Need You Now
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: Still not mine…
AN: Okay, so here is the next chapter, just in time for Easter. So, moving on….
Chapter 8
A drunken Sam Winchester knelt in the dirt, digging a small hole. When he was satisfied with the depth, he picked up a box from beside him and checked the contents. He tossed one of his fake IDs into the mix and buried the whole thing into the hole he'd dug.
"Come on!" he yelled into the silence. "Where the hell are you?"
"I was wondering whether to come or not," a man dressed in a business suit stepped out of the shadows. "I mean, you shot one of my coworkers," his eyes shifted to red. "Don't take this the wrong way, Sam, but you don't look so hot, buddy. I guess burying your brother didn't agree with you."
"Well?" the brunet demanded ignoring the taunt.
"Well," the demon countered, "let's see that special little knife of yours first."
Sam pulled the demon killing knife they stole from Ruby out and slammed it down on a small table.
"No devil's traps, either," he said coldly. "I'm not here to play games."
"Well, let me guess," the crossroads demon shook his head. "You want to make a deal. And round and round the Winchesters go. I'm sorry, Sam. That's not gonna happen."
The youngest Winchester picked up the knife and stabbed it into the demon's hand.
"I don't want ten years," he ground out. "I don't want one year. I don't want candy! I want to trade places with Dean."
"No," the demon snarled.
"Why not?" his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Lilith wants me dead. Just let Dean go, and she can have me."
"Don't you understand, Sam?" the demon laughed. "It's not about your soul. Dean's in Hell, right where we want him. We've got everything exactly the way we want it. You want to kill me? Go ahead. I've made peace with my lord."
"We'll get to that," Sam scowled, twisting the blade into the hand it was embedded in. "If you won't trade me for Dean, you're going to tell me where Sev is."
"Who?" the demon panted through the pain.
"The Master of Death, you piece of shit," he snapped, pulling the knife out and slamming it into the other's forearm.
"There were rumors he'd gotten a new one," the demon cried, "but no one's seen him. They say it's just that, rumors. Death has no master."
"You're lying," he screamed, twisting the knife again. "Lilith took him, and you're going to tell me where."
"I don't know!" the demon screamed in pain. "If Lilith did take him, she didn't tell anyone else."
"Then I have no more use for you," Sam's face twitched in rage.
888888
A very beaten and bloody figure was suspended in the middle of what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse of some sort. The chains that held the raw, bleeding wrists aloft were thick and rusted, but almost supernaturally strong. The figure's feet were barely touching the ground, making it near impossible for them to get any sort of leverage for either relief or escape.
The features were almost unrecognizable due to the many cuts and bruises littering the mostly naked form. The eyes were closed, but the shallow rise and fall of the definitely masculine chest indicated they still lived. Though for how much longer was yet to be seen.
It was unclear how much time had passed since the demons had brought him here but he was sure it had been at least a month, if not more. His 'generous' captors had provided him with murky, foul-tasting water once a day, and scraps of something that might pass as food every other day. And the beatings, well those had happened twice daily. But the thing that bugged him the most, because the rest he could handle, he'd done it before, was that they didn't say anything to him; no demands, no reasons, nothing. He was used to those that captured him going on and on about what they were going to do with him or what their plans were once he was gone, but not this silent treatment.
A door at the far end of the room creaked slowly open on rusty hinges as someone entered the room. Emerald eyes shot open at the intrusion, blazing with an inner strength and defiance that would never be diminished no matter how long he was there. At least not under this particular brand of torture.
"Harry, Harry, Harry," a comely blonde woman circled around him, trailing her well manicured index finger along his chest.
A scoff escaped his parched throat, "No one has spoken to me in weeks and that's what you're going to start with? Been there, heard that, moving on."
A sneer marred the otherwise pretty face as the hand on his chest rose and slapped him across the face, hard. Harry kept his face turned for a moment before calmly spitting the fresh blood out of his mouth.
"There she is," he turned back to look at her. "You had me worried there for a minute, Lilith. Now, let's cut the crap, what do you want?"
"You tried to interrupt my deal," she took a deep breath. "I can't have you thinking you can get away with that."
"Technically, I wasn't there to interrupt your deal," he coughed, god it hurt to talk. "As a rule, the people who enter into demon deals deserve what they get. I was only there to buy some time so Sam and Dean could try and break the deal."
"It's the same thing!" she practically screamed.
"Your other form suited you better," he wished he could cover his ears. "You know, the spoiled, whiny ass little bitch."
