REALLY close to the end now…thanks so much for having stuck with this story. All of you who are continuing to read and/or review, you make me so happy- you have no idea…

AcidChic: Lol…glad you liked it and yeah- the old Dean starting to shine right on through!
Anon: If you're talking about his 'depressedness' then yeah, that was poison spawned, but it's pretty much cleared by now. As for doing something stupid- yeah there's that, but that's not what gets him into trouble…
Spuffyshipper: I never mind an extra review! So sorry that you had to hear that…you need to go get an ipod or something with loud music and headphones…
LynyrdSkynyrdRoadie: Well, he had to get better sometime…he needs to share the angst…
Brokenwind: There's more happy Dean in the future…and he's not too sad in this chapter, just more cautious and protective, but then, so is Sam.
Fiona: Giant hug back! And so glad you liked it! Lots more sarcasm to come!!

Chapter 21: Cleansing The Well

As the brothers drove into town, Sam watched his brother. Every turn of the wheel had Dean wincing…most likely due to the movement of his injured hands. Finally, after five minutes of watching Dean wince, Sam asked a stupid question, "Dean, you want me to drive?"

Dean shot his brother a look before returning his eyes to the road. "I'm not even going to dignify that question with an answer."

Sam sighed, "Dean, I just…"

Dean immediately cut his brother off, "Sam, I swear to God if you say you feel guilty one more time, I'm going to find a demonic maggot and shove it up your ass."

Immediately Sam shut his mouth and turned towards the passenger window with a look of disgust. He hadn't needed that mental image…

Finally, the brothers reached the town and parked outside of Molly's diner.

"Huh…"

Dean turned to see Sam still staring out the passenger window, presumably looking at the diner. "What huh?"

Sam turned to his brother, "I can still see him."

Dean's face took on a startled expression, "What do you mean you can still see him? Him who?"

Sam rolled his eyes, "Bobby. You remember, Mr. Invisible of the blueberry pie?" Upon seeing Dean's shocked/fearful expression, Sam moved to reassure his brother. "Relax Dean. He's kind of faded, I'm guessing that there's still a little poison in me that's on its way out…explains why I've been so tired."

Dean nodded and stepped out of the car, "I'm perfectly relaxed Sammy. Never been better."

Sam scoffed, "Right."

Dean ignored his brother, and gathering their equipment, made his way over to the well. Sam followed in suit.

Once they were at the well, Dean turned to his brother, "Are you really up for this? Because there's no rush…"

"Says the man who just the other day insisted we had no time to check out the second well entrance."

Dean grew annoyed and threw the equipment onto the floor. "We didn't have time the other day to check out the other well entrance, Sam. You were dying. We didn't have time to be fooling around."

Sam raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, "Dean. I don't think getting more information about the well could be considered 'fooling around'."

Dean glared at his brother, "Right Sam, because we learned so much from that experience. Let's see…we learned that new well entrances look like storm cellars…we learned that well pumps have switches, we learned that I don't carry an industrial sized pipe wrench in my pocket, and we learned that even though you got straight 'A's in school, you think that water can catch on fire. You're right…that was a huge help…"

Sam glared back at Dean's sarcasm, "Look, I know you wanted to destroy the well as fast as possible, but I just think it's safer to have more information."

Dean sighed and picked up a chisel and a hammer, "I'll give you a maybe for normal circumstances, but those weren't normal circumstances Sammy…and if our positions had been reversed, I seriously doubt you would've wanted to spend time hanging out at the other well entrance."

Sam paused to consider Dean's comment, and of course, Dean was right. If their positions had been reversed, Sam would've wanted to do as much damage to the well as quickly as possible in the hopes of ending the maggot problem. Sam's thoughts were interrupted by Dean handing him a flame-thrower.

"Ok, you know the drill."

