Chapter 11
2004 Shiloh County Hospital
Buffy fumed while the elevator took them to the parking level. Just who does John Winchester think he is? I'm the Slayer. I've been doing this job for over seven years. Dusting vamps, killing demons and even stopping an apocalypse or two. He thinks I can't handle ol' yellow eyes?
When the elevator doors slid open, Buffy said, "We are summoning this demon. We are trapping this demon. Then we are destroying this demon."
Willow shot Xander an amused look; Buffy hadn't been this determined in quite a while. Xander smirked behind Buffy's back. There's the Slayer he knew. "You sure you can take him?"
Dawn hid her grin. She knew Xander was cheer leading, but she was also aware her role was to be concerned sister. "Yeah, Buffy, you've been shot. You're not at full strength."
"Exactly," Buffy answered, stopping the trek to the rental car and turning to face her friends. "Even with my shoulder not at one hundred percent, I was able to fight this guy. Even though killing the person it's wearing didn't kill him, I know it can be done." She turned to her true go-to person in a crisis. "Willow?"
"I'm going to need some supplies," the Wiccan replied. "Some acacia, oil of Abramelin, candles, chalk, should be pretty easy to find in town. Any store that-"
"Stuff's already here," Dawn interrupted. "Mr. Winchester asked Sam for that stuff. I picked it up the other day."
Xander was perplexed. "Winchester wanted to summon the demon but he didn't kill it?"
"He did summon it, then he made a deal. His life for Dean's," Buffy replied without any emotion.
Willow stopped walking. "I don't know if we can alter the deal, Buffy. The results may kill Dean."
"I don't care about the deal," the Slayer said coldly. "I only care about killing the demon."
"Buffy," Dawn cautioned, but was cut off by her sister's stern look.
"Dawn, Sam told you the demon said it had plans for him and kids like him." Dawn nodded wondering where her sister was going with this line of thought. "I end the demon and its plans are ended; Sam and the others are safe."
"But what about Dean?"
"The demon didn't save Dean, Willow did."
Willow saw no point in arguing with Buffy so she turned to Dawn. "Did you buy enough of those supplies for me to use, or do we need to get more?"
"There should have been plenty, but they might be in John Winchester's room."
"Good thing you're good at sneaking around and stealing stuff, baby sister, 'cause it looks like you've got a job to do," Buffy said with a smirk before turning to Xander. "I don't want to just exorcise this guy, I want to kill it. So, Xan, any ideas?"
"We can't get to the scythe in time, and we can't use the Winchester's gun," he mused. They had turned around and were heading back into the the hospital, when Xander had an idea. "What if we keep him trapped until we can get our hands on a weapon to kill it?"
The women stopped walking to think about what Xander was saying. "You mean keep him trapped indefinitely in a devil's trap?" Buffy asked. "And what, just hope no one sees this guy or lets him out?"
"No, it will be more like a genie in a bottle." Xander read the hospital directory. "Where should we do this?"
Willow checked the directory and the floor map. "Basement," she said pointing to the boiler room on the map. "Safest place; less staff, fewer interruptions"
Buffy studied the map. "Right. Dawn and I will get the supplies and meet you there.
2000 Sunnydale
Joyce Summers was rubber band stretched to its limit. As a single mom of two daughters starting school within the week and a gallery show to prepare for, she didn't have time for a headache. She rubbed her temples and took several deep breaths, leaning against the kitchen sink.
"Are you all right, Mrs. Summers?"
Joyce turned from the sink to see Sam Winchester's worried expression. "Yes, Sam, thank you, it's just a headache." She smiled weakly hoping it reassured him.
"Have you had your coffee today?" he asked. When she gave him a confused look, Sam continued, "I was reading somewhere that if coffee drinkers don't get enough coffee, they can get really bad headaches." He didn't think Mrs. Summers had a hangover like his father often had.
"Hmm, I guess I'll have another cup and see if it helps. It couldn't hurt anyway."
"I'll do it if you want," he said then pulled out a chair. "Why don't you sit down and take a break for a minute."
Joyce smiled at him. "Thanks, Sam, you don't have to do that."
