Hi and welcome back. Sorry, this chapter isn't too exciting but I haven't had a lot of time to work on this story and wanted to send out an update. I hope you will enjoy; I hope you will send me a review if you do! Thanks for the continued support, as always I appreciate it! Thanks! :)
They work in silence. Uncomfortable, awkward and downright tense silence. What do you say anyways? Sorry Sam? Sorry that your brother felt the need to try and add a splash of colour to this dingy house with his own fluid? Sorry that he is so out of his gourd with whatever the hell this is that he was willing to shoot himself in the head just to make it stop? No, somehow Bobby thinks that won't cut it. So the older hunter decides to keep his trap shut.
Dean had passed out again shortly after his brief moment of lucidity on the kitchen floor, and now that Bobby and Sam have him back on the couch and as comfortable as he can be, Bobby doesn't know what to do, or to say. Sam looks dead on his feet. Bobby watches as he makes his hundredth trip around the perimeter of the room and he can hear the younger Winchester swear and fume under his breath.
The older man can make out only certain words but they tell him enough. Bobby has never known the younger sibling to be much into the more foul words in the profanity dictionary, but he ain't sure he has even heard half of the sayings that are flying out of Sam's mouth. Bobby stays silent and lets the young man vent. Hell, he himself just wants to leave the confines of his house and smash a car or two of his own out in the yard. But, thanks to John, he is now head-on into daddy mode. Not that he minds, but he would have preferred to ease into it, not get thrust right into the black hole on his first round. Damn it John, look what your death has done to these boys.
"Sam, you're making me dizzy. I know my place ain't something out of a Martha Stewart mag, but I would still prefer to keep my carpet from being worn down to the floor. Listen son, how's about I stay here and keep an eye on Mr. Idjit while you just take a minute to gather yourself. I'm thinking you could use a little break from all the damn drama around here. Get some rest. Hell, just go and get some air or something, I'm almost choking from the damn elephant in the room."
Okay, that got his attention and Bobby almost flinches at the fire in Sam's eyes as he looks straight on at the older man.
"Huh. You mean the elephant lurking around because Dean just tried to kill himself? Or maybe it's the elephant to do with how he is drowning in pain? Is that what you are talking about? Is it Bobby?"
Hmm, sarcasm much Sam? Maybe that brother of yours is rubbing off on you.
"Uh, yeah, that's them. Both elephants accounted for."
Bobby watches as Sam makes one more loop around the couch before he plops down and stares at his brother with such intensity that Bobby almost wants to look away. Sam is searching his face; like he is trying to learn Dean's deepest, darkest secrets by using his eyes alone.
"You know kid, staring at him like that; boring a hole in his damn skull ain't gonna make the answers you're looking for magically pop out of him and make their way into your head through osmosis or somethin'."
Sam turns to him them and Bobby sees a flash of rage, or maybe it's intense sadness, flutter across his features before they soften and he lets out a light sigh and a chuckle.
"Osmosis Bobby?"
"What? You don't think I was actually born a hunter do you? I used to have a different life too you know. I know what the hell osmosis means!"
At least he has pulled him back from whatever darkness he was caught up in. But still, is doesn't change the fact that Sam is about one incoherent mutter leaving his brother's lips from plunging into a deep seeded depression of his own. Bobby has to keep in mind that Sam has also lost his father; at how close he came to losing the only family he has left. The damn kid needs a break.
"Yeah, you're right Bobby. But I… I know I won't be able to sleep. I mean I keep on… I keep on seeing him, dead on the god damn kitchen floor. I just don't know what I am supposed to do. I have to help him Bobby but I know he won't let me. Damn it, why does he always do this? Why does he lock everything up inside? I just… I just don't know what I am supposed to do."
These boys infuriate him more than any other idjits he has ever come across; and there have been more than enough to deal with. After all of this Sam still thinks his brother and him are in this battle alone? What is he anyway, just the guy they come to, to find some obscure reference or ritual to stop some undead piece of crap? Family don't end in blood; he'll make damn sure both boys get that message loud and clear.
"First of all Sam, you are starting to piss me off. Do you think for one minute that you, or your stubborn ass brother over there, are in this thing alone? I may not be the most lovable person; I may not be your father, but I've still got your backs. Always.
So do me and yourself a favour and get out of here for a damn minute before I can't fight the urge anymore to wring both of your stupid necks. We need to regroup. We are tense and stressed and still trying to process the little show your brother just put on. Remember, your brother is hurting, and you should know better than most that those colossal walls of his come up bigger and stronger than ever when he's like this. So, take your butt and go outside. Scream or hit something or take a bottle of booze and have a drink. I don't care which son but you need a minute to yourself. I am perfectly capable of looking after your brother for five damn minutes! Okay?"
"Yeah okay Bobby. I guess… I guess I could use a little air."
And without another word Bobby watches Sam stalk into the kitchen, grab a beer and head out the door. The older man is thankful that Sam didn't put up too much of a fight but he almost misses him when he hears the door shut. His eyes cast themselves towards Dean. Towards the young man who has shown more of his true feelings in the last couple of hours than Bobby can remember hearing about in his whole life.
Bobby isn't sure when it happened; when it was exactly that he shut his eyes, but when they open and he peers into the very, very concerned eyeballs of the younger Winchester he feels like a certified heel for falling asleep at the wheel.
"Sam? What is it?"
He is surprised when he is actually 'shushed' by the younger man, and he is about to let him know that he don't appreciate that much, when Sam puts a finger to his own lips and motions towards the other side of the room.
Dean. He is right in front of the window, staring out into the yard. Sam approaches cautiously as Bobby wipes his eyes and tries to get his bearings.
"Dean? What are you doing man?"
Bobby can see Dean's hand holding on to the table beside the window, the knuckles white against the strain. He is listing dangerously to the side and Bobby starts to move; what he figures would be worthy of being called a ninja-like sneak attack.
"Shh, quiet Sam. Stay away from the window. I know they're out there. I… I can't see them but I know they are there. They are looking for you. You need to hide. Please. I'll hold them off Sam. You just need to get out of Dodge."
Bobby notices Sam's eyes travel towards him as he reaches the other side. Sam on one, Bobby on the other. Sam reaches a hand out to Dean's head and pulls a face at the heat that Bobby assumes must be radiating off of his brother.
"Who Dean? Listen to me alright? There is no one there. Please, you need to come with me. You need to lay down."
Bobby sees Dean's hand shoot out and grab Sam's wrist before the older brother whispers out what he figures his brother needs to hear.
"The demons Sam. They are trying to take you away from me. It's…it's what dad warned me about. Save you. Or kill you. And there is no way in hell I am going to kill you!"
Dean's outburst must have come out with more force than he intended because he instinctively removes his grip from the table to cover his mouth. His eyes are wide, scanning each and every corner and crevasse of the yard he is so intently focused on; as if to make sure none of the invisible foes outside heard him.
Bobby takes his cue from the slant that Dean's body seems to take all on its own, and makes it there just in time to prevent him, once again, from slamming into the floor.
The heat is palpable. Too hot. Too fevered. They need to do something about this; they need to cool him off. Now. He looks to Sam and whispers softly.
"Sam. Get the tub filled up. Lukewarm water. We need to lower his temperature. Do it son. Now."
TBC... Well, that's all I've got for today. I hope it was enjoyable and please, if you are so inclined, reviews would be most awesome and appreciated! Until next time... :)