hung up the phone, and he looked away dejected. Apparently it was Becca and she found out that Dean and Sonia were no detectives and told Sam off.

His brother closed the trunk as Sonia stepped back, and he approached his younger brother, "I hate to say it but that's exactly what I'm talking about. You lie to your friends, because if they knew the real you, they'd be freaked," Dean said sagely.

It really amazed Sonia, how most of the times, Dean seemed to magically know what was going on with his brother, without Sam saying anything – although Sam hardly made it a point to hide his feelings, since she noticed that he tended to wear his emotions on his sleeves.

"It's just...it'd be easier if-," Dean went on to say only to be cut off by Sam, "If I was like you," Sam finished for him.

Dean shrugged his shoulders and gave an easygoing smile, "Hey man like it or not, we're not like other people," he shook his head simply, "But I'll tell you one thing, this whole gig," he pulled out the gun showing it to him, "It ain't without perks." He held the gun out to Sam, offering it to him.

Sam stared at his brother then took the gun, whilst Sonia started to grab a small silver knife with her as well just in case, and her gun too, and followed after the brothers, as Sam tucked the gun in his pants to hide. The trio made their way back down to the sewers again, and explored where the possible home and hideout might be. They shined their flashlights, while Sonia held a mini-pocket one in her hands. The tunnel pathways were dank, wet, and they reeked. She could hear the pipes next to her creaking, and the faint and distant squeaking of rats somewhere nearby, but still this wasn't too bad. Sonia was only glad that she wasn't taller, so she didn't have to worry about claustrophobia at least; Sam was the tallest of them and his head was just below the tunnel ceilings. She could hear Sam walking next to her as he let her go ahead of him, as he turned to glance behind them just in case. At least this way she knew Sam had her back covered, as well as Dean's. They stepped over a small sewer stream, with Dean holding his hand out to help her cross, which she was grateful for and made another turn. Sam pulled out his gun and stepped ahead of them and walked forward.

"I think we're close to its lair," Dean stated.

Sam was pointing the gun in front of him, "Why do you say that?" Sonia noticed something next to Sam, simply by smell and wrinkled her nose.

"Cause there's another puke-inducing pile next to your face," he answered for himself and Sonia, causing Sam to back away and cough, "Oh god," Sam shined his flashlight on it.

"Gross," Sonia murmured, "Shifters really are disgusting aren't they?"

Dean snickered, "Well your cousin would know," he replied cleverly.

Sam looked around and saw what looked to be more of the bile, which Sonia looked away from and breathed, "It's rancid."

Dean hummed, "And looks like he's lived here for a while."

"Who knows how many murders he's gotten away with," Sam muttered as he shined the flashlight around.

Sonia turned her head and gasped as she and Sam saw the shifter standing behind Dean, white eyes flaring up. "Dean!" Sam shouted and Sonia gasped, as the shifter hit Dean then ran off.

Sonia went to tend to Dean while Sam fired at the Shifter, and missed each time. Dean grunted as Sonia helped him sit up and Sam stopped his attack to help him stand. He clutched his shoulder, and grunted, "Get the son of a bitch," he snapped, and just like that Sam took off.

Sonia helped Dean take off after Sam and the shifter – the blond was only surprised at how fast this creature was.

They followed it up to an opening and climbed out of the sewer with Sam, going on ahead then Sonia climbed up, and then she helped Dean. She looked around as she was doing so, hearing Dean grunt as he straightened up.

"Now what," Sonia asked looking around, perfect…

"Split up," Dean ordered then he split up with them in a different direction, while Sam headed in a different one and Sonia headed opposite of them. One thought was circling her mind as she did so, this thing could be anyone…

Sonia walked past some shops, and a store with television sets, and turned around, until she spotted Sam, "Hey," she hollered for him, "Did you find it?"

Sam shook his head, "No. You?"

She shook her head, "You know getting people's eyes to flare up is not as easy as it looks. Not like I could shine a flashlight in their eyes," she replied sassily.

Sam snorted back a laugh at that, "We don't need people thinking we're that different from them," he snickered.

"Hey," they heard a familiar voice calling to them from behind and saw Dean approach them, as he shrugged his shoulders in question, "Anything?"

Sam shook his head and glanced at Sonia, "No he's gone."

Dean pursed his lips and looked around, "Let's get back to the car," he said. Sam agreed and walked ahead of them with Sonia walking behind him.

She could hear a car honking behind them and glanced at it as it turned in their direction the walked on ahead.

