Chapter 12

Here

This time the bullet reached its desired target sure and fast and without faltering. As the cold silver pierced the Wraith's skull Dean felt his world freeze and he was surrounded by the most unearthly silence as the claw released it's grip on his hair allowing him to fall heavily and painfully on to the solid ground beneath him, causing dust and grass particles and pollen to fly into the air around him surrounding him in a soft blanket of mist, protecting him from the world and all the pain that it held.

Staring up at the blue sky dotted with clouds he felt his soul lift and had his spirit left his body in that most peaceful of moments he knew would have been happy. He let out a slow breath and felt a tear trickle down the side of his face and on to the grass which cushioned his battered body and for the first time in ages he felt at one with himself and the world around him and he felt the most uncontrollable urge to close his eyes and allow the welcoming ground to swallow him whole, drawing him far and away and granting him the sleep and rest that he needed, that he wanted so much.

But his peace was soon broken and his mind snapped cruelly back into hard, cold reality as the Wraith staggered back, the silver bullet lodged firmly in its brain and released the most unearthly scream, shattering the silence, as its skin changed from the almost invisible camouflage to the colour of stone.

And Dean screamed with it.

As his connection with the wraith was brutally severed, shock waves of white heat coursed through his veins and he felt as if every nerve was on fire, his body arching and finger nails digging involuntarily into the hard ground.

The scream lasted the same amount of time it took for Sam to arrive at his side, Bobby not too far behind and they were just in time to see the creature crumble into dust at Dean's feet which now kicked and struggled with the agony he felt within him.

The creature was dead but the pain continued drawing broken and wrenching gasps from the young man as Sam took hold of his battered face, calling his name, terrified and shocked not understanding why his brother was now screaming in agony.

Looking over Dean's wounds, he established they were of concern but not enough to cause this much pain and he looked to Bobby for help. Dean's arms continued to flail and smack into the ground, his attempts to claw at the dirt drew blood, so Bobby grabbed his arms and pinned them palms facing upwards, to the floor by his side.

Dean screamed again, through clenched teeth, so loud his throat burned, his fingers now digging into his own flesh, his face screwing up and his eyes squeezed shut releasing tears of a pain that neither he nor Sam had ever witnessed.

Sam stroked his brother's hair and face frantically, attempting to wipe away the sweat and the blood and the fear but the pain continued.

Swallowing hard he looked up panic stricken at the oldest hunter, his eyes pleading for answers and release from his brother's torment.

"Bobby what the hell's wrong with him?!"

Bobby shook his head unable to speak, moving his hands from Dean's arms and into his palms allowing Dean to claw at his hands rather than his own and trying not to grimace at the pain it caused him.

Sam turned back to his brother whose eyes were now wide with terror searching for Sam who was trying so hard to get him to focus on his voice.

"Dean, I'm here man, come on, look at me, I'm right here."

Sam's breathing was heavy and his voice weak as he tried to remain strong and reassuring but all the while fighting back his own fear and willing the tears in his eyes to disappear, for Dean, for his brother who needed him now more than ever.

Then their eyes locked and Sam's heart nearly broke as he saw the agony and pleading in his big brother's eyes.

"Sammy?"

His voice was so raw and weak and his face tensed and twitched as he fought with another wave of pain which soon forced out another gut wrenching scream. Sam again brushed back the short, sweat drenched strands of hair off his brother's forehead trying to soothe away the pain and the fear and remind Dean that he wasn't going anywhere. Gasping painfully, he again looked desperately to his younger brother for answers.

"Sam - what's... happening...?"

It was such an effort to speak, his throat was raw and every movement however slight, hurt like hell sending shooting pains through his chest and limbs.

Sam's heart pounded as the terror overwhelmed him and he fought to keep his voice light, although his reassurances were betrayed by the unshed tears and the odd break which he just couldn't stop.

"It's ok, man you're gonna be fine, you're gonna be fine - just breathe – just breathe through it ok?"

Dean swallowed still gasping, the shock waves having ceased but his veins still burned with the remnants of heat and his muscles contracted and screamed with the impact of what his body had just been subjected to.

"Is it - d- dead?"

"Yeah you did man, you killed it." Sam smiled at his brother trying to convey victory and convince Dean that it was over and that everything was going to be so fucking fine from now on, but the tremors in his voice said other wise and now he couldn't stop the tears that fell at the sound of his brother so broken and afraid.

"Sam it hurts. It hurts so bad."

