War, What's it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Disclaimer: Nope still nothing, was hoping for an early birthday present from Mr Kripke but sigh still nothing.

Author's Note: This is a different story altogether for me so please bear with me. This is a futuristic story, everything in the show has been and passed, the biggest difference is that all of the seals are broken

Chapter Nine – Who Was That Masked Demon?

Then:

Dumbfounded the others could only stand and watch as Sam successfully pulled the insidious, oily, sulphurous black cloud from the man.

As the man collapsed and the smoke disappeared, the others broke from their stupors, Ethan just reaching Sam before he toppled out of his chair, giving in once again to unconsciousness.

'Sammy?' Dean cried out as he stumbled into the office, looking bloodied and battered he staggered slightly but somehow managed to stay on his feet long enough to reach his brother, 'oh God Sammy, what did you do?'

S—D

Now:

Dean refused attention for his own injuries while he waited for Ethan to finish examining the others including Sam. Josh worked side by side with Ethan as they fought to stabilise the three of them before they saw anyone else.

By the time, Jim and Dean arrived with Bobby and Janice, the fight was almost over, without the demon leading the way the inexperienced supremacists had no chance. The last few fighters rounded up and locked down ready for interrogation later; Tracy had disappeared which was no surprise, though the fact that she was the mole was a huge surprise and had everyone more than shocked. It was hard enough to trust anyone now that it made that little bit harder when one of your extended 'family' turns out to be an enemy.

Dean rested his head against the high backed chair and scrubbed at his eyes tiredly, his body ached, even the ends of his hair hurt.

'De?' Sam whispered finally showing signs of regaining consciousness, 'De?'

'Right here Sammy, I'm right here.' Dean gripped Sam's hand tightly, 'just take it easy okay dude.'

'I-I did it again, I'm so sorry De, I'm so sorry.' Sam wept turning his face away from his brother, shame burning in his red cheeks.

'Sammy? Hey Sammy look at me,' Dean crooked his finger just under Sam's chin and tugged until Sam was facing him once again, 'there that's better. Sammy you've got nothing to be sorry for.'

'I did it again, I used ... I promised I wouldn't that it was all over but I wasn't strong enough to fight it.'

'Sammy, hey listen to me Sam ... you had no choice Josh told me what happened if you hadn't then I would have found ... he was out for you Sam ... what would I?' Damn it Sammy I could've lost you, you had no choice!'

'But Dean ... I promised no more, I was done with that and the first sign of danger what do I go and do?' Sam looked everywhere but at his brother not wanting to see the disgust and horror there like he used to see. When he was too blind and too manipulated to understand what was so wrong with his right.

'Sammy we're not gonna go through that again, you couldn't help ... she had you jacked up it wasn't your fault.'

'Wasn't yours either Dean.' Sam whispered daring to look at his brother for a fleeting second and then he turned his gaze back to the ceiling.

'Sammy ... Sam listen to me I ... trust ... you.' Dean enunciated each word slowly then he ran his hand down his face suddenly feeling very tired, 'Sam please...'

'What's wrong Dean?' Sam turned to face his older brother, immediately the exhaustion and pain reflecting from his eyes. 'Ah Dean I'm sorry, here I am wallowing in self-pity ...'

'Don't Sam, just don't...' Dean held his hand up and shook his head, 'we need to talk.'

'What about?'

'When we got to Bobby and Janice.' Dean started, 'we have a problem.'

'Wh-what is it?'

'Put it this way Sammy, when you were jacked up on demon juice ... it was like having a sugar high compared to these bastards now.'

'Wh-what do you mean?'

'They have on-call demonic vitamin tablets.' Dean shuddered, 'they're not the stupid hillbilly jerk-offs we fought last time.'

'Where's the angels in all of this?' Sam spat out suddenly angry, 'they said that they'd help up and we get nothing from them, just silence.'

'I dunno Sam I really dunno what to think.'

'I thought that Cas...'

'Yeah so did I.' Dean sighed.

'Shit I hate this,' Sam cried out his frustration and self-loathing bubbling over and he was unable to stop it, 'when did things get so...?'

