Authors Note: Okay and because I have been sooooooo terrible in updating? Here is another chapter straight up! If you're still reading? Then thanks! You are all amazing!! Again Mistakes are all mine and i hope I didnt miss too many in my hast to get not one but two chapters posted hehe

Chapter 14. The Last Stand

The trek back to the Impala was long, wet and tiring. The weather wasn't as harsh as it had been on his way in. The storm had seemed to calm a little to the point that there was only a slight drizzle. It was still cold as hell though – and wasn't that just a strange saying - and the wind made the conditions even colder. It was the type of cold that hurt when wind and rain were attacking together.

Sam was hurt as well and it wasn't hard to remember that, not with the wheezing and grunts of pain every so often. Bobby tried to ignore the stumbles and ignore both boys pain as they were jolted by it. All he could do was hold on tight and keep pushing them on because the sooner they got to the car the sooner they got help. And if Sam thought he was getting out of a hospital visit himself then he had another thing coming.

Dean was deadweight between them. Bobby knew that even if the kid had of been awake he would still have been useless. Bobby hadn't said it to Sam because he didn't want to scare the kid but he was worried. Dean wasn't doing so well and the fact that he was being carted around without even twitching unless in pain had Bobby on edge because it seemed unnatural for Dean to be that quiet, that still, that pale and still be breathing. Dean looked like death, felt like ice and if it wasn't for the raspy breaths near his ear and the occasional groan, Bobby might have even thought he was dead.

The long wet grass that they'd had to wade through to get to the Impala hadn't made their task any easier. Tabitha had stayed behind them the whole way, not making a sound. Bobby wasn't sure what the deal was with the woman. She seemed to shrink back from Sam but at the same time seemed reluctant to leave his side. Sam hadn't said anything much about her either. Bobby's main concern was the boys and as long as she kept up then Bobby had no problem in her tagging along. She looked an emotional mess and he had seen enough victims in his life to know that she needed saving as well.

Bobby was brought out of his thoughts as Sam stumbled again, hissing between clenched teeth but straightening straight away at the sound the jostling pulled from his brother.

"You can make it, Sam. C'mon, kid." Bobby said, breathing heavy, pausing to let Sam get his bearings and adjusting Dean's weight against himself. Damn the boy was heavier than he looked. "The Impala's just up ahead." He could see it just barely and only because he was especially looking for it and she had never looked so good.

The knowledge that salvation was not that far away must have given Sam the strength he needed to pick up his pace because before he knew it the three of them were leaning against the trunk, heaving in gasps of air. Tabitha stood back, arms wrapped around herself in an effort to protect from the weather.

"Let go of your brother, Sam, and open the car."

Sam reluctantly did as he was told and Bobby let the Impala's trunk help hold her boy up. Sam didn't want to leave his brother and Bobby had to feel sorry for Dean once he got passed this because Sam was going to become his shadow again.

He couldn't blame the kid though. Ever since that damn demon deal, Bobby had been worried, going crazy trying to find a way out, exhausting his resources and always coming up with squat.

The thought of losing Dean was unbearable. He remembered exactly how he had felt when he had heard Dean's agonising scream of his brother's name only to come back and find Sam dead. Having one year to get used to the idea did nothing to dull the pain he would feel and the panic he felt leading up to it. He couldn't show it though. At the risk of sounding like John Winchester, he needed to stay strong for the boys.

Dean's brows came together as his face scrunched up in pain moaning again bringing Bobby out of his thoughts. Bobby reached up with his free hand and gripped Dean's chin with his calloused fingers. "Dean … son, you with us?"

Bobby felt the shiver run through Dean's body as Sam came back to stand beside them with a wide eyed look as he took in Dean's fluttering eyes and erratic breathing.

"Dean?"

"Sa…m?"

"It's me." Sam almost choked a relieved laugh. "You're gonna be okay, dude. We're getting you out of here. Right, Bobby?"

"You're damn right we are."

Dean rolled his head slowly to his right and stared at Bobby for a few moments, blinking as water collected in his eyes "Hey…" he slurred, closing his eyes and then shivered violently again. "Ugghh." He propelled himself forward, Bobby and Sam catching him. Dean hung there between the two hunters, the shaking increased.

"Dean! Dean … we got you, man." Sam was leaning in close to his brother trying to comfort him as best he could.

"Come on, Sam; let's just get him out of here." They needed to get him out of this weather and Bobby was more than ready to leave.

