Chapter 27: Survivor Soul
The night of Dean's death, Sam and Buffy did not leave one another and fell asleep in each other arms. In the morning they discovered that Dean's remains were gone and that a note was left on his bed saying 'Let me go!'
Since that day, satanic activities seem to have diminished considerably. Sam launched himself in the search of Dar, a cross-road demon, to get to Crowley, hoping that he could help them regain Dean's body.
Tired with emotions, Buffy decides to wait for Sam's return, in Dean's room. She hugs the pillow, still carrying his scent, and in this print, she allows memories of Dean to invade her. Heavy steps enter the room, a figure crouches by the bed « Second thoughts? » Says asthenic the figure that turns out to be Sam.
She looks up « I may have found something. » She stands up and guides him to the library, where she left a laptop, turned on an article, about the death of a man in Wisconsin.
Agreeing that this might be a demonic possession, Sam calls Castiel to share the information « Cass? Get this: A 'John Doe' was murdered in Wisconsin, a week ago. Turns out to be a guy named Drew Neely, who went missing from religious order in Northern Ohio... for three years. He killed his wife, his kids and just disappeared. I know it's thin, but if he is possessed... » Sam stops and his face get worried « Actually... I think I've jumped the gun here. » Surprised by this change, Buffy looks intensely at Sam, whispering « He is sick! » Then returns to his conversation « I shouldn't have bothered you... » Buffy runs a hand in Sam's back « We're alright... just tired. We'll be better when we get him back. » Sam frustrated and sad terminates the call. The regaining control « We should go! »
Without waiting, they go to the police station where the detective, in charge of the investigation, welcomes them « Appreciate you coming down, agents. But I'm afraid you may have just cost Uncle Sam a tank of gas. »
Confused Buffy asks « Why's that? »
The detective explains « You came up to investigate Drew Neely's murder, right? Problem is no one's certain it was a murder. »
Sam trying to understand « Then what are we dealing with? »
The detective shows them the video surveillance of the gas station, where the incident occurs « Self-Defence! The footage was corrupt, but our techies managed to clean up the file. Hold on a sec... Now, porn guy's just minding his own business. And there's Drew Neely. See the knife? That's intent right there! Now watch this! » The video shows Drew Neely attacking a man reading a magazine, but Drew is instantly killed by knives. « Son of a bitch! » Sam and Buffy can't hold it, realizing that the man with the magazine, is none other than Dean.
The detective goes on « Looks like a cutlass or something. Anyway, we don't know if this guy is a hero or a psychopath. » The detective freezes the frame showing Dean's face « That's the image that's getting uploaded to the wires. »
Buffy controlling herself « Detective, do you mind if we take another look at this? »
The detective leaves adding « Knock yourselves out. I'll be back in a few. »
Sam rewinds the video, then advance frame-by-frame on the angle of Dean's face, revealing that his eyes are black, like the demon's ones. They're in shock and decide to go to the gas station.
Arrived at the Gas-in-Sip, the seller can't bring anything new. He is only focused on the fact he was a witness « 'Porn guy' was like an animal. Bro came at him like 'What!?' And he was like 'What!? Say my name! Say my name! ' And there was a lot of blood. »
Sam wanting more information « When 'Porn guy' came in, did he say anything? »
The seller responds « Where's the porn? » Buffy rolls her eyes, seeing the lack of seriousness of the seller « Right! » And decides to go out to look around. She takes a breath of fresh air and tries to understand what happened « Could it be the Mark? A disguised demon? A shape-shifter, that swapped its bright eyes for a pair of black ones? » But as Sam gets out of the shops, she has little time to spread on the subject « Anything? »
Sam seems to think before he replies « Nothing... Do you mind returning to the bunker, alone? » Buffy feeling the same need, doesn't mind, as he adds « I'll meet you there later... »
Back at the bunker, she represses the thoughts that tells her that Sam is hiding something. Exhausted, she drops as a rock and sleeps deeply.
The next day, Buffy is surprised to not find Sam at the Bunker, and tries to reach him by phone, but without success. A few minutes later, her phone rings and seeing the caller ID « Sam! Where are you? »
Sam agitated « I'll explain later… You need to get to Beulah, North Dakota. Crowley and Dean were there. We've got to pick up their trail. This is kind of an 'All hands on deck' situation, so ... »
Buffy understanding « ...You're calling Cass. And I'll meet you there! » On the road, Sam texted her an address.
