Landslide – Cave In 3

Disclaimer: Still the same as when I had first started this 'verse, I don't own any of the Supernatural world; characters or plots. I do however, plot a lot when it comes to Sam and Dean, plot, hurt, comfort and hurt again, sigh it's the best payment I can give myself! I do not receive any financial gains or gratuities of any kind from my Fanfiction.

Characters: Wee!Chester story, Dean is 17, Sam is 13. Also featured are: John Winchester, Bobby Singer, Rufus, Caleb, Joshua, Azazel and assorted demonic minions. OCs including Dr Micah Zimmer, the Payne brothers amongst others.

Warning: Foul language abounds as well as extreme violence and implied sensitive issues, if these are too much for you then please feel free to read some of my other gentler stories.

Dedication: To all of the very patient fans of this 'verse and to those who have sent me requests for the next instalment, this is to say thank you to all and I dedicate the entire story to you.

S—D

Chapter Two: What's Real?

Then:

Using the trees and plants as crutches as much as he could Sam dragged himself up the hillside following the pull he felt from his link to Dean. At first, he was fuelled by his anger with his father and his own feelings of impotence at being trapped in the wheelchair and back brace. If the others or rather if his dad thought he was useless then he was going to prove them all wrong. They can keep arguing he was going to find his brother. Though after dragging his fast numbing legs along the rocky and rough terrain Sam had had enough.

His foot caught a jagged rock edge and Sam found himself tumbling backwards down the slope back the way he had just pulled himself. 'No, no, no.' he sobbed slamming his fists into the ground when he finally came to a stop.

'Sammy?' Caleb's voice broke through Sam's self pitying thoughts and the thirteen year old squinted up at the familiar face hovering above him.

'C-Caleb? How?'

'How did I find ya?' Caleb smirked as he crouched down next to Sammy and helped him to sit up, 'first up how you doing? Hurting anywhere new?'

'Nope, just pride more than anything. I do feel a little numb but not completely.' Sammy answered as honestly as he could.

'Kewl, okay I left the others trying to reign in your daddy and wanting to find ya.' Caleb held a silencing finger to Sam's lips when the teen started to protest. 'Hey, hey it's alright Sam your dad'll calm down and well the fact that you managed to get as far as you did without any help at all well that says it all.'

'I have to agree with Caleb on that score,' Doctor Micah Zimmer said as he knelt down on the other side of Sam to Caleb dropping the first aid kit between them, 'so any new injuries?'

Now:

Dean stood stiffly in front of the Nuinine determinedly staring at the wall just behind her without giving her any attention whatsoever. The seconds turned into minutes as he found a tiny speck of black in the rock so very interesting that it took his complete concentration and attention.

Though he had to admit his leg was literally on fire from the inside out, sending tendrils of flames along each and every muscle and nerve. He wavered slightly but immediately pulled himself back and strengthened his resolve even more; he was not going to give the creature anything in anyway.

'Why so defiant my child?' her voice slipped along his skin as though it was made of silk, teasing the fine hairs just at the back of his neck on the way to his ears, 'I only want to make you more comfortable.'

Dean stoically stared ahead and acted as though he hadn't heard a word from her, though his resolve started to waiver as the lyrical voice began to sing in his mind. Strange words twisted and tickled his thoughts changing them and slowly altering his perceptions altogether.

'What are … what are you?' Dean said forcing the words through clenched teeth, finally breaking his silence.

'I have no idea what you are talking about dear child.' She said shrugging elegantly as she stepped towards her captive.

'Get … out … of … my … head.' Dean ground out.

'You have such a beautiful mind my child.'

'No … s-stop!' Dean said and gripped the sides of his head, 'stop, p-please.'

'Oh poor baby, it hurts doesn't it?' She cooed wrapping her arms around Dean's quivering shoulders, 'shh just give in to it, let my voice soothe you and the pain will go, just give in to it.'

'No!' Dean screamed and wrenched himself out her embrace, 'leave me alone bitch,' he spat out as he backed towards the wall, keeping everyone in his line of sight, 'just fuck off and leave me alone.'

