Dean

Dean sat on the motel bed with his arms folded. "I told you, Sam. I'm not going anywhere and I don't give a crap what that bitch says or does."

Sam continued to pack their belongings. "Dean, look. We have enough crap to worry about without taking an express trip to prison too."

"But Sam, there is something really weird going on in this town. Don't you get it? Of course Regina's trying to force us out of town. She's probably the one behind it all!"

Sam groaned, zipping his duffel bag. "And what proof do you have that she's behind the sheriff's murder, Dean? The word of a ten-year old kid?"

"And what is it that has you so freaked out that you're too scared to stick around and find out? A short little man who has a crush on you?"

Sam threw his hands in the air. "I didn't say he has a crush on me!"

"You said he winked at you. What man winks at another man like that? You're just so gosh darn hard to resist, Sammy." Dean leaned over and ruffled his brother's hair.

"Dean, just stop it, alright!" Sam launched himself onto the other bed and began to lace up his boots with fury. HIs eyes were turning red.

Okay something's wrong. "Sam. Sammy, I'm sorry. There's probably some other explanation for the winking. Or maybe he just thought you were a chick. You have pretty feminine facial features." When Dean failed to get even a smile out of his kid brother, he moved to sit beside him. "Dude, talk to me."

Sam abruptly abandoned his laces. "Talk to you? Yeah, right."

Dean ignored the slight sting. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Sam ran a hand through his his hair and shook his head with disbelief. "Seriously? Dean, you never want to talk about anything personal. And when you do manage it, you follow up with some comment about "chick flick" moments or growing "lady parts."

Dean's lips twitched, but he managed to mask his amusement. Lady parts hehe.

"There's nothing wrong with it, you know." Sam continued. "Especially when you're preparing to face something so terrifying. For me." His words dripped with guilt.

"Sammy, selling my soul to save you was my own decision. None of this is your fault. I need you to know that."

"But Dean-"

Dean pursed his lips and shook his head. No.

"We should be hunting down Lilith. Ruby says there's a way to save you."

"That's right, she did say that, didn't she? And she's so trustworthy, being a demon and all."

Sam sighed. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"Why are you so intent on trusting a demon?" He barked.

Sam sat up straight and stared down at his hands as if he'd never seen them before now. He cleared his throat.

"Because you're all I have left, Dean. After the hellhounds take you, I'll be all alone. And that scares the shit out of me."

Dean felt his eyes begin to burn.

"If there is any chance at all that we can save you, I want to take it. And I want you to want to live, Dean. I can't stand seeing you give up. That's not you. Not the you I know."

Aw, fuck it all. Dean wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and rose from the bed. Then he went and fetched his boots.

Sam stood, startled. "Where are you going?"

"We. We're getting out of town. My ass needs saving, right?"

Blinking the tears from his eyes, Sam grinned. "Yeah, let's do it."

As he drove the Impala towards the town line, he glanced over at his brother. Sam was already looking happier. Dean smiled. It was worth the disappointment of bailing on the Storybrooke case to see that look of serenity on the younger man's face. And who knew? If the two of them succeeded and were able to save Dean from the big trip downstairs, maybe they would come back. Show that Regina bitch that their decision to check out of town had nothing to do with her threats.

Regina aside, Dean had actually enjoyed his short time in Storybrooke. He couldn't explain the sense of familiarity he felt there, but it was comforting. It was like when he was a kid and went to day camp during the summer. No matter how much fun he'd had swimming and making refrigerator magnets out of popsicle sticks, his favorite part of the day was going home. His mom would wrap him in a tight, honeysuckle- perfumed hug and say "how was your day, my little camper?" There was no greater feeling in the world than that unconditional love between mother and son or the satisfaction of feeling completely safe. Storybrooke was like coming home after a long day at camp.

What the hell is wrong with you, Dean? Snap out of it. He saw the Storybrooke sign reflecting in the night. He didn't want to leave. His foot moved from the gas pedal and hovered over the brake. Even if Ruby was right and there was a way to save him from hell, what would be the price?

"All magic comes with a price!" The voice popped into his head without warning. Then he heard something. Like timber crackling in a fire. "You can't leave." Smoke filled his lungs and he coughed violently, looking over at his younger brother who slept soundly in the passenger seat. Dean gripped the steering wheel so tight, his fists ached. Then they burned. The wheel was scorching hot. Dean tried to scream but the smoke was suffocating him. Desperately, he pumped the brake pedal but the car still barreled towards the town line. Then the car veered off of the road and crashed violently into a tall oak tree.

Blood dripped into Dean's eyes while he struggled to see his brother. Sam was unconscious, his face a roadmap of cuts and scratches, but the rise and fall of his chest was relief enough for now. Dean's eyelids drooped but movement from outside the car caught his attention. A man stood outside the driver-side window, staring at Dean intently. "Well, well, well," he hissed. Dean recognized the voice immediately. But it couldn't be. He'd taken a bullet from the Colt. His breath caught in his throat. Azazel.

"Welcome home, Jacob Grimm." Then the moonlight caught the man's eyes and they glowed yellow as Dean's world faded to black.

To be continued...

A/N: Natalya: Of course they can't leave! What fun would that be? :D Thanks again for the reviews, guys! I do read them all, and the things you guys guess and suggest could always end up in this story somewhere. If there's a way to work it in, of course. Til next time!