A/N: Hello my dear readers. I fell yesterday and broke my ankle in three places and will need surgery this week. This may be the last chapter I can post for a week or so until I get this taken care of. Send me your prayers and best wishes. NC

Chapter 31

Sam looked at the clock in the kitchen and out the kitchen window before pacing to the front door and looking out the screen door. He pushed it open and stepped onto the porch to scan the woods looking for his brother. It was getting late and the sun was almost down. He was worried about Dean and that he would not make it back in time to chain himself downstairs.

Not seeing or hearing anything, Sam hurried back inside and went to the fridge. He stilled himself as he pulled two bowls from the fridge and found the bottle of pills in the cabinet. He got a pair of gloves from the first aid kit and slipped them on, readying himself to spike the meat like he had seen Dean do.

After opening one bowl and pulling out a heart, he used a knife to make a slit and pushed a pill inside. He winkled his nose at the feel of the heart through his gloves but continued. Sam hoped Dean would not have to drug himself for too much longer and that he could gain control. He took a small roast out of the other container and did the same. When that was done, he put the meats in one bowl along with another heart and steak, not sure how much Dean would want and went to the basement door. Taking a deep breath, Sam opened the door and stilled himself as he slowly started down the steps. He could not help the shiver of fear that ran down his back as he remembered a few days ago what he had experienced.

Sam looked at the chains laying on the floor and how they were attached to the eyebolt. He spun around when he heard footsteps on the stairs and saw Dean hurrying down them.

"Where have you been?" Sam demanded. "I fixed your meat. You're cutting it close here, the moon will be up in fifteen minutes."

"Time got away from me. Thanks for fixing the meat," Dean told him stripping off his jacket and shirt.

"What can I do?"

"Get the locks ready," Dean said quickly wrapping his wrist with the stretch bandages before picking up the chains. "Lock the chains around my wrists and take the keys with you."

Sam did not argue and did as Dean told him, taking the locks and fastening the chains in place. He stepped back as Dean tested them for security. He had the keys clutched tightly in his hand and could feel the metal digging in the palm of his hand as glanced at the clock.

"Go on Sammy, I don't won't you down here when it happens," Dean told him. "It's not safe yet and I don't want to take any chances."

"I'll come down in the morning and let you lose Dean," Sam replied. He backed away to the stairs and hurried up them, double locking the basement door behind him. He looked out the window and could just see the moon as it started to rise. Deciding he would be better off in the bedroom, he headed down the hall to the bathroom first and then to his bedroom and locked the door behind him. He was going to read for a while before turning in.

Sam looked to the door when he heard his brother's howls from the basement knowing the change was happening. It seemed strange that just a few days ago, he was petrified of them and now, they seemed normal to him. He had accepted this change in his brother and was getting used to thinking of him as a modified version of the old Dean.

It was not long before the wild noises from the basement quieted down and Sam listened for a few minutes before going back to reading his book. It seemed that Dean's sedation didn't last as long this time or maybe he was imaging it, either way, Sam was glad this was the last night Dean was going to have to go through this until the next full moon. Sam thought about what Dean told him about purebloods and put his book aside and grabbed his laptop so he could do some research on purebloods. He wanted to find out all he could about them to get a better understanding of what his brother had become. The more knowledge he had, the better he would be able to help him. He was interested in the part that a pureblood could turn at any time, and not just on a full moon.

After a few hours, Sam decided to call it a night and turn in. He set his alarm on his cell again and turned off the lamp by his bed. He settled down into the mattress and pulled the covers around him, hugging them to his body. He took a few deep breaths as he let his body relax so he could go to sleep. It came easier tonight than the past two nights, and his mind was calmer than it had been in the past week. He drifted off into a peaceful sleep, letting the darkness carry him away to Neverland.

spn

Sam rolled over and looked at his cell. He squinted and rubbed his eyes so he could see better. It was almost time for it to go off and he pushed himself from the bed and sat there until he saw the keys laying on the nightstand. Memory came back of last night and he realized he needed to go unlock his brother from the chains. He did not bother changing yet and grabbed the keys, hurrying barefooted into the kitchen to the basement door. After unlocking it, he cautiously started down the steps, craning his neck to see his brother.

"Dean, hey man, are you okay?" Sam called to him before stepping onto the cold floor and shivering as he walked across it barefoot. "Dean?"

"Yeah," Dean groaned back.

Sam moved closer to his brother who was laying on the floor as he grunted and cussed while trying to untangle the chains to get up. He watched him rise looking for any signs of the beast but did not see it. He was his brother again.

"Are you okay?" Sam questioned staying just out of his reach.

"Yeah Sammy, nothing a hot shower and clean clothes won't fix," he replied rolling his shoulders and stretching his body. "Awe man! This was one of my favorite T-shirts!" he complained when he looked down at the torn shirt hanging off his shoulder.

