-1Bar Fights & Bullets
Chapter 12

The windows were down, the fresh morning air rushing in from both sides of him, Dean found himself momentarily at peace as his body was engulfed by her plush and welcoming leather seats, the smell of her the sheer smell of her causing a tingle to work it's way up what he could still feel of his spine.

This was heaven, she was his, his baby, she understood him, she never talked back to him, she never fought with him, and she was always dependable… Which was more then Dean could say about nearly all the women he had dated.

Aside from the impala's melodious purr ringing through the ears of the three men contained inside her the ride was completely silent, each Winchester finding themselves traveling through there own thoughts, there own hopes and there own confusions about this whole situation.

Sam had had more then one reservation about bringing Dean back out into the hunting world… But his father had agreed to it so therefore Sam had no choice but to go along with it as well. From where he sat in the back corner behind his father, he glanced up toward the rearview mirror and cocked his head a little to the side…

Yep, something was definitely wrong here, his father was smiling, full on pearly whites showing, cheeks glowing it's a peach picking day… Smiling.

"You alright back there?" John's smile immediately faded as he noted his son's questioning glance bearing into him through the rearview.

"Fine… Just a little restless, can't wait to get to Caleb's and stretch out, you know?" Sam's stealth tongue was at it again, and John seemed more then satisfied with the answer as he turned his face back to the road.

"And I'm sure it had noting to do with the amount of booze you consumed last night…" Dean mumbled to himself not loud enough to be heard over the roar of the Impala.

"What was that?" John shifted a little looking over at him.

"Nothin'." Dean cleared his throat before allowing his eyelids to shut and rolling his neck from side to side, silence once more swallowing him and those surrounding him, returning that blissful feeling to his insides and relaxing his soul.

- It was only about another hour and a half before John finally pulled in front of the mid-sized dilapidated home of their close family friend Caleb, he was one of the few family friends that they had left, and one of only three men that John himself trusted these days.

As he shut off the engine the eldest of the Winchester men smiled to himself, he had gotten them here, had gotten Dean here without much suspicion, without much question, the hardest part of the battle was still yet to come, but at least it was a battle half fought now.

John climbed from the front seat as a man slightly shorter and scrawnier then he appeared on the porch.

Caleb Masters was a good eight years younger then John, but that did not make him any less knowledgeable when it came to this whole Demon hunting thing, he was the Winchester's strongest connection, and without him they would no doubt be lost.

Sam watched as his father and Caleb connected in the middle of the small yard with a hand shake fallowed by one of those manly I'm not hugging you… but yes I'm hugging you one armed embraces, before cranking the drivers seat forward and extracting himself from the small open space.

"I see you still remember how to get here…"

"Yours is the only house for about half a mile how could we miss it?" John teased

Caleb smiled and then let his eyes roam over John's shoulder to glance at the Impala. Sam was currently making his way around the back of it to the trunk and retrieving Dean's chair before making his way to the front passengers side to rouse his older brother from a much needed slumber.

"How's he… How are they doing?" He asked quietly sticking his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looking back toward John.

"Everyday is a new struggle…." John thought about elaborating on that statement but chose not to with a small shake of his head.

"I still can't believe… I mean bullets, these boys face the unexplainable demon world everyday, and Dean, he's one of the most cautious and careful hunters out there… For him to go down like that was just….A shock."

"Just tell me you made the appointment."

Caleb nodded and drew his lip into his mouth, "Tomorrow night…How does Dean feel about…"

"Shhhh.." John silenced him as his boys made there way closer to them Sam pushing Dean effortlessly from behind through the fresh cut lawn.

Caleb's brow rose in suspicion toward John but he said nothing as he smiled in the direction of the Winchester brothers, "Hey boys."

"Caleb." They returned the welcome in unison with a single worded greeting, Dean still wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Why don't you uh come on inside? I ordered a pizza about a half an hour ago so it should be here in about another forty minutes…. "

"Have you ever thought about relocating to actual civilization Caleb?" Dean questioned jokingly before stopping at the bottom of the porch. The lead up to the house was graced with 5 deep wooden steps. "Damn-it" He cursed under his breath.

