Sam Winchester gasped a deep breath. Air filling his lungs, as if for the first time. He shot bolt upright. Looking around at his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was Dean wasn't there. Nothing looked familiar. A dull pain pulsed in the middle of his back. He stood up right. Walking over to a mirror hanging on the wall. Turning around he pulled his shirt up, a wound far into the healing process was growing fresh scar tissue in the center. A door creaked open. Eyes darting forward to meet his older brother. His handsome face marred by pain, sadness, and something else. Was it…relief? "Sammy?" Dean spoke softly. As if he were afraid that his brother would shatter like glass if to loud a noise were made. It didn't last long, Dean's arms were around his shoulders in an instant. Gripping him tight, squeezing. The dull pain turning sharp. "Ah! De." Dean softened his grip to rid the pain yet held him for what seemed an eternity. "I'm sorry. I'm just happy to see you up and around baby boy, that's all." Dean urged him to sit down. "De, what happened to me?" Dean's eyes averted. "Well…what do you remember?" Sam sighed. Trying to recall. "Well….I Remember you and Bobby. Then there was this pain. Like white hot. And then you were running at me…then nothing." The older Winchester gave a relieved sigh. "Well that kid stabbed you in the back. And you lost a lot of blood. It was kinda touch and go for awhile."
Sam's face bore confusion. "De…you can't patch up a wound that bad." Dean's response was to hasty. "Yeah, but Bobby could. Who was that kid anyways man?" Confusion shifted to anger. "His names Jake. Did you get him?" Dean shook his head no. "We gotta find him. I'm gonna fucking kill that son of a bitch." Sam was moving to stand. Dean laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey easy Baby. You just woke up. Let's get you something to eat. Huh? You hungry?" Something was up. Sam knew it. Sammy, yeah. Baby boy, ok. But never, not once had Dean ever called him Baby. He eyed his brother suspiciously. "Yeah. I'm starving." He said as Dean ushered him to a table in the opposite room.
Sam explained everything that had happened before his family showed up. "That's awful." Dean said as he bit into his slice of pizza. "So now that yellow eyes has Jake, what's he gonna do with him?" Sam sighed as his brother spoke with his mouth full. "I don't know. But whatever it is we have to stop them." Dean's body language shifted from laid back to possessive protection. "No, we got time. You need your rest Sammy." Sam eyed him. "No we don't. Dean, only one of us was supposed to make it out alive. If they think I'm dead we should make the jump on them now. We should call the roadhouse. See if they know what's going on." Sadness overtook Dean. "The roadhouse is gone…burned to the ground. Ash is dead. Probably Ellen. A lot of good hunters too." They were quiet for a moment. Hunters knew what could happen. Every day you wake up could be the last. No matter how good you were. "Demons?" Sam asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "Yeah, we think so. Ash found something but we don't know what it is. Bobby's working on it now." Sam moved to rise from his seat, hissing at the sting in his back.
Dean was on him. Arms wrapped around him. Pressing his forehead to Sam's. "Stop damn it. Sam you almost died in there. What would I have..." His words trailed off. With eyes clinched tight he pressed his lips timidly to his brother's. Sam returned the kiss. The soft wet smacking sound of lips parting then meeting again. Sam inhaling deeply as Dean gently nibbled his bottom lip. Asking permission before sliding his tongue inside Sam's mouth to explore. It wasn't heated, nor passionate. Purely gentle, loving. Like a caress. Sam's arms sliding around Dean's shoulders. Dean's hands placed tenderly on Sam's shoulder blades, the other running fingertips through his hair. "Baby please. Just let me take care of you. You need to rest." Sam sighed, his eyes staring seriously into Dean's. "No, I'm sorry. Bobby's only a few hours away." Dean held Sam's hands in his own. Squeezing them tight as the war raged inside him. He always gave Sam what he wanted, even if it wasn't what was best for him.