Her fists clenched tightly into fists at her side and he felt a pressure begin to constrict his throat. It wasn't enough to completely cut off his airflow, but it was enough to make his already ragged breathing that much more difficult.
"If you're gonna kill me," he wheezed, "kill me!"
The pressure released and he sagged forward in his restraints. A light laugh escaped the demon's lips as she calmed down.
"All in good time, my dear Harry," she patted his cheek. "Unless… you agree to a deal."
"I can't make deals with demons," he scoffed quietly. "I know being locked in the deepest pit of hell makes staying up to date on the latest news difficult, but I know you know this."
"I don't want your soul, silly," she giggled. "I just want your cooperation. You see, here very soon, things are going to happen that no one can stop. And if things go according to plan, and they will, Death himself will even be on the field. So, join me. Help me usher in this new era and the rewards for you would be great."
"Like what?" he barely kept himself from laughing in her face.
"I can guarantee you a place at the right hand of Lucifer himself," the amount of awe and reverence in her voice was sickening. "You would be the second most powerful being in the entire world. All it would require is your power working with mine to bring it to fruition."
"Power and prestige, that's what you're offering?" he did laugh at that. "Are you not familiar with my story? I'm gonna pass," he sobered and leveled her with a glare. "I had the chance for all that. I didn't want it then and I don't want it now. So you can take your offer and shove it up your ass."
Lilith let out a feral growl and raised her fist to strike him again. However, she froze mid punch as a series of crashes and small explosions sounded from outside the room. Her head whipped around to the room's only entrance and her eyes narrowed as if she could somehow see through to the other side.
"I believe your time is up, Lilith," a surge of magic raced up his arms, and the cuffs sprang free, dropping him to the floor where he caught himself in a low crouch.
"Impossible," her attention snapped back to her former prisoner.
"Yeah, seems to happen to me a lot," he slowly straightened to his full height, his eyes now practically aglow with hidden power. He reached out and grabbed her throat in a surprisingly strong grip. "Now here's my counter, bitch," he practically hissed, "I see you again and you won't live to see your plan come to fruition. You see, I've stayed out of things for years now, not wanting to get involved. But you, you managed to piss me off and are forcing me to pick a side. So I'm choosing, right or wrong, to be on the side opposing you."
As he finished, the door to the room slammed open. Lilith opened her mouth and a cloud of black smoke fled the scene through a small window. His grip loosened on the poor woman the demon had been possessing, allowing her to fall harmlessly to the floor. He then turned to the now open door and the new potential threat. He sagged in relief, however, when he recognized his two best friends.
"Ron, Hermione," he took a step toward them only for his legs to give out on him due to his weakened physical state.
"It's alright, Harry, we've got you."
He heard Hermione's voice as though from far away, even as he could feel her breath against his ear. He felt strong arms wrap around him as he could hold himself up any longer. Feeling the comforting presence of the pair, he finally allowed himself to succumb to unconsciousness, knowing his friends could and would handle things from there.
888888
Sam held out his hand in front of him, trying to use his psychic powers to exorcise a demon. The demon, tied to a chair in the middle of a devil's trap, began to cough up black smoke. After a moment, the smoke retreated back into the host and the brunet grabbed his head in pain. When the demon noticed this turn of events, it began to laugh mockingly. Ruby, now possessing a five foot four brunette coma patient, stabbed him with her knife.
"Not funny," she said as the demon slumped forward, before turning to the younger Winchester. "Just give it time, Sam. It'll get better."
"What?" he scoffed. "I need more practice?"
"I'm not talking about pulling demons," she shook her head. "I know losing Dean was—"
"Hey! I don't want to talk about it," he snapped. "You know what? Where do you get off slapping me with that greeting-card, time heals crap? What the hell do you know?"
"I used to be human," she placed her hand on his shoulder. "And I still remember what it feels like to lose someone. I'm sorry."
"Now that's bloody hilarious," a voice cut in from the doorway. "A demon pretending to feel human pain and suffering? You don't have a soul anymore, so you know nothing. So why don't you do us all a favor and get the hell out, before I send you so far into the pit it'd make Lilith's banishment look like paradise."
"Who the hell are you?" the brown eyes shifted entirely to black.
"Do you really want to tangle with me, demon?" the figure stepped out of the shadows to reveal a male with flyaway black hair and almost glowing green eyes.
"Sev?" Sam just stared at the newcomer in shock.
"Yeah, Sam, it's me," a faint, sad smile flickered across his features. "Sorry I took so long, I was a bit tied up. And I'm sorry I couldn't save Dean."
