AN: This chapter have a lot of action and a lot happens in it. I hope you'll like it as much as I. Enjoy

Chapter 17: Fighting

Sam and Dean was only a road away from the woods and they hadn't said anything since they left the apartments.

Loss in their own thoughts.

Dean's mind was on the hunt. Thinking what they were going to face in the cave. A Bugbear and a fear demon and hopefully five "alive" kids. Though the music was up to a comfortable level, his thoughts weren't going to drift off to the main event at hand. He had a job to do and music helped him think and of course, pass the questioning look and desperate talks from Sam. He knew Sam was sitting in the passenger seat thinking about him. Trying to come up with a way to put a chick flick moment in after the hunt. Even after, Dean didn't want to talk about it. It's his personal side Sam want to talk about and he didn't do emotional talk. Not now, not ever. But if he know Sam, Sam will push until he got some answers. So, once the hunt was over, he had to think of something to get Sam off his case. Sam on the other was thinking about Dean and of course the hunt tonight. Who wouldn't be focus on a case when there's kids involved. Hopefully the kids are alive and safe when they get there. But he can't push the thought away about Dean. Why can't he just go right out and say what he was feeling. If he don't want me to go then tell me, Sam thought looking in the front as Dean made the turn to the woods. I know he don't do feelings but if holding them in cause him to act like this; arguing with him and pushing everyone away, then tough. Dean will have to confess at one point and he will make him. Once this case is over, him and Dean were going to have a long talk. Even if he had to take the punching, screaming, and cursing to do it. Both their mind set, the music set in. Another ACDC song played as they near the cave. Not wanting to alert the demons, Dean parked the car a few yards away and turned off the light. Slowly getting out of the car, they both headed to the trunk.

"Okay, thinking that we might have hostages in there, we have to distract the demons long enough to get the kids out," Dean said handing Sam a shot gun. "So once we're in there we have to figure out where the kids are and get them out. If we get caught then, we take them down," closing the trunk.

"Yeah I know Dean; you know I have done stuff like this before with you and dad."

"I know, just giving you my take for a plan. Unless you thought of one on your own college boy."

"Yeah I have but you pretty much laid out a good one to go on."

"Okay then let's get going."

They moved quietly and cautiously to the cave opening. Like before, the cave showed no sign of life growing inside and was completely dark. Didn't want to cut on their flashlights to make known their positions, they relied on the moon light until they couldn't see light anymore. In full hunters mode they inched closer to the cave and went inside. The cave smelt of wet grass and dust. The light of the moon didn't help much for them to move around more quickly but they moved enough to start to see a dim light up ahead. Moving closer they started to hear soft cries of the kids and they eased knowing that the kids are indeed alive. The dim light started to grow bigger as they close in and started to see little figures form reflecting on the walls of cave. They both jumped behind separate rocks when they heard a scream coming from up ahead. Peeking around the rocks, Sam and Dean watch as a little girl was being dragged by a demon. The demon looked to be six feet tall, brown and long fingers. His green eyes locked on to the screaming girl as she struggled to break free from the demon. Sam, position on the left side of the cave, look around the area the demon made a home in. Nothing much to the cave except for hanging rocks and ancient picture drawings on the walls; little grass peeking out of the wet ground of dirt and stones. Looking around some more, he noticed the other four missing kids huddle in a group with terrifying looks on their faces, watching the Bugbear drag the girl near it. Sam turned to his right where Dean was casing the place as well. With a wave of his hand, he got Dean's attention. He told Dean in hands signal that the other kids were behind a couple of rock ahead of them and that he only see the Bugbear and not the fear demon. Signaling back, Dean told Sam that he'll take the demon while he get the kids and get them out of there. Nodding that he affirm the plan, they got into position. Making sure the Bugbear wasn't looking, they moved up another set of rocks and switch positions of the cave. Dean, now on the left, readied his pistol and stood up. The Bugbear now had the frighten girl in both hands and was bringing her close to its mouth when Dean shout out.

"Hey fugly, why don't you pick on someone your own size."

The Bugbear snarl at Dean and pushed the girl to the ground, advancing to Dean. Dean backed away slowly so he could lead the Bugbear away so Sam will be able to get the kids out.

"That's right, follow me you freak," he ran with the demon behind him.

Sam took this time to get to the girl who laid face down on the ground crying. He gently touched her and she turned around screaming at the top of her lungs.

"No please," she screamed.

"No shh, it's okay. I'm here to help you."

The little girl look up from her position on the ground and saw Sam looking at her with his puppy dog eyes. The little girl ran up to him and hug around the neck for dear life. This time her tears weren't for fright.