John and Caleb who had taken the steps without a second thought turned around identical looks of pity staring in Dean's direction.

"I'm sorry, I just you know…. It's only me here… And…I don't really have company…And."

"It's fine Caleb really…" Sam soothed noticing the man's cheeks turning red in embarrassment,

"Yeah, I mean not everywhere I go these days are they cripple friendly… I'm used to it."

Caleb couldn't help but notice the ice in Dean's statement and it bit at his heart as he looked toward John whose eyes were now masking sadness, "This must be the new Dean you were telling me about…" He whispered under his breath.

"Mhmmm" John gave a single nod and then stepped forward and down a few steps lifting the bottom of his son's chair and hoisting it up the stairs slowly Sam grabbing the back side and doing the same.

"I feel like an over sized television… Just please don't drop me I'm already broken enough."

Caleb's frown deepened as he watched John and Sam struggle to get the chair up the stairs and moved forward to help grabbing one of the sides. He thought momentarily about what the Winchesters used to be like… And then about how they seem to be now, causing a sickness to creep its way into his throat.

He let his eyes rest on Dean for a minute once they finally got the chair on to the porch and set it down, he used to be so strong…. So lively, even when he was only 10 years old, he was just this amazing young man, so full of will, so full of power so determined….

But now, now as Caleb looked at him all he saw were broken pieces of that boy, that man, the soul that he once was, and he found himself praying that John's plan would work… Hoping that he could help in someway restore life to this shattered reflection of Dean Winchester before him.

"So…Pizza huh?" Sam resumed his chair pushing as they made there way into the entrance of the house.

"Yeah well… you know I figure everyone likes pizza…"

"Tell me you ordered more then one though…" John smirked a little attempting to lighten the mood, "These two can finish off a large on their own, they have bottomless pits where their stomachs should be…."

"Do I look stupid to you?" Caleb grinned, "I used to baby sit these boys remember? I know how much they can eat…. And I also remembered to replace their forks with shovels so they can get it in faster…."

"I don't know about you Dean, but I think I'm a little insulted," Sam tried his best to sound hurt as he looked down at his brother immediately taking note of the discomfort in Dean's expression and placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah," Dean shifted a little trying to ease the tension resting between his shoulder blades and the nauseated feeling swimming around in his stomach, he hated being seen like this, he hated this whole situation. Caleb should not have to look at him, hell no one should, not like this. "Well you know when we get these two together, their favorite pass time is to pick on us Sammy, you would think as we got older they would let up… but I think it's only getting worse as the years go on." He tried to push his self pity thoughts out of his head his voice hallow.

"Don't worry it won't be long now until they will be old enough for us to stick them in one of those has been homes where we only have to go and visit them once a week if that, and listen to them bicker about the days that once were."

"HEY!" Both John and Caleb retorted almost instantly.

"We will make sure it's a nice one, you know with those senior activities and Friday night dancing classes."

"And lots of white haired wrinkly old-"

"Dean you finish that statement and your sleeping on the porch." John cut him off quickly with a glare. He knew his son's mind all to well and he knew that the last word to that statement was not going to be ladies.. And it was not going to be pleasant.

Dean chuckled to himself causing Sam to fallow suit the two older men in front of them shaking their heads.

"Let me show you to the guest room." Caleb decided now would be a great time for a subject change as he cleared his throat.

"We've spent so much of our lives here, I think we know our way around the place…"

Caleb nodded, "It's just you know I don't want to seem un-hosty or anything,"

"Oh please, just tell me you go rid of those Thomas the Tank Engine sheets you had me pick out when we were like 6, and everything will be fine and dandy."

"Well Sammy, I had taken them off, but with the way you two have been acting I'm contemplating putting them right back… I still have them somewhere you know, they can't be that hard to find."

"No." Dean cringed at the thought of those horrid ABC 123 Thomas the Tank Engine sheets Sam had picked out, the image still carved into his mind, he had seen a lot of scary things in his life... But those took the cake.

