Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun filling in the time until September!

Hide and Seek

Chapter 26 – Ghost Busting

"Aw Sammy…what did he do to you!"

Sam was lying on the floor, curled into a tight ball. His breathing was coming in short gasps as the tears and sobs continued to flow. Dean walked carefully up to his brother, groaning as he knelt beside him, his own wound reminding him of his own weakened condition. "Sammy…wake up…you need to wake up!"

But Sam didn't hear his brother's pleading. He was locked in the nightmare that the spirit had created. "Dean please…I'm afraid…don't let me die in the dark…please…I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit you with the car…don't die Dean…I need you!" Sam's voice pleaded as his body continued to shudder.

"Sammy…I'm here, it's only a dream Sam. Sammy!" Dean shook Sam's shoulder gently, hoping the contact would help, but Sam continued to sob, his breath beginning to hitch as panic began to take hold.

"Ok, Sammy…we don't have time to deal with this right now…I have to get you out of here and back to Liz's house before our friendly neighborhood ghost decides to make another house call."

Dean picked his brother up and staggered towards the car. He hoped that it was working, or it was over. There was no way Dean would be able to carry Sam any further in his current condition. Dean lowered Sam gently into the passenger seat. Making sure that hood was closed, Dean got into the driver's seat and smiled as the engine turned over. "That's my baby…now time to get out of here!" Dean did a quick U-Turn and headed in the opposite direction. He figured that Sam had come from Liz's house…so this road must lead there. Reaching for his cell phone, Dean quickly dialed Liz's number.

"Hey Liz…yes, I'm fine. But I'm coming in hot…can you give me directions so that I don't miss your house? No don't remove the protective spells…I'll explain when I get there!" Dean listened as Liz gave him detailed directions. Luckily he should be within the protective area within the next 5 minutes.

"Hold on Sammy…we'll be at Liz's before you know it!" Dean didn't like the look on his brother's face or the labored breathing. As soon as Sam was safe, he was going to find that spirit's bones and toast him once and for all!

Liz sighed with relief when she saw the black Impala pull up to the back of her house. She knew that something was wrong from the sound of Dean's voice. As she hurried to the car, she smiled in genuine relief as she saw a figure emerge from the driver's side. "Dean…it's really nice to see you! I see you managed to start your wound bleeding again!"

Dean waved, not registering the comment at first. His main concern was getting to Sam. Liz moved quickly to help Dean get the unconscious form of his brother from the car. "Let me help Dean, you don't need to aggravate that wound any further." Liz took one side and Dean took the other as they got Sam into the house and onto the bed.

Dean stepped back, running a shaking hand through his hair as he tried to keep himself from passing out. He wasn't sure what the ghost had done to Sam, but from the looks of it, Dean was going to have his work cut out for him. He jumped as he felt Liz gently guiding him to the chair in the room. "Now, let me take a look at that wound…you won't do Sam any good if you pass out from loss of blood."

Dean gazed at Liz, blinking in surprise. "How did you?..." Dean's face broke into a smile of relief as it dawned on him. Liz could see him…the spell was broken.

Liz laughed as she saw the light go off in Dean's brain. "That's right…your visible again and not a moment too soon. How long were you going to go without taking care of your wound!"

"Well I've been a little busy, you know I had to stop for a beer and quickie with that hot waitress in town all while slaying the big bad ghostie and hauling my baby brother around…so how was your day?" Dean winced as he felt Liz working on his wound. As the adrenaline rush wore off, he felt the exhaustion set in.

"Very funny Dean…I swear, sometimes I think it's a toss up as to who is more stubborn…you or your brother over there!" Liz wiped her hands on the towel she had brought with her supplies. "Now, sit still while I apply more of this salve and bandage your wound again. I also brought you some of my tea…you need to drink it and get some rest…"

"Sorry Liz, but I have to help Sam. I don't know what that bastard did to him, but he won't wake up!" Dean looked over at the figure of his brother curled up on the bed, tears running down his face as he mumbled under his breath.

Liz sighed as she finished wrapping the bandages around Dean's waist. "You mentioned that someone did this…who?"

"I'm not sure how, but the original Doctor Myer has been released from his grave and is now trying to kill both of us. I guess he took the death of his great grandson personally…go figure!" Dean tried to get up from the chair, but the room spun and he quickly sat back down with a groan.

