SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
Dae Hellion: Have you reviewed before? You seem familiar. Here's the next update. As for your challenge, it'll have to be in the summer 'cuz of school and I already have a couple of other stories planned. But your challenge sounds interesting.
Windyfontaine: Thanks. Yeah, I remember that line. Thanks. Here's more. You too.
Kokomocalifornia: You and me both.
DesertCynn: Neither do I, and he's my character. Thanks.
Maraudersever: New reviewer. Yay. Cool handle. Thanks. Here's more. Thanks.
IheartPadalecki: Well, just read and see. Thanks.
Sammysgurl: Thanks. Here's another chap.
Chocolate rules (ch 4-6): Sorry. Thanks. Glad you're enjoyin' it. Thanks. Boy howdy on both accounts. (Cordy quote that I've sort of picked up, but I don't remember what ep of BTVS it's from).
DancinThroughLife: Thanks. Yep. You'll see. Thanks.
Xx: Glad I could surprise you. Thanks. You'll see. You post it, I'll read it.
Mimifoxlove (ch 4, 6): Thanks. Glad you like how I did it. Hi. Yep. 'Cuz he wanted to check on Sam, the hotel was closed for the night, and he had no probable cause to flash his badge. Hmm. Maybe.
Spuffyshipper: Thanks. Here's the update. Hope it's soon enough. Ah. I see. That sounds funny. As soon you're allowed to register, you should post that. Would love the other stories too. But of course.
Leahblueeyes (ch 5, 6): Thanks. Thanks.
Jayme (ch 5, 6): Thanks. Who ever said I was fair? Here's the next chap. Thanks.
Arwennicole: Yep. You'll see.
DISCLAIMER
Supernatural belongs to the WB, which will soon be the CW. I only own Mickey, Hollinger, and anybody else you don't recognize. And I realized I made an error. In one chap I had put that Sam had never told Dean about the scars on his back, and then somewhere else, I made a reference to Dean cleansing wounds on Sam's back. Obviously, if that had happened, he would've seen his brother's back. So I'm going to correct that here.
At the diner, Mickey, Sam, and Dean walked up to the counter and ordered a breakfast value meal. Then, they sat at a table, Sam being careful not to sit close to the back of the booth.
"So Sam, what was that nightmare about?" Mickey wondered after their breakfast had arrived. Dean paused momentarily and looked at his brother warily.
"What nightmare?" Sam queried.
"The one you just had. About somebody named 'Jess'?" Mickey prompted. He was surprised to see his friend's eyes become guarded.
"It was nothing. Nothing that has anything to do with what's going on right now," he responded.
"Sammy, you sure?" Dean asked gently. His brother nodded.
"Yeah. I'm sure," Sam answered. "And it's Sam," he corrected. Satisfied, Dean went back to his meal. Mickey stared at the other man, surprised that he was just going to let it go.
"Sam. If you need to talk about this---"
"I'm fine, Mickey. It was just a stupid nightmare, so get off my back," Sam growled.
"Whoa. Sammy, chill," Dean said in surprise.
"Sorry," Sam apologized. "If I wanted to talk about it, I would," he continued. They continued eating. Presently, Sam noticed a man hassling one of the waitresses.
"Excuse me," he said.
"Want back up?" Dean offered.
"No. I'll be okay," Sam answered. He carefully slid out of the booth and walked up to the duo.
"Leave me alone," the woman snapped.
"Come on, baby. You know want it," the man sneered.
"I believe the lady told you to leave her alone," Sam said.
"Stay out of it, pretty boy," the man snapped.
"Uh-oh. Those are fighting words," Dean muttered. His brother was usually pretty easy-going, but he absolutely hated being called a pretty boy. Sure enough, Sam's stance into a fight poise. The older man smirked. Who did this punk kid think he was? Mickey watched as the waitress' antagonist threw a fist, which Sam expertly blocked. Then, he made a fist and punched the man in the jaw, causing him to stagger. Enfuriated, the man growled and pushed Sam. The shove was unexpected and caused Sam to go flying into a nearby wall. The boy cried out in pain.
