Two Hunters and a Baby.

Disclaimer: Sigh no matter how hard I try I just don't own anything to do with Supernatural or the characters of the show. Although anything that comes from my fevered imagination is ... kind of ... that's my excuse anyway!

Author's note: Sorry it has taken longer than anticipated to write this update and post it but I have been working on final assessments. But! On the good side I finished my novel assessment this morning and dropped it in, so except for one more Desktop Publishing class next Monday I am a free woman!! WOOHOO!!! Well until next year but for now I have more time to devote to writing what I want ... You have been warned!!

CHAPTER 14

'Sorry don't need any vacuum's today,' Dean smirked deliberately putting himself between his family and the intruder, 'thought that you bought the big package anyway.'

'Master gave me a refill,' Don grinned as he sauntered into the room, 'aw poor Sammy got a sore head has he?'

'What do you want Don?' Dean asked again physically blocking Don's way.

'Well it's like this; the Master wants the brat back. She's his not yours and he wants me to fetch her back.'

'No one takes my daughter anywhere,' Dean growled, 'Az if you can hear me now would be a good time to come and help.' 'So sorry you made a wasted trip from the bowels of hell or wherever you came from. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.'

'Funny boy Dean, maybe we should've taken you instead of Sammy over there. Might have had more fun with you.'

'Gee ya know I can see your mouth moving but damned if I can hear what you're saying.'

'Dean?' Sam squinted up at his brother's back and tried to look past him, 'what's going on?'

'Nothing Sammy, just an annoying salesman who won't take no for an answer,' Dean replied without turning around.

Sam sat up and peered owlishly around Dean to see don standing there, paling Sam shook his head trying to clear his sight but when he looked again Don still stood there grinning maniacally. Pulling himself up to his full height Sam went to stand by the cot effectively blocking Don's view of the baby, 'what are you doing here?' Sam spat out, 'can't you just stay dead?'

'Oh Sammy you have backbone after all,' Don pretended to act shocked, 'but you see I brought back up to join in our little reunion party.' Four fire demons appeared behind the demon, floating in the air they filled the small room with the stench of ash and sulphur.

'Gee you haven't changed have you Don, still having to hide behind someone else so you don't get hurt,' Sam taunted him, 'now you have fire demons to do your dirty work ... what? Aren't Dean and I pushovers? Easy to kill? Wimps? Correct me if I have left anything out Don, I remember each and ever taunt when you were torturing me. Of course I didn't have any choice but to hang there and accept the abuse, coz you can't fight anyone who isn't tied down defenceless.'

'Sam ... you alright dude?' Dean asked his voice registering his shock at Sam's tirade, 'I can handle this if you like.'

'No Dean, this is my fight,' Sam said his voice vibrating with pent up anger, 'what's wrong Don? Don't you think you could beat me?'

'Wouldn't be fair Sammy boy after all you're dying and all.'

'Well that's where you're wrong Don,' Sam said smiling coldly, 'you see I'm getting better, you didn't hit me hard enough to kill me.'

Dean watched the exchange in silence, he hadn't seen Sam so fired up for a long time, he looked strong and healthy, but Dean recognised the signs, it was all an act. The slight tremor in Sam's legs belied the effort it was for him to stand in one position for so long, the sheen of sweat covering him, another give away but the biggest hint the slightly green tinge to Sam's face, he looked like he was ready to throw up.

As the realisation hit him to what Sam had in mind, he barely registered the fact that Sam was launching himself at Don, a primal growl reverberating from deep within him. The first punch, well aimed directly at Don's chin sent the demon flying backwards arms flailing in the air trying to correct his fall.

The fire demons screeched and started to throw fire balls at Sam, Dean broke out of his momentary stupor rolled across the bed and grabbed the rifle loaded with rock salt. Aiming true he fired and hit two of the winged creatures in quick succession, he risked a glance over at Sam who still took his revenge out on Don and then reloaded and went to shoot at the other demons.

A fire ball blazing blue and red came hurtling towards Dean glancing off his shoulder, eliciting a hiss from him as the fire scorched his skin burning deep into the muscle.

Awkwardly he took aim again using the bed to rest his good arm on and shot another fire demon, it dissipated into tiny glowing embers as soon as the salt hit it, leaving the last one hovering above them. It stared at Dean with a vicious gleam in its eyes, and then it opened its snout and sent a large ball of flames towards the gunman. He dove to his right landing heavily on his burnt shoulder but managed to dodge the burning ball; instead, it hit the bed and flared into a raging fire. Choking on the smoke Dean got up and staggered to the cot, Isabelle laid there sucking on her thumb her eyes wide, but she stayed silent, instinctively trusting her daddy and uncle to protect her.

Gathering the baby up in his arms Dean cast a quick glance over to Sam and then ran for the door, he could hear the sound of fire engine sirens coming closer and the sound of people ahead of him.

