Aww here's the final Chapter. I hope you've enjoyed my fic. Thanks to all those who have read and especially to those who've reviewed. Enjoy!
Chapter 21: Showdown.
"Why did you discharge yourselves?" Sam snapped angrily, the following day. "The doctors said you needed continued monitoring."
"Because the damn doctors were gonna make me see the psychologist again. They thought I had tried to commit suicide."
"And they thought Dean was trying to take me with him, like I was some victim of domestic violence," Alex butted in. "I didn't fancy him being hauled up on charges of grievous bodily harm, and I sure as hell wasn't gonna sit back and let the demon come after Dean again right under our noses."
"Yeah but they said it was inadvisable to leave, especially you Alex. They said you were very lucky the knife wound didn't kill you."
"Look I'm fine. We're fine," Alex muttered, glancing at Dean. It's not exactly the first time this sort of thing has happened.
"Yeah, and we gave them a night to keep us under observation. You know I can't stand hospitals," Dean said.
Sam signed. "I just don't think it's a good idea, especially if the demon attacks and your not strong enough to defend yourselves."
"Look we're fine," Alex smiled, though a painful twinge told her otherwise, making her falter. "We just need to rest-"
"And kill this son of a bitch," Dean finished.
Sam signed, giving in despite his better judgement.
Dean smiled knowing his brother had backed down. "Right we've gotta get prepared for tonight."
The three spent the rest of the day getting ready for the night ahead. Dean took charge of cleaning and organising the weapons, Alex took charge of the food and Sam checked the room and surrounding area for possible hiding places the demon could use against them.
As the sun began to set, Dean, Alex and Sam took up their stations, switching on the television in the hope of distracting themselves from what was to come. They sat up all night, waiting, wondering, hoping it would soon be over. Finally at dawn, it happened. Alex was just dosing off, leaning against the wall, shotgun hanging limply in her hand as the demon appeared ready for the final kill.
The demon felt the cold hatred in the room, knowing its cover was blown. Reaching out, it felt for the fear that had been so carefully locked away beneath the cold facades. It reached for Alex first, bringing on a succession of nightmares that had almost ripped her apart the day before.
She could feel the demon prying deep into her thoughts, praying she could hold on to her sanity as her mind began to fog up and doubt began to creep into her mind. She felt the coldness of the demon within her that contrasted so sharply with the warmth of Sam and Dean who stood beside her. Feeling their warmth, she fought back, the demon feeling the sting of her determination.
Its anger rose as it moved on to Sam in violent frustration. It delved deep into his soul racking up all the images of Jess and her death that it could find. Sam faltered as waves of guilt swam over him, the fear of losing anyone else strangling him. Alex, beside him, squeezed his hand as she felt his willpower buckle. She wouldn't let anyone else die, not if she could help it.
Sam struggled hard as the demon used all its power of persuasion to accelerate the young man's heart rate.
Dean, also feeling his brother slipping, muttered, "Come on man; don't make me have to come in there and save your ass."
Sam felt his brother's words rather than heard them, the stubborn love he had for his brother, far outweighing the persuasive skills of the demon. Growling, he pushed hard against the demon's presence, desperately trying to fight back the painful images of Jess. Finally he yelled as he expelled it from his mind, slumping back wearily against the wall, breathing heavily.
The demon, livid by its lack of success attacked Dean's mind with such ferocity that Dean physically shook. His brain froze as the demon attacked him, his fears breaking free within him.
Alex faltered as she watched Dean's face contort and redden as the battle ragged savagely within him, wondering what images and fears the demon was using against him.
"Come on Dean," Sam whispered. "Are you my big brother or are you a big girl?" Sam grinned as Dean squeezed his hand painfully. "Kick ass," Sam smiled as his brother let out a low roar, the demon being forced back into its own body.
Grinning with triumph as perspiration trickled down his face, he pulled out the '45 that rested in his back pocket and opened fire. Alex, standing next to him, took aim with the shot gun, as Sam picked up another.
The demon confused by the total rebellion, raised its arms to its head, letting out a thundering roar as all its energy was sucked out of it, their fears ripping it apart from the inside out. The demon screeched as its physical body was destroyed, the force of the action, blowing Sam Alex and Dean off their feet as it disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Dean and Alex landed in a heap on top of one another at the other end of the room. Coughing and spluttering they looked at one another, eyebrows raised.
"That was … ehh unusual," Dean said, startled by what had happened.