"Yeah." Sam nodded and tightened his hold on Dean, pulling him up a little despite his own injuries. "Right … easy, Dean."

Bobby stood straighter, ready to help get Dean to the Impala's back door. Once he was sure Sam had a decent hold of his brother, Bobby moved away from the trunk. He could see Tabitha still standing back, looking miserable and cold and wet and again wondered what her deal was. She seemed almost as wary of Sam as she had been of the vampires and Sam had hardly said two words for her.

"Okay, Dean, almost …" Bobby was cut off mid speech. A loud ringing in his ears bounced around in his head, followed by searing pain shooting sparks of bright light behind the eyelids he had closed in automatic reaction.

The older hunter didn't feel it when he hit the ground.

xXx

The gunshot was loud in the night and he hadn't been expecting it. Tabitha's screams were cut off by another shot coming out of nowhere and Sam didn't have time to register what that meant as he was suddenly lumped with the entirety of his brothers weight.

Sam's frantic eyes searched Bobby out. The sudden shift could only mean one thing because Bobby wouldn't just dump Dean without a damn good reason. The blood that was being washed away by the light sheen of rain was a reason that Sam didn't want to have to deal with right now. The sudden extra pressure sent Sam crashing to his knees bringing Dean down with him, landing in a heap over Bobby's sprawled legs.

Sam coughed and looked up as movement from the bushes had him jumping, struggling to his feet and reaching for the machete he had tied to the empty belt loops of his jeans, his father's machete.

Sam was waiting for the shot. His heart was beating so fast that he thought it might just beat out of his chest. Bobby had been shot. Oh God. What if he was dead? Another person dead because of Sam. He felt like screaming but instead wiped his arm across his eyes as he held the weapon out in front of him. It was going to do a fat lot of good against a gun but Sam wasn't just going to lay down and let them finish off both him and Dean.

"Hello Sam."

The voice made Sam seethe. The voice made Sam angrier than he had been in a long time because the two remaining people he cared about in this world were lying at his feet and it was all her fault, her and her stupid quest for revenge.

Sam growled, low in his throat, breathing heavy in and out of his nose as everything that had happened in the last couple of days came crashing back to him, the last few hours really hitting home.

He charged as a shape formed from the shadow exiting the tree line. Pain ricocheted through his ribs as he crashed into their attacker, sending both of them to the ground. The gun – the colt, Sam realised belatedly was thrown from the impact, a dull thud following as it hit the wet ground behind him.

Sam had eyes only for the figure underneath him. Her wet black hair was splayed out around her and her skin was pale, paler than it had been inside the barn, the moon light highlighting her pallor. Kate's eyes held a fury, a combined lust for revenge and anger at being taken down. She bared her second set of teeth with almost a hiss.

Sam cried out as his side erupted in stabbing pain, stealing his breath as he found himself rolling, Kate reversing their positions but only for a moment as Sam used the momentum to keep them rolling.

The base of a tree jolted them to a stop, Kate's back hitting hard. She lashed out, her right arm escaping from his grasp and smashing into his face. Sam felt the skin along his cheek bone break and his head snap back with the force of her strength.

Taking the advantage, Kate scrambled out from underneath him and gave him a few well aimed kicks to the mid-section until he was gasping, squeezing his eyes shut tight as he tried to stop his already screwed up world from spinning.

From his position he could see Bobby and Dean lying where he had left them and helplessness, fear and anger welled up inside him. He growled again as he attempted to get up, earning him a kick to chest hard enough to spin him around and back up against the tree.

He didn't have time to think. Kate's hand was wrapped around his throat and squeezing, lifting him up the tree trunk. He could feel the scrape of rough bark against his back through the thin material of his t-shirt. He couldn't breath and not just because there was an extremely powerful hand blocking his airway, although that was a big reason, but he felt his chest tighten as though his ribs were caving in on his lungs.

Kate leaned in, her breath cold like death on his already freezing face. Sam brought his hands up and gripped her wrist with both hands. She had taken him down too quickly, he was pathetic and Dean was going to die, Dean was going to go to hell because of him.

"Did you really think I was going to let you go, Sam?" Kate snarled, her nose almost touching his, rain water running down both their faces, obscuring Sam's vision.

