Chapter 29

"You are," Tony looked at his partner and grinned but wiped the grin off his face and cleared his throat when he saw the look on Bryan's.

"Look," Tony decided he could go over this again, even though he'd been over it with his partner a thousand times. "Are you sorry we helped those two kids?"

"No, of course not," Bryan couldn't believe that Tony would even suggest such a thing. He was appalled at the very thought. "I'd do it again in a second. I'm just so frustrated about everything. Sometimes I liked it better when I didn't believe in the supernatural." He paced back and forth in the room.

"I know you're frustrated Bryan and whether you believe it or not it still exists. I'm frustrated to but you just said you'd do it again." Tony winced a little at the pain and try to cover it up but Bryan saw it.

"I would," Bryan decided he'd let it go. If Tony wanted to talk about it he would talk about it.

"I know you would," Tony grinned relieved that Bryan wasn't asking him about how much pain he was really in. He didn't want him to feel guilty anymore. Instead he continued with what they were discussing deciding it was a safer subject. "That's just the kind of person you are. You go into this big brother mod.e when somebody you love and care about is in trouble. You'd risk everything for your friends. That's just who you are. That's why I love you like a brother man."

Bryan came over to sit down by his partner. "You're that way to." He looked at Tony and grinned.

Tony nodded. "Yeah I am. That's why you love me like a brother." Bryan looked at Tony and laughed. Tony continued. "I know this looks bad right now, but we will get out of this. All of us. We'll destroy Alanya and then go back to arresting the bad guys. He paused for a minute letting his words sink in and then said, "Then you'll be board stiff and wonder where all the action is." Bryan laughed again. His partner sure did know him.

"You're probably right." Bryan got up to pace again.

"I know I'm right," Tony winced again. He didn't want to say anything but he was hurting all over. Bryan just looked at him. He was fighting hard to not let the guilt come back and he was loosing until Tony said, "I'm very smart you know." Bryan shook his head and stared. He had a pained expression on his face. Tony grinned. "That did the trick," he thought.

"Give me a break Tony. Bryan snorted. Tony grinned and finally Bryan grinned back.

"It will be okay Bryan. Now help me walk." Bryan nodded and helped Tony to his feet. He supported him while he took some steps. Tony winced at the pain in his ankles but he walked, not without support but he did walk. Bryan grinned at him.

"Oh Bryan?"

"Yeah?"

"If you ever cut my ankles again, I'll kick your ass. Understand?" Bryan looked nervously at Tony, but then seeing the look on his face and the grin, he laughed.

"Yeah. I understand." Tony winced again and Bryan helped him back over to the bed and then into it. He went into the bathroom and got a wash clothe. He took it back into the bedroom and cleaned the cut on Tony's chest. Tony gritted his teeth and tried to hold as still as possible because he knew it had to be done.

"Easy Tony," Bryan tried to be gentle but he did hurt him a little. Tony nodded.

Jack went into the bathroom to check on Dean again. He felt his forehead and stared down at him.

"What," asked John nervously?

"His fever is not going down. He's been in that ice water for hours. He's had three rounds of antibiotics but it's still as high as ever. I don't understand. It should be going down." He touched Dean's head again. "I just don't understand."

"He's going to die isn't he," John looked fearfully at his son. "My son is going to die."

"No John. I'm not going to let him die. I'll change him to another antibiotic but we're going to have to get him out of the tub for awhile. He doesn't need to stay in ice water for long periods of time."

John nodded and touched Dean's head. He didn't know if he was more angry or scared. He decided he was probably a bit of both. He was angry at what was happening and afraid that Dean was going to die.

Dean opened his eyes when he felt the touch and looked up into his fathers worried eyes.

"We're going to get you out of the tub for awhile Dean, Ok?" Dean nodded and both John and Jack helped him out. As soon as they did he jerked away and stared at them wildly. He looked like he was still afraid.

"Take it easy Dean," Jack held up his hands, palms out so Dean could see that he wasn't carrying anything. He didn't like the look on Dean's face. John recognized it immediately. Bryan came into the room. Dean sneered at him and shoved Jack and John out of his way.