Arrived on location, she jokes « It's a little early for a Strip-Club, don't you think? » But when Sam turns around, her smile disappears noting bruises and wounds on his face « What ...? »
He doesn't have time to answer, as a man with an arm in a sling approaches them « Girls tell me that you have a picture for me? »
Sam shows a picture of Dean to the man, who clearly is the security guard « That's the guy. I called 911, but he was gone before they showed up. That dude got to you, too? »
Sam looks at his own arm in a sling « No, it's a... hunting accident. Would you do me a favour? If you do see him again, will you give me a call? »
The guard studying Buffy's silhouette « You bet. Listen, if you're looking for a job, I can talk to the boss!? »
Buffy embarrassed « Thanks... but no thanks. » And hastens to follow Sam that returned to his vehicle « Nice car... Stolen? » Sam picks-up his things and joins Buffy's car.
Together, they find refuge in a motel. When they arrive, Buffy starts to check Sam's condition, who admits that he lied about the gas station. He explains that the seller handed him Drew's phone, and that it allowed him to trace Crowley. But on his way, he has been caught hostage by a guy named Cole, whose father was killed by Dean few years earlier. He also tells her, in dismay, that the man in the video is Dean and that he is a demon. When the time of confession ends, they head to the car, to go eat something.
Crowley appears behind them « Hello... Did you miss me? »
Sam pulls out a knife and goes towards the demon « So much... »
But before Sam could take action, Crowley explains the reasons of his presence « You're here for Dean... I'm here to give him to you… The little prat's bad for business. He's uncontrollable. Must be the Mark. Anyway, Dean's your problem now, again and forever. »
Buffy impatient « Then where is he? »
Crowley negotiates « First, there's the small matter of my finder's fee. »
After agreeing with his terms, Sam and Buffy easily find the bar, indicated by Crowley. As decided, Sam enters alone, while Buffy waits outside, near the Impala, which confirms that Dean is inside.
As she's keeping watch, the presence of a man, in front of the emergency exit, catches her eyes. Smoke is forcing Sam to get out by this exit, but Buffy doesn't have time to intervene, when he is stunned by the man that was waiting. She is then taken aback by Dean who joins them by a driveway.
The man pulls out a gun and points it at Dean « It's really you. »
Dean asks « We met? »
The man replies « Talked on the phone. »
Dean remembers « Right... You're the guy who's supposed to put a bullet in Sammy's brain. Did you miss? » At these words, Buffy realizes that this man is Cole, the guy who kept Sam hostage.
The man explains « I had a better idea. I figure if I let your bro escape, he'd go running to you, and all I had to do was just tag along. And now here we are, finally... Dean Winchester… Do you remember me? »
Dean sarcastic « Yeah, yeah... You're the guy from that thing. »
Cole decides to refresh his memory « Nyack, New York, June 21, 2003. It was the night you gutted a man by the name of Edward Trenton. He was my father… I saw you, that night, you let me live: It was dumb... very dumb. I've spent half of my life training for this moment. I've played out this fight a thousand times in my mind. And I know all about you, Dean-o. And you're good, very good... But I'm better. »
Dean defies him «Prove it. Take a shot. »
Cole puts his gun in its holster « Now, that's not payback. » Then pulls out a blade « This is payback! » Cole throws himself at Dean that dodges his assault effortlessly. Cole attempts once more, but Dean easily picks-up the gun from Cole's holster, and removes its charger that he settles on the ground « You know... And I'm just spit balling here… But maybe you are not as good as you think you are. »
Seeing Cole taking a fighting stance, Dean chuckles « Oh! You know Kung-Fu? Well, come on! » Cole attacks with fury, and once more, Dean is dodging « What did you think was gonna happen? You just stroll up here and say 'My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father... Prepare to die' And I'd just roll over? That's just sad. » Dean looks contemptuous at Cole but doesn't see that he pulled another blade. Cole cuts Dean's face. But Dean, not disturbed, grabs Cole by the throat and blocks him against a car, while his wound is closing « You have no idea what you walked into here, do you? »
Cole afraid « What are you? »
Dean replies without hesitation « I'm a demon. » At what he reveals the First Blade and places it on Cole's throat.
Cole recognizing his defeat « Do it! You said if you saw me, you would kill me, so do it! »
Dean smiles « I guess I've changed my mind. »And releases him, to give him a good punch. While Cole, unconscious, slides along the car, Buffy spreads holy water on Dean, and without hesitation, she catches him with the demons' handcuffs « Stop fighting, it's over! » Dean stares madly at her but is completely under her control.
