AN: All right folks, here's the next chapters. I feel like I've lost some of my fan base because I've been gone so long, but to those of you have stuck around all this time, thanks. These stories wouldn't be possible without you. Also there will be much writing in the next few days, as I have to have three wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow. Since I know I'm going to be sore and miserable, I'm probably just going to write...and sleep. Anyways, thanks again, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 3

Everything seemed to be against Sam and Dean as they headed for the Road House. Traffic had been backed up insanely due to not one, but two accidents. Then there was of course the blow out of the impala's back tire and the fun of talking there way out of getting arrested after they were pulled over.

Relief and hope passed over both of their faces as they pulled up into the dusty parking lot. The Road House looked the same as always. Dilapidated and worn, but despite it's appearances it was a stronghold. One in which information passed through daily from hunter to hunter.

Sam and Dean had never thought in a million years that Dorian would end up here. They never thought this would have happened to her in the first place. The good guys were always supposed to win, but both brothers knew that it didn't always work out that way.

As soon as they were in park they flew out of the car, running full speed towards the doors of the Road House. It was the middle of the day, so not many people would be around. Thankful for that they burst through the doors, eyes wide looking for the girl they had sought for months.

Besides a few stragglers the only person they recognized was Ash.

"Ellen!" Dean called.

The double doors to the kitchen swung and Ellen came through, shot gun in hand, though it was aimed at the floor.

"Dean, Sam." She nodded at them. "That was quick."

Sam felt his fingers twitching. "Where is she?"

Ellen gestured towards the stairs. "Up stairs. First door on the right. Either of you care to tell me what's going..." Before she could finish they were bounding up the stairs, lead foots slamming into the wood harder than a hammer hits nails. Her gaze followed them, wondering what in the hell she had gotten herself in the middle of.

Dean flew through the door and upon seeing the figure in bed, suddenly stopped. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment the world stopped. She looked the same. Almost.

"Oh my god." Sam's voice trembled. He took a step towards her, his mind scared to believe what it saw.

Her red hair had grown since they'd last seen her, and her face was paler than they were used to. She looked just like her, except all her scars were gone.

Walking over, Dean sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in his. "Dorian."

Six Months Ago

Dean looked up at his father. Tears shown in the older mans eyes, but stubborn as he was, John wouldn't let them fall. Dean couldn't understand why his father looked so heart broken. Sam was walking again and Dean was awake. The doctors couldn't figure out why. That mixed with John's dark demeanor had Dean a little worried.

"I'm sorry, son. I really am."

"Sorry for what, dad?" He was so confused as to what was going on. His father had nothing to be sorry for. Well he did, but somehow Dean didn't think John was talking about past indiscretions.

"Just promise me you'll take care of Sammy when I'm gone?"

He nodded. "I always do."

John patted him on the shoulder. "You're right and I know you always will." Leaning forward he pulled his son into a hug.

He knew in less than ten minutes two people that Dean cared for would be gone. John had tried to talk Dorian out of using herself as a bargaining chip, but she wouldn't hear of it. She wanted Dean and Sam to be okay as much as he did. He had truly misjudged her when they first met.

John pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and handed it to Dean. "Read this when I'm gone all right?"

Tentatively Dean took the seemingly innocuous piece of paper from his father. "Dad, what's going on?"

With a soft smile John shook his head. "Nothing, Dean. Just do what you've always done. Protect Sammy and find the demon that killed your mother." Leaning forward he kissed Dean on the head and walked out of the room.

Sam walked into the room, just as John was exiting. John smiled to his son and jerked Sam into a strong hug. "I'm so glad you're all right."

Sam returned the hug, finding a bit awkward. He and his father were normally at each other's throats, not in the middle of hugs. Under the circumstances though, Sam understood why his father was doing it.

John pulled away and looking at both of his sons, wishing he had done so many things differently. Given them a better life, a safer one, but they were on the path they were on and he couldn't change that now. He brought his gaze back to Sam. "I love you." He turned to Dean. "Both of you. Take care of each other."

Before either of them could say anything John left, walking down the corridor and away from his boys for a final time.

Sam looked at his brother. "What the hell was that about?"

Dean shrugged. "I have no idea."

He looked at the envelope addressed to him and Sam. The funny thing was, it wasn't in his fathers handwriting.

"She's still pretty weak," Ellen said walking in behind them. "Angel tried to do the exorcism without killing her."

"She was possessed?" Dean asked, not taking his gaze away from her. It made sense. What else would YED want her for. Still images of the first time Dorian had been possessed filled his mind. The demon had tormented her so much, he could only imagine what one of YED's lackeys had done to her this time.

