Oh man! I didn't think this site was ever gonna be back up! I have been stressing so badly because I haven't been able to give you all a new chapter since Saturday. I want to thank each of you who commented on the last chapter. I probably won't be able to reply to your comments individually so I'm doing it here. Thank you so much! Okay, there is quite a bit of colorful language in this chapter so you have been warned. Enjoy.

Cindy.

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Dean opened the back passenger door of Jakota's truck and reached in, grasping Sam's arm in his hands. Sam swung his legs around as he maneuvered himself to exit the truck. He slid from the seat, Dean's strong grip steadying him as a wave of vertigo hit him. He leaned back against the seat until the vertigo passed, then stood straight and began to slowly make his way to his quarters, Dean's support never wavering.

"Dean, I'm fine. I can make it myself," Sam said, his independent streak making its appearance known.

"You've been flat on your back, sicker than a dog for four days. I don't want you to do a face plant Sam so just suck it up," Dean replied, gently pushing Sam forward.

Sam allowed himself to be guided into his quarters where he dropped tiredly onto his bed. He brushed his hands through his hair and pushed himself up until he was leaning against the headboard. He pulled his legs up onto the bed and relaxed back, closing his eyes and sighing heavily. Dean stepped closer and removed his shoes, then tossed them on the floor next to the bed.

"How are you doing little brother?" Dean inquired with concern.

Sam cracked his eyes open, taking in Dean's worried expression. "I'm fine Dean. I'm just a little tired is all," he said sleepily.

"Okay, well you sleep. I'll have Joel bring you something to eat in a few hours," Dean said, watching as Sam scooted down on the bed.

Sam's eyes closed once again and within minutes, he was softly snoring which was music to Dean's ears. It sounded so much better than Sam's breathing had sounded in the early days of his hospital stay. Dean watched Sam until he was certain his brother was deep in sleep. He was so glad to have Sam back at the compound but fearful also. Until Gordon was taken care of, Sam was still in danger. Dean took one last look at his brother before quietly stepping from the room.

Sam awoke a few hours later and glanced around the quiet room, smiling softly when he saw the plastic wrapped plate that held fruit and cheese slices on his bedside table. There was also a baggie filled with snack crackers beside a closed bottle of water. Sam slowly sat up and picked up the plate. Removing the plastic wrap he picked up a piece of cheese and began to put it in his mouth. He stopped however and looked down at the cheese, suddenly not hungry. He knew his fear was irrational, that the likelihood that his food had once again been poisoned was slight, but Sam could not bring himself to consume the meal that was left for him.

Sam reached for the water and opened the bottle. He drained the bottle quickly, his thirst finally quenched when the last drop of water touched his tongue. Sam looked toward the door when it swung open and Dean stepped into the room.

"Hey...you're up," Dean quipped as he crossed the room and planted himself on the chair near Sam's bed.

Dean looked to the uneaten food and glanced back up at Sam. "You need to eat that Sam," he instructed.

"Uh...I...'m not hungry," Sam said softly.

Dean, realizing what Sam must be thinking, rested his hand reassuringly on Sam's knee. "I made up the plate Sam. It's perfectly safe."

Sam glanced at Dean, smiling. "Thanks Dean," he said, picking up a piece of cheese and placing it in his mouth.

Sam ate while Dean watched on and within fifteen minutes, the plate was clean and the baggie empty. Once Sam was finished with his light meal, he stood from the bed and moved to look out the window. There was an unusual amount of activity outside and Sam flinched slightly when he saw Tara being led from the shed she had been held in. He watched as she was put into Jakota's truck. Jakota walked around the truck and placed a duffel bag in the bed, then started toward Sam's quarters.

"Dean, what's going on?" Sam asked as he turned from the window.

Before Dean could reply the door opened and Jakota stepped inside.

"We're ready Dean," Jakota said, his head turning, his eyes falling on Sam. "Sam...how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling much better. Thanks," Sam replied politely.

"It's good to see you back on your feet," Jakota said.

Sam smiled and nodded then turned his attention back to Dean. "Ready for what Dean? What's going on out there?"

"We're going to get Gordon," Dean replied.

