Part three of trilogy (so far). Takes place after Sanity and Visions and Nightmares.
Rated M for language and violence.
Summary: The boys are off on their newest hunt, but neither of them were prepared for the outcome. Between an unexpected werewolf attack and a very pissed off demon, the boys have a rocky road ahead of them. Are they up to the challenge?
Disclaimer: I do not own Sam, Dean, Bobby, Missouri, or anything Supernatural related, but the story is mine. Enjoy!!
Keep me posted on what you would like to see in upcoming chapters!!
Sam glanced over to the passenger seat at his apparently sleeping brother. They had switched places a few miles back at Sam's insistence that Dean needed to get some rest and not over exert himself.
Dean lay curled against the passenger window wearing his dark shades to block out the sunlight.
"Dude, if you spent as much time watching the road as you did spying on me, we'd be there already." Sam jumped at hearing his brother's voice.
Turning his eyes back to the road, Sam blushed profusely. "I thought you were asleep."
"How could I sleep with you gaping at me constantly? I mean, I know I'm good lookin' and all, but I hate that feeling of being watched."
Sam rolled his eyes at his brother's antics, then the corner of his mouth pulled up in a small smirk as a memory hit him. "You always hated it. Ever since that girl that had a crush on you in Elementary school. She used to stare at the back of your head from a few rows behind you."
Dean groaned at the memory. "Ugh… every class… why did you have to go and bring that up?" Sam chuckled at his brother's discomfort.
"You were her knight in shining armor. You beat up the bully that stole her roast beef sandwich…"
"Why do you remember all that? Seriously dude… you're freakin' me out."
Sam continued simply to antagonize Dean. "Haha… and then you asked dad for advice on how to make her stop staring and he said…"
"Don't bother, it'll improve your hunting instincts. Yeah, yeah…" Dean mimicked his father's voice as he slowly sat up.
On the way back to vertical, Dean groaned as the movement tugged on his still recovering muscles. Sam glanced worriedly at him again.
"You okay man?" he asked, all joking aside.
"I'm fine, Sam. Where the hell are we?" Dean deflected, glancing around.
Sam knew he was deflecting but let it pass because he also knew that arguing the point would just make Dean shut down even more.
"Don't even worry about it. We're still a few days out."
"Seekonk, huh? Are we even sure this place exists?"
"Yeah, Dean. I googled it. It's out there, but we've still got a few states to go."
"I can't wait to get back to the hunt. God, I feel so freakin' useless just sitting around."
"You needed time to heal, man. You're only human you know."
"So I've been told." Dean said more to himself than Sam as his mind ran back to Missouri and the humongous chick flick moment they had before they left. Sam risked another glance at his brother, only half hearing his words.
"What was that?"
Dean shook his head and pulled himself back to the present. "Nothin' dude. When are we pulling over for lunch? I'm starved."
"Me too. We'll get off at the next exit and see what's around. Why don't you try to get some rest in the mean time?" Sam suggested lightly.
"I said I'm fine, Sam," Dean said defiantly. Sam gave his irritated huff and non-too-gently pulled the Impala over to the side of the highway and parked it.
"What the hell, dude?" Dean shouted in shock as they nearly side-swiped a passing truck.
"Dean… when was the last time you slept?"
"What the hell are you talkin' about? I slept last night!"
"No, Dean, you didn't. I kept waking up and you were either pacing the room or watching infomercials."
"Yeah, well… I learn from the best."
"What is going on with you, man? The mark is gone, you're fever is gone, and you were doing really well, but this lack of sleep is starting to wear you down."
"Christ, Sammy. Not now, okay? I've already got a headache as it is." Sam was getting annoyed with the fact that he was talking to his brother's sunglasses and couldn't see Dean's expressive eyes that told Sam everything he needed to know. Once he realized that Dean usually takes the glasses off when he is not trying to sleep, Sam's concern grew tenfold.