Blinking furiously to clear his watering eyes Sam saw the lady who owned the motel and pushed Isabelle into her arms, 'Sam's still in there,' he managed to get out between coughs, 'look after her for me please.'

'Of course Honey, but you can't ...' Her words faded away as she watched Dean make a berserker rush back into the blazing room. Isabelle started to whimper and cry as the woman cradled her too tightly, she couldn't see or feel daddy or uncle Sam and it frightened her. 'Hush baby, they're gonna be alright,' she cooed, 'they'll be right out.'

Two soot covered figures staggered out of the burning building, the taller one leaning too heavily on the shorter one, they stumbled and crashed to the ground as they just managed to escape the fire.

Hands dragged them a safe distance before they were both checked for major burns, hands ripped at the remains of a T-shirt surrounding a burnt shoulder, checking the pulse and flashing a small light into his eyes.

Hands poked and prodded, he had no visible burns, but he bore injuries consistent with a beating, or some other sort of physical altercation. Hands placed an oxygen mask over his mouth, and then hands pushed needles into his arms, one taped down flooding his body with a cold fluid.

A baby screamed inconsolably close by, but the hands kept her away, he tried to sit up and reach for his baby but only one arm moved, his other bound tightly against his body by the hands. He pushed the oxygen mask from his face and turned to stare down at the other one lying so still next to him, 'help Sam,' he wheezed, 'he – he suffered cerebral contusion – recently – he's not moving.'

'Take it easy son, we'll look after him, but you need to stay still your shoulder...'

'Where's Issy?'

'Who's Issy?'

'My daughter, where is she?' Dean demanded pushing the paramedic out of his way he tried to stand up, yanking the IV cannula out of his arm in the process. 'Issy?'

'She's right here Dean.' A woman pressed the baby into his arms, balancing her with his good arm Dean gave Isabelle a cursory visual going over to make sure she hadn't been burnt before relaxing slightly.

Isabelle stopped crying as soon as she felt her daddy's touch and snuggled into his shoulder, her little body shuddering with fading hiccups as she calmed down again.

Sam coughed and started to stir, moaning into the oxygen mask he writhed in pain as he fought to regain consciousness.

The ambulance raced across town with Sam still trying to free himself from the tight grip of the invisible terrors holding him captive in a realm no one else can see.

Dean relented to the ambulance ride as long as he could keep Isabelle in his arms, refusing to relinquish her when the doctor's wanted to examine both of them.

'Keep her on the bed with me Doc,' he said finally relenting, 'someone tried to take from me tonight I am not letting her out of my sight.'

'Someone tried to kidnap your baby?'

'Yeah, this dude broke into the motel room and tried to take Isabelle, that's how my brother got so hurt, I – I dunno how the fire started though,' Dean blinked back his tears and stared at the doctor, 'how's Sam doing?'

'He's still in surgery, as soon as I know I will let you know ... now let's see to this little princess,' the older man smiled down at the distraught young father and his baby. She definitely had his eyes and smile, 'she certainly is a little cutie.'

'Yeah and doesn't she know it.' Dean managed a lopsided grin he liked this doctor and Isabelle didn't seem to mind him either, that was good enough in Dean's book knowing his daughter's concerting taste when it comes to strangers.

Doctor Peter Goodfellow, now in his thirtieth year as an emergency doctor stood with the grace and confidence of a man comfortable with who he is. His sandy hair finally started to show a few silver streaks, not grey but silver and his pale grey eyes shone with humour. A wide trusting face and slightly paunchy body made him look like the epitome of a country doctor and a gentleman.

'My grandbaby Gracie is about her age, she lives with me and her Mama,' he said as he finished examining Isabelle and turned his attention to Dean, 'well young man aside from a little smoke inhalation your baby is in perfect health and beauty. You on the other hand have a third degree burn on your shoulder and a lung full of smoke.'

'When can we get out of here Doc?'

'Hmm something tells me that you are not going to stay here no matter what I tell you,' Peter grinned, 'stay here and let the oxygen do its work, I'll be back soon and if you keep improving then well I'll sign the release forms.'

'Thanks doc, umm I hate to ask but all of Issy's stuff was in the motel room and it's time for her bottle.'

'I'll get a nurse to fetch one from the maternity ward,' Peter smiled, 'and some fresh nappies as well.'

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'I do not accept failure!' The Master seethed, 'explain to me again how two humans, one seriously dying defeat you and four of my fire demons?'

'The one Sam, he was not as ill as we originally thought, he fought well,' the creature who had inhabited Don's body snivelled, grovelling in front of its Master, 'the body you gave me was not strong enough to survive the fire, your fire demons started.'

'That is your excuse?'

'Master the Winchester brothers are stronger than anyone realises, especially the younger one, you can taste his power inside him.'

'I am aware of his psychic abilities but that does not excuse your pathetic performance.'

'Please Master let me make it up to you, I will deliver not only the baby but also the youngest Winchester for you to taste.'

TBC