The Same Coin [3/?]
Well I’ve committed myself to using the University of the Rockies…however on a little more research I’m not sure if any place in Colorado Springs would be a suitable location for this excavation. To any and all who read and attend, I apologize, for the sake of the fic I’m going to stick with it. I would have loved a nice museum but I couldn’t track one down that would handle this sort of thing anyways…who would have thought?
One | Two
Title: The Same Coin
Shows: Supernatural/Stargate SG-1
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure/Hurt/Comfort
Spoilers: None for either show
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from either Supernatural or Stargate SG-1
Summary: Crossover with Stargate SG-1. Sam and Dean are on the hunt for a demon, what happens when the rash of unexplained deaths attracts the attention of the SGC? -Set during Season 2 of Supernatural-
“Colonel,” Samantha caught Jack’s attention, “We caught a break, off one of their known aliases, Alan Stanwick,” She passed a single sheet of paper to him.
Jack read the information, “They’re staying at the Road Inn Motel?” he asked somewhat skeptically. He didn’t know what he’d expected two Gou’ald to do, but somehow this just wasn’t it.
“They’ve only been there for three days,” Sam continued, “Sir this may rule them out as the murders.”
“Oh there’s plenty of rundown motels for them to hide in here,” Jack drawled, turning the corner to find Daniel and Teal’c waiting for them. “What else have you dug up?”
“DMV states they drive a black 1967 Chevy Impala,” Daniel shrugged, obviously not thinking it important information.
“Alright let’s put out a BOLO for the car, just to our own men,” he clarified, “I’d rather not get the local law enforcement involved.” Samantha nodded curtly and made her way down the hall. “Might as well take a look at their motel room; see if it can’t shed any light on this,” Jack commented to the two other members of his team.
“O’Neill,” Teal’c said drawing all eyes to him, “I believe we should take these,” from his belt Teal’c removed one of the small Jaffa snake stunners.
He nodded, walking down the corridor to the armory.
---SPN/SG-1---
“Dude, the Jeffersonian?” Dean asked unable to keep the disbelief from his voice.
“What?” his brother shrugged, straightening his tie, “It’s the perfect way in.”
“Way in? Sure…” he commented grudgingly, “Perfect? Far from it.”
Sam gave him a deadpan look, “Bikini Inspector will only get you so far Dean.”
“But far in all the right places,” he returned with a laugh, shrugging into his black jacket before picking up his EMF and slipping it into the inside pocket. Sam didn’t bother responding to him just picked up his keys and opened the motel room door.
Climbing into the Impala Dean quickly fished out one of his AC/DC cassettes and popped it into the player. “So just what do you plan to do if they ever come out with a new CD?” Sam couldn’t help but ask as they pulled away from the motel.
‘C? D?’ Dean mouthed as though hearing it for the very first time. He shook his head, “Sorry never heard of it,” Dean cranked the volume, his right hand smacking the steering wheel to the beat, as he sang along.
---SPN/SG-1---
Jack chose to forgo asking for a key from the owner of the motel, and instead picked the lock. They’d been lucky upon arrival there was no sign of the Winchester’s Impala. Opening the door carefully, Jack stepped inside the room, eyes scanning for any signs of traps or weapons.
Stepping out of the way so the others could come in Jack studied the lay of the room, noticing distinct differences in the two men. The bed furthest from the door was neatly made, while the other remained a mess, food wrappers scatter around both that bed and the table. Daniel and Sam were going through the stacks of papers spread across the flat surface while Teal’c stood near the door quietly observing.
“Jack,” Daniel exclaimed, “They’ve got copies of all the autopsy reports.”
Sam lifted a sheet of paper, “Here are the names of the victims,” she read a little more. “It looks like they’re trying to come up with a pattern among the victims?” the Captain left it a question, and Jack could understand why.
Removing his cap, Jack ran one hand over his short hair, “This is making less and less sense.”
“They also have several articles on the archeological find; maybe they made the same connection I did…” Daniel said the last more to himself than the others.
“You still think that, thing is a part of this?” Jack asked, Daniel hadn’t mentioned it since the Colonel had first stumbled on his friend going over the autopsy reports.
