Sonofab*tch Dean mused as he read over the article he had pulled up. He knew he had found the creature responsible for the killings and it wasn't good, it was a Rougarou. A Rougarou was kin to the werewolf but much more dangerous. It can change anytime, not just on the full moon cycle. It was more dangerous with enhanced abilities and senses than the normal werewolves he had been up against. He needed a good plan before going up against it. He really wished he had backup on this case. Crap he thought grabbing a beer from the mini-frig and taking a sip. Dean started making a mental list of what he would need and if there was anything he would need to pick up. It was several hours before sunset and he wanted to be ready, this was going to end tonight. No more innocent people were going to die.

Sam pulled into the motel parking lot and glanced around looking for his brother's Impala. He didn't see it, so he parked in front of the office and went in hoping to find his brother's room number. After several white lies, he found out Dean had checked in couple of nights ago and was still in room 19. Making sure no one was watching, Sam picked the lock and slipped in. Looking around he spotted his bag, lap top and a couple of files laying on one of the beds. Curious to see what he had found, Sam flipped open the folders and skimmed thru them. He opened the lap top and brought up the last sites Dean had visited. Sam's face paled and chills inched its way up his spine. Holy crap, Dean thought he was dealing with a Rougarou. This was not good, not good at all. He needed to find his brother and fast before he got himself killed. Sam scooped the files up and headed back to his car. It was already getting dark and Sam knew he needed to hurry. He found the locations of both murders on the map and determined the quickest route.

Dean silently made his way toward where the last body was found. He was in full hunter mode now and every one of his senses was on high alert. He had been trained from an early age to use all of his senses to track his prey. Honed over the years, he embraced the warrior within him. He listened as the stillness of the night surrounded him and scanned the darkness enveloping him. He smelled the silky breeze that played its way across his face bringing a dampness he could taste. Moving again, he watched every shadow and listened to every noise trying to discern the one out-of-place. The area he was searching was between the two kills, so he hoped his hunch was right, the Rougarou would stay in the area it had marked.

The headlights swept over a black Impala as Sam made his way down the dirt road. He pulled over in front of it and jumped out checking the car for Dean. Seeing it empty, he popped his trunk and armed himself before heading into the woods. He was only guessing the way Dean had gone and hoped he was right. Sam had a really bad feeling about this and was sure Dean would not get out this unscathed. He was pissed at him for not calling for help, this was not a one man job and he knew it.

The half-moon slipped out from behind a scattering of clouds and gave Dean a small amount of light to search the woods. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up and he knew he was being watched by someone or something just in the shadows. He tensed as he turned his head slightly to the left readying the silver knife he clutched in his hand.

The Rougarou rushed Dean so fast he barely had time to get an arm up to protect his neck. He felt claws ripe thru his left jacket arm scratching his upper arm and raking down the side of his body as he was knocked off his feet. He grunted in pain as he felt ribs give, but managed to get a leg up between them knocking the beast to the side long enough to gain footing. Dean managed to get a shot off before it charged again. The shot slowed it down enough for him to side step slightly not taking the full force of the beast head on. He was batted into a tree knocking the breath out of him.

The monster spun and raked a claw across Dean's shoulder ripping jacket and skin, causing the hunter to cry out in pain. It backhanded Dean, sending him staggering into the clearing. Dean spun and stabbed with the silver knife making a small gash on the Rougarou's arm only to be struck in the head. The beast howled with pain as he began to transform back to human form. Knowing this was the time to strike, Dean fired two shots into the man's heart ending his life. He fell back to the ground as he felt blood seeping from his wounds and darkness clouded his mind as he tried to draw in a raspy breath, wishing he could tell Sammy he was sorry.

Sam heard a shot not far ahead, so he increased his pace scanning with his flashlight for any sign of his brother. He paused for a second until he heard Dean scream and a furious howl follow. He broke thru the bushes in time to see Dean fire two shots at a naked man and collapse in a heap. Damnit he cursed running to his brother's side.

"Dean, man can you hear me?" he cried carefully turning him over. He felt wetness on his hand and saw it was covered in blood. He started checking his brother's body for injuries finding many deep gashes that were bleeding heavily. He had a head wound and possible fractured ribs. Sam pulled out his vial of holy water and poured it on as many wounds as he could. He fished out Dean's vial and used it too. Grabbing pressure bandages from his bag, he began to wrap and tie them so he could control the bleeding enough so he could get him to a hospital.

"Sam…" Dean muttered halfway opening his eyes. "Let me go."

"No, you can't die."

"Stop…" he started but darkness drew him under.

