Jared sighed softly as he leaned his head back while waiting for the crew to finish getting the set ready for their next group of takes. He couldn’t seem to shrug off the depression that had taken hold of him since they’d returned to Vancouver after the convention in Chicago. After finally having found the one that they were certain was the Chosen One, they had been unable to get to her. She had ended up sick and had left not long after the panel. They’d found out from one of her friends, who had been given the quest to get their autographs for her, which they had given very willingly, but with great disappointment. It had broken their hearts on top of that to hear that she had been sobbing from her regret at not being able to get their autographs in person as well as having to miss Jensen and Steve’s performance. Luckily her room mate had been along with her and had driven her home and her friends had taken plenty of pictures and vids to make up for it.

But they’d never found out her name or even where she was. On top of that, they had discovered upon returning and searching their apartments and trailers that they had even thrown out the box she’d sent the gifts in, thus making it impossible for them to find out who she was through that. It had depressed all three Finders that they had been so close to finally getting the Chosen One and their own destinies straightened out only to have it ripped away by a simple stomach virus.

They had reported to Sati and the rest of the Elam what they had found and the mixture of joy and disappointment had only made Jared feel worse. He felt responsible for the entire thing. If only he had asked for her name when she had been asking them the questions!

He was knocked out of his thoughts by a light smack to the head and sat up while looking over his shoulder in surprise. Jensen sat down next to him and sighed. “Quit thinking about her, Jared. You’re depressing us all,” he growled and Jared ducked his head in embarrassment.

“Sorry, man…we were just…so close,” Jared mumbled and sighed as another wave of guilt and depression washed over him. He grunted as he was hit upside the head again and glanced at Jensen, who was casually looking over his email.

“Yea, well you’re radiating so much that the humans are picking up on it. Knock it off,” Jensen growled lowly, though he didn’t look up from his checking. He cocked an eyebrow then. “Huh…got an email from Sati. There’s going to be a gathering tomorrow evening in Wisconsin. Someplace called Waoo-saoo or something,” he remarked and looked over at Jared in interest as Jared turned towards him.

“She mention why?” Jared asked tensely as his very being seemed to be filled with expectation and anticipation. Something about this information screamed about their almost success in Chicago. He had a painful memory of the girl saying she was from Wisconsin.

Jensen smacked him again as he felt his lover’s thoughts roil with turmoil. “Dude, cool it, all right?! You’re giving me a fucking headache!” he snapped and had the pleasure of seeing guilt and apology in Jared’s eyes before he looked down at his email. “And no, it doesn’t say anything more, but she told me to tell you and she was going to contact Jeff as well,” he explained before chewing on his lip thoughtfully.

“We were the three who saw her…it has to be her, Jen! Gaia, we’ve almost got her!” Jared exclaimed in a rush and grunted as Jensen smacked his hand over Jared’s mouth to muffle him before looking around to make sure no one was around.

“Dude, chill it, would you?! Or do I have to get a hold of Shawn Ashmore to put your ass on ice?” Jensen hissed out and Jared snorted with laughter. “And you’re the one reminding me all the time to keep it under your hat!” he added before letting Jared go.

Snickering, Jared rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “I remember when Shawn accidentally used his power for real. Luckily Hugh covered for him in the filming,” he murmured and Jensen grinned at him as they both sat back.

“Can’t believe Hugh Jackman can mold metal to his body and then shape his body into anything…” Jensen muttered and Jared laughed.

“Yea you should see him at parties,” Mike Rosenbaum commented as he sauntered nonchalantly over to where they were sitting.

“Hey Mikey! Off today?” Jared asked with a grin as he bumped knuckles with their friend. He leaned back in his chair and stretched while thinking over if they could get flights for the next night. They’d have to leave probably that night…

His thoughts were interrupted as Mike this time smacked him upside the head. “Hey!”

“You’re making my head hurt!” Mike growled and glared at the taller man before sprawling in the spare chair next to Jensen. “So, get the email?” he asked with a smirk as he crossed his ankles and arms.

“Yea, why? You get one?” Jensen asked as he deleted his email and started booking flights for him and Jared that night. They were almost done with filming for the week as it was and they both knew that Eric would cover their asses if it didn’t work out.

