A/N: Wow thank-you so much to everyone for the reviews! I was not expecting a response like that. It made my week. To the people I couldn't individually respond to, thank-you as well. I'm a bit nervous about this chapter so I hope you like it.

Sam made it to the top of the stairs, a moment before the boat went over. The hatch had snapped closed on him, probably from the gusting wind he could hear whistling down the opening a moment before. He tried pushing it with his hands but it wouldn't budge. He had no choice but to use his injured shoulder as leverage. He bit his lip to keep from crying out as he pushed it into the hatch. It came open, surprising Sam and nearly knocking him backward. Suddenly, he felt the boat going sideways and he clung to the top of the opening for dear life. He was unprepared for the gush of water that came flooding in, clogging his nose. He tried to take a breath, but he swallowed large mouthfuls of water instead. He realized he was now completely submerged underwater. He lost all sense of perception, his only thought was to get to the surface. His shoulder was useless so he used his good arm to push himself halfway out of the opening. However, he found himself unable to move any further. He was caught on something. He held on to the side to try to yank his coat free, but it was no use. He knew he couldn't get the jacket off. There was no room. He realized with startling clarity that he was going to drown. He tried again to free himself, his lungs screaming for air. He found himself calling out the name of the one person he knew would help him. He managed a soundless "D" before it died on his lips and the darkness claimed him. His last breath rose to the surface as a bubble, which broke and then disappeared.

oooooooo

"Sammy!" Dean screamed again in desperation.

Dean forced his head under the water, in a frantic search for Sam. He could barely see anything under the dark water. The sun was going down, and there was hardly any light at all. The boat was almost completely submerged. It was tipped on its side, but part of it was still visible. Dean struggled to get closer to it. He knew that there was a possibility that Sam had not been thrown overboard and was still below deck, stuck in that hatch.

When he was close enough to the boat, he dove. He made it only a couple feet before the life vest pushed him back up. He soon realized that it was going to be more of a hindrance than a help to him now. He struggled to unbuckle it as wave after wave pummeled him. He tossed it aside and kicked off, pushing himself under the boat. At first he couldn't really tell which end was which. His eyes stung from the salt water and he struggled to see. He couldn't hold his breath any longer and he pushed himself back to the surface.

The waves were still crashing over him relentlessly and he tried to hold on to the slippery surface of the part of the boat that was still above water. He took a quick breath and pushed himself back under. This time he felt around. He could feel the steering wheel of the boat so he knew that he was at the front of it. He went the other way, until he felt what he thought could possibly be hair. He strained to focus his eyes and he saw what looked like seaweed fanned out, when he quickly realized it was Sam's brown mop of hair. He saw his brother was stuck, halfway in and halfway out of the hatch. His head hung limply forward, one arm bobbing in the water. Dean pulled his free arm with all his might but Sam didn't budge. Dean's vision blurred as his lungs demanded air. He reluctantly went back to the surface, feeling the bitter sting of defeat. Blind panic set in and he wondered if it was too late for his brother.

Damn it, he thought as he shot to the surface. Every second Sam was underwater was another second that he was being denied precious air. He didn't waste any time. He took a quick breath and went back under. He found his way back to Sam faster this time. He realized Sam was snagged on something and he yanked his jacket with his hands. A piece of the jacket ripped away and Dean knew he was free. He grabbed Sam's arm again and pulled, his brother coming free from the hatch. He put his arms under Sam's armpits and kicked to the surface. He came up with a gasp, Sam now feeling like a dead weight in his arms. He knew Sam wasn't breathing but he had no idea if he had a pulse or not. He put his fingers against Sam's neck. His skin felt slimy to the touch and Dean shuddered. He thought he felt a sluggish beat but he couldn't be sure with the way they were still being tossed around. He positioned one of his arms under Sam's head and pinched Sam's nose with his other hand. He tried breathing air into his oxygen deprived lungs. He gave Sam three breaths when he realized he was losing his hold on him and Sam's head was again slipping under the water, the strength of the waves no match for him. He reached his arm out to pull Sam up, but a wave pushed him back and away from his brother.