"Hang on Dean I'm going to get you out of here." Dean moaned painfully, but didn't wake up. After tending his injuries as best he could, Sam quickly drug the body of the Rougarou deeper into the brush and then hefted Dean over his shoulder and headed for the car as fast as he could.

Sam leaned Dean against the car as he searched his pockets for the keys to the Impala. He finally dug them out and got him into the back seat. Racing to the driver's side he jumped in and wheeled the car around heading for town.

"I need help here." Sam yelled as he half dragged, half carried his brother into the emergency room.

An orderly and nurse hurried to him steering him to an open bed. They helped get Dean onto the bed and pushed Sam out-of-the-way.

"You need to wait out there." the nurse ordered as she began to remove the dressings and cut away Dean's shirt exposing the deep wounds. Sam not wanting to leave his brother's side eased to the side and watched as they starting taking vitals and getting an IV started. "Sir, please, take a seat out there." he was ordered again by the nurse.

Reluctantly, Sam found a chair and slumped into it. "We need to notify the operating room." he heard a nurse saying. Sam stiffened as he drew in a deep breath getting startled when an aide brought over some paperwork to be filled out for Dean. His hands began to shake as he notice the blood still covering them. He tried to wipe them on his jacket to no avail. He couldn't lose his big brother, not before they became brothers again.

Dean was taken to surgery as Sam watched anxiously from the hall. His brother looked as white as the sheet he was laying on. He followed them down a hall and was shown another waiting area for surgery patients. At least he was alone in the room with his thoughts.

Sam berated himself for letting this rift between then continue to grow. What if something happened to Dean in surgery? What if he didn't make it? Sam fell on the couch dropping his head into his hands rubbing his temples. He knew Dean was in serious shape and had lost a lot of blood. His only thought please let me have gotten him here in time, he couldn't die, not yet, not before he made it right.

His eyes were so heavy as he tried to stay alert, but the combination of stress, no sleep, and worry caused him to drift off. Sam jerked awake as he heard the door of the room open. He jumped up when a doctor came in.

"Dean Nash family?"

"Yes, yes, I'm his brother." Sam replied jumping up from the couch.

"He made it thru surgery, there was a lot of blood loss, we had to give him two transfusions, very deep cuts, fractured ribs, liver laceration, collapsed lung, head laceration, things will be touch and go over the next 24 hours. He's on a ventilator to help him breath until he can on his own."

"Please, I need to see him. I need to be there when he wakes, he'll fight the ventilator if I'm not there." Sam pleaded.

"He's in recovery now, when they get him set up in ICU I'll have the nurse come and get you. It'll probably be about an hour. We'll keep him there for the next 24 hours and if he is still doing well, we'll move him to a private room." he finally said after seeing how concerned Sam was for his brother.

"Thank you." he whispered, letting his body relax some knowing at least Dean was alive. He glanced at his watch noticing it was after 2 am and he was running on empty. He shuffled next door and fumbled in his pockets for change to get a cup of coffee.

"Sir." a nurse called softly to Sam from the door. "You can see your brother now." Sam rushed to her side tossing his empty coffee cup in the trash. He followed her out of the room and down the hall toward ICU.

"He's still unconscious, but resting comfortably."

"Thank you." Sam slowly made his way into ICU room 7 letting his eyes adjust to the dim lighting. Dean looked so small and still laying in the bed with tubes and equipment hooked up to his body. He made his way over to the bed pulling a chair as close as he could and sat down.

"Hey Dean." he whispered taking his hand. He squeezed it gently and looked into his big brother's face. It was calm and free of pain due to the heavy pain meds. Sam brushed tears off his cheeks as he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. "I'm here man, you're going to be alright. Please Dean you have to come back to me." he sobbed quietly laying his head by Dean's hand on the bed.

Pain was the first sense Dean felt as he tried to pull himself out of the fog that had enveloped his brain. His body didn't want to respond as tried to pry his eye lips open. He could hear the steady beat of machines around him and a hiss of something familiar but he couldn't place it. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't pull himself out of this fog as it overtook his mind once again. Before going back into the darkness, he thought he heard a familiar voice say his name, but couldn't respond. He could feel himself floating away and let the nothingness surround him.

He tried to get a breathe but something was stopping him. Dean struggled trying to get a hand to his mouth to remove the obstruction so he could breath.

"Dean, stop, it's ok, you're on a ventilator, stop struggling!" Sam insisted as he held his brothers hands down and tried to make him aware he was safe. "Stop it! Dean." Sam tried again as the machines began to beep irately. A nurse rushed in with a sedative she injected into his IV line.

