Chapter 12
"Sam! Sammy, wake up."
Slowly, Sam came to his senses. Dean was shaking him like a madman.
"It's okay, Dean, I'm awake. Stop shaking my brains out of my body, please."
Dean let go, sighing. "I guess you had a pretty bad dream. I never heard you scream like that."
Sam blinked and tried to sit up. A strong hand supported his back and when his vision cleared he recognized his father who kneeled beside his bed. "That bad?" Sam leaned into his father's hand and tried to control the shaking of his hands.
"No kidding." Dean stood and fetched a glass of water. "Was it a vision?"
"Not exactly." With the help of his hands Sam scooted backwards so that he could lean against the backboard of his bed.
John retreated his hand. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"The yellow eyed demon visited me."
"The what?" John stared at him with big eyes. "What has he to do with all of this?"
Sam sighed and accepted the glass from Dean's hand. He shared a glance with his brother, but Dean just shrugged.
John watched his sons. "Care to get me in the loop?"
Sam nodded tiredly. He knew it was time to tell his dad all about the demon blood. Glancing at his watch he noticed it was 4 in the morning. Apparently he did fall asleep. He gave the glass back to Dean and rubbed over his face. "There's something you need to know, Dad."
Sam felt exhausted. He had done everything to avoid having this conversation so early. But during the last hour he told his father everything about his possession and about the demon blood. And oh yeah, the yellow-eyed demon visiting him in his dreams and offering him to give him the functionality of his legs if he agreed to lead his demon army. That was the news of the day. Or better the night. Sitting on the bed, Dean gaped at Sam, still unable to wrap his mind around the idea.
"You turned him down on the offer?" John enquired.
Sam looked at him, incredulously. "What do you think, Dad?"
John smiled. "Of course you did. I know you, Sam, you would never agree to something like that. But wasn't the thought tempting?"
Dean looked up, realization in his eyes.
"Of course it was tempting," Sam confessed. "I think I considered it for a whole second. It was like 'I know that I'm never gonna do it, but let's just pretend I would'. I pictured myself in front of a bunch of demons, not as their enemy, but as their leader. Marauding the Earth, killing people, betraying everything I ever believed in. That's not me. I could never do something like that."
John laid his hand on Sam's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, son. You did the right thing." His voice was laced with worry, but he smiled. "Get some sleep, Sam. You look like you need it." He helped him settle down on his side and for once Sam let him. Dean put the sheets over him. "I wonder what's so special with you that even demons want to have you," he joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Sam smiled, his eyes already drooping. "You of all people should know," he slurred and then he was fast asleep. He didn't notice how Dean slid in bed beside him and he didn't feel the protective arm that sneaked around his chest. "No more demons visiting you in your sleep, Sammy," Dean whispered. "I promise."
Sam woke with a stale taste in his mouth. He just lay there, feeling overwhelmed by the latest events. It had been a bit too much. Being possessed by a demon, learning about the demon blood and of top on that the yellow eyed demon visiting him in the night, how could a normal guy process all of that? Briefly, he wondered how late it was. The sun was shining straight into his face and he heard the radio playing softly in the background. He had a feeling that it was quite late in the day already.
Awkwardly, he turned around. He wanted to close his eyes and fall back into oblivious slumber, but nature was calling.
"Hey, Sammy. Good morning." It was Dean's voice, coming from the kitchenette.
"Morning, Dean." Sam shoved his legs out of the bed and reached out for his wheelchair. If he had said yes to the demon he wouldn't do that now, he mused. Than he would just go up and walk to the bathroom. Sam shook his head. These thoughts were highly unwanted.
Dean walked into his sight, mug in his hands. "Were you able to sleep a bit?"
"Apparently. How late is it?"
"Almost noon."
Sam transferred into his wheelchair and put his feet on the footrests. "Can I have some of that?" He nodded to the mug in Dean's hand.
Dean just nodded, his eyes following Sam as he wheeled into the bathroom.
When Sam came back a cup of coffee and a piece of pie were waiting for him. "Pie?" he inquired. "Again?"
Dean just shrugged. "I needed a bit of sugar and I thought you would like some, too. But if you don't…" Dean grasped the plate.
"No, it's fine." Sam snatched it away from Dean's hand, ignoring his brother's broad grin.