"Sam!" Dean cried, struggling to keep his eyes on where his brother went. He spied something floating up ahead and swam as fast as he could towards it. He was dismayed to see that it was not Sam but the life jacket he had discarded earlier.

He tried not to get swept away by the abject terror that was clouding his thinking. He used the life jacket to buoy himself and did a sweep of the water in front of him. He saw what looked like a hand and he didn't think. He just swam.

He pulled Sam into his arms, and clung to him like he was a life preserver. In essence, Sam was the only thing that could keep him from sinking. Losing him was not an option.

Acting quickly, he grabbed the life jacket and hurriedly tried to get it on Sam.

With the life jacket in place, Dean treaded water and again gave Sam more breaths.

"Come on Sammy. You can do it," He said in between breaths.

Sam still wasn't breathing, his lips so blue that they were unsettling to look at. He looked almost gray and Dean recalled Sam on a bed with no life in him just as he was now. He thought of how unfair it would be to lose Sam again just six months later. He felt something track down his face and he tasted salt on his lips. He knew it wasn't the water.

He gave Sam breath after breath, the storm now becoming background noise, his sole focus on his baby brother.

"Breathe Sammy. Please," He begged.

He was finally rewarded when Sam coughed weakly, choking up some of the sea water. Dean carefully rolled him on his side so Sam could expel the water.

"Thatta boy Sammy," He said, shakily.

When Sam had finished coughing up the water, he waited to see if he would wake up, but he didn't stir. Sam's face was still so pale, that it looked almost translucent under the rising moonlight. He noticed that Sam had a gash on the side of his head, the blood standing out against the stark whiteness of his skin.

Dean realized that the storm had died down a great deal and it was no longer raining. However they were drifting. Dean held tight to Sam, also using the life jacket to keep himself afloat. It was now completely dark out. The weather was clearing, and stars dotted the sky. He was thankful that the weather was warm or else they'd be at risk for hypothermia. He looked down at Sam who was still unconscious.

"Sammy. Sammy," He pleaded, but he received no response.

He had no idea how serious Sam's injuries were and whether or not he could survive without immediate medical help. Sam was still breathing though and he held on to that glimmer of hope and let it be his beacon like the faint stars in the sky were guiding lights after the storm.

The water was calmer now, almost soothing as it rocked them back and forth. Dean thought vaguely of rocking Sam in his arms as a baby and how sometimes he was the only one who could get Sam to sleep. What he wanted most of all now was for Sam to just wake up.

Dean wasn't sure how long they were in the water, but he was nearing the end of his endurance when he looked up to see what looked like land about 100 yards in front of him. The starlight and the moon were illuminating what looked to be a stretch of rock on a shoreline. Feeling a sudden burst of energy, he wrapped his arm around Sam and began swimming towards it.

His arms and legs burned with exertion by the time he realized he could now stand in the water. They had made it to shore. Dean stood up and again hooked his arms under Sam's armpits, dragging him to the shore. He placed him on the sand where he knew the water could not come up and drench him. He carefully removed the life vest and collapsed on the sand next to Sam. His eyelids were so heavy that he quickly gave into sleep.

oooooooo

He came awake with a start. He heard seagulls calling loudly and the night's events came back to him in a rush. He couldn't believe he had let himself fall asleep. He looked to the right of him and was relieved to see Sam next to him. However, he quickly realized that Sam had not moved since they had landed on shore. He rushed to his brother's side.

"Sammy!" Dean yelled, kneeling down beside him. He gently patted Sam's cheek.

Dean was relieved to see Sam's eyebrows furrow in confusion or possibly pain. Sam opened his eyes slowly, giving him a bleary eyed look.

Dean took off his flannel shirt, and walked to the edge of the water. He balled it up and dipped it in. He went back to Sam and began to wipe at the cut on the side of Sam's head. It looked like it could use a few stitches but at least the bleeding had stopped.

"The boat sank," Dean said, trying to fill in the blanks for Sam. "We made it to shore."