"Dean, you and Sam should be safe here in the house…the spells should keep that maniac away from here. Just rest here for a minute and let me take a look at your brother." Liz walked towards Sam. Remembering the last time, she made her movements slow trying not to startle him. She pushed his bangs back from his sweaty face and grimaced at the gash she saw on his temple. She also noticed that his left wrist was swollen. "Come on Sam…let me help you. I need to check your back to see how that is doing…don't be afraid, you are safe."

Liz lifted the back of Sam's shirt and sucked in her breath, some of the claw marks had opened again and looked infected. But she also saw extensive bruising around his ribs. "Dean what happened?"

Dean opened his eyes, surprised he had fallen asleep for a moment. "The Doctor decided to toss him around a few times for the hell of it…as soon as Sam is stable, I'm going to torch that bastards bones and send him straight to hell!"

Liz patted Sam on the shoulder as she headed to get what she would need to work on his wounds. "Dean, I think he may have a concussion…that is why he is still unconscious. I'm going to clean up his wounds and then we'll see if we can wake him. You just rest there for a little bit. You have done all you can for now. I'll be back in just a moment."

As soon as Liz left the room, Dean stood on unsteady legs and moved to sit beside Sam on the bed. He felt the tears fall as he listened to his brother's soft plea for help.

"Dean, please…I can't…can't find you…Dean!" Sam groaned, but his eyes remained closed. His hands reaching as if searching for something. Dean grabbed Sam's hand in his own, sitting on the bed, he pulled his brother into his lap.

"I'm here Sammy…I'm here…all you have to do is wake up…please Sam…" Dean felt Sam's struggles still slightly. "That's it Sam…I'll be here when you wake up…I promise…just keep fighting for me…I can't do this without you!" Dean continued to hold his brother as his eyes finally closed, he couldn't fight the exhaustion in his body any longer.

Liz returned and smiled as she saw the two brothers sleeping side by side. Dean holding his brother as if he could shield him from the evil in the world. Working carefully, Liz gently cleaned the wound on Sam's head, applying her salve and a bandage. Next she carefully wrapped Sam's wrist and applied the ice bag she had brought with her. "I really need to take care of your back Sam, but I think it's more important that you and your overgrown watch dog get some sleep. I'll be back in a bit to check on you two…try to rest." Liz didn't know if Sam could hear her, but she hoped that he would wake soon.

oooooooo

Sam was relieved that the voice of Doctor Myer was gone, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape from the tomb. As he curled onto his side, the tears began to fall. He had failed his brother again. The Doctor was right, Dean's wound probably re-opened when Sam hit him with the car. He also knew that his brother would sacrifice himself to save him. He was sure that Dean was probably not taking care of his wound.

"God, I can't stand this…please Dean, help me wake up…please let this be a dream!" Sam turned onto his back and once again tried to feel around with his hands. All he could feel was the coldness of stone. He remembered that the last time, he had been able to hold on until Dean had found him. Well, he would do the same…a strange calm seemed to come over Sam and his fear was a little less as he thought about his big brother.

Dean's invisibility had made Sam realize how much he needed his brother. Even when he knew that Dean was near by, he had missed the simple assurance that Dean could communicate with a twist of his lips or the glint in his eye. How many times had he woke from a vision or a nightmare to his brother's calming presence. Sam knew that the only reason he was able to tolerate his burden was because he had someone to share it. When his fears became too big to handle or the guilt threatened to drown him…Dean was always there with the lifeline.

"Dean…I need you…where are you?" Sam cried into the darkness, hoping to see the light that his brother always brought with him. A light that always found Sam when he was lost in the dark. But for some reason, that light didn't appear. The fear began to build again as Sam started to wonder if the Doctor was right…maybe Dean couldn't help him this time. He had to get out of here and help Dean!

Sam stared at the darkness above him, picturing the stone lid as a small pebble, just like he had before. He had been able to help move the lid before, he could do it again. Concentrating, Sam tried to focus his energy on moving the stone…the pain in his head began to grow as the sweat poured down his face. "Come on Damn it!" Sam continued to struggle, but in the end all he was left with was a severe headache and the knowledge that he had failed again.

TBC

Raven524: So, our boys are safe…or are they…hmmmm…guess you will just have to keep on reading…next chapter will post soon (I think…maybe?). Once again thanks to all of those who have reviewed this story…the site was giving me funny messages again when I tried to respond to you all…if you didn't hear from me…please accept my heartfelt thanks! Now on to the next chapter!