Sam nodded and watched carefully as Dean tried to pry out the wedged chisel. Using a hammer to knock the side of the chisel, Dean tried to loosen the plug from it's tight fit. The chisel wiggled and Dean pulled on it…immediately Dean winced and gasped. He had been using his left hand (his right unable to fully close), but clearly the burns on his hand made it difficult to grip the chisel. Rolling his eyes, Sam walked around his brother before crouching down in front of him. Dean barely had a chance to look up before Sam pushed the flame-thrower into Dean's hand, likewise pushing Dean away from the chisel.

Dean went to argue, but Sam cut him off, "You don't want me to feel guilty? Then stop doing things that hurt your hands and make you wince."

Dean appeared indignant as he watched his brother try to pry out the now loosened chisel. "I didn't wince Sam. You're seeing things."

Sam nodded, "Yeah. Must have been hallucinating then…just like I did with the invisible people, right Dean?"

Dean winced again, "Hey. I already apologized for that. And if I can forgive you for almost dying and biting off my finger, I think you should be able to forgive me."

Sam rolled his eyes, still tugging on the wedged chisel. His brow now covered in the sweat of exertion, he answered Dean between gasps, "I did…forgive you."

Dean shook his head and rammed his side into his brother's effectively pushing Sam out of the way. "Well then forgive yourself too Sam, 'cause your getting on my nerves."

Putting down the flame-thrower, Dean wrapped both injured hands around the chisel and pulled with all his might. Almost immediately the chisel broke free, sending Dean back onto his ass. The pain in his hands was excruciating and for a moment Dean could only see the spots in front of his eyes. But then the pain decreased and the spots cleared, giving Dean a view of the well wall and his brother, now brandishing the flame-thrower.

Sam turned back to him, "That was stupid. You should've let me do that."

Dean grimaced as he sat up. "Keep your eyes on the hole Sam, we don't need anymore demonic insects infecting anyone."

Standing up, Dean reached over and grabbed the other flame-thrower, prepared for action…but none came. For over two minutes the brothers sat, weapons at the ready, staring at the hole…however, no demonic flies flew out. Dean nodded as he lowered his weapon, "See, what did I tell you…the fire in the well worked!"

Sam nodded, also lowering his weapon, "For the flies…but whatever's creating them is still in the water."

Dean agreed and moved forward, crouching down so that he was in front of the hole in the well. Then he pulled the rosary beads out of his pocket and held them up. "That's why we have these."

Sam crouched next to his brother, "Do we need to break open the top too, or you think this'll work from the side?"

Dean considered Sam's question. Normally they blessed water from above it, while looking at the water, but theoretically, there was no reason they couldn't bless the water from the side as well. Dean turned to his brother, "Well, only one way to find out…"

Holding the rosary beads up in front of the hole in the well wall, Dean began reciting the memorized blessing. Once he had finished, he slipped the rosary beads through the crack in the wall cross first. The cross dangled down on the other side of the wall and as Dean released the beads, the cross' weight pulled them down until five seconds later they hit the water with a splash.

Almost immediately a low rumble was hurt and the ground began to shake. Dean looked over at his brother, "Guess it worked."

Sam nodded, falling backwards as he lost his balance. A whining noise began emanating from the well, followed by the sounds of bubbles coming up from the water. All around them the ground shook shaking the ivy off the well wall and sending a shower of pine needles down from the nearby forest. As the earthquake continued, both brothers stayed seated on the ground, knowing that they'd never be able to remain standing if they tried to get up. Were they were was probably the safest place as there was nothing above them…unless there was a sink hole…

Concerned with that thought, Dean turned to his brother, from his criss-cross position on the ground, "How far down you say the aquifier was?"

Sam, still leaning back on his elbows from when he fell backwards, scrunched his brow in thought, "Uh, probably about 25 feet (8 m). Dean, why?"

Dean took in a breath, "Just calculating our chances of ending up falling into maggot-filled holy water…"

Now Sam looked concerned. He yelled back to his brother over the loud rumbling, "We shouldn't…I don't think…"

Dean stared, the concern not having left his face, "Do me a favor Sammy, next time you're gonna lie, try to sound a little more convincing."

