A/N: So far the Dean and Storm story is in the lead by one vote. Only one chapter left of this story and voting. I will start posting the one that wins, to continue this one or do a short Dean and Storm story. NC

Chapter 19

The time passed slowly as Dean watched Sam fade away as the demon blood took over again and sent him into another thrashing and screaming session. He did his best to hold Sam down as he strained against the cuffs that held him on the cot. It did not seem to last as long as the last one before Sam was panting and looking up at him with pain filled eyes.

"I'm here Sammy, it's okay; try to slow your breathing, take deeper breaths," Dean encouraged as he cupped his face with one hand and continued to rub his chest with the other. "We'll get through this together."

Sam could only nod he had heard as he tried to take some deeper breaths and do what Dean wanted. His entire body was trembling uncontrollably, and Sam turned his head into Dean's hand wanting to say something but was to exhausted and weary and his mind was still swimming with fog.

Dean began to hum softly to Sam the old Beatles song their Mom used to sing to them, hoping it would ease Sam's troubled soul. He concentrated on the song, trying to ignore the buzzing and annoying itching under his skin. He felt like clawing his skin, but knew it would not help, this was an itch that couldn't be scratched. Dean did not know how long he sat there, bent over slightly to reach Sam, before footsteps echoed through the basement as Bobby came down the steps.

"Dean, I've got us some dinner," Bobby told him looking down at Sam's unmoving form. "I'll stay with him so you can eat," he offered.

"I'm…I'm okay…" Sam rasped out, opening his eyes enough to see Dean. "Go…Eat…" Sam mustered.

Dean weighted the options for a moment, not wanting to leave Sam, but also knowing he needed to eat to keep his strength up to take care of him. He huffed out a sigh before slowly standing and popping his back as he stepped away from the room.

"I won't be long, and I'll bring you something to drink Sammy," Dean told him before nodding to Bobby and trudging up the stairs to the kitchen. He looked at the bags sitting on the counter and decided to unpack the contents for older hunter. He stored the items in the cabinets and fridge leaving out his jerky and a bottle of Gatorade. Dean opened it and once again cut is finger letting about a teaspoon of his blood drip into the bottle. He decided this was the last liquid he would spike and hoped it would help ease Sam's symptoms. He sat it aside with a straw and went to the table where a couple of bags sat, to see what Bobby had gotten for dinner.

spn

"How ya doing Sam?" Bobby asked as he took Dean's seat by him.

"I don't know," Sam sighed. "The pain comes and goes but the burning sensation stays constant."

"Hopefully, it won't last much longer."

"How's Dean really doing Bobby?" Sam asked looking at him with bloodshot eyes.

"He's worried about you more than himself, just like always."

"Did he tell you…About…What I…" Sam tried to ask but could not make the words come out.

"It's okay Sam, we can talk about that later when you're on the mend. Don't worry yourself about it now. You just concentrate on getting better."

"I'll be okay alone Bobby, go check on Dean."

"Maybe I should stay, in case you have another episode."

"Honest, you know Dean will be back down soon, just make sure he eats something."

"Alright, I'll go check on him," Bobby finally agreed. "Try to relax and rest."

"I will Bobby."

Bobby got up giving Sam one final glance before moving to the stairs and climbing them. He found the oldest Winchester sitting at the table staring at the partly eaten food he had gotten. He could see the slightly pinched look on his face that twitched faintly and knew he was still being affected by the wardings he had on the house.

"Sam wanted me to be sure you ate," he commented when Dean did note seem to register, he was there.

"I'm fine," Dean replied when he realized Bobby was talking to him.

"And I'm Tinker Bell, can't con a conman son. I know just being in my house is hurting you and I know you won't leave as long as Sam is here. Maybe you need to take a break now and then, go outside and walk around," Bobby offered.

"When Sammy is better," Dean told him. "He needs me near for support and I'm going to be there for him. He was alone and made some bad choices. I won't let that happen again if I can help it."

"Does it seem he's getting better?"

"He's still having episodes, but I don't think they are lasting as long or seem as bad. I'm going to take him something to drink and sit with him." Dean got up from the table and snagged the bottle of Gatorade before heading for the stairs. He found Sam panting hard, his body tense and stiff as he fought through another seizure like attack. "I'm back Sammy, you've got to breathe through it," Dean told him quickly sitting down and gripping Sam's arm. He brushed his hair from his face and felt his forehead thinking he felt hot. After a few minutes, Sam's seemed to relax as the pain subsided. "I brought you something to drink Sammy. Think you can use a straw?"

Sam barely nodded and felt something touch his lips. He parted them and worked on sucking the liquid into his mouth and swallowing. It was an effort to drink the Gatorade and after several long swallows, Sam had to stop and rest. The coldness of the liquid eased the rawness of his throat and seemed to give him a little energy. An urge suddenly hit him, and he wiggled and winced knowing he could not wait any longer.

"Dean, I need to pee," Sam told him looking pitifully at him.

"Got that covered," Dean offered stepping back out and sitting a bucket by the bed. He took a key off a peg and unlocked Sam's cuffs on his wrists and ankles. He helped him sit slowly up, holding Sam as he wavered slightly. "Take it easy now," Dean told him scooting the bucket between Sam's legs with his foot. "Go ahead, I won't look." Once Dean was sure Sam was stable, he turned his back and gave him some privacy.