Caleb smirked. "Okay then."

"You two go on ahead and catch up, Dean and I can get settled on our own." Sam began pushing Dean into the back of the house and down the hallway leaving John and Caleb to their own discussion.

- "This place is just as I remember it." Sam whispered closing the door behind himself and looking around the medium sized guest room. There were two twin sized beds that Caleb had bought for them over 16 years ago so that when their father was out on a hunt that would take longer then a night or two they had a safe and protected place to sleep and food in their mouths.

When the boys were children this had been their second home, in fact it was the only resemblance to a home that Sam had ever known.

"It seems smaller…." Dean cranked his neck up and looked around there was still a baseball and glove wallpaper border around the top of the room and there was still a stupid painting of a kid and his dog on the far left wall… Everything…. Everything looked the same, only smaller. From the blue and red window curtains to the small black and white TV on the crooked old school desk. The only thing that had changed, as promised, was the bed sheets.

"Yeah, well of course it does…." Sam smirked a little taking a seat on the foot of 'his' bed. "But I mean, it's all the same… do you think anyone has even slept in here since the last time we did?"

Dean rolled his eyes, "Yeah Sam, because Caleb is such a socialite, I'm sure he has house guests almost nightly."

"It was just a question." Sam scoffed and stood once more a small smile playing on the corner of his lips as he looked around.

"What's up with you?" Dean looked toward him his brow going up in typical Dean fashion.

"Nothin… It's just good to be back here…"

"Yeah well, don't go wetting yourself or anything, this isn't some vacation Sammy, we are here to work a job remember? I mean I know it's been a while but …Demon's, forces of darkness…. Ringing any bells?"

"I know…I know…" The younger man shook his head,

"So lets go see what we're dealing with here shall we? I mean it's got to be big if Caleb called us out of retirement for help…"

"Retirement?" Sam's voice was filled with surprise at the single word.

"Yeah…" Dean drew his lip into his mouth hesitantly. "I mean let's face it Sammy…. You're trying, and I'm trying… But the doctors I'm sure are right on this one, there's-"

"You don't believe that Dean."

"How do you know? Are you the one trapped in this worthless body?"

"I know you and I know the fight you've been putting up."

"Yeah, well… we'll see won't we?"

- "So…" Caleb looked, really looked at his friend of over twenty years, John's hair was longer then usual his skin lighter then he remembered it ever being before, and he was more then a little ragged around the edges so to speak, "How are you holding up."

John thought for a minute about all the possible answers to that question, the pain he was suppressing deep down inside, the desperation he felt through out his entire body, the anger, the sadness, the million and one negative emotions that coursed like a horrid drug through his veins and cleared his throat, "I'm still standing…" His tone was less then confident.

"Well, that's a start I suppose… But really man, I mean…" Caleb prodded lightly, "How are YOU doing?"

John sighed and shook his head, "I just want this whole thing to be over… It's like a nightmare that I can't wake up from…"

The younger of the two men made his way toward the couch, "You haven't told him the real reason you are here have you?"

"He wouldn't have agreed to it…"

"Your going to have to tell him."

John nodded, "I know." There was a long pause before he spoke again, "I would do anything to give him back his life, I can't stand seeing him like this anymore… He's fighting so hard, and he's failing, failure is not an option for Dean."

"This was a rough deal."

"If, this doesn't work-"

"He's the best in his field John."

"I know that, but if- I can't bare to think of what it's going to do to him."

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Caleb questioned seeing the pain and the doubt in John's eyes as he spoke.

"What choice do I have? I can't just sit by and watch him continue to deteriorate, you saw what he's become Caleb, it's like… He's not even my son anymore."

"You still have to get him to agree to go."

"He'll go…" John's voice was determined and strong a quick change from the mellow and defeated tone he had only seconds before been speaking in, "I'll make him go…"

"Well, the appointment is tomorrow night, so you still have over a day to talk to him about it, Dr. Siere is quite confident that he can help, he's healed many people worse off…."

