Supernatural belongs to Eric Kripke and WB. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with for a while!
Set after Asylum (I'm pretending their father didn't call at the end of the episode!) and set before Scarecrow. Enjoy!
Final Chapter. Thank you again for all the lovely comments - it was really encouraging and much appreciated.
BROTHERS
by Eryn Grant
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dean and Sam and David and Steven
Fifteen minutes later...
They reached Lake Road. Dean pressed his foot down on the gas pedal anxious to check on Sam. Without warning the engine died and they rolled to a halt. "Damn," Dean turned the key in the ignition.
"What's wrong?" Frank asked.
"I don't know," Dean glanced sideways frustrated. "It just died on me." The engine protested with a loud squealing sound as he turned the ignition over and over. "Son of a bitch," Dean banged his fist on the dashboard. "Don't do this to me." He took his hands of the steering wheel and flopped back in the seat frustrated. "I got a little brother up there that needs me," he whispered to himself.
"I'll take a look," Frank offered moving to open the door. Before he could step out of the car, the engine roared noisily into life. Frank shot a look at a surprised Dean who carefully put his foot on the gas pedal revving the engine. Dean grinned at Frank as he aimed the car up the road towards the bend at the top of the hill. As they neared the bend, Dean saw Sam standing close the edge. A figure was standing next to him hand on his shoulder. Sam seemed to be moving closer and closer to the edge.
Dean stamped on the brakes swerving the Impala onto the side of the road. Pushing open the door Dean jumped out of the car. "Sam," he screamed. He went to run towards his brother but stumbled dropping to his knees as something slammed into him from behind taking away his breath. Dean shut his eyes listening to the sound of his own ragged breathing. His heart hammered in his chest and he felt like he was drowning in cold sweat. His whole body tingled and he felt sick.
"Don't fight it," a voice said in his head.
"No," Dean gasped. He blinked trying to clear his vision. He could see Sam still standing on the edge of the cliff. "Got to get to Sam," he tried to get to his feet to move but his body wouldn't co-operate. "Sammy," he choked. He could feel his body going numb and he struggled against the feeling.
"If you fight the feeling, it will hurt you," the voice said reasonably. "And I don't want to hurt you."
"Son of a bitch," Dean felt himself shrug slightly and the voice seemed to laugh lightly in his head. "Who the hell are you?" Get outta my head," he demanded angrily.
"You know who I am," the voice replied. "You just drove my car."
"David," Dean breathed.
"Yes. And I need to help my brother," the voice whispered.
"And I need to help mine," Dean interrupted struggling to get control of his body. It hurt but he gritted his teeth against the pain. "Your brother is trying to shove my brother off a cliff."
"Please don't struggle," the soft voice persisted. "If you let me talk to Steven it might help your brother too. But I can't do it without you."
"You mean you can't do it without my body," Dean heard himself argue again.
"If you like," the voice said. "I've waited for more than forty years to be close to him again. If you let me talk to him I promise I'll let you go to Sam."
Dean battled to think about the proposition. His mind felt muddled and confused but he knew deep down that the spirit probably wouldn't let him go and guessed it would hurt less if he co-operated. Dean suspected that Frank had unwittingly kept David trapped in the Impala away from Steven by never driving the car and never taking it back to Lake Road. Strangely he didn't feel any fear sensing that David didn't really want to harm him. Dean couldn't help empathising with David knowing that the young man cared about Steven as much as he cared about Sam. He made his mind up. "OK," he breathed hoping he wouldn't regret his decision. "But watch how you treat this body. The ladies like it this way."
"Thank you," the voice said with a small chuckle.
Dean felt his body slump forwards onto his hands. His body was tingling with electricity and he felt a wave of tranquillity wash over him. For the first time in his life, Dean relaxed and let go.
"Dean," Frank shouted rushing to his side. "You OK?"
"Frankie," David muttered as he looked up into his cousin's blue eyes.
"What?" Frank fell backwards frightened. "I haven't been called that," he stuttered. Scrambling forwards he looked deep into the green eyes. He screwed up his eyes not believing what he saw. "David?" he said unsure. "Is that you?"