Daniel shrugged clearly not willing to commit, “It’s worth looking into.”
“Alright, go check it out,” Jack ordered, “We’ll set up surveillance here see if the Winchesters come back.”
---SPN/SG-1---
As it turned out the university’s main campus wasn’t all that far from where they were staying, Dean quickly found a place for them to park, and reluctantly shut his baby off, killing the music in the process. It felt wrong every time. Getting out of the Impala, Dean smirked catching several appreciative looks directed at his car.
“Are you coming?” Sam asked bringing Dean’s attention back to the hunt.
He loosened the neck of his tie a little and stepped around the car to meet his brother. “Do you know which building?” he question glancing around the open space, large buildings rising up all around them.
“Yeah,” his brother nodded pointing across the road to a brick building with a large tree covered lawn in front of it.
“Okay,” Dean drawled flipping his keys in his right hand before sliding them into his pocket.
They made it through the doorway, without meeting any resistance, whether it was the suits or their confidence that they had a right to be here, Dean didn’t know or care. He let Sam take the lead, as they came to a desk and office tucked in the corner of a three hall corridor.
“Good morning,” Sam greeted using his most sincere smile. “I’m Sam Flynn, and this is my associate Dean Koonz,” his voice was smooth as he took out the ID passing it across the desk. Dean cringed internally at the names Sam had chosen, he recognized them from a few of the books his brother liked to read.
“Could you tell me where I can find the artifacts recently dug up from the burial site?” Dean stepped forward also handing his card in, to the older woman sitting behind the desk. She reminded him of one of his eighth grade teachers a woman who had disliked him immediately. Dean offered her his best smile.
“You’re from the Jeffersonian,” she said passing back the IDs, “I was told you wouldn’t be arriving until the end of the week.”
Sam rolled with the problem like it was second nature, “Sorry, communications must have been crossed, we’re very interested to see what you’ve uncovered here.”
She offered Sam a smile, her eyes glancing over Dean, and too his surprise the expression didn’t slip. “Its right down this hall,” she indicated the one to her right, “Last door on you left.”
“Thank you,” Sam nodded even as Dean was making his way down the hall.
“Good thing they weren’t already here,” Dean commented voice low.
“I told you it was the perfect way in.”
Dean smirked, “Couple more days, and you’d have been had.”
“But I wasn’t,” Sam returned simply, waiting for Dean to open the door for him.
The room on the other side of the door was huge, wooden tables lining the center of the room, in four neat rows. Each was covered in bones, along with what looked like pots, broken arrow heads, and a number of items Dean couldn’t even name. More interesting than all that was the fact the EMF meter in his pocket went off the minute he crossed the threshold after Sam. His hazel eyes immediately sought out why. At the head of the room sitting on the only table perpendicular to the others sat the artifact they’d come to see.
Dean reached into his pocket to turn the volume down completely not wanting to draw attention, though Sam hadn’t missed the high pitched buzzing. They shared a brief look before one of the women in the room came to greet them.
“Can I help you?” she asked with a slightly shy smile.
Before Dean could get a word out, Sam had stepped forward, “We’re from the Jeffersonian. We’d like to take a look at your artifacts if you don’t mind.”
“Got here early did you?” the girl’s expression dropped immediately, “I know Tom Dancel spoke to you over the phone, we’re not handing over any of our findings to the Jeffersonian. We’ve got just as much right to research them as you!”
Dean held up his hands in a placating gesture, “We don’t have any intention of taking all this away from you; we’d just like to look around.” He extended his hand, a compelling smile curving his lips, “My name’s Dean, and this is Sam.”
A slight blush colored her features, “Oh,” was her barely audible response. “I’m Rachel,” she said taking Dean’s hand then Sam’s. “You wouldn’t believe the trouble we’ve been having from your higher-ups. They may be the foremost experts, but we’re not about to be kicked out of the find of our life time.”
“Totally understandable,” Dean agreed casting a brief glance at his brother.
Sam’s eyes were locked on the artifact. “Would you mind showing us what you have?” he requested, and Dean couldn’t help but smirk as he watched her green eyes light up.