"Yeah, it's okay," he rubbed her back. "Come on, let's get the others so you guys can get home alright." The girl nod her head and grabbed his hands when he lowered her arms from around her neck. They went to the others kids and each surrounded Sam when he lead them to the exit. Sam glance back to see Dean still playing chase with the demon and ever now and then get a couple of licks in. Taking the kids as far away from the cave to the Impala, he bended down to their level. A gun shot rang from the cave and the kids jumped. Soothing their cries, Sam look back at the kids.

"Listen, I need you all to stay here so…"

"No," they wined all together

"I know you're scared but I have to help my friend kill the monster, so then we can take you home."

"But what if the woman come back,' one of the kid asked.

"What woman," Sam frowned.

"The girl who was with him, she always come back and change in to monsters."

"The better for me to go in there and get rid of the monster and get you all back home," he said looking at all the kids. "Listen…" he ran to the back of the trunk and pulled out a container of salt and start to circle the Impala and the kids inside. "Listen, as long as you're in the circle they can't get to you. The monsters can't get in and touch you, okay. Now, I'll be back as soon as I can." The kids cries were lessen now but tears still fell from their eyes. Another shot was heard and again they jumped. "It will be okay I promise," he said moving away from them. "Stay in the circle and they won't get you."

With that said, Sam cut out in a run back to the cave. Once inside Sam could see the Bugbear on the ground with Dean beside it. He was breathing hard and touching his side.

"Dean," Sam ran to him. "You're alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine," he quickly got up from the ground. "Ugly here was tough but I manage to win one for the Winchesters," he smiled at Sam.

Sam look down at the Bugbear and could see two holes in him. One bullet hole in the middle of his chest and the other one in the middle of its forehead. It still amaze Sam how good of a shot Dean had. Looking back at his brother, Sam could see he was hurting but was trying to muster all his strength to hide it. His hands were on his right side where his scratches were. It must have got damaged when he was battling the Bugbear.

"You're sure you're alright," Sam said.

"Yeah, Sam, I'm fine," Dean answered a bit harsh. "Where are the kids?"

"They're outside by the car."

"You left them alone with my car," he asked with shock on his face. "If they scratch my car…" Sam didn't catch the last bit of what Dean said (not sure he want to) because he was out of the cave in a hurry. Sam soon caught up with him and they were both heading back to the Impala and the kids.

"I wonder what happen to our fear demon," Dean asked.

"I don't know but the kids were saying something about a woman who can change into monsters. She has to be around here some where because they say she always comes back."

"Do you speak kids or something because…" Dean was unable to finish when Sam shush him. "What…"

"Did you hear that," Sam offered listening. Dean listened also and could her some cries. Realizing what it could be, they both cut out in a run to the kids. Halfway there, they could see the kids jumping up and down near the car screaming something.

"What's wrong with them now," Dean said running a little behind Sam.

"I don't know but some thing's wrong."

Finally making it to the car, the boys stood catching their breath before answering the kids' cries.

"What is it," Dean asked.

"The woman she's here and she's a monster."

Sam glancing at Dean ran to the trunk and pulled out the machete. Dean frowned but loosened the crease on his forehead when he realize why. He remember Sam telling him how Chloe and Sam killed the last fear demon with the machete.

"Stay in the circle," Sam ordered. "No matter what happens don't leave out of the circle."

With that said Sam and Dean went into the direction they came from. Both keeping their eyes out just in case the fear demon may be lurking around or hiding. A noise from behind them caught their attention and they spun around only to be pushed back. The fear demon managed to throw the boys fifteen feet, landing on their backs. It ran to Sam and grabbed him by the throat and pushed him to a tree. Sam hiss in pain and the fear demon smile in victory. Coming close, it started to suck the white mist from Sam. Sam struggle under the demon grip and kick out to hit the demon. A shot rung out and the demon dropped the gasping Sam. The demon was now facing Dean, who had his pistol in his hand. He fired another shot and it hit it in the stomach; a inch away from where he shot him earlier. Still the demon moved toward Dean and still Dean fired his pistol. Sam watched from the ground as the demon grabbed hold of the gun and pulled out from Dean's hand in one swift move and back-handed Dean on the face. Sam was too weak to move to help his brother, just like he was too weak to move when Chloe was being taunted by the Dean demon. The demon was holding Dean down and leaning towards him. Sam struggle to get his body to move but they wouldn't. Looking around furiously for the machete and it was nowhere to be found. White mist started to come out of Dean's mouth and Sam struggle even harder to get up and help him. Closing his eyes, he tried to well his power like before to help in Dean's aid but he hadn't master to will his power. Dean was kicking out and Sam closed his eyes again.

"Come on, do something."