'Stupid, stupid child!' She shrieked as she vanished taking with her the guards and once again, Dean was alone in the cave. Scalding tears started to roll down his face as he finally gave in to the pain and exhaustion; he dropped to the floor and pulled his knees up to his chest. 'So tired of it all,' he wept, 'so freaking tired … I'm sorry Sammy I tried, I'm so sorry.'

S—D

Sam pushed Micah's ands away and scrambled backwards until his back collided with the base of a large tree. Breathing heavily he glared at Caleb and then at Micah almost daring them to try and touch him.

'Sam? Sam what is it? What's wrong?' Micah asked confused at Sam's sudden attitude.

'D-Don't touch me pl-please … don't touch me!' Sam ground out, his head felt like it was going to explode and float away at the same time, on the very fringes of his awareness, he could feel Dean but the closeness of Micah and Caleb smothered the tenuous connection trying to form between the brothers.

Sitting back Caleb and Micah glanced at each other before returning their attention back to Sam, the thirteen year old sat with his back against the large tree trunk, his gaze fixed on a point just behind them, his green eyes became glassy and unfocused as he concentrated on that spot and on what only he could see.

'Sam?' Caleb asked as he started to reach out and touch Sam's arm but a shock of static electricity stopped him and he pulled back in shock.

'Dean?' Sam called out as he felt himself float out of his own body and glide towards that point in the distance where he knew Dean was lying so still; so close to death. 'Dean answer me please?'

'Sammy?'

'Dean, Dean I'm here,' Sam called, reaching out he tried to touch Dean's cheek but he was unable to make a solid connection.

'Sammy? No, no you have to get outta here, before she comes back.'

'No Dean, I'm not leaving you.'

'You have to Sam, you have to get dad…'

'They found him, he's alright and ummm already fighting…'

'Ahh S-Sam you have to let me go,' Dean said as he lifted a shaking hand to pass through Sam's transparent form, 'dude you're all sparkly.'

'We're coming to find you Dean,' Sam said when the pull to return to his body started to tug at his awareness. 'I – I have to go Dean but I'll be back with Caleb and Micah to get you out.'

'No, no don't Sam please don't come looking for me it's too dangerous.' But Dean's pitiful plea never reached Sam as the teen's physical body pulled his spiritual essence back with force.

S—D

Sam gasped with the force of the recoil back into his consciousness and physical body, he felt his stomach clench and twist in a desperate bid to expel any contents.

'Sam?' Micah asked as he inched forward towards his young patient, 'Sam can you hear me?'

'M-Micah?' Sam blinked wearily both his waning strength and energy were gone; he felt lethargic, his head felt heavy and all he wanted to do was sleep.

'Hey Sam can you tell me what happened?' Micah asked as he quickly checked Sam's vitals, 'you were gone kiddo.'

'Huh?' Sam blinked owlishly at the medic unsure of what was said to him 'sorry Micah m'tired, so tired.'

'Sam did you … did you go to Dean again?' Caleb asked as the realisation of what had happened hit him.

'He's … dying Cal.' Sam whispered as his exhaustion took over and he slumped against the tree in such a deep sleep, he appeared unconscious.

Silently Caleb stood up and gently gathered Sam into his arms; with innate tenderness, he cradled the teen against his chest and with Micah covering them from behind, made his way back to the motel.

'Dear Lord what happened?' Jim said as he opened the door to the weary trio, 'where? What? How?'

'Slow down Preacher before ya give yerself a heart attack,' Caleb said with a grin as he moved into the room and albeit reluctantly relinquished his precious cargo to the soft warmth of the bed. 'He's exhausted more than anything.'

'Where did you find him?' Jim asked as he watched Micah give the sleeping teenager a complete exam, concern etched across his craggy face when he noticed Sam didn't even flinch in his sleep at the intrusion.

'Half way up the mountain, the only thing that stopped him was the fact that his legs went numb from over exertion,' Micah said without looking up, 'actually we think he slipped down a ways and he got even further than where we caught up with him.'

'All without his braces?' Jim asked shaking his head slightly, 'stubborn Winchesters!'

'Sam?' John's deep gravelly voice made the others turn towards the doorway, John stood with the aid of Bobby staring down at the small frame lying in the bed, 'is he?'

'Sleeping, he's exhausted John,' Micah said, 'what are you doing out of your chair?'