"I don't mind." Sam set about preparing the coffee maker and getting Joyce's mug from the cabinet. Joyce relaxed in her chair; it was nice having someone take care of her for a change.
There were a few minutes of blessed silence before the storm burst through the door. "But you have to, Mom said," Dawn shouted. Buffy and Dean followed her into the room. Dean gave Sam a look that warned him to stay quiet.
"Ugh! Mom, do I really have to take Dawn with me today? She ruined my training yesterday -"
"Did not."
"Did too. I'm not going anywhere near the mall. Just the Magic Shop and then training with Giles."
"Mom, can't you take me shopping? I don't want to go to Hogwarts!"
Sam laughed at her joke, making Dawn feel all tingly inside. It was even better when he noticed that Buffy and Dean looked confused and said, "Geez, crack a book once in a while."
"Dawn, I would take you, but I have to prepare the gallery for the show tonight. I just don't have time."
"I can take her," Sam offered quietly. "I mean if Dean doesn't mind dropping us off, I can help Dawn get her supplies together."
Joyce gave Sam such an appreciative smile he immediately blushed. "You would? You wouldn't mind?"
"No, not at all," he shrugged nonchalantly.
"Dean?" Joyce turned to the older Winchester, "would you mind driving them to the mall?"
"Of course not, Mrs. Summers. Be happy to."
Sam place the mug of freshly brewed coffee along with two aspirin in front of Joyce and received another grateful smile. "Come on, Dawn,let's take a look at your list and see what we've need to get."
As they followed Sam and Dawn out of the kitchen, Buffy nudged Dean. "What was that about?"
Dean shrugged and waited until Sam was out of earshot. "Sam's never been a big brother and he's never had a mom. I think he's adopting your family."
"Aww," Buffy gushed, "now I wanna hug him now."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's just what he needs. More attention from the Summers women."
2004 Shiloh County Hospital
Dean stood at his window, arms crossed in front of him. He knew it wasn't painless for his dad to tell him about Sam, but that didn't make it easier to take. He had been charged with taking care of his brother his entire life. Now he was supposed to stop him from becoming evil. Sam, evil? Dean wanted to laugh. Sam didn't even kill spiders, he favored catching and releasing them outside.
He didn't want to consider the drastic measure his father told him might be necessary.
Hearing his father admit to knowing that Buffy wasn't dead, was nearly as difficult.
"I know sorry's not enough."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You were in such a dark place after she died, I didn't want you to go through that again. I knew you were hurting, but she's a slayer and her death at the hand of a demon is inevitable. I couldn't bear to watch you go through it again."
"Knowing she was alive would have put me out of my misery, Dad," Dean's bitterness wasn't lost on John. However Dean was more bothered by the thought that Buffy hadn't wanted him to know.
"Dean, she was brought back with some sort of magic. I know you know that's not right. I made her stay away. I'm sure she would have come to you sooner if I hadn't."
Dean shook his head and looked away from his father. John realized it would take a long time for his son to forgive him.
Now, standing before the window, Dean wondered if what he thought were dreams from his time in the coma were actually memories.
"Hey, should you be out of bed?" Sam's worried voice came from behind him.
Dean felt a smirk forming. "I'm fine Sammy," he said turning to smile at his brother, "but if it'll make you feel better, I get back to my bed."
Sam shut the door, then walked over to the chair by Dean's bed. "So Dad told you?" Dean's expression told him nothing. "He told you about Buffy?" Dean nodded slowly. "I swear I didn't know man."
"It's okay, Sam. What I don't understand is why she's here. Why, after all this time, is Buffy ready to tell me she's alive?"
Sam shrugged. "I guess you'll have to ask her."
"Yeah, I'll get right on that."
Dean's sarcasm wasn't lost on his brother. "Willow and Xander flew out, too."
Dean shook his head bemused. "I don't understand those people. Why would they bother to come here? We have exactly stayed close."
"They're your friends, Dean."
"No, they're not. We haven't been friends in years. I'm just some guy that dated a girl they knew. Hell, it's not like we exchanged Christmas cards." Sam huffed a small laugh. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what?"
"I think I do remember some stuff, but it's all jumbled in my brain. I'm not sure if I was dreaming something or if it's a memory."
