Author's Note: I know this chapter is a long time coming. I recently reread both my Supernatural fics, and my muse was jumpstarted. I do have plans for both stories. Thank you to all the people who reviewed and PM'd me. That definitely prompted me to restart this fic. Reviews really do make a difference. Thank you =)

Ben Braden made his way towards school, trying to contain all the frustration bottled up inside him. He didn't know why he was so angry at his mom. While she had slapped him last night, it hadn't been hard and he totally had deserved it. He had been acting like a lil'bitch to his mom.

He couldn't help it though! She and everyone around him treated him like he was a little kid. He didn't understand it. He wasn't a kid; he was going to be in high school! And he was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for. They assumed he was still innocent and naive, but how could he be after what had happened to him five years ago?

Ben knew what he was doing. He had been looking into the kidnappings downtown for a while, doing his research at the library. He kept a notebook with the names of all the victims, all clippings from the newspaper, and clues he learned by talking to witnesses who'd seen the missing girls. It seemed to him like something fishy was going on and maybe it was supernatural.

If that was the case, then who better than Ben to handle it. He owed it to the world and this case because no one else was looking at the unexplainable as a possible cause for his town's problems. And having firsthand experience with the supernatural, Ben knew that no one else could handle this situation better than him.

If only his mom could understand that. He didn't want to grow up normal and become a doctor or a lawyer or a fireman. He wanted to be Dean Winchester, hunter extraordinaire. Maybe if Dean saw Ben solve this case, he'd want Ben to be his partner. Dean could take him away from the boring, humdrum life he was leading now. Dean would want him to be a hunter.

With that thought in mind, Ben switched directions, making his way towards the bus depot with the destination clear in his mind: Downtown.

Dean stood in front of the door. He was tempted to turn around and back away, but he knew that wasn't really an option. What was he afraid of? Lisa called him here, not the other way around. She wanted him. For what? Dean wasn't exactly sure.

He hesitated before ringing the bell. Once. Twice. He paused, contemplating trying a third time before the door was frantically opened.

"Dean," she exclaimed, her voice a breathy wisp. Her facial expression betrayed the thought that she hadn't been sure if he was going to come.

"Lisa," Dean replied curtly. He had no reason to be short with her, but Dean couldn't help it. Being with Lisa stirred up all sorts of memories of that year when he had thought he was a goner.

"Please come in," she beckoned, while wringing her hands nervously. "I wasn't expecting you to get here for days, if that. I mean, I just called a few hours ago."

Dean entered the house, closing the door behind him. He locked it and double checked the sturdiness of the door, before following her towards the kitchen. He remembered this house, and he had thought a lot about it since he had left all those years ago. Mostly, he had just thought about Lisa and Ben.

"Sam called me right after you called. I was only an hour away from here."

"That's uh great," she said hesitantly, while leading him to the dining table. She pulled out a chair for him.

He smirked at her before gesturing at the chair, easily conveying his thoughts, after you. She smiled coyly before taking her seat.

She suddenly asked, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

Dean noted she seemed nervous, and tried to put her at ease. "Lisa, I'm fine," he said as he sat down, shooting her that smile that always made her and other girls melt. "Talk to me."

If anything, the smile only put Lisa more at unease. She shifted nervously before starting. "There have been girls going missing downtown. They've been ranging between the ages 16 and 24. This is the first unusual series of events we've had since … you know, the uh," she paused and then whispered "the changelings.

Lisa cleared her throat. "Ben's been obsessed. I think it's been consuming his life since the events started over six months ago." Lisa swallowed a few times, as if she was holding back the urge to cry. "Ben's behavior has been escalating. He's been spending more and more of his time lying to me and exploring the downtown area. Last night, he hadn't planned to come home at all and instead was staking out downtown in hopes of seeing something happen. He had to be brought home by the cops."

Dean watched as Lisa tried to suppress a shudder. She was obviously concerned, and Dean was too. But he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do or say. This sounded a lot like Lisa needed to get her parenting under control and Ben needed to shape up. It wasn't something Dean had experience with, having no kids of his own. He stayed silent for a second, wondering if Lisa had anything more to say.

When she didn't continue, Dean slowly asked, "How can I help Lisa? I've looked into the disappearances myself, and I don't think it's supernatural. I could explain that to Ben, but I'm not sure if that's actually going to solve the problem you're hav-

A cellphone rang out, interrupting Dean. It rang again and Dean gestured that Lisa should get it. She hesitated before looking at him apologetically and answering.

"Hello?"

".. school .."

"Principal Weever, what happened?"

".. Ben.."

"He isn't?" Lisa asked, and Dean could hear the shock in his voice.

".. miss more classes … detention... summer school …"

Dean tried to act as if he wasn't eavesdropping.

"I understand," Lisa answered sincerely. "Ben and I have just been dealing with some personal family issues, and he's been having a hard time."

"..."

"I agree. It's no excuse. I will be talking to him. Thank you for letting me know about the situation."

Dean saw Lisa rub her temples as she ended the call. "Ben cut school?"

"Yeah. He's probably downtown again. I'm so sorry, but I have to call him."

"Of course, he comes first."

Dean watched her call and knew that the kid had guts to cut class after having been dragged home by the police just yesterday. Dean would have never imagined behaving that way for his dear old dad.

Lisa exclaimed into the phone, "Where are you, young man?"

".. None … business"

"It is completely my business. I am your mother!"

"... out …"

Dean tried listening more closely. He could feel Ben's frustration in his tone.

"You get your butt home right now. You are grounded for the rest of the school year."

Dean thought to himself, he wasn't already grounded?

" .. not... boss. won't...home...LEAVE ME ALONE"

Dean could hear Ben yelling pretty clearly now. What an attitude.

Lisa calmly kept talking, "This is not a discussion. You need to get home right now, or I will come find you and drag you back here myself."

"I DON'T CARE. FUCK OFF, AND LEAVE ME THE FUCK..."

Dean had grabbed the phone from Lisa as soon as he heard the swearing, but he had been unprepared for the "ALONEEE" that was screamed into his ear.

Keeping his temper in check, Dean quietly but seriously spoke, "Ben Braeden, I don't know what is up with this attitude of yours, but it stops now. You were raised better. Cutting school is unacceptable, and I expect you to be back here at your house right now."

Dean could feel Ben's confusion as he breathed out, "Dean?"

"The one and only. Ben, I expect you home in fifteen minutes. If I have to come looking for you, then I promise you won't like the consequences," he said clearly, his voice leaving no room for arguments. Then Dean waited a silent beat before abruptly ending the call and any chance Ben had to argue.