“Well so far we know it was a Native American tribe, though we haven’t yet been able to identify which…” her conversation with Sam went on as Dean subtly made his way towards the artifact.
He caught a couple of looks from the men and women cataloging their findings, but no one stepped out to stop him. Obviously Rachel’s approval was enough for the rest. Dean pulled the EMF from his pocket careful to keep it out of sight as he swept the tables that he passed It was hard to tell if anything other than the central artifact was setting the meter off as only the last two lights in the array were flickering.
The lights went solid as Dean came to the table, slipping the EMF back into his pocket the hunter looked the item over. He found it immediately hard to stare at, Dean knew his eyes were fine, and yet it felt weird to look at it. From what he could tell, it looked to be made of bone or ivory, though he supposed it was just as possible that it was petrified wood. No matter what it was made of Dean could smell fresh blood around it, and thought he saw a small hit on the blood near the top, where it might separate into a lid.
“Fascinating isn’t it?” a deep voice asked and Dean looked up to see an older man, hair graying at the temples standing on the other side of the table. He offered Dean a brief smile before extending his hand, “I’m Tom Dancel, head of the dig.”
Dean accepted the man’s hand, “Dean Koonz from the Jeffersonian.”
“You’re here early,” he commented.
“Change of plans,” Dean brushed the matter aside, “I really wanted to get a personal look at this…” he trailed off, not sure what to call it.
Tom folded his arms across his chest, looking down at the box, “To be honest we’re not sure what to call it either, I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve searched just about every possible database out there.”
“Have you opened it?” Dean asked.
“You’ve got a sharp eye, Mr. Koonz.”
He shook his head, “Just Dean.”
“Most of the people working here didn’t even notice that it was a box, it’s awfully hard to look at,” Tom confessed.
“Yeah I saw the picture in the local paper, have you tried any other forms of imaging?” he realized it was probably a stupid question, but he needed to know.
Tom nodded his head emphatically, “MRI, laser scan, just about every camera known to man, both film and digital, along with camcorders.” His left hand reached up to scratch at his cheek, “But it doesn’t surprise me, if it’s this hard on the eyes without equipment what chance does technology have?”
“When did you take it off display?” Dean asked.
“Six days ago,” Tom answered, “I decided to pull the exhibit, when we began receiving messages that the artifact was linked to the sudden rash of deaths.”
“Does seem like an odd coincidence,” he nodded.
Tom leaned on the table, “But that’s all it is, how could an ancient box murder people?” he asked though Dean suspected the man didn’t want an answer.
“Have you tried night vision?” he tossed the idea out bringing the conversation back to the original matter.
The archeologist looked confused for a moment, “No, if we can’t see it in the best light what chance do we have in the dark?” Tom nearly scoffed.
Dean’s eyes caught sight of a camcorder sitting on the counter behind Tom, “Do you mind?” he asked pointing at the camera.
The archeologist seemed to consider it for a moment, before shrugging, “Can’t hurt, we’ve tried everything else.”
Stepping around the table Dean picked up the small camcorder, and flipped open the screen turning it on. Just for his own understanding Dean zoomed in on the item, but the box was even blurrier than when he looked at it unassisted.
“David, could you hit the lights?” Tom asked.
Dean noticed that Sam and Rachel had finally made their way to the last table, and Rachel’s pretty face was looking confused. “What are you doing?” she asked Tom, curiously.
“Just testing how night vision might do for viewing the artifact,” Tom explained just as the lights went out.
Switching the camera to night vision Dean felt Sam’s presence come up behind him, looking over his shoulder. Dean first did a careful sweep of the whole room, knowing none could see what he was actually doing. He was surprised at the number of flare-ups glowing brightly from various tables, and turning the camera to the main focus of the room it was no surprise why.
The artifact was near blinding on the camera screen; he guessed that the bones and what not around the room had more than likely been resting against the box before being discovered.
“Dean, zoom in,” Sam whispered.
