This is the final chapter. I've left it open for a possible sequel. Thanks for all the reviews and kind words.

Chapter 17

Bobby sat silently near the unconscious brothers, trying to comprehend what had just transpired. He looked around the large room and realized that only the three of them remained. The orbs were gone. A low moan brought his attention fully back to the boys.

"Sam?" Bobby touched Sam's shoulder as the youngest began to stir. "Sam, are you with me?"

Sam groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked several times, as if attempting to focus. Bobby didn't think he'd ever seen Sam so pale and drawn. He brought his hand up to the young man's face, patting it gently.

"Sam? Talk to me, son."

"Bobby?" Suddenly Sam's eyes went wide and he attempted to raise his head. "Dean! Where's Dean?"

"It's okay. Your brother's right here." Bobby put his hand on Sam's, which still lay on Dean's chest. Sam looked over at his brother; his fear evident as he took in the motionless figure beside him.

"It didn't work!" Sam's voice broke as he brought his eyes back to Bobby. The older hunter smiled, trying to reassure Sam.

"It worked, kiddo. Dean's alive, he's breathing, thanks to you."

Sam looked only slightly relieved as his eyes focused back on his brother. He propped himself up on his elbows and frowned. "What's wrong with him? He- he's not moving. Has he been awake at all, Bobby?"

"No, not yet. But he's been through a lot. Give it time. You've been through a lot yourself. You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just tired that's all." Exhausted really. Sam didn't take his eyes off his brother. "Bobby, what if that poison is still in his body? We have no way of treating it. We can't very well take him to the hospital; too many questions, and any of the answers would sound crazy."

"Let's give him some time. You've both been out for about three hours. Sam, your brother died. His body needs time to renew itself."

Sam took a deep, shuddering breath as Bobby's words hit him. Dean had died. His brother had cheated death, again. "God, Bobby, this was just too damn close this time. He drank that damned cursed scotch, let himself be a guinea pig. It's like he has a death wish or something. When he's healed, we're going to have a long talk about his self-destructive behavior."

"I don't think Dean does these things because he's reckless. He does them to protect you."

Sam sat up straight, angry eyes directed at the older man. "Protect me? How in the hell is getting himself killed protecting me? Doesn't he know that it would kill me if anything happened to him?"

"He does."

Sam and Bobby both looked startled as a small, scratchy voice replied to Sam's question. They looked towards the source, their relief palpable as they saw Dean struggling to open his eyes.

"Dean!" Sam's was overcome with emotion, unable to say anything more. He moved closer to his brother, hovering as he watched Dean come around. His moist eyes met Bobby's as he shared a look of joy with the hunter.

"Sam? You okay?" Dean coughed as he tried to speak. Sam frowned and shook his head in disbelief.

"What? I'm fine Dean."

"You look like shit." Dean had closed his eyes again and cleared his throat.

Sam laughed and shook his head again. "Thanks bro' but you should really see yourself in a mirror."

"That handsome, huh?" Dean attempted a crooked smile, but even that seemed to take an enormous effort for him.

Bobby held up a hand and interjected. "Okay you two, you're both a couple of beauties. Now, I would really like to get out of this creepy castle. Do you think you're gonna be able to make it out to the Impala?"

Sam looked at Dean with concern. "He's too weak, Bobby. He can't even lift his head yet."

The older hunter nodded, realizing he was going to have to carry at least one, possibly both Winchesters to the car.

"Listen Sam, we need to get out of here. It's nearly noon. The cops or a visitor could come in here and find all that carnage. I don't want to have to explain this. Especially since I can't explain it."

Sam nodded and began to stand up with Bobby's help. He swayed and nearly went down, dizzy from the sudden movement. Bobby tightened his grip until Sam was standing strong again.

"I'm okay now, Bobby. Get Dean and let's get out of here."

Carefully hoisting Dean over his shoulder, Bobby followed Sam as the trio exited through the large door, taking them through the main wine cellar. To their surprise, not one barrel remained. The room was as empty as the one they had just exited.

"Sam, this is the room where they had the cursed whiskey isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm sure of it. How could it just have disappeared? Bobby, there were hundreds of barrels in here."

"I don't know, and we're not sticking around to investigate. But if I had to guess, I'd say the sangoma must have destroyed them along with the Zulu witch."

Sam nodded numbly and opened the large door to the stairway leading up to the lobby. Dean groaned as they made their way up the rickety, narrow staircase, Bobby struggling to balance his weight, jarring his burden with each step upward. "Hang on, Dean. Will be out of here soon."

Sam held the door open at the top of the stairs and they spilled out into the lobby, which was now well lit with the midday sun streaming through the large windows, revealing a pristine room. Sam turned and looked at Bobby, his own shocked expression mirrored on the hunter's face.

"Bobby! There's no sign that a murder ever took place here. No blood, nothing."

"Jeezus, Sam, let's just get the hell out of here."

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Stopping at a rundown motel on the outskirts of Holyoke, Bobby left the boys to get a room, while Sam waited in the backseat of the Impala with his brother. Dean had been in and out of consciousness as they made their escape from the bed and breakfast. Now, he weakly sat up, with Sam's support.

Dean cleared his throat and spoke, not looking at his brother. "It's true you know."

Puzzled, Sam smirked slightly. "What's true, Dean?"

"I do know how it would effect you if ― if I, well if I didn't make it. I know that because I know how I would feel if anything happened to you. I'm sorry, Sam."

Sam raised his eyebrows and looked at his brother. This sudden caring and sharing moment caught him by surprise.

"Okay, where is my brother and what have you done with him?"

Dean shrugged one shoulder slightly and smiled crookedly. "Look Sam, this is the only apology you're going to get from me. I understand you were pissed. I get it. But I'm not going to stop protecting you. You know that, right?"

Sam let out a breath. He did know, and it was both comforting and frightening. He nodded. "Yeah, Dean. I do know that. I know that because I'm not going to stop protecting you, either. So it looks like we're stuck with each other."

Dean closed his eyes and smiled. "I'm proud of you, Sammy. You took those freaky ass abilities of yours and you made them work for you. You won a major battle today. The demon isn't in control, you are."

Sam looked at Dean, surprised. He hadn't realized it, but his brother was right. His thoughts had been solely on saving Dean and making sure he was going to be okay. For the first time since he had discovered his "gifts" he felt hope.

"Huh. This job turned out to be important after all. Even if it left more questions than answers."

"Well geek boy, that's what research is for." Dean smiled. "Better brush up on your Zulu so we don't lose sleep over this one."

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Inside the Castle Freeman Inn, Dr. Lohiri Roshi stood in the lobby and smiled. He had won the battle today. Sam Winchester is a strong ally. I may call upon him again someday to help. With his magic, he can help me defeat the curse on my family. Perhaps I can return the favor one day. A bright light engulfed the man, dissolving into an orb and slowly fading from view.