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AN: / I am so sorry for not updating in so long (just over a year) but a combination of real life and writers block has been kicking my ass bug time – exams, more exams, applying to university…now that that is out of the way I feel that I shall apologize in the best way I can – I bring you the next chapter.
My shame and embarrassment dealt with – on with the next chapter!
Animal I Have Become
After Sam had calmed down after witnessing the first physical sign of Dean's change, Bobby had discussed with Sam what exactly would be happening. There were not many documented cases of humans actually turning into a werewolf after the initial bite, usually the infected person was put out of their misery, but there was enough information to give Bobby and Sam a rough idea of what Dean was going to endure.
When a person was bitten and infected with the virus, even if it was during the full moon, it did not mean they turned right away, it could happen in a matter of hours or even days, depending on the strength of the person infected.
Although Dean was weakened by the virus it seemed his strong will was holding off the full transformation into werewolf; but he could only last so long and Sam and Bobby needed to find something to help him quick.
Sam looked through the kitchen doors and into the living room where Dean was still sleeping after the effects of one of the first stages of turning.
"What about killing the original werewolf – the one that bit the wolf that bit Dean and killing it?" Sam said, his words coming out fast as he struggled to find a solution.
"It doesn't work like that – and even if it did we wouldn't have enough time – it could take weeks and that's longer than Dean has" Bobby said, not wanting to be the one to bear the bad news but knowing there was no point in hope if it was just false.
"We gotta find something Bobby…" Sam said, a slight sheen covering his eyes as he pleaded for Bobby to find a way to fix this damn it!
"I know – we'll find something Sam, but" Bobby paused, waiting until he had Sam's full attention, speaking in a hushed and gentle voice, "Ya gotta remember that we may not find something on time, that we might have'ta…" leaving the sentence hanging, the look of anguish on Sam's face showing him that he understood perfectly what he was saying.
"We'll find something" Sam said his voice strong and determined, his face set in a look of conviction before he walked from the kitchen and a conversation that he never thought he'd be having in a million years, and back into the living room to sit with Dean.
Sam and Bobby spent the next few hours in the living room sitting with a sleeping Dean. The hundreds of books that adorned Bobby's floors, desks and tables were scattered around the two hunter's feet; scribbled notes on tattered pieces of paper that may or may not hold the answer to saving Dean from the lycan virus.
Sam let out a deep sigh. He had filled endless pages with notes with information about the virus, were it originated from, how to kill a werewolf but nothing on how to stop someone from turning.
Bobby was fairing no better. His notes pretty much matched Sam's and every book he opened contained the same information again and again, but even so, he was not going to give up – Dean was like a son to him and he was not gonna sit back and watch as he turned into the next thing they would hunt.
Dean had slept fitfully, letting out an occasional groan as his muscles seemed to tremble beneath his skin for a few seconds before stilling. It wasn't until a few hours later that his eyes began to flutter, a groan emanating from deep in his chest, drawing the attention of the other two occupants of the room.
Sam set aside the volume he had been studying and walked over to the sofa, casting a quick glance in Bobby's direction catching the eyes of the older hunter who was looking at Dean with an intensity in his stare to match Sam's.
"Ugh, how much did I drink?" Dean croaked out as he started to push himself up, Sam grabbing his arm and helping him.
Sam smiled and let out a small huff of a laugh – although Dean was infecting with a werewolf virus, his days numbers while they slaved away for a cure he still was the same.
Dean smiled at Sam as he sat down on the sofa beside him. Dean knew it was bad, could feel the virus burning through his veins, making him feel light headed and nauseous, but he had to keep a brave face for Sam.
"So what do you remember from earlier?" Sam asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Umm, I was sitting out here, reading though one of Bobby's books and then…" Dean's own brow furrowed. He remembered sitting down and opening the book to read, but then things got fuzzy after that…but he could guess from the twin expressions of compassion and pity of both Sam and Bobby's faces exactly what had happened.
"It's started hasn't it?" Dean said his face stoic and his voice monotonous as he tried to hide the fear of what was happening to him from his brother and Bobby.
"Yeah it has Dean," Sam said, his voice trembling slightly, but quickly continuing, "But don't worry – me and Bobby, we're gonna get you outta this Dean"
"Yeah, don't worry kid – we're gonna get you outta this" Bobby reiterated, his voice strong, the reassuring smile he sent Dean only wavering slightly under the pain and fear he could see in the green gaze looking back at him.
