So this is a kind of 'what if' on Two Minutes to Midnight. What if Pestilence did a little more damage than we first thought to Sam (because that's what I like to do).

Usual, don't own any of them (if only…)

It's not prize winning, but I would be grateful if you gave it a shot.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The echo from the gunshots filled the enormous warehouse. Sam and Bobby stood for a few seconds taking in the scene before them through the smoke. Suddenly a cry for help tore through the silence, "There's still people here," Sam said, urgently, his voice cracking slightly. He glanced quickly at Bobby, "Sam, no…"

Sam turned to face his old friend, then took the knife out of the waistband of his jeans and handed it to Bobby, "Wait here," he ordered. As he spun round and lifted the gun up, he couldn't help a cough that escaped from him. This damn cough had been plaguing him for the last few days, and it was showing no signs of going away. If anything it seemed to be getting worse. But he couldn't think of that now, he had a job to do, he had people to save.

Bobby took the knife but didn't fail to notice the cough and the slight sheen of perspiration on Sam's forehead. There was something going on with the kid, but he wasn't sharing. Bobby held the knife up in a defensive position. He started when he heard a couple of gunshots. He brought his gun up when he heard running footsteps. He realised, in time, that it was Sam and some civilians that were running to safety, "Go!" He shouted at the terrified people. Sam began to cough again, this time doubling over trying to drag some air in, "Sam…?" Bobby tried.

Sam waved his concern away and took off back into the fray. Bobby couldn't help the knot of worry that had formed in his stomach. The kid was obviously not well, he was struggling, but he kept ploughing back into the warehouse. A noise behind him broke him out of his thoughts, and without thinking, he turned and plunged the knife into the unsuspecting demon. Before he knew it, Sam was back with more people, "All clear," he practically wheezed out. Bobby nodded, glad that they could get this finished and get back home, especially with the state that Sam was in. He was brought out of his relief by a streak of colour, "Sam!" He yelled a warning.

Too late! A demon had launched himself at Sam taking the younger man to the floor. He was straggling the hunter, choking the life out of him. Bobby's gun decided to jam just at the wrong moment. As Sam could almost see his life passing before his eyes, he noticed the business end of a shotgun making its presence known, and then the demons face was no more.

Castiel took a step back and looked at the gun, "Hmm I see they have their uses…"

Sam looked at the angel with shock evident on his face. Bobby was impatient, "Great! So can we commit our little act of domestic terrorism…"

Bobby leaned over and offered Sam his hand to help him up. Sam took the offered hand gratefully and pulled himself up onto unsteady feet.

A few hours later, Sam was pacing up and down Bobby's dark porch. The sun had gone down about half an hour ago, causing the day to lose most of its warmth, but that didn't matter to Sam. He was waiting for Dean. Sam began coughing again. The cough was really getting on his nerves now. There was no reason to still be coughing…unless…Pestilence had done more damage that was first thought. The thought had crossed Sam's mind but he dismissed it. He didn't have time for it.

His thoughts were broken by the familiar rumble of the Impala. As his brother exited the car, Sam mentally checked him for any signs of injury. As Dean walked wearily up the steps, he saw Sam and smiled, "I'm good Sam."

Sam nodded as he tried to stifle another cough. Dean, though, being the big brother noticed immediately, "Have to say bro, you don't look so hot though. You ok?"

Sam sighed, "Just a cough that won't go away, but I'll be good. Can't afford not to be – there's too much riding on this plan to trap Lucifer."

Dean humphed. He took hold of Sam's arm and began to lead him into the house, "Come on, I smell food."

When they got to the table, Bobby had already plated up the meal. Dean sat and attacked it like he always attacked any sort of food. Bobby ate quickly, but cleanly…unlike Dean. Cas looked at the food quizzicly but ate it all the same and Sam just played with his food. He really felt quite bad at that moment. His head was pounding, he couldn't stop the coughs and he was sure that if he tried to eat anything, he would promptly bring it back.

"So Death just gave you the ring?" Bobby asked incredulously.

"Pretty much," Dean answered, unable to look him in the eye.

"So what's the catch?" Sam enquired, whist unsuccessfully trying to stifle a cough.

"Sam, you sure you're ok?" said Dean, noticing again how pale and sweaty his brother looked.

"Don't change the subject Dean. What's the catch?" Sam demanded, causing the pounding in his head to make him close his eyes.

Dean's forehead creased with concern, but he left him alone, for now.

"No catch. He wants to be rid of Lucifer, just like us."

Bobby and Cas glared at Dean, knowing full well that he wasn't telling the whole truth, but Dean wasn't looking at them, he was watching his brother, who was massaging his temples, "Why don't you go and get some rest Sam," he suggested.

Sam opened his eyes with a start, unaware that he'd been watched, "I can't, we've got a job to do…"

"Come on, you're obviously sick, you need your rest."

"Dean I'm fine!" Sam snapped, causing Bobby and Cas to glance his way.

Sam was painfully aware of their looks, but the bottom line was that he didn't have time to be sick, even though his body wasn't co-operating with that line of thinking. He suddenly felt like he needed to get away from their concern, so he got up and began clearing the table. An uneasy silence settled in the room which Sam felt like he should break, "So what now?"

The other occupants of the room looked round at each other, "I got nothing," Dean replied, "You're the one with the plan."

"If Sam is going to go ahead with his plan, we need some blood," Castiel stated matter of factly.

"Whoa, wait a minute, you mean…demon blood?" Dean asked, suddenly liking this plan even less.

The angel just nodded.

"You've got to be kidding me! We've only just…" Dean jumped up and stormed into Bobby's 'study', Bobby and Cas following in his wake.

Sam, however, didn't have the energy to get involved in the heated debate. He knew what he had to do – that was enough for him. So he started stacking plates to take to the kitchen. He felt a pain in his chest again, as another cough rattled through him. Maybe he would take a pill and go to sleep after all. He got about half way into the kitchen area when a coughing fit overtook him without any warning. So quick and brutal was the spasm that Sam couldn't hold onto the plates any longer. They fell to the ground with a crash, quickly followed by the younger Winchester. He was coughing so badly that he could barely draw breath…