Bobby Singer answered the knock on his front door. What he saw took his breath away. Dean fidgeting, eyes full of shame. Sam smiling sweeter than sugar. The old man turned pale. As if he were staring at a ghost. "Hey Bobby." Sam's tenor as sweet as his smile. "Sam…it's good to see you up and about." Sam patted the old man's shoulder as he walked in past him. "Yeah well, thanks for patching me up." He didn't see the way he knowingly stared at Dean. Didn't see his brother's refusal to make eye contact with the old man as he slipped past, following Sam. Dean cleared his throat. "Well Sam's better now. So we're back in it. What do you know?" They moved to the library, looking over Bobby's work scattered across his desk. "We'll we got omens. Cattle deaths, lightening storms, you name it. All over the place except here." His finger tapped a place on the map. "Southern Wyoming. It's like they're surrounding it. Totally clean in this one area. I can't figure it out. Sam why don't you take a look at it. Maybe you'll see something I missed. Come on Dean. I got some more books in the truck you can help me with." Dean noticed that Sam was taking note of his fidgeting. He stood straight as a board, hands hanging by his sides. Placing a gentle peck on Sam's cheek before following the old man out side.
Bobby walked past his truck. His shoulders stern with anger. He spun on Dean. "You stupid ass! What did you do?" Dean wouldn't look at him. Bobby gripped him by his coat. "You made a deal didn't you! How long they give you?" "Bobby." The old man shook him. "HOW LONG?" Defeated green eyes met his. "One year." Bobby's face seemed so much older. The creases in his skin more pronounced. "Damn it boy. I could throttle you." Dean's eyes lost the look of shame. "And send me down stairs ahead of schedule?" Bobby gripped his coat so tight his fists shook. "Are you screwed in the head?" Dean was so overcome with sadness. "I couldn't let him die Bobby. He's my brother. He's everything." Their eyes seemed to be searching each others souls. "How's your brother gonna feel when he knows you're going to hell?" Dean's sadness was replaced by fear. "You can't tell him. Bobby please. Please don't tell him. He's stronger than me. He can live with out me." The old man looked as if he could cry. His hand tracing the outline of Dean's jaw. As if trying to memorize the look of his son.
A clanking sound was heard in the distance, followed by footsteps. Both hunters turned to high alert. They sprung into action. Crossing the yard. Leaning against one of the scrap cars. Dean could see a shadow moving in the reflection of a busted windshield. As the figure rounded the corner he launched himself forward. Gripping it by the shoulders. "Ellen?" She nodded, throwing herself into his arms. He hugged her back, Bobby patting her back. They brought her inside, sitting her down at the kitchen table. Bobby poured something from his flask into a shot glass before sliding it across the table to her. She drank the holy water, meeting him with a stern look. "Whiskey now. If you don't mind." She said. "Ellen how'd you get out?" Dean asked. "I wasn't supposed to. But we ran out of pretzels…of all things. It was just dumb luck." She downed the shot of whiskey Bobby slid to her. "Ash called, freaking out. Told me to look in the safe." She sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye. "A lot of good people died in there. I was only gone 15 minutes. Lucky me. I'm just glad Jo wasn't there." She pulled a map of Wyoming out of her pocket. Five X's drawn onto it. Bobby rose from the table, returning with a book. They waited until he spoke. "We'll I'll be damned. All these points are abandoned frontier churches. All mid 19th century. And all of them built by Samuel Colt." Dean looked up at him. "The demon killing, gun making Samuel Colt?" Bobby looked surprised. "Yeah, how'd you know?"
The Winchester's eyed each other. "That Demon Danni. Told us if Dean did what she wanted she'd bring us the gun made by Samuel Colt. Said it could kill anything." Sam explained. Bobby continued. "He built private railway lines connecting the churches. It just happens to lay out like this." He took a sharpie, drawing an upside down star connecting the five points on the map. "Tell me that's not what I think it is." Said Dean. "It's a devil's trap. A 100 mile devil's trap." Said Sam, his eyes drifting back up to Dean's. "That's brilliant. Iron lines so demons can't cross." They smiled at each other. "All those omens Bobby found. They're trying to get in." Dean leaned over pointing to the center of the star. "I've been looking, there's nothing there except an old cowboy cemetery right in the middle. What if Colt wasn't trying to keep the demons out. What if he was trying to keep something in?" Sam's smile broadened. His brother was so smart. Even if Dean himself didn't think so. "What you think Bobby?" Sam said. "Well, this things powerful. No way a full blood demon gets across." Sam's face turned stern. Dean's grew worrisome. "No. But I know who could." Dean bolted upright in his chair. "Sam. A word."
