Voice of Reason

Sequel to Who Am I?

Disclaimer: Sigh nope not putting claim on the boys or anything pertaining to Supernatural since we have our show for another season and we want the powers-that-be to keep our show on air as long as possible!

Warnings: Rated for violence and sensitive issues, so if you get squeamy please don't come running to me, you have been warned!

Note: I am picking this story up not far from where I ended Who Am I? So if you haven't read that I suggest that you do first and then come back here for the rest...

CHAPTER 4

Caleb refused to leave Sam's side even with the threat of certain torture and probably death. But when the demon saw the panic rising in Sam he hissed and disappeared leaving behind the sulphuric ashes and smell.

'Deanie? Wanna go home now.' Sam pouted clutching Caleb's hand.

'Doctor?' Caleb looked up nervously at the doctor Sam was deteriorating by the minute.

'Sam, Sam can you look at me?' Doctor Mac asked frowning angrily at the young man making Sam whimper and clutch at Caleb even harder with his good hand. 'Sam look at me.'

'Go way, you're a bad man.' Sam cried out pulling Caleb closer to him, 'scared Deanie.'

'It's okay Sammy no one's gonna hurt you.' Caleb said softly, 'what the hell do you think you are doing doctor?'

'From what I can tell, Sam has completely reverted to a child's mentality I am not a psychologist but I feel that this time there may be no coming back.'

'Are you saying that he is going to stay a child in his mind?' Caleb asked appalled at the thought, to be a child trapped in an adult's body, a very large adult's body. 'Oh god Sammy I am so sorry.'

'His paralysis is another point of concern for me, he has profound muscle wastage, without use and strength building exercise the muscles have started to waste and breakdown. I fear that Sam is ...'

'Don't you dare say it doc don't you dare Sam is not going to die now or anytime soon.'

'His body is breaking down young man, his heart and lungs are showing signs of damage and compounded with the abuse and brain damage, there is nothing more I can do for him.'

'Deanie? My head hurts.' Sam whispered tugging on Caleb's shirt, 'head hurts.'

'Can you give him something to ease the pain?' Caleb asked feeling completely out of his depth.

'That is about all I can do for him.' Doctor Mac sighed filling a syringe he held it menacingly over Sam's face watching for any signs of his faking. Sam's large luminous eyes fixed on the needle tears trickling down his cheeks, his breathing hitched.

'No, no, no go way don't want it, no Deanie!' Sam screamed trying to move his unresponsive body as the needle came closer, 'go way.' Terrified Sam closed his eyes and screamed as his fear and temper collided, forcing a wave of psychic energy to pulsate through the room, sending the doctor crashing against the wall. Stunned Caleb stared down at Sam, who eventually opened his eyes and stared up at the man, fresh tears falling, 'hurts Deanie, Sammy hurts.' He whimpered brokenly. 'Sleepy.'

'It's gonna be okay Sammy.' Caleb whispered hoarsely unsure of what to say or do, his stare fixed on the unconscious doctor lying on the other side of the room and of the mayhem that had surrounded them. 'We gotta get you outta here.'

'Home?'

'Yeah Sammy we gonna go home, but I need your help.' Caleb said crouching down to meet Sam's guarded gaze, that was when he saw the flicker of intelligence behind those green eyes.

'Home Deanie?' Sam whispered in a tight voice.

'Home Sammy but you have to be good and do what I say okay?'

'Oh owkay.' Sam sighed trying to sit up, 'Deanie ... my arm an' leg won' work.'

'That's okay Sammy, I'm gonna help you,' Caleb said sliding himself under Sam's arm he braced the boy's paralysed side and took the brunt of his weight.

'Deanie?' Sam tilted his head to look down at Caleb, 'you ... you're not Deanie!' Sam struggled in Caleb's grasp.

'No Sam calm down, it's me Cal remember me?'

'You friend of daddy's and Deanie's?' Sam frowned trying to remember Caleb's face.

'That's it Sammy, you're doing good with remembering.'

'Deanie says that I got a good memory.' Sam smiled calmed down, 'where's Deanie? Why isn't he here?'

'We're gonna go Dean but you gotta be good for me Sammy okay?'

'Yeppers, I can do that.' Sam nodded his head solemnly, 'where's the bad man?'

'Well you took one out yourself when you got mad and the other one disappeared not too sure where he is.' Caleb said as they neared the doorway to outside, worriedly he cast another glance around; this was too easy for them just to walk out like this.