The three hunters made their way back to the Impala as Sam asked if the shifter had possibly found another way underground, and Sonia could only think on this answer, "Well we just have to deduce on how many entrances are there into the sewers," she stated. Dean nodded, "Heh, probably then if ya' look at it that way," he agreed with her, then approached the car, "Ya' got the keys?" He asked Sam as he approached the Impala and wanted to pop open the hood.

Sam reached into his pocket and paused, a look that Sonia caught, and immediately it put her on alert. It was a good thing she was raised by someone like Valerie. "Hey didn't dad once face a shifter in San Antonio?" Sonia raised a brow at this and put her own hands into her pockets too.

"No it was Austin," Dean corrected him, as he stared him down, "and it turned out to not be a shape shifter, it was a thought form. A psychic projection," he explained.

Sonia stared at the brothers with interest at that, and wondered what Sam was thinking; she had remembered her cousin telling her that when a shifter took the shape of someone, it immediately assumed their identity right down to the last detail including quirks. Could that mean it also knew the person's memories?

Sam shook his head tiredly and closed his eyes, "Oh right," he smiled faintly and tossed him the keys, "Here you go."

Dean caught them and smiled at him, then at Sonia, only to see her gazing at him with an unreadable look. "What?" Something was off…didn't he hurt that arm?

Sonia shrugged, "Nothing," she said quietly.

He shrugged it off and went to the hood of the car. He went to open it, and Sam glanced at Sam and nodded at her then at Dean and shook his head at her. Sonia saw the look on his face, and her eyes widened, as she realized her hunch was right. That wasn't Dean…!

They grabbed their guns, and Sonia quietly made her way around the car, so they could surround this thing.

"Don't move," she heard Sam shout, after he loaded his gun and pointed it at the fake Dean.

"What have you done with him," Sam demanded. Sonia clicked her gun and cocked it at him, as Dean looked over his shoulder at her, "Dudes chill. It's me alright?" He tried to convince them.

Sam shook his head, "No I don't think so," he scowled, "Where's my brother?" He demanded again.

"You're about to shoot him," Dean quipped.

"Really? Or he could be finishing the job for us," Sonia hummed, "Though this is really creepy and uncanny."

"Guys calm down," 'Dean' urged them.

"You caught those keys with your left. Your shoulder was hurt," Sam snapped.

"Yeah it's better," 'Dean' answered quickly, "What you want me to do? Cry?"

"You're not my brother," Sam hissed angrily.

"Why don't you pull the trigger and find out?" 'Dean' challenged him, "Dude you know me," he insisted.

Sam glared at him as 'Dean' drew closer to him, "Don't," he refused.

Then in the blink of an eye, 'Dean' swung at Sam and knocked him out cold; out of reflex, Sonia fired at 'Dean' but the bullet grazed his shoulder, causing him to hiss, and turn his attention on her, "And what am I gonna do with you?" He smirked as he drew closer. "He sure does know how to pick 'em. Though with you it's obvious why. Man's got mommy issues, picks a girl who looks just like her," he taunted with a sick laugh.

Sonia fumed as she went to fire again, but he grabbed at the gun, and somehow overpowered her.

He pinned her down and stared into her eyes, "What are you?" He whispered curiously before smirking crookedly and knocking her out cold too.

Sam slowly started to regain consciousness and realized he couldn't move any part of him, noticing it was due to him being tied up. His eyes adjusted to his surroundings as he looked around to find Sonia, and his brother – he instantly noticed movement, and saw the Dean whom he quickly remembered was the shifter sauntering around his hideout, and come into view. The shifter Dean was carrying some rope and other items in his arms and Sam saw it notice him, as he stared him down. The creature, which resembled his brother, drew closer, his face looking perplexed and, what Sam could only describe as alert and quick. The Shifter was now standing before Sam, then before he could blink, the shifter backhanded him roughly, causing Sam's head to snap to the side, as he grunted. The thing even hit like his brother… This was morbid even for Sam to deal with.

"Where is he," Sam grunted out roughly, "Where is Dean? Where's Sonia," he demanded.

The shifter walked about his hideout calmly, "I wouldn't worry about them. I'd worry about you. As for the girl…," the shifter smirked, his brother's smirk, as his voice trailed off.

"Where is he?" Sam asked with a grunt. "What have you done with Sonia?"

"You don't really wanna know," The shifter smirked at him,"I swear," he sneered, "The more I learn about you and your family...I thought I came from a bad background," he chuckled and shook his head. 'Dean' smirked at him as he held up a long knife and tossed it into a fire, then paused and held his head, hearing old memories and thoughts that Dean wouldn't normally have that provided information about the person he shifted into.