David smiled at him. "Long time Frankie," he reached up and touched the older man's face. "You looked after the Impala good."
Frank smiled. "I've missed you." He frowned. "David. I'm sorry. I should...," he stammered.
"I know," David said gently. "It's OK." He got to his feet slowly. David stretched not able to help looking down at the body he had inhabited. He nodded in approval. Even though it felt strange and alien to him it also felt strangely comfortable. He could feel Dean's essence, what made him the man he was. He was vaguely aware of the hurt and anger buried deep and he could feel the loneliness that Dean tried so hard to hide. But despite all of this David could sense that Dean was a good and gentle man fiercely loyal to his family and extremely protective of his brother loving him unconditionally. David smiled to himself knowing why he felt so comfortable, he shared an affinity with Dean - the love of a younger brother. He knew that he had been right to trust this man, he had felt it the first time Dean had sat in his car.
"Frankie," he turned to the older man. "You stay here. With the Impala. I don't want to spook Steven. OK?"
"Sure thing," Frank nodded. "Are you going to help Sam?" he asked worried as he started to move back towards the Impala. "And Steven."
"I'm going to help them both," David nodded as he took a cautious step towards Steven and Sam. "Steven," he called.
Steven turned on him glaring. "Who are you?"
"It's me David," he answered.
"Liar," Steven shouted and turned his attention back to Sam. "My brother is dead. He hates me for what I did. So he left me alone," he spat bitterly.
"It's really me," David said calmly. "I just got trapped in the Impala. And I couldn't come to be with you."
Steven turned back to stare. A flash of confusion crossed his face. "No," he said. "You're lying." He pointed his hand towards David and flicked his wrist. With a cry David was flung back onto the ground hitting his head hard.
"Well that worked out well," Dean cursed in his head. He could feel the pounding in his head. "And I thought I told you to watch the body. I'm kinda fond of it."
"OK," David grimaced as he struggled to sit up. He rubbed at his head as he struggled to focus on his brother. Steven had turned back to concentrating on Sam his hand still on his shoulder. Sam was still moving towards the edge of the cliff seemingly in a trance.
"Ouch," Dean cursed again. "I felt that." David ignored Dean continuing to rub at the back of his head. "Do it back to him," Dean suggested.
"I can't," David admitted quietly. "Steven's had forty years to perfect it. And I just sort of got trapped not able to do anything. I don't know why."
"Well that just sucks," Dean sighed. "Why do the little brothers always get the cool stuff."
David ignored Dean again as he got to his feet. "Steven," he called. "Please. It's really me. David."
"Oh for God's sake call him Stevie," Dean screamed in his own head. "Works every time with Sammy."
David smiled to himself. It had been so long that he had nearly forgotten. "Stevie," he put his hands out towards his brother. "It's really me. I promise."
"David," Steven bit at his lip confused. He took his hand from Sam's shoulder and took a hesitant step towards the stranger in front of him. He looked the man in front of him up and down and stared into his eyes searching for anything familiar. He frowned. "Where have you been? Why did you leave me alone?"
Sam's vision swam back into focus the minute Steven removed his hand from his shoulder. He looked down. Panicked Sam stepped well back from the cliff edge. He swayed slightly. Closing his eyes Sam battled to get himself under control. Opening eyes he saw his brother moving slowly towards Steven. "No," he shouted. "Don't. He'll try and kill you."
"He won't hurt me," David said confidently.
"I hope you're right," Dean whispered in his head. "Because my head still hurts and I'm gonna be real pissed if you're wrong." David chuckled to himself.
Sam frowned momentarily confused. It looked like Dean but the voice seemed strange and definitely wasn't Dean's. He shook off his doubts his brother was in trouble. "Dean," Sam rushed forwards. Steven waved his hand towards Sam. Sam cried out as his legs gave way sending him crashing to the road. "Dean," he tried to get to his feet. Steven waved his hand again forcing Sam onto the ground again. Sam felt a heavy pressure on his back and he gasped. "Dean was right," he thought to himself as he looked down the road to see the red Impala. "He's never gonna let me live it down." The pressure on his body seemed to increase and he cried out. Laying his head on his arms he struggled to get his breath.