'Whatsa matta Cal?'

'Nothing Sammy, you're doing real good.'

'Bad men coming aren't they?' Sam asked his fear clear in his voice.

'Yeah we have to hurry Sammy, you okay to help me?'

'Uhhuh.' Sam nodded, 'I can help, and I'm big now I's six years old.'

'You are a big boy then Sammy.' Cal couldn't help grinning as he saw the childish innocence reflected on Sam's face. 'okay can you stay here for me? So I can get the door unlocked?'

'Yep, an ... and I gotcha back Cal.' Sam said proudly.

'Yes you have Sammy.' Caleb said stretching out the kinks in his battered body he checked the door for booby-traps and then carefully opened it waiting for a couple of heartbeats before he risked glancing outside. 'Okay Sammy we gotta really hurry now okay?'

'Uhhuh.' Sam frowned and yawned, 'sleepy Cal.'

'Hey, hey Sammy stay with me buddy, we gotta go find Deanie.'

Sam's head shot up and his eyes wide as his stared down at Caleb, 'Deanie we find Deanie?'

'Yeah Dude ... but we have to be very quiet and very quick okay?'

'Okkies.' Sam nodded and he tightened his grip on Caleb's shirt with his good hand.

Moving as quickly as possible Caleb and Sam managed to cross the grounds in front of the house, 'hurts Cal.' Sam whimpered softly.

'Not much longer kiddo, you're doing great.' Caleb said risking a glance up at Sam's pale and drawn face.

Heading towards a car Caleb scanned the area for possible attack and then tried the car door, 'too damn easy.' He muttered.

'Cal you cussed.' Sammy admonished the older man.

'Sorry dude, just I have a bad feeling and want to get out of here.' Caleb managed a small smile for his young charge and then moving Sam towards the car. He helped him into the passenger seat, carefully placing his numb limbs so he couldn't hurt himself before rushing back to the driver's side, just as he was about to get in he heard the sounds of yelling, could smell the acrid stench of sulphur and felt the change in the air. 'hang on Sammy this is gonna get bumpy.' Cal grinned as he hotwired the car and revved the engine.

'We gonna drive fast Cal?'

'Hell yeah.'

'Cal! Cussing.'

-----------------------

'Dean where in the green blazes do you think you're going?' Bobby demanded watching Dean struggle to pull his jacket on. Dean glared at him and struggled to mouth Sam but failed miserably. Frustrated he span around and smashed his fist into the wall sending shockwaves through his already abused body.

'Holy crap Dean will you calm down.' Bobby yelled grabbing Dean by the shoulders he held him tightly until his anger started to dissipate.

Dean turned mournful eyes to Bobby and sunk down into the sofa resting his head against the back of the seat.

'I know Dean, we're going to get Sam back but you have to make sure that you're okay first.'

Dean growled and turned his stare into a death glare when they heard a car screech to a halt outside their motel room. Both grabbed the guns and aimed them at the door, cautiously Bobby peered through the window and then sighed with relief and signalled for Dean to lower his weapon. 'Where the hell have you two been?' he demanded flying out the door he greeted Caleb as he jumped out of the car.

'Nice to see your ugly face too Bobby now get over here and help me with Sam.' Caleb snarled back, relieved to see the older hunter alive and relatively unscathed.

'Sammy, we're safe now.' Caleb said softly not wanting to startle the young man, 'come on gonna come and see Bobby?'

'Bobby?' Sam whispered clutching at Cal's shirt, 'where's Deanie?'

'He's ah right inside isn't he Bobby?'

'Yeah he is, swear it Sam.' Bobby said his confusion thick in his voice.

Sam swallowed deeply and looked up at Caleb who smiled and nodded his head, 'okkies Cal.' Awkwardly Cal managed to help Sam out of the car and with Bobby's help got Sam into the motel room. 'Deanie!' Sam cried out excitedly at the sight of his big brother but then his smile faded and he wavered clinging to Caleb, 'Deanie? What's wrong with Deanie?'

'He ah got hurt Sammy,' Bobby said gently sharing a quick glance with Caleb, 'it's okay you can go to him.'

'Deanie got hurt?' Sam asked staring down at Dean, tears started to trickle down his face.

Dean held his shaking hands up to Sam and beckoned him to come, with Caleb's help Sam made his way to the sofa and sat down next to Dean. immediately Sam lifted his good hand and touched Dean's face gently and then he buried his face against Dean's chest and started sobbing.