For once, Sam relished the strong taste of coffee. It washed away the taste in his mouth at least a bit. He pretended not to see Dean's scrutinizing stare and focused on his piece of cherry pie.
Dean sat down on the opposite site of the table. "Do you regret it?"
Sam looked up. "What? That I said No to the yellow eyed demon?"
"You practically said No to being able to walk."
"I think walking wouldn't feel so important anymore if you have to do it in front of a demon army that is slaughtering mankind. I'll never give myself willingly in the hands of a demon, no matter what they promise me."
"Seeing you walk was cool."
"I bet it was." Sam smiled. "Savor the image. It won't happen again. Not like this." Sam looked up. "By the way, where's Dad?"
He's checking out a few leads. There was some unusual weather reported from the edge of the city. Dad thinks it might be where the demon was staying when he contacted you."
"Could be." Sam wasn't very interested in the demon. He just wished he would leave him alone.
Dean read the signs. Sam needed some demon free activity. "What are we going to do today?"
Sam sighed. "Anything that will take my mind off of Jess."
"You don't want to think about Jess? Why?"
"I'm going to break up with her tonight."
"What? Why?"
"Dean, you know why. You said yourself that it's hard for her to cope with our world."
"When did I say that?"
"Last night, when you were talking to Dad."
Oops. The moment Sam saw Dean's eyebrows rise he knew that he had made a mistake.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"Not exactly. But I wasn't in the mood of talking." Sam pinched his nose. "Have you talked to her?"
Dean shook his head. "No. But I could just tell by her behavior. She seemed exhausted and overwhelmed, which was expected of course. But...there was something in her expression that just showed that she couldn't do his anymore. She's scared."
"It's more than she signed up for." Sam said sadly. "I could tell that she was tense around me, she'd never be able to look at me the same again. And after all she's been through; just because she's been dating me...she's in too much danger."
"I wish I could tell you otherwise Sammy, but it's true. That's why anyone we let into our lives has to be all the way in or out. There's no in between and they have to understand and be willing to risk their lives and know what danger they're in. Jess loves you, but she doesn't want to change her life and be worried about not only her being in constant danger, but you too." Dean paused and bit his lip before he spoke next. "But you can have a life where you can have a real girlfriend, where you don't have to worry so much. If that's what you want Sammy, you should go for it. Go to school and get a girl without having to worry about what could go wrong."
Sam shook his head, letting out a short, cold laugh at the situation. "Even if I did want that and could fit in and know how to act in a normal life...I could never have that Dean. There is always something out there and I couldn't live knowing this and not trying to help. Plus did you forget about the demon blood? I'm not normal and will never be..."
"Sam, just don't." Dean sighed. "Don't use that like it's something that's tainted you, you've never let it taint you and you never will."
Instead of replying, Sam took a sip of his coffee, shaking his head. Dean had a point, but he couldn't just push this new information out of his mind and forget about it right after he learned the news.
"You're the same person you've always been. Just 'cause you learned this, doesn't change anything. I'd say more...I could explain to you how you've had this blood inside you for your whole life, yet you've always been the best kid I know…but I know that this will take some time for you to understand."
Dean stood up suddenly and grabbed Sam's empty cup and plate. "Let's get outside. I'm getting depressed in here." He brought the dishes into the kitchenette and stretched out a hand to switch the radio off when Sam straightened his posture. "Stop. What was that? Turn up the volume, please."
Dean did as he was told and caught the rest of a news report saying that a dangerous convict had escaped that morning. Apparently a few of his accomplices had ambushed the prison van that was transferring the convict to the court and were able to free him, taking off on bikes after that. No one was injured but the police officers had been locked up in their own prison van. The population was asked to call the police if they saw a gang of bikers but were advised to stay away because these people were supposed to be very dangerous.
Dean looked at Sam with his eyebrows raised. "Your friend?"
Sam smiled to himself. "Seems so."
"We helped a dangerous criminal to escape?"
"No, we didn't. We helped an innocent man get away from unjustly being locked up for the rest of his life. Or worse."
"He said he was innocent? And you believe him?"
"I do." Sam told Don's story to Dean.
After hearing it all Dean huffed. "Sounds like the real thing. Still, he could have played you. Did he tell you to inform his gang?"
