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

Den of Thieves

Chapter 2 – The Plot Thickens

Sam sat quietly by the rushing waters of the river. Dean had stormed off a few moments before, ranting about his missing M&M's. Sam figured that a small animal had taken them…they were lucky it wasn't something bigger as there were black bears in this area. Usually, they stayed away from humans…but the sweet smell of M&M's might be something that would attract them. He knew that Dean wasn't convinced, but Sam also knew that he hadn't touched his brother's sacred stash of sweets.

Sam absently cast the line into the cool waters, watching as the line was quickly taken down stream. The river was swollen from the recent rain storms that had hit the area. Sam knew that the time of day plus the condition of the river probably wouldn't result in him getting anything for dinner…but he wanted the time to think.

After they had left the cabin, he and Dean had taken on a few jobs, poltergeists, a haunting, and even a demon dog. Since they had decided to continue to hunt until they either found the fire demon or heard from their father…life had settled back into the old routine that they had followed since Sam left college. Sam sighed as he realized once more that college would probably be the only "normal" part of his life that he would have. He finally had to accept that he was different and that his life going forward would never be anything near "normal". But as Dean had often said, the life did have some perks…Sam liked the fact that they were able to help people…he just wished that it was a little less stressful.

Sam pulled his line back in and recast it into the river. Lately Sam had started to wonder about the powers that he was supposed to have. While he had been possessed by the demon, Devlin…he had started to understand, that some of his powers were more subtle than others. Recently the visions had not been as often and he was actually able to get a relatively full night sleep most nights. He also was feeling more comfortable in following his instincts in sensing when things just weren't quite right. But he wondered how Devlin had been able to use his telekinetic ability while he could not. Sam had started to do research on the internet, reading everything he could find on psychic abilities. But try as he might, he couldn't seem to get control over his powers.

Sam looked around and didn't see Dean anywhere in sight. Closing his eyes and clearing his mind, he relaxed. He slowly opened his eyes and stared at a small stone near the water's edge. Sam tried to concentrate on the stone…he pictured the stone moving in his head…but nothing happened. Sam shook his head and tried one more time…focusing on the small stone, he tried once again to visualize it moving into the water. The effort was exhausting and was giving Sam a slight headache. But after trying for at least 15 minutes with no results…Sam had to admit defeat.

Some psychic wonder I am, he signed as he started to reel in his line. The sun was starting to set and the air was getting colder. He felt a chill as the wind picked up. He was glad that he and Dean had pitched the tent earlier. He might be hungry, but being cold and hungry was not something he looked forward to.

As Sam gathered his things and turned to head back towards camp, he had a strange feeling that he was being watched. He carefully looked around, reaching automatically for the backpack that contained his shot gun. He couldn't explain it, but the sense that something wasn't quite right had been building all afternoon. "Is anyone there?" he asked as he continued to scan the woods along the river's bank. "I know that someone is there…come out, I won't hurt you." Sam slowly lowered the shot gun, feeling a little foolish when no one popped out of the woods.

Suddenly Sam heard something dropping into the river a few feet behind him. He turned quickly and was stunned to see the stone that he had been concentrating on, was no longer there. He put the shot gun back into his back pack and walked to where the stone had been a few moments before. As he bent closer to examine the ground, he noticed a slight golden sheen on the ground. "That's strange," Sam thought as he started to turn, he felt a sharp pain in his head as a rock hit him in the temple. Sam stepped back without thinking and the next thing he knew he felt himself falling…"Dean…help!" Sam managed to yell before he disappeared below the surface of the river.

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When Dean had returned from the river, his anger with Sam had run its course. After all, he knew that he had not taken Sam's fishing lure…maybe Sam was right, some pesky little fur ball was probably to blame.

Dean decided to take the time to catch up on some sleep. He ducked into the tent intending to just lay down for a quick nap. The next thing he knew, the sun was setting. He quickly pulled on his jacket as he began to feel the chill in the air. The nights in this part of the country could get pretty cold. He thought about starting a fire, but decided against it…the last thing he wanted was for some do good park ranger showing up to issue them a citation.

Dean walked to the edge of the clearing and looked towards the river. He would give Sam a few more moments of solitude and then he would go down to see if he wanted to join him for dinner in the little town they had come through a few miles back. Just as Dean turned to return to the camp site he heard Sam's cry for help.