“Nah, but I heard from Kathy Treber. She had contacted Sati with a warning about some kind of virus that might be targeted towards high level Elam powers and I’d heard about it and talked to Kathy as well. Said that it took on the signs of a stomach virus and, if not treated, could cause an Elam to die from dehydration…or just from throwing their guts up,” Mike explained soberly as he picked at his nails.

“And how did Kathy find out about this?” Jared asked softly as fear ripped through him. He could see his fear mirrored in Jensen’s eyes and knew they were on the right track. The girl had gone home with a stomach virus…was she all right?

“Her eldest daughter had come home from a convention with this virus. Kathy had been able to heal her, but it had been a close thing. She’d had to call on Mama Rose from New Orleans to help her with it when the virus passed to her a bit after she used her powers to start the healing process. Her daughter isn’t thinking anything of it though, I guess. She has no clue that she almost died because of her power,” Mike replied and frowned. “In fact, it almost sounds like her daughter has no clue she even *has* the gift,” he added and snorted.

“How do you know this Kathy person?” Jensen asked in an effort to quell his rising protective fear. He even went so far as to put a soothing hand on Jared’s knee as his lover looked about ready to bolt to get to Wisconsin. They couldn’t rush off without explanation. They were always being watched.

“I met Kathy and her husband Mike about seven years ago when I was in Dallas one time. The year after you were inducted, Jared if I recall correctly. She was there, supposedly, for a Mary Kay convention, but in truth, it was for one of the gatherings. Her eldest son and second eldest daughter were getting inducted so that they could control their powers that had been manifesting for the year before that, especially since her son was going into the Navy and her daughter was going to be dealing with wild animals while studying in college. I hear that her youngest got inducted recently too,” Mike responded with a grin and memories in his eyes.

“Yea, Philip. He got inducted after he left his wife, which is a good thing because she was a plant from the Faithful and had gone psycho on him. His induction saved his sanity,” Jared replied absently as he thought over this news. “Ok, so let me get this straight: Their eldest daughter hasn’t been inducted? Why not?”

“Cuz she’s never shown any signs,” Mike answered like he was speaking to a slow person. “Dude, you know we can’t induct anyone if they aren’t showing signs! They go mental!” he hissed out as he leaned in closer.

“Yea, but she’s showing signs now…right?” Jensen murmured as a PA walked past on an errand. They’d felt her power at the convention. There was no *way* that someone that strong wasn’t showing!

Mike waited a bit before answering. “No, she’s not. Kathy can’t explain it. But there’s something else that’s been added to this.” He stayed quiet for a bit until he was sure he had their attention. “I heard from the head of Creation Entertainment. He told me that they had found an operative in their group. This guy is the one that created the virus. Adam thinks they got rid of all of the virus samples as well as any data for it, but if the Faithful manage to reproduce it and it specifically targets high Elam powers, we’re doomed if we have to use our powers for defense. That’s why Kathy had to have Mama Rose come. They split their power so the virus wouldn’t travel to them after Kathy had been healed herself.”

“I bet that’s why Jeff is being asked to come as well. He’ll want to learn the healing techniques from Kathy,” Jared muttered and sighed as he rubbed a hand wearily over his face. “They’re getting more devious and powerful.”

“We have to get to the Chosen One before they do or all is lost,” Jensen agreed softly before cracking his knuckles. “She has to awaken before they kill her.”

“Her?! You mean you’ve found her?” Mike asked in surprise as he stared at them and they gaped back at him.

“Dude, you keep up with the other gossip and yet you’re out of the important grapevines!? What kind of gossip monger are you!?” Jared asked with a laugh and Jensen laughed as Mike flushed and muttered something under his breath. But before they could discuss it further, one of the other PAs came over to inform them that they were needed on set. With hurried farewells to Mike, they headed back to the set, once more optimistic that they hadn’t failed. Everything did indeed seem to be happening in Wisconsin.

Mike watched them leave with a small fond smile on his lips. It was a good to see their focus again. It really had been getting depressing having their guilt and self bashing going along the Elam mental roads recently. With a shrug, he pulled out his phone and dialed. “Hey Kristen! Message received and we are back on schedule! The moody duo is on track again!” he declared as he walked away.

TBC