Sam wanted to tell her to go to hell, to bite him, any of the number of insults he had burnt in his brain from growing up with Dean all these years but her hand, her one single hand felt like it was crushing his larynx. Short gasps that made his chest feel tighter and tighter was all he could manage. His eyes glared at her even as he struggled and she just smiled. He could feel her excitement. She was about to get what she wanted. She was going to kill them and she knew that there was nothing he could do about it.

"I'm going to kill you." Kate told him, situating herself off to his side and pressed up against his body, Sam couldn't even kick her off him. His hands were clawing at her now. He needed air and he needed it now. "I am going to kill you and then I am going to go over there and finish drinking from your brother. I am going to make sure he feels it as every bit of strength and life is drained from his body until he is nothing but a dried up husk and there is nothing, nothing you can do about it and then I'm going to hunt down your father and kill him too."

Kate's voice was loud in his ear but it was starting to fade in and out as hate increased her pressure and lifted him higher. His heart was racing and struggling and he could feel his body weakening even as he screamed at it to stay awake, to fight.

"This is …" Kate gasped and her eyes widened, confusion marring her pale features.

It took a moment for Sam to realise that the muffled gunshot hadn't been in his mind. The rushing sound of blood in his ears prevented him from hearing much and his muddled oxygen deprived thoughts took him a moment to take note of the fact that the pressure on his throat was sliding away with Kate's hand as she jerked. Blue light sizzled around her as she fell to the ground with a sort spasm before lying deathly still, her eyes sightless.

Sam felt like he was on a child's jumping castle, arms and legs not working the way he knew they should, while Dean's loud music deafened his ears. The pressure was off his throat but it took a few more moments for the muscles in Sam's throat to relax, to open up and that first gasp for air was both painful and beautiful at the same time.

Opening his eyes – god, when had he closed his eyes? - Sam blinked a few hundred times. The rain had almost all but stopped but he was still soaked through … and confused as he continued to stare down at Kate's body in shock. The vampire was dead, for good … he didn't understand.

Sam continued to gasp, a hand coming up to touch gingerly at his abused throat, the other arm wrapped tightly around his middle. He finally drew his gaze away from Kate and swallowed painfully around the lump that had settled in his throat as he looked back towards where Bobby and Dean had dropped.

His heart missed a few beats. Dean had moved. Only a few feet but it was enough. God, please let him be alive, Sam prayed. He needed Dean to be alive. Kate was dead, the latest threat was gone and now Dean needed to live. Sam braced his hands on the tree behind him and tried pushing himself to his feet and almost landed right back on his rear. He felt like throwing up but his need to see his brother over threw that need.

Sam made it up only to fall to his hands and knees again. He shook his head to clear it and saw the black spots in front of his eyes come to take over him. He held still for a long moment, trying to regulate his breathing so that he could move and get over to his freaking brother. He needed to suck it up and help Dean, dammit.

Instead of trying to stand again, Sam raced, crawling to the fallen hunter's side just as he heard a groan. He approached, catching the still form of Tabitha out of the corner of his eye, blood coating the side of her head and he knew without further examination that the woman was dead.

Sam frowned, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth as he reached Dean's side. Dean was out cold, lying on his stomach and his arm was outstretched, his hand clasping the …the colt, Dean was holding the colt.

"De...a…n …" His voice was screwed, his throat abused more than his talking cords liked, reducing him to sounding like a wheezing old man.

Another groan. Sam waited for movement that usually accompanied Dean's moans of pain when he was sick or injured but nothing came. It wasn't Dean. For a heart sickening moment Sam thought it was Kate and looked up ready to defend his brother, die in the process if need be. But it wasn't Kate. Sam felt a relieved smile form on his shaky lips as the lump lying right next to the trunk of the Impala moved. Bobby had moved. God, Bobby was alive.

"B…obby!" Sam gasped.

He reached out and took the colt out of Dean's hand and tucked it into the back of his jeans, resting a hand on Dean's head. There was no movement and Sam's momentary high at finding Bobby alive and Dean with the colt was brought to a screeching halt. He placed his fingers to Dean's throat, checking for a pulse again.

"No …" Sam's denial hit his lips before he had even realised he had spoken. He couldn't be … not after all this. Dean wasn't allowed to die yet. "Nonononono."

"Sam?"

Bobby's voice sounded distant. It was almost like Sam's ears were filled with cotton balls and he couldn't take his eyes of Dean.

"Sam!"

Sam shook his head, wet hair whipping his forehead and stinging his eyes. "I c-can't find it, I can't …"

"Sam! Dammit."

