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

Den of Thieves

Chapter 17 – Pixie Busters

John helped Sam get more comfortable against the wall as he reached into his pack for some water and aspirin. He couldn't help but notice that Sam's fever seemed to be getting worse. Once again John considered leaving his son here, but after Sam's latest vision, that was no longer an option…Sam would not be any match if the pixies decided to attack him.

"Sam, as I see it we have two problems. The first is getting rid of our pixie friends so that we can get into the room and the second is getting to the spirit's bones."

"Yeah…Dad, the number of pixies has diminished, but there still are quite a few left…how many rounds did you bring with you?"

"Well…it just so happens that I brought along a little insurance. When you called, I figured we might be dealing with more than a few of them so I made a couple of these little beauties." John reached into his pack and pulled out a couple of pipe bombs.

"Ah, Dad…not that I'm questioning you here…but, blowing up the pixies? The only thing that can kill them is consecrated iron and it has to actually pierce their bodies…otherwise, it just repels them. How…"

John tried to clamp down on his anger at being questioned yet again by his youngest son. Now Dean, he would have admired what his old man had created…even appreciated the simplicity of it without John having to explain the whole process. But Sam…God, the kid never ran out of questions.

"Look, Sam…I've loaded each pipe with a number of projectiles, made of pure iron. Once they explode, the projectiles will be released, killing any of them that it comes in contact with….can we dispense with the questions now and get on with the plan?"

Sam started to argue, but then thought better of it. He was shocked that his father had taken the time to explain this much to him…he figured he better not push it. Instead he just shook his head yes and waited for his father to continue.

"Ok…since we don't want to damage the door mechanism, we need to draw them to us further down the tunnel…that's where you come in Sammy."

"Ahhh…so I get to be the sacrificial lamb…just one more question Dad…how sturdy do you think these walls are…I mean, if there is an explosion…won't it cause a cave in?"

"No…I only used enough explosive to scatter the projectiles…Besides, both you and I will be a safe distance away…we just need to lure them in."

Sam groaned and slumped a little further down the wall. He was really having trouble focusing; he could no longer tell if he was hot or cold, his body was past caring at this point. He tried to take another drink from the water bottle his father had given him, but the effort to bring it to his lips was almost too much. John noticed the problem and without a word, held the bottle for Sam to take a drink. His hand rested briefly on Sam's shoulder as if he could give him some of his strength.

"I'm sorry Dad…I just keep screwing things up…I never was as good at this stuff and you and Dean…I don't know why Dean wants me to back him up…all I seem to do is let him down." Sam's eyes started to close as the hopelessness of their situation hit him. Even if they managed to take out the pixies…there was still the matter of getting past the spirit of Thomas and burning his bones.

"Samuel…Stop it this instant…do you hear me? I didn't raise you to give up…I need you, but more importantly Dean needs you…anything else doesn't matter…now stop your whining and help me!"

"'kay Dad…what do you want me to do?" Sam whispered.

"In your vision, you said that you saw Dean with a lighter in his hand…the spirit stopped him from torching the bones correct?"

"Ummmm…yeah Dad, I mean I think so…It's all kind of jumbled now."

"So, that means, all we need to do is light the bones, Dean would not have been trying to light them unless he had already found what he was looking for and had salted them. So, once we get rid of the pixies, I just need you to do one more thing and then you can rest ok?"

"Sure Dad…what?"

"You just need to open the door and then stand back…I will take care of the rest!...and Sammy, I mean it, you have to stay outside until I get the bones lit up…your body can't take any more damage…do you understand?"

Sam wanted to argue…but he knew his father was right. He would just hold them back if they had to worry about him. It wasn't as if he could use his powers to help. "Yeah…I'll stay out of your way Dad."

John didn't like the defeated sound from his son, but he didn't have time to deal with Sam's insecurities right now…hopefully there would be time later.

"Ok, Sam, I want you to just rest here for a few moments while I scout ahead a little ways. I'm going to place the bombs and then I'll be back to get you…don't fall asleep son…you need to stay alert and watch my back ok?"

"Sure Dad…ok" Sam sighed as he struggled to follow his fathers instructions. He pulled the reloaded gun from his pocket and laid it across his lap...he wasn't sure he would be able to use it, but at least he was ready.

John nodded his approval and took off down the corridor. Ten minutes later, he found what he was looking for; he quickly extinguished his flashlight as he once again crept forward to see where the pixies were. He could hear them grunting and giggling so they had to be close. As he rounded another bend, he was surprised to see light ahead; apparently the pixies had lit torches while they stood guard.

John backed down the tunnel a short distance and began placing the pipe bombs along the floor. He only hoped his plan worked. He checked the remote detonator to make sure that it was working and then headed back to get Sam. As he approached his son, he was glad to note that Sam had remained alert.

"Good job Sam…I found them a short way down the tunnel. We don't have far to go…do you think you can make it?"

Sam didn't say a word, but just started to stand. John reached over and helped him up, then placing a steadying arm around Sam, helped him down the tunnel. As soon as they heard the pixies, Sam looked at his father. John helped Sam to a sitting position against the wall and showed him the pipe bomb location using his flashlight. "Now, Sammy, all you have to do is call out to them…from what I have seen, they should come for you. Don't worry if a few get past the bombs, once they have passed, I will set off the pipe bombs. When I yell…I need you to duck down flat, just in case…can you do that?"

"Yeah Dad…are you ready?" John nodded yes and moved to the other side of the wall slightly behind Sam. Sam heard his father cock his pistol and did the same with his own…just in case any of the pests got through…he would be ready.

Sam took a deep breath and called out "Ahhh…can anyone hear me? I seem to have gotten lost..." Before Sam could finish he heard the growl of the pixies as they headed in his direction. He lit up the tunnel with his flashlight and flinched when he saw the number of pixies that appeared around the bend. He sure hoped this worked or he was definitely going to be hurting!

The pixies saw Sam leaning against the wall, but they seemed torn between returning to their guard duty and attacking Sam. "Hey guys…wanna give a guy a hand here? The last group sort of disappeared…oh yeah…that's right…I smoked them!"

The pixies charged straight for Sam. As they surged past the area that his father had placed the bombs, Sam shut off the flashlight and ducked, groaning as his ribs complained about the sudden movement. A few seconds later, he heard the explosions and the screams of the pixies.

A light was turned on behind Sam and he was astonished to see that there were no pixies to be seen.

"Now that's how you make pixie dust!" John said as he hurried over to help Sam up. "One obstacle down…one to go…Come on Sammy…we have to get that door open!"

TBC

Raven524: Ok, So Sammy and Dad managed to get rid of the pixies…at least for now. On with the next chapter…hopefully to be updated soon…reviews will make it appear quicker !