Sam, that regained consciousness, helps her lifting Dean and placing him in the Impala. He seizes the First Blade « I'll deal with him. » She nods and keeps an eye on Dean, who is now handcuffed on the back seat of the car, while Sam gives the blade to Crowley, as agreed.
Once the exchange over, they return to the Bunker. Sam takes the wheel of the Impala and can only notice « This thing is filthy. »
Dean reacts without any emotion « It's just a car. »
Sam astonished « Wow, you really have gone dark. »
Dean replies « You have no idea. »
Buffy intervenes « You could have killed that guy, and you didn't. You took mercy on him. »
Dean mocks « That ain't mercy: That's the worst thing I could have done to him. And what I'm gonna do to you both... That ain't gonna be mercy either. »
After locking Dean in the dungeon, Buffy and Sam agree to perform the last trial, that Kevin had discovered, but with blessed blood rather than Sam's. This latter taking charge of finding a priest to bless the blood.
Meanwhile, Buffy ensures that Dean is tied to a chair, in the heart of a demon trap « What did you plan...? » Sam returns with a cool box, seeing that, Dean understands « Really? »
Sam points out « For whatever it's worth, I've got your blood type. »
Dean tries to discourage them « I know you think you'll be able to fix me, but ... Did it occurred to you that maybe I don't want to? What do you care? »
Buffy annoyed grabs a bottle of holy water « What do we care? » And spreads Dean as Sam begins the Latin incantation.
Dean argues « You think I'm gonna sit here like Crowley? Getting all weepy while you shoot me up? Screw that! I've got a hell of a lot more running through me than just demon juice. »
Buffy meets, taking a syringe that Sam just filled « The Mark of Cain ... »
Dean filled with vanity « That's right. »
But Buffy doesn't fall for it « Buckle up. »
Dean toady « You know I hate shots. »
Buffy on the same tone « And I hate demons! » She approaches the syringe to Dean. In a second, his eyes are turning black and he tries to bite her. But Sam tosses holy water, allowing Buffy to plunge the syringe into Dean's arms. He grunts as she empties the contents « For someone who claims he will act differently than Crowley, you give us a good impression of him. »
Sam specifies « We've got a whole bunch more of these to go. »
Injections continue and Dean perseveres « For all you know, you could be killing me. »
But the young Winchester doesn't let go « Or ... You're just messing with us. Either way, the lore doesn't say anything about exceptions to the cure. »
Dean chuckles « The lore... Hunters... The Slayer... Men of Letters... What a load of crap it all is! »
Buffy objects « This isn't you talking. »
Dean denies « Oh, it's me... The new me that sees things for what they really are. Winchesters: Do-gooders, fighting the natural order. Let me tell you something: Guys like me, we are the natural balance. It's the way it was set up! So, don't be so fill of yourself, Sammy. From where I'm sitting, there ain't much difference from what I've turned into to what you already are. »
Buffy not understanding « What's that supposed to mean? »
Dean staring at his brother « I know what you did... So let me ask you: 'Which one of us is really a monster?' You were trying to get a twenty on Crowley by all means. But Crowley didn't want to be found, and no one showed when you summoned. But you found a way, didn't you, Sam? You would have liked to have gotten there before the deal went down? But you didn't really care about poor old Lester? And so you know, I killed Lester myself. And that wife of his, married the tattooed guy. »
Sam slams his hands on the table « I've never meant... » To calm him, Buffy puts a hand on his. But Dean goes on « Who cares what you meant!? That line that we thought was so clear, between us and the things that we hunted, ain't so clear is it? You might actually be worse than me! »
To silence him, Buffy injects the following syringe in his neck, making him cry out in pain. She then returns to Sam who's leaning on the table, face full of regrets.
Enraged, Dean warns « Let me ask you this: If this doesn't work, we all know what you've got to do to me, right? Do you have the stomach for that? »
Sam grabs Buffy's arm and leaves the dungeon with her « I don't like this... »
Buffy strokes his cheek « He tries to discourage us... »
But Sam shakes negatively his head in her hand « It's not that... » He kisses her fingers and pulls out his phone « Cass, are you still coming? ... Not very well... It's not like it was with Crowley. Dean's in pain, he's barely holding on... I might be killing him... Should I stop? ... All right, I'll ask Buffy to leave the entry unlocked for you... Just hurry. »
Immediately, Buffy heads to the entrance to unlock it. Then retracing her steps, she sees Sam wandering in the halls. She follows him to Dean's room. When she enters, Sam looks at family photos, a sad smile dressing his face. She stands in front of him and extends her hand. In a sigh, Sam puts the photos down. And together, they return to the dungeon.