More tears escaped from the terrified pools of green and Dean screwed up his eyes once more, wishing he could just die or at least sleep or anything to make it go away because it hurt so much and he just couldn't take any more.

Sam nodded blinking rapidly, taking a swipe at his eyes and smearing his brother's blood across his cheek

"I know, man. I know. Just breathe and focus on me ok. I'm right here, I'm gonna take care of you, just breathe, you're ok. You're ok."

Dean's body began to shake and his voice which was now no more than a cracked whisper sent a shiver though Sam as he sensed his brother being pulled away from him.

"I'm scared Sam."

Sam raised his voice trying to sound stern and confident through his tears and failing miserably.

"I know man, I know but you're gonna be fine ok, just hang on, I'm here. I'm here."

Sam's voice cracked on his last words and crumbled into sobs shaking desperately and angrily wiping away the tears which just kept coming.

Gently stroking his brother's cheek with his thumb he continued to talk Dean through the pain, not caring how broken he sounded or that he could no longer hide his fear and the agony that he was losing Dean and that he couldn't stop it. Dean's body was wracked with tremors, and as his face drained of all colour as his eyes shot back and forth and rolled around in confusion and Sam was suddenly filled with terror.

"Dean? Stay with me man. Stay with me."

Sam once again ran his hands through Dean's hair, gently tapped at his cheek and shook his shoulders as he realised Dean was slowly, slipping away from him.

"Dean, don't you do this, stay with me ok, don't…please don't do this..."

A tear plopped on to his brother's face and Sam's stomach turned as Dean's breathing grew raspy and then his eyes rolled back into his head as the darkness ripped him away from Sam and enveloped him in its comforting oblivion.

Sam continued to shake his brother yelling at him through broken sobs, begging him to open his eyes, to look at him and not to leave him. He was unaware of Bobby calling to him gently trying to bring him back and shaking at his shoulders and Bobby had to yell with all his strength, which was difficult as his own eyes were now swimming with tears, his voice shaking due to the display he had just been forced to endure.

"Sam!"

The youngest of the Winchesters didn't look up but ceased his actions, his injured hand clutching at his brother's shirt his other resting lightly on his brother's face his shoulders shaking slightly as he forced back the sobs, trying to be strong for Dean and for the older hunter, whose hand firmly gripped his shoulder.

Bobby lowered his voice and Sam noticed his other hand was at the side of Dean's neck checking for a pulse.

"Sam."

Sam blinked and looked up at the older man his eyes searching for some hope.

"Sam. He's ok. He's just sleeping."

Sam nodded seeming to snap out of the haze that had clouded his mind allowing him to think the worst. His brother wasn't dead he was in shock. Shock from the pain that had been inflicted on him because he had had the courage to try and right a wrong, to fix his mistake and to give a young girl a second chance at life.

Grateful for the peace his brother now rested in and that the pain had stopped - for now - he mentally shook himself as he realised they had to move and get Dean to safety.

"He's in shock; we need to get him to a hospital."

Bobby was a little disturbed by the boy's sudden matter of fact attitude but said nothing until Sam started to lift his brother's shoulders off the floor.

"Woah, Sam. Let me carry him, you're hand's broken for cryin' out loud."

Sam simply glared at Bobby letting him know that he wasn't planning on debating the issue.

"I can manage."

Bobby realised he was on to a no winner and yielded, allowing Sam to lift his brother into his arms only assisting when Dean's head and arms fell back limply as Sam struggled to distribute the weight evenly. Bobby gently lifted the unconscious hunter's head and rested it against Sam's shoulder and they set off back to the road Bobby immediately pulling out his phone and calling the emergency services.

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Rick Seiler was on his way into town when he saw the ambulance parked up next to the woods its sirens blazing. His stomach turned nauseatingly around about the same time his phone beeped at him. Pulling up on the road side he checked his phone which had only just decided to inform him that Sam Winchester had been desperately trying to contact him for his assistance with his dumb ass of an older brother. Listening to the message as he got out of his truck he felt as if he would be sick when it hit him why the ambulance was in fact waiting next to the area of woodland and heath which he was responsible for.

Questioning the paramedics he managed to discover that they were waiting for a young man who was being brought to them after being attacked by what they believed to be a wild animal. His enquiries were interrupted however when he heard voices and rustling and several of the paramedics rushed forward to assist the young man tearing through the woods carrying what appeared to be another man in his arms. They were both covered in blood.

Confusion and panic ensued as Sam was relieved of his charge and pushed out of the way as the paramedics strapped his brother to a gurney and attached an oxygen mask to his face.