"You're telling me!" Alex muttered in amazement, as she looked at the place where the demon had stood just moments before. "Did we really just do that?"
"Yup," Dean said.
Alex glanced down at him, looking mildly impressed.
Grinning up at her, he continued, "Are you gonna lie there all day?"
"Sorry," she said, flushing as she looked down at him beneath her, the warmth of his body pressed firmly against her own.
"S'okay," he smiled. His eyebrow furrowed as he reached up and touched her face. "You also promised me a sponge bath."
Alex laughed good-naturedly, as Dean's eyes widened.
"Jeez, you look like shit."
"Charming-" Alex began, as his hand grazed her cheek. Her mouth fell open as his words sank in. She stared down at him, her eyes wide, as the corners of her mouth twitched into a hesitant smile.
Dean also realising what he'd said, looked back at her in shock.
"Can you see?" she gasped, a grin replacing the timid smile.
Dean, blinking to make sure the demon wasn't screwing with him, reached up with his hands, touching her bruised face and thick curly hair in disbelief.
"Yes," he grinned excitedly, reaching up and hugging her ecstatically.
She laughed as she threw her arms round his neck. She'd never be happier to be told that she looked like shit than at this moment.
"Where's Sam," he continued, squinting round the dimly lit room, his eyes adjusting to the dawn light casting an eerie glow around them.
Both sat up looking round, finding Sam lying unconscious at the other end of the room. They turned back to one another. "You faced your fear," Alex grinned. "You believe you're always gonna be there to protect him."
"Looks like I did a bang up job," he muttered sarcastically, as they checked themselves over.
"Don't start," Alex warned. "He's alive, he'll be fine." She climbed off him and helped him up, her side groaning and buckling with pain.
Looking at each other awkwardly as they became lost in the silence that filled the room, they moved over to Sam as he started to come round.
"You okay?" Dean asked, as he helped his brother up, checking him over.
"Yeah," Sam grinned, his eyes slightly unfocused. "You?"
"Well I can see again," Dean replied, looking round in relief. "Whoa, this place looks so much better."
The three glanced around at the smashed up furniture, the pink walls and carpet covered in dust. They all laughed, the tension that had built up during the last forty eight hours vanishing in an instant.
"Damage costs are gonna be through the roof," Sam sighed, as he righted an upended chair.
"Well next time deal with your problems instead of bottling them up and having a crazy ass demon coming after you. Would be far cheaper and far less deadly," Alex grinned.
"Aww but where would the fun be in that?" Dean smiled mischievously.
"I guess you'll be crashing at mine for what's left of the night then," Alex said, ignoring Dean's sarcastic comment.
The pair grinned.
The trio finally crawled out of bed at noon later that day. After eating cereals around the table in a surreal silence, they started trying to repair some of the damage in Sam and Dean's room.
"The next time you call and wanna meet up, let it be for social reasons," Alex smirked, as she placed the lamp that had survived, back on the bedside table.
The pair laughed.
"So where you guys going next?"
"Dunno," said Sam. "Wherever we're needed I guess."
"How about you," Dean said, as he swept up the broken glass that was strewn across the carpet.
"Bob has moved back to the city. I think I'm gonna stay with him for a bit, if he'll have me."
As they finished tidying up as best they could and locked the room, Alex turned to Sam and Dean. "I guess this is goodbye again?" she said, hugging Sam. "You sorted out the damage costs with the manager?"
"Yeah," Dean smirked. "Robbed us blind."
"Stay in touch this time," she said, moving from Sam to Dean and hugging him tightly. "And stay out of trouble."
"When the hell have we ever done that?" he laughed into her shoulder, as he breathed in her fresh perfume.
Alex drew back swatting him playfully over the head. "I better go." She climbed into the Camaro, Dean closing the door behind her.
"Take care of yourself," he smiled.
"You too. Oh and tell your dad I said hi. If he needs any more help, just get him to give me a call," she grinned mischievously. Giving them one last lingering look, she pulled her head back inside the car, turning the key in the ignition.
"Bye," Sam and Dean smiled, waving as they stepped back, watching as she pulled out onto the main road and disappeared from sight.
Sam looked back at Dean and smiled.
"What?" Dean started innocently.
"Nothing," Sam laughed, making Dean flush. "Let's get out of here."
As the pair turned away, walking over to the Impala, Dean's eyes widened in horror "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BABY!"
"I can explain!" Sam said, pleadingly.