A/N: And so the angst begins...

Seriously the plot is actually starting now (Yes there is a plot) and intend to cause as much pain to my characters as I can (I think Sam is the only one who gets away pain free, lol).

Chapter Twelve

"It's Bobby…"

"What happened to Bobby?" Dean anxiously asked.

"A hospital called, he was admitted a couple of hours ago."

"What happened?" Dean asked, more forcefully this time in his panic to find out what was wrong.

"They're not sure," Sam began to explain. "He was found by the side of the road by a motorist; he was unconscious and badly beaten. He hasn't woken up yet."

"We need to go," Dean said as he threw his bag onto the bed and began dumping his clothes in. "How far away are we from there?"

"Over a day."

"Then I'll drive fast. I just gotta go and tell Emma and then we can leave."

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"Oh, hi; I wasn't expecting to see you so soon," Emma cheerfully greeted before she noticed how distressed he looked. "What's wrong?"

"I have to leave," Dean told her. "A friend of mine's been hurt and we need to go and see him."

"Is your friend okay?"

"No," Dean shook his head. "He's not. They found him by the side of the road and he was unconscious and beaten and we need to drive and it's gonna take a day to get there and…"

"Dean, it's okay," she whispered; pulling him into a hug. He buried his head into her hair and breathed deeply to clam himself down. "I understand," she told him and kissed him tenderly. "Go and see your friend and I'll be waiting here for you, okay?"

"Okay," he hoarsely whispered and nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise."

"Just take your time," she told him and kissed him again. "Call me when you get back."

"I will," Dean turned to leave but as he did he bumped into a man; tall and very hairy. He looked as if he hadn't shaved in weeks; his beard was wild and unkempt. "I'm sorry," Dean apologised for banging into him.

"Emma, I really need to talk to you," he begged, his eyes full of fear and pain.

"You know him?" Dean asked.

"Dean, this is Mike my ex-boyfriend. Mike, this is Dean," she introduced.

"Let me guess, your current boyfriend," Mike finished.

"Yes," she bluntly told him. "What do you want?"

"I should be going," Dean said.

"Okay, I'll see you later," she said as he Dean hurried off. He had no time to be jealous of Mike; he just needed to get to Bobby.

"What do you want?" Emma repeated; she didn't have time for him and didn't want to have to spend any more time with him than necessary.

"I have a big problem."

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"Who was that guy at Emma's door?" Sam asked as Dean drove faster than he really should have been.

"Mike, Emma's ex," he told his brother.

"The ex who ran off when the werewolf attacked?"

"The same one."

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to talk to Emma."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Dean asked.

"Because he's her ex and he wants to talk to her," Sam explained.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means what if he wants to get back together with her?"

"That's not gonna happen," Dean told him.

"Really?"

"No," Dean sounded almost offended by Sam's suggestion. "Why would you even think that? She hates him."

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't worrying until you brought it up so can we just drop it and go?"

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They arrived at the hospital late the next night after driving continuously throughout the day. Dean had been quiet for the most part; driving until he was totally exhausted and then Sam insisted he take over. After being threatened by Dean if he hurt his baby; Sam drove the rest of the way and Dean managed to sleep a little.

His dreams were not peaceful. Dean was dreaming the same recurring one he had had since the accident only this time Bobby was there; lying beaten and unconscious on the floor of the cave. Dean tried to call out his name but the large rock pinning him down prevented him from doing so. He called out and tried to push the rock off but it was no use. He was watching his friend die and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Dean, you okay?" He heard Sam ask as he suddenly woke up.

"What?"

"We're here. Are you okay? You looked like you were having a nightmare."

"I'm fine," Dean cleared his throat and sat up in the seat. 'So, we're here?"

"Yeah, you ready to go in?"

"Come on."

They were both shocked when they saw Bobby. They were not used to seeing him like this; lying so still, surrounded by tubes and machines.

'How is he?" Sam asked the nurse.

"He's stable," she told them. "He had a comfortable night."

"Has he woken up at all?"

"Not yet."

"Okay, thank you," Sam smiled as she left and then turned to Dean.

"We need to get the son of a bitch that did this to him," Dean said through clenched teeth. Sam could see that Dean was upset and that he was handling it the only way he knew how; by wanting to take his anger out on the demon that had done this to Bobby. "We need his research, where was he staying?"

"The Crossways Motel," Sam told his brother.

"What are we waiting for then?" Dean said as he walked out of the hospital room leaving Sam no other choice but to follow him.

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The trap had been set. They had figured out where the demon was lurking from studying Bobby's notes and now all they had to do was sit and wait.

"I heard the greatest thing," A voice permeated the darkness. "I heard that the Winchester's were in town. Why don't you both come out and face me like men and not the cowards I think you are."

"Why don't you find us?" Dean shouted. The demon couldn't see where he was hiding and so looked around for him.

"I'm not going to play your games so come out so I can kill you," The amused tone leaving the demon's voice as he grew weary of the game. He just wanted to kill them and leave.

Dean stepped out of the shadow and coughed to get the demon's attention. "You want me? Come and get me," he just stood there and smirked as the demon ran towards him before he stopped suddenly. Dean's smirk grew as the demon realised what had happened. Looking up he saw that he was trapped.

"Damn it."

"You got that right. Sam, you ready?" Dean asked as Sam stepped out and read the exorcism ritual from a book. "Bye bye," Dean laughed as Sam sent the demon back to Hell. "Well, that was bracing."

"Bracing? You barely broke a sweat! All you did was stand there."

"Sammy, Sammy, Sammy, don't question me. I'm always right."

"Whatever, you ready to go back to the hospital?"

"Yeah," Dean said suddenly becoming very weary. "Let's go."