"We may need to restrain him…" she started.

"No! No he's calming down, he'll freak out if you tie him down." Sam told her as Dean began to relax and the machines settled down.

"Ok, for now, but he can't pull out that tube." she cautioned.

"I'm not leaving him, I'll watch him." Sam said settling back down in his chair.

"Why don't I get you a cup of coffee." she smiled sympathetically.

"Thanks." he nodded rubbing a hand down his face and around his neck. He massaged the tight muscles of his neck and sighed. The kind nurse was back a few minutes later with a cup of coffee. He accepted it with a thankful smile. He opened the sugar packets and poured them into the cup stirring briefly before taking a sip. So better than the crap from the machine.

The sedative began to lose its hold on Dean as he pushed back the veil trying to focus on what his hand was feeling. His mind wasn't cooperating as he moved his fingers twitching them thru Sam's hair. Sam jerked awake and grabbed Dean's hand and squeezed hard.

"Dean, Dean, you're in the hospital, so don't panic. Remember you were on a ventilator before, you had a lung collapse. Come on man, can you open your eyes for me." Sam encouraged as he continued to whisper into his ear. "Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."

Dean's eyes flickered and opened halfway. Sam saw the movement and smiled as he felt a slight squeeze on his hand. Dean turned his head slightly toward Sam trying to speak.

"It's ok, I'm here big brother, try to rest, I won't leave you." Sam said carding his hand thru his hair to calm him. Dean leaned into his hand and let his eyes close. Sam wiped a tear that sneaked out of Dean's eye as he let them slide out of his own. He closed his eyes as he searched for that thin thread that linked him to his brother. He knew it was there, but had been dormant for a long time. He felt a tiny spark trail down that thread as he swallowed back the lump in his throat, Sam knew his brother still had a way to go.

The haze was finally lifting as Dean tried to match his breathing with the machine. He blinked to clear his eyes and bring the room into focus. He heard the gentle snores of his brother as he lay on the bed by his hand. Dean smiled to himself as he saw the innocent in his face, but also the lines of stress and fatigue. He shifted slightly and heard one of the machines beep angrily.

Alerted by the alarm, Sam jerked his head wiping the drool and started at Dean. Tired green eyes started back into his hazel ones.

"Dean, about time you woke up." he smirked. "Thought you were going to sleep the day away."

Dean motioned toward the tube questioning it's removal.

"I'll get the nurse, maybe they can take it out." he responded heading out the door. Dean laid back hoping this damn tube was coming out and soon or he might have to help it alone.

Ten minutes later Sam returned with a doctor.

"Mr. Nash, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked looking at his chart. He checked the machines and then turned back to him. "Your brother said you want the tube out?" Dean nodded slightly yes with hope in his eyes. "As long as you don't over exert yourself, we can try removing it. But if you have any problems it goes back in, agreed?" He nodded again and waited as the doctor gathered what he needed. He disconnected the machine, pulled the tape loose and carefully pulled the tube from Dean's throat. Dean gagged and drew in a shaky breath. Sam still gripped Dean's hand as he watched his brother carefully. The doctor put an oxygen line into Dean's nose and adjusted the flow.

"I'll have the nurse bring you some ice chips and write-up an order to move him to a private room later this evening." he told Sam as he wrote in his chart.

"Thank you Doctor."

"Be sure he takes it easy and rest."

"I will."

The nurse came by a few minutes later with ice chips that Sam offered to Dean. He slipped a few into his mouth and watched him like a hawk making sure he could handle them. Dean leaned his head back and lavished the cool liquid as it trickled down his parched throat. Water had never tasted so good as he crunched his eye brows to Sam wanting more. Sam spooned more into his mouth and wiped it as some dripped out the corner. Dean frowned and turned his head, slightly mused Sam was treating him like a baby.

"Get over it." Sam chided.

"Bitch." a raspy voice shot back.

"Jerk." he smiled happy to hear his voice. Dean accepted one more spoon before raising his hand he'd had enough for now. "Why don't you try to rest before they move you."

"'ammy..." he whispered so softly Sam barely heard him before closing his eyes to rest. Sam sat down in the chair sighing with relief.

"We're moving him to room 267. Once we have him settled, you can come in." the nurse instructed Sam as she led him out of the room. Sam waited outside listening the movement inside.

"Sonofab*tch." he heard his brother curse along with some other unintelligible words. Sam looked up and shook his head smiling to himself. After a few more minutes, Dean was wheeled out of the room and down the hall. Sam trailed along behind them watching a pained expression consuming Dean's face.

