Chapter 48 - I promised action. Here's action!

Dean stared across the back patio at his little brother in complete disbelief. "They what?"

"They're here to protect you and Liza," Sam repeated. "The information from Ellen proved everyone the demon has attacked happened on the night the infant turned six months old, exactly."

"Exactly six months," Dean said softly. "That's tomorrow."

"I know." Sam sighed. "And that's why they're not leaving before this weekend and why they won't get a motel room."

"And it would also explain why Bobby has been making all kinds of weird things in the kitchen," Dean observed.

"Salt probably won't keep this demon out," Sam admitted. "Apparently it's a real nasty sucker. We're going to need some stuff with a little more kick."

Dean stood slowly, staring at the back fence. Sam waited for his big brother's reaction. In a blur, Dean's arm swept back then forward in a baseball pitcher's arc, his beer bottle hurtling for the fence. It crashed against it, shattering into a thousand shards and splattering the wood fence with dark blotches of beer.

"Dean?" Sam asked softly, his brother's reaction scaring him.

"Never mind," Dean sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat.

Sam stood slowly. He hesitated before reaching out to touch his brother's shoulder. "They don't know it's coming," he said. "And even if it does, we won't let it get her." Unconsciously, he tightened his grip. "Or you."

"Not me," Dean insisted in a strained voice. He glanced back at Sam with shiny eyes. "It can't get Liza or Frank."

Sam frowned at his brother. "But Dean, that doesn't fit the pattern. Frank isn't her mother. I mean, technically, that would be you. So if it comes after anyone..." He couldn't finish that sentence.

Dean pressed a hand to his forehead, above one eye, like he might be getting a headache. "I, uh, had this crazy theory." His hand dropped away as he shook his head. "Okay, good. I'd rather it be after me." His eyes met Sam's. "Do you think we can talk Frankie into leaving for a few days? To keep him safe?"

Sam sighed as he held Dean by both shoulders. "You know he wouldn't leave, Dean. Besides, how could he possibly be safer away from us? We're family. We'll take care of him."

Dean breathed heavily before doing something he hadn't done since Sam was about fourteen. He pulled Sam into a hug and held on tight.

"I can't lose them, Sam," Dean mumbled against his chest. "I can't."

Sam held his big brother tightly, hoping to instill confidence. "You won't," he promised, leaning his cheek against the top of Dean's head. "I'm not going to let that happen. Not to you." He sighed as Dean's hands fisted into the back of his shirt. "You don't deserve this, Dean. I swear. We're going to protect you. All of you."

Sam waited until Dean's arms relaxed around him before pulling back a little. This reminded him an awful lot of when Frank had been taken and tortured. Sam squeezed Dean's shoulders, trying allay his big brother's fears.

"What was that crazy theory?" Sam asked. Dean shook his head. "Come on, Dean. I'd like to hear it." He ducked down, trying to catch his brother's eye. "Please?"

Dean shook off his hands. "It was stupid."

Sam sat down again, determined to hear it. "I'm not moving until you tell me. And I doubt it's really stupid." He glared at his brother. "You usually come up with some good theories."

Dean sighed, looking away. He cleared his throat nervously. "It was the night, that, uh..."

Sam's mind raced, trying to piece together why Dean wouldn't want to tell him. The only time Dean was this squeamish was when it involved Jessica.

"The night Jessica died?" Sam asked, confused.

Dean glanced at him, guilt written all over his face. He nodded. "I thought, maybe, it wasn't just women the demon was after, the way it harasses our family. First Mom, then Jessica. I thought, uh, it might come after Frank."

Sam frowned, trying to remember details from that horrible night. "You left the room," he said slowly. "And you never really said why."

Dean really looked guilty now. "I left to call Frank, make sure he was okay. And to tell him to double the salt lines."

Sam nodded slowly. "Can't blame you there." He had some guilt too. "I wish we'd been closer back then, so you could've told me."

Dean sunk back into the other lawn chair. "Honestly?" he asked. Sam nodded again. "Me too," Dean told him.

"Damn it," Dean muttered.

"Now what?" Sam asked, alarmed.

Dean gave him a sheepish look. "I broke my beer."

Sam chuckled as he handed over his half full bottle. "I don't mind sharing."

Dean met his gaze. "You're a good brother, Sammy. Always have been."