Bobby's voice was louder now, fingers wrapping around his wrist and stilling his hand that he didn't even know was shaking. With help pressing his fingers to Dean's throat it only took a few moments to find what he had thought was gone. Dean had a pulse. It was thready, almost barely there but it was there.

"Thank God!" Sam's relief washed through him and he slumped, feeling Bobby next to him helping to remain upright.

"Sam, we need to get out of here. Can you stand?"

"I'm okay," Sam responded numbly.

His hand was pulled away from Dean and then he was helped to his feet, almost going down again as Bobby stumbled against him. Dean was still with him and it allowed him to look at their old friend for the first time. Blood was flowing from a nasty graze just under where his cap sat. Kate hadn't hit her mark, not dead on like Sam had thought.

"Quit thinking, Sam, just get a move on. Your brother needs help and fast."

Sam nodded. Bobby was right. He needed to stop thinking and just move. Bobby let go of his arms and stood back, a little unsteadily, placing a hand to his head.

"You okay?"

"Nothing this hard head can't take … I'll get his shoulders, you take his legs. Think you can manage that?" Bobby asked already bending down and turning Dean onto his back.

"I got it," Sam assured and leant down, his ribs were screaming now and he would stop to listen to them once he knew that Dean was safe.

Sam lifted at the same time as Bobby and between the two of them Dean was laid out on the backseat of the Impala. Moving around to be near Dean's head, Sam knelt down, the mud soaking through his jeans and brushed a hand through his brother's wet hair. "You're going to be okay, man. I promise."

"Out the way."

Bobby's gruff order had Sam moving immediately. The older hunter placed a blanket over Dean and closed the door. A blanket wasn't going to do much, nothing was until they got to the hospital but it couldn't hurt either. Bobby was breathing heavy and his face was pinched.

Bobby was already moving again, opening the front driver side door and sitting down on the leather seat. "Move it, Sam."

Sam raced around to the other side of the car as fast as his body would allow, pausing at the back of the car as his vision came into contact with Tabitha, lying still, eyes open and unseeing. Sam had been annoyed with her but she hadn't deserved to die and he felt sorry at the same time that he felt glad that it hadn't been Dean or Bobby that Kate had killed.

Flopping down in the passenger seat, Sam clenched his teeth as he almost curled in on himself. He hurt … everywhere. "Bobby, what about Tabitha?" He asked, already turning around to check on Dean.

"She'll have to wait, son. You and your brother need help more at the moment."

"I'll be fine." Sam tried to convince the older man.

"Well you both have that damn Winchester stubbornness."

"Maybe that's a good thing. Its help pull Dad and Dean through some messed up shit."

Bobby snorted. "Aint that the truth."

Sam had his arm over the back of the seat, stretched awkwardly to reach his brother. He picked up Dean's wrist and checked for his pulse for what felt like the hundredth time.

Bobby blinked a few times, wiping blood and water out of his left eye as he turned the ignition key. Sam wanted to ask Bobby again if he was alright but he knew the answer he would get. It was better just to let the man drive. The Impala started like she knew that time was of the essence and that Dean was in trouble. Who the hell knew? Sam had always thought that Dean had been a little too attached to the damn thing. But if she got them where they needed to be right now then Sam would love her too. He already did.

"Are you okay to drive?" Sam asked when the car slipped a little on the wet road.

"I can drive a damn car, Sam."

"I'm not saying you can't but …"

"But what?" Bobby asked making quick glances between the road and the youngest Winchester.

"Bobby, I … I thought she'd killed you."

Bobby was quiet for a moment, seeming to be simply concentrating on the dark stretch of road ahead of them. Sam wondered whether he was going to answer him at all and just when he had been about to continue Bobby sighed, rubbing his beard with his left hand.

"I'm okay … just a bit of a headache, is all. Quit your worrying and concentrate on Dean." Bobby's eyes flickered up to the review mirror and then rested on Sam once more. There was a hint of something in the older mans eyes. "You did well out there."

Sam shook his head. "Dean's the one that finished her off." He hadn't done anything but waste time, get himself caught and injured and then almost killed. His brother who shouldn't have even been with it enough to hold a gun straight had saved his ass … yet again.

Bobby's eyes widened for a moment at the revelation, amused affection lingering in his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting up into a lopsided grin. "You're kidding? Damn that boy doesn't give in."