- Dean's blood ran cold, turning to ice in his veins as they made their way back into the front room just in time to hear the last statement pour from Caleb's lips. His jaw setting, his heart racing, anger surging through his entire body even the parts he could no longer feel…

He had been lied to, his father had lied to him.

Sam stood directly behind his brother the same shock and disbelief written across his own face at what he had just heard, "Dean…" He whispered reaching out to re-grasp the handle of his brothers chair but falling short as Dean shot into the living room eyes red with fury.

"A Doctor?!?" He spat out venomously

John and Caleb's conversation immediately halted at the words of anger coming from behind them, both men turning to see Dean glaring at them.

"Dean I-"

"So there's no hunt then? You drug me out here to this shit splat town to see some doctor?!?" He wanted to yell, to scream, his hands were shaking he was so mad.

"Dean please."

"You lied to me?"

"This isn't just some doctor Dean, Doctor Sieree specializes in the healing process, he's a… healer."

"Oh yeah, because those always work out good." The chair bound man scoffed closing his eyes tightly before opening them again and swallowing hard Sam still standing in the doorframe watching silently as the whole thing unfolded. "Do you remember the last healer I visited? Because I sure as hell do!"

"He's not that kind of healer Dean…"

"Oh really? Then enlighten me here pop. What kind of healer is he exactly???"

"He's a- Well, a witch doctor…"

Dean's hands balled into fist his teeth clanking together and gritting so loud Sam swore he could hear them from where he stood.

"Please Dean, hear your father out." Caleb's voice was small even as he attempted to sound reassuring.

A stabbing pain found it's way into Dean's chest the world in front of him blurring and spinning as through he were only moments from unconsciousness.

How could he do this? How could his own father lie to him, he knew how Dean felt about these sort of things, he knew what this whole situation was doing to him, even if he had not come right out and said it… He knew…And yet he proceeded to push.

Blinded by anger, mind racing Dean spun his chair toward the front door his adam's apple bobbing as he fought for breath after breath, "I-I have to get out of here…"

"Son please…"

"Dean-" Sam rushed forward but was to slow.

His mind was so clouded with his own feelings, so overwhelmed, Dean had completely forgotten about the 5 deep wooden steps from the porch to his freedom and before he could stop it… before he could realize what was happening, the already distraught and angered man found himself smacking down the steps, falling down each one until he was finally met with the not so comforting grass below, smacking into him like a ton of bricks and robbing him of all the air in his lungs.

Tears formed but did not fall as he willed himself to pass out the weight of his confining chair baring down on top of him like a burden to heavy to carry.

Sam's face contorted in horror as he watched his brother chair and all fly down the steps one after another before halting in a motionless heap at the bottom…

"Dean…." He raced down the steps his father and Caleb on his heals. "Oh god Dean…" He felt his heart fall to his feet as he stopped at the bottom and knelt down next to the mangled mess consiting of his brother and pieces of metal, "Dean can you hear me?"

"Damn-it." Was the only shaky response he received which was at least enough to signify that his brother was still alive.

"Alright…" Sam rose back to his feet and looked toward his father for help trying to keep the worry from his voice, "Let's get him up…" John remained silent as he and Caleb went to one side Sam on the other and the three men lifted the chair so that it was right side up once more.

It was only then that they realized that the seat belt had busted and therefore Dean was still face first in the grass.

Immediately John knelt down to lift his conscious yet silent son, to cradle him, and protect him. "Dean…"

"Don't touch me." Even through his shaking tone the venom of his words was still present and still stung like a bee stinger through John's heart.

"I'll handle this." Sam whispered trying to ignore the pain in his father's eyes.

John nodded backing away as Sam carefully knelt down and scooped dean up just as he had before quite a few times to move him for bed to chair or chair to bed…

This time though, this time was different, painful for both men. One hand behind his back and one hand under his knees Sam fought to keep his hands from shaking pressing Dean aganst himself to brace them both.

"You'll have to take him back inside…." Caleb whispered before swallowing the lump in his throat, "The wheels busted up, there's no way it'll hold him."