He tapped his temple gingerly and shook his head, and glanced at Sam, "He sure got issues, man. And it's not just the whole disturbing Oedipus, Freudian love for his mama. He's got issues with you too." He smirked as he approached Sam. "You got to go to college. He had to stay home," he started.

He snorted, "I mean, 'I' had to stay home. With dad," he sneered, "You don't think I had dreams of my own?" He asked Sam, playing the guilt card.

"Dad needed me. Where the hell were you," he asked Sam.

He snickered then glanced at Sonia's form, "I tell ya' one thing though, some of 'my' dreams are a bit graphic you know?"

"Don't you go there," Sam frowned.

"Go where," 'Dean' asked innocently, "You mean...over there?" He asked innocently getting closer to Sonia.

"When Dean finds out…" Sam warned

'Dean' laughed, "I just did," he joked.

He crouched down next to Sonia, and reached out to touch her hair, "I've killed and tortured a lot of girls...and all of them, exactly the same. All begging for their life," he smirked, "But something feels different about this one," he smirked.

Sonia opened her eyes a little, and realized, she was staring at the fake Dean. She tried to say something, but couldn't since she was gagged.

"Hello again sweetheart. Enjoy your nap," fake Dean grinned at her as he reached out to caress her cheek.

"Hope you didn't scar," he said.

Sam struggled and coldly glared at 'Dean', "Where is my brother?" He asked levelly.

Fake Dean left her side for a moment, until he was standing in front of Sam, and bent down to his eye level, "I'm your brother."

"Deep down. I'm just jealous," fake Dean admitted. "You have friends, you could have a life. Me? They all know I'm a freak, and sooner or later, everybody's gonna leave me," he said distantly. "Even you," fake Dean glanced over at Sonia.

Sonia glared at him. This Dean – for sure. As unbelievable at it was, she realized that she cared about him, and even admitted to herself that she loved him. He had to know that she did. So this freak had another thing coming.

"What are you talking about," Sam demanded hoarsely.

Shifter Dean sniffed, "You left. Hell I did everything dad asked me and he ditched me too. No explanation, no nothing, just poof-," he made a disappearing sound, then gave Sam a belligerent stare, "Left me with your sorry ass…Well that is until you came along…," he smirked thinly at Sonia, "Hot, smart girl hunter, looking for her brother, who ditched her too," he snorted, "Maybe cause we're both freaks, was why…you're not normal either," he sneered.

Fake Dean got up and smirked, "After all this life," he stalked over to Sam, "It's not without it's perks," his eyes wandered over to Sonia and his smirk returned, "I meet the nicest people," he laughed out, "Like little Becky. Oh, and you," he walked over to Sonia and touched her hair. Hearing all these things from 'Dean's' mouth and in his voice only made it all the more uneasy and disgusting for her, even if it was a shifter.

She squirmed under his touch and that only made him smile, "I see he decided to bang you when he had the chance," he teased as he lowered himself down to face her, and touched her face, which only made her struggle harder. Fake Dean only laughed at her attempts to free herself. "I think I might save you for last...after I take care of another nuisance. Does the name Becca mean something to any of you," he stood up with a sick laugh, "Let's see what happens," he hissed, and covered him up.

The Fake Dean finally got his things together and went to Rebecca's house; Sam was left alone with Sonia. The blonde was quiet as she thought about everything that was said. Did Dean fall for her only because she reminded him of his deceased mother…?

And there was more to this – even this shifter freak told her that she was something different. That there was something up with her…

And Sonia could only wonder what was wrong with her…

That alone made her shudder, to register that this freak was interested, and even attracted to her.

Sam heard shuffling, "Sam? It better be you not that freak of nature," he heard Dean's voice.

"Yeah, it's me…He went to Becca's, looking like you," Sam grunted as he tried to get himself loose.

"We'll he's not stupid, he picked the handsome one," Dean said, as he tried to do the same.

Sam paused and glanced at him flatly. Really? Sonia looked in his direction, but remained quiet.

Dean must have noticed that Sonia was too quiet, and turned his head to glance at her, "Hey. Sonia you alright? What'd the freak do?"

Sonia shook her head, trying to spit out the cloth that he had used to gag her, "I'm fine," she said quietly. She tried to reach down to her boots, to get out her hidden pocketknife, hoping to cut free. Looks like the freak wasn't as efficient as he liked to think – she thanked her hunter instincts and training.

Dean squinted his eyes at her, "What are you doing over there?" He asked her.