"Yeah, and very near death's door too," She said shutting the door and leaning against it. "Angel said he basically did a road side exorcism which means he was probably in the back of his semi. He happened to be close to here. She's still running a bit of a fever, but we've gotten it to come down some. Being drenched in the rain probably didn't help. Anyways, she's been awake off and on, but not for very long."

Sam moved to the other side of the bed and took Dorian's free hand. "Her scars, there..."

"Gone," Dean finished for him.

"Look, not to cut this...whatever this is short," Ellen said. "But why don't you boys come down and have a drink. She's not going anywhere and I'd really like to know what the hell is going on."

"I'm not leaving her," Dean stated flatly.

"Dean," Sam said gently, knowing that the wrong words would only piss him off. "Dorian's safe, she's here. She's not going anywhere."

Dean's hazel eyes darkened as they looked up at Sam. "And you know for certain that they won't come after her? That they won't try and take Dorian back? I'm. Not. Leaving. Her. Alone."

Sam nodded. He knew that arguing this would be a lost cause. "All right. You stay here with Dorian. I'm going to go downstairs with Ellen and see if I can fill in some of the blanks."

Dean turned his attention back to Dorian. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sam get up and walk out with Ellen, slowly closing the door behind them.

He brushed a strand of sweat matted hair of Dorian's face. "Don't worry. I'm not leaving you alone, ever again."

He meant it. They had left her once and he swore he'd never do it then. He was going to hold to that promise and damn any demon that tried to come after her. They'd have to get through Dean first.

Still when she was better, the first thing he was going to do was kill her for being so utterly stupid. If his father were still alive he'd do the same to him, but John wasn't and Dean knew that it was his fault. Sammy had only been paralyzed, but Dean had been on the brink of death.

The demon used John and Dorian taking whatever he could get because he knew the both of them would give it. Dean was going to make YED pay dearly for that. First things first. Getting Dorian back on her feet.

Sam took the beer Ellen had offered him. She stared at him intently waiting for him to start the conversation. Sam knew that this was going to be a long story, so before beginning he took a long swig of his beer.

Ellen rested her hand on the counter, staring down the youngest Winchester. She didn't know why, but somehow she had feeling that this was going to cause her a lot of trouble. Wait a minute, she did know why. These were the Winchester boys and every time they walked into her bar there was a storm coming their way. She just hoped that her bar could withstand it.

Sam took a deep breath and began telling Ellen about Dorian. Luckily there wasn't anyone else around so they didn't have to worry about being overheard and this was not something that the other hunters needed to hear. In fact if Angel had known she was a witch, he probably wouldn't have exorcised the demon. He might just have killed them both.

Dean looked over at Sam. The envelope was still in his hand. He didn't want to read it not yet.

"What was that all about," Sam asked, walking over and sitting on the bed.

"I don't know," He replied swinging his feet over the bed. "But it sure creeped me out. Dad's not usually so sentimental."

Sam grunted. That was the understatement of the year. Their father had always been gung ho on what had to be done to kill evil. Affection to his kids came second. It wasn't a priority.

"Hey, Sammy." Dean glanced at the envelope again. For some reason he was almost scared to open it. "Don't you find any of this weird? I mean suddenly you can walk again and I'm awake when I should have died. Then dad being all mushy and gushy? It's just not sitting right in my gut."

He nodded. "I know what you mean, but I figured they would find a way out of this for us." He smirked. "You gotta admit, Dad and Dorian teaming up was bound to get results."

"Yeah, but..."

"We need a crash cart stat!" A nurse yelled from down the hall.

The envelope crumpled under Dean's fist and he looked worriedly at Sam.

Sam returned the gaze and a second later they were both out of the room. They forced their feet to carry them as fast as they could, despite the fact that the group was gathering just a few feet down the hallway.

"No!" Dean yelled trying to push past the uniformed people. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

John Winchester was lying on the floor, eyes wide, staring into nothingness. There was a soft smile on his face, as though he knew something the world didn't.

"Dad!" Sam cried, trying desperately to get closer to his father. They may not have been on the best of terms, but despite everything he had always, and would always love his father. This couldn't be happening. Not now.

A few of the doctors held the brothers back. They watched on in horror as the doctor shook his head. Looking up with saddened eyes, he got to his feet and walked over to the brothers. His words fell on deaf ears as he tried to give his condolences.

Sam and Dean were let go and they both fell on either side of their father, hearts breaking, throats closing from grief as they realized what their father had done for both of them.

TBC – Reviews always desired, though not required.