The Winchester's stepped into the library. Leaving Bobby and Ellen in the kitchen. "Baby boy no. We can't make a move yet. Sam you need rest. I haven't slept in days. We go in hot now we're all dead." Sam took Dean's shaking hands in his. "De, we have to. We're hunters. It's part of the job. I can drive. You can get some sleep in the car. It's going to be a few hours drive." Dean groaned in aggravation. "Baby boy I can't sleep knowing we're about to go up against the thing that killed Mom….the thing that killed Dad. Sammy I almost lost you. I can't." Sam kissed him, placing his hands against his chest. Letting Dean feel his heart beating beneath his breast. "I'm here De. We're going to make it. All of us. And when it's over. We can take a break. And I'll rest. But until yellow eyes and that son of a bitch Jake are dead. I can't rest." Dean sighed in defeat. Stealing one last quiet kiss before letting
Sam lead him back into the kitchen, their fingers laced together. Sam stopped, standing before the two at the table. Shifting his feet awkwardly as Dean's arms snaked around his waist from behind. Fingers needing at Sam's shirt in a 'I need you so much' kind of way. Dean's fingers fisting the fabric with a sense of longing. They were to close. It was to much open affection. Ellen, who had been leaning with her elbow on the table, chin supported by her hand. Moved to sit up straight eyeing them with confusion. "Yeah…um they're close. They didn't have anybody else much growing up." Bobby stammered out the words. Covering for them as Dean snapped back, letting go. Bobby's home had become a safe haven for them. Where they could be open. "Oh." Ellen said, buying the cover story. Dean moved to stand beside Sam. Clearing his throat. "Ahmm, so uh…Sam wants to sneak attack now. Get what you need for the hunt and follow us there. Beware. Sam's driving."
Ellen sat in the passenger seat of Bobby's pick up truck, watching the impala speeding down the highway in front of them. "Those boys. They seem different since the last time I saw them." The old man took a swing from his flask, passing it to her. "They were in a bit of a rough patch when you met them." She watched as Dean lay down in the passenger seat, placing his head in Sam's lap. "Joanna is gonna be so heart broken. She's got it bad for Dean." Bobby stiffened. "I don't know what you're talkin about." She smiled warmly. "They don't need to know that you figured them out. They don't think you'd understand." He said. "If that's what they need…then I don't know what you're talking about." She watched as Sam's arm moved to rub Dean's back. "If they want me to know, they'll tell me."
Jake Tally opened the gates to the cemetery, stepping inside. The crunch of dead grass seeming loud in the silence of night. He didn't see Dean Winchester hiding behind a tall grave stone as he approached the crypt in the center. Didn't notice Sam watching his brother's cold, hardened face. Nor did he see Bobby and Ellen hiding behind trees. All four hunters with gun in hand. Ready. Watching. Waiting. Hunters stalking their prey. "Howdy Jake!" Sam said as he stepped out. He turned to find all four closing in on him. Guns raised, fingers on triggers. He couldn't believe his eyes. "Wait…you were dead. I killed you." Sam scoffed at him. "Yeah? Well next time finish the job." Jake's voice boomed. "I did! Cut clean through your spinal cord." Sam's gaze drifted over to Dean. Bobby was staring at him. Dean wouldn't look at him. That darkness oozing off the older Winchester like a black aura. Itching for the kill. Bobby was the first to speak. "Just take it real easy there son." Jake's eyes were the only part of him that moved towards the old man. "And if I don't?"
