Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters. I and am not making any money on this…I'm just having fun filling in the time until September!

Double Trouble

Chapter 28 – Battle Within

Missouri would have liked to have more time to prepare Dean, but from the looks of Sam, time was not something they had a lot of right now. "Dean I know you are going to have questions, but you need to have faith in what I'm telling you. Under the right circumstances, you can enter Sam's mind and help him."

Dean's mouth dropped open. "You mean I can read people's minds…like you?"

"No, Dean it's more complicated than that. You can project your essence into someone who is willing to receive you. The amount you are able to project depends on the person's desire to receive your help and their ability to receive it. Sam is calling for you and is open to receive your help…you already helped him earlier today."

"No way…shouldn't I know that I'm doing this thing?" Dean wasn't sure if he was ready to join the ranks of the psychic wonders. This was Sam's gig, not his.

"Boy, you need to stop fighting me on this. You have the ability, but like Sam you have not learned how to harness all of it yet. You can help heal Sam, help him fight…but you need to believe that you can do it." Missouri watched as Dean tried to understand.

Suddenly Sam screamed again as more blood began to seep from his T-shirt. Dean looked at Missouri, his decision clear in his green gaze. "Just tell me what to do!"

"First you need to calm your own emotions Dean, just like you were doing yesterday in the hallway...that's it, good. Now I need you to concentrate on your brother, close your eyes and focus on the crystal in your hand. Do you feel it getting warm?" Missouri smiled as Dean nodded his head, his brow creased with the effort he was exerting.

"Good boy, you should be able to hear Sam calling to you…follow his voice. But remember Dean, you need to be careful. Sam will be able to draw from your strength, but it will take a toll on your body. You need to be aware of this and monitor yourself. If you don't break the connection in time, you could lose yourself. Remember, Sam would not want you to die to save him and it shouldn't be necessary. Don't give in to the temptation to sacrifice yourself…understand?"

Once again Dean nodded as he took a deep breath and tried to 'hear' his brother's voice. Missouri watched and smiled as she felt Dean finding his way to Sam. "Bobby, you need to watch Dean carefully while I finish the exorcism rite. If he starts to fade, you may need to wake him from his trance. Just gently shake him and call to him…remove him from the room if you have to, Dean needs to be in close proximity for his powers to work."

"Don't you worry Missouri…I'll do my part." Bobby took his position near Dean, ready to help him if needed. Missouri opened the book and began reading from where she left off. She just hoped that Dean would be able to help Sam until the demon was exorcised and returned to the hell it came from.

Sam could feel himself losing, his airway totally blocked by the hand of the demon holding him. Suddenly a voice from behind him spoke. "Let my brother go you bastard!"

Sam felt himself falling as the demon turned to face the new presence. "You will be sorry you came; now you can watch as I kill your brother!" The demon turned towards Sam once more and started to lift him.

Sam watched as Dean walked towards him. "Sammy, you can fight him. You know what you need to do. Missouri and Bobby are almost done with the exorcism. You have to fight!"

Once again, Sam felt Dean's strength flowing into him. He looked at his brother and smiled "Dean how?"

"Don't worry about that now bro', we have a demon to fry!" Dean watched as Sam's face changed; a look of pure hatred showing in his brother's normally placid eyes.

"Right, and I think it's time we had a little payback!" Sam could feel his anger building at the demon and all his kind. He could feel his mind begin to push the demon back as his feet once more touched the ground.

"That's it Sammy…concentrate. You've done this before; you just need to hold him a little longer." Dean placed his hand on Sam's shoulder, providing Sam with the extra support he needed. It was a strange feeling. He could see what Sam was seeing and he could feel his brother's strength growing while his was getting weaker. But Dean was determined to help Sam as long as he could.

Sam approached the demon, "You screwed up, just like all the others. You are the ones who will fail! As long as my brother and I draw breath, you and every evil son of bitch that walks this earth will be destroyed."

The demon shrank back, realizing that Sam was tapping into his powers. He could feel the young hunter getting ready to strike and yet, he still had to try to shake him. Ducking quickly, the demon headed towards Dean. If he couldn't reach Sam, he would try to destroy the brother. "Fools, you think you have won! Watch Sammy as another must die in your place!"

Dean saw the demon charging at him, but didn't know what to do. He didn't have any weapons. Damn, he should have gotten more information from Missouri before he tried this psychic stuff. As the demon approached, he dropped down into a defensive posture, ready to deflect the attack as best he could. "Come on you bastard, I've been wanting to kick some demon butt for a few days now…you'll do just fine."

Dean watched in amazement as the demon stopped dead in front of him. A look of fear crossing its' face as it was yanked into the air and suspended by an invisible hand. Dean looked at his brother, Sam was standing calmly his eyes fixed on the demon. Dean had seen Sam use his abilities before, but never like this. He began to realize why the demon was afraid of his brother…if Sam ever really got control of his abilities, nothing would be able to stop him.

Sam could feel the demon struggling against him. He took a quick glance at Dean and saw the admiration in his big brother's gaze. Smiling, Sam pushed harder against the demon. He could still feel his brother's strength supporting his own as he continued. But when he looked at Dean again, his brother's image looked more transparent.

"Dean, what's wrong?" Sam demanded

"Nothing Sammy…you just need to hold the demon for a few more minutes. It will all be over soon." Dean encouraged. He could sense himself getting weaker, but he was afraid if he left now, Sam wouldn't be able to hold the demon.

"No Dean, I can sense you getting weaker…you have to go now. I can do this, please go!" Sam was having trouble splitting his concentration between the demon and Dean. He could feel the demon pushing back.

Suddenly, Dean felt himself being yanked from Sam's mind. "NO! Not yet damn it…he still needs me!"

Bobby had tried to wake Dean gently, but the boy refused to budge. He watched as the sweat dripped down the boy's pale face, his breathing now coming in short gasps. Without waiting, Bobby picked Dean up in a fireman's carry and left the room. As soon as he reached the kitchen he heard Dean moan. Bobby gently placed the unconscious form of Dean in the chair and held him until his eyes opened.

"No Bobby…he still needs me!" Dean cried as he tried to stand to return to his brother.

"Your right Dean, your brother needs you, but he needs you alive. Use your head boy, what would happened to Sammy if he saw you die in his mind…knowing that he was the reason? If Missouri is right, that boy is going to need you to help him heal after this…now if you think you can behave yourself, how about we get back in there and help Missouri!" Bobby didn't wait for Dean's response as he turned to leave the room.

Dean shook his head, still amazed at what had happened. He was feeling really tired and wasn't sure if he had the energy to follow after Bobby. Dean stood and fought off the dizziness as he stumbled back towards Sam. His steps turned into a run as he heard his brother's loud and agonized scream.

TBC

Raven524: I'm sending you and early posting tonight as a treat to all those who have sent reviews…thanks for to everyone who is reading and a special thanks to those who take the time to let me know how I'm doing. Hope you all enjoy the newest chapter to this story!