Chapter11
Trapped up against the wall behind Dean, Sam tried in vain to get his brother's attention. He struggled against the invisible bonds holding him back but it wasn't getting him anywhere except exhausted. He felt sweat dampen his brow and tears blur his vision. He was useless to help Dean.
His beloved Jessica appeared before him, urging him on with a shake of her head. The blinding whiteness of her dress had been replaced by a subdued dove gray color. Her whole image was a shimmer of gray.
His mother appeared next to Jess. She was also enveloped in gray. What should have been dull and gloomy exuded peace.
Neither apparition opened her mouth but his mind was filled with their soothing voices. You know what you need to do, Sam.
Sam couldn't speak but he closed his eyes and projected his thoughts into his brother's head. Something pinged in his head, followed by a slide and a click. His eyes sprang open as the world shifted ruthlessly back into focus.
He could see everything now. The world was no longer in black and white or even the comforting gray of Jess and Mary as they faded from his sight. Harsh reds and greens and everything in between dotted the landscape.
Except the twin gray spots that shown where Ash's eyes should have been. The window to his soul, if he had one. And his Achilles tendon.
He turned all of his attention to his brother. Dean, remember when I said you were the key? I think this is it. I need you to stand in front of me and shield me from Asher.
Skepticism was apparent as Dean flicked a glance over his shoulder and frowned as Asher puffed away on a cigar. The demon seemed oblivious of the conversation taking place between the brothers.
Dean stepped forward and tried to peel Sam away from the wall. Pain cascaded through his body. No, don't try to move me. I just need you to block me from Asher. He can't hurt you, you're untouchable.
His brother's eyes widened in disbelief. Sam remembered the last time Dean had tangled with the Yellow Eyed Demon and been left in a coma but a lot had happened since then. Namely John Winchester trading his life for that of Dean's.
Trust. He needed his brother to trust him like he had trusted in Dean a million times before tonight.
And he was rewarded with a lop-sided grin as Dean wordlessly acknowledged his request for help. He positioned his body so that his back was flush to the demon, completely demonstrating the trust he had in his brother. Turning your back to the enemy was never good strategy unless there was a plan.
And Sam had a plan. He was tall enough that he had a view of the demon over his brother's shoulder. Asher continued to puff contentedly on his cigar. Sam could feel energy tingling through his body, the hair on his head beginning to stand on end with frantic static. He took two deep breaths to center himself before closing his eyes. When he reopened them pure blue energy in the form of electricity blazed from his eyes.
Dean flinched his head away and closed his eyes but held fast to his position.
Asher cried out in shock, the cigar dropping from his fingers as he threw up his arms to protect his eyes. "NO!!!"
Sam was oblivious to his surroundings as he pummeled the demon with the heat that blazed out of his own soul. He could feel himself weakening but then Jess and Mary were propping him up, sustaining him with calming words.
Asher's ability to bind him to the wall collapsed under the onslaught of power and Sam fell forward into his brother's arms. Dean held him up and pulled him forward, dragging him as his feet stumbled, until they stood mere feet from the demon.
The demon that had changed their lives.
-0-
Asher's body pulsed with energy, blue sparks flying from his fingertips. His human form began to melt, strips of skin pulling loose and dripping like wax from a candle to the concrete floor.
He couldn't believe his brother was the cause of it. Sam had always been special to him. But this was unbelievable.
Dean had seen a lot through the years but even he had to admit the pyrotechnic display before him was gross. He wished now he hadn't drawn Sam toward the demon. A closer look wasn't really necessary.
He tried to screen his brother's sight from the carnage by pulling him around but Sam's feet remained fixed, his attention focused on the demon short circuiting before them. Sam's legs wobbled precariously and Dean held him tightly, amazed that he was still upright.
Sam's hands covered his ears, his mouth contorted in a silent scream as wave after wave of energy slammed into his body. To Dean the energy was more of a caress, passing around instead of through his body. But Sam trembled in its hold. He needed to get his brother away from Asher.