"Wait and see." Sam's call echoing in the night. Jake laughed, a deep mellow dark sound. Dean's bright eyes turned a dark hunter green. "What you smiling at you little bitch?" Huh?" Jake turned his gaze to Ellen. "Hey lady, put your gun to your head." His eyes flashed yellow just as her trembling hand moved the barrel of her gun to her temple. "Shoot him." She said, voice trembling. He grinned wickedly. "You'll be mopping up brain before you can pop one off Winchester. Now everybody put your guns down. Except you sweetheart." Sam and Bobby dropped theirs to the ground. Dean hesitated, pulling the hammer back on his colt. "Come now. You don't want the pretty ladies death on your hands do you?" Jake said. Dean raised his hands up in surrender. "Just so you know. You don't need to worry bout my brother. Or my dad. Or even her. Keep your eye on the prize because I'll be the one to end you. I'ma slide my dick down your throat and you're gonna thank me for it you pussy ass coward. Hiding behind a girl." His jaw clinched tight with hatred as he placed the colt on the ground. Jake turned, rushing for the crypt. A hole could be seen in the center of a strange pentagram like symbol. He pulled an ancient looking colt from his coat, slamming it into the hole like a key, turning it. As the door creaked, as if gears were turning, a gun shot went off. Sam's bullet landing in his back as the younger Winchester grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms behind his back. Holding him there. Dean slowly stepping in front of him. The bang of Ellen's going off just as Bobby tapped her hand, sending it off course to fire above her. Holding her tight.
Dean smiled wickedly. Hunting knife in hand. Running his thumb across the edge of the blade as he faced the solider. "Look at me." He said. Jake ignored him, attempting to struggle in Sam's grasp. "LOOK AT ME BITCH!" Dean commanded. Jake's eyes locked with his. "Eye on the prize.", he said. His gaze never leaving the boy's as he slid the blade into his stomach like cutting butter. Twisting the knife, causing the man to scream bloody murder. Sam eyed his brother over Jake's shoulder. Seeing that blackness burst out as Dean slowly slide the blade up, gutting Jake. Pulling the blade out, sinking it back in, repeating. Splitting him open until his intestines spill out onto the ground. Green eyes like an endless empty void. Pearly white teeth clinched. Lip arched up into a snarl. A deep moan escaping his throat, heavy with a sickening sort of arousal. Sam counted nine stabs in total. "DEAN!" Sam's voice snapped him out of it. The beast within sinking back down. Sam dropped the boy. Jake falling to the ground, gasping on his blood as he held what was left of his organs inside him. Sam stepped over him. Pulling the trigger. A single shot to the head. Ending his suffering. The Winchester's staring at each other. Sam's face and teary hazel eyes baring fearful concern. Dean's broad stiffened shoulders heaving as he panted. Eyes roaming Sam's body with a sensual hunger. A gaze between predator and prey. Seductively terrifying. Bobby and Ellen stepping past to the opening door. Bobby's eyes weary with shock at his boy's behavior.
The gears finished their movements. The door cracking. "Oh no." Bobby said. "What is it?" Ellen asked. "It's hell. Take cover now!" he yelled as Dean pulled the colt from the key hole. They dove behind tombstones as the door burst open. Black smoke filling the night. Lightening flashed as thunder rolled. "What the fuck just happened?" Dean yelled. "That's a devil's gate. A damn door to hell." Ellen replied. In the distance the sound of metal bending could be heard. "Come on we gotta shut that gate!" She screamed. Everyone except Dean running to the door, pushing against it. Trying against the wind of demons bursting out to close it. Dean held the colt revolver up, examining it. A pentacle carved into the hilt of it. The words 'Non Timebo Mala' engraved into the barrel. He popped open the cylinder. One in the chamber. The bullet had a pentagram carved into it. "I will fear no evil. If the demon gave this to Jake…maybe." He closed the cylinder. It was locked and loaded. Thunder crashed and Dean knew someone was behind him. The hair on his neck stood on end. He turned aiming it at Azazel. It flew from his hand into the demon's grip. "Boys shouldn't play with Daddy's guns." He said, flicking his finger to send Dean flying into a tombstone. His head hit it, a deep gash cutting into his hair line. Sam turned pushing against the door. Dean was on the ground, Azazel smiling at him as he stepped closer. "Dean!" Sam ran, leaving Bobby and Ellen to fight the door alone. Just as he reached Azazel he was sent flying back, pinned to a tree by an invisible force. "I'll get to you in a minute champ. I'm proud. Knew you had it in ya!" Yellow eyes met Dean. Forcing him into a sitting position. Holding him there with his power. "Deano, I gotta thank you. See demons can't resurrect someone unless a deal is made. I know red tape. But thanks to you Sammy's back in rotation. I was trying to keep you from making it but hey. Things played out different and it was a good move." Dean smirked. "You call that a good deal?"