"Not when he thinks it counts," Sam agreed. Dean didn't give in when it came to protecting innocents, his family and most importantly Sam. Sam just wished that Dean held the same regard for his own life.

Sam didn't think that Dean really understood just how scared he was sometimes that Dean was going to get himself killed. It was part of the reason why he had left for Stanford. He hadn't been able to stand his brother and father coming so close to death time and time again. His greatest fear had already started with John's death and in a few months would be completed with Dean's if they couldn't save him.

It didn't matter that they were in the impala, already on their way to help. It didn't matter that Kate was dead. Sam still couldn't keep his eyes from the back seat. It was like if he looked away then Dean would stop breathing, that his heart would stop beating. Right now, Sam was willing to believe that if he looked away for even a second that he would lose his brother.

The car swerved and then righted itself again a moment later, followed by a curse.

"Bobby?"

"Just concentrate on your brother."

"How far are we?"

"Sit tight, Sam. We'll be there in a few."

"Bobby …" Sam paused, cringing in pain as Bobby turned sharply onto the town's main road, knocking him into the door handle. "We're wanted…"

"None of that matters right now, son."

"I know, but …"

"No buts. Despite what John seemed to think not everything can be patched up in a motel room." Bobby snapped.

Sam knew that Bobby's frustration wasn't really directed at him or even John. Bobby was just as worried as he was and getting hurt always made the man cranky.

Pressing his free hand to try and stem the knifing sensation there, Sam finally pulled his eyes away from Dean to check on Bobby. Squinted eyes and his straight back posture told Sam that Bobby was struggling.

"You sure you're okay?"

"So help me, boy, if you ask me that one more time my boot is going right up your ass."

Sam shrugged, the grip he had on Dean's wrist allowed him to feel Dean's pulse. It helped confirm what simple visual lacked. Dean was still with them.

The small clinic they pulled into was a sight for sore eyes. Sam had stopped into the very same clinic earlier when he had been searching high and low for Dean.

Bobby pulled the car into one of the many empty spaces next to the small town's clinic. Sam was already on the move, reluctantly letting Dean's wrist drop from his grasp. He immediately missed the dangerously thready heartbeat.

Sam turned in his seat; a strangled cry sprang from his mouth, feeling bones scrape.

"Damn stubborn idjit!" Suddenly Bobby was in front of him. "Sit still. Stay with your brother."

And just like that Bobby was gone again and Sam found himself hunched over, feet resting on the pavement. He took slow breaths to breathe around the tightness his ribs had created and tried not to shiver as the cold air filled the car through his open door. His sneakers were still wet and muddy and his feet inside felt frozen.

He tried turning back around enough to see Dean. The older man hadn't moved, at all and now Sam was terrified. He wasn't ready for this, not by a long shot.

"Just hang in there, Dean. It's not over yet … okay?"

He received no answer but he hadn't expected one. He felt stupid just sitting there. He should be doing something, anything but instead he was sitting in the impala with his half dead brother while Bobby tried to find help. He wasn't sure what aggravated his ribs more, shivering from the cold or forcing himself to not shake.

"Sam!"

Bobby's shout had Sam jumping in surprise. Bobby was back and he had brought help. The two men who preceded Bobby out of the building were both dressed in casual wear but donned similar white coats. White coats equalled to doctor in Sam's mind. Finally, Dean was going to get some help.

One of the two men opened the back door just as Bobby was approaching and reached in, checking Dean over. Sam couldn't help but want to hover, even from his perch on the front seat. He wanted his brother to get help but the thought of relinquishing control over to someone he didn't know was always hard.

"Be careful with him," Sam warned as Dean was taken from the car, in the care of the two strangers.

"Don't worry, kid, we'll look after him."

Don't worry. Sam snorted. Sam would be able to stop worrying when hell froze over … and probably not even then. Sam's eyes followed the pair of white coats as they took Dean away from him. His body was already moving forward to follow before he even realised he was moving. It didn't seem to agree with his minds desire to keep Dean insight because his first attempt at standing was a complete failure that ended with the back of his head clipping the door frame and the car squeaking under the weight of his rear falling back to the leather seats. "Damn it."

xXx

"Come on, Sam, give me you're hand."

Bobby didn't wait for Sam to respond before taking Sam's hand in his own and pulling him up. Just like Dean, Sam wasn't exactly the lightest person in the world either but unlike with Dean, Sam was at least able to try and help.

