Disclaimers and warnings see Chapter 1

Thanks to SeaKat for the wonderful and fast beta job. All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 10 Subterfuge

The hunters left the jail for the morning knowing it was time to regroup. They stopped at a roadside diner for lunch. While Sam was washing up in the bathroom the men discussed what had happened that morning.
"I hate to admit it," said a clearly frazzled Pastor Jim, "but Dean's in a bad way. I think that is why they wanted me to see him today instead of Sam. If something happens to him and this ends up in court I will have to say under oath that he was sick when I saw him."
"Damn. I was afraid of that. Let's not say anything to Sam," John swore.
"Agreed," confirmed Bobby and the Pastor.
Just before Sam returned to the table Bobby got up to go to the phone booth outside to call his contact from the consulate. They ordered Bobby's lunch for him and were halfway through eating when Bobby returned looking glum.

They finished eating and were drinking coffee when Bobby spoke.
"Our contact with the consulate says it will be at least four days before he can get a court order for Dean."
"That's too long!" Sam exclaimed over his coke.
"We need to get him out tonight, tomorrow night at the latest," Pastor Jim frowned in thought.
"Okay, we need information. Sam, did Dean say there was any time when he wasn't guarded?"
"No, he didn't say."
"I'd say he is covered pretty good. As Sam said there is even a guard down in the cell block with him," said Jim.
"If he's left alone for even for minute he would have picked the lock by now," Bobby knew Dean's ability with a lock even at fourteen were better than most adults.
"We need to get Dean to let us know if there are any chinks in the amour. We need a way in."
"Well, he can't just come out and tell us. The guards would probably beat him to death. We should slip him paper and a pencil. Some pain tablets to if we can," Sam spoke up.
John started at how quickly Sam had come up with a plan and at how he had said beat him to death so casually.
"Thing is we don't know which one of us will be going in this afternoon," John huffed.
"So we should all take a kit with us. A little tube with that stuff in it. It could be small enough to put in his pocket when you hug him through the bars."
The three older hunters were saddened by Sam's words. They could all picture Sam hugging his sick brother desperately through the small gaps in the bars wanting to soothe him.

That afternoon they went back to the jail all of them armed with Sam's idea of a small black tube which held a pencil stub, a small piece of paper and two Tylenol extra strength tablets. That's all there was room for as they wanted to keep it a small as possible. Sam had made them up with Bobby's help and had insisted they take two each in case they were searched or lost one. John was surprised how Sam had stepped up and taken control of getting Dean out since the adults had failed. He was proud of his youngest but also proud of Dean for bringing Sam up to be smart and strong like he was.

Sam was taken down to the cells to John's relief. He had been able to sneak Dean a bandage which was a lot bigger than the small packet he was intending to pass off. Sam approached the cell and quickly sunk to his knees down to Dean's level as he lay on the cold concrete. Dean didn't move as Sam pushed his hands through the bars and smoothed a hand through his hair while the other rested on his chest. Dean's eyes were closed and Sam could tell by his loose posture he was asleep or unconscious. Sam could feel tremors wracking Dean's body and the terrible heat he was throwing off despite lying on the cool surface. Sam saw Dean was no longer sweating and was sure that was a bad sign.

He tried to recall the stages of infection that Dean had read out to him only that summer from the front seat of the Impala as they drove to a hunt with out much success.
"Dean wake up." Sam shook his brother lightly. "Come on Dean. Wake up, its Sammy."
Dean groaned and rolled slowly towards his brother.
"I thought you hated that name." Dean's pain filled raspy whisper was so soft Sam cloud barley hear it.
"You're the only one allowed, Dean."
Dean opened his eyes slowly and Sam gasped softly at how glassy and unfocused his eyes were. They were both a little puffy and had purple bruises but at least he could open them. Sam pushed his arm though the bars further and encouraged Dean to roll so close to him he was hard up against the bars. Sam took the opportunity to slip one of his small tubes into Dean's front pocket. Dean didn't ask but rolled his head so his ear was against the bars.

Sam covered them with his shoulder and whispered in Dean's ear.
"Read it when you can. We will get it off you tomorrow."
Dean nodded and squeezed Sam's hand gently when he squeezed his. Sam could sense Dean having trouble with his breathing even though he was trying valiantly to hide it.
"Hey Dean? My turn for a memory right?" Sam spoke a little louder so Dean could hear him.
Dean nodded slowly and licked his lips.
"Remember my first day of school?"

Dean looked Sam in the eye. That was such a long time ago. How could he remember that? Dean nodded however; of course he remembered he was older.
"Even though we practiced it I still didn't like you leaving. So you stayed. You missed out on your own day just to stay with me. I remember one lady told you to just go so I couldn't get used to it the hard way, but you called her a mean old witch and stayed anyway…even when she called Dad."
"Yeah, I thought I was going to get in big trouble for that but he took us out for ice cream and told me I did a good job looking after you."
"Yeah, I remember you stayed with me for a few days until I settled in properly".
"A week. My teacher wasn't happy with me."
"But you told them I was more important that a few lessons."
"You knew about that?"
"I heard you and Dad talking. We had pizza for dinner that night."
"Yeah."
"You came and saw me every lunch time while I was at that school then again at the next until I was in the next grade. You walked me to and from school to. They were the best parts about school you know."
"Not all the learning, brainiac?" Dean teased breathlessly nudging Sam's side through the bars with both hands.
"No Dean, not even the learning. You started the learning long before school anyway big brother. When we get away from here I want you to walk me to school again."

Dean nodded and rubbed the back of his fingers over Sam's chin.
"You bet Sammy."
Sam stayed laying down running a hand down Dean's quivering body. It was so much of a chick flick moment that Sam thought Dean might push him away but he felt Dean was drawing strength from having him as close as he could. While he lay there Sam's hands went to his own pocket and found the other tube he had and discreetly pushed it into Dean's pocket.
"We will be back in the morning, Dean. Hang tough okay buddy?"
Dean was surprised that Sam used one of their Dad's sayings on him. It sounded strange coming from his lips but comforting at the same time.
"Thanks Sammy."
The guard was hauling Sam to his feet and out the door less than a minute later.

TBC