Rick recognised the older hunter who he knew from long ago and approached him wide eyed and confused.

"Bobby Singer! What the hell are you doing here?"

Bobby turned stunned but his attention still focused on the two young men who were his main concern.

"Rick! About time you showed up. What the hell kept you?"

"I'm so sorry Bobby, my damn phone. All kinds of useless. What the hell happened?"

"Oh the usual. Stupid, dumb kids being stupid, dumb kids. You know how it goes."

Rick grunted and gestured towards Dean who was surrounded by a small group of paramedics.

"He gonna be ok?"

Bobby nodded confidently, although his eyes betrayed the fear and worry he truly felt.

"He'll be fine. He's a Winchester aint he?"

Sam unaware of the light hearted exchange that was occurring behind him watched frightened and alone as the men and women worked on his brother before lifting him into the waiting ambulance. Attempting to follow he was stopped by a tall, dread locked man in his thirties with a kind smile.

"Slow down there pal. You can't go in there."

Sam glared back fiercely.

"Oh I think you'll find that I can and I am."

The man held up his hands, attempting to calm the young man scowling at him.

"Ok, hold up one minute. You his friend?"

"I'm his brother and I'm not leaving him."

The two men eyed each other, Sam's fury bearing down on the older man who hesitated only briefly before deciding wisely that he really shouldn't argue with this guy. Stepping to one side he gestured for Sam to hop in, who then gave him a faint smile and nodded gratefully before joining his brother and taking his hand whispering:

"Just hang on, ok Dean? You're gonna be fine, you hear me?"

Sam paused briefly to take a breath and run a shaky hand across his face, before offering his brother a final promise.

"I'm here, man and I'm not leaving you."

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Rick and Bobby followed the ambulance separately, Rick in his own truck while Bobby took the Impala. Guessing it would be Dean's main concern once he had regained consciousness he thought it wise to bring it to the hospital and leave his own vehicle behind with the intention of collecting it later.

Dean's wounds could have been a lot worse and although his doctor hadn't been concerned with him losing consciousness – it was a common reaction to shock and physical injury – Sam knew it wasn't at all common for his brother but kept his worries to himself fully aware that he couldn't explain why his brother had been screaming his lungs out only hours ago.

Dean remained asleep while his injuries were tended to. He slept through while his cuts were cleaned and the bad ones stitched and bandaged and Sam was grateful, although he knew Dean would probably be disappointed that he hadn't had chance to flirt with the nurses while they fussed around him.

Dean had finally woken up while a nurse was drawing some of his blood.

Sam had practically insisted that he be allowed to sit with Dean now that his wounds had been patched and he been waiting impatiently with Rick and Bobby in a room down the corridor and had had to be told several times to sit down, to calm down and to stop fretting.

When the three men had been informed that Dean was now comfortable and that they just had a few more tests to do Sam hadn't waited for the doctor to finish her sentence and had shoved past her and raced down the corridor to where his brother lay oblivious to the trouble he had caused.

The nurses had assured him that once they had finished the tests he could sit with him but Sam was anxious that Dean would wake up alone without his little brother there with him and he wasn't prepared for that to happen. The doctor had given in to the puppy eyed young man, whose pleas she just hadn't been able to resist and allowed him but only him, into his brother's room on the strict assumption that he behaved himself and didn't get in the way.

Just as the needle had been drawn out of Dean's still too pale skin his eyes fluttered and he inhaled deeply through his nose, which caused Sam to look up a little startled.

"Dean?"

His brother's eyes opened slowly and his head turned towards the familiar sound.

He gazed dopily at his brother a little confused and then reality seemed to drop heavily on to him as his eyes widened and he reached for Sam's hand his voice raw and weak.

"Sam?"

"Hey, easy there buddy." Sam allowed Dean to take his hand squeezing it reassuringly.

"Sam!" Dean's tone was desperate and Sam couldn't understand why there was fear in his brother's eyes so he retained eye contact, and kept his voice soft.

"Dude, what's up?"

Dean swallowed trying hard to make his voice work.

"Casey."

The crush on Sam's hand told him that his brother wouldn't be placated with lame and empty reassurances and needed an answer, now. In the panic and confusion Sam had forgotten about the young girl whose life hung in the balance and he cursed himself for not having the information which Dean needed so badly, to hand. He should have known that would be Dean's first concern, but Sam didn't want to know, because he was afraid that if the news was bad he would lose his brother forever and he had already come so close to that already and he really didn't think he could go through that again.