"Okay, ask away, I'll try to answer what I can."
"You and Dawn tried to talk to me with a Ouija board, right?"
Sam grinned, "Yeah, you remember?"
Dean nodded. "Then you and Buffy did this thing where you were with me for a few minutes."
"Yes, Willow did a spell and sent us into the nether realm." Sam was more excited than Dean over the memories.
Dean was quiet for a few minutes. "Something's not right, Sam. The reaper was right there. I was checking out -"
"But that's when Willow did her spell and was able to bring you back."
"No, I mean, maybe, but what I'm getting at is there was black smoke, like when a demon smokes out of it's meat suit. And the reaper, she seemed angry about it."
Sam stared at his brother for a minute. "Dean, Willow promised she wasn't going to use black magic. She wouldn't just lie about it." Sam fell silent as he thought. "I'm going to call Bobby. I remember Willow's spell, for the most part. I'll see if he knows anything about it."
"Yeah, good, sounds like a plan. Get me some clothes, too. And see if you know when they are going to let me out of here. I freaking hate hospitals."
Sunnydale October 2000
Buffy paced the length of her house, holding an ice pack to her temple. She had just been handed her butt in a one on one battle with a crazy strong fashion victim calling herself Glory, while trying to save a monk. A monk who told her Dawn isn't her sister but some sort of mystical key turned innocent helpless human.
Buffy had only been trying to learn if there was a paranormal cause to her mother's headaches, she hadn't gone looking for this.
Dawn walked by snacking on a bag of chips. "Go get an apple," Buffy ordered, snatching the chip bag from her sister's hand.
"Hey, I was eating those."
"Yeah, and now you're going to eat an apple. Then, you can have the chips."
Dawn groaned and turned to the kitchen calling over her shoulder, "God, you're so bossy."
"I'm supposed to look after you, so I'm looking after you."
"Whatever."
Buffy watched Dawn do as she was told, though she made a face as she walked by eating the apple. It was then Buffy realized that even though Dawn annoyed her, she annoyed her as a sister. She wondered how those monks created the memories, but at the same time understood that she loved her little sister and wouldn't let anyone harm her.
However, Buffy knew this wasn't a secret she could keep to herself. Something wanted to hurt Dawn because of what she used to be. Giles and the others had to be told how important Dawn was and that she needed protecting.
There was one person she dreaded telling. He hated supernatural beings and may want to hurt Dawn because of it. Nervously, she twisted the silver band she wore. It was a habit she fell into whenever she thought of Dean.
She told herself it would be okay, that he would understand, but she was prepared to defend Dawn to her dying breath if Dean tried to hurt her. Knowing him, he would break up with her like he did when Angel returned. But if that's what it took to keep Dawn safe, Buffy would forget about Dean.
John Winchester waited in his room, knowing the demon would make it's appearance soon. He retrieved the Colt and placed it on the small table. For a moment he regretted his decision to strike a deal. Not because he didn't want to save Dean, but he had always hoped to see Mary again.
Mother's Day 1983
John found Mary standing at her vanity, studying something she was holding in her hand. "What's that you've got there, Mary?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"My mother's wedding ring." She held it between her fingers for John to see.
"What are you going to do with it?" John knew he had to be careful. Mary was still hormonal from giving birth to their second son, and with it being Mother's Day, probably nostalgic for her late mother. He certainly didn't want to upset her, yet he couldn't help but notice that the ring had a nice diamond and would certainly ease their money troubles.
Mary reached up to caress John's cheek. "Well, it looks like I'm not going to have a daughter to pass it on to, so I guess I should hold on to it until Dean's ready to give it to some girl."
"He's four," John chuckled, brushing her hair aside to kiss her neck.
Mary giggled. "I know, but it'll happen some day and I want to keep this in the family." She spun in his arms to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Someday he'll look at a girl the same way you look at me. Promise me you'll keep it for him."
"Promise." Like he could deny her anything when she looked at him with those amazing eyes smiling at him."But do you think there will ever be a girl worthy of your Dean?" he teased.
Mary laughed. "Absolutely not. But miracles do happen John."
"He'll be lucky to find a girl half as amazing as his mother."