Suddenly he heard a screech and then a thump hitting the ground and he opened his eyes. In front of him stood Chloe with the machete in her hands and a disintegrating headless body on the ground. A sigh of relief left Sam lips and he smiled. He could feel some of his strength coming back to his body and Dean was slowly rising from the ground.

"You're here; I thought I told you to stay back in the apartments. We don't need your help," Dean said with anger in his voice.

"Well thanks Chloe, thanks for saving our lives again from the soul sucking demon. You should be happy that I came or you would have died, again."

Dean was holding his side again, this time with a hint of pain written on his face. "Thanks Chloe for saving our life when we didn't need it. We could have handled it ourselves," he pushed pass her and headed for the car.

"You know I don't get him," Chloe said helping Sam up. "I try and I try and he keeps pushing me away."

"He's hurting that's why," Sam said looking at his departing brother. Looking at Chloe, he smiled weakly and they both follow Dean.

With a little bit trouble convincing Dean in letting some of the kids sit in his car, they manage to get the kids to the police station in both cars. Not wanting to stay for any questions, they left. Knowing the police won't find anything with the story the kids will tell them and that the case would come to a dead end. The best they could do was try to look for them but they'll be long gone before then. Easier said then done. They were back at Chloe's apartment by midnight. Chloe, letting them in, closed the door behind them and put her keys on the counter.

"Sam grab your stuff we're leaving tonight," Dean said grabbing his bag and throwing it at Sam.

"What, Dean we can't leave tonight, we need to rest."

"Yeah we are leaving and we already rested. We been resting for too long," he said moving to his room.

"When Dean, when did we rest? We've been hunting demons and saving lives since we got here," Sam said following Dean to the room. "Would you stop and look at us. I'm tired, you're tired, we nearly died tonight and you want to up and leave." Chloe was standing in the door way watching as the boys argued.

"I am not tired," Dean said breathing shallowly but Sam didn't notice.

"Not tired Dean, you're barely keeping you eyes open and you're sweating like a pig. If that's not tired to me then I don't know what it is." Dean wiped at his brows with the back of his hand and eyed Sam with blurry vision. Shaking his head a little he looked at Sam who was still yelling at him. "I swear you are so stubborn so time. You won't…"

"Sam…shut up," Dean managed to say before closing his eyes and falling backwards. Sam caught him in time before he hit the floor.

"Dean, what's wrong," he shook Dean a little. "Oh man, you're hot."

Sam lifted Dean around the waist and pulled him on the bed. Chloe, shock at what happen, managed to move from the door way and help put Dean's legs on the bed. She took off his shoes while Sam took off Dean's shirt.

"He's bleeding again," Sam said noticing the blood stain shirt. "Chloe could you give me some warm water in a bowel and a rag. And the first aid kit too, please."

Chloe left to get the things Sam needed while he carefully took off Dean t-shirt. Chloe brought the items in and Sam went to work. She could see the worry look on his face.

"It's not your fault that he's like this. Dean is just exhausted from fighting."

"I know but not tired enough to fall like this," Sam said indicating his brother.

"Yeah but Dean been fighting mentally besides physically. He has a lot on his mind and it's taking a toll on his body as well. Including losing blood twice in one day can affect you."

"Who you think put it there," he said not as a question.

"You're not the only thing he's fighting Sam." Sam looked up from his work on Dean and look at Chloe. She was looking down at Dean, whose breathing became normal but sweat still showed. "He needs to rest…and maybe he'll beat this thing out. You need your rest too." Sam went back to work on Dean.

"I will. You should go to bed, I'll finish up here."

With a nod, Chloe left the boys alone. Not before looking at Dean one last time before heading out. Sam finished his wrapping and washing Dean's wounds. Making sure Dean looked comfortable and for him, Dean was comfortable, he left the room, turning off the light. He could feel his tiredness coming to him but he was scared to fall asleep knowing Dean was in there fighting because of him. So like always when he couldn't sleep, he stayed up. For once, since they got there, turning on the TV and flipping the channel. He turned it down so he wouldn't wake up Chloe or his brother if he wakes up. Letting out a breath, he stopped it on an animated show and laid down.

Chloe was leaning against the door of her bedroom, listening to Sam trying to get comfortable on the couch. She let out a breath herself and went to lie down on her bed. Poor Sam and Dean, don't know how bad they got it, she thought and smiled. With a blink of her eyes, her eyes glow red and then back again. They're not getting away that easily. She laughed softly and turned toward her window.

Outside her window across the street, Keith stood smiling. He was looking at the three sided windows to her apartment and could see the light flickering from the living room. Have fun Lilith, I'll be waiting in the cave with our new friend, he thought before disappearing.

AN: So what do you think? There's a lot more to come and I hope to finish by Friday.