The room spun out of control for several minutes as Sam sat up. He fought to keep the Gatorade down and for his stomach to stop rolling. When things settled, Sam eased to the edge of the cot and unzipped his jeans to relieve himself. Sam did not really know how bad he needed to go until he started peeing. With the pressure gone from his bladder, he readjusted everything and zipped up his jeans.

"I'm done."

"Good, I'll get rid of this later." Dean sat the bucket out of the way in the basement, while Sam lowered himself back onto the cot.

"Can we try without the cuffs?"

"Sure, but if you start thrashing again, I'll have to put them back on to protect you. Hopefully, the worst of this crap is over with Sammy."

"Thanks." Sam moved to his side and tucked his hands under his chin as he bent his legs, trying to curl his body. Dean draped the blanket back over him and took his vigil by his side. Sam shivered as a cold chill ran down his spine and he clutched the blanket to his chest.

"Sammy, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"When we got you down here, you were talking to Ruby. Were you having hallucinations about her?"

"I'm sure I was hallucinating, but yeah, I saw Ruby and she told me she was dead," Sam told him, keeping his eyes downcast. "She blamed me for her death."

"You don't need her bro. She was using you and if I met her, she'd be a dead demon bitch," he growled out, anger flashing in his eyes. He was not going to tell Sam he killed her. Sam had enough to worry about and did not need the additional stress right now.

"She was there for me when I was at my lowest," Sam mumbled in his defense.

"And look what she did to you Sammy. That's not being a friend, that's manipulating someone to do their bidding. She was keeping you strung out so you couldn't think for yourself. She was not good for you man! You're not to blame for this, no way. Just don't think about her anymore. You've got me now and have no use for her anymore. I'll be here for you." Dean watched Sam's facial expression change and frowned knowing what he was thinking and how they acted in the alley he was sure they were having sex. He bit his tongue so he would not say anything since he did not want Sam to know he saw them together that day. "We'll do this together Sammy, you're going to be okay," he tried to assure him.

Sam just nodded his understanding too tired to try and talk any more. He still had some doubt but did not want Dean to know. Sam rubbed his face into the pillow and shivered again, hoping it would not get any worse.

The buzzing was louder again and had started a headache that Dean tried to ignore. He pushed the pain away and watched over Sam while he struggled with the withdrawals. He offered Sam a little more Gatorade which he greedily drank, dropping his head back onto the pillow after he was done. Dean positioned the chair where he could prop his feet up on the cot, butting them against Sam's long bent legs and still be close to Sam's upper body. He let a hand lay across his shoulder, wanting to keep that physical contact and to monitor him easier. He did not leave his side all night wanting to watch over him while he was uncuffed.

spn

Morning came and Bobby brought coffee for Dean and juice for Sam. Dean was going to see if Sam could keep some broth down to give him some strength and hopefully help him get through this detox. Sam was still looking pale and sweaty and Dean brought down a thermometer to check his temperature when he went up for a bathroom break.

"Your temps a little above normal," Dean noted when he checked it. "I'll get you some Tylenol and a drink."

"Okay," Sam replied feeling weak, drained, and washed out from what he was going through. He wanted to sleep, but his body was not allowing it yet.

Dean disappeared upstairs and was back in a matter of minutes with a bottle of Tylenol and drink. He shook two out in Sam's outstretched hand and opened the drink for him. Sam sipped on the drink before sitting the bottle by the cot and stretching back out.

"I brought one of Bobby's books down and thought I could read to you," Dean offered settling in the chair and opening the book. "Okay, Stone Cold by David Baldacci. Here's a summary, 'Oliver Stone, the leader of the mysterious group that called itself the Camel Club, is both feared and respected by those who've crossed his path. Keeping a vigilant watch over our leaders in Washington, DC, the Camel Club has won over some allies, but it has also earned formidable enemies—including those in power who will do anything to prevent Stone and his friends from uncovering the hidden, secret work of the government.' What do you think? Kind of sounds a little like us, hey Sammy?"

"Yeah," Sam mumbled letting Dean's clear, strong, voice lull him into a sense of calmness.

"Alright, Chapter One, Harry Finn rose as usual at six-thirty, made coffee, let the dog out into the fenced backyard for its morning constitutional, showered, shaved, woke the kids for school and oversaw that complicated operation for the next half hour as breakfast was gulped, backpacks and shoes grabbed, and arguments started and settled…" Dean read hoping this would take his mind off his own struggles as well as Sam off his. He read for a couple of hours and noticed Sam had drifted off to sleep and stopped reading. It was turning into an interesting book and thought this was a good way to pass the time for them. Dean carefully felt Sam's forehead and did not think his temp was any higher but had not gone down any. He quietly got up to take a short break while Sam napped, to use the bathroom and grab a snack and drink.

Bobby had to take a towing job and would not be back for a couple of hours and Dean only ate a yogurt for lunch since he wasn't feeling very hungry. Dean had fixed Sam some broth and crackers that he was able to keep down. If he continued to improve, he was going to move Sam upstairs to their bedroom later the following day. He could tell his symptoms seemed to be easing and he only had one other bad episode earlier that morning. He thought things were finally looking up for Sam and he was on the final legs of the detox, which was good. Dean did not know how long it would take him to fully recover, but he wasn't going to push him and let him do it at his own pace.

A/N: Sam is almost over the withdrawals and Dean is suffering but won't leave him. He's going to make sure Sam doesn't consider using the blood again. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Reviews would be great. NC