Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!

Dean's Song

Chapter 33– Meltdown

Dean turned slowly, and came face to face with the same apparition that had attacked Sam before. He appeared to be dressed in some kind of buckskin and had the look of a hunter from days gone by. "Look, we are trying to solve the problem…just give us a little time and you will be free to return to….well, to wherever it was that you came from." Dean began to reach slowly into the trunk for the shotgun he knew was laying there.

"I'm tired of waiting; I will not be made a slave of your shaman. I don't know why he is calling all of us, but we will not go willingly."

Dean felt his stomach drop to his toes when he saw the army of spirits forming behind the woodsman. "Ok Casper, I tried the easy way…now I guess we just have to do this the hard way!" Dean pulled the shotgun out and fired. The woodsman disappeared, but the spirits behind were spurred on by their fear and anger towards Dean. Dean felt himself being lifted off the ground as his gun went flying. "Come on guys…you don't want to do this. Besides, I hate flying!" Dean watched in horror as he was raised higher off the ground.

Dean heard the sound of a gun shot and felt himself falling. "This is gonna hurt!" Dean thought as he saw the ground rushing up to meet him. He tried to roll as he hit the ground, but his injured arm prevented him from completing the roll properly. The last thing Dean saw was his father running towards him, guns blazing at the spirits that were swirling around them.

"Dean!" John yelled as he saw his son fall and hit the ground hard. He and Matthew had only been a few minutes behind Dean when he ran out the door. Damn the boy, he knew better than to pull a stunt like this! John thought angrily.

Matthew joined John next to the unconscious boy. "How is he?" Matthew asked.

"He's unconscious, can you get him inside…I'm going to grab what he came for and join you!" John continued to fire rounds at the spirits as they approached him. He ran to grab the bag that Dean had dropped beside the car. As John slammed the trunk down, he heard Matthew's gun continue to fire. Turning, he smiled as he watched the older hunter backing towards the cabin door, Dean hanging over his shoulder and gun firing at the spirits that were threatening John. The man was taking care of Dean and also helping to back up John at the same time.

John ran towards the door, getting there about the same time as Matthew. As the two men reached the doorway, the door was opened by Missouri. John and Matthew entered quickly, being careful not to disturb the salt circle in the doorway. Matthew gently placed Dean on the sofa while Missouri went to get the first aid kit.

John walked over to Dean and began to check him for injuries. Other than a bump on the head, he couldn't find any other sign of injury. "Dean…come on son, wake up!" John gently tapped Dean on the cheek.

Dean groaned and opened his eyes, only to be looking into the angry eyes of his father. "Oh man, I'm never gonna fly ghost airways again!" Dean said as he gingerly felt the bump on his head.

"Dean Winchester, how could you do something so foolish…I thought I taught you better!" John said as he stood and turned away from his son. Missouri saw the hurt and despair in Dean's eyes. She got ready to interject on Dean's behalf when she saw Dean sit up on the couch, staring thoughtfully at his father's back.

"You know Dad, I just beat you to the punch…that's why you're angry. How many times have you gone off on your own with no backup? Remember the vampires? If Sam and I hadn't disobeyed; you would have been vampire food. We needed the book and more ammunition. Someone had to go out and get it. I just decided that it should be me." Dean stood on unsteady legs and walked towards the bedroom. He needed to get away from his father, he needed Sam.

John turned and watched Dean leave, a sad look briefly passing over his face. "Damn fool kid!" He muttered as he went over to the bag Dean had brought in and pulled out the book he mentioned. Finding the page that Sam had marked, John started to place the Devil's Trap symbols around the cabin.

Matthew looked at Missouri, who just shrugged. She knew better than to try to talk to either Winchester when they werelike this. Both of them were hurting, but only they could resolve the problem. "Come on Matthew, help me finish making the tea for Sam…we need to get things started and soon!"

Sam still didn't know where he was. The darkness that surrounded him scared him and yet while he was here, the voices left him alone. He knew that the way back to Dean and his father would mean going through the voices again. It meant that he would have to risk injuring one of the people he loved because his powers were out of control. He remembered seeing his father and brother thrown across the room.