Sam gave him a quick smile. "No, I haven't," he replied. "But I am now. And I meant what I said."

After taking a quick swig of Sam's beer, Dean gave him a nod. "So what's the plan?"

Sam shifted uncomfortably. "You're not going to like it."

Dean sighed heavily, taking another swig before handing it back while shaking his head. "Which means Dad is planning on using my family as bait."

Sam felt a stab of guilt. "He found a special gun," he said. "It's supposed to be able to kill anything. That's anything supernatural, including a demon."

Dean's eyes widened. "No shit," he breathed. With a shake of his head, Dean muttered, "Better be worth it."

"It better be," Sam agreed readily. He met Dean's gaze. "Serene is staying too. She wants to be with us."

Dean sighed again as he stood. "I need to tell Frank the bad news. He better not have a stroke."

"Holler if you need some help," Sam offered.

Dean cuffed the side of his head lightly as he passed. "As if."


Frank did not care for the look on Dean's face. He couldn't recall having seen it before, except maybe when Dean read the article in the paper about Jake's trial being delayed - again. This was not good, whatever it was.

"What is it?" he asked, knowing he would not like the answer. "Does it have anything to do with why our houseguests aren't leaving?"

"Yeah," Dean breathed out. "Maybe you should sit down."

Oh, crap. Frank sat on the edge of the bed and gripped the mattress with both hands. "Okay, I'm ready."

Dean shook his head. "Doubt it." He took a deep breath. "Remember when I told you about the thing that killed my mom? And how Sam's girlfriend died the same way?"

"John said it was a demon, right?" Frank asked. Dean nodded. "So? Why am I sitting?"

Dean stood directly in front of him. "Dad has evidence that it comes on the night an infant turns six months old – exactly. For Liza that's tomorrow."

All the air left his lungs. Frank stared at Dean for a long silent moment until he remembered how to breathe again. "That's why they're here?" he asked weakly. "To protect Liza?"

Dean swallowed hard before nodding.

Frank took a deep breath and held it, then let it out slow. "Good," he said, and meant it. "Between you, John, Sam and Bobby, I feel pretty damned safe waiting for a demon to show."

Dean shook his head at Frank. "You might be putting too much faith in us."

"Nope," Frank insisted, standing. He cradled Dean's face in his hands. "As usual, you're not giving yourself enough credit." He smiled at his amazing spouse. "You're the one I trust. If you tell me this is going to work out, I'll believe you."

"It better," Dean whispered. "It damn well better." His eyes teared up. "I can't..." Dean's voice broke.

Frank pulled Dean into his arms. "Shut up," he whispered, rocking Dean gently from side to side. "Just shut up." He leaned down to nuzzle the side of Dean's face. "We're going to be fine. I trust you to make sure of it." He paused before adding, "My beautiful warrior."

Dean snorted, pulling back where Frank could see his teary eyes. "You big idiot."

At least he sounded better now. Frank wiped some of the excess moisture away with his hand. "Yeah, I guess I am," Frank admitted. "But I'm your idiot."

A smile broke through the despair in Dean's face. "Yes, dear."

"So when do we find out the big plan?" Frank asked.

Dean shook his head. "Not tonight," he said, his eyes pleading with Frank. "We'll corner Dad about it tomorrow." Dean went to the crib and picked up their sleeping baby. "Right now, all I want to do is snuggle up in bed with my family."

Dean actually used the word snuggle? He was more worried than Frank feared. Frank kicked off his shoes and pulled back the bed covers. "Planning on doing any sleeping?" he asked.

Dean shook his head. "Probably not."

Frank nodded and waited for Dean, still fully clothed, to climb into bed with Liza. When they were situated, Frank crawled in beside them. He rested his head against a free spot on Dean's chest and wrapped an arm around Liza. Comforted by being in the arms of his beloved warrior, Frank found his eyelids too heavy to hold open. He drifted off into dreams of vicious lions surrounding his gladiator, who fended them off with his sword and amazing skill.

Frank woke with a hand stroking through his hair. "Dean?" he mumbled.

"Yeah," Dean replied softly.

Frank forced his eyes open. It was still dark outside, the room lit by their bedside lamp. "What time is it?"

"A little before five," Dean said. "You do know you're not going to work today?"

