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

Home Sweet House

Chapter 4 – Nick's Secret Past

It only took a short time for Sam and Dean to return to the hotel. Dean parked the car outside the room, stopping to grab some things out of the trunk as he followed Sam to the room. As Sam reached down to open the door, he dropped the key and fell to his knees, gripping his head. Dean dropped the bag and rushed over to his brother…sighing, he opened the door and helped Sam into the room. He knew it was going to be a long night.

Sam was standing in a dark room. He saw the young man from his dreams shivering on a cot in the corner of the room. He watched in fascination as a number of white orbs seemed to gather around Nick, almost in a protective stance. Nick moaned and opened his eyes, smiling as he appeared to be listening to something.

"Thanks my friends…but it is me who should be helping you. I'm sorry, I don't think I'm going to be strong enough to fight this thing." A sob broke from the young man's lips. He looked off into the distance for a few moments as if he was in a trance. A sad smile broke out on his face "I'm sorry mother…I really screwed up this time…I wish I could join you, but I don't think that will be possible now."

The white orbs gathered closer again, almost caressing Nick…trying to console the young man. Suddenly the orbs scattered as the door to the cell creaked open. Nick looked defeated as the robed figure entered the room. He didn't try to get away, he just glared at the figure with a look of hatred in his eyes. "You may win in the end you bitch…but I'm not going to make it easy for you!" Nick yelled.

"I didn't expect you to…besides, it's more fun this way!" The disembodied voice from the figure sent a chill down Sam's spine. He knew that whatever this thing was, it was evil. Sam watched in horror as the figure advanced on the helpless man. As the figure touched Nick, the man's body arched on the cot and a scream was ripped from his throat…Nick turned haunted eyes toward Sam, begging him to end the torture…

"Oh God…Dean, Nick is still alive…we have to get to him before it's too late!" Sam cried as he grabbed his own head, fighting the pain. His eyes mere slits in his face, Sam wiped at the sweat that was getting into his eyes.

Dean helped Sam onto the bed and went to get the aspirin and water for his brother. "Sam, could you tell where he was?" Dean said as he sat on the opposite bed, watching Sam struggle with the pain.

"Ah…no…it was a dark room…it felt cold and damp…basement maybe? I'm not sure…all I know is that whatever this thing is…it's torturing him…we gotta stop it before it's too late!" Sam groaned as he tried to stand. He didn't have time for this right now…he had to start going over the things they took from Nick's house.

Dean reached over and gently pushed Sam back onto the bed. "Now Sam, you know that you need to rest after one of these visions…just a short rest…I'll start sorting through the stuff and have it ready for you when you wake up."

Sam shoved Dean's hand away "Dean, there's no time for rest…it will take less time if both of us are doing the work…I'm fine…stop hovering!"

"Fine…but when you fall on your ass later because you haven't given your body a chance to recover, don't expect me to be there to pick you up!" Dean said as he stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door.

He needed to get some space, but knew better than to walk out on Sam…Damn, he probably shouldn't have let his anger show…but dealing with Sam, sometimes he wished his brother wasn't so emotional…he wished he could step back and think things through without just charging in with no regard to himself…it would certainly make my job easier. Dean sighed as he ran cool water and splashed it on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror, making sure that there was no sign of anger on his face as he prepared to go back and help his brother.

As Dean opened the door, he sighed as he saw Sam laying on the bed, an arm over his eyes. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, gently movinghis brother'sarm so he could see his face. Sam tried to quickly mask the look of despair and fear in his eyes. "I'm sorry Dean…really, it's just that I…I'll do what you want, just wake me in an hour" Sam closed his eyes and tried to roll over to face away from the concerned look he saw in his brother's eyes.

"That's it Sam…we have to talk and this time it can't wait!" Sam jerked as he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder. Sam couldn't face Dean, couldn't take the chance that he would see the fear in his eyes.

"Look Sam…I know that you are having problems dealing with that bastard that messed with your head…I get it…but you have to know that I will always be there for you! I can't keep dancing around, worrying that if I show any anger, you will get upset. I need you to be a part of this team…not just a bystander Sammy…that means, you get a say in what we do. Isn't that what you want…what you always fight with Dad over?"

Sam slowly turned to look at his brother and noticed the strained look around his eyes. He thought he had been dealing with his fear pretty well until now. "God Dean, I'm sorry…I'm trying, it's just…" Sam sighed as he pulled his hand through his hair.

"Sammy…I'm only going to say this once…you can always tell me what you want…what you need. I'm not saying I'm going to always agree with you and I'm not saying I may not get angry over some of your stupid ass stunts…but you are my brother…nothing will ever change that. Besides…I know that in the end I'm always going to be the one who wins the argument!" Dean stood up and walked over to the table.

"How do you figure that?" Sam asked as he sat on the edge of the bed, messaging his aching temples.

"Because I'm the oldest…and I'm always right!" Dean smirked as he watched Sam's eyes roll up to the ceiling.

"Jerk!"

"Bitch"

Both brothers laughed, enjoying the simple exchange. Sam groaned and got up from the bed, heading for one of the chairs. He grabbed the folder with the articles and notes from Nick's house. "So, Dean…you think that Nick is like Max…like me?"

Dean pursed his lips as he began reading the article that was attached to the photograph. He then took a closer look at the birth certificate of Nick Forester, son of Janice and Derek Forester. He looked up at Sam "I don't think there is any doubt little brother…according to this newspaper article, Nick's mother was killed in a fire of unknown origin. He was six months old on the night of the fire and I'm betting that he has some kind of psychic ability."

Sam stared into space for a moment, swallowing as he recalled what the demon had told him. If Sam was a target…then so was Nick. He wondered if maybe it was the demon that was behind what was going on in this town. But it didn't make sense, the pattern didn't fit. "Dean…I think we should call Dad and let him know what's going on…I mean, he may know if Nick was from one of the families that had been attacked."

Dean nodded as he picked up his cell phone and hit the speed dial for his father. After the second ring, his father answered the phone. Dean was surprised, he still expected to get his father's voice mail. "Dad…I'm not sure, but we may have a lead on the demon."

Dean quickly brought his father up to date with what they had found out so far. There was a moment of silence on the other end before John replied "Hmmm…I'm not sure Dean, have you seen any of the other signs around there?"

"No Dad…it's just, well with this kid going missing…I don't know. We're not even sure that his family was killed by the demon. Did you ever run across his name during your research?"

"No Dean, but that doesn't mean he couldn't be one of them. Look, give me the kid's information again and I will see what I can find out." There was a pause at the other end of the line before John continued "Dean, I'll call you back with the information…but if you and Sam need me, I can be there is a few hours…just let me know and I'll be there son"

Dean was tempted, he missed having his father around…he missed having his family whole. But he also understood that now wasn't the time to give in to his needs. Looking at Sam, Dean sighed as he gave his father the answer that he knew his father wanted to hear. "No Dad, Sam and I can handle things here…just let me know what you find out about the Foresters."

"Ok Sam…Dad is going to look into Nick's history some more. In the meantime, we better figure out what we may be dealing with and soon…tomorrow, correction…" Dean said as he looked at his watch "today is Halloween!"

TBC