He had figured out that the curse had something to do with it. It was causing him to lose the little control that he did have and appeared to be making a new ability appear. The ability to absorb psychic or supernatural energy…just what he needed, another ability that could harm those around him. He didn't know what he would do if Missouri was injured…she was the closest thing to a mother that he knew. Maybe he should just let go…

As Sam felt himself being pulled into the dark…a sound reached him. He struggled to hear the voice that was calling to him. The voice filled with despair and longing. Sam stopped and moved closer to the voice, recognizing the voice and wincing at the agony he could feel…"Dean" Sam couldn't leave his brother like this…he had to fight…he had to help Dean.

Dean sat next to Sam's bed and reached for Sam's lifeless hand. For the first time, Dean felt like he couldn't go on. His father was and always would be disappointed in him. Sam, well if things didn't change, his Sammy was effectively gone. He had failed his family at every turn. Dean let the tears that he had been holding at bay come. "Oh Sammy…I can't do this any more." Dean felt broken. "I wish you were here Sammy…I know that you think I never need you…but you are the only one that I can really talk to. If you don't come back, I don't know what I'm going to do little brother."

Dean jumped when he felt a slight squeeze on his hand. He looked up and almost shouted when he saw the tear filled eyes of his brother looking at him. "S'kay Dean, I won't leave you" Sam whispered.

"Sammy!" Dean said as he leaned over to touch Sam's face gently. Afraid that Sam really wasn't there…that it was just his imagination. He smiled as Sam reached up with his hand and wiped the tears from Dean's face. Dean caught the hand and squeezed. "Welcome back little brother…welcome back!"

Missouri backed out of the room as she watched Sam trying to comfort his older brother. She smiled as she watched the two boys heal each other. Missouri placed a hand on John's shoulder. "John, Sam's awake."

Two words was all it took to make the Winchester's whole again. Missouri knew that Sam was the heart of the Winchester family and it was proved again now as she watched John rush towards the bedroom. "Matthew, we need to finish getting things ready…it's time to take care of the curse!"

John stopped just inside the doorway, once again feeling like an outsider. He watched as Sam patted Dean's shoulder, trying to provide comfort. John knew that he was the reason for Dean's distress and was sorry he had been so hard on his son. He watched Dean stiffen as he felt his father's presence. "Hey Sammy…glad to see you're awake son." John walked over to Sam's bed.

Dean stood and started to turn away from his father, he didn't want him to see him like this. But before he could turn, he felt Sam grab his arm. Dean turned to look at Sam and saw the concerned look on his face. "I'm ok Sammy…I'm just glad to see you back!"

"Look son, I know I was a little hard on you out there…but I can't lose you any more than I can lose Sammy here. I need you and your brother to be careful because if I lose either one of you, I don't think I could go on." John saw Sam smile softly at him, understanding in the depth of his expressive eyes. He watched as Dean squared his shoulders and looked at his father. "That's fine Dad, but just remember. We feel the same way about you."

They all turned as they heard a discreet cough from the doorway. Matthew walked in with a cup of tea in his hand. "We need to get started soon John, before we get any more visitors. How are you doing Sam?"

Sam wrinkled his nose at the sight of the cup. "No more tea!" Sam whispered, he remembered the horrible taste from before. Dean laughed at the look on Sam's face.

"I'm sorry Sammy, but you have to drink this…it will help you sleep. You need to sleep so that you can get better…now drink up!" Dean held the cup to Sam's lips and watched as Sam struggled to get the liquid down. Once Sam had finished, Dean helped him lay down on the bed. "Sammy…we are going to get rid of this curse…do you trust me?"

Dean was overwhelmed by the amount of trust he saw in Sammy's eyes. "Great, by the time you wake up, the curse should be gone…all you need to do is rest and conserve your energy."

Sam felt himself getting drowsy. He tried to fight the feeling, afraid he might not be able to wake up again. Dean saw the fear in Sam's eyes and reaching over took Sam's hand in his own. "Don't worry Sammy, it will be over soon and I will be right here when you wake up…go ahead and sleep now little brother…sweet dreams."

Sam smiled as he let his eyes close in sleep.

TBC

Raven524: I think we have about one or two chapters left in this tale. Thanks to all those who have provided reviews…I love to hear what you all are thinking out there…so keep the reviews coming!