"Sam, who is this guy?" Ruby scowled.
"It—it's Sev," the brunet took a shaky breath. "He—he's…"
"The Master of Death," the shorter male answered. "And I believe I told you to beat it, bitch."
The now brown gaze darted between the two men before she beat a hasty retreat for the door. Once she was gone, the raven leaned heavily against the wall, stumbling slightly as a wave of dizziness overcame him.
"Sev!" Sam rushed over to his side. "Are you okay? What happened to you? How did you get away?"
"One question at a time, please, Sam," Sev shook his head. "And I'm…" he winced slightly, "fine, just tired."
"Oh, sorry," the brunet gave him a sheepish look as he slipped an arm around the other's waist, drawing a faint hiss from the shorter male. "Here, have a seat… uh, somewhere."
"Sam, this place is a dump," a frown marred the bespectacled male's features. "Why are you even here?"
"I've just been kinda squatting," Sam had the decency to blush.
"You can't stay here," the raven sighed. "It's not good for you right now. Mentally or otherwise."
"It works," he shrugged slightly.
"No, Sam, it doesn't" green eyes rolled in exasperation. "Just… get your stuff into the car. We'll go to my place to regroup."
"Regroup?" a brow rose in confused curiosity. "Sev, what are you talking about? Last time we talked you said you couldn't really do anything."
"Yeah, well, things change," he gave a wry smile. "But I'm not discussing it here, cause not even I could secure this place in my current state. So let's just get in the car and go. I'll explain on the way."
"Fine," the younger Winchester sighed heavily, accepting the momentary defeat.
He began to gather his things, which wasn't overly difficult as the habitable space in the place was limited. His progress was slowed, however, as his gaze kept drifting to his companion, who appeared to be dozing in the only chair the room sported. He wasn't sure why Sev was there, or how he'd even managed to find him, but he was glad he was. He had been so worried about his former boyfriend since Lilith had captured him. It was bad enough he had failed Dean, but there wasn't anything he could do about that, whereas Sev, he had let him get captured and then couldn't find him. And it had been their fault the little raven had been there to begin with. If they hadn't begged for his help, he would've been safe at home and nowhere near any of this shit show they called a life.
Half an hour later, he took his bags out to the Impala and then went back to collect the shorter male. He hated to wake him, but he had been the one to insist that they leave. Though maybe, if Sev was as tired as he claimed, he could get away with carrying him to the car without having to wake him. He had just managed to get his arms around the other when those brilliant green eyes snapped open.
"Sam?" the bespectacled male's face contorted into a grimace.
"Yeah, Sev," he said quietly, trying to adjust his grip. "Go back to sleep. I've got you."
"No," the other shook his head. "Let me go. I—I can manage."
"I don't mind, Sev," Sam sighed in frustration at the raven's stubbornness.
"Yeah, well, I do," he frowned. "Besides, it'll hurt less if you're not clumsily trying to carry me around."
"Wait, you're hurt? Why didn't you say anything?"
"I told you," green eyes rolled in annoyance, "I'm not talking here, especially with that bitch lingering around. So, I will answer any questions you have in the car."
The brunet acquiesced with a scowl, and they made their way to the car. They held their silence until they were on the main road and heading to Wyoming.
"So," Sam's lips pursed as he shot his passenger a quick glance, "what happened? I thought Lilith was gonna kill you."
"Right," the raven sighed. "Now, I'm not saying I'm not going to answer, but if I tell you about the life and times of Severus Black for the past month, you have to answer my questions about you. Deal?"
"Deal," the younger Winchester agreed resignedly.
"Great," he nodded. "Well, the short version is Lilith had her goons take me somewhere, I still don't know where, where I was tortured for a month before she finally showed up to try and convince me to join her side."
"Torture?" Sam's voice cracked slightly as fear gripped his heart. "What did they do?"
"Oh, you know," the shorter male waved absently, "lack of food and water, sleep deprivation, beatings. Considering they were demons, it was pretty tame. I don't think Lilith really wanted to kill me, not that she has the power to anyway."
"H-how did you survive that," he stuttered slightly, "much less escape?"
"I shouldn't have been caught in the first place," Sev scoffed. "But with what happened to Dean…"
"Yeah," the shaggy haired brunet nodded sympathetically. "It was pretty bad."
"It was," he agreed. "But I can't stand the thought of my friends dying. I mean, I know it happens to everyone eventually, but being forced to stand and watch while not being able to do anything to stop it… It just brought some things back.
