Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…just having fun!

In The Thick of Things

Chapter 9 – Missing

Bobby waited inside the old barn until it was dark. Shaking his head sadly, he decided that Sam would have been here by now if he could. He wasn't sure how he was going to tell John that his son was missing…hell, he muttered as he climbed into the truck and headed back for the cabin.

ooooooooo

Sam drove until it was dark, getting further and further from his family with each mile. Sherry had nodded off to sleep shortly after they got on the road. It was almost surreal for Sam, he kept looking over at her expecting to see Dean's head resting against the window. How many times had Sam watched his brother catch a few winks over the past year…he missed him already.

Sam shook his head and tried to get more comfortable in the seat. His bruised ribs complaining as he shifted in the seat. They had taken the brunt of the demon's power…more bruises to add to the ones already covering his body. He had to find someplace soon to rest. The nights without rest combined with the hopelessness of the situation were starting to catch up to him.

A few miles down the road, Sam spotted a sign advertising a small hotel. After pulling in and registering as Mr. and Mrs. Warrick; Sam parked the truck and leaned over to gently wake the sleeping woman. He wanted to get them into the room as quickly as possible…then he would send a message to his brother.

ooooooooo

John patiently cleaned the weapons he had retrieved from the car. Not that they looked like they needed it…Dean and Sam apparently kept them in top condition. But he needed something to keep him from taking the car and going to look for Sam.

He looked at the colt laying on the table in front of him. One bullet…only one more chance to get the bastard that had ruined his family. He still wished that Sam had killed him while the demon was trapped in his body. Instead, here he sat, wondering what had happened to his youngest son…he and that boy were going to have to talk when he got back…John would not accept anything else…Sam would be back.

He jumped as he heard a soft cough from the doorway. "Dad…any word on Sam yet?

Dean was leaning against the door frame, holding his chest with his left arm. He winced as he started to walk carefully to the table, easing himself into a chair. John was relieved to see his son out of bed, but he knew that Dean was still not ready to fight anything soon.

"Glad to see you're up…you can help me clean these weapons."

"Dad…I know something is wrong…I can feel it!...where is Sam…he and Bobby should have been back by now."

"I don't know for sure, Dean. The last I heard, Sam spotted someone suspicious by the truck and had taken off to lose him. Bobby is waiting for him at the barn…he's probably just taking his time, making sure that he isn't followed…"

"Ah…huh…sure Dad…then why do you have that same look on your face that you had when you tried to convince me the Easter Bunny was real? We need to get out there and look for him. The fool kid could be in trouble and here we sit!" Dean rubbed his hand through his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh. Even though his father didn't say it, he knew that the only reason his father was still here, was to protect him…when had this gotten so screwed up! I'm suppose to be the one doing the protecting, he thought dejectedly as he watched his father pick up yet another gun and begin to clean it.

Suddenly, both hunters came alert as they heard a truck coming down the road. John motioned for Dean to stay seated as he handed him a loaded pistol. He took the shotgun and headed to see who was there. For a brief moment his hopes soared when he saw the headlights of a truck coming towards them…then he realized it was only Bobby.

"It's Bobby, Dean…"

Dean had never heard his father sound so defeated before. A shudder went down his spine as he realized that Sam was not coming…something had happened to Sam and he wasn't there to protect him…God, what use was he! He didn't care what anyone said…as soon as he could get dressed, he was heading out to find Sam…hold on Sammy, I'm coming, he thought as he headed to the bedroom.

ooooooooo

Sherry quietly followed Sam into the hotel room. She was glad that he had not gotten separate rooms…she wasn't sure that she would ever be able to be alone again after today. Twice, she had had to face her worst nightmare. She watched the young man as he walked ahead of her. His shoulders hunched, but yet his eyes alert…watching for hidden dangers.

Sam walked into the room and dropped his bag on the bed by the door…Dean's bed…thought Sam. "Do you want to take the bathroom first? I have a T-Shirt you could use to sleep in."

"Thanks Sam…I could use a hot bath. When I get out here though, I want to take a look at your ribs…I saw you wincing as you got out of the car…we need to make sure nothing is broken."

"I'm fine…really, on top of the other bruises, I can hardly feel it."

"Sure…but just humor me ok?" She said softly, taking the T-shirt Sam had laid on her bed, she headed for the bathroom.

Sam picked up his cell phone and started to dial…

ooooooooo

Dean's phone rang as he was struggling to get his shirt on over his head. He dropped the shirt and reached for the phone…groaning as his muscles complained about the sudden movement. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the caller id…but the message that followed caused his breath to catch in his throat.

Safe…don't look for me

What the hell was Sammy thinking! Dean hit redial on the phone…"Come on Sammy…pick up damn it!" All he got was Sam's voice mail. He dialed again…for five minutes, he just kept redialing, but figured that Sam was not going to pick up, so he finally left a message.

"Sammy…come on, call me…you can't do this on your own…Damn it Sammy, when I catch you I'm going to kick your scrawny ass! Call me…please?"

As Dean looked up, he saw that his father had entered the room. From the thunderous look on his father's face, he figured they would be in for a rough night…ah Sammy, thought Dean…what have you gotten yourself into this time?

ooooooooo

Sherry came out from the bathroom and was startled by the unguarded look of sorrow that crossed over Sam's face. The cell phone in his hand rang, but Sam refused to answer it. He sighed and flipping the phone open…shut it off.

"Sam…why aren't you answering the phone?"

"It was my father…he and Dean are trying to find me, but I can't let them know where I am…not yet."

"What do you mean, Sam? Tell me, why can't you talk to your father and brother…you never left their side in the hospital…what happened?"

Sam shrugged as he headed for the bathroom. "Just get some sleep Sherry, we'll decide what to do tomorrow…get some rest and we'll talk in the morning, ok?" Sam gave her his best puppy look…the one he usually used to get his way with Dean. It looked like it worked on Sherry as well as she shrugged and pulled the covers down on the bed.

"Good Night Sam…"

TBC

ooooooooo

Raven524: Thanks for all the reviews…I got caught up watching the first Supernatural re-run tonight…so now that I've had my fix…I'm back at it again! Remember to R&R—it keeps my fingers moving!