Bobby's own head was pounding unmercifully and he was still reeling with the fact that he had almost ended up with a third eye. Hunting was dangerous. He expected that he would occasionally get hurt but the shot had come out of nowhere. He had let his guard down with his need to get Dean medical help as soon as possible.

It had been a bad mistake and he had almost paid for it with his life … a young girl had paid for it with her life and Bobby was achingly aware of that fact. He would go back as soon as the boys were looked after and deal with her, make sure the other vampires had things under control … and didn't that just sound all kinds of messed up.

Slinging Sam's arm over his shoulders and ignoring the kids protests for doing so, Bobby started towards the entrance of the small clinic, Sam quickening his stride until they were almost power walking and Bobby's head wasn't enjoying it one bit.

Dean was out of sight when they entered the building, bypassing the small waiting area where an elderly couple sat waiting, the old man holding his arm to his chest in obvious pain. Both looked on curiously like they had when Bobby had first rushed in, craving information on what the deal was with these new comers. Nosey biddy bodies. Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched came to mind and Bobby knew that he was mentally at the end of his rope.

"Where'd they take him?"

"I dunno, Sam just give me a minute, okay."

The girl at reception pointed down the long hall. "He's in with Doctor Bryant."

"Thanks."

It was awkward in the small hallway and Bobby let Sam go but kept a hand on his elbow. Whether it was to help Sam or for his own comfort Bobby wasn't sure. There was noise near the end of the hallway and Bobby picked up the pace when Sam did, coming to an open doorway. Dean was on an exam table in the centre of the room. A man, with greying dark hair, glasses perched on his rather large nose was hovering over Dean His expression was neutral as he took in the appearance of the young man.

Sam only hesitated for a moment before he was walking into the room, arm still wrapped protectively around his ribs. "Is he going to be okay?"

Bobby followed Sam in and took hold of his arm again only for Sam to attempt to shrug it off, the boys eyes fixed on the doctor. The doctor raised his eyes to meet theirs, looking from Sam to Bobby and then back to Sam.

"What happened to him?" The light blue, almost grey eyes of the doctors suddenly looked away, looking for someone. "Someone get this kid a chair before he falls down."

"Just … please just tell me if he's going to be alright." Sam demanded even as a stool was hurriedly placed behind him.

Bobby came to stand in front of the taller hunter and pushed him down onto the seat and then gave his attention back to the doctor. "Doc?"

"What happened to you lot?"

"The boys were … they were out hunting." Bobby started, glancing down at Sam, indicating with just a look to go along with him. "Sam called me, sounding a bit dazed. By the time I got there whatever had attacked them was long gone and I found both boys unconscious."

"Sam?"

"What?"

"Can you tell me what attacked you and your brother?"

Sam shook his head and closed his eyes, pressing his hand harder against his side and tensing. "I'm sorry … I'm not sure. It all happened so fast."

"Its okay, Sam," Doctor Bryant assured and then turned to the young female nurse beside him. "Mel, get the hospital in Rawlins on the phone and get them to send an ambulance." He took Dean's arm in hand and attempted to find a vein.

Bobby watched the struggle to find a vein and shifted his weight to the other foot as a one was finally found. An IV was inserted soon after.

"An ambulance?" Sam almost squeaked.

Doctor Bryant looked up briefly at Sam's question. "Your brother needs blood, Sam and he needs it now. We don't have the ability to do it here."

Bobby squeezed Sam's shoulder, knowing that Sam was seeing the worst case scenarios running through his head. He didn't blame him at all but if he were honest Bobby would feel a lot better if Dean were in a better equipped facility than what this small clinic offered.

"I'm going with him then."

Bryant looked apologetic at the pair. "I'm sorry, but the ambulances are small. There won't be enough room."

"No." Sam protested. "I need to be with him."

"Sam…" Bobby's assurance that they would be with Dean even if they had to drive to the hospital themselves was cut off as panic set in with Sam.

The younger man lurched to his feet, nearly doubling over face first onto the floor. "Sam … for Christ sake," Bobby grumbled in concern as he sat him back down, both his hands back on Sam's shoulders. He was just about to tell the doctor that Sam needed tending too as well when he felt the man's presence beside him, already kneeling next to Sam.

"Where does it hurt, Sam?"

"I'm okay, I'm okay …"

"No you're not, now listen to the damn doctor if you wanna be any good to your brother."

