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 32 – State of Confusion

Missouri placed a gentle hand on Dean's shoulder. She wished that she could let the boy rest through the night…but she sensed that unless Dean intervened soon his brother would be lost to them. "Dean, time to wake up"

Dean's eyes snapped open his first thoughts of his brother. "Sammy! Is something wrong with Sam?" Dean started to sit up, but groaned as his sore ribs protested the sudden movement.

"No, he's sleeping. His fever is still pretty high, but the ice seems to be keeping it from going higher. You and I need to have a talk before you go in and see him. Come help me in the kitchen." Missouri didn't wait to see if Dean would follow. She could feel his need to go and check on his brother warring with his need to find out what she wanted from him. She knew in the end, that he would do as she asked.

Dean rubbed a weary hand over his face. He felt more rested than before, but he was far from rested. Of course, he couldn't remember the last time that he felt completely rested. He looked briefly towards the hallway that lead to his brother, he could feel Sam's need for him…pulling him. But Dean also needed more answers to help his brother. Sighing, Dean stood and followed Missouri out to the kitchen.

Missouri was busy getting dinner ready when Dean entered. "So, Missouri…ah, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Missouri motioned for Dean to sit in the chair opposite her. "We need to talk about your helping your brother, sort of the rules of the road so to speak."

"I know, I know, no peeking into Sam's brain without his consent." Dean figured he really didn't want to go visiting, unless he had to of course.

Missouri place both hands on her hips and stared at Dean. "You gonna let me talk or you think you know it all already! This is not a game boy, you could seriously hurt your brother or yourself if you don't pay attention!"

Dean held his hands up, "Whoa Missouri, I'm sorry, it's just weird you know? I mean, Sammy's the one with the freaky visions and all that other psychic stuff. I still can't get my mind around this 'projection' thing."

Missouri just shook her head. "Believe me Dean; you are taking this much better than your brother, that's part of the problem. Part of your brother is fighting his abilities, trying to keep them under wrap. It's like trying to cap a volcano, eventually no matter how hard you try to contain it, it will blow."

"So, what is wrong with Sam and how do we fix it?" Dean tried to get to the heart of the problem.

"Your brother's main ability is actually something he doesn't even think about having. He has the ability to block other psychic abilities. That is why he has been able to stand up to some of the supernatural beings you have come across. As he had gotten older, his powers have been growing. Right now those barriers have been worn down by the shape shifter…he did the same to me, but I'm guessing he was even less gentle with Sam."

"I understand, we need to help him rebuild his barriers, but how can I help him with that?"

"Dean, these barriers are broken down by breaking the individual's confidence, Sam has had his head filled with so many lies, he isn't sure what is true at this point. His energy levels are low making it hard for him to fight against the poison left behind by the shape shifter and the demon. The injury to his body isn't helping matters any either. You need to show your brother the truth and maybe give him some of your strength to help him get past the darkness that now surrounds his mind."

"Ok, so I go in and tell him that those bastards are gone and let him lean on me for a little while…doesn't sound so difficult." Dean knew it couldn't be that simple, after all they were talking about Sammy here.

"Dean, your brother may not recognize you. I have no idea what shape his mind is in, but the emotions that are rolling off that boy are all negative. Also, remember we talked about the toll this will take on your own body. In the past, you were sharing your aura of comfort and safety with Sam. That part of your power doesn't take much of your life energy. But actually linking with Sam and giving him some of your own strength is another matter entirely."

Dean was quiet for a moment as he remembered when he was in Sam's mind fighting the demon. He had felt himself getting weaker. "So, if I feel myself getting weaker, I just need to disconnect from him right?"

"Yes, but you may have to push a little to do it. Remember, Sam unconsciously searches for what he needs. He could try to keep you close out of fear. That is why you were able to provide Sam some of your strength before without fully entering his mind, he drew strength from you like a thirsty man searching for water. If you're thirsty enough, it's almost impossible to stop until your thirst is quenched. As I said, we will need to work on some meditation techniques so that you can better control when and how much of your energy you provide to your brother. But for now, Bobby and I will have your back. If we see you getting too weak, we will break the connection for you."

Dean watched as Missouri rose from the table and began to set it for dinner. "So when do you want to start…I mean, shouldn't we be helping Sam now?"