"Don't let him hurt Sammy," Dean cried out. "Or the deal's off."
David could feel Dean struggling against the possession. "I won't let him hurt your brother," he reassured.
Dean continued to struggle. He could feel waves of pain coursing through him as he fought to get free. David swayed slightly as Dean fought him. "Trust me. I won't let him hurt Sam."
Dean had one last attempt at freeing himself. "You'd better not or ghost or no ghost you're both dead," Dean hissed angrily as he relaxed slightly.
"Stevie," David commanded. "Don't do that. He's just trying to help his brother. You'd do the same."
Steven scowled at David. "Now I know my brother is in there somewhere," he folded his arms across his chest. "But he stays where he is for the moment," he said defiantly.
"OK Stevie," David replied. "But don't hurt him. Let him breathe."
"It's Steven," the younger man snapped back. "And I won't for the moment." He released his hold of Sam allowing him to breath but kept him pinned to the ground. "But only because you asked," Steven pouted.
"I hate when little brothers do that," Dean said with a sigh.
David smiled at the comment. He turned his attention back to his brother. "But you'll always be Stevie to me," David said softly. "Nothing will ever change that."
"But you left me alone," Steven accused. "I thought if I came up here where... I... I ... it happened. You'd be here waiting for me," he frowned. "But you weren't here," Steven wailed. "And I've been so lonely without you."
"I couldn't," David moved closer to his brother. "I got myself trapped. I don't know how or why. And I've been lonely too. I've missed you too."
"But I killed you," Steven took a step away from his brother. "You have to hate me," he turned away tears springing to his eyes. "And I've hurt so many people. Because they were happy and had someone... and I didn't."
"Tell him you love him," Dean couldn't help prompting. "Tell him whatever he's done to you he's still your brother and you love him whatever. Tell him that's all that's important." And Dean knew at that moment that he believed it too. Whatever Sam had done to him or would do to him, Sam was his brother and he loved him whatever. It seemed to lift a great weight from within him.
David nodded with exasperation but knew that if he was in the same position as Dean he wouldn't be able to keep quiet. "I know," he said quietly to Steven. "But you're my brother and I love you whatever you have done. That has never changed. Never will change." He stepped even closer and took his younger brother in his arms. "And I could never hate you Stevie. It was just a stupid accident. I know you didn't do it on purpose."
"But I've killed other people," Steven pulled back from the embrace. "Because it hurt so much."
"I know," David said calmly. "But we'll work something out. I promise."
"Can I leave this place now?" Steven asked looking up at his brother.
David nodded. "But first let Sam go," he instructed. "And then we'll leave together. OK?" Steven nodded and looked towards Sam and flicked his wrist again. He turned back to his brother. "I wouldn't have hurt him."
Sam managed to get to his feet and moved cautiously towards the two young men. "Dean," he put his hand up towards his brother. Sam reached out and touched the familiar face. He frowned - his brother's skin seemed icy to the touch.
"He's OK," David said with a smile. "He's in here," he tapped his head.
"You better not have hurt him," Sam threatened angrily.
"I haven't. We had a deal," David replied. "He's fine. He helped me find my brother again. Even gave me some advice as to what to say to him. So I would never hurt him for helping me do that."
"Right," Sam didn't look convinced.
David laughed at the look on Sam's face. "Now that's a look I have seen many times," he looked towards Steven. He leaned closer to Sam. "Go easy on Dean. He'll talk about what happened to you both in the asylum when he's good and ready and not before." David touched Sam's arm. "And he loves you and wants to be close to you. Like you were when you were children. It's important to him."
"Oh jeez," Dean complained in his head. "Don't tell him that. He'll go all chick flick on me now." David chuckled quietly at the protest.
"He said that," Sam looked at him puzzled. "Dean wouldn't... You don't know Dean," Sam shook his head.
"Maybe not," David cocked his head to one side. "But I know big brothers. I'm one myself." David smiled at him and Sam smiled back despite his reservations. David turned to look down the road. He lifted his hand in a salute to Frank. Sam could see Frank smiling back as he lifted his hand to return the wave. "Thank you Dean," he whispered. "Take care of your brother."