"Good thing I've got two of the biggest research geeks on the planet watchin' my back then?" Dean joked, his usual humor lightening the dark atmosphere that was threatening to suffocate the three occupants of the room.
Sam give a small smile at the lame attempt at a joke but decided to play along and gave the eye roll and groan that was expected,
"Just cos' I know what a book looks like Dean doesn't make me a geek" Sam replied.
"Yeah I know. It's the fact that you can't walk past a library without getting ha.." Dean was cut off by Bobby.
"Enough!" Bobby shouted, unable to stop the grin that was breaking past his angry façade as Dean smirked.
There was a few moments silence before it was broken by Dean.
"So how long before I go all Wolverine?" Dean asked, the anxious tone in his voice betraying the fear he felt about his current situation.
"We're gonna save you Dean" Sam said, his voice strong and firm as he gripped Dean's arm, wanting his full attention to get his point across, "If we have to research day and night"
"Yeah Sam, but you have to face the fact that I might not get outta this one," Dean said, his tone soft, knowing that although what he said was true it was hurting Sam; the pained expression of his face proof of that.
"Well then we'll just have to work extra hard then won't we?" Bobby said, wanting to stop the conversation before it went any further; he could already see that Sam was starting to loose it, the distant look in his eyes as he tried to comprehend life without his brother, and Dean watching Sam, trying to protect him to the end even if it meant he ending up suffering.
Dean took a deep breath before trying to get back to the facts; something he knew Sam would be able to concentrate on and stop worrying over him.
"So what happened earlier – all I remember is getting dizzy then, nada" Dean said, leaning forward with his hands clasped between his knees, his eyes scanning between Sam and Bobby, waiting for an explanation.
"Turning happens in stages – what happened earlier was the beginning" Bobby informed, pulling at the bill of his cap before scratching his beard.
"So, what, I'm gonna grow a tail before the next full moon?" Dean asked, alarm in his voice at the prospect of slowing turning into the creatures they hunt.
"Not exactly," Sam picked up, his voice carrying the same tone it did whenever he was recalling the information to a hunt; and if he thought of this as just another hunt then he would be able to handle it better, hopefully, he thought before continuing.
"It seems as if your DNA, what makes you human is essentially being prepared for turning" Sam lifted his notebook and flicked through a couple of the pages, scanning over the information, "The closer you are to turning, the worse the…. adjustment, becomes"
Dean nodded his head, processing what he was being told.
"Okay, so how many stages, how long?" Dean asked, wanting to know as much as possible, to be prepared for what was coming.
"Well it all depends on the person – it can take hours, days…there's really no way of telling" Bobby said, watching as Dean nodded his head, almost imperceptibly, his eyes scanning without seeing, obviously deep in thought.
"Okay…okay" Dean said, nodding his head in a more noticeable movement.
They spent several more hours researching before they decided to call it a night; they weren't gonna be able to help Dean is they were all dead on their feet.
"Think its time we hit the hay" Bobby said as he pulled of his baseball cap to run his hand through his hair before replacing the cap back on.
"Sure thing Bobby," Sam said as he stretched out the muscles in his back after spending the last few hours bent over a book, "I'll give you a hand with these books", pushing himself stiffly to his feet and beginning to pick the hordes of books that covered the floor.
"I'll give you a hand too" Dean said, beginning to start lifting some of the books also but was interrupted by Sam.
"Its okay Dean, we've got it," Choosing to ignore the stubborn look on Dean's face he continued, "Why you head on up, I'll be right behind you"
Dean knew there was no point in arguing with Sam – he would just pull out the puppy dog eyes and then there was no way he wasn't going to win the argument.
"Fine," Dean said while walking on socked feet towards the kitchen, "I'm just gonna grab a glass of water"
Dean walked over to the sink and grabbed a clean glass out of the draining board and filled it with water from the faucet before gulping the water down his patched throat.
A thirst had started about to hours ago, settling deep into his stomach and causing his throat to ache. Drinking three glasses of water in quick succession did nothing to quench the thirst and Dean didn't even want to begin to think what his body was craving.
Dean placed the glass back into the sink with a sigh, staring out at the moon shining in a star filled sky before walking out of the kitchen and towards the guest room where he and Sam were staying.
Walking up the stairs towards a bed that promised sleep and a short reprise from a tomorrow filled with uncertainties.
Once again I apologize for the long wait and I hope this chapter makes up for it. DeanBean
Please leave a review and let me know what you think
xx
