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

Bait

Chapter 14 – Hidden Enemy

Sam groaned as he felt a cool cloth being pressed on his forehead. He was so cold and his shoulder felt like it was on fire. He opened his eyes and was relieved to see Dean sitting in from of him. "Heh…Dean…did we win?" Sam whispered, his throat dry from the fever burning in him.

"We didn't just win dude…we kicked some serious vampire ass!" Dean pulled out a bottle of water and helped Sam drink. He had already cleaned the wound, but it would probably require a visit to the hospital. He didn't like the way it was looking and he didn't like the fever he felt burning in his brother's body. He was probably going to need stronger antibiotics than what they had available.

Sam smiled at Dean's cocky attitude. Leave it to Dean to be upbeat after everything they had been through. "Where?" Sam tried again, almost too tired to care.

"We are at the ranch house…don't worry, Dad checked it out and the place is clean. He just went to get the truck and then you're on your way to the hospital" Dean had placed his jacket over Sam, trying to keep him warm. He pulled the jacket tighter as he saw his younger brother shiver.

"No hospital…hate" Sam coughed, causing him to moan in pain as he moved his shoulder.

"Sammy…I know, but that shoulder has to be looked at. I promise, as soon as they get you cleaned up, we'll get you back into a comfy hotel room bed."

Sam started to close his eyes when he had to ask one more question. "Sheila…did you find her?"

Dean sighed, he knew Sam was worried about the girl. "No Sam, there was no sign of her or Stephen. But I'll tell you what, after we get you fixed up at the hospital. Dad and I will stop by her place and see if we can find anything out. Don't worry…we'll find her and do what needs to be done."

Sam shook his head "No…I promised…I have to…I have…" Sam lost his battle and fell unconscious once more.

Dean wrung the cloth out and once again wiped the sweat from Sam's face. "Don't you worry little brother…I'll keep your promise for you…I'm just as much to blame as you, maybe a little more."

It seemed like it took forever, but they finally got Sam to the hospital. By the time they reached town, Sam's temperature was dangerously high. He kept mumbling during the ride to the hospital…reliving his torment over and over. They gave the receptionist the story that Sam had gotten lost hiking in the mountains…they weren't sure what kind of animal attacked him, but they had found him in this condition, wandering in the woods.

John sat in the waiting room. His anger at what happened to Sam intensified by the long ride into town. He looked over at Dean who was pretending to count the ceiling tiles. He knew that Dean also had to be feeling the same anger, but like his father, he had learned to hide his feelings down deep. "Dean…about Sam…he's going to be all right…he's strong, he'll find a way to pull through this."

Dean looked over at his father, realizing that he was probably talking to himself as much as he was to Dean. "I know Dad, it's just…why does it always have to be him? I mean, where in the cosmos does it say that every evil thing out there has to use him for target practice. Sometimes, I just want to lock him away somewhere safe…but where is that Dad? I mean for crying out loud…he goes out on his first date in months and what happens…he gets grabbed by vampires. I can't keep my eyes on him all the time anymore Dad…I know I'm failing him…but I just can't keep him safe!" Dean looked away from his father, ashamed that he had let his father see the strong emotions boiling under the surface.

John stood up and walked over to his oldest son. He realized part of Dean's sense of failure was due in large part to his insistence that he keep Sam safe all these years. Placing his hand on Dean's shoulder, he spoke softly to his son. "Dean…look…you and I are just going to have to face facts…while we all need to watch each other's backs…we can't always be there. I know I haven't said this to you before…and maybe I should have…but, I'm proud of you son, the way you take care of this family…don't ever think that I don't appreciate what you have and will continue to do to keep Sam safe. Just remember, to keep yourself safe too…I don't want to lose either one of my boys!"

The sound of rubber shoes on tile interrupted them as Sam's doctor came into the room. John stood up and shook the doctor's hand. "So how is my son?"

"Actually, he's in stable condition right now. He is dehydrated and the wound on his shoulder was pretty badly infected. His fever is back down to 102.3 so he's heading in the right direction there. We have given him fluids and some strong antibiotics. We'd like to keep him for at least 24 hours or until the fever is gone. His shoulder will be sore for awhile and movement will be difficult, but with physical therapy, I think he'll have full range of motion again soon."

"When can we see him?" John asked, letting out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"They just sent him up to his room, give them about 10 minutes and then you can go on up."

John thanked the doctor and started towards the elevator, Dean close on his heels. They waited outside the door while the nurses got Sam situated in the bed. "You can go in now, but keep it short…he's going to need plenty of rest." The nurse said as she left the room.

Dean went up to the bed and looked at his younger brother. His face was still flushed, but at least there was more color in it. Sam groaned and opened his eyes. "Dean?"

"Hey there little brother…so I'd ask how you are feeling, but the doctor just told us…so I'll save you the effort of lying to me; saying your fine and want out of here!" Dean grinned as he saw Sam blink.

"Ah…actually, I was just going to ask for a drink of water….heh Dad, heard you bagged the bad guys for me…thanks!" Sam smiled at his father, amazed that he was still here.

"Well son, it was your plan…I just followed through. Now I want you to rest while Dean and I go check out Sheila's apartment. The doctor says you need to stay here until tomorrow morning…we'll be back later this afternoon and let you know what we found out." John hated hospitals almost as much as his boys and never spent much time in them. "Dean, I'll meet you in the truck in about 15 minutes."

Dean laughed as his father left the room. "I'm surprised he lasted two minutes…that must be a record!" He smoothed the blankets around Sam, happy to finally have Sam some place safe…at least for the moment.

"Dean…I…uhmmm…well…thanks!" Sam said softly, his eyes already beginning to close. The drugs they had given him combined with the fever were making it almost impossible for him to stay awake.

"For what?" Dean asked softly.

Sam struggled to stay awake for a few more seconds. "Just thanks…you're always looking out for my sorry ass…be careful ok?"

"Sure little brother…careful is my middle name! Ok, so maybe it's not…" Dean laughed as he saw Sam roll his eyes. "You just get some sleep, by the time you wake up we'll be back!"

"M'kay" was all Sam muttered as his eyes closed once again.

Dean watched his brother's gentle breathing for a few moments, satisfied that no nightmares were starting to plague his brother, he patted him on the shoulder. "Sweet Dreams Sammy!"

ooooooooo

In an abandoned warehouse a few miles away, Stephen paced the floor. He and Sheila had returned to the ranch and saw the Winchester's leaving. They found the rest of the pack a short distance away, all of them killed. The smart thing to do would be to take off and hide, but Stephen still owed Sam Winchester…even though Sheila was now a vampire, she refused to return his affections. She had remained cold and indifferent to his advances.

Stephen blamed Sam for her attitude. If he hadn't tried to steal her away from him, she would have come to him willingly. He looked at where Sheila was sleeping. She had to follow his orders…she had no choice. But he wanted her to come to him willingly…not because he ordered her to.

Picking up the phone, Stephen called the hospital…pretending he was a concerned relative, he found out that Sam would be kept there until tomorrow. Good…that would give him time to come up with a plan and this time, he would not fail…he would see Sam Winchester dead.

TBC

Raven524: Wow…so many wonderful reviews. I'm glad everyone is liking the story so far. I appreciate all of you who are taking the time to submit your reviews…just keep them coming!