Sam said nothing, but looked into the nearby forest at the falling tree branches. "It must be cleansing the whole aquifier…the quake's going into the forest."

Dean nodded in agreement and then nodded over at the house. "The house seems clear of it though…I'd imagine you're pretty pleased…"

Sam shot his brother a glare, but before he could say anything, a loud explosion came from the house and water, dirt, and grass began shooting up out of the ground in a line from the forest to Molly's diner.

Dean turned back to his brother with a shrug, "Take it back…pipe burst."

Sam rolled his eyes at his brother's casualness at the burst pipe…although Dean was right, a burst pipe wouldn't kill anyone…unless the water was still infected. "Dean!"

Dean turned quickly at the panicked sound in Sam's voice. Sam continued, "If that water's still infected…"

Dean cut his brother off, "Still infected? What are you kidding me? " Dean indicated the area around them with his hands, "Uh Sam…giant earthquake…spawned when we blessed the water…"

Just as Sam began to speak, the earthquake rumbled to a stop, "I noticed!" The sudden quiet arose mid statement making Sam's declaration sound loudly out of place. Sam cringed at the volume of his voice.

Dean just stared at his brother with raised eyebrows. After watching Sam squirm for a moment under his stare, Dean suppressed a laugh and stood up. Then he reached out a hand to help Sam up. Sam shook his head and stood up on his own, "Your hands Dean…"

Dean looked down at his outstretched hand before letting it drop back to his side, "Right. Forgot."

Sam shook his head watching as the water, which had been shooting up from the burst pipe in the ground, dwindled to a soggy stop. "See, now aren't you glad we went to the other well site?"

Slowly Dean turned to Sam, with a confused/disbelieving look. Somewhat intimidated by his brother's expression, Sam meekly pointed at the now muddy ground offering the explanation behind his last statement, "You know, 'cause we shut off the pump… and now there's less water… 'cause there's only the water that was in the pipe… you know?"

Dean rolled his eyes and turned away. "We need to go check out the house. Molly's probably having a calf right about now…" He looked over at the barn, "...or a lamb."

And with that, both brothers made their way through the holy mud and back towards the house.

Once they had reached the back of the diner, the brothers could hear the yelling coming from the inside. Immediately, both brothers stepped up their trudge to a run and ran into the diner through the back door.

The kitchen was a mess. Molly and Charlotte were standing in the middle of it futilely laying dish towels down in an attempt to soak up the flood that covered the kitchen's wooden floor. Molly yelled as she pushed the sodden dish towel across the set floor with her foot, "Charlotte, I ain't tellin' you again! I ain't gonna watch you die too, now you git!"

Charlotte moved to argue, but Dean cut her off, "Your mother's right Charlotte. Sam and I think we fixed the water problem, but no need to take chances. We'll help your mother with the pipe. You go wash off with Pepi's water."

Charlotte, now red faced and speechless apparently due to the fact that Dean had spoken to her, quickly nodded and ran out of the kitchen.

Molly sighed, close to tears, and stopped moving the soaked dishrag. She then looked up at the boys with a sad expression, "What did you boys do?"

It was a brokenhearted accusation and both brothers visibly winced. Despite his outward lack of concern for Molly's home, Dean felt bad about having inadvertently hurt Molly. Dean tried his best to defend himself, "We tried to clean the illness from the well and the pipe burst."

Molly nodded, her face looking somewhat hopeful. "You think the water's safe now?"

Dean shrugged, "We don't know yet. We'll help you get this cleaned up and then I'll try the water and we'll see what happens."

Sam interrupted his brother, "Uh Dean? That's gonna be a little difficult considering that there's no pipe to bring the water into the house."

Dean bit his lip, "Yeah. I didn't think of that." Then, shrugging off Sam's revelation, Dean turned back to Molly with an optimistic expression. "If I have to, I'll take the water directly from the well. Don't worry Molly, by the time we leave, your water will be safe to drink."