"I'm tied up, what do you think I'm doing?" Sonia said. It came out rather snappishly, and then she bit her lip. She had to get a grip, that thing wasn't Dean and this wasn't his fault.

Dean stared at her, narrowing his eyes, "I'm gonna ask what the hell your problem is, after this is over," he rolled his eyes.

Sonia frowned and nodded quietly, knowing it was going to come back to this anyway. Dean grunted, struggling with his binds too, whilst Sonia managed to cut herself free, and rubbed her arms.

Soon Dean got loose too as Sam started to talk about this shifter, "This thing, it wasn't just looking like you it was becoming you. Like it was downloading your thoughts, memories and other stuff," Sam said.

"Maybe that's why it kept us alive," Dean suggested, as he walked over to him to cut Sam free too.

"And he really seemed interested in keeping Sonia alive," Sam murmured as Dean went to work on the ropes.

"Any idea why," Dean asked, frowning at that.

"He wanted me," Sonia snapped quietly.

Dean glanced at her, "He wanted you? Or did he want you cause he was me?" He asked curiously as he approached her.

"Both," Sonia frowned

Dean scowled, "Okay then we gotta stop this thing right now," he said.

"He said..." Sonia started but then shook her head. "Nevermind..."

Dean frowned, "What? What did he say," he approached her could only wonder just how much this shifter 'knew' him and said what went on in his head.

"He said that you fell for me first off because I remind you of your mother," Sonia said lowly.

Dean stared at her, then squared his jaw and closed his eyes, "….."

"And he said there was something else about me.." Sonia said, turning her face away from him.

Dean stared at her and walked over to her, "Well, the jackass is right about one thing. You really are something else...," he admitted, "He got that part right."

"I'm some sort of a freak, and I don't even know why," Sonia nodded, pulling away, still troubled by those words

"You're not a freak, okay? And besides who'd believe the crap coming out of his lying mouth," he said, "I don't believe me either. Lets just get outta here," he said. Dean freed his brother and Sonia, and they managed to find a way out. They already knew where it was heading, and headed straight to Becca's house.

Meanwhile

"So you're saying that there's something out there, that made itself look like my brother," Becca asked as they stared at the crackling fire in the fireplace, once she let 'Dean' inside to talk.

'He' nodded once pursing his lips at her firmly.

Becca shook her head, "What'd you call it?" She asked.

"A Shape shifter," 'Dean' answered, which only made Becca snort quietly, which Dean joined her with a chuckle, "Yeah maybe we're crazy, but what if we're not," he pointed out, "I mean look you said it yourself that Zach was at two places at once. Tell me how that could happen," he brought up.

"Okay," she conceded, "So this thing," Becca started out, "It could make itself look like anybody," she asked.

"That's right," he answered instantly.

Becca scoffed, "What is it like a genetic freak," she demanded in a chuckle."

He forced out a husky laugh, "Maybe," he hummed, "Evolution is about mutation, right? So maybe this thing was born human," he explained, "But was different. Hideous," he added, "Hated. Until he learned to become someone else," his voice trailed off. Becca smirked and turned back to look at the fire, shaking this off, she didn't notice Dean's eyes flicker brightly.

"I mean…there are a lot of people out there like that," he said carefully, "It's funny," Dean went on as he grabbed his beer, "I kind of understand him…Sonia does too," he smiled, "Makes sense how we got together, if we get a lot of the same things. He's all alone, close to no one…" he murmured.

"All he wants is for someone to love him. He's like me," he admitted, "And I…found someone like that in Sonia at least. She's like me too. Also alone, and she doesn't even realize it. Everybody needs a human touch," he glanced at Becca, "So hard to be different," he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Becca's ear.

She moved her head away, and closed her eyes, "You should go," she whispered. This felt wrong…

He bit his lip then leaned over and brushed his face against her hair inhaling the smell, "And we all crave a little more," he whispered to her.

With that Becca bolted up, "You are disgusting," she yelled, "Just get the hell outta here," she spat. He stood up and tried to calm her down, "Becca just calm down."

"Oh calm down? What is wrong with you," she snapped angrily.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you," he yelled at her as he stalked towards her. "I'm calling he police," she declared as she went to the telephone.

What happened next had been a blur; the phone had been yanked out, and she had tried to run from him then he had overpowered her and tied her hands and bound her to a chair, "You're a nice girl Rebecca, I mean I liked you…but you just didn't do it for me as much as I thought you would, which believe me…makes this harder," he stated as he rummaged through his gear. She saw him brandishing a curved, crooked knife, and swallowed through her gag, thickly, "But I gotta do what I gotta do," he muttered callously, then stalked closer to her. She shook violently and squirmed helplessly, and thought she was going to die. It was then a sudden noise, drew both of their attention and caused Becca to cry out loudly through her gag.