'I have to get moving Doc, no more sitting around, if we're going to find Dean we have to get going, all of us.' John said as he slowly limped towards the chair next to Sam's bed, 'me and Sam included.'

'Who are you and where's the real John Winchester?' Caleb quipped cheekily as a shocked silence descended on the occupants of the room.

'D-Dean?' Sam cried out his brother's name as he started to writhe in the bed, the first sure sign of a nightmare building momentum, 'no … no … Dean don't go!'

'Sam, Sam son wake up,' John said gently shaking Sam's shoulder he ignored the others as he tried to bring his son back from the horrors invading his subconscious.

Jim motioned for the others to follow him into the adjoining room giving father and son some privacy and giving them a chance to talk to Micah and Caleb about Sam's attempt at running away.

S—D

John waited until he heard the door close between the rooms, now they were alone, he carefully got up and slid into the bed next to Sam. Tenderly he lifted Sam up and cradled him against his side with his head resting on his father's shoulder. In hushed tones, John continuously talked to Sam slowly bringing him back from the grip of the nightmare assaulting his subconscious.

For the first time in a long time John took a good look at his youngest boy, small for his age Sam gave an air of innocence and vulnerability about him that Dean never had. Two brothers, and yet two completely different boys. With a small smile, John remembered the day Dean was born, he came out screaming and wide eyed within minutes of his birth he had the nurses falling over themselves wanting to look after him. 'Should've realised then what a magnet for the women Dean was gonna be,' he said as he hugged his youngest boy a little tighter, 'your brother was a handful from the start, a real livewire with unending energy,' John chuckled softly as one particular memory came back with crystal clarity. 'Dean was no more than two months old, he had the blondest hair and these big green eyes that could melt the hardest of hearts. Anyway no matter what we did we couldn't get Dean to sleep this one day, we put him down and he'd play for a while kicking his feet and then he wanted to be picked up. Your mom fed him, bathed and changed him, I played with him, we took him for a walk in the park, a drive around town, and yet at the end of the day he was still wide awake. Two months old and was already wanting to do all nighters.' John shook his head remembering how exhausting those first few months were settling in with their baby boy. 'The older he got the more energy he seemed to have he was walking at nine months as well as talking. Honestly Sam I honestly don't know how your mom and me got through those first months with your brother, once he was walking he was running and trying to escape no matter what we did to reign him in. Except for the car, put him in the impala and drive and he was an angel, he'd sit in his seat and stare out the window content as long as he was in that car. Even then he loved the impala more than anything else, his face would just light up the closer he was to it, until guess he would've been three no four, that's right your mom was pregnant with you. Anyway we couldn't find him anywhere in the house, your mom wasn't feeling too good this time round and was getting upset and then we heard the car start up. Your brother managed to get hold of the car keys, get outside and in the car. Dunno how long he tried but he managed to get the keys into the ignition and to turn it on. Gave himself a helluva fright when the car actually started, he was crying his heart out when I found him. I didn't have the heart to punish him, I think the fright did enough coz that was it for him for a long time.' John paused and looked down to see a pair of sleepy green eyes blinking long and slow while watching him. Giving his son a tender smile John continued to tell Sam stories of their lives before Mary's death.

'The day you were born, Dean was so excited but worried at the same time. Ya see Sammy, your mom didn't do so well while she was pregnant with you, and for the last trimester the doctor ordered her to have complete bed rest, so your brother at the age of four years decided to take it upon himself to look after your mom. He refused to leave her to go to preschool or the sitter's no where, he just wanted to stay with his mom and little "brudder". He said all along that you were going to be his brother and that was it, he was not going to have any girl sister. Your mom went into premature labour, you were in such a hurry to come out, anyway I had just left to go and pick up Karen to come and sit with Dean and your mom while I worked when she started labour.' John smiled as he himself became lost in the memory as he shared it with Sam who was only just aware of what his father was saying. It meant more to the thirteen year old than anything else, not for the stories and memories but for the fact that his dad was hugging him, and consoling him with them, taking away the pain and fear and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness the nightmare had brought with it.