Cheyenne, Wyoming December 2000
Dean stared at the B movie late show on TV, tired of dealing with his brother's complaints, and depressed about not being in Sunnydale for the holidays. He didn't even want to answer his phone. It would either be his father telling him he was delayed, again, or it would be his girlfriend sounding as depressed as he felt. His temper couldn't handle either one at the moment.
During their most recent call, Dean could tell something was really bothering Buffy, but she wouldn't tell him what it was. Just like he kept details of his life from her, he knew she never wanted to burden him with her troubles or worry him about her slayer duties.
The movie ended, but Dean was too restless to sleep. Sam was sound asleep on the other bed, sugar induced coma. He turned on the bed side lamp and re-read Buffy's most recent letter. Even though they spoke nearly everyday, Buffy would still write to him. Her letters were filled with plans for their future and would fill Dean with hope like he never knew before. If he could make just part of her dreams come true, he'd be happy. He never let Sam or his dad know he received letters let alone kept them. He could hear Sammy teasing him, just thinking about it.
The sound of John's truck tore Dean away from his musing. Quickly, he slipped the letter back into his pack. A moment later, his father hurried through the door with a flurry of snow swirling around him. "Hey, Dad," Dean whispered.
"Dean, didn't expect you to still be up," John replied in a hushed voice. Dean shrugged in response. "Well, it's a good thing you are, I wanted to talk to you." John plopped into a chair and took off his boots and coat.
"Wanna beer?' Dean asked, wondering what his dad wanted to discuss with him and knowing it probably wasn't good.
"Yeah, get yourself one, too." Dean returned with two beers and hoped his dad couldn't see the nerves on his face. "Sorry I got back so late. I didn't expect that storm to drop so much snow."
"It's no big deal, Dad."
John studied his son with a raised brow. Dean was good at hiding his feelings, but John knew he had hoped to see Buffy over the holidays. "Yeah, well, I made a stop I didn't tell you about." He reached into the duffel he had at dropped at his feet earlier. "I stopped at my storage locker on the way here. I thought it might be time I gave you something I've been holding onto since you were a kid." John chuckled at Dean's confused expression, then tossed a small package at his son. "Catch."
Dean snagged the package out of the air as it was pitched his way. "What is it?" he asked looking at John.
"It's something your mom wanted you to have. Open it."
Dean opened the tattered box to find a diamond ring. He looked at his father in astonishment. "What the – what is this?"
John shifted uncomfortably in his chair and scraped a hand down his face. "It was your grandmother's, your mom's mom. Your mom wanted me to keep it for you, so that someday you could give it to your girl."
Dean looked at his dad as if the man had grown three heads. "You're kidding, right?"
John sighed, "No. I mean, I'm not exactly sure how you feel about Buffy, give it to her or don't. Either way, you're old enough to look after your own things. I figured if I kept that much longer, I'd end up selling it."
Dean silently studied the ring. He felt a strange lump form in his throat. His mom had thought about giving him a ring that long ago? He had never met his grandmother, he only remembered a story or two. She had taught his mother how to bake. She had green eyes like him. That's all he remembered, now he was holding her ring.
"If you do plan on giving it to Buffy, you'll have to change the band," John said nonchalantly. "Your grandfather had it engraved with more than just initials and it's worn kinda thin."
"Thanks, Dad," Dean said not taking his eyes off the ring, "but I wasn't even thinking about anything like this."
"Well, marriage has probably crossed her mind, and before you tired to scrape together enough cash for a ring, I thought I'd pass this one along. Like I said, it's yours. Your mom wanted you to have it. And, I figured if I'm going to be late, it should be for a good cause." John finished his beer and stood. "I'm gonna get cleaned up and hit the hay."
Sunnydale January 2001
The chair in the lounge had seen better days. When Dean sat in it, he collapsed much further than he expected. He knew Buffy had a class in that hall, but he wasn't sure when it would be over or if she'd even take this route out of the building. But, he had nothing to lose, if he missed Buffy here, he'd catch her at her dorm. He didn't hear a bell, but suddenly the hall was filled with students.
Buffy froze when she saw him. It had been only twenty four hours since they spoke and he hadn't said anything about making the trip to Sunnydale. She bit her lip to stop the smile she felt covering her face. She felt like a character in a romance novel, she wanted to run into his arms.