"I'm coming with you," Sam shot, already moving to his bed to put on his shoes.

Dean grabbed Sam's arm, stopping his forward motion and turning him around. "No...you're not going anywhere Sam!"

"So what...you're gonna leave me here? Alone?" Sam asked, arching his brow quizzically.

"You won't be alone Sam. There's fifty hunters in this camp," Dean argued.

"Oh, and you trust just anyone to watch out for me? Like we trusted Tara?"

It was a low blow, but Sam refused to be treated like a weak invalid. He refused to be left out of this. "I thought you were the only one who could protect me properly. You can't do that if I'm not with you."

"That's not fair Sam. You just got out of the hospital for fucks sake!"

"I don't care! Gordon tried to kill me. Me Dean! You aren't leaving me out of this!"

"Sam...please..."

"I'm going Dean."

Dean glared at his stubborn brother, anger and fear causing him to tremble. He rubbed a hand over his face then let out a frustrated breath. Sam knew he had won.

"Damnit Sam! Fine...you go. But you stay in the car..."

"Dean..."

"No...I'm not gonna have you passing out in the middle of everything. I want this to go down as smoothly as possible. If Gordon sees you, things could get real ugly...real fast."

"Fine Dean. I'll stay out, but only because you all will be safer if I do."

"Understood. Now let's move."

"One more thing Dean."

Dean rolled his eyes. There was always one more thing when it came to Sam. It could never be easy with his brother. It was something that Dean hated and loved about Sam. He turned to see Sam slipping on his shoes, and sighing, he asked, "What now Sam?"

"You don't kill Gordon."

"Sammy..."

"No...you don't kill him. He's still a human."

"That's debatable."

"Dean..."

"Fine... I won't kill him unless absolutely necessary."

"You promise?"

"Sam, I said I wouldn't kill him. What more do you want?"

"Your promise. That's all."

"Fuck Sam! Fine...I promise I won't kill Gordon, unless one of us is threatened."

"Deal."

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Gordon looked up from the chair he was seated on when there was a light knock on the door. He pulled his glock from his waistband and neared the door. The knock came again and a voice carried through the rotting wood.

"Gordon, it's me," Tara's voice came from the other side of the door.

Gordon slowly opened the door to find Tara standing on the stoop, a nervous smile on her face. Gordon grabbed her arm and yanked her into the cabin. He peered out at the forest, suspicious of any movement he saw. When he was certain all was as it should be he pulled back into the cabin and shut the door. He turned to Tara, eyeing her curiously.

"It's done Gordon," Tara said softly.

"He's dead? Sam Winchester is dead?" Gordon queried, stepping closer to Tara.

"Yes. He held on for quite awhile, but he died last night," Tara replied.

"It had to be done. He was a scum sucking demon lover Tara, no matter what he had people believing," Gordon said with contempt.

"I don't know... I just can't help thinking we may have made a huge mistake."

"He was evil. He was absolute filth Tara. He deserved to die. He deserved to suffer, to have his guts feel as if they were being ripped apart inside of him. He deserved to know that he was going to die, to feel that fear."

Tara could feel the anger build inside of her at Gordon's cruel, untrue words. She tried to hold her tongue but felt the overwhelming need to defend Sam.

"Shut up Gordon! Just shut up! Sam's not evil. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body!" Tara screamed furiously.

"Don't you mean he wasn't evil Tara?" Gordon said slowly, deliberately, calmly.

"What?" Tara asked, fear knotting in her stomach.

"You said he isn't evil. But, you had to have meant he wasn't evil. If he's dead, he can't still be evil," Gordon concluded, moving closer to Tara.

"Oh...yeah. He wasn't evil," Tara replied, backing away.

"What's going on Tara? You settin' me up bitch?"

"N-no...why would I do that?"

"Because, he got to you too. That slimy piece of shit got to you. Filled you full of his fucked up lies."

"Gordon, I don't know what you're talking about. Sam's dead, just like you asked. He suffered horribly, just like you wanted."

"I don't think I believe you Tara."

