chapter 34

Tony jumped at the sound of the footsteps and frantically looked around for something he could use as a weapon. When he didn't find anything useful he cursed and stood in front of Sam and Dean. If Alanya and Lothos were going to try to get at them they'd have to go through him first. He'd done made up his mind, that they wouldn't get near either one of them without a fight.

He braced when the door open and almost passed out with relief when he saw who it was, but then he stared in shock at their condition.

"My God," said Tony running over to his partner. "What the hell happened?" He looked up at Jack who John was still holding on his shoulder, but then saw the look on John's face when he saw his boys.

Slowly he lowered Jack down and turned on Tony. He recognized the look all to well. It was more than just anger. It was pure unadulterated rage and it was directed at him. Tony backed up shaking his head and raising his hands in front of him at the same time.

"Wait a minute John," he said nervously. "I did not do anything to them. I've been trying to protect them and watch out for them." John, barely able to supress the rage, glared at Tony.

"What happened?" he said in a dangerous voice.

"Sam is just asleep," said Tony. John looked at his youngest. "You're going to have to be careful with him when you wake him up."

"Why?" asked John.

"Because he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown." John just looked at Tony.

"He's so close to the edge it's not funny," continued Tony.

"What happened?" asked John again, getting angrier by the minute. His jaw was set and for the second time since Tony met John he was glad they were on the same side.

"Lothos hurt him John. Bad. Not just physically but mentally. He brainwashed him into believing that Dean wanted to hurt him. He was scared to death of Dean. Lothos convinced him that Dean thought he was evil and needed to die."

"And," said John waiting for Tony to continue.

"We finally got through to him but it made Lothos mad. He decided to kill Sam. He pulled a gun and pulled the trigger."

"What!" said John his voice beginning to rise.

"Dean jumped in front of Sam just as Lothos pulled the trigger and the bullet hit him instead of Sam." John shook his head and looked at his oldest. He looked so pale and lifeless.

"Dean's unconscious and has been for about 18 hours. I made Sam go to sleep because he'd not closed his eyes in 7 days. I checked Dean and the bullet went straight through, but now he has a fever and I can't get him to wake up. I've checked them both through the night to make sure they were ok," said Tony.

"You did," asked John looking at Tony. He looked exhausted and John softened toward him.

"Yeah," answered Tony. "I'm worried about them both."

"Thanks Tony," said John and walked over to Dean. He knealt down.

"Dean," he said and lowered the blanket. He saw the bullet wound and winced, getting angry all over again. He covered his oldest son back up. He placed his hand on his head. It was hot. John shook him but Dean didn't respond. Tony and Bryan saw the anger all over John. He was shaking from it. John got up and walked over to Sam.

"Careful John," said Tony. John looked back at Tony and nodded. He touched his youngest son.

"Sam," he said and Sam came up fighting. "NO!" he yelled and shoved John down and ran over to stand in front of Dean. John got back up quickly.

"Sam!" yelled John. "It's me! It's dad!" He held his hands up in front of him so Sam could see. "It's dad, Sam," said John again, a little softer. Sam focused and saw his dad. Relief flooded him and then sorrow and pain replaced it.

"Dad," he asked.

"It's me Sammy. You ok?" said John, but was afraid to touch him. When Sam began to shake though, John threw caution to the wind and ran over and grabbed his son. Sam immediately began to fight.

"No!" he yelled. "Let me go!" John pulled Sam to him and held on tight as he continued to fight. He bucked and yelled for what seemed like hours to John, but was really only minutes.

"Sam!" said John continuing to hold on to his son while he fought. Sam screamed in rage, hurt and anger. "LET ME GO!!!" he yelled. Tony started to come over but the look John gave him made him stop.

"Sam! Stop it! Sammy!" yelled John holding on. "It's me! I'm your dad. I'm going to touch you Sam rather you like it or not. I'm not going to let you go!" John continued to hold on and Sam continued to fight but was beginning to tire out. He calmed down a little, from exhaustion and John said, "Sammy, I love you son." Sam stopped struggling and fighting. He grabbed his dad and held on for dear life. He cried and clung to his father as all the hurt and anger, bubbled to the surface, and spilled over. Sam felt like he was 10 years old again. Safe in his dad's arms.

"Oh Sam," said John. Tears in his own eyes.

"Dean's been shot dad," he said when he was finally able to speak again.

"I know," said John, holding Sam out at arms link so he could look in his face.

"It's my fault. I was afraid of Dean. Why would I be afraid of him? He's never given me a reason to be scared of him, but Lothos did something to my head and then when I got better he came in to kill me, but Dean jumped in front of me and got shot. It was because of me. My God dad," said Sam and just went on and on and on. Finally John shook him.

"Sam!" he said. "Calm down."

"He's going to die!" yelled Sam.

"Ssshhh" said John hugging him again. Sam clung to his father again.

"I'm sorry dad," said Sam.

"For what?" asked John.

"For Dean getting shot. It's my fault," said Sam. John led Sam over and made him sit down.

"Listen to me. It is not you're fault Sam. Dean getting shot is not your fault. He's not going to die. I promise you that, but I want you to stop blaming yourself. Ok?" said John. Sam nodded.

"Now listen. We are going to talk about this more later, ok, but right now we have got to get out of here. We've got Alanya and Lothos trapped in the basement, but they'll get out soon and they'll come looking for us, so we have to go. I need you to stay with me Sam. Don't freak out on me ok." Sam nodded again.

"Let's go. He knealt down to get Dean, and threw him over his shoulder and looked at Bryan. He still had an uneasy feeling about John. John shook his head. Tony knealt down and helped Jack up. He had to lean on him. Sam came over and placed Jack's other arm around his shoulder and they all made there way out of the house hoping they would be able to get away before Alanya and Lothos got out of that room.