"First we all eat. You need to fuel your body Dean in order to have the energy you'll need. Why don't you go and get Bobby. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Then we will see about your brother."

Dean didn't need to be told twice. He had wanted to see Sam since he woke up. He had promised him he would be there and it was a promise he intended to keep. As Sam entered the bedroom, he was shocked at the way Sam looked. His brother was bathed in sweat, his face a mask of pain as he tossed on the bed. "Oh God Sammy!"

Dean sat next to Sam and placed a gentle hand on his brother's sweat soaked hair. He had never thought about it before, but it was nice to know that his presence actually helped his brother deal with all the crap that was thrown at him. He had always been able to calm Sam, even as a baby. It just never occurred to him that this was a special ability of his. He hadn't realized until now how left out he had felt when he found out about Sam's abilities. Well he might not be able to move things with his mind, or see into the future…but at least he could provide Sam with more than just moral support.

Dean took the washcloth that Bobby had been using and wiped his brother's face. He murmured softly to Sam, letting him know that he was not alone. After a few moments, Dean smiled as he saw Sam's face relax and his brother seemed to drop into a more peaceful sleep. He could feel Sam leaning into his hand as he continued to stroke his hair. "Ok Sammy, you just rest a bit more and then we will see about getting you back on your feet. Don't worry Sam, I'm here…I won't be going anywhere without you."

Dean reluctantly followed Bobby out to the kitchen. He really didn't want to leave Sam alone, but then he also didn't want to incur the wrath of Missouri. Besides, his stomach was grumbling…a sure sign that it had been a while since he filled his fuel tank.

ooooooooo

Sam was caught in the nightmares created by the shape shifter and demon. His mind replaying and twisting the events from the past until he wasn't sure what really happened. He cried as he saw himself hurting Missouri, hurting the other psychic and then he even went back to a previous time, when another shape shifter had played with his mind, the shape shifter in the form of Dean had almost killed him. Echoes of the past kept bouncing in his mind, all pointing to the fact that Sam was weak and feeding his greatest fear that somehow, someday he would no longer be able to keep evil from using his abilities to hurt others.

The words the demon threw at him before it left burned into this soul. "You may defeat me now Sammy, but I can feel the evil within you trying to break free. That's right, your abilities will eventually turn you to evil, just as it has done the others. Look what happened to Max when he got control of his abilities…the evil within him was released."

"No, I'm not Max…Dean said I would not be like Max!" Sam shot back.

"You've hurt people Sammy…I fail to see the difference between the two of you. Why do you think my father has singled you out Sammy boy?"

"He wants my powers, but I won't let him have them!"

"Poor boy, he is the one who gave you those powers of yours…your powers come from evil and eventually they will turn you into what you hunt. Then let's see how long that brother of your's stays around!"

Sam shot up in the bed, his mind reeling from too many blows. The pain in his chest seemed to be getting worse and he was too hot. "Dean?" Sam whispered, but there was no answer. Sam looked around and saw the demon was right…he was alone, Dean must have left him.

Sam got to his feet and staggered into the hallway. He had to find Dean, he had to explain to him that he wasn't evil. Sam heard voices coming from the direction of the kitchen. He paused, his mind trying to identify the voices. He felt a cold chill run up his spine as he heard his brother's voice.

"Ok Missouri, so once I get into Sam's mind, how do I make sure that his freaky powers don't fight me? I mean, I saw him pin that demon to the wall…how do I keep him from doing that to me?"

Sam leaned against the wall. Dean couldn't get into Sam's mind…there was only one thing that wanted his powers…somehow the shape shifter had returned. He had to warn the others before it was too late!

Dean had his back to the door into the kitchen, but noticed the look of concern on Missouri's face as he felt someone behind him. He turned and stood, ready to catch the figure that was staggering into the kitchen, a look of pure hatred on his face. "Where is my brother you bastard! What have you done with Dean!"

Before Dean could take a breath, he felt himself yanked into the air and thrown against the kitchen wall with enough force to make stars dance before his eyes. He watched as Missouri and Bobby tried to get to Sam, but Sam was ignoring their pleas. "I asked what you did to my brother…tell me now or I swear to God I'll kill your sorry ass right here and now!"

TBC

Raven524: Sorry for the slight delay in this one, but school has started and so has my tutoring schedule. Hope you enjoy the latest chapter in this story…let me know what you think!