"No, he didn't. He wasn't playing me. He only told me the sad story of his life."
Dean's phone chirped when a text came it. Still trying to assess the consequences of their action regarding the escaped prisoner he absentmindedly checked it, but then a smile crossed his face. "Come on, Sammy, we'll meet with Dad at a tattoo artist. We'll all get a cool tattoo against demon possession."
"Yeah, I know. I heard Dad telling you about it."
"When you were not exactly sleeping and not in the mood of talking?"
"Precisely." Sam caught the jacket Dean was tossing at him and followed his brother out of the door. For the first time this day he felt something like normalcy again.
Dean couldn't help but notice the looks that the female employees were giving his brother.
The three Winchester men were sitting in the tattoo parlor, side by side, after showing what design they wanted and were now waiting as the tattooists gathered the supplies they would need.
Every time one of the females would walk by, they'd look at the three of them, their eyes stopping when they saw Sam. Most of them blushed and looked away, but this wasn't the typical look Sam would get where the girls would be embarrassed to be caught staring at Sam's wheelchair.
No, this was the women being embarrassed because they were openly staring at Sam in awe, of his well-defined chest and arm muscles. Dean even swore he could hear a few of the women arguing in hushed voices over who would work on Sam's tattoo.
Dean smiled to himself, he was happy that Sam was the center of the women's attention for a positive reason for once. Plus, all these women knew that Sam was in a wheelchair, and none of them seemed to mind.
The only bad thing was that Sam didn't seem to notice. He was moping, staring down at his thighs, probably thinking about the talk he was going to have with Jess tonight. Dean couldn't blame him. But he could at least try to get his brother's mind off the inevitable.
Dean leaned over and elbowed Sam in the side. "Dude, all these hot chicks are gaping and drooling over you and you don't even have the decency to smile back at least?" Dean shook his head with a sigh. "That's a crime man."
Sam narrowed his eyes at Dean. "That's not exactly what I'm concerned about right now. Besides, they're probably all looking at you anyway."
Dean had to chuckle at that one. "Sam, you've always been more built than me, and I've also gained weight recently too. It's you they're gawking at man, just watch..."
Sam huffed but watched as one of the young women walked by and very clearly winked directly at him.
His mouth falling open, Sam glared at his brother.
Dean shrugged. "Told you so, man."
He couldn't help but notice that Sam's attitude seemed to get a little bit brighter after that.
However, his own attitude plummeted when the tattooists came out with the needles. Dean took a deep breath to try and calm himself, looking anywhere but at the offending object.
To his left, John chuckled. "What's wrong son? Looking a little pale there, are you sure you're not going to get sick all over the poor girl?"
Dean glared daggers at his father, hoping the pretty girl wasn't scared away, but she just laughed in response.
"Don't worry, it has happened before. But you're cute enough that I may just forgive you if you did."
Well, Sam may be the one everyone was lusting after, but at least the women still found him attractive as well.
"I'm so nervous that I'm not even going to attempt to flirt back. I'd just make an idiot of myself," Dean decided to admit.
"That's alright. I don't like over-confident men myself." She looked over at Sam and winked. "Oh, and my friends actually guessed a number 1 through 10 over who would get to work on you. Stacey won, and just so you know she will probably ask you out on a date afterward. No pressure though."
"But I..." Sam was suddenly cut off when Stacey bounced right over to Sam. It was a hilarious sight, the small girl with tattoo covered arms skipping over while carrying the terrifying tattoo needle. If Dean wasn't scared shitless he would have laughed.
He hoped Sammy at least had the guts to flirt back.
Dean exited the tattoo parlor while rubbing at his chest in pain. Fricking needle hurt like a bitch.
"I'll meet you boys back at the motel?" John questioned, seemingly unaffected by the tattoo he just had carved into his chest.
"I don't know. I might just ask if Sam wants me to drop him off at Jess's." Dean turned to see his brother talking to Stacey who seemed to want to rip his shirt right off him again. "He seemed too distracted. I think it's best for him to get this meeting with Jess over with as soon as possible."
John nodded. "Good idea, that way you can be there for him as soon as it's done. In case he wants to talk or anything."
"I don't think he'll want to."
"Still, I think it'd be nice to have his brother there for him, so he wouldn't have to drive alone, lost in his thoughts afterward. Try taking him to a bar or something later, get him to laugh."