'By the time I got back with Karen, Dean had dragged your mom's suitcase to the front door, helped your mom downstairs to the living room, he even managed to get her slippers on the right feet. He was sitting next to her on the couch, with his hand on her belly and each time a pain started your mom told me later that he would talk to you, telling you not to be scared and that he'd see you soon. That he was your big brother and would always look after you.' John's voice cracked slightly and managed to wipe the moisture from his eyes, 'he got so angry when they wouldn't let him in while your mom had you, nothing would console him until your aunt Karen took him to the hospital cafeteria for pie and milk. By the time they came back you were born and he got to hold you before they put you in the incubator and whisked you away to the neonatal intensive care unit. You were in that thing for five weeks, you were so small Sammy, you were all arms and legs and fitted in my hand. I was so scared when I held you that I was gonna break ya, you were so fragile. Though when Dean was allowed to come up and see you, you immediately started to thrive and respond to his voice, it was like you already knew who he was.

Your mom was finally well enough to come home and then you came home a few weeks later and Dean was so excited, he helped us fix up the nursery for you, even put Mr Ears his stuffed blue bunny in your crib to keep you safe like he had with Dean. You really started to grow then, and by the time you were six months …'

'Dad?' Sam whispered after John had fallen silent, lost in the rest of his memories of that fateful night, 'you okay dad?'

'Yeah m'fine Sammy, how bout you?' John looked down at those luminous green eyes; they were paler than his and Dean's, the colour of the sea, where theirs were more a darker forest green, John realised then that Sam's eyes were a mix of his and Mary's, 'funny thing Sammy you always resembled me and Dean was more like your mom except in eye colour. Your eyes are a mix of hers and mine where Dean's are straight out the same colour as mine.'

'Thanks dad,' Sam sighed yawning widely.

'What for?' John asked genuinely confused.

'For ahh telling me bout that stuff, I never knew I was a premmie or about Dean when he was little.'

'How bout you get some sleep now huh?'

'M'sorry dad.'

'What for?'

'For fighting and for running away and stuff…' Sam mumbled against his father's shoulder but John was able to understand most of it.

'Just … just don't do another runner alright?' Although all John got in answer was a soft snuffling snore, 'sleep well son.'

S—D

Dean felt himself being lifted and carried somewhere but he couldn't bring himself to care who was carrying him or why. He didn't bother opening his eyes or to give any indication that he was aware of what was happening. All he concentrated on was the fading face of his baby brother, the scrawny little baby they let him hold before taking him away, the baby his dad put in his arms the night of the fire, the kid who was so scared of being alone; Sam's face was starting to fade from Dean's awareness.

Dean felt his body moving and tried to garner enough energy to open his eyes but when he felt hands moving over his chest and abdomen, he felt a surge of adrenaline fuel his energy base and he bucked and fought, eyes wide open and filled with a sudden blood lust Dean reacted.

Payne lay on the floor groaning and clutching himself, another two guards were also on the floor but they were unconscious. Dean crouched in a corner panting heavily, he fought to regain his balance and focus, slowly the blurriness became sharper and he was able to see enough to start moving.

Warily he started to move past Payne when the crazed man grabbed his still healing leg and yanked hard pulling Dean off balance. Tumbling awkwardly the seventeen year old cursed under his breath and scrambled to get away from the outstretched hand.

'Get off me!' He yelled and kicked out as hard as he could, smirking when he heard the gasp of pain coming from his potential attacker. 'Pervert.'

Taking a deep breath Dean ran as fast as his injured leg could manage, he slid haphazardly around bends as he felt himself slowly make his way upwards. A burst of fresh air rushed against his face giving the teen a much needed boost. Taking a breath Dean felt an energy surge renewing his determination; just a few feet away he saw daylight coming through a crevice in the rocks.

Just as he reached out to touch the cool rock and to breath in the rich, clean and cool air from outside he felt the brunt of an invisible attack pushing him face first into the cave wall. Dazed he tried to regain enough self-control to crawl out of the narrow opening when he was assaulted once again. This time though Dean remained lying where he landed, not moving and bleeding. A transparent hand reached down to stroke the side of his face before rolling Dean over onto his back. The ghostly hand pulled hard on his chin forcing his mouth open and as Dean lay unconscious a cloud of grey smoke descended towards his mouth, it hovered for a brief second before disappearing down Dean's throat.

TBC