“What have you found?” Tom asked coming over to Dean’s other side, his eyes clearly having adjusted to the darkness. “What the hell is that?” he demanded when he saw the screen. “It shouldn’t be glowing like that.”
Dean didn’t bother trying to come up with an explanation, instead he moved closer to the object choosing not to use the technology to give him a better look. Shifting the camera around Dean had to bite down, on his thrill of success. He’d found an angle that gave an almost crystal clear view of the small box, and at least one symbol that was etched into it.
“Sorry to have wasted your time,” Dean said shutting down the camera while quickly popping out the memory card. “All the darn thing does it glow, can’t make anything out.”
“But why would it do that?” Tom squinted as the lights were turned back on.
Sam stepped forward taking the man’s attention as Dean put the camcorder back where he’d found it. “Why can’t we look at it with our eyes without a headache forming behind them?” he posed the rhetorical question, extending his hand to Tom. “Thanks for your time, and thank you Rachel, your knowledge of the dig has been very helpful.”
Dean also shook both hands, offering Rachel a wink only to see her blush again. “Would it be a problem for us to visit the actual site?” Sam requested.
“No not at all,” Tom replied though he sounded disappointed, “I’ll let security there know you’re coming.”
“Thanks again,” Sam said before he and Dean made their way out the door, once in the hall Sam turned to his brother, “You found something didn’t you?”
Dean couldn’t contain his cocky smirk, “Damn right,” he nearly crowed tossing the memory card once in his hand.
“Looks like we’ll be sneaking into the site,” Sam commented, though he didn’t sound put out.
As they walked outside the building making their way back to the Impala, Dean tossed a look at his little brother, “Let’s go get something to eat!”
“It’s a quarter to four,” he countered.
“And I haven’t had lunch,” Dean contended removing the keys from his pocket to unlock the Impala’s door. “Did you bring your laptop with you?” he asked not remembering seeing Sam put it in the car.
Sam nodded his head, “Wasn’t sure if we’d still be out when Ash called.”
“Well you can take a look at this,” Dean said tossing his brother the memory key as he pulled his door closed. Inserting the key into the ignition Dean started the Impala, hazel eyes checking the street both in front and behind him. He suddenly leaned closer to the side mirror staring at one man walking towards the building they’d just left.
“Dean?” Sam asked curiously.
“Isn’t that one of the men we saw at the house?” Dean muttered not taking his eyes off the well dressed man, his brown hair nearly as long as Sam’s.
“Looks like,” his brother confirmed.
Dean eased the Impala out of the parking spot, being sure to not draw attention to them by bolting, “You think they’re on to us?”
“I can’t imagine why,” Sam said as they were leaving the University grounds, “There’s nothing military about any of this.”
“Didn’t you say an archeologist visited the morgue before you got there?” Dean asked driving back towards their motel, there was an excellent diner just across the street.
“You think that’s him?” Sam raised an eye brow slipping the memory key into his laptop. “I think his name was Daniel Jackson…”
“Look him up,” Dean commented eyes instinctively glancing at their motel, and immediately Dean knew something wasn’t right. Without hesitation Dean drove straight on past the diner and rounded the first corner they came too.
“I thought you were hungry,” Sam said barely glancing up from his work.
“The motel’s being watched,” Dean told him bluntly.
Sam stopped what he was doing, “You’re sure?”
“I’d like to get a better look on foot,” he confirmed, there were times when driving a classic car could cause problems. But Dean would never give up his baby for something that would blend in with thousands of others.
He found another restaurant a few blocks away and purposefully parked around back, where they wouldn’t be so easy to see. Turning the Impala off Dean leaned back against the seat pulling his tie off before looking at his brother. “Here, take my cell,” he passed it across to Sam, “Incase Ash calls.” Dean unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt, before shrugging out of the coat. “Go in order me a burger I’ll be back in ten,” he assured climbing out of the car, tossing the black coat into the back seat.
Sam was fast on his feet handing Dean his own phone so Dean wouldn’t be out of contact. “Be careful.”