"Can you fix it?" Sam asked noticing the look of pain on his brother's face worsen.

"Yeah, I got some tools, shouldn't take more then a few hours…"

Sam nodded and moved past Caleb and his father making his way slowly up the stairs and into the house, "Couch or bed?"

"Bed." Dean mumbled.

Another nod was all that Sam could muster, as they made there way back to the guest room.

Sam laid Dean on the bed and took a seat next to him, studying him not only for external wounds from his fall, but for internal wounds as well. "You alright?"

"Peachy." The older brother scoffed.

"Dean…"

"I'm fine Sam, stop looking at me like that will you?"

"I'm not looking at you like anything…"

"Yes you are, your looking at me like I'm some broken glass window in need of your repair…."

Sam tore his eyes from his brother and popped his neck, it was time to be firm, time to make him listen, time to stand up to him, something that Sam had never been good at doing. "Dean listen…"

"Get out."

"Not until you hear what I have to say."

Dean rolled his eyes and grunted, "I don't want to hear it right now Sammy… Please just get out."

"Well that's to bad now isn't it? I'm not leaving until You Hear me out."

"Sam." Dean's voice was more of a growl now.

Sam looked back to his brother, "Maybe you should give this a try…"

"WHAT?!?!"

"It can't hurt to try..."

"C'mon Sam, don't tell me your taking his side in all this."

"I'm not taking anyone's side man, I'm sideless.. But seriously what if this guy can help you?"

"And what if he can't."

"But what if he can?"

"Sam." Dean sat up and rested against the headboard, "I know that you feel guilty about this alright, you think it is your fault and you want it all to go away to ease your own mind at night…" Dean frowned at the look of pain now peering back at him, "But come on man a witch doctor? I just… I don't think I can handle another disappointment like the last one…."

"we came all this way…"

"Please…" Dean closed his eyes and when he opened them there were tears, real tangible tears rimming over onto his cheeks, "Sammy…"

Sam reached over and placed a hand on his brother's forearm the closest the two of them would ever come to comforting eachother when both of them were in a coherent state. "Just this last time Dean… Please? If this doesn't work…. If he can't help you, I promise no more doctors. I won't even make you PT anymore if you don't want to…"

Dean wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, he hated that Sam had those big brown puppy dog eyes that were definitely his kryptonite, he hated that pleading tone his little brother used to get him to agree to almost anything, and he hated not being able to protect him anymore…. "That's pretty risky there little brother, you sure you want to make that deal?"

"What can I say? I have faith man…"

"Well… I just hope your faith is enough to pull the both of us through this…" He sighed reluctantly.

Sam's expression turned hopeful, his eyes growing in size as his whole face lit up almost instantly, "So you'll do it??"

Dean grunt, "Yes Sam. I'll do it...bitch."

"Jerk." Sam chuckled.

"Besides I really don't want another scene like today's it's bringing down my cool stealth quota."

"Yeah… right…" Sam's grin grew "Like you were ever cool before…"

Dean's face filled with mock surprise. "Ow Sammy, that hurts,"

"I'll bet, now try to get some rest will you, I'm gonna go tell dad the good news and see if I can help them with the wheel…"

"Don't touch my wheels man, I know you and tools…"

"HEY!" Sam grunted, "The bars held up!"

"Lucky shot."

Dean closed his eyes sliding himself back into the bed, he made up his mind then and there, he was going to do this, not for himself but for Sam. Maybe a little for his lying father as well, but mostly for Sam and therefore he would go into it expecting nothing…

He would give it as much of his all as he had left, but he was not going to raise his hopes up again to have them come crashing down, he was not going to excite himself over the slim chance that this time might be different then the last… He was not that naive.

Alright there you have it, all nine pages of it. I thank you so much for your last reviews you know that they push me to keep going, I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much as the last. Let me have it, the good the bad and the indifferent I want to know… and I know I said no Supernatural stuff, but to me a witch Doctor is something that people actually believe in so I felt it safe to use him, although we may end up with a touch of SN in here.