"How long have we been here?" Sam asked, his voice raspy from disuse and the copious amounts of water he swallowed. He flinched away from the salt water that burned his wound.

"I don't know, a few hours maybe," Dean answered.

"Then how come your eyebrows are white?" Sam asked in genuine confusion.

"What?" Dean exclaimed, rubbing at his eyebrows. He realized they were caked in salt and noticed that Sam's were as well.

"You should see yours grandpa," Dean said, smugly. "How are you feeling?" Dean asked, noting Sam's pained expression.

"Like I got flushed down a toilet," Sam said, as he tried to use his right arm to push himself up into a sitting position.

"Ahhh!" Sam shrieked, as his arm collapsed under the weight.

"Talk to me Sammy," Dean said, startled by his brother's yelp of pain.

"I think I dislocated my shoulder," Sam said through clenched teeth.

"Do you want me to put it back into place for you?" Dean asked carefully, knowing how much pain it would cause his brother. Sam's shoulder had dislocated quite a few times over the last few months. Apparently it was some kind of side effect from what happened with Jake.

"Just get it over with," Sam said breathlessly, his eyes clenched shut against the pain.

Dean carefully maneuvered Sam into a sitting position. He grabbed Sam's injured right arm and bent it at the elbow, pointing Sam's hand upward.

Sam visibly paled and bit his lip so hard that he tasted blood.

Dean then grabbed Sam's shoulder with his other hand and pulled Sam's arm backward in one fluid motion. He heard the bone slide back into place as Sam let out an earth shattering scream that echoed around them.

"Sam, it's okay," Dean said, trying to calm his brother. "I'm going to wrap it."

Sam nodded shakily, sweat now mixed in with the dirt and blood on the side of his face.

Dean used the balled up shirt and fashioned it around Sam, so his injured limb was secured against his chest.

"Thanks," Sam, said tiredly. Dean grabbed his good arm to help him and Sam slowly stood up, taking in his surroundings. His ribs protested the movement. He had a notion that some of his ribs were either badly bruised or potentially broken but he opted not to tell Dean about it. Dean looked worried enough about the cut on his head and his shoulder.

They appeared to be in a wooded area. Sunlight broke through the dense expanse of trees. Sam figured it was most likely early morning based on the color of the sky, but he didn't have any real way of knowing. His watch had stopped because of the water.

"We probably should get moving," Dean declared matter of factly.

"I don't think we should. We aren't even sure what's out there."

"For all we know, there could be a road just through those trees," Dean said, giving him a stern look. "This place could be another island with civilization up ahead."

"But I left that distress call. People could be looking for us. If we move, they won't find us."

"What was that in the Boy Scouts' handbook? You weren't a Boy Scout, remember Sammy? Besides, we have no clue if anyone even got that distress call and our cellphones are ruined so we can't call for help. Come on," Dean said, beginning to walk towards the trees.

Sam slouched in defeat as he once again began to follow Dean. He was beginning to feel like this was becoming some pointless game of follow the leader.

oooooooo

They walked for what seemed like hours. Sam knew it wasn't that long but it felt like it for him, every step jostling his shoulder and his ribs. They were walking when they noticed their climb was becoming more uphill. Dean guessed that at the top of the incline, they'd find that road and this would all be a bad memory in a little while.

"We can rest here for a bit," Dean said. "Then walk the rest of the way up."

Sam gratefully flopped down on the ground. He was exhausted. His head was pounding and he longed for something to drink.

"I am so thirsty. All this water and not a bit of it fresh," Sam said, disappointedly looking out at the water which was still visible at their higher elevation.

"Well we'll be back in civilization pretty soon and you can drink all you want. I'm personally looking forward to something a bit stronger than water, if you know what I mean," Dean said with a smirk. "We'll keep going in another five minutes."