Dean saw Sam finally wheel away from Stacey, an annoyed look on his face. God the kid got a woman hanging all over him and couldn't even enjoy it.
"I will," he told his father. John told him to keep him informed on their plans and then waved to his boys before getting into his truck.
"What's Dad doing?" Sam grabbed at something that had been on his lap and now had it clenched tightly in his fist.
"He's going back to the motel. I was going to suggest just driving you over to Jess's place, getting it over with."
A painful expression passed over Sam's face but he pushed it away quickly. "Yeah, that's probably the best idea. I'll need to call her first and ask when will be a good time. I don't want to just barge on over, that's the least I can give her after all the shit I put her through."
Dean wanted to press on, tell Sam for the millionth time that it wasn't his fault, that he hadn't put Jess through anything. But Sam wasn't going to hear him, not really. He needed his own time to get over this. He'd talk to Dean when he was ready.
Instead, Dean decided to change the subject. "What's that you're holding onto for dear life, huh?" He eyed Sam's clenched left fist.
"It's nothing." The item was flung at Dean, hitting his chest and bouncing down onto the pavement. It was a crumbled piece of paper. "Something you would enjoy though. Go ahead, I'm not interested."
Dean bent down and smoothed out the paper. Written in blue ink, in small handwriting, was Stacey's name and phone number. "Dude, I'd never take your girl."
"She's NOT my girl," Sam practically hissed. "Jess is. Was. It's nice that she liked me. I told her I'd think about it, that I was just out a relationship. But I'm not going to. I don't want to go on a date with her."
"I get it Sammy. It's way too soon. It's going to be too soon for a while. You love Jess."
Sam didn't even try to deny it. "I guess I know how to get girls to notice me in the future. Just take off my shirt and they'll stare at my body and not my chair. So superficial. Jess liked me for me."
"Everyone's a little superficial. It wouldn't hurt to just go on some dates. Nothing has to come from it."
"I know," Sam sighed but then caught Dean rubbing at the spot on his chest where the tattoo was. A small smirk finally turned the corners of his mouth up. "You going to live?"
"Shut your trap, that fricking stung. You can't deny it."
Rolling his eyes, Sam pulled out his phone and Dean got the hint. He got into the Impala and waited, giving his brother some privacy.
A few minutes later, Sam tapped on the window to get his brother's attention. Before Dean even made it to the other side of the car, Sam had opened the passenger side door and transferred himself into the Impala. Dean folded up Sam's wheelchair and put it in the back, thinking, not for the first time today, how Sam wouldn't have to deal with any of this if he took the demon's deal.
Yeah, how wonderful would that be? Sam being able to walk but at the same time, doing the demon's evil bidding. The yellow-eyed demon was stupider than Dean had thought. How could the bastard actually think Sam would ever accept that offer? He never would in a million years.
But Dean knew that the demon probably wasn't going to give up. He knew where Sam was, he obviously sent his "son" here to possess Sam. He could possibly show up in person instead of in a dream to talk to Sam. This was the other reason why Dean wanted to drive Sam to Jess's apartment and would wait nearby in a bar across the street in case any trouble was to happen.
Getting back in the driver's side, Dean turned to face his little brother. "So…?"
Sam sighed, looking a little shaken up. "So she said that we could meet in a couple of hours. That she wants to talk too…it sounded like she wanted to break up too. Which, you know…I figured she would, of course…but…"
"But it still hurts," Dean finished Sam's thought for him.
"Yeah."
"I get it Sammy. I may not know exactly what you're going through because I never had a real girlfriend. But I understand the feeling, how hard it must be."
Sam shook his head. Dean figured he would argue with him, but what Sam said surprised him. "No, Dean. You know all too well. You know so much worse. You remember when Mom died. You watched what you thought was me dying in the fire. You thought you were responsible for my death."
"Sammy…"
"No Dean, you've had much worse. So much more pain. I shouldn't complain. It'll be okay and I'll be happy knowing that Jess will be safe away from me." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Can we stop talking about this now and grab something to eat to kill the time?"
There were a million things Dean wanted to say, but there really wasn't a point in speaking them. Instead, he smiled back towards his brother. "Sounds like a plan."