Frank nodded, snuggling closer. "I'll call in sick." He focused on Liza, sleeping peacefully on the bed between them. "Do you really think it's coming night?"

"I don't know," he said, his hand still making soothing strokes through Frank's hair. "Does it really matter if I think so?"

Frank shook his head, his hand brushing gently over Liza's bald head. "Think she'll have dark or light hair?"

Dean's chuckle vibrated in his chest. "I hope it's dark and curly. Like yours."

Frank looked up at his spouse, his partner. "But I want it to be lighter, like yours."

Dean gave him a small smile. "Arm wrestle you for it."

Frank chuckled, shaking his head. "You're such a nut."

"And you wanted to marry me," Dean said softly. "You big idiot."

Frank scooted up to kiss him. "No choice," he said. "How could I turn down anybody as gorgeous as you?"

Dean sighed, looking down between them at Liza. "Sometimes I wish you had," he said sadly.

"Dean!" Frank snapped.

Then Dean's eyes met his. "But I'm glad you didn't. Honest, Frank. I've never been happier in my life."

Frank raised his eyebrows at Dean. "Even with a demon breathing down our necks?"

"Yep." Dean smiled at him. "You?"

Frank smiled back. "Yep."

Dean's hand shifted to rub along Frank's arm. "I won't let anything hurt her, Frank. I swear."

Frank nodded, resting back against Dean's chest. "I know, Babe." He yawned widely. "I know."


Dean double-checked that Frankie and Liza were still wearing the charms which arrived for Bobby this morning. They were supposed to prevent anyone wearing them from being possessed. When he looked across the room, both Sam and Serene showed him their charms without being asked. The sun was setting and Bobby had all of his protective charms and powders and crap all over the house. Pastor Jim had buckets of holy water ready and had spent most of the day blessing all of them and the house.

They still didn't know if the demon was coming at all, but if it did it would arrive tonight. Liza fussed in Frankie's arms. He looked to Frank.

"I think she needs a diaper," Frank told him.

"I got it," Dean said, taking her out of Frank's arms. He needed the distraction anyway.

Dean placed her on the changing table, which was set up on top of the dresser. Using one hand, he held Liza in place while he grabbed a clean diaper with the other. As he cleaned her up, all the hairs on the back of his neck stood straight out. Pretending not to notice, Dean slipped the clean diaper on and fastened it. Once Liza was securely back in his arms, Dean turned around slowly to survey the room.

A dark shape stood in the corner.

"Looking for something?" Dean asked, trying to sound casual but hoping he might be loud enough to alert the others in the den. Why did they think it would be coming through the front door?

The dark shape chuckled menacingly as it strode forward. It looked human, but the eyes glowed a nasty yellow, the color of stale urine. Yeah, this was really bad.

"Dean Winchester," it said, shaking its head. "My oh my, you must be such a disappointment to John." The demon chuckled. "He had such high hopes for you, you know. To follow in his footsteps, become the ultimate hunter." Those unsettling yellow eyes pulsed with energy as they raked over Dean. "Oh how the mighty have fallen."

The bedroom door slammed open, Dad and Sam charging through. The demon waved a hand. First Dad and then Sam sailed through the air to slam against the far wall, pinned to its surface with their feet dangling uselessly above the floor. Dean held Liza to his chest, her head above his shoulder so she wouldn't be in danger of suffocating.

"Well, well, well, speak of the devil..." It laughed. "I mean, of course, of the daddy." It walked up to Dad to lean right in his face. "I was just saying what a huge disappointment Dean has been to you, running off and getting himself knocked up at a time like this." It laughed louder. "As if that accident of birth wasn't enough of a freak, then you had to go and raise them like your little soldiers, always on the road. Do you have any idea how much they stood out? How people talked behind their backs, making fun of the little freaks?"

"Shut up!" Sam snapped, straining against his invisible bonds.

Dean couldn't imagine why he wasn't against the wall too, unless it was because the damn thing had plans for Liza.

"Oh, Sammy," it said, moving to Sam.

"It's Sam," he snapped.

It smiled at Sam, making Dean's stomach lurch. "Such spirit. You're one of my favorites, you know. Yes, I have such high hopes for you. But if you don't make it, well..." It turned to face Dean. "Perhaps your darling little niece will measure up instead."