'Caleb what happened?' Bobby asked taking in the new injuries on both of the young men 'and where the hell did you two come from?'

'First up, we were taken by Doc Mac and the demon's men. They roughed us both up pretty bad, I ah remember waking up with Sam huddled next to me. He ah, he floated between ... well it was like one minute he was fine and then the next he was six years old again. Eventually the six year old won over, the demon went ballistic he wants Sam to help him with this child ... and to use his visions in doing so. When he realised that Sam here was no longer an adult he sent his goons in to take us to the doctor, who by the way is a regular Doctor Mengele, he pronounced that Sam has suffered irreversible brain damage and is permanently a child now, and he reckons that his paralysis is permanent as well.' Caleb took a breath and turned to look at Sam still huddled against Dean's chest, 'Sam got really worked up, I mean really upset and the next thing I know the doctor is flying across the room, everything is flying everywhere actually and the guards were unconscious at the door. Sam then just opened his eyes and I managed to get him out of there. Just as we were procuring a car, they started to sound the alarm and chase us. I managed to slip them but it's only a matter of time before they come looking for us.'

Dean tangled his fingers in Sam's matted hair a snarl coming from deep within his throat the rumbling vibrations made Sam sit back and stare at Dean, 'why you don't talk Deanie?'

'Sammy, a nasty man hurt Dean's mouth, he has to wait until it doesn't hurt so much before he can talk again.'

'So Deanie can't order me or yell?' Sam asked slyly, a giggle rose up his throat 'hmm good thing?'

'Sam!' Bobby admonished him gently but he couldn't help smiling at the grin forming on Sam's pale face.

'Okay I'll take Dean and Sam here back to my place, Cal you wanna fix up here and get rid of the car? Meet us back there.' Bobby said clearing his throat. Caleb nodded wearily and stood up, swaying slightly, 'are you alright to drive Caleb?'

'Probably better than you.' Caleb slapped Bobby on the shoulder on the way out. 'You two boys better behave yourselves for Bobby.'

'We will Cal.' Sammy beamed up at him, 'I have ta answer for Deanie coz he got a big hurt on his face.'

'He sure has kiddo, okay I'll see ya soon.'

'Bye, bye Cal.' Sam said his smile fading as he watched Caleb leave.

'What's the matter Sam?' Bobby asked noticing the change in Sam.

'Caleb got hurt too, my fault he got hurt.'

'Hey, hey Sam no, no it's not your fault, none of this is.' Bobby said as gently as he could muster.

'Deanie mad with me?' Sam whispered turning to look at his silent brother, 'he got mad eyes.'

'No Sammy Dean's not mad with you, he's mad with the bad men who hurt you and Cal and himself.'

'An' you Bobby?' Sam asked earnestly checking out Bobby's battered face.

'Ah aint gonna hurt this old dog.' Bobby said, 'so do the two of you think you can manage to get out to the car without too much trouble?'

Dean glared at Bobby while Sam nodded his head happy to be back with his big brother, 'I is a big boy Bobby I can help Deanie.'

'Okay Sammy but if you need help you call me okay.'

'Owkay.' Sam turned to face Dean a look of consternation on his face making him look even younger, 'Deanie, I got problem ... my arm and leg broken they don' wanna work anymore.'

Dean swiped his hand over Sam's face and stood up in front of his brother waited for the dizziness to subside before holding his hand out for Sam to grip, after three attempts Sam managed to get up and lean against Dean, his damaged arm hanging loosely by his side while he dragged his numb leg. Slowly step-by-step they finally reached the car, too exhausted to worry, the boys climbed into the back together, Sam refusing to let go of Dean's shirt made it impossible for Dean to sit anywhere else.

'Okay boys you all buckled up in there?' Bobby asked grinning at Dean in the rear vision mirror; he could swear he heard Dean cussing at him, which only made him laugh harder.

Sam leant against Dean and rested his head on Dean's shoulder, absently he picked at his numb hand, 'Deanie?' he whispered softly, just loud enough for his brother to hear.

Dean turned to face Sam a little better, swatting at Sam's hand in the process to stop him from worrying his paralysed fingers to the point of hurting himself.

'Deanie? Can I tell you something?'

Dean nodded and waited for Sam to formulate the words in his mind, he could see him trying to work through the jumbled memories and thoughts. 'Dean, I – I try really hard to member everything.'

Dean nodded and muffled a soothing sound, 'Deanie I – I kind of member, being older is that weird?' Sam looked up and studied Dean's face carefully, 'my head hurts when I try to member.'