"But we're not talking about that," he shook his head. "You asked how I managed. Well, I'm not as fragile as I look, or you seem to think. I also happen to be pretty hard to kill. I mean, you didn't think Death chose me for my looks, did you?"
"Not funny, Sev," hazel eyes leveled on him in a glare.
"Anyway," the raven continued, "I probably could've gotten out sooner, but I wasn't sure of their numbers, and they did something. I think the cuffs were enchanted. Anyway, whatever they did, I couldn't easily access my magic, so escape was kinda tricky, and I knew I'd only get one chance at it."
"Wait," Sam interrupted with a scowl, "magic? You never said any…"
"Sam," the shorter male smirked in wry amusement, "you're getting off topic. That is a conversation for another time. Preferably one you can have with Mione once we get to my place. Right now, we're talking about my daring escape. So," he paused for a moment as a thoughtful look crossed his face, "yesterday, Ron and Mione finally found out where I was being held and staged a rescue. While they were dealing with the lackeys, I broke free and put the fear of Death into Lilith. I probably should've tried to kill her, but I probably wouldn't have been able to at that point, adrenaline can only get you so far after all."
"So you're saying you escaped yesterday?" the younger Winchester asked incredulously.
"Uh-huh," he nodded.
"And that's why…?"
"Yep."
"Shouldn't you be…?"
"Probably."
"Sev," the brunet leveled him with a glare, "if you're really that hurt, you should be resting, not out here with me."
"Sam, shut up," Sev snapped. "I'm here because I want to be here. Finding you has been the only thing keeping me going for the past month. So don't you dare preach to me about where I should be. Now that that's settled, you're going to tell me what you've been doing for the past month. And why the hell you were working with that demon bitch."
They stared at each other in stubborn silence for a few moments, neither apparently willing to give in. Finally, Sam turned his gaze back to the road, unable to maintain the staring match.
"The last month hasn't been easy," he sighed heavily.
"I get that," the raven placed a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. "And I'm really sorry, Sam."
"Yeah," he shook his head. "Anyway, I kinda tried to drown the pain in alcohol, and when that didn't work, I tried to make a deal."
"Sam," Sev's voice was surprisingly nonjudgmental, as his hand rubbed soothing circles on his back.
"Only they wouldn't deal," the taller male cleared his throat to help keep the emotions at bay. "So I set my sights on Lilith. Figured I could find you and take her out in the process. That's about when Ruby found me. Told me this story about how she lied to Lilith to get out of hell so she could help me get Lilith."
"Cause that doesn't sound dodgy," the bespectacled male scoffed.
"She said she would help me find Lilith," he ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "Which is the best lead I've had in a month. And finding her meant a chance at finding you too. I was just using her, Sev."
"That's sweet, Sam," a ghost of a smile pulled at the other's lips, "but as you can see, entirely unnecessary. So, what did she want in return? Trust me, she wasn't doing this for free."
"That's the thing," Sam exhaled slowly, "she just wanted me to kill Lilith. All she said was that we had to take the time to do it right, and I'd have to use my powers."
"Powers?" a dark brow rose in confusion. "What powers?"
"Psychic powers," the younger Winchester shook his head.
"Inherent psychic powers?"
"Not exactly," Sam scowled. "It's a long story, but it boils down to a demon bled into my mouth as a baby, and the powers activated about three years ago. I was supposed to be a leader of a demon army."
"And what was she going to have you do? Practice?" green eyes turned incredulously to the other.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I guess. Look, I didn't care what it cost. I needed to find you and kill her."
"Sam," the bespectacled male sighed, "you're not that stupid. That bitch was using you. What her endgame was, I don't know. But the only way to gain control of those types of powers would be to drink demon blood, which is highly addictive I might add. To actually master them, you'd be guzzling the stuff. As I said, I don't know what her main goal was, but she was planning to get you hooked and then string you along while you were jonesing for your next fix, which would get shorter and stronger each time you used, until you would do anything she asked without question, just to get another fix. Just tell me you didn't drink her blood."
"What? No," he shook his head. "I wouldn't have done that, at least not now. I think she knew that, cause she never brought it up."
"Good, that means we won't have to do a messy detox," Sev tried and failed to stifle a yawn "Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna sleep now."
Before the other had a chance to respond, the wizard slumped in his seat and was lost to unconsciousness.
Ammie: Okay, so Sev and Sam are back together again. Yay! And as you can tell, certain things from series are not going to factor into this particular fic, aka Sam's addiction. But don't worry, things are going to progress as they will. Anyway, please let me know what you think.