'Gee Sam let me think ... the day mom met dad would have been a good start.' Dean eased himself out of the chair and stiffly started to pace, 'we just need a break...'

'Dean?'

'Just need something to go...'

'Dean!'

'Just once...'

'Dean!'

'What is it Sam?'

'You're bleeding ... damn it Dean what happened over there?' Sam snapped though there was nothing but concern in his voice. Dean stared at Sam with a confused look and then he felt the stinging pain in his shoulder once again.

'I ah think ... ' Dean sat down again and swallowed down on the immediate dizziness, 'not feeling so hot I guess.'

'Dean what is it?' Sam pushed himself up his bed and reached over to his brother, 'turn around.'

'Sammy!'

'Dammit Dean I'm not totally useless now turn around.' Sam ground out; Dean glanced at the look on Sam's face and then without another word turned around and shifted his chair making it easier for his brother to reach him. 'Someone gotcha with a small bladed knife, it's not deep but it's long.'

'Well do you want an invitation or what?' Dean grumbled.

'What for?'

'To stitch it up for me,' Dean said as he gingerly slipped his shirt off, exposing his bruised torso. Sam sucked his breath in at the sight of the black and blue and purple patches covering most of Dean's chest and back, the long jagged cut running down the length of his left shoulder blade and the sponginess on his lower left side indicating damage to his ribs. 'Hey anytime now Sam.'

'Ah yeah umm will you be alright to get the kit for me? Its just in the top drawer over there.'

Dean took a deep breath and stood up, he swayed slightly and then limped over to the drawers, the short walk back to the bed nearly took his breath away.

'What else Dean?' Sam asked as he lifted each leg over the edge of the bed and propped himself up while Dean positioned himself a little closer again.

'What else what Sammy?' Dean asked hissing when he felt the cold alcohol swab on his hot skin.

'What other injuries Dean?' Sam asked as he nimbly stitched the wound, making tiny neat stitches.

'Think my knee was a little dislocated for a while.' Dean said dismissively.

'Just a little huh?' Sam shook his head at his brother's cavalier attitude when it came to his own wellbeing.

'Yeah Jim popped it in for me, just a bit sore.'

'Uhhuh.' Sam tied off the last stitch and then smeared some antiseptic cream over the area before taping a large gauze pad over all of it. He quickly checked the rest of the visible injuries before he let Dean put his shirt back on, 'you have to let Josh or Ethan look at that knee Dean.'

'Yeah I will.'

'Dean...'

'Sammy...'

'Jerk...'

'Bitch...' Dean shrugged and turned to face his baby brother, 'yeah I promise.'

'Good coz I'm gonna ask Ethan and Josh to make sure one of them does.' Sam announced with a smirk and crossed his powerful arms across his broad chest.

S—D

Janice sat next to Bobby's bed, sobbing quietly as she watched the man she had grown to love fight for his life. Ethan had done the best he could and now it was up to Bobby himself and that was something no one could know the outcome of, if Bobby had reason enough to keep living.

'Please Lord don't take him away from me, not now, not when I have just found him.' Janice wept, her own injuries forgotten in her grief.

'Your prayers have been heard.' A deep, but emotionless voice came from behind her making Janice jump in fright.

'Who-who are you?' Janice stammered standing in front of the bed protective of her man although she could barely stand herself.

'I am Castiel.' Came the simple reply, 'I can help.'

'Cas-Castiel? You're Dean's Angel friend?' Janice swayed all colour draining from her face, unsure of what to do or how to act Castiel caught the human woman and helped her back into her seat before she collapsed completely. He sighed deeply, closed his eyes for a moment before touching her forehead.

Janice felt a warm, safe feeling envelope her, she felt herself relax and accept the comfort of the touch as her injuries started to heal. As quickly as she felt it, it was gone leaving her feeling refreshed and well. 'Th-thank you.' She mumbled.

'Allow me to help Robert Singer.' Castiel stated staring at her with his deep blue eyes Janice felt quite tired all of a sudden, she nodded sleepily and with a deep yawn, her eyes drifted closed and she slipped into a deep healing sleep.