The corridor thinned out and Dean finally saw her approaching. He met her smile with a wide one of his own. "Hey."
"Hey, you didn't tell me you were going to be able to visit!"
He took her hand and tugged her onto his lap. He brushed her hair back and pulled her in for a kiss. Lost in the moment, they didn't stop until they heard, "Get a room."
Breaking from the kiss, Dean chuckled, "I've got one, you know."
Buffy smiled glassy eyed. "Mine's closer and doesn't have Sam."
Dean captured her lips in another kiss and whispered, "Mine doesn't have Sam or Willow, but it does have magic fingers and a kind sized bed."
"Yours wins."
***11***11***
Buffy had Dean's sweater off within minutes of entering the motel room. Every eager move she made, Dean tried to slow her down. Finally, she groaned in frustration. "What? Why do you keep stopping me?" she asked after he batted her hands away from the button of his jeans.
"Because," Dean replied, tenderly cupping her face in his hands and kissing her, "I want to make this last." He kissed her again, letting one hand comb through her hair while the other slid down her back. "I want to take my time." He lifted her hair and gently began to kiss and suck at her neck. "I want you to enjoy every minute," he murmured into her skin.
"Oh god,"Buffy mumbled as he kissed her neck. Her hands went from the warmth of his chest to the waistband of his jeans. Dean's hands cupped her butt and pressed her to him causing her to gasp as she felt how much he wanted her.
The only time he broke from the kiss was when he slowly pulled her sweater over her head. He swept her off her feet and gently placed her on the bed. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"
Buffy reached for him, "Do you know how much I love you?" Dean's eyes darkened when she spoke, and Buffy's heart kicked up a notch. His plan to take it slow was nice, but Buffy wanted him right then, she couldn't wait any longer. When he returned to placing his too soft kisses on her neck and collarbone, Buffy felt heat rising inside her. "Please Dean." He stopped and met her eyes again, this time with such a reverent expression Buffy couldn't speak.
"Buffy." Her name escaped his lips was more a breath than a word. Dean felt his skin heating up just from her simple touch, and he struggled for a way to slow down. He wanted long enough to get his head together and to be in control again.
They spent the afternoon tangled together, neither willing to move apart or ruin the moment with thoughts of the outside world. Outside the motel room, the sky grew dark and Buffy knew she would have to leave. She didn't want to tell Dean why she had moved home, but she couldn't put it off any longer.
***11***11***
Less than an hour later, Buffy was nervously wringing her hands in her living room while Dean cam to terms with her first bombshell.
"A brain tumor? Shit, Buffy, I don't even know what to say. That's, that's awful." Dean dragged a hand over his face. No wonder Buffy had seemed so worried and distant when they spoke on the phone. "What do the doctors say?"
"They want to operate." Buffy tried to keep the worry out of her voice. "They say she has an excellent chance if the operation is successful."
"Well, that's good, right?" He tried to sound hopeful. He put his arm around her and hugged her gently.
Buffy nodded, then pulled away. "There's more. I have to tell you about Dawn."
Dean recognized Buffy's defense tactic, and knew it wouldn't be good news. "It's okay, Buffy, you can tell me. What about Dawn?"
Buffy told Dean what the monk had told her about her sister and waited for Dean's reaction, certain he was going to want to hurt Dawn. "But I remember her being a kid," Dean muttered as he tried to understand what his girlfriend was saying.
"All fake memories created to make us care about her."
"So, she's not really your sister?"
Before she could divulge anything else, Buffy was interrupted by Dawn's horrified, "Buffy!" Dawn raced up the stairs and slammed the door to her room.
Dean saw the agony on Buffy's face. He knew the feeling. Any time he had been forced to disappoint Sam he would feel the same. As Buffy went after her sister, Dean stopped her. "Let me talk to her."
"Go away!" Dawn shouted from behind her door.
"I'll just climb through your window if you don't let me in your door," Dean replied.
Surprised to hear Dean's voice, Dawn opened the door. "What?"