Molly nodded, still looking troubled, "There's another pipe that brings the water to the animals. It's a bigger pipe, from what I saw it didn't bust…"

Dean nodded, understanding what Molly was getting at, "I'll test the water from there after we help you clean up here."

Sam corrected his brother, "One of us will test the water from there…"

Dean scowled, "Sam…"

Sam matched his brother's warning, "Dean…"

Dean turned to face his brother, "You're not doing it."

The statement was final, but Sam wasn't accepting it. "Well then we've got a problem because you're not doing it either, and we can't have someone else do it."

Dean became angry, "Sam, you just got over the poison…in fact, you just said it was still in you. You're not even recovered yet…"

Sam cut his brother off, "You're not one hundred percent either Dean."

Dean shook his head, "Yeah, but I…"

Dean stopped as Molly voice rang out in the kitchen, "You were poisoned? I thought…but you weren't the one who drank the water. You boys said the food was safe…and…the doc said there was no cure…"

The silence was deafening as both brothers stared at each other, avoiding Molly's gaze. Finally, Sam turned to Molly shaking his head, "Uh, not that kind of poison…"

Dean smiled and interrupted his brother, "Sammy made pancakes." Dean pointed over at his now glaring brother, "He cooks like crap. Gave us both food poisoning. Maybe after all this is over you could teach him how to cook pancakes without turning them into hockey pucks."

Sam squinted his eyes at his brother and Molly sagged in relief. "Hockey pucks? Well, I don't know from pancakes…but I'd be happy to teach 'im how to make some fluffy flapjacks."

Dean smiled a charming smile, "That would be great. You have no idea what it's like living with him…it's like I'm starving to death…"

Sam rolled his eyes, commenting under his breath as he walked past his brother, "Yeah, you're just wasting away…"

Dean spared a second to shoot his brother a retaliatory look before returning to his charismatic grin. Sam spoke to Molly, "Molly? Do you have a wet-vac anywhere?"

Molly slapped her head with her palm before answering Sam. "Well of course I do. I wasn't even thinkin'. Damn earthquake went an' shook me up." Then Molly laughed, "I hadn't even meant that…shook me up? Earthquake?"

Both brothers couldn't help but smile at Molly's brightening attitude as Molly continued, "It's in the closet over there sweetie."

Sam nodded and made his way over to the closet. And Molly turned back to Dean, "So, it wasn't an earthquake? I thought it was funny…havin' an earthquake in the middle of the mountains…but that was you boys…"

Dean cleared his throat, embarrassed, "Uh, yeah, well, we, uh, we put a sanitizer in the well. Kills bacteria and things, but uh, don't worry, it's safe to drink. But, uh, I guess there was some sort of reaction between the sanitizer and the bacteria. Caused pressure to build up, which caused the earthquake and the busted pipe."

Sam looked back at his brother with an expression of complete disbelief. That was the dumbest story he had ever heard…that didn't even make sense. Molly however, nodded, seeming to buy the story. "Since you boys were the ones to go an' break my pipe…I think I'll leave ya'll to finish with the moppin'. That there wet-vac should have it all up in a few minutes anyway. I want to wash myself off."

The brothers nodded and Sam plugged in the vacuum. Then he turned to his brother, "Dude. What the hell was that story?"

Dean raised his hands in a defensive shrug, "What?"

Sam rolled his eyes, "What the hell kind of sanitizer can be dropped in a well, kill all the bacteria in it, and then leave the water safe to drink?"

Dean stared at his brother for a moment, looking as though the answer was obvious. "Holy water…" Then, still shaking his head at his brother's denseness, Dean turned and walked out the kitchen's backdoor…leaving Sam to clean the floor.

If you're thinkin' what I think you're thinkin', you're probably right... make no sense? Tune in for the next update!! And review if you liked this one!!