It was so hard to wait, to allow the plan to be put into play. Having Liza in the same room with the demon responsible for his mother's death made it worse. Dean's heart pounded in his chest and the blood rushed so swiftly in his ears he could barely hear over the roar. He had to trust that Jim and Bobby were doing their part, right now, and Frank and Serene were safely out of the way.

"If you touch her," Dad growled.

"What?" The demon smiled at Dad. "Johnny, I really don't think you're in a position to do anything." It jerked its chin at Dean. "Neither are you, freak."

Its laugh drained hope from the room, filling Dean with dread and fear, but he remained steady. Now was not the time to fail. All of his life he had felt like a failure. A glance down reminded Dean of one good thing, one overall success, he could claim in his life. Emboldened, Dean glared back in those sinister yellow eyes.

"Don't you talk about my son like that!" Dad shouted.

The demon glared at him. It raised a hand and Dad's face twisted in pain.

"Dad!" Sam shouted. He looked across the room with wide, scared eyes. "Dean, do something!"

"Dean can't do anything," the demon said lightly. "Not without endangering his precious baby."

The demon flicked its hand and Dean felt a force slam against his jaw, forcing him to stagger back a step. At least it wasn't hurting Dad at the moment. A second flick of its hand and the force of a heavy blow hit him in on the other cheek. Again he stumbled, desperately trying to maintain his balance and keep Liza safe.

"Stay, Dean," it ordered. "Or I'll do that to your darling child." It returned its attention to Dad. "As for you, Johnny-boy, you have been a major thorn in my side. It's high time I took care of you."

Dad's jaw clenched as he writhed against the wall again. Then his face relaxed and the demon appeared confused. It motioned with its hand to Dad again, with no results.

Dad and Sam both slid down the wall to land heavily on their feet. Dad slumped all the way down to the floor, but he was still breathing. Relieved, Dean glared at the demon.

"Take your best shot," he jeered, backing through the open door.

As Frankie reached for Liza and Bobby held out the Colt, Sam rushed the demon. It was a futile effort, of course. The demon's telekinesis might not be working, but those things were freaky strong. It sent Sam hurtling back against the wall, this time denting the sheetrock. Jim's voice droned on in the den, reciting an ancient spell binding the demon's powers one by one.

Dean snatched the Colt and took aim. "Hey!" he shouted to get its attention.

The demon spun to face him. It put up a hand, but nothing happened.

"You really ought to do your homework before you come in the home of a freak," he said sternly. "We know the right kind of people."

Dean pulled the trigger, his shot aimed to kill. The bullet entered the demon's head and sparks erupted from the point of impact. Before his amazed eyes, Dean watched a lightning show envelop the possessed body. He held his breath as the demon shook violently, the lightning streaking along its body. The the body fell, limp and lifeless, to the floor.

Dean moved to stand over the body, keeping the Colt ready. It was dead. Really and truly dead.

"Call an ambulance!" Dean shouted before moving to check on his brother and father.

Sam was a little dazed. Dad was a different story. Blood trickled from his mouth and he was barely coherent.

"Good job," he breathed, grasping Dean's arm. "You did it, son."

"Yeah, Dad." Dean set the Colt aside to try and make Dad more comfortable. "We did it. Now hang on, there's an ambulance coming."

"Dad?" Sam asked from over Dean's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Hide the Colt," Dad whispered. "It's too powerful. Protect it."

"Don't worry about it, Dad," Dean insisted. "Just hang on."

"Don't die, Dad," Sam whispered, grabbing at one of Dad's hands. "Don't you dare die."

Dean left his brother talking to Dad. He opened one of his dresser drawers to retrieve another old Colt. Hiding the real one, Dean aimed the imitation at the far corner of the room and fired it over Sam's head. Sam jumped, his head snapping around to glare at Dean.

"What the hell was that for?" he demanded.

Dean set the other Colt on the floor by Dad. "The cops can tell when a gun has been fired, Sam. Can't let them take the real one."

"Good thinking," Dad breathed. He held up a hand which Dean grasped, relieved to feel the strength of Dad's grip. An ambulance's siren sounded in the distance, growing progressively closer.

"They're almost here," Dean assured his father. "You're gonna be fine."

Dad grimaced at him. "That's my line, Dean." He chuckled, then grimaced again. "Shit. I hate demons."