The First Hunt

Summary: During Dean's time away from Sam in S5, he has an adventure with the Eighth Doctor. Meanwhile, in Stanford, Sam spends a year abroad in England studying law and he encounters the Eleventh Doctor.

XXX

Shelly, Iowa...2009:

I wanna be anarchy! And I wanna be an antichrist!

"Shut up," Dean muttered as he angrily turned the radio off. Last thing he wanted was to hear anything about Satan or Antichrist or-

"Dean."

"Shit!" Dean shouted, swerving around as he regained control.

"There's no need to curse," Castiel muttered, completely still and calm even as the car bucked.

"There's no need for you to I-Dream-of-Genie yourself right next to me," Dean muttered, glaring out the side of his eyes at him, "Dick."

"My name's not-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Dean interrupted him, "How's the whole God hunt going?"

"Slowly," Cass sighed, "This Earth is massive, Dean. I always knew, but I never fully realized until I started this search. And what of you?"

"Picked up a case," Dean said, "Might be a witch. Check it out."

Dean passed Castiel a paper, "Local woman petrified."

"Darla Gibbons was found in her room with the door locked a week ago," Dean picked up, knowing the case back to front, "She was stone, they thought it was a statue at first, but there was still some skin left on her feet."

"Witchcraft is a likely answer," Castiel agreed, "Would you appreciate my assistance?"

"Nah, I got it," Dean said, "Bobby's coming out to meet me tomorrow, I'm heading over to talk to the coroner before I check out the house after dark."

Castiel paused for a moment before saying, "I could find the hex bag in her house if you'd like."

Dean looked over at him for a moment. He looked like a lost puppy dog in need of a bone. He considered his angelic friend, figuring that he was lost and a little drained from his God-hunt and needed a break from it. He could relate.

"Yeah, that'd be great," Dean said, "Just find me at the coroner's office when you're done."

"Of course, happy to help," Castiel said, looking for all the world like he'd just won the lottery before fluttering off.

Dean couldn't help but chuckle.

XXX

North End, Croydon, London...2002

Sam brought his coat in as close to his body as he could. It was windy and snowing, hard enough to make him squint to see as he walked down the North End. Or, at least, hard enough for him, as he could see that many native English were just fine. He'd clearly spent too much time in the Midwest and in California if this was enough to get to him.

He sighed in relief as he walked into the coffee shop, where it was warm. He ordered a salad and coffee, though he'd thought about the tea. Try as he might, he couldn't get a taste for it. His preference definitely stayed with coffee.

He had another two weeks left on his trip before he would be heading back to California. He'd been lucky enough to get accepted into the study abroad program, especially since he was only a sophomore, and had done very well. He'd liked England well enough, and was grateful for the experience, but he was also pretty eager to get back to America. He'd clashed with his dorm mates and had been staying in a hostel, which wasn't bad, but it reminded him too much of being on the road with his Dad and brother. He missed his house in Cali and his friends.

He pulled out A Christmas Carol and began to read. It was only a few days till New Years, and Christmas was long over, but this Christmas had been pretty tough on him. Being away from home, away from his family and completely friendless had taken its toll on him. He hadn't gotten a phone call from his brother this Christmas, which didn't surprise him as much as it should have. Their last phone call had been on his birthday, and that had lead to them rehashing his fight with his Dad a little over a year ago.

He didn't like Christmas all that much, but he didn't want to spend it alone either.

He looked up from his book for a moment and saw a stone angel across the street. He smiled a bit. Dean had always told him that their Mom had said that angels were watching over them. He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer for his family. Regardless of their issues, he loved his Dad and Dean, and wanted them to be well.

He opened his eyes again and the statue wasn't there.