“Oh and make sure they have pie!” he smirked moving to the trunk of the Impala where he’d left his own well worn leather jacket. Sam watched him laptop bag hanging over his shoulder as Dean carefully removed his Colt from the trunk along with a hunting knife. Positive no one could see him, Dean slipped them both away, before adjusting the collar on his coat.
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Go to: Two | Four
One | Two
Title: The Same Coin
Shows: Supernatural/Stargate SG-1
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure/Hurt/Comfort
Spoilers: None for either show
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from either Supernatural or Stargate SG-1
Summary: Crossover with Stargate SG-1. Sam and Dean are on the hunt for a demon, what happens when the rash of unexplained deaths attracts the attention of the SGC? -Set during Season 2 of Supernatural-
“Colonel,” Samantha caught Jack’s attention, “We caught a break, off one of their known aliases, Alan Stanwick,” She passed a single sheet of paper to him.
Jack read the information, “They’re staying at the Road Inn Motel?” he asked somewhat skeptically. He didn’t know what he’d expected two Gou’ald to do, but somehow this just wasn’t it.
“They’ve only been there for three days,” Sam continued, “Sir this may rule them out as the murders.”
“Oh there’s plenty of rundown motels for them to hide in here,” Jack drawled, turning the corner to find Daniel and Teal’c waiting for them. “What else have you dug up?”
“DMV states they drive a black 1967 Chevy Impala,” Daniel shrugged, obviously not thinking it important information.
“Alright let’s put out a BOLO for the car, just to our own men,” he clarified, “I’d rather not get the local law enforcement involved.” Samantha nodded curtly and made her way down the hall. “Might as well take a look at their motel room; see if it can’t shed any light on this,” Jack commented to the two other members of his team.
“O’Neill,” Teal’c said drawing all eyes to him, “I believe we should take these,” from his belt Teal’c removed one of the small Jaffa snake stunners.
He nodded, walking down the corridor to the armory.
---SPN/SG-1---
“Dude, the Jeffersonian?” Dean asked unable to keep the disbelief from his voice.
“What?” his brother shrugged, straightening his tie, “It’s the perfect way in.”
“Way in? Sure…” he commented grudgingly, “Perfect? Far from it.”
Sam gave him a deadpan look, “Bikini Inspector will only get you so far Dean.”
“But far in all the right places,” he returned with a laugh, shrugging into his black jacket before picking up his EMF and slipping it into the inside pocket. Sam didn’t bother responding to him just picked up his keys and opened the motel room door.
Climbing into the Impala Dean quickly fished out one of his AC/DC cassettes and popped it into the player. “So just what do you plan to do if they ever come out with a new CD?” Sam couldn’t help but ask as they pulled away from the motel.
‘C? D?’ Dean mouthed as though hearing it for the very first time. He shook his head, “Sorry never heard of it,” Dean cranked the volume, his right hand smacking the steering wheel to the beat, as he sang along.
---SPN/SG-1---
Jack chose to forgo asking for a key from the owner of the motel, and instead picked the lock. They’d been lucky upon arrival there was no sign of the Winchester’s Impala. Opening the door carefully, Jack stepped inside the room, eyes scanning for any signs of traps or weapons.
Stepping out of the way so the others could come in Jack studied the lay of the room, noticing distinct differences in the two men. The bed furthest from the door was neatly made, while the other remained a mess, food wrappers scatter around both that bed and the table. Daniel and Sam were going through the stacks of papers spread across the flat surface while Teal’c stood near the door quietly observing.
“Jack,” Daniel exclaimed, “They’ve got copies of all the autopsy reports.”
Sam lifted a sheet of paper, “Here are the names of the victims,” she read a little more. “It looks like they’re trying to come up with a pattern among the victims?” the Captain left it a question, and Jack could understand why.
Removing his cap, Jack ran one hand over his short hair, “This is making less and less sense.”
“They also have several articles on the archeological find; maybe they made the same connection I did…” Daniel said the last more to himself than the others.
“You still think that, thing is a part of this?” Jack asked, Daniel hadn’t mentioned it since the Colonel had first stumbled on his friend going over the autopsy reports.
Daniel shrugged clearly not willing to commit, “It’s worth looking into.”
