Sorry for the delay between posts…I'm writing as I go along now, so the updates will be a bit slower. I am working as hard as I can to get them out within a reasonable time period though… Thanks so much for your patience.

I rewrote this one about four times. It was a pain in the butt, so I'm sorry if it showed. Hopefully my muse will work with me for the next one.

SciFiGirl: Thanks! I'm glad you're likin' John. This wasn't too bad between updates, was it? I'm doing my best...
Lauriena: Hopefully you weren't too late for work! Glad you liked the chapter. And yeah- everything's now out in the open...
Mustbekarma: Lol...well, that was certainly passionate! Don't hate John too much. He's certainly got his issues and isn't the best at communication or forgiveness or a lot of other things, but he does love his kids. Just try to keep that in mind. He is trying the best he can... As for Dennis, he and his sons will make one last appearance, but I'm not giving away what happens there...
Rennispice: Thanks! And next chapter? Here you go!!

Sica: Chapter 13

Sam was just beginning to drift off when he heard a bang. The door opened and his father's heavy footsteps vibrated through the room. That was weird. His dad had been pissed; said he needed time to cool off… Why was he back in the room only a few minutes later?

Slowly, Sam opened his eyes and turned his body towards the banging that was coming from over by the TV. The TV was resting on top of a set of dressers and next to the TV stood his father, angrily going through his bags. Sam felt his fear pick up…what was his dad looking for that he needed right away? The man had just said that Chubby couldn't find him…

"Shit!"

His father's thunderous voice echoed off the walls and Sam's eyes grew wider. More things were taken out of the bag and his father began flipping through his journal at an almost frenzied rate. Over on the other bed, Dean stood up and walked over to the edge of the dresser. He stood about five feet from their father, but within the man's eyesight. Normally, Dean would be asking his father what was wrong, but it was obvious that right now, he was afraid to open his mouth. Probably, he was afraid of making their dad more upset.

Sam's attention was brought back to his dad as the man slammed his fist down. "SHIT!" With a great amount of force, John kicked the dresser, sending his booted foot through the bottom drawer.

Sam felt all of his muscles tighten in fear. Even Dean looked scared as he slowly backed away from the scene.

Removing his foot from the furniture, their father sagged down, covering his face with his hands.

Sam was terrified. He had never seen his father act like that. He had never seen his dad lose it. Sure, the man had gotten pissed before, and yeah he'd screamed so loud a neighbor once called the cops. And yeah, there were those times when he got into fights with his hunter "friends" and those had really escalated, but now the only people in the room were him and Dean. And dad had never been violent when it was just them…

Not knowing what was going on or what to do about it, Sam looked at Dean, who was completely pale. In fact, Sam would've been positive that his brother couldn't get that pale even if he had lost half his blood. Dean's reaction to their father's actions only served to amplified Sam's fear. His dad was insane to the point that it scared even Dean? And Dean was frightened enough that he wasn't even attempting to hide it for Sam's sake...

Finally, their father lifted his head out of his hands and turned around. Immediately, Sam noticed how worn the man looked. Had his father looked like that before? From ten feet away Sam could see the bags under his dad's eyes.

For a moment, John just looked back and forth between both of his sons. Then his sight remained on Sam.

Sam squirmed in the bed as his father stared. The man's look was difficult to read and Sam honestly couldn't tell if he was soon to end up like the dresser. His father had never hurt him before, but his dad had never acted like that before either… For the first time that he could remember, Sam didn't feel safe, despite his family being there. And it wasn't just a fear of his dad. It was the fact that his father looked so broken. His dad was losing it. How could he protect them if he was losing it? He was injured and totally dependent on his dad.

What if his dad really had lost it? Then who would keep him safe? It was the same feeling he had had when the fat man was strangling him. He didn't want to die (or be strangled again) and he couldn't defend himself. He was helpless and terrified and there was no one to run to this time.

Suddenly, John's expression changed. The slumped shoulders drew back, the look of distress vanished, and a new look of confidence appeared in its place. Sam knew that look. It was his "screw with me and you'll be dead before you hit the ground look". And just as it appeared on his father's face, Sam felt his sense of security return. It was as though his dad had read his thoughts and disagreed. Sam could always run to him.

"I need to talk to you outside, Dean. Now." And the man walked to the door.

Still looking a bit frightened himself, Dean dutifully followed.

Sam's body filled with panic. Outside? Both of them? Pushing himself up, Sam did his best to convince his body that it would be better to follow them outside than sleep.

Sam had made it to a sitting position when he heard his father's voice. "Not you, Sam. You stay here."