Sam nodded reluctantly his eyes stinging as he realised he had no choice but to find the answer to Dean's question. He briefly considered lying to him but knew for certain that Dean would be able to tell instantly, just by looking into his eyes. Giving his hand one last squeeze he got up and shot out of the door calling to the nurse that had just left them.

He hadn't expected her to know the answer, he'd expected her to go away and find out for him, preferably returning later, much later when Dean was asleep and hopefully Dean would then wake up and forget although deep down he knew that Dean would never forget. So he was surprised when the nurse nodded instantly knowing what Sam was referring to, apparently the young girl was well known throughout the hospital such was the rarity of her condition. Distractedly writing something on her clip board and not really giving him her full attention she gave him his answer before turning and walking away leaving Sam shaking, tears welling up in his eyes and feeling as if his legs would buckle right there in the corridor.

He wasn't sure how he made it back into the room and over to his brother's side and when he collapsed into the chair he knew Dean was staring at him wide eyed begging him to tell him what he wanted to hear and after a second Sam composed himself blinking away the tears and looking into his brother's green eyes which swam with fear and sorrow and hope that this time he had done something right, something good and he could now rest.

Sam took his hand swallowing hard, not breaking eye contact with his brother but struggling to find his voice and he hated himself because he knew that every second that passed was torture for Dean and he really didn't want to torture him, he didn't want to hurt him he just wanted to take away the pain and the guilt and make everything alright and as he felt a tear slide down the side of his face he finally managed to speak, nodding his head slightly as if trying to back up his voice which sounded weak and raspy even to his own ears.

"She woke up Dean. She woke up. You did it. You saved her."

Dean didn't react and simply watched his brother gradually break down as he lowered his head resting his chin on his arms which were folded on the bed next to Dean. Sam fought to rein in his emotions, for the sake of his brother but he was forced to give up the struggle when the relief overwhelmed him, his face crumbling as he pressed his head into his arms releasing the fear and the pain he had carried so long for his brother. Still clutching Dean's hand, which was buried beneath a tangle of arms and hair, he sobbed brokenly, ashamed that he was unable to stay strong any more and that it was Dean, who having gently pulled his hand out of Sam's grasp, had now sunk his fingers into his shaggy, brown mop trying to ease the tremors and soothe away the hurt and he didn't see the tears that fell from Dean's eyes, tears for his brother, for himself, and of relief and of gratitude to whatever higher power had given him a second chance, allowed him a chance at salvation.

Smiling sadly at hearing his brother's gentle sobs, Dean turned his head to gaze up at the ceiling and closed his eyes, allowing more tears to fall on to the sheets, to mingle with Sam's as he drifted into a peaceful and blissfully heavy sleep, his hand still resting in his little brother's thick, soft hair.

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While Dean slept Sam took the opportunity to fill in Rick and Bobby who were still waiting patiently down the corridor after the nurse had dropped in to tell them that their friend was sitting with his brother for a while and appeared to need some time alone. Sam told the two older men that they may as well head off considering Dean would probably sleep for a while. Bobby didn't think it a good idea for him to see the boy so soon anyway considering he was still fighting the urge to kick the young man's butt from here to Kansas. He was however reluctant to leave the youngest of the group alone as it was obvious how shaken and vulnerable he was feeling. Sam had assured him that he would be fine and thanked Bobby for his concern and his help.

Bobby gave Sam the keys to the Impala before the three men exchanged goodbyes the two older men giving Sam strict orders to call if he needed them. Sam again passed on his heartfelt thanks and headed off back down the corridor taking a slight detour to enquire further about Casey's condition, take a leak, grab a coffee and stretch his legs.

On his way back to his brother's room some time later he ran into one of the nurses who had just given a now awake and infuriatingly flirtatious Dean some shots. Sam thought he heard her mention rabies and tetanus among others but his head was still in a daze and he was concerned that he wasn't with his brother when he had awoken and he just wanted to go and sit with him and reassure himself that he really was ok. He was still pale with worry even though he had been reassured several times that Dean would be fine.

Forcing himself to focus on the friendly nurse who was chatting pleasantly to him and doing her best to make him feel at ease, he was aware he had probably been a huge pain in the ass the last few hours since they had admitted his brother.

"Ok honey, so as you know he has bruising and lacerations to his face, arms, chest and back. He's also suffering a minor concussion and his ribs are pretty beaten too. Nothing broken though."

She paused looking up at Sam.