"And you take care of yours," Dean replied. "You know how much trouble little brothers can get into when their big brothers aren't looking."
David chuckled. "One last favour and its all yours," he said. "Make sure that Frank drives the Impala. Persuade him to take Hannah on a road trip or something. Make him live again. For me. And tell him that I'm OK and so is Steven."
"I can do that," Dean replied. "Now get your ass outta my body."
Sam watched as Dean's body seemed to glow. He shielded his eyes against the light as a figure of a young man seemed to step away from Dean's body. Sam recognised the figure instantly from the photograph - David. David moved towards Steven. Putting his arm around Steven's shoulder they walked forwards together and disappeared.
Dean slumped to his knees with a groan. Sam rushed forwards. "Dean," he knelt in front of his brother. He shook Dean gently. "Dean," he repeated.
Dean looked up at Sam and grinned. "Now that was freaky."
"Are you OK?" Sam asked still worried.
"Fine," Dean replied. "You? Did he hurt you?"
"I'm OK," Sam said exasperated at his brother's worry. He got to his feet.
"Remind me not to get possessed again any time soon." Dean held his hand up and Sam pulled him to his feet. "It hurts like a bitch."
"Are you sure you're OK?" Sam danced around him as they headed towards the Impala.
Dean ignored him swatting away his hands. "Dude," he took a look at his dust covered car. "What did you do to my baby?" He glared at Sam
"I was meaning to tell you about that," Sam replied sheepishly.
Leaning lazily on the Impala Dean pushed his sunglasses up onto the top of his head. Folding his arms across his chest he watched as Frank knelt by the grave and gently laid his flowers. Hannah stood behind him. Frank leaned forward and seemed to trace the names on the gravestone with a finger. Dean could just make out that the older man was smiling.
"Do you think he'll be OK?" Sam nudged his brother gently.
"Yeah I think so," Dean glanced sideways at Sam and smiled. "And he knows that Steven and David are together. Where they belong. I think that will help a lot. And he's got Hannah." He smiled at Sam again. "I think Frank is gonna be just fine. And he's got a classic car too," he teased pointing at the red Impala parked alongside his own Impala. "What more could a man want."
"I'm glad we didn't have to burn it," Sam said.
"Me too," Dean said looking at Sam. "It's got nothing on my baby," Dean patted his own Impala. "But I would have had nightmares for years."
Sam laughed lightly. He looked down at his feet kicking distractedly at the dirt. "Dean," he bit at his lower lip.
"You're gonna go all chick flick on me now, aren't you?" Dean said accusingly.
"No," Sam defended. Dean held his gaze not flinching. "Well OK a little bit," he admitted.
"Kill me now," Dean murmured as he rolled his eyes at Sam. He opened the Impala's door with a sigh. "OK let's get this over with," Dean grinned slightly. "Give it your best shot."
Sam looked down and then immediately up at Dean again. "I'm not gonna make you talk about it," he started to say.
"You're not?" Dean said surprised.
"No," Sam pulled a face. "We will talk about it but not now. I can wait," he gave Dean a small grin as his brother rolled his eyes again. He smirked at the expression. "I just... well... you don't think we'll end up like Steven and David do you?"
"Never happen," Dean replied confidently. Dean turned away from Sam. Raising his hand he waved at Frank and Hannah. They both waved back. He looked back towards Sam nodding at him to get into the car. Dean slid into the driver's seat. "Sammy," he glanced sideways as Sam folded his body into the passenger seat. "You'll never be alone. I'll always be there. No matter what. OK?"
Sam squinted at his brother studying his face carefully for evidence of a lie or Dean trying to hide his emotions. He was surprised to see that Dean's normally closed off expression was open and full of warmth and the tone of his voice held a hint of forgiveness in it. "OK," he grinned back at Dean feeling the frustration he had felt lately recede slightly.
Dean grinned back. Pushing his sunglasses back down, he turned the key in the ignition. "But you're not driving my car again," Dean quipped. "For at least five hundred miles. And at our next stop you are so washing and polishing it." Dean grinned at the look he knew Sam was pulling at him. He turned on the music and gunned the engine heading the Impala out of town towards the highway and the open road.
END