Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!
When Reality Bites
Chapter 13 – On the Offensive
Missouri sat on the end of Dean's bed as she outlined the plan. "Theresa, you are going to help Sam. Once he has gone to sleep and the dream starts, you will need to go in and let him know that it is a dream…you will be his anchor to the real world. Do you think you can do it?"
Theresa looked unsure "I don't know if I'm strong enough…what happens if I fail and Sam dies…I don't know if I could live with it."
Dean went over to the young girl and using the same calming voice he normally reserved for Sam, tried to reassure the frightened girl. "Theresa…I know that you are scared…but I also know that you can do this. You were strong enough to beat this bastard once before and you did it without any help. Besides, if you don't do anything, then the result could be the same…will you help us?"
Theresa looked into the calm eyes of Dean, drawing strength from him as she nodded her head in agreement. "Ok, I'll try."
"Good sugar…I know you'll be fine. Now, once the demon begins the attack, I should be able to sense his energy. From what I understand, the demon has to be in close proximity to the victim…we just need to figure out where he is hiding. While he is feeding, he will be the most vulnerable. That's where you come in Dean…while Sam and Theresa are keeping the demon busy, you need to find him, and imprison his physical self so that I can do the banishing spell."
"Ok, sounds like a plan…but what will we tell Sam? He isn't going to want to just sit on the sidelines…if we tell him to keep the demon busy…the demon will know what we have planned." Dean asked as he looked over at his sleeping brother.
"He is still going to have to help out Dean…we need to make sure that the demon is also banished in Sammy's dream…otherwise, the demon could just remain there forever."
"Wait a minute…how are we going to know to begin the banishing rite and how can we be sure that Sam is also doing it at the same time?" Dean asked as he stood and began pacing the room. All of a sudden this plan wasn't sounding so great.
"Simple…I will link with Theresa while she is linked to Sam. The demon will not be able to sense my presence…I should be able to tell when Sam begins the banishment rite."
"I still don't like it…Sam has been pretty rocky the last few times…I'm not sure that he can do this…I mean can't we just wait until the demon comes back into his physical body?"
"No Dean, remember he can 'go ghost' as you so quaintly call it…if he does that, the banishment spell may not work. I know you don't want to risk your brother Dean, but honey, you gotta let Sam do his part…and not just because it's his life at risk…you know how your brother feels about you and your Daddy trying to keep him on the sidelines…we don' need that boy goin' off and doin' something stupid!"
Sam began to moan and toss on the bed. Dean immediately went to Sam's side. He felt his brother's forehead, and while it was still warmer than he liked…the fever appeared to have gone down. "Ok Sammy…it's time…you need to wake up now!"
Sam's eyes snapped open and searched frantically for his brother. For a few moments, Sam wasn't sure where he was. "Sammy…you are awake little brother, believe me." Dean said softly as he patted his shoulder. Sam took a deep breath and tried to sit up, yelping when he forgot and used his hand again. "I guess I am awake…damn that hurt!" Sam complained.
"And you're the one who went to college!" Dean joked as he helped his brother sit up on the edge of the bed. "Here, you need to keep yourself hydrated…I want you to drink all of this" Dean said as he handed Sam a bottle of water.
"What time is it?" Sam asked as drank the bottle of water down.
"It's about 3 hours until dark…just enough time to bring you up to speed on the plan and to get some more food into you!" Dean remarked as he went to get Sam another bottle of water.
"So, we can do something right?" Sam asked quietly. He wasn't sure how much more he could take.
"Yes, honey…but I'm afraid that most of the work is going to have to be done by you…we'll do what we can, but the demon has to be vanquished while he is in your dream…feeding on your fear and guilt." Missouri went over to sit on the bed next to Sam.
"Fine…just tell me what I need to do!" Sam said with more strength than he felt.
Missouri quickly went over the plan to have Sam do the banishment rite once the demon was in the nightmare.
"Ah…small problem though, I don't think I can take anything with me in the dream and I recall now that anything that I had in the room that could help me banish or repel the demon did not appear in my dream." Sam quickly told them about the missing salt ring and the missing book of demons. "Besides, how am I going to know that I am under attack…last time, I couldn't tell at all" Sam looked quickly at Dean, who once again patted him on the shoulder for support.
"That's where I come in Sam" Theresa said quietly, "Between the two of us, we should be able to sense his presence…maybe me more so than you as the dream will not be targeted at me."
"Ok, but how will I know that it's you and not some figment of the dream…this is just so damn confusing" Sam sighed with frustration.
Missouri broke in with a suggestion. "Sam, the reason the demon did not allow you to have those things is because he could not touch them…I don' know why I didn't think of this before…if you want to know if the person is part of the dream or if you are really awake…all you need to do is say "Cristo". The other person can then repeat the phrase to you…the demon will flinch from the word but it cannot say the word of God."
Dean smiled for the first time that day. "And just so you know that we are all here…'Cristo'…I believe that is Latin for the name of God…correct geek boy?"
Sam laughed as he remembered the last time they had used that phrase. Maybe he should take up humming Metallica to calm his nerves…they certainly were stretched to a breaking point.
"We don't have time for this boys…Dean, you need to run across to the diner and get us all something to eat…maybe this time we'll get to eat it while it's warm." She said winking at Sam. "And you, boy…you need to start working with me on memorizing the banishment rite…the demon may be able to prevent physical things in the dream realm, but he can't make you forget what you need…now Shoo Dean, I get cranky when I get hungry…and you don't wanna see me when I get cranky!"
"I'm going…I'm going!" laughed Dean as he headed out the door.
As it began to get dark outside, Sam began to fidget. He had spent the last three hours learning the banishment rite…he could now recite it without any difficulty. But he was still afraid…so many things could go wrong. He was beginning to feel alone again…and it scared him!
Dean watched his brother closely, knowing that he was probably working himself up again. "Hey Sammy…would you like me to read you a bed time story…I hear Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a real scary story!"
Sam rolled his eyes "I know you're not talking about the PG version Dean…jeez, we have company here!"
Missouri and Theresa joined in with the laugher…somehow they all knew that the hours to come would be difficult, but for now they could enjoy being with each other.
An hour later, Missouri stood and went over by Sam "It's time honey, you need to start getting ready to sleep…you can do this…and know that we will all be here when you get back…just make sure you come to us now…or I'll come in there and beat you with a spoon!"
Dean helped Sam settle in…fussing with the blankets until Sam grabbed his hand. "I'll be ok Dean…really, it's ok…but just in case…I want to thank you for everything…"
"Damn it Sammy…how many time do I have to tell you…I don't want to hear that speech from you…you will come out of this and that demon will die tonight…that's it…end of story…do you hear me!"
Sam yawned and closed his eyes, a small smile on his lips as he prepared to battle the enemy on his own turf.
TBC
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Raven524: I know it took some time to get here, hopefully I didn't ramble too long…next chapter will have more action! Let me know what you think…remember to R&R!