Dean muffled a couple more sounds and pulled Sam close to him, rubbing small circles on his back to help settle him. 'I – I member daddy but not mommy, I member my girl, girlfriend Jess?'

Dean nodded feeling Sam cuddle closer, 'Deanie why did Jess go way? It's okay Deanie I know that you can't talk, it's okay.' Sam yawned and slipped into an easy sleep, 'sleepy ... head hurts.'

Dean lifted his gaze to stare at the steady pair of eyes he saw in the rear vision mirror, shrugging slightly he pulled Sam closer and sighed deeply. The worry creases on his frown deepening when he noticed that Sam had stuck his thumb into his mouth, something that he hadn't done since he was a tiny toddler terrified of what was in his closet.

'Sam, hey Sam we're here.' Bobby said gently trying to wake the sleeping young man. Dean gave him a couple of shakes but without his voice made little difference. 'Samuel Winchester wake up.' Bobby barked the order winning a wink from Dean.

Sam's head lifted slightly his thumb sliding from his open mouth.

'Five more minutes please Dean.' Sam mumbled.

'No Sam up and at 'em.' Bobby said tugging on Sam until he got him into a sitting position, sleepily Sam blinked at Bobby, and then at Dean confusion darkening his green eyes.

'Bobby? Dean what's going on?'

'Welcome back Sam, now I gotta get you inside.' Bobby said easily sliding Sam back into his hated wheelchair.

'Bobby?' Sam asked staring up at the older hunter, 'what's going on?'

'Tell you inside now I have to get you in there and then I'll come back to get Dean.'

'Dean? What happened to Dean?' Sam asked his voice rising with panic.

'Got his jaw broke and banged up a bit.' Bobby shrugged playing down just how serious Dean's injuries were for now, he'd deal with the fallout later.

Sam opened his mouth to protest but found himself being pushed inside quickly, frustrated he sat and waited until Bobby came back supporting Dean. 'Oh my God Dean!'

'It's worse than it looks Sam.' Bobby said as he eased Dean down onto the sofa and handed him a notepad and pen, 'here you wanna talk you write it.'

Dean glared up at Bobby and then wrote a quick note for the older hunter's eyes only, after reading it Bobby smirked at Dean, 'when you're well enough we'll deal and oh by the way Dean ... what you wrote aint never gonna get happen so deal.'

'Dean?' Sam's voice broke the icy tension and made both hunters turn to look at him, 'are you alright?'

Dean nodded and wrote a quick, 'I'm fine' on the pad lifting it up to show Sam.

'Yeah right and I'm the Easter bunny.' Sam muttered rubbing his temples he winced with sudden pain. 'ah damn it.'

'Sam what's wrong?' Bobby asked.

'Head hurts.' Sam muttered, 'so sleepy.'

'Sam?'

'Where's Deanie?' Sam asked blinking rapidly up at Bobby.

'Right there Sam.' Bobby said his concern showing on his face, 'he's just cranky that's all.'

'Why?'

'Coz he can't talk and order us around.' Bobby winked mischievously at Sam then grinned at the silently fuming Dean.

'I wanna go sleep Bobby, sleepy now.' Sam whispered forlornly, 'hurts.'

'What hurts Sammy?'

'My head hurts Bobby, don' feel so good.'

'Okay Sammy how about I take you to your bed and then I bring Dean up and he can get in bed too.'

'Owkay, that alright with you Deanie?' Sam blinked tiredly at his brother; Dean gave him a curt nod and waved him off.

'Be right back,' Bobby grinned.

Dean flipped his finger at Bobby and then returned to his private fuming, watching helplessly as Bobby was the one to help Sam.

Frustrated he threw the notepad across the room groaning with the flare of pain through his abused body.

'Dean you had better get in here now!' Bobby called from the bedroom, pushing the pain down Dean pulled himself upright and staggered to the stairs, using the wall to steady himself he made it up the few steps and lurched into the bedroom.

Breathing heavily he sank down on the side of his bed closest to Sam's and tugged at Bobby to move out of his way.

Sam lay sprawled across the bed his eyes open but unfocused, his body jerked with tiny spasms but the real cause for concern for Bobby was what was appearing on Sam's chest. 'What did they do to you boy?'

Dean's eyes followed Bobby's to where he stared, a small guttural sound came from him pushing himself forward he sat on the bed and lifted Sam's head onto his knee. 'Sam?' he forced the words through his frozen jaws.

TBC