“Alright, go check it out,” Jack ordered, “We’ll set up surveillance here see if the Winchesters come back.”
---SPN/SG-1---
As it turned out the university’s main campus wasn’t all that far from where they were staying, Dean quickly found a place for them to park, and reluctantly shut his baby off, killing the music in the process. It felt wrong every time. Getting out of the Impala, Dean smirked catching several appreciative looks directed at his car.
“Are you coming?” Sam asked bringing Dean’s attention back to the hunt.
He loosened the neck of his tie a little and stepped around the car to meet his brother. “Do you know which building?” he question glancing around the open space, large buildings rising up all around them.
“Yeah,” his brother nodded pointing across the road to a brick building with a large tree covered lawn in front of it.
“Okay,” Dean drawled flipping his keys in his right hand before sliding them into his pocket.
They made it through the doorway, without meeting any resistance, whether it was the suits or their confidence that they had a right to be here, Dean didn’t know or care. He let Sam take the lead, as they came to a desk and office tucked in the corner of a three hall corridor.
“Good morning,” Sam greeted using his most sincere smile. “I’m Sam Flynn, and this is my associate Dean Koonz,” his voice was smooth as he took out the ID passing it across the desk. Dean cringed internally at the names Sam had chosen, he recognized them from a few of the books his brother liked to read.
“Could you tell me where I can find the artifacts recently dug up from the burial site?” Dean stepped forward also handing his card in, to the older woman sitting behind the desk. She reminded him of one of his eighth grade teachers a woman who had disliked him immediately. Dean offered her his best smile.
“You’re from the Jeffersonian,” she said passing back the IDs, “I was told you wouldn’t be arriving until the end of the week.”
Sam rolled with the problem like it was second nature, “Sorry, communications must have been crossed, we’re very interested to see what you’ve uncovered here.”
She offered Sam a smile, her eyes glancing over Dean, and too his surprise the expression didn’t slip. “Its right down this hall,” she indicated the one to her right, “Last door on you left.”
“Thank you,” Sam nodded even as Dean was making his way down the hall.
“Good thing they weren’t already here,” Dean commented voice low.
“I told you it was the perfect way in.”
Dean smirked, “Couple more days, and you’d have been had.”
“But I wasn’t,” Sam returned simply, waiting for Dean to open the door for him.
The room on the other side of the door was huge, wooden tables lining the center of the room, in four neat rows. Each was covered in bones, along with what looked like pots, broken arrow heads, and a number of items Dean couldn’t even name. More interesting than all that was the fact the EMF meter in his pocket went off the minute he crossed the threshold after Sam. His hazel eyes immediately sought out why. At the head of the room sitting on the only table perpendicular to the others sat the artifact they’d come to see.
Dean reached into his pocket to turn the volume down completely not wanting to draw attention, though Sam hadn’t missed the high pitched buzzing. They shared a brief look before one of the women in the room came to greet them.
“Can I help you?” she asked with a slightly shy smile.
Before Dean could get a word out, Sam had stepped forward, “We’re from the Jeffersonian. We’d like to take a look at your artifacts if you don’t mind.”
“Got here early did you?” the girl’s expression dropped immediately, “I know Tom Dancel spoke to you over the phone, we’re not handing over any of our findings to the Jeffersonian. We’ve got just as much right to research them as you!”
Dean held up his hands in a placating gesture, “We don’t have any intention of taking all this away from you; we’d just like to look around.” He extended his hand, a compelling smile curving his lips, “My name’s Dean, and this is Sam.”
A slight blush colored her features, “Oh,” was her barely audible response. “I’m Rachel,” she said taking Dean’s hand then Sam’s. “You wouldn’t believe the trouble we’ve been having from your higher-ups. They may be the foremost experts, but we’re not about to be kicked out of the find of our life time.”
“Totally understandable,” Dean agreed casting a brief glance at his brother.
Sam’s eyes were locked on the artifact. “Would you mind showing us what you have?” he requested, and Dean couldn’t help but smirk as he watched her green eyes light up.
“Well so far we know it was a Native American tribe, though we haven’t yet been able to identify which…” her conversation with Sam went on as Dean subtly made his way towards the artifact.