Dean went back the car and grabbed his gun from under the front seat. Placing it in his holster, he ran towards the sound of his brother's voice. "Sammy…Sammy…I'm coming!" Dean came to a stop when all he saw was his brother's back pack lying close to the water's edge. Oh, no…he couldn't have…thought Dean in horror as he looked at the swollen river. A moment later, Dean's greatest fear came to life as he saw a dark head break the surface about 30 yards downstream. "Help…Dean…help me!" shouted Sam as he saw his brother breaking into a run towards him.

Sam had all he could do to concentrate on keeping his head above water. The cold water of the river was quickly sapping his strength as he tried to avoid hitting the numerous rocks that the water kept driving him towards. Sam turned his head and tried to keep his brother's face in view as he continued to pull further away. Sam felt a sharp pain in his chest as he hit a boulder under the surface. The pain brought his gaze back forward. His heart almost stopped as he saw the rapids that he was quickly approaching…if he couldn't get to shore soon, he would be lost.

"Sammy…Sammy…to your left…the tree, grab it!" yelled Dean as he sprinted as fast as his legs would carry him towards the fallen log that extended out into the river…if he could just get there before his brother…they might have a chance.

Sam saw his brother sprint past him. The sound of the water drowned out his brother's voice…but his eyes were drawn to where his brother was heading. A few yards away, he saw a fallen tree extending out into the river. As he watched he saw his brother reach the tree and begin to slowly inch his way out towards Sam. If only he could catch one of the branches.

Sam forced his badly bruised body to move in the direction of the tree. Just when he thought that he was going to go under for the last time, he felt a branch in his outstretched hand. Grasping the branch with both hands he looked up and saw the eyes of his brother. "Come on Sammy…just a little farther and I will be able to reach you…Damn it Sam, focus…you can do this!"

Dean carefully reached down to grab his brother's hand. He could tell from the look in Sam's eyes that he was fast approaching the end of his strength. He missed the first time and saw Sam starting to lose his grasp. "Damn it Sammy, if I have to, I'll come in there after you…you know how I hate to get wet…just reach a little further…that's it…gotcha!"

Dean wrapped his legs tighter around the tree as he slowly began to drag his brother towards the safety of the shore. It was a slow process and Dean was getting concerned by the silence of his little brother and the blue tinge he saw around his brother's lips. "Sam, stay with me bro'! There will be plenty of time to sleep later…Sam, open your eyes damn it…I can't do this without you!"

Sam opened his eyes and tried to push with his legs, but they seemed to have a mind of their own. After what seemed like hours, Sam could feel the pebbled bottom of the river bed under his stomach. He crawled a few inches and dropped exhausted half in and half out of the river.

Dean jumped down from the tree that had saved his brother's life and rushed to Sam's side. He carefully pulled his brother from the river and gently turned him over. Dean immediately noticed the large bruise that was forming on Sam's face, just under the temple. He quickly felt Sam's arms and legs, checking for injury. He heard Sam hiss as he pressed on his rib cage. He opened Sam's shirt and saw the cause for Sam's distress…there was a large bruise forming over his brother's rib cage. Dean gently probed and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't feel any broken ribs.

"Ok Sammy, it's not too bad. You've got a few bruises, possibly a slight concussion and you definitely need to get into some warm clothing before you catch a cold." Dean said lightly as he pushed the wet hair out of his brother's eyes.

"DDDDeannnn…so ccccolddd…" Sam said in a soft voice through chattering teeth. Dean quickly took off Sam's wet Jacket and Shirt, replacing it with his own shirt and covering Sam with his leather jacket.

"Hold on Sammy…give me a second and I 'll call for help." Dean reached into his pocket for his cell phone. As he opened the phone to place the call he noticed that he didn't have any bars…there was no reception. "Damn…what else could go wrong?"

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In the trees, a soft giggle could be barely be heard over the sound of the wind in the leaves…that was fun! The giggle quietly disappeared…already planning its next move.

TBC

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Raven524: So…we have a guess of a spider, well the villain in this story does have at least eight legs, sort of…but hmmm…a spider…me thinks not! Guess you'll just have to read on to find out what it is…in the meantime…please remember to R&R…the more reviews…the faster I type!