'He' shushed her then walked out of the room and went to hide somewhere within the house, as he planned his escape. He headed towards the balcony and that was when the door opened revealing the SWAT team.

They found him and tried to shout at him, "Freeze!" "Drop the knife!" "Keep your hands where I can see 'em!" And so on, but he refused to listen.

He just turned to look at them, flashing a knife in his hand.

He attacked one of the SWAT members, and jumped out the window, professionally dodging bullets along the way and disappearing into the dark.

"An anonymous tip, led police to a home in the central West Bank, where the SWAT team discovered a local woman bound and gagged. Her attacker was a while male approximately 24 to 30 years old," the newsman went on as a composite sketch of a man resembling Dean flash across the screen of the televisions in the store window.

"They got a good angle of you," Sonia muttered quietly, as Dean and Sam stared at the screens. Dean looked worried, and angry, "Man that's not even a good picture," Dean protested.

Sam looked around, "It's good enough," he murmured, hoping no one would recognize him, then turned to walk on ahead in the direction they were heading to, as a disgruntled Dean followed after him, with Sonia in tow.

They turned a corner and walked past the dumpster; as they talked, Sonia started to think of ways to catch him, and if Becca was all right. Really anything to just distract her mind from her own stray thoughts. She could vaguely hear Dean complaining about stepping into a puddle then protesting about finding the shifter and killing it.

"Uh Dean," Sonia asked, "That presents certain complications," she pointed out cleverly.

"She's right, Dean. We have no weapons. No silver bullets," Sam argued. Sonia nodded in agreement, "Plus my stuff is in there too, with the exception of knife and a small handgun I always keep on me," Sonia admitted, "Looks like this thing isn't as clever as it thought," she smirked coolly.

"The guy's walking around with my face okay? It's a little personal," Dean insisted, "I wanna find him," he stated firmly. "And he's driving your car," Sonia added for him. Dean gave her a look, as Sam shook his head at that part, but agreed slowly, "Okay. Where do we look?" Sam asked him.

"Well we could start with the sewers," Dean answered quickly.

Sam stared at him, "We have no weapons. He stole our guns, we need more," Sam explained to him, until it dawned on him when Sonia brought up the car, "The car," he asked her, to which she nodded, "Bingo."

"I bettin' he drove her to Becca's," Dean stated. "Didn't the news say he was on foot, I'm bet it's still parked there," Sam murmured.

Dean's hand fisted, "Mm the thought of him driving my car," he grumbled.

Sonia sighed, "If the SWAT team was there, I wonder if they figured out that the car was yours," she stated, "This could get dangerous," she warned him.

"Well I still have to get some stuff outta there," Dean argued."And that bastard's not taking my baby from me."

Sonia looked at him for a moment, " Right... Go get it then," she said. "I was just trying to keep you alive and out of jail."

"It's killin' me," Dean raged, as Sonia shook her head – of course he'd worry about the car.

"Let it go," Sam said nonchalantly.

They jogged all the way back to Becca's house, and Dean spotted the Impala. "Aha there she is," Dean grinned in relief, as he saw that it was still parked there, "Finally something went right tonight. He ran to it, but paused when he saw the police car arrive, "Shit," he cursed and was about to run in the opposite direction.

Sonia cursed, " Just go..." She snapped at him. "I warned you, didn't I?" She frowned condescendingly.

Dean scowled and climbed up the fence jumping over it.

Sonia glanced over at Sam. At least the cops couldn't hold them... "Dean! Don't go in those sewers alone," she called out worriedly

"I won't, I promise, meet me at the park," he shouted back, "Out back by the street," he ducked away.

Sam glanced at Sonia, "Go with him, for my peace of mind. I'll take care of the cops," he said

Sonia nodded and hurried after Dean; they were at least fast enough to get away.

Sonia, as agreed caught up to him at the park and hurried over to glanced at her, "Sammie got caught?"

"He told me to follow after you, the cops can't hold him. They're looking for you not Sammy or me," she said shaking her head. "We were both worried you'd take off after the shifter on your own.."

"And that's what I'm gonna do," he said and managed to get a gun and flashlight, "You got your gear on you?"