He caught a couple of looks from the men and women cataloging their findings, but no one stepped out to stop him. Obviously Rachel’s approval was enough for the rest. Dean pulled the EMF from his pocket careful to keep it out of sight as he swept the tables that he passed It was hard to tell if anything other than the central artifact was setting the meter off as only the last two lights in the array were flickering.
The lights went solid as Dean came to the table, slipping the EMF back into his pocket the hunter looked the item over. He found it immediately hard to stare at, Dean knew his eyes were fine, and yet it felt weird to look at it. From what he could tell, it looked to be made of bone or ivory, though he supposed it was just as possible that it was petrified wood. No matter what it was made of Dean could smell fresh blood around it, and thought he saw a small hit on the blood near the top, where it might separate into a lid.
“Fascinating isn’t it?” a deep voice asked and Dean looked up to see an older man, hair graying at the temples standing on the other side of the table. He offered Dean a brief smile before extending his hand, “I’m Tom Dancel, head of the dig.”
Dean accepted the man’s hand, “Dean Koonz from the Jeffersonian.”
“You’re here early,” he commented.
“Change of plans,” Dean brushed the matter aside, “I really wanted to get a personal look at this…” he trailed off, not sure what to call it.
Tom folded his arms across his chest, looking down at the box, “To be honest we’re not sure what to call it either, I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve searched just about every possible database out there.”
“Have you opened it?” Dean asked.
“You’ve got a sharp eye, Mr. Koonz.”
He shook his head, “Just Dean.”
“Most of the people working here didn’t even notice that it was a box, it’s awfully hard to look at,” Tom confessed.
“Yeah I saw the picture in the local paper, have you tried any other forms of imaging?” he realized it was probably a stupid question, but he needed to know.
Tom nodded his head emphatically, “MRI, laser scan, just about every camera known to man, both film and digital, along with camcorders.” His left hand reached up to scratch at his cheek, “But it doesn’t surprise me, if it’s this hard on the eyes without equipment what chance does technology have?”
“When did you take it off display?” Dean asked.
“Six days ago,” Tom answered, “I decided to pull the exhibit, when we began receiving messages that the artifact was linked to the sudden rash of deaths.”
“Does seem like an odd coincidence,” he nodded.
Tom leaned on the table, “But that’s all it is, how could an ancient box murder people?” he asked though Dean suspected the man didn’t want an answer.
“Have you tried night vision?” he tossed the idea out bringing the conversation back to the original matter.
The archeologist looked confused for a moment, “No, if we can’t see it in the best light what chance do we have in the dark?” Tom nearly scoffed.
Dean’s eyes caught sight of a camcorder sitting on the counter behind Tom, “Do you mind?” he asked pointing at the camera.
The archeologist seemed to consider it for a moment, before shrugging, “Can’t hurt, we’ve tried everything else.”
Stepping around the table Dean picked up the small camcorder, and flipped open the screen turning it on. Just for his own understanding Dean zoomed in on the item, but the box was even blurrier than when he looked at it unassisted.
“David, could you hit the lights?” Tom asked.
Dean noticed that Sam and Rachel had finally made their way to the last table, and Rachel’s pretty face was looking confused. “What are you doing?” she asked Tom, curiously.
“Just testing how night vision might do for viewing the artifact,” Tom explained just as the lights went out.
Switching the camera to night vision Dean felt Sam’s presence come up behind him, looking over his shoulder. Dean first did a careful sweep of the whole room, knowing none could see what he was actually doing. He was surprised at the number of flare-ups glowing brightly from various tables, and turning the camera to the main focus of the room it was no surprise why.
The artifact was near blinding on the camera screen; he guessed that the bones and what not around the room had more than likely been resting against the box before being discovered.
“Dean, zoom in,” Sam whispered.
“What have you found?” Tom asked coming over to Dean’s other side, his eyes clearly having adjusted to the darkness. “What the hell is that?” he demanded when he saw the screen. “It shouldn’t be glowing like that.”