"Can I come in?" Dawn moved aside to let Dean pass. "Thanks." He looked around the room and took a seat on her bed. "Don't be mad at Buffy. We promised a while ago to not keep secrets from each other. She had to tell me."
Dawn sat on the floor, but next to him. "So, now you think I'm a freak."
"Yeah," Dean admitted as he slid off the bed to sit next to her, "but not more than I did before." Dawn tried to move away but Dean quickly put his arm around her and forced her to stay. "I mean pickles and peanut butter? Who does that?" He saw Dawn almost smile from the corner of his eye. "Look, Squirt, I know you think you're this mystical ball of whatever, but to me, you're Dawnie, my girlfriend's sneaky little sister."
"But I'm not real."
Dean pretended to look shocked. "Well, you were real enough to bust me sneaking out of your sister's room a few years ago." Dawn was about to argue, but Dean continued, "Only a real live pain in my butt could blackmail me into buying all these god-awful *NSYNC posters."
Dawn sniffed and wiped her eyes.
"Who cares how you got here, Dawn. You're here and you're real and we love you."
Dawn wasn't sure if she could believe him, but she said, "Thanks, Dean."
He stood up and held a hand out to her. "Yeah, well, someone's got to keep an eye on Buffy when I'm out of town. Who else is going to be my spy if not you?" He hugged her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Now, go make up with your sister. I didn't drive this far to put up with her being all emo."
2004 Shiloh County Hospital
Willow finished the chalk symbol, placed several candles and a black bowl around it. She checked first on Xander, then on Buffy. From their positions, they nodded that they were ready. Willow, as she said the spell, slid a knife across her palm, drawing blood, and dripping it on the bowl. She lit a match and dropped it in; the sand in the bowl flared and went out.
Azazel appeared inside the Devil's trap drawn on the floor. "How dare you summon me to trap me, witch! You're not strong enough to hold me!" His eyes flashed yellow as he sneered at Willow.
Willow ignored his taunt and continued to chant, keeping the demon trapped in the circle. Buffy inched forward and Azazel spoke again. "Slayer, what do you think you are going to accomplish with these parlor tricks? Hmm?" He slowly turned to her. "You hurt me and lover boy dies."
Buffy kept her features calm, but her voice was icy. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to end you."
"Ha!" the demon jeered. "You and who? Cyclops, here?" he jerked his head to where Xander was 'hiding'. "Or witchy poo? I don't think so, darlin'. I far higher up the pay grade than anything you've ever dealt with. The Master? Glory? Child's play compared to me," he growled. "My game plan is in motion. You can try to stop me, but you can't stop my end game."
"Blah, blah, blah," Buffy retorted calmly. "Talk, talk, talk. You big bads are all alike." She stepped closer. "You monologue so much you don't pay attention to your surroundings."
As she spoke, a rope wound its way around the demon and a gag wrapped around its mouth. Xander stepped forward to slip a sack over the demon's head. Buffy looked beyond the trapped demon to smile at her sister. "Nice work, Dawn."
The girl grinned and shrugged nonchalantly. "I do what I can"
***11***11***
In his hospital room, John Winchester's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a thin, pale man dressed in black. "John Winchester, I presume?" the man asked politely as he walked further into the room tapping his cane.
"Yes, I'm John Winchester." John moved to put the table between the man and himself.
The man glanced at the Colt and pursed his lips before meeting John's stare. "You have disrupted the natural order of things, Mr. Winchester. I don't like it when humans think they can do so without consequence."
"I assure you, I didn't mean to," John said as he warily raised a hand towards the gun on the table.
"Didn't you?" The man stepped towards the window, ignoring John's move towards the Colt. "You were willing to trade your soul for your son's life, weren't you?" he asked over his shoulder.
John cleared his throat and kept his nerves from his voice. "I may have offered a trade."
The man tapped his cane on the floor. "Your 'offer' caused injury to one of my favorite reapers. That is something at which I take offense." He turned to glare at the hunter. "The entity with whom you dealt is currently indisposed, and therefore, cannot complete the deal."
John gasped; what did that mean for Dean? In the hall, an alarm and a nurse called, "Code blue!"
The man in black checked his cuticles before tapping his cane to regain John's attention. "I, however, still need a soul, Mr. Winchester."