Azazel laughed evilly. "Cheer up sport. Hmm. Least now I know I kept you around for a good reason. And here I was thinking I just needed you for the yummy bits of brother fucking so you could taint Sammy's pure little soul. But hey. He practically served Jake up on a platter for you. That's some dark sickness you got there Dean. You'll do fine in the pit. You're already half way as bad as me. The way you gut that boy like a pig. And you like it don't you Dean?" Sam watched helplessly as his brother grit his teeth. Unable to hear what Azazel was saying. "Like the feeling of your knife sliding into the meat of something. The feel of blood pouring on your hand. All hot and wet. Feels better than sex don't it boy? Better than little Sammy spilling his load all over you." He aimed the colt at Dean's head. He spoke louder now. So Sam would hear. "Couldn't have done it without you Dean. Without your pitiful self-loathing and your complete inability to live with out your cum bucket you call a brother. Yes, the pit will like you. We can string you up right next to Daddy. He's there you know. Bad people go to hell Dean. And John Winchester was a bad man. Just like you. Leaving you boys alone. Beating you into a good little soldier. Disowning his boys when they needed him most."
He pulled the hammer back, cocking the gun. A shadowy figure stepped up behind him. Grabbing him before he could fire. Ripping the demon clean out of his vessel. It was John Winchester. Dean watched as his father's spirit wrestled the beast. Holding it back long enough for him to reach the gun. John was thrown back. Black smoke funneling it's way back into the body. Azazel's yellow eyes shining bright in the blackness of night. Shocked at this turn of events. Dean pulled the trigger. The bullet sailing into Azazel's shoulder. Flashes like lightening bursting through his body as the sound of the crypt gates being slammed shut echoed in the night. Azazel's body falling to the ground. Dead. Three Winchester's staring at each other. Bobby and Ellen watching in silence. Sam ran to Dean's side, helping him up off the ground. "Dad?" They said in unison. John Winchester smiled at his boys. A single tear streaming down his ghostly face as he hugged his children. Accepting them. Loving them as he'd never done in life. They watched as he stepped back. Glowing bright, looking up to the sky. To the heavens. With a few static flashes he was gone. Everything was silent for a long moment. The boys holding each other. Easing the pain of learning that their father had gone to hell for his sins. "Hey hey, it's better now. He's out and in a better place." Dean spoke quietly in a move to ease Sam's guilt. Only time would tell if he would forgive himself for the last words he ever spoke to their father. Dean kicked the demon's body as he walked past, hand in hand with Sam. "That was for our mom you son of a bitch." Bobby and Ellen laughing behind them.
The boys helped the exhausted Ellen and Bobby into the pick up truck before moving to the impala. Sam leaned against the hood. "You know when Jake saw me…it was like he saw a ghost." Dean scoffed, trying to ignore him. "He said he killed me." Dean wouldn't look at him. "Glad he was wrong" he said. Sam eyed him knowingly. "What happened Dean? After he stabbed me?" Dean gave him a sideways glance. "I already told you." Sam sighed deeply. "My vision Dean. Did you sell your soul for me?" Dean wouldn't answer him. Sam's voice was breaking. The obvious strain of holding back tears. "How long did you get?" Dean's head lolled slowly up. Looking at Sam shamefully. "One year." Sam kissed him, feverishly. As if it were the last time he ever would. "You shouldn't have done that. I don't care what it takes De, I'll get you out of this." Dean moved to the trunk opening it to toss the colt inside. "Yeah well before all that you're driving to a motel, I need sleep." He smiled at his brother. "We got work to do." He said before tossing Sam the keys and slamming it shut.