Sam inwardly groaned. The whole situation felt like déjà vu. He wanted to wait, to learn more about what was going on but Dean wanted to go. He felt his heart pounding painfully against his sore ribs. Dean wasn't watching the clock but he felt it tick down with every beat of his heart and it left him with an ache that threatened to consume him at times. Six months was all they had. His heartbeat had cost his brother his soul. It felt like a weighted clock in his chest, and a constant reminder that time was running out. Dean hadn't mentioned the fight they had on the boat but it was still very fresh in his mind. Dean calling him selfish stung a bit and maybe it was true in some way, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to save people, but he wanted Dean to be one of the people saved too. He thought back to the hunt when Dean had exorcised the demon. The thing had set the room on fire but Dean insisted on staying until he sent it back to hell. The girl that was possessed hadn't made it and he wondered if it was worth it. If that made him selfish, then so be it. Was it really worth it to kill all these demons if Dean ended up in hell with them?

He wanted time to research, time to find something to get Dean out of it. He wanted time and time was the one thing he didn't have. He was letting Dean down. Dean had given so much for him and he might not be able to do the same. Dean was always in a hurry. It was if he was rushing things when all he wanted was to savor the moments he had left with his brother. He jumped feet first into everything lately. He thought back to the hunt before this one. Dean was sure it was a demon when he read about the two people disappearing. They were possessed, he was sure of it. When they got to the house they tracked it to, Sam had suggested they hold off a bit and not make any sudden moves. Dean had kicked open the door and they discovered it wasn't a demon at all. The vengeful spirit attacked them immediately. The memory was painful for him.

He saw the knife fly at Dean.

"Dean look out!" He cried.

Dean turned to the side, the knife lodging itself in the wall right where Dean had been standing seconds before.

In the moment before Dean moved out of the way, Sam envisioned a world without his brother and his heart threatened to shatter.

They later found the people dead in the basement. Dean was all bravado, dismissing Sam's worries and acting like there was never any real danger.

He felt something tickling his hand and he saw a small beetle crawling on it. He went to smack it but he hesitated. Might be someone's brother, he mused, shaking his hand and watching it walk off. It reminded him of how painfully fragile life was and how in an instant, someone could be gone. He turned his attention to the water. The tide was coming in and he thought of their footprints on the shore being washed away. In six months, Dean would be taken away like the tide, then it would come back in and life would continue on without him. Like the footprints that were no longer there, all traces of Dean would be erased. The only memories would be the ones that Sam had of him. No one would know the person that Dean was, the guy who gave up his soul so he could live. He felt hot tears suddenly sting his eyes and he tucked his head in his arm, afraid that Dean might see.

"You sleeping there Sammy?" Dean asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"No, no I'm awake," Sam answered.

"Well let's get going then. Maybe we can get out of here before they stop serving breakfast at the diners."

Sam gingerly got to his feet. They continued on until they made it to the top of the incline and once again were on flat land.

Sam couldn't believe it. There wasn't a road at all, just more dense woods, surrounding them on all sides.

"Well crap," Dean replied.

"That's all you can say?" Sam asked, flabbergasted.

"I guess we just have to keep going."

"Keep going? Further into the woods? Are you crazy? I told you we should stay put!" Sam shouted, irritably.

"You know Sammy, I don't know what's gotten into you. I'm getting pretty tired of your sit on your ass approach to everything lately. Get your head out of your ass and quit acting so mopey. I'm the one that's dying here, not you!"

Sam didn't think. He just reacted. He swung his left arm, punching Dean across the jaw. He rounded on Dean, staring him down.

Dean's hand went up to his lip, checking for blood.

"You got me there Sammy," Dean stated with a humorless laugh. "Maybe the demon was right after all."

"Right about what?" Sam questioned, not backing down.

"You sure you can handle this one? You want all the answers do you? That's why you want to spend all your time in front of the computer. Well the demon said you came back wrong and I'm starting to wonder if you did!" Dean exclaimed.

Sam eyebrows shot up in shock. He was so stunned, that he actually physically backed up to the edge of the incline. His foot slid on some rocks and he suddenly lost his footing. He tried to catch himself but having only one good arm, he was unable to regain his balance. Dean reached out an arm to try to steady him but it was too late. He watched in horror as Sam fell backward and rolled out of his sight.

TBC