To their surprise, Dean is gone. So they split and engage in a game of cat and mouse, in the maze of corridors and rooms of the Bunker, paying attention to Dean's voice « Come on! Don't you want to hang out with me? Spend a little quality time? »
After a few random corners, the ceiling lights go down and give way to a red light. Dean aloud for them to hear « Smart, locking the place down... I get it, but here's the thing: I don't want to leave! Not 'til I found you! »
Indicating that Sam's at the control room, she goes there. Dean pursues his monologue « You're just making this worse! By the way, you can blame yourselves for me getting loose. All that blood to make me human... Well, the less demon I was, the less the cuffs worked. And that Devil's trap? I just walked right across it... »
Buffy is sickened to realize that this Dean, hunting them in these corridors, is her Dean. She gets closer to the control room when the ceiling lights return and she can see Sam rushing to close the door. She understands that he has just lock Dean up « Listen, Dean! We were getting close... Just let us finish the treatment... »
There is no answer, so Sam approaches the door. But the murderous cravings of Dean push him to break down the door with a hammer « You act like I want to be cure! » Buffy grabs Sam to make him walk back, while Dean continues to pound the door, creating an opening « Personally, I like the disease. »
Sam pulls out a knife and begs his brother « Stop! I don't want to use this blade on you! »
Dean enjoying the moment « That sucks for you? 'Because you really mean that! »
Buffy feeling anger rising « If you come out of that room, I won't have a choice! »
Dean looks at her « Sure you will! And I know which one you'll make. Hell, I'm blessed because there's just enough demon left in me to killing you! » And while Dean breaks what's left of the door, Buffy grabs Sam's hand and fleets down the hall with him.
Dean doesn't seem to let go « Let's finish this game! »
Sam has difficulties to breath, he is leaning against a wall. He gives a few glances in the hallway, but as he thought to find Dean there, the corridor turns out to be empty. He returns against the wall, and just in time, dodges the hammer, intended to smash his head with. The hammer get stock in the wall, allowing Buffy to come out, from her hiding spot, placing the demon killer blade on Dean's throat.
Teasing her, Dean laughs « Look at you... you're so beautiful when you're angry. Go ahead, do it. After all, you too have a demonic hand. »
But Sam begs her « Don't... » Buffy with difficulties choose to drop the blade.
Dean smiles wildly and his eyes turn black. He advances towards her, but finds himself surrounded by arms, those of Castiel telling him « It's over. »
The Angel's eyes shine of a blue halo, while he repeats for Dean, who tries to break free « It's over! » Dean hoarsens but Cass doesn't let him go.
They bring him back to the dungeon, where he finds himself attached, at the starting point. Sam quickly give him a new injection, after which Dean falls unconscious « What the hell are we doing to him, Cass? I mean, even after we gave him all that blood, he still doesn't want to be... human. »
Buffy, kneeling near Dean, replies « I'm starting to understand: Only humans can feel joy, but ... also pain. Being a demon… It's easier for him. »
Slowly Dean wakes up, Buffy departs from his side and Sam prepares a vial of holy water. Dean's eyes are black but quickly dissipate. Disoriented, he looks around « You look worried. »
Sam spreads the holy water on his brother, and as nothing happens, they are all relieved.
Buffy and Castiel exit the dungeon and join the library, leaving to Sam to take care of his brother. When Sam joins them, Cass asks « How's he doing? »
Sam exhausted replies « He's still a little out of it, but better. I think this whole thing wrecked him. » Seeing that Buffy and Castiel are still puzzled, he adds « On the plus side, he's hungry... So I'm just going to pick him up a big bag of crap food and stuff it in his face. You mind keeping an eye? »
Castiel agrees but however emphasizes « You realize one problem is solved, but one still remains? Dean is no longer a demon but he still has the Mark. »
Sam fully aware « One battle at a time. Tonight I'm gonna go grab my brother some cholesterol and then I'm gonna get drunk, to finally sleep. » At these words, he leaves.
The angel wants to make sure that Dean is doing well, but Buffy refuses to accompany him, still haunted by the last events « He will need help. »
While leaving the room Buffy answers « I know... but not tonight, Cass… I can't. » And goes to join her bedroom where she drops of exhaustion.