Gordon stepped by the door, his glock drawn and reached for the knob. Just as his fingers touched the rusted metal, the door burst in, knocking Gordon backward across the room. Bobby rushed quickly for him followed closely by Jakota, Bryan and Joel. Bobby had him up against the wall and disarmed in a matter of seconds.

"You're done Walker. You've screwed with the wrong people this time," Bobby hissed.

"So that piece of psychic scum got to you too Singer?" Gordon taunted, his deep laugh filling the room.

"You better watch your mouth if you know what's good for you," Bobby warned.

"Sam Winchester isn't even worth the crap I scrape off the bottom of my shoes. It felt so good when I pulled the trigger and watched him fall. Too bad that 'healer' was around or Sam would be worm food right now, like he deserves."

"You son of a bitch!!" Dean screamed as he pushed past the Troy brothers and Joel, ripping Gordon from Bobby's grasp.

Dean slammed Gordon against the wall, becoming more infuriated when the hunter merely laughed in his face. "You're brother is nothing but an evil piece of shit Dean and the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be. Why can't you see what a burden he is? You'd be better off if he had never been born. You can still do the right thing and kill him your..."

Gordon's taunts were cut off when Dean pulled back his fist and pounded it into the man's face. Blood spurted from Gordon's now broken nose and the hunter had no time to recover before Dean punched him again, then threw him across the room. Gordon crashed onto his cot, which collapsed under the onslaught. Dean was on Gordon in a flash, his fist flying again and again and again.

Dean would have kept on hitting, and no one was going to raise a finger to stop him until a soft voice called his name, bringing Dean's assault to an abrupt end.

"Dean..."

Dean turned his reddened face to the door, his rage filled eyes taking in the pale, weak form of his brother silouetted in the afternoon sunlight that flooded through the open door.

"Stop it Dean. Please..." Sam said beseechingly, his wide hazel eyes begging his brother to listen.

"Sammy...he tried to kill you," Dean said with frustration.

"I know, but you promised me Dean. He's defenseless. No matter what he did, he's still human. We don't kill humans Dean. Maybe he does, but we don't."

Gordon chuckled through his bloodied and broken teeth, blood bubbling from his broken nose. "You...may not...kill them now, but...you will. You're...no better than...the things you hunt," Gordon gasped, blood speckling his face and chest.

"Shut the fuck up asshole!" Dean spat before punching the man again.

Gordon fell limp against the dirty wooden floor and Dean reached out his fingers, checking Gordon's neck for a pulse. A steady beat met his fingers and he turned to Sam who had moved to stand unsteadily above him.

"He's alive Samantha, just like you wanted. I don't understand why you care, but ...whatever," Dean said.

"If I killed him, or let you kill him then I would be exactly what he claims I am," Sam whispered tiredly, then turned and walked out of the cabin.

Dean stared after his brother, shaking his head slowly. Sometimes his brother drove him crazy with his kindhearted ways, but Dean couldn't imagine him any other way. He wouldn't be his Sammy anymore, and Dean couldn't bear that. Not one little bit.

"Let's get this piece of trash tied up and out of here," Dean said flatly as he moved away and allowed the brothers and Joel to handle Gordon.

Dean walked to the door then turned his gaze on Tara, who had stood across the room through everything.

"I still haven't forgiven or forgotten what you did to Sam, but I heard what Gordon said and what you said and I thank you for that," Dean said, his voice tired.

"I don't expect to be forgiven Dean. I will never be able to forgive myself," Tara replied softly.

"Well, Sam's already forgiven you, but that's just Sam's way. Too forgiving for his own good. But, I guess if he can forgive you, then I can too. Just not quite yet."

With that, Dean stepped from the cabin, hurrying to catch up to his long legged baby brother. Tara stood where she had been, mouth open as she watched Dean disappear out the door. She smiled faintly as a single tear rolled down her cheek. It was at that moment she vowed that if the time ever came when it was necessary, she would gladly lay down her life for the Winchester brothers. She took a deep breath and without sparing one glance at Gordon, she left the cabin, head held high and a smile on her face.

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There you go. I hope that was worth the wait. Hey, Gordon's hurting so that has to be a good thing. Please let me know what you think and I promise I will personally reply to your comments on this chapter. Take care all.

Cindy.