Castiel stared around to make sure that no one else was near by before lightly placing his fingertips on Bobby's forehead. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he allowed the healing pass through him, using him as a conduit, and into Bobby's broken body and soul.

S—D

Tracy, former nurse and fiancée of Tim Rurke, chewed her thumbnail nervously as she waited for Tim to pick her up, she had just gotten out of the clinic before the onslaught after triggering the events. She smirked as she thought of that sanctimonious-freaky-gimp finally getting his comeuppance. Since finding out that he was the fairy that escaped from the Arian group Tim and his father were members of with his supposed brother and lover. Though both of the 'brothers' needed to be brought to task for their unholy relationship, it was Sam who deserved the most derision. He was not only a pervert but demonically tainted. It went against everything Tracy had been raised to believe in and now with Tim she can actively do something about it.

The dark car pulled up beside her and the backdoor swung open, smiling Tracy climbed in, 'hey lover.'

'Sorry you're so not my type.'

Tracy froze when she saw who was behind the wheel and who was sitting in the backseat waiting for her, 'no it can't be.' She cried out in horror.

'Sorry Sweetheart but it is.'

S—D

Sam pushed his way to small room he shared with Dean, he had to find some time alone, he just wanted to have a bit of time to think, to plan, and now was the opportune time with Dean and Josh busy, Jim and the others checking on the wounded, and standing guard of the ruins they call home.

He rolled his shoulder testing its strength, he still did feel a little weak but a lot better than he did. Bending down he pulled two crutches out from under his bed, he hadn't even looked at them since the therapists gave them to him when he first left the hospital. They were so optimistic for him to walk with them, it brought a tight smile to his face as he remembered the hope shining on Dean's face when they first broached the subject with the brothers. Crutches would be so much easier to use than the wheelchair.

County Hospital

Angel's Bluff, Missouri

November 12th 2009

Dean sat on the chair next to Sam's bed, his own injuries slow in healing kept him in the room with Sam, funny that but no one seemed to notice the little things. He sat now with Sam waiting on the arrival of Lil Miss Sunshine as Dean dubbed Sam's physiotherapist, tiny in build and height, with bright orange-red hair, sparkling blue eyes and a thick spattering of freckles across her nose that rivalled Dean's own freckles.

Tory Smith was an enigma to Dean but she was good for Sam and that was all that mattered. She finally came barrelling into the shared room with her usual sunny smile and an air of mischief about her. 'So Sam how do you feel about being vertical?'

'Huh? How?' Sam suddenly had a wave of nervousness flood through him.

'These.' Tory produced the crutches with a flourish, 'better than that old chair.'

'I-I dunno,' Sam stared at the wooden aides with trepidation not sure how what to do until Dean took matters in hand. With enough teasing and cajoling he managed to get Sam sitting on the side of his bed and ready to try the crutches.

'So Sam what you need to do is place your weight on the crutches, don't worry bout the crutches you can't hurt them,'

'Gee thanks.'

'No probs, anyway I need you to trust yourself and trust your crutches, Dean and I will be either side of you so don't think about anything except for letting the crutches hold you up.' Tory and Dean each propped a crutch next to Sam and waited for him it was all on his timetable. Taking a deep breath Sam slipped the wooden aides under his armpits and with Tory's guidance stood up. Breathing heavily he managed only a couple of seconds without help but it was more than he ever thought he could do.

'Way to go Sammy.' Dean cheered him happily looking up at his brother's smile again.

Sam practiced with the crutches as much as he could, wanting to surprise Dean he kept his therapy sessions quiet from his brother. Until the attack came, until the hospital was hit – until he found Tory's body lying in the rubble.

Present day:

Sam blinked and scrubbed the tears from his eyes, he had to do this, he had to show the others that he could pull his weight, if not literally then, figuratively.