Sam held out the keys and studied him, seeing the blood smeared across his face and covering his hands and down the front of his T-shirt. He looked like someone off a horror show, but his eyes were clear and alert.

"Thanks bro and thanks for last night, fixing the meat and all. I know it wasn't fun for you," Dean told him. "What's wrong with your arm?" Dean asked smelling the cream they used for injuries on Sam's arm. He started to reach for it, but Sam pulled it away and hid it.

"It's nothing," Sam replied trying to act natural. "It's fine. I didn't mind fixing the meat. Honest."

"What aren't you telling me Sammy? Did I do that?"

"Really it's just a couple of scratches, barely bled at all," Sam finally admitted.

"Can I see? Please."

Sam huffed but stepped closer and held his arm where Dean could see. He felt Dean's warm hands on his arm and let him move it as he examined the scratches seeing Sam was right, they were not deep.

"I'm sorry Sammy. You know I would never hurt you if I had been in control."

"It's okay, just forget about it. There was no harm done. Don't beat yourself up about it," Sam told him, seeing Dean nod okay but could tell it still bothered him.

"I'm heading to the bathroom for a shower," Dean declared seeing Sam was okay and did not seemed jumpy around him. He hated he had injured him, even if it was only minor, and was determined never to do that again. He would gain control of his beast, hopefully sooner than later.

"I'll change and start some coffee."

"Alright, see ya in a bit."

Sam let Dean head up the stairs first and then followed. He looked back into the basement at the chains and hoped maybe by the next full moon Dean would not be needing them. Now that this cycle was over, he wanted to see what Dean wanted to do. He knew they needed to go see Bobby and tell him the truth, but that was up to Dean. Sam was not going to force him; he knew he would do it in his own time.

The water was running in the bathroom as Sam stepped into his bedroom to change. He put on his clothes and socks, covering his cold feet and slipped them into his boots. Sam headed back to the kitchen and put the coffee on to perk, trying to decide about breakfast. Maybe he would wait until Dean was finished and see what he would like. He sat two cups by the coffee maker and stood by the sink to look out the window as the world came to life with the rising of the sun.

spn

Sam was sitting at the table drinking his coffee when Dean came back wearing clean clothes and with damp hair. He went straight to the coffee pot and poured a cup before joining Sam at the table.

"I didn't know what you might like for breakfast, so I waited," Sam offered.

"That's fine. Maybe we'll close the cabin and head out toward Sioux Falls today," Dean replied. "You can check to see if there might be a case along the way to look into."

"I can do that," Sam nodded, pleased Dean was willing to leave.

"Well, after I drink my coffee, I'll start on the cabin and you can do your thing on the laptop."

"Okay, maybe I can find something easy that won't take much time."

"Don't jinx it Sammy. You know what you think is a simple case can turn into a major disaster."

"That is true, but maybe we'll get lucky this time," Sam replied shrugging his shoulders innocently.

"Now you've done it. We're jinxed for sure," Dean sighed throwing his arms out to emphases his words.

"Jerk."

"Bitch."

"I'm going to pack my bag and grab my laptop," Sam grunted giving Dean a bitch face and pout as he got up.

Dean chuckled at his antics and sipped on his coffee deciding what he should do first. He was not sure when they would be back here and wanted to be sure it was locked up tight until it was needed again. He got up to head for his own bedroom and pack to have that much done. It felt good to tease his brother and him do the same. That was showing himself he had not changed that much after all, he was still Dean Winchester, just with some modifications.

spn

"You're not going to believe this," Sam called to Dean as he came through the kitchen from turning off the water.

"What?" Dean asked.

"I found a hunt for us. It's in Newcastle, Wyoming, on our way to Bobby's."

"Why are you so sure it's a hunt?" Dean asked stopping at the table.

"The articles I found tell the local police have a rash of deaths that they can't explain. The bodies were drained of blood and a couple had their throats torn out."

"It's got to be a hoax; vampires wouldn't be that bold or stupid unless they wanted to be found out."

"My thinking exactly. It could be someone pretending to be a vamp to hide a murder or something."

"So, I guess we're heading to Newcastle to be sure," Dean shrugged. He could not help the slight excitement that was building with the aspects of a hunt. He hoped it was some vampires, he could do with a good fight to burn off some excess energy. He was starting to understand now why werewolves wanted to run and hunt for the thrill of the chase.

It felt good to be back with his brother and to have a case to check out. This was how it was supposed to be.

A/N: The brothers are back on the hunt and things are going well between them. Thank you for taking this journey with me and thank you to any guests who have left reviews. There will be a twist coming up I hope you will like. I do like reviews. NC