"Sammy!" Dean exclaimed, jumping up. He and Mickey ran to him just as the diner's manager came out.
"Come on, pretty boy. Get up," the man sneered.
"You get out," the manager snapped. The man opened his mouth as if to argue, but the manager's glare changed his mind.
"Sammy? Sammy, talk to me," Dean urged, quickly checking his brother's back. He was concerned to feel the stickiness on his fingers. Apparently, his brother had scraped his back, reopening his wounds. Sam merely whimpered painfully.
"Yeah. I know it hurts, bud," Dean said sympathetically. "Come on. Let's get you back to the hotel," he continued, helping his brother up. He put some money on their table and then the trio went back to the hotel. Inside the room, Dean carefully sat Sam down on the bed.
"I'm gonna need you to take off your shirt," he stated. Sam nodded and began to do so as Dean brought out the cleaning supplies. Mickey's mouth dropped.
"WHOA!" he exclaimed. Dean glanced at his brother's back and winced. The first time he had seen the old scars, he had nearly lost it. Now thanks to the creature they had killed, Sammy's back looked like someone had used it as a scratching post.
"These are new. What the heck have you been doing to him?" Mickey demanded.
"I didn't do nothin'," Dean snapped. How dare this kid suggest that he would lay a hand on his brother?
"Then what the heck happened to his back?" Mickey answered.
"Panther," Sam lied. Then, "Dean, get the peroxide." Dean's eyes glinted with some mirth at his brother's usage of their code for water. Although, he had used peroxide to clean some of the cuts the last time. The older hunter got the supplies he needed, plus a small knife, which he placed in his brother's mouth.
"Clamp down," he ordered. Sam did so. Then, the older boy applied the solution. Sam grunted in pain.
"Sorry," his brother apologized. "Man, you really scraped yourself up," he mused.
"Like I had a choice?" came the gritted response.
"Bite." Mickey watched as Sam bit down on the knife. Minutes later, Dean was done. Sam put his shirt back on and then looked at their supplies.
"We're low on peroxide," he said softly.
"I know," his brother answered.
"Let's go get some," the younger Winchester suggested.
"Right," Dean agreed. He looked at Mickey. "You comin'?" he asked. Mickey seemed surprised.
"It's gonna take all three of us to get supplies?" he asked.
"Come on, Mickey. It'll be fun," Sam urged. Mickey stared. Sam gave him a pleading look.
"Oh, heck. Why not?" he muttered. "Dang those eyes of yours," he continued. Dean laughed.
"You should see him at Christmas," he stated. Sam glared and the threesome walked out to Dean's car.
"Hey, where's the grocery store?" Sam wondered.
"Quite a ways. You'll have to drive," Mickey answered.
"Shotgun," Sam said.
"What are you, twelve?" Dean queried. He shook his head as they got into the Impala. Mickey gave Dean directions to the store. Presently, Sam noticed that a car was following them.
"Dean," he said softly.
"I see it," his brother answered. The car came closer and Sam was able to see the driver.
"Shoot! It's Hollinger!" he exclaimed, paling.
"What?" came the sharp question. Dean's eyes darkened. Was this freak crazy? No one came after him in his own car. In the blue sedan that he owned, Hollinger's features wore a terrible grin. Now that he knew Sammy was back, there was no way he was going to let him escape. He remembered him as the fourteen-year old who begged and pleaded with him, crying, asking not to be hurt. As enjoyable that had all been, he had never really gotten to sample the boy. That punk Mickey had seen to that. He pulled along side the black Impala and rammed into it.
"Dean! He's trying to run us off the road!" Sam cried fearfully. To prove his point, the sedan crashed into the Impala again.
"This jerk is starting to tick me off," Dean muttered.
"Dean, you got a gun back there?" Sam asked.
"No. Besides what we took into the room, they're all in the trunk," Dean answered. Sam swore softly.
"Here he comes again," Mickey warned. The two cars collided again. But this time, Hollinger was successful. As the tires screeched, Sam closed his eyes. There was the sound of metal scraping---then blackness.