Immediately, Sam moved onto his knees to face his father. There was no way he was staying by himself. Just as he was about to mouth a, "no," his dad pointed at him. "Sam…"

Ignoring the warning, Sam crawled forward on his knees. With a serious look, his father moved forward. "You heard me…"

Sam fell back on his rear, his heart practically beating through his chest. He didn't want to stay by himself. Unfortunately, his father and Dean were already walking out the door. It was so frustrating. He couldn't speak, couldn't argue, couldn't stop them, his neck was in so much pain… Sam felt tears enter his eyes. His neck really, really hurt. It was getting to be almost impossible to hold his head up. He just wanted to lie down. He just wanted to feel safe. But his dad was mad at him and just kicked a hole through a dresser, a ghost and a tulpa were out to kill him, and now he was alone. There was only one of those things he could change.

Tears of pain falling from his eyes, Sam forced himself off the bed and over to the open door. His father looked down at him with a look of annoyance. "Sam…get back in there right now."

Unwilling to be inside alone, Sam stood his ground. His father moved in front of him, bending down so that they were eye-to-eye. At first the man looked like he was about to yell, but then his face softened. With a concerned look and gentle touch, he began feeling Sam's neck. Immediately, Sam pulled back, more tears coming from his eyes.

His father sighed and placed his hand under Sam's chin. Sam didn't know if his dad was trying to feel something, but he didn't care; his neck just couldn't continue to hold his head. Closing his eyes, Sam leaned the entire weight of his head onto his father's hand. Sam felt his father's other hand begin stroking the back of his head as the man sighed above him. "Sammy, you need to lie down."

Lifting his hand, Sam pulled on his father's shirt in an attempt to communicate his wish to not be alone. Somehow, his father seemed to get the message. "Open your eyes and look at me, son."

Sam did as he was told, but continued to lean his weight onto his father's hand. "You are safe. I'll open the shades so you can see us. But I need to talk to Dean and you need to lie down."

Sam opened his mouth to tell his dad to talk to Dean inside, but the man cut him off. "End of discussion. I told you you're safe. That's all you need to know."

Then, before Sam could think any further, his father turned him around, walked him back into the room, and pushed him down onto the bed. "Lay down."

Trembling in fear and pain, Sam obeyed the order. Silently his watched his dad open the shades and then step outside. He tried to fight down his terror as the door closed with a click. It was ridiculous really. So what if he was alone? He had been alone plenty of times before and never had a problem. Plus, his dad seemed pretty sure that he was safe and if anything, his father was almost always on the over-protective side. So, if his dad felt that he was safe on his own, he was. Too bad his body didn't seem to understand that. Trying to ignore the pain in his neck and the fear in his heart, Sam watched his father and brother as they talked outside of the room.

What the hell were they talking about that he couldn't hear it too? That was typical. He wasn't considered important enough to share information with. In fact, that was why he had tried to deal with Trevor on his own to begin with; to gain some respect. That plan had pretty much gone to hell. Not only had he not proven himself, he had screwed up so bad that he had actually proved the opposite…that he was an incompetent moron. And of course, now his father was back to talking to Dean about everything and Sam about nothing. Right now though, despite how babyish it made him seem, Sam just wanted his family back in the room.

At least he hadn't lost anything. Sure his dad would be pissed for awhile, there'd probably be a few more lectures as well as a few more bouts of yelling, but in a few days his dad would be over it. That's just the way it worked. He screwed up, or in some cases was falsely accused of screwing up, his dad would yell, and in a few days time, things would be back to normal. This time, he definitely deserved the yelling and would willingly accept it. He was almost an adult now and as an adult, he could own up to and learn from his mistakes. And he could accept and handle whatever punishment his father deemed fit, which in this case, seemed to be shouting and parental disappointment. Sure the yelling was loud and scary, and the disappointment hurt, but considering just how irresponsible, deceitful, and stupid he had been, he had gotten off fairly easy…

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Dean gave every effort to be fully focused as he waited outside for his dad. He had already failed as a brother and son, lied to his father, almost gotten Sam killed…he couldn't screw up again. As it was, his father was never going to forgive him for this. His dad was [Inot[/I the kind of guy to forgive and forget. Once that trust had been breached, which in this case it had, it was nearly impossible to get it back. His father was never going to look at him the same way again.

Dean sucked in a breath and stood up straight as his dad walked back outside and shut the door.

"We've got a problem."

Dean nodded, all attention on his dad, although he had no idea what the problem was.

His dad continued, "We have no way of knowing if Sammy's still possessed."

Dean's eyes widened, his brother might still be possessed? Still hesitant to speak, Dean simply looked at his father for an explanation.

Understanding the look, John ran a hand over his tired face and leaned his back against the wall. "We're in a riddle here. If the ghost's still in Sammy…I got no way of knowing what was true, what wasn't. I don't know how strong Trevor is…it'd be unusual for a ghost to take over a body, they're more inclined to cohabitate. Demon's are the one's who take over, but it doesn't mean it can't happen. We need to know."

Dean nodded again. "What do we do?"

His father shook his head. "I don't know." With a long sigh, the man looked up at the porch roof, bending one knee to rest a foot on the wall that he was leaning on. "There's only two ways I know of to test for ghost possession. First, is the EMF meter, which I'm pretty sure left at Dennis' 'cause I've searched every freakin' place I can think of and I can't find the damn thing…and second is salt, which would cause another burn if he is possessed."