"Dean, take your glasses off for a sec."
"What? Why?"
"Just do it man!" When Dean hesitated, Sam reached out and pulled them off himself.
"Hey!" Dean exclaimed, shielding his eyes from the light.
"Look at me, Dean," Sam demanded, pulling Dean's arm away from his face. Dean grudgingly did as he was asked. Sam's mouth fell open in shock when he saw how bloodshot Dean's eyes were set against the pallor of his skin. "Shit, Dean… you look like you haven't slept in a month!"
Dean scowled at him, grabbed his glasses back and put them back on. "Probably just allergies…" Dean grumbled.
"You don't have allergies, Dean," Sam stated forcefully.
Dean chuckled at that. "True, you're the one allergic to dogs. That sucks, dude."
Sam huffed again, knowing this was yet another attempt at deflection from his big brother. Refusing to get sidetracked, Sam barreled on.
"I knew it. We should have stayed longer and let you rest more. You aren't ready for a hunt, Dean."
"Bullshit! I'm fine, and we took a long enough vacation. That doppelganger killed three more people while you kept me under lock and key you know."
"You can't save everyone, man."
"Yeah, well. I can damn well try." Dean turned to face his window, clearly giving off a vibe that that was the end of the conversation. Sam nodded, conceding to his brother's wishes for now.
As a peace offering, Sam grabbed the first aid kit from the floor of the backseat and dropped it in Dean's lap. "Check in there. I think there's some eye drops."
Dean nodded his thanks and began searching for the drops while Sam pulled back onto the road.
He thought his brother still looked like crap, but if Dean wanted to hunt, there was no stopping him. Sam saw the sign for a fast food joint just off the next exit. Maybe after they ate something they would be in better moods and Dean wouldn't look so pale.
Sam knew this was wishful thinking, but he'd take what he could get. He pulled off at the exit and within the next five minutes, pulled into the fast food restaurant. Sam cut the engine and turned to Dean prepared to attempt talking to his brother again when Dean threw his door open and dragged himself out.
"You comin' or what?" Dean threw back over his shoulder as he headed inside. Sam sighed in resignation then climbed out and followed his brother in. They found a nice and quiet table in the back corner where they could see all the customers and exit signs. This cautiousness was engrained into them when they should have been learning to hit a baseball or throw a football.
Always know your surroundings and where the nearest exits are. Watch your backs at all times, you hear me?
His father's words rang through Sam's mind, clear as ever. He pushed away the sadness that accompanied the thoughts of his father. Glancing across at Dean who was immersed in his menu, Sam relaxed slightly when he noticed Dean no longer looked like he went thirty rounds with Bloody Mary.
Sam knew he was pushing his luck, but he wanted answers. "So… what? Are you afraid the demon still has access to your dreams?" he asked softly, making sure they didn't draw attention to themselves.
Dean glared at Sam over his menu. "Drop it, Sam."
"Just answer me, Dean! Have you slept at all since we brought you out of it last time?"
"You make it sound like it's been months, Sammy. It's not that bad."
"It's been over a week, Dean! After the first 72 hours your focus and memory can be impaired and you can start hallucinating."
"Thank you doctor Sam. Next time I see a large pink bunny I will be sure to inform you immediately."
"Next time?" Sam pushed.
"Oh for cryin' out loud…" Dean rolled his eyes and stood up.
"Hey, where're you goin'?" Sam asked, beginning to rise himself.
"I gotta take a leak, dude. Don't even think about following me into the men's room."
Sam held his hands up in surrender and sat back down, watching his brother wander off. He told himself then and there that he would have to keep an extra close eye on his brother. Something was clearly wrong, and Dean's lack of sleep could be a danger to both of them.
He sure as hell couldn't let Dean hunt in the state he is in. He could get them both killed.
TBC
So what do you think so far? A little slow for an opener, but I needed to establish a few things that will be important in chapters to come. Please respond!!
