Chapter Eight

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. What with Nursing school (the hardest semester of the entire program), financial troubles, and the last month of the semester (including finals week), I've had to put my stories on the backburner. But now finals are over and I will be dedicating the next month or so to finishing mine and starting some new ones.

Dean turned the car off as he hid it behind some trees. They were at Lake Itasca, and were waiting for Lillith to show. Dean and Bobby took separate points around the lake. Sam and Eve hid together close to the shore.

"When Lillith shows, follow my lead," said Eve. "I can trap demons without a devil's trap. Then we'll kill her."

"Got it," said Sam.

They waited for a few minutes before a tornado seemed to spin into existence in Eve's mind. She wavered for a second, glancing at Sam, who was steadying himself against the tree.

"You feel it, too?" asked Eve.

Sam nodded. "Yeah." Sam leaned forward slightly, signaling Dean and Bobby discreetly. Dean and Bobby each raised a weapon. Dean had Ruby's knife, and Bobby had Eve's knife. They were there for backup. Sam pulled out a flask of blood and drained it, readying himself for the attack.

Within seconds, a blonde woman with white eyes walked out of a nearby wooded area, approaching the bank of Lake Itasca. Eve raised her hand and aimed it at Lillith, closing her eyes. She felt Sam shift beside her, getting ready to jump up.

"Not yet," Eve whispered. She latched onto Lillith and opened her eyes. "Now."

Lillith struggled at her spot by the lake, unable to move. Eve and Sam approached Lillith, Eve keeping her mental hold on her.

Lillith glanced up at the two of them, eyes widening. "No. No, it's not supposed to be this way!"

"What's the matter?" said Sam. "Your trusty little lieutenant not checked in lately?"

Lillith glared at Eve. "Oh, you bitch."

"Hey, you brought this on yourself," said Eve.

Dean and Bobby came forward, warily approaching LIllith with the knives.

"So, what's the plan?" asked Lillith. "A little exorcism? A little knife-stabbing? Please. Like any of that will work."

"Oh, we got something much better planned for you," said Dean, standing back so he and Bobby could cover Sam and Eve.

Sam raised his hand and threw his power at Lillith. Lillith threw her head back in pain as she lit up from within. As Sam grimaced in effort, Eve also raised her hand and began using her power also. Lillith screamed as the light emanated from inside of her. As the light grew in intensity and Lillith's demise became apparent, Bobby looked over at Dean.

"You ready?" asked Bobby solemnly.

Dean nodded sadly. "Unfortunately." He pocketed the knife and pulled out his handgun.

The light disappeared, and Lillith's body—or her host body—fell to the ground.

Eve smiled. "We did it." Her smile evaporated as she turned to Sam, seeing how shaky he was. Sam pulled a new flask of blood out of his jacket.

Dean raised his gun and pointed it at Sam. "Put the flask down, Sam."

Sam froze, staring at Dean with wide eyes. "Please, Dean. I need it. Just let me this once until we get back to Bobby's. Then I'll give it up. I swear."

Dean reluctantly tightened his hold on the gun. "No, Sam. Put it down."

Sam looked between the flask and Dean. "No, I can't. I need it."

"Sorry, Sam," said Eve. "That's not gonna happen." The flask flew out of Sam's hand and into Eve's waiting hand. "It's for your own good, Sam."

Sam nodded, staring at the ground and looking dejected. The next second, he was rushing straight at Eve, eyes locked on the flask. A shot rang out, and Sam dropped straight to the ground. A dart was sticking out of his back. Sam struggled to his feet, dazily turning to see Bobby with a rifle behind him.

"Bobby…" Sam slurred, eyes drooping.

"I'm sorry, Sam," said Bobby.

Sam dropped to his knees, trying valiantly to get back up. His eyes slid closed, and he dropped onto his back.

Eve glared up at Bobby. "Was the dart gun really necessary?"

"He's out, isn't he?" said Bobby, shouldering the rifle. "Let's just get him to the car."

Dean wrapped his arms under Sam's arms, and Bobby grabbed Sam's legs, as Eve hurried to the Impala, meeting them halfway. She opened the back door, and the two of them hauled the unconscious Sam into the backseat.

"Wait," said Eve. She leaned into the car and handcuffed Sam's hands in front of him.

"What if he wakes up before we get back?" asked Dean.

"I got a plan for that," said Eve with a smile. "Come on."