Dean didn’t bother trying to come up with an explanation, instead he moved closer to the object choosing not to use the technology to give him a better look. Shifting the camera around Dean had to bite down, on his thrill of success. He’d found an angle that gave an almost crystal clear view of the small box, and at least one symbol that was etched into it.
“Sorry to have wasted your time,” Dean said shutting down the camera while quickly popping out the memory card. “All the darn thing does it glow, can’t make anything out.”
“But why would it do that?” Tom squinted as the lights were turned back on.
Sam stepped forward taking the man’s attention as Dean put the camcorder back where he’d found it. “Why can’t we look at it with our eyes without a headache forming behind them?” he posed the rhetorical question, extending his hand to Tom. “Thanks for your time, and thank you Rachel, your knowledge of the dig has been very helpful.”
Dean also shook both hands, offering Rachel a wink only to see her blush again. “Would it be a problem for us to visit the actual site?” Sam requested.
“No not at all,” Tom replied though he sounded disappointed, “I’ll let security there know you’re coming.”
“Thanks again,” Sam said before he and Dean made their way out the door, once in the hall Sam turned to his brother, “You found something didn’t you?”
Dean couldn’t contain his cocky smirk, “Damn right,” he nearly crowed tossing the memory card once in his hand.
“Looks like we’ll be sneaking into the site,” Sam commented, though he didn’t sound put out.
As they walked outside the building making their way back to the Impala, Dean tossed a look at his little brother, “Let’s go get something to eat!”
“It’s a quarter to four,” he countered.
“And I haven’t had lunch,” Dean contended removing the keys from his pocket to unlock the Impala’s door. “Did you bring your laptop with you?” he asked not remembering seeing Sam put it in the car.
Sam nodded his head, “Wasn’t sure if we’d still be out when Ash called.”
“Well you can take a look at this,” Dean said tossing his brother the memory key as he pulled his door closed. Inserting the key into the ignition Dean started the Impala, hazel eyes checking the street both in front and behind him. He suddenly leaned closer to the side mirror staring at one man walking towards the building they’d just left.
“Dean?” Sam asked curiously.
“Isn’t that one of the men we saw at the house?” Dean muttered not taking his eyes off the well dressed man, his brown hair nearly as long as Sam’s.
“Looks like,” his brother confirmed.
Dean eased the Impala out of the parking spot, being sure to not draw attention to them by bolting, “You think they’re on to us?”
“I can’t imagine why,” Sam said as they were leaving the University grounds, “There’s nothing military about any of this.”
“Didn’t you say an archeologist visited the morgue before you got there?” Dean asked driving back towards their motel, there was an excellent diner just across the street.
“You think that’s him?” Sam raised an eye brow slipping the memory key into his laptop. “I think his name was Daniel Jackson…”
“Look him up,” Dean commented eyes instinctively glancing at their motel, and immediately Dean knew something wasn’t right. Without hesitation Dean drove straight on past the diner and rounded the first corner they came too.
“I thought you were hungry,” Sam said barely glancing up from his work.
“The motel’s being watched,” Dean told him bluntly.
Sam stopped what he was doing, “You’re sure?”
“I’d like to get a better look on foot,” he confirmed, there were times when driving a classic car could cause problems. But Dean would never give up his baby for something that would blend in with thousands of others.
He found another restaurant a few blocks away and purposefully parked around back, where they wouldn’t be so easy to see. Turning the Impala off Dean leaned back against the seat pulling his tie off before looking at his brother. “Here, take my cell,” he passed it across to Sam, “Incase Ash calls.” Dean unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt, before shrugging out of the coat. “Go in order me a burger I’ll be back in ten,” he assured climbing out of the car, tossing the black coat into the back seat.
Sam was fast on his feet handing Dean his own phone so Dean wouldn’t be out of contact. “Be careful.”
“Oh and make sure they have pie!” he smirked moving to the trunk of the Impala where he’d left his own well worn leather jacket. Sam watched him laptop bag hanging over his shoulder as Dean carefully removed his Colt from the trunk along with a hunting knife. Positive no one could see him, Dean slipped them both away, before adjusting the collar on his coat.
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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