"Of course, because I'm coming with you," Sonia said, looking worried. "I didn't want you doing this alone. That thing.. It was like he was becoming you, saying some things... Like take the fact that everyone leaves you: Sammy, then your father.. You think I'll leave you as well?" She asked quietly.

Dean paused and glanced at her, "If you want to...I won't...stop you," he said, "But that doesn't mean I'll want you to."

Well, that was something….

"You can bet I'll be fighting you on it and trying to persuade you," he added with a smirk.

"Dean.. I won't.." Sonia said quietly. "You know that I love you, right? Why would I want to leave you?"

He glanced at her with raised brows, his body stiffening, "You...love me?"

He only heard her admit that she liked him.

Sonia looked away quickly, "No... I've been screwing around with you just for the heck of it," she grumbled.

Dean's face actually colored slightly, "Woah hey, wait. I didn't mean it like that..., just after a few days you really do?" He asked her, "I mean...I...I might love you too," he admitted. Great now he was rambling like a little kid with a crush. In short, he was acting like Sammie.

Sonia sat on the curb, "it's not something that I can control.." She said simply.

He stared at her then went to sit down next to her, "I guess I understand that...I'm sorry for sounding like a dick." Blame the lack of female influence in his life.

He only had his dad, his brother, and a gun.

"The thing is...," he sighed slowly, might as well, get it all out in the open, "I...do...feel the same way. I mean I got feelings...," he admitted.

"Am I a douche?" He suddenly asked her.

"No..." Sonia shook her head then paused, "not always.."

Probably what he was trying to say was that, he did have feelings, he just...was it impossible for someone like him to even have feelings? Is what he wanted to say.

Dean smiled at that, "Thanks...You know, don't tell Sammie this but I used to have a necklace," he absently touched his chest then frowned, "Which the shithead probably stole," he scowled darkly, promising excruciating pain when he caught him, "But that was a gift from him Sammie. It was the best gift I ever got."

In short, that was Dean language for, 'I love my brother.'

Sonia nodded, "I bet it was," she touched his knee.

Dean smiled at her, "And...I think that if I ever got something like that from you, I'd keep it close to me and always the same way I carry that necklace," he admitted.

"It'd mean a lot to me too. That would another best gift I get cause it's from you."

So what he was trying to say was that he loved her too.

Sonia gave him a little smile. "Sure," she said and nodded.

"And I hope that you'll feel the same way about whatever sentimental gift I get you too," Dean smiled at her almost hopefully.

Sonia nodded, "of course," she said quietly.

Dean sighed with a groan, "Screw this. What I mean is that I think…I may love you too, okay there I said it," he grumbled.

Sonia looked up at him and kissed his cheek, "I know you do, you just have your own way of saying and showing it. Don't worry," she said warmly. "I don't want to make it seem like I'm forcing you to actually say any of this.."

"But that's the thing. You're not. I know cause its all me...I mean the real me, not that bull spewing out of the fake me," he said quickly, "I do love and care about you. I worry like crazy, and it'll be the truth when I say, that you're the first girl, I ever got this deep in with, and this involved with. And as a hunter, I respect the hell out of you," he admitted.

"And I like the fact that I can talk with you and not be called a wuss." He added.

Sonia felt her cheeks heat up at hearing him say this, "So it's not just because I remind you of your mother..?" She asked quietly and hopefully. "Or that I have some weird attracting powers that I'm not aware of..?"

"And you're probably the first and only girl I'm like this with. And no it's not any of those things. FYI you don't look like my mom completely other than the fact that you're both blonds and have blue eyes, but that's where it ends. And it's not cause of your 'powers'."

"It's just the shifter said..." Sonia looked down

"I mean I think you're beautiful, and yeah I'll admit you're one of a kind,...," he paused, "Wait what did he say?..."

"That you have mommy issues and that's why you chose me, and some other things that were just confusing," Sonia said quietly. She reached for her gun, making sure it was loaded, just to keep her hands busy.

Dean scowled at that, "Okay, yeah...I'll own up to that, but you got nothing to do with those mommy issues, most of it's self-blame you know? I wasn't there to help her in anyway."

Sonia nodded, "sorry.. I didn't mean to bring up hurtful memories," she whispered.

"No its okay you didn't," then he leaned down and pecked her lips.

"The shifter just made me think.. A lot, that's all," she admitted.

"Ah...nothing too uncomfortably bad I hope," Dean murmured looking down this time.

"Being hit on by someone you literally just met, and not being sure if it's because he's taking on your personalities or because he says it's him that's attracted to me as well will do that to a girl," Sonia sighed

"Well, I can honestly admit that yeah I think you're attractive, but I also love you," he admitted.