Sam first became aware of the rumble of the Impala's engine under him. He tried to open his eyes, but they were still sluggish.

What the hell happened? Sam thought.

He tried to raise his hand to his forehead. He heard the clink of a metal chain and felt the hard ring of steel around both of his wrists. His eyes flew open as he remembered.

I can't believe Bobby drugged me.

"He's waking up."

Sam looked toward the front seat where the woman's voice had come from. Dean was behind the wheel, and Eve sat in the passenger seat.

"You lucid, Sam?" asked Dean.

Sam grabbed the back of the front seat and slowly pulled himself up into a sitting position. They were driving down the highway, probably headed back to Bobby's house.

"You know, the dart gun and handcuffs weren't really necessary," said Sam.

"Yes, they were," said Dean. "You didn't see yourself, Sammy. You were crazed. You would've taken any one of us down to get what you wanted."

"No, I wouldn't," said Sam. "You just—you don't understand."

Of course he doesn't, Sam thought. He's not the one infected with demon blood. I need this. I can't survive without it.

"Sam, I understand perfectly," said Dean. "The blood makes you feel strong…powerful. You don't think you can live without it—"

"I can't—" began Sam.

"But you can, Sam," insisted Dean. "And I'm gonna prove it to you. You'll see. We're gonna get you all better, and you'll see."

"Dean, I'm all for detoxing, but I'm not ready for this right now," said Sam. "I can't."

"He's right, Dean," said Eve suddenly.

Dean's head snapped over, and he stared at his sister. "He's what?"

"He's right," said Eve. "He's not ready, not yet."

"You're not serious," said Dean.

"I am," said Eve. "He's suffering, Dean. He's not strong enough to go through this." She pulled out a flask from her jacket. "He needs this right now."

"This is your big plan?" asked Dean.

"Dean, trust me, it's for the best," said Eve, turning in her seat. "We can deal with the repercussions later."

Sam gave her a grateful look. "Thank you."

Eve held her hand out, handing him the flask. Sam took it quickly in his handcuffed hands and drained it.

Eve took the flask back. "Don't thank me just yet."

Sam frowned at her. "Why? What're you talking ab-b…" He trailed off as his eyelids began fluttering. "What did you…" He collapsed onto his side, out like a light.

Dean looked at her. "What was that?"

Eve held the flask upside down, where clear liquid—not red—dripped from it. "Chloroform. All the tanginess of blood, none of the demonic side effects."

Dean smiled. "Nice."

"I feel bad about drugging my own brother, though," said Eve.

"I know," said Dean. "I do, too. But don't be. Had to be done. He even told you to, remember?"

"I know," said Eve. She glanced into the backseat worriedly. "I just hope we can get him through this."

Dean looked in the rearview mirror at his little brother. "Me, too."

Sam opened his eyes as the drugged sleep wore off. He took a look at his surroundings. He appeared to be in the panic room, but it had been completely emptied. The only items inside were a table with a jug of water and a glass on it, a bed—which he was lying on, a bucket, and some magazines.

He climbed to his feet, heading for the door, limbs shaking, to find it locked from the outside. He walked away until he heard metal screeching behind him. He turned to see a little window in the door had opened, and Dean now stood on the other side, looking at him.

"Alright, let me out," said Sam. "This isn't funny."

"Damn straight," said Dean.

"Dean—come on," said Sam. "This is crazy!" He walked closer to the door.

"No," said Dean. "Not until you dry out."

Sam took a deep breath. "Look. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you at first. Just…open the door. We can talk this out."

Dean shrugged. "You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault. It's mainly Ruby's fault. I get it now, you couldn't help it."

"I'm not some junkie, okay? You don't understand. My body can't survive without it!"

"It can, Sam. You just think it can't."

"You're actually trying to twist this into some ridiculous drug intervention?"

"If it smells like a duck."

"Dean, I wasn't drinking the demon blood for kicks! I was getting strong enough to kill Lillith!"

"Strong."

"Yeah!"

"This is about as far away from strong as you can get. Try weak. Try desperate. Pathetic!"

Sam took another deep breath to steady himself. "Killing Lillith is what mattered, okay? And we did that. The worst is behind us now."

"No. It's just getting started."

"You're not serious."

"Strap in, Sammy. 'Cause it's gonna be a long night."

Dean closed the window in the door as Sam began pounding on the door.

"Dean, come back!"

Dean headed up the stairs as he tried to ignore Sam's yells.

"Dean! Let me out of here! Dean!"