(For those who celebrate) Hope you have all had a great Christmas! Reviews have been great guys! Wrapping this story up so not many chapters to go now….

Thanks to my wonderful and encouraging Beta, Michelle! Thanks to everyone for being patient with me, anyway so here the next chapter, hope you enjoy!

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Previously

Celia shook her head, causing Dean to pull a frustrated expression. He watched her lick her lips and draw a breath.

"Evelyn…some…thing…wro..wrong!" Celia shouted.

Dean looked down at Sam who was still curled into the fetal position, with his hand holding Dean's.

"It will be okay Sammy. Celia, listen I need you to stay here with Sam. Do you think you can do that?" He didn't wait for a reply, not wanting to hear any answer other than yes.

He blew out a long breath and slid his hand out of Sam's grip, instantly causing his younger brother to groan.

"It's okay Sammy, I'm coming back. You stay with Celia for a bit okay?" Dean placed Sam's hot, clammy hand into Celia's and squeezed their palms together tightly.

"I'm going to find Evelyn." He stood up quickly, not wanting to have a change of heart.

It was difficult to leave them alone, knowing their only protection would be that offered by Evelyn. Dean looked back one last time and left the room.

"I have to make this quick." He told himself...

Chapter 23

The young hunter clasped his hand gun firmly as he scanned the surrounding area. Upon reaching the stairway, he drew the weapon closer and began the ascent to the top floor. His senses were sharp and picked up every creek that echoed though the silent house.

Outside however, was another story. The storm that had been brewing had arrived, it made its presence known by attacking the house with everything it had, but the house stood firm, only responding by vibrating with groans and ripples that spread throughout its foundations.

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Evelyn held her breath and braced herself where she stood.

"I'm sorry." She whispered and picked up the letters, placing them both in her pocket.

She walked toward the table, her eyes focussing on the blade that she held in her hand. Evelyn was weak, her body trembled and she struggled to stay up right, grabbing the table edges for support. She slid her hand into her pockets and pulled out the two pieces of paper, placing them both on top of the wooden surface.

Another tear escaped and ran down her cheek, but she promptly wiped it away and grasped the knife firmly in her hand.

"Evelyn!" The voice that came was strong and it filled the room.

Evelyn quivered, letting out a gasp. She stood, frozen, blade at the ready, staring at the young man before her.

"Evelyn? What are doing?" Dean lowered his weapon and slowly walked toward her, afraid to make any sudden movements.

He was not threatened by Evelyn, but he was worried about the position of the blade and the drawn expression on the older woman's face. He could see Evelyn's distress and felt her despair. She was motionless and continued to stare at Dean. She couldn't move, not even when Dean moved to stand next to her. She felt the pull on her arm, followed by a firm hold that loosened her grip on the blade.

The sound of the blade falling to ground broke her from the trance but not from the pain. She felt the tears seeping from her eyes and her sobs were muffled as she sagged against the hunter's chest, his embrace bringing only temporary relief from the terrible reality that they were yet to face.

"I'm sorry." She replied.

"Shh… I know. We have to end this." Dean spoke softly with the most encouraging voice he could muster.

"The things I have done Dean…"

"We'll deal with that later." Dean was confused. He had no idea what she was talking about, but knew whatever it was was affecting her greatly.

After a few more seconds, Evelyn pulled away from the offered comfort and looked up at the hunter, her face scrunched, her expression bemused.

"What are you doing here?... Where are Sam and Celia?.."

"They're fine, but they both need your help." Dean pleaded as he observed the older woman's face.

Her emotions and thoughts were conveyed in her eyes and the deep lines creasing her forehead.

"They need our help!" Dean stressed.

"Come on, we'd better get back to them. Let's finish this once and for all, Evelyn!"

With that the hunter started collecting the items on the table and placing them into a laundry basket he found on the floor.

"What do we need?" Dean continued to collect what he could.

Evelyn watched him while she registered what she had been asked. She watched as the two letters on the table were picked up.

"No…" Evelyn reached out as the letters were both placed into the basket.

"No, I have to do this, Dean. No one else should get hurt!" Evelyn's last words were whispered, but Dean had heard them clear enough.

"Evelyn, I don't know what it is that you have to do, but I don't like the way you're saying it. It just sounds like your going to do something….something rash."

"There's no other way." Evelyn's reply was lacking spirit.

"No, Evelyn!" Dean stopped what he was doing and gripped the woman's shoulders.

"There is another way. I know things look bad, but there has to be. I'm not going to lose Sam or Celia and I know you don't want anything to happen to them either." He made sure he kept eye contact with her as he spoke.

"Evelyn, I trust you. I know Celia trusts you, even Sammy has faith in you! Please! We have to find a way, and soon!" Dean watched and waited for a response. He was desperate and wanted to keep Evelyn going knowing that she was close to breaking down completely.

She nodded as a tear spilled from her eye and returned Dean's plea with a firm grip on his hand.

"Okay." Her voice was shaky but did not go unheard. It was enough for Dean. He rubbed her shoulder and picked up the basket.

"Okay, let's get what we need while we figure out what to do next."

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"Sammy. Hush, it's okay. Dean's coming soon." Celia wanted to comfort the young man, but she didn't know how.

"Please Sam, hang in there, okay?" She grasped his hand, trying to keep herself from crying. It was obvious that man before her was in agony.

Celia rubbed his back in circular motions and hummed softy. The humming was something that she did when she was stressed, frightened and needed comfort and right now, it was the only thing she had enough strength to offer the young man before her.

He cried out as another wave of pain gripped his body, causing him to curl in on himself even more.

"Dean?" Sam whispered softly.

Celia continued to hum and console the younger hunter. She stiffened when she heard foot steps drawing closer.

'Please, let that be Dean.' She thought as she drew Sam closer and gazed toward the door.

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Dean saw the relief in Celia's eyes when he walked into the room, followed closely by Evelyn, who immediately went over to the bed to stand by Celia's side. She drew the other woman into an embrace. Dean went to his younger brother and placed his hand over Sam's warm palm.

"Hey Sammy, it's okay, I'm here now." Sam responded with a tear that made its way to the pillow.

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Evelyn studied the two men on the bed, one laying, while the other sat next to him and offered what comfort he could provide. Celia sat on the other side of Sam and Evelyn stood next to her. The older woman moved around to the other side of the bed and reached past Dean to check on Sam who groaned with every touch made to his body that radiated of heat.

"Dean..." Evelyn motioned for Dean to move away from the two and follow her toward the door and a little more privacy.

"You're not going to like this Dean, but I think there is a way to help Sam and get rid of the Loa." Evelyn seemed to have regained some control as she spoke. She knew that Sam was running out of time and he needed help as quickly as possible.

"Okay, why don't you tell me what the 'not liking' bit is, because so far this sounds damn good to me." Dean glanced over at Sam before looking Evelyn in the eye, awaiting her response.

She shook her head. "It's not the fact that we're getting rid of the Loa, but it's how we have to do it that you're not going to like." She paused and moved further away bringing him closer to her as she spoke.

"What I'm about to suggest will heal Sam's body, it will weaken the Loa, allowing us to perform the exorcism."

Dean looked at her with a confused expression. "Exorcism? Who are we going to exorcise?"

"That's the bad part Dean. We get the Loa to possess Sam before we can help him any further." Evelyn spoke.

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Well, I hope you're still following and enjoying the story.

Thanks for reading! You know the drill, please review!

Oh, and have a great New Year!!