Sonia glanced up at him, and reached out to stroke his cheek gently.

He leaned into her touch and took his free hand and cradled hers to his cheek warmly.

Sonia leaned in to give him a quick but tender kiss, "I love you too, and I won't leave. Unless you, yourself, will want me to."

"I think that'll be pretty impossible for me hon'," he smiled at her and returned her kiss deeply.

Sonia kissed him in return, "Or if I catch you cheating.."

"That I can promise I'll try very hard not to do," he said with a smile at her.

"If you do, I walk away..." She warned. Sonia just kissed Dean again, warmly. She gave him a smile, "Now let's go get that freak of nature."

Dean smirked, "You got it," he kissed her back and followed after her.

Sonia smiled, "It'll be fun, I want a go at shooting you~" she teased

He chuckled, "And I'd like to go to my own funeral but still be alive."

"Jerk," she laughed, "I am so not crying at your funeral," she warned him, jokingly

He was almost tempted to say 'bitch' but remembered that was his and Sammie's thing, "Nice to know how much I'll be missed," he said sarcastically.

Sonia knew that look, "You know I'm just joking," she smiled

He chuckled, "Yeah so am I."

Together the two headed towards the sewers looking for the shifter. And they ended up stumbling upon Rebecca. The real Rebecca.

"Becca?" Dean asked her then removed her gag, Sonia frowned, "We need to get back to the house," she said urgently.

"The last thing I remember was that thing looking like me," Becca said in disgust.

Sonia nodded, glancing at Dean, who scowled, "We need to head over there," he glared.

Sammie was there with that thing.

Sonia nodded, "I'll take care of Becca. Go on ahead. I'll catch up to you," she assured him

Dean nodded and jogged off, "Be careful out there."

Sonia nodded, "I promise, Dean."

Dean disappeared out of the sewers, leaving Sonia and Becca alone. He just now realized that Sam was by himself with that thing. He knew Sonia could take care of Becca – Sonia helped Becca up, "Stay close," she said to her as she started to lead her out of the sewers, "You okay?" She asked her.

Becca nodded, "I'll live…but Dean..er whatever it was that looked like Dean was telling the truth wasn't it? About the shape shifter..," she murmured.

Sonia nodded, "Yeah. Though I doubt that was how you needed to hear it," she mused as they walked out through the pathways of the sewers as Sonia stayed vigilant, "It would have been better if Sam told you himself."

Becca looked away, "So why didn't he?" Sonia thought this through, "Maybe you wouldn't believe him…Or he wanted to protect you," she reasoned.

The other blond girl nodded, "You're missing the part where he thought I was better off not knowing," she murmured. Becca was smart enough to realize that after all. The girls climbed out of the sewer with Sonia helping her out, "Most people are," Sonia hummed in agreement, "But we lost a lot of loved ones because of them." Becca glanced at her as they walked in the direction of her house, "So you know that these things exist. What do you do with them? Kill them?" She asked her slowly.

Sonia lifted her shoulder, "That depends," she answered vaguely. Sam really should be the one explaining all of this to Becca, "Depends on what?"

Sonia met her gaze, "If they're killing people. If they're evil," Sonia added, "C'mon we need to get to your house." She said and took Becca's hand and jogged to catch up to Dean.

When they got there, they were standing behind Dean and heard shuffling and objects being broken then gasping. Dean drew out his gun, as Sonia reached into her pocket to grab the hilt of her knife. Dean ran in first, and what he saw enraged him more. The shifter Dean overpowered Sam, and was squeezing his neck, until Dean shouted at him to distract him, while holding the gun up to point at him. The shifter turned to stared at Dean and that was when Dean fired his gun and shot at him twice. Sonia and Becca jogged in and Becca gasped as she stared at the fake him lying dead. He glared at the body, and approached it, seeing the necklace that Sam had given him, and grabbed it tearing it off with a rough and disgusted yank.

Last time he was going let anyone take it.

Dean looked up at her and smiled faintly. The job was done. "Come on, let's get out of here," Sonia said, looking at 'Dean's' dead body uncomfortably.

Becca went to check on a gasping and wheezing Sam, "Sam," she said and went to help him up, and tend to him.

Dean nodded and followed her out, "You okay hon'?"

Sonia nodded slowly, "Yeah.. Totally.."

Dean patted her shoulder, "You can talk to me too you know?"

"You know how I said I won't cry at your funeral? I take that back," she said quietly.

Dean paused and stared at her, but patted her shoulder then wrapped his arm around her, "Thanks, I think...that means a lot."