With a shaking hand Sam reached down and slowly lifted each foot off the rests and then lifted the rests out of the way so his feet were flat on the floor, glancing over his shoulder once more he took a deep breath and checked that the brakes were still locked on his chair before bracing himself and slowly pulling himself up using the crutches as support. Sam let out a shaky breath as he steadied himself and stood once again with the aid of his crutches. His legs hung between the aides, but he kept his head up and concentrated on balancing and using his shoulders instead of his hips and legs. He could feel the pain from his bad shoulder but he swallowed it down and concentrated on breathing, he cleared his mind and moved the centre of his weight in time with the crutches and then he pulled-dragged his lower body as though he had just taken a step, only instead of only using his legs he stepped with his entire body.

With sweat trickling down his back and chest, his face flush with the exertion as he tried two more 'steps' before he dropped backwards onto his bed, his breath coming in short sharp gasps but for the first time in a long time Sam Winchester felt alive.

Exhausted and hurting but happy, Sam fell into a fitful sleep, still lying awkwardly on his bed, his crutches lying on either side of him.

S—D

The black eyes focused on the reflection in the mirror, happy with the new meat-suit it turned around a couple of times checking out the new packaging. Very nice, and very usable. With a wide grin planted on the face, the possessed human strutted outside as though they owned the world. Then again...

'Nice to see you back in action.' The young blond man said with a warm smile, 'was wondering what you were going to do.'

'Yes well I had to find another suit thanks to your little toy.'

'Now, now just because he caught you with your pants down round your ankles no need to insult the boy.'

'Master when are we going to move?'

'Move? I have no intention on moving,' the younger man smiled widely and spread his arms wide, 'I have all I need here, right here why would I go anywhere else?'

'When are we going to move on the ... Winchesters?'

'All in good time, child I have a lot to teach you before you are ready to move against them, now go and have some fun I will call you when I need you.'

The young woman smiled prettily and brushed a kiss on the man's cheek, 'thank you Master.'

'No thank you Meg.' Lucifer smiled benevolently, 'you have been a most loyal daughter.'

S—D

Jim looked up from his book to stare at a very healthy looking Bobby Singer, 'why Bobby you look positively ...'

'Yeah I know danged angels popping in and healing ya then popping out afore a person can say as much as thanks.' Bobby grumbled and went to find his stash of whiskey, 'want one?'

'Thank you Bobby I think I might...' Jim yawned and scrubbed at his eyes, 'I think that I could do with some reinforcement.'

'Where's the boys?' Bobby asked as he sat down and placed a glass in front of Jim, 'please tell me that they aren't doing something stupid.'

'Well it seems that Dean took it upon himself to go and "pick up" Tracy he took Josh with him.'

'And Sam?'

'Last I saw ... ah no where's he gone now?'

'Jim?'

'Damn Bobby that boy is slipperier than an eel,' Jim downed his whiskey and stood up, 'come on Bobby let's get that new and improved body of yours working and go and find our errant young Winchester.'

'New and improved? Oh so not funny Jim.' Bobby growled, 'hey Janice.'

'Bobby, Jim I heard you saying that Sam is not around again?' The nurse smiled sweetly and crooked her finger at the two men, 'but be quiet please.' She cautioned them as she led the way to the Winchester's bedroom. She pointed in the doorway and then stood back to allow Jim and Bobby to see.

Sam still lay on his bed, although this time on his side and covered with a throw rug, his crutches propped on the wall next to the bedhead. He snuffled softly and buried his head further into the pillow. Jim and Bobby backed out of the bedroom and closed the door behind them.

'I went in search of him just a few minutes ago it was time for his medications, when ... the angel tried to use his crutches, from where his chair was left and where he ended up on his bed he made it a few steps.'

'That boy is a true mystery to me,' Jim exclaimed in wonder.

'Stupid idgit,' Bobby intoned shaking his head but had a look of pride on his face. 'Come on if he wants us to know he'll tell us.'

S—D

The impala rested on its side just off the road to the church, the exposed wheels still turned in the night air. One solitary occupant lay in the backseat unconscious, scuffed footprints around the car the only signs of others, that and a trail of blood leading away.

'Dean?' A panicked, painfilled voice cried out from inside the car, 'Dean?'

TBC