"Dad…"

He whispered one word, and I quickly pulled him into a tight embraced. I held on tight, for he needed it just as much as I did. For a moment I just held on, ignoring his nudity, his humiliation, and prayed he felt only love lifting him up. For a moment, time stood still as I held my baby boy in my arms.

Funny, despite how close the two boys were, Sam misunderstood Dean's coping mechanism for dealing with traumatic events. As long as my boy was cocky, obnoxious and cracking jokes, I knew I didn't have to worry about him. But it was an entirely different story when he got quiet, reflective and retreated inward. Dean was withdrawing and not even my presence was making a difference and I wondered if I had made a fatal mistake when I had abandon my son so he could get refocused on the job.

Sam always accused me of treating Dean as a solider instead of my son, that worse I didn't love him. He was greatly mistaken. I recognized my son's limits and right now I was totally observing a major melt down of Dean withdrawing and shutting down right before my eye. My son was broken and I wasn't sure if I was even up to the task of being the lifeline he required. Sam was better at this and it was unfair that Sam had deserted his family, especially his brother when we needed him the most. But although I'm a poor substitute; unfortunately, I'm all he has at this very moment.

"Dad"

His soft voice got me back in action, as I carefully cradled the base of his head and neck with my hand and lowered him back on the bed. Dean licked his top lip reminding me that he was parched. I fetched my backpack and reached inside for a bottle of water. "Just a few sips." I ordered. Talk about kicking a puppy when its down…I wasn't sure I could do what was necessary to save my son's life.

Somehow I found the reserves necessary to assist my son, even if it created a false impression of me not loving him. I removed the temptation before he could drink too much. My thumb rubbed his jaw line, "Sorry son, but I need to assess the damage." I turned his head so I could inspect the cuts on his face, discovering just superficial scratches.

He stared at me, rarely blinking as if he was in a trance and unable to respond. I poured some holy water on his shoulder wound and his body barely reacted. He shucked in a breath when I did the same for his stomach. Luckily the bleeding from the stomach wound wasn't as dangerous as I first feared. Blood was seeping around his belly button and on his left side, but not at an alarming rate, finally something was in our favor.

Hating myself for what I had to do, but knowing it had to be done, I lifted his head one more time and supported his neck with my hand and then tipped the flask into his mouth. Greedily at first, he drank from my flask of holy water as if he didn't even notice my command to get him to drink a few more sips. But then the reaction wasn't peaceful, he yelled as smoke bubbled out of him. Then he collapsed in my arms, spent and panting to catch his breath, but I didn't see any blame in his eyes.

"Hey, kiddo, I've got some sweats out in the truck, that will work for now."

"Don't.'

I admit I was a little confused by his reaction. A feeble grasp tried to stop me from leaving. I patted his arm and repeated, "It won't take but a sec."

"Don't leave." His eyes implored me to understand. I helped him take a few swallows of just plain water and he coughed.

On one hand, I was surprised he was still conscious. "Okay, kiddo, I'm going to wrap you up in this blanket then.

"No!"

Frustrated, I responded in typical Winchester fashion, I commanded him to choose. "Look, it's either the sweats or the blanket, take your pick. But I need to get you out of here and I'm not carrying you naked to the truck."

The defeat in his eyes, almost brought me to my knees, but I held strong because otherwise he wouldn't survive the horrors he had suffered. I had taught him how to suppress many things, but I wasn't sure if he could do it this time unless I helped him to feel in control. So I waited even though every fiber of my being was screaming wrap him tight in the blanket and haul ass out of here.

"Blanket, don't leave me here. Can't…"

I wiped his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks, "None of that. It's over.

He swallowed and pulled on his last reserves, "About time you showed up."

I didn't say anything when he chose that moment to pass out. I simply wrapped him up as snug as I could, and gently cradled him in my arms. He had lost too much weight, as he didn't have the bulk I was expecting before his ordeal. I made quick work of getting him out of there, and situated him in the truck. Then I secured the cabin and built a fire that would burn the entire building down. I waited until the blaze was roaring before I left. I called to report a fire out of control and then I headed out of Luck, knowing how devastating the place had been for my son. But he had been found and soon he would be on the mend. I wouldn't allow it otherwise.

TBC

A/N: I started this as a drabble story hoping to be consistent in writing and posting and hoping it would get my muse flowing again. You can skip the rant below if you want to.

I have two ways to go in the next chapter and not sure which way I'm going. Had a difficult time writing this last one, and not sure about it, so some feedback would be nice. Is the writing good enough to post, and if it isn't what could I do to make it better…flames will be ignored but constructive criticism will be looked at. I would like some examples…if you're pointing out errors. I'm still fighting this story isn't worth anyone's time to read…so feedback would be appreciated.

Also if fanfic won't let me post that can also create delays. I have one last contest, so not sure how much I can post this week. Hopefully you're still enjoying it and want more. I'm trying to learn how to write just for me, but reviews do inspire my muse. Without them the voices in my head…well they aren't always positive. Posting before I lose my nerve. I would like to know if the reason people aren't continuing the story is due to bad writing or if they just don't like the storyline. Ignore the rant if you like.