"Now that I've actually seen 'you' dead.." She whispered, cuddling against him as they walked

Dean nodded and bent down to kiss her brow, "It's alright...Seeing... 'me' die wasn't completely pleasant for me either," he admitted.

"Killing yourself, you mean?" Sonia nodded, leaning into his kiss.

Sam followed after them, "Yeah, I'm fine thanks for asking," he said with a bit of a scoff.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Dean said honestly.

"You two are the worst," Sam shook his head humorously

Dean smirked and looked up at him, "Hey Sammie, how are you feeling?" Dean probably wanted to gloat about how Sam still got his ass kicked even when it really wasn't him.

"Get lost, jerk," Sam sad with a chuckle.

"Watch it bitch," Dean nudged him playfully.

Sonia shook her head. "Guys.." She said in amusement.

Dean smirked at her and winked, "What," he asked innocently.

"If you ever respond to me the same way, you'll be sleeping alone," she warned playfully.

"Well I don't want that," Dean chuckled.

"Of course not," Sonia smirked at him.

Dean nodded, "That's good. At least now that's one less person Sammie has to lie to."

"I suggest you tell her the truth, what you can, and then we get out of here, before the cops see Dean alive and well," Sonia nodded glancing at Sam. Becca stared between the 3 of them and nodded, "I'm ready to listen Sam," she said. Maybe Sonia talking to her was a good idea after all. Tonight he would tell her everything, they would spend one more night here, and then they'd be gone again.

"Don't know about you but I'm ready to sleep," Dean muttered. Sonia nodded too, "Same here," she stole one last look at the fake Dean's body, and his words came back to her, making her repress a shudder.

The Next Morning

Sonia and Dean were outside, Dean laid out a map across the Impala and looked to where they should go next. The front door of the house opened and Sam came out with Becca. "So this is what you do," Becca still couldn't wrap her mind around it as they walked out of her house the following morning, "You and your brother, and Sonia hunt down these kinds of things," Becca said to herself thoughtfully.

Sam nodded with a faint smile, "Yeah pretty much."

"I can't believe it. I mean I saw it with my own eyes," Becca shook her head and let out a little chuckle, "I mean does anybody at school…nobody knows that you do this?"

Sam forced a smile and shook his head, "No."

"Did Jessica know?" Becca asked incredulously.

Sam shifted slowly at that, "No she didn't," maybe she should have. Becca nodded slowly, "Must be lonely."

"Oh no, no it's not so bad," Sam answered quickly, covering up his feeling, as he turned to glance at his brother and Sonia, "Anyway, what can I do. It's my family," Sam said lamely as Becca smiled at that again. "Well you know Zach and me, and everybody at school," she reached up to give him a hug, which he returned, "We really miss you," she stated.

Sam nodded as he rubbed her back, "Yeah me too," he whispered.

"Will you call sometime," Becca asked him as she stepped away from him.

"Might not be for a little while," Sam answered.

Becca nodded then smiled at him, and turned to give Sonia and Dean a wave, which Dean returned and Sonia just nodded at her with a smile. She went back inside and Sam approached his brother, and new best friend, "So what about your friend Zach," Dean asked as he went to get back into the driver's seat. "Cops are blaming this Dean Winchester for Emily's murder," Sam replied, "Found the murder weapon in his lair, along with Zach's clothes stained with her blood, now they're thinking maybe the surveillance tape was tampered with. Yeah Becca says Zach will be released soon," Sam smirked at Dean, who gave him a flat look. Sonia smiled and kissed his cheek before climbing into the back. Sam climbed in as well and the trio drove off.

Somewhere along the ride, Sonia leaned back and wiped at her eyes, she could hear the brothers talking, and smiled; Dean apologized to Sam for not being able to be a normal guy, which Sam brushed off, and admitted to how he felt that he never fit in in Stanford either, to which Dean did agree that Sam was a freak, and that was what would bring them together.

"Better to be a freak and belong somewhere," Sonia smiled faintly at that as she said this.

"Right. And you know I gotta say. I'm sorry I'm gonna miss it," Dean shook his head in mock regret.

"What?" Sam and Sonia asked together.

"How many chances am I gonna get to see my own funeral," Dean joked with a crooked smirk.

"It's a good thing that I'm still tired and am dozing off," Sonia warned him with a playful gleam and a lazy grin.

Sam started to laugh, as they continued down along the lone countryside road, to a new path unfolding before them like the road ahead of them, and he knew that he wouldn't be facing them alone.