Bobby felt bad for making Sam flinch from his sharp tone but Sam could be damn impossible to move when he was in these moods. The kid had always had a mind of his own and when it was made up that was the end of it. It had made being around the Winchesters while they were growing up interesting to say the least, that is if you enjoyed arguing and bitching around the clock. Bobby didn't know how Dean had lived with them for so long without going stark raving mad. Dean always had been a resilient bastard.

Sam kept his mouth closed and Bobby couldn't tell whether he was dealing with the pain or being a petulant stubborn child in the face of barked out orders.

"Sam?" The doctor pressured, moving his hand to Sam's arm that seemed to be a permanent fixture against the kids mid section.

Sam shrank away from the touch, bumping into Bobby. "Ahh … my ribs, my … my head. I think my nose is broken," Sam finally supplied, lifting a hand up to gingerly touch the injured area of his face.

Bobby didn't know whether his story had been believed but he knew that Sam looked like he had been in a bar fight more than he'd been attacked by some wild animal. He had no doubt that if asked more questions that Sam would be able to sell it. The kid was a bit frazzled and hurting but he wasn't so far gone that he couldn't keep a straight story. Hopefully they would be allowed to leave when the ambulance came and drive to the hospital them-selves. It couldn't hurt to make the story more convincing while they were alone.

"Look, Sam, why don't you let me look you over? Patch you up a little and if I'm happy with things you and your …"

"Uncle," Bobby interjected easily.

"…your uncle can make the drive behind the ambulance."

After another moments hesitation Sam nodded, his gaze finding his brothers still form as if seeking his approval only to find that nothing had changed.

Doctor Bryant stood and wrapped his fingers around Sam's freezing arm. "Let's take this in the other room."

"Wait … no! I'm staying with Dean."

"Sam, I need you lying down and I promise we'll keep a very close eye on Dean."

"I'll stay with Dean, Sam. Go with the doctor."

"But …"

"What did I tell you before about the 'buts'?" Bobby asked sternly, his lips turning into an affectionate smile.

"You'll watch him?"

"You know I will, kid. He moves and you'll be the first to know."

Sam still looked unsure but Bobby knew he was winning. He knew these kids and knew all the signs. He was honoured to be one of the only few that were allowed to get that close.

Mel, the nurse, came back into the room, almost gliding across the floor. "The ambulance should be here in fifteen minutes, Doctor."

"Thanks, Mel. Could you keep your eye on Dean here, fix up his uncle's head wound, while I look after his brother?"

"Of course."

This time when Doctor Bryant pulled on Sam's arm, Sam pushed himself to his feet, holding back a groan in his clenched jaw. Sam pulled away from the doctor once he got his equilibrium back and allowed the man to show him the way.

Bobby listened to them leave, hearing a door open and then shut near by. He pulled the stool Sam had been using over to the side of the exam table where Dean laid. Bobby cursed Kate, cursed his stupid flight delays, his stupid rental car and then last but not least himself. He should have got there sooner somehow. He didn't know if he would have been able to stop what had happened but he sure as hell would have made it harder for Dean to disappear. He still didn't know the full story but it could wait until both boys were on the mend.

Bobby leant forward and rested his elbow on the side of the exam table next to Dean and then allowed his sore head to rest in the palm of his upturned hand. He scrubbed at his forehead tiredly and hissed in pain when he accidentally hit the bullet's graze. He rested his free hand on Dean's lax arm, wincing at the coldness seeping through his skin from Dean's. It wasn't a good sign at all.

"Sir?"

Bobby glanced up with squinted eyes at Mel who was standing there holding the things she would need to patch up is head.

"You want me to look at that head wound."

"It's really more of a scratch." Compared to the boys he had come off lightly.

"How about you let me be the judge of that?" Mel asked with a slight smile. "I'll be quick." She assured him.

"Okay," he smiled tiredly.

Bobby sat back and took his trucker cap off, grimacing at the stickiness. Holding the cap in his hand Bobby could now see the blood splattered across the side of it and what almost looking like a burn mark along the edge of it where the bullet had grazed past. He'd been lucky and now he just hoped that some of that luck could transfer back onto Dean because the boy needed it.

TBC ...

Again thank you! I hope you have enjoyed this last two chapters! One more to go! Another reason I have been going nuts ... i've been sooooo close to finishing lol So look forward to the epilogue! It IS coming. I appreciate your support!!