"We've got him settled and I gave him something for the pain that should get him thru the night. If you need anything let us know." she told Sam holding open the door.

"Thank you." he replied. Sam made his way over to Dean's bed and gave him a quick once over. He seemed to be resting easier and didn't have as much equipment attached now. He tossed his jacket in one chair and starting arranging the other recliner closer to the bed.

"Sam." a hoarse voice whispered.

"Dean, you ok? Is something wrong?"

"No, go get some sleep." he winced.

"I'll be fine. You just rest."

"I'm fine."

"No you're not."

"Go."

"And let you try to sneak out of here." Sam argued crossing his arms over his chest. Dean's features got dark, upset that Sam had figured out his plan. He was going to ditch this place as soon as Sam left. "Besides, I have your car keys and clothes." This just made his frown deepen. "Dean, I'm not stupid, I know you, you'd try to leave and injure yourself worse. So no, I'm staying right here. The question is, do I need to handcuff you?" he continued making himself comfortable in the chair. Dean huffed madly and tried to reposition himself letting escape a soft moan. "Need help?" Sam asked standing up quickly. Dean glared daggers at him just daring him to help. Sam sighed knowing that look and settled back.

Dean pushed his pain down, he hated Sam seeing him like this. He was the big brother and he was supposed to take care of Sam, not the other way around. If he could just figure a way of getting him out of the room, maybe he could make his escape. He was lucky the pain meds he was given were not as strong, they only dulled his senses, not knocking him out.

He began to take inventory of his injuries and how disabled he was. Dean looked over at Sam who had passed out in the recliner snoring and drooling. What he couldn't understand was what Sam was doing here and how he had found him so quickly. They had barely spoken to each other since they had rescued Mrs. Tran and Kevin's ghost went with her. Sam could barely be in the same room with him now. He couldn't wrap his head around it right now, his brain didn't want to work.

The nurse came in a couple of hours later with his medication. "How you feeling?" she whispered.

"I've been better." he choked out.

"These should help rest. Would you like some more ice water?"

"Yes." he said palming the pills and sipping the water. "Would you mind bringing my brother some too?"

"No, I'd be happy to." she smiled glancing over at Sam who was still asleep. She checked his IV and left returning with two cups of ice water. He thanked her and continued to sipped the water. Checking to be sure Sam was still asleep, he dropped the pills into the other cup and stirred it being sure they dissolved.

An hour later Dean grunted at Sam, "Sleeping beauty, hey." he mumbled touching his brother's hand.

"Yeah, what?" Sam jumped shaking the sleep away.

"I need to take a leak and… I need help."

"Do you want me to get a nurse?"

"No! Just help me sit up."

"Wait! Let me raise the bed up. Easy, watch your arm. Sit here a moment, ok." Sam told him holding Dean on the side of the bed. Dean was panting as he willed himself not to pass out. Sweat popped out on his forehead as tried to catch his breath. "You ok?"

Dean nodded yes and carefully put his weight on his legs. They threatened to buckle as Sam put an arm around his waist and tried to take the brunt of his weight. Dean managed to shuffle his feet toward the bathroom as Sam guided him.

"Got it." he told his brother grabbing the sink for support.

"Dean."

"Sam!"

"Ok! I'll be right here." he said pulling the door halfway closed and waited for his stubborn brother to finish. He heard the water running and peeked in. He grabbed Dean's arm steering him to the bed.

"You ok?"

"Yeah." he winced settling back on the bed. Sam lowered the bed slightly watching his brother's face.

"Here, had the nurse bring you some ice water too." he said handing him a cup. He took the other and sipped it.

"Thanks." he said accepting the cup and drinking. Dean watched him out of the corner of his eye as he drank most of the water. Sam settled back in the chair and closed his eyes. Dean rested for about an hour before looking back over at Sam.

"Sam. Can you hear me?" He didn't get a response and knew he had twenty minutes before the nurse came back in. He pushed back the covers and raised the bed so he could ease to the edge. He gritted his teeth as he put his weight on his legs hoping they would hold him up. He made it to the bag with his clothes and clawed it open looking for his pants.

Dean looked at Sam one more time before opening the door to make his escape. He knew the elevator was below his room and headed that way. Hopefully no one would stop him since he couldn't get but one arm into his shirt and his jacket was hanging over his shoulders. He knew Sam would have parked his car close to an exit and looked at the signs as he exited the elevator. Following them to the emergency room he kept his head down and walked as normal as he could out the door.

Thanks for all who are reading my temper tantrum. I hope you are enjoying it so far. Please review if you like, it makes my day!

NC