Dean swallowed. So that was what his father's tantrum had been about…he couldn't find the EMF meter and he needed it for Sam. Dean bit his lip. "We can go back and get it…"

Immediately, his father's head shot up, a look of annoyed disbelief on his face. "I pointed a gun at the man's son. I walk back on that property, I'll be dead before I hit the ground."

Dean shrugged. "Okay, um, I'll go."

John's expression darkened and he took a step forward. "You're not going anywhere near there. I don't want you even looking at that town. You got that?"

Dean nodded quickly, but the gesture didn't seem to be enough for his dad. "Did I make myself clear, Dean?!"

Dean paled and backed up. "Yes, sir!"

His father nodded his approval. Then, with another sigh, leaned back against the wall. "His body's been through too much. Even a small burn…he's already in enough pain. That's our last resort."

Dean risked a suggestion. "Can we get another meter somewhere?"

The man seemed to consider the suggestion as he stared out beyond the porch railing. "I know some people, but it's about a three hour drive…six round trip. I promised your brother I wouldn't leave."

Dean spoke again. "I can go…"

His father stared at him, sizing him up. For his part, Dean tried his best to look as responsible and competent as possible. He hoped his father would take him up on the offer. Not that picking up an EMF meter could make up for his failure, but at least it'd be something… At least being given the opportunity would be some indication that his father still trusted him…

Dean's stomach dropped as he watched the man slowly shake his head. "No. I don't want them seeing you and I don't want you having anything to do with them."

Dean swallowed and put on his most confident face. "I can handle this, dad. If we need an EMF meter for Sammy, then I'll do whatever needs to be done."

His father sent him a small smile and clapped him on the shoulder. "I know you would, Dean. But those people…there's a real fine line between them and the things they hunt. I don't want you gettin' friendly with 'em."

Before Dean could respond, John shook his head in thought. "We need to be careful…if there is a spirit in Sammy's body, I don't want to tip it off. That's why we're having this conversation in private."

Dean agreed. Then his father pulled out his car keys and held them out. Confused, Dean accepted them.

"There's a payphone in the pharmacy about two miles down the road past the hospital. In the glove compartment there's some quarters and a funeral card. On the back of the funeral card is the number for Jim Murphy's church. Call him, tell 'im we're in Northwest Minnesota, on the border of South Dakota. Tell him Sammy's hurt, maybe possessed, and due to certain circumstances, we don't have our EMF meter."

Dean smiled and raised his brow. "Certain circumstances?"

His father was unamused and stared back with an angry face. Immediately wiping off his smile, Dean cleared his throat and allowed his father to continue.

"See what he can do for us. If he can spare a meter, we'll drive down and get it. You tell him only what I told you to say. Don't go sharin' all the details. You don't get any more specific than Northwest. You got that?"

Intimidated, Dean nodded.

His father returned the action. "I trust Jim, but he's good friends with Dennis and I don't know where that leaves us right now. I want him knowing as little as possible."

Dean understood. "What do I say if he says to get one from the Gervichs?" That was a very real possibility, as Northwest Minnesota was much closer to the Prairie Coteau Hills of South Dakota than it was to Blue Earth, Minnesota. And up until recently, they had been friends with the Gervichs…it'd be logical for Pastor Jim to suggest that they look there.

John didn't seem to agree. "He won't. Just tell him what I told you to tell him."

Dean nodded. Then, a sudden thought sprang into his head. "Dad, if Trevor isn't in Sammy…he could still be in the Gervich house, and even if he's not, he knows the layout of the house, he could draw any one of them getting killed there-"

His father waved, cutting him off. "Already covered it- I got Keith on the CB while I was tearing the car apart looking for the meter. They figured out it was Trevor, since they knew that it hadn't been them. Dennis cleaned the house. There's no spirits in it and they already suspected the fat man was a tulpa. They found Trevor's drawing of Sam getting strangled on Doug's floor. I just confirmed it for 'em."

Dean shuddered as he remembered reading his brother's note. No wonder Sam was so terrified. Not that the kid should have trusted the ghost to begin with, but still, it must horrible for Sam to hold that drawing in his hands and know that Trevor had betrayed him and that was the way he was supposed to die. Dean looked at his father. "Dad, is there any danger to them keeping the drawing? I mean, shouldn't it be burned or something?"

His father sighed and then shrugged. "Yeah, probably should be burned, but we can't get it right now. Doesn't matter though. The drawing was room specific. For the tulpa to act out the drawing, Sammy'd need to be lying in that room, on that bedspread, and wearing his old sweatshirt. It's not an issue."

Dean agreed and his father nodded at the car. "Get going and when you get back, clean the interior. Smells like shit in there…or should I say, a bulemic's bathroom…" And with a smirk, the man went back inside.

As always, please review and let me know if you're enjoying the story…