Before he could act the demon imploded in a burst of white hot light and raw power burned out in one final, dazzling concussion that rocked the warehouse. Both brother's were picked up of their feet and slammed into the back wall where Sam had been trapped before as the demon verbally toyed with Dean.
Dean pulled himself up to his knees and leaned on his hands as he shook his head, trying to clear the wooziness. He knew he should feel a sense of accomplishment, or closure, but right now his body ached from the abuse.
If he felt this bad he wondered how his injured brother had fared. He squinted his eyes and peered through the smoky confines. About two feet away he spotted his brother, eyes closed, lying in a heap at the base of the wall.
Dean crawled over next to Sam and tried to rouse his brother by calling his name and gently shaking his shoulders. He didn't stir. Dean braced his hands on either side of Sam's head and leaned down to place an ear against his brother's chest. A steady thump could be heard through Sam's chest wall and Dean relaxed.
Until he realized something sticky coated his fingers. Blood was darkening the floor beneath his brother's head.
Dean cautiously lifted Sam's head off the ground and tilted his head. There. Dean could see blood freely flowing from Sam's left ear.
Dean was seized by dizziness as he tried to comprehend what was happening. He could hear sirens in the distance and prayed they would be in time. Dean refused to allow another loved one to succumb to the yellow eyed demon.
Dean carefully pulled Sam into his arms and leaned his cheek against the crook of Sam's neck. He could feel Sam's pulse sluggishly beating. He sat up slowly, gingerly cradling Sam again his chest, and brushed the hair back from Sam's face. He was stunned to see Sam's eyes open and staring into his own.
Tears leaked from the corners of Sam's eyes as he struggled to speak. Dean couldn't believe he was awake much less trying to talk right now. "Shhh, don't try to talk Sammy. I've got you and help is on the way."
Dean held Sam against his chest; rocked him like he used to when Sam was a baby. The sirens were getting louder and Dean wanted Sam to save his strength.
Dean could see the frustration on Sam's face as he continued to work his mouth but little sound emerged. Trying to keep Sam from expending too much energy Dean leaned over and placed his ear close to Sam's mouth.
Sam took a deep breath, coughing on the gathering smoke, and tried to force sound past his bruised vocal cords. "Everything's going to be okay…remember, I love you, D…" Sam's whisper died out as he began to cough in earnest.
Dean, oblivious to the smoke, looked at Sam with disbelief and awe. He knew Sam had heard what Asher had said, what Dean had said. And yet his brother said things would be okay and that he loved Dean.
Relief turned to horror as Dean noticed the look of acceptance on Sam's face. Sam hadn't been trying to assuage Dean's guilt, he'd been saying goodbye.
"No! You can't have him!" Dean turned his face toward the heavens as tears left salty paths through the soot on his cheeks. It was then that he noticed the thick smoke overtaking the room.
Leaning down he scooped Sam up and held him to his chest while staggering to his feet. He needed to get Sam to safety quickly. He weaved across the room toward the door, carefully balancing his still brother in his arms. Leaning his shoulder against the door he pushed out into the fresh air.
Immediately he was met with firemen trying to relieve him of his burden. Dean didn't want to give Sam up but his strength was flagging and he grudgingly allowed Sam to be removed from his care. Dean watched the fireman carrying his brother break into a run toward the nearest ambulance.
"Sir, is there anyone else inside?" Another fireman had Dean by the arm and was leading him away from the warehouse. Dean shook his head no as he was lead toward another ambulance.
"No, please. I have to stay with my brother." Dean became agitated as Sam disappeared from his sight. He tried to pull away from the hand holding him back but he couldn't break away.
He heard a voice as if from a long distance saying that some man was suffering from shock and smoke inhalation and then he knew no more. His vision turned spotty and he pitched forward sinking into oblivion.
TBC
A/N: The YED is no more. I'm not sure I did the scene with him going super-nova justice; I never would have guessed writing gore would be so difficult. Oh, and this was written way before AHBL2 so I hope you'll forgive the AU.