Bryan stopped in his tracks. He didn't like the look either because he looked like he did when he hurt Sam, but now all his anger was directed at Bryan but Bryan didn't know why. He backed up slowly, hands up.

"Dean!" John walked over to his son but Dean wasn't listening. He ran over about to grab Bryan, but Bryan anticipated the move and swiftly moved to the side when Dean reached out. Bryan grabbed his arm instead and turned him around to face the wall.

"Let me go you son of a bitch!" Dean was livid and scared all at the same time.

"No way," Bryan bent Dean's arm up behind him. "Forget it! I'm not about to let you pound me for something I had no control over!" Dean struggled and screamed at Bryan but Bryan held him tight, face against the wall. Dean tried to turn around, but Bryan shoved him harder than he'd meant to. Dean winced as his face hit the wall.

"Hands up Dean!" He began to struggle. "NOW!" Dean growled but placed both hands on the wall.

"Now don't move!" Dean went still.

"Let me go!"

"Listen to me Dean," Bryan kept him facing the wall and wouldn't let him turn around. He knew if he did, Dean would beat the shit out of him. "I'm not letting you go until you calm the hell down! You're sick. You're fever is still very high. I am not your enemy! Understand? Alanya has put something on you and we're going to get it off but you've got to trust us. Okay?" Dean nodded. Bryan loosened his grip a little but only a little. It was all the out Dean needed. He elbowed him in the face, snapping his head back and busting his nose. Bryan stumbled backwards and grabbed his face letting Dean go.

"Son of a bitch!" Bryan was getting angry. He had a temper but it didn't come out often. When it did it was a sight to be behold. "That's it!" Jack looked at John who shook his head. He was going to let Bryan handle this. He kept his distance and watched the show.

Dean took a swing at Bryan's head who ducked at the last minute and knocked Dean's hand to the side, then he kicked his legs out from under him and Dean hit the floor hard on his back. Bryan pinned him to the floor, arms and all. Blood poured from Bryan's nose.

"Will you calm the hell down Dean!"

"Get the hell off me!" Dean started to struggle. Any other time he'd of given Bryan a run for his money in the fighting arena, but he was weak from the fever and from exhaustion and he was no match for Bryan who took him down with little effort.

"Stop it Dean! Right now!"

"Get off me!" Dean was furious. Bryan looked up at Jack, who in turn looked questioningly at John.

"I'm going to have to sedate him. I know you don't want me to but we don't have a choice. We've got to get his fever down. I may have to restrain him too. I'm sorry but he's going to hurt himself or someone else if I don't."

John looked at his son who was still pitching a fit on the floor. Bryan was having a tough time holding him. John nodded indicating it was ok. He didn't like it but as Jack had said, they didn't have a choice. Jack nodded back and took a syringe. He loaded it with a sedative and walked over to Dean.

"NO! Stay the hell away from me!" Dean hissed nervously. His eyes were wild and Jack knew he was afraid. Somehow Alanya had convinced Dean that Jack, John and Bryan were all out to get him.

"It's a sedative Dean, that's all!" Bryan continued to hold him and Dean continued to fight like a mad man but in his weak and feverish state he couldn't get away. Jack inserted the needle into Dean's arm because he couldn't get to his IV. It was under Bryan's knee. He delivered the contents into Dean's vein and immediately Dean began to get sleepy. It was a strong sedative and within 5 minutes he was out like a light.

Bryan climbed off exhausted and sat down beside him.

"You okay," Jack walked over to his friend. Bryan nodded. Brad came inside.

"The house is salted. I've done every door and window in this place." Brad looked at Jack and said, "Damn Jack do you know how many windows are in this place? What the hell was you thinking?"

Jack grinned. "I didn't do it. My parents had it built before I was born."

"Really?" Jack nodded.

"What," Jack asked when he saw Brad's face.

"What? Oh nothing. I was just thinking how I only lived about an hour away from here. I'm surprised we never met before."

"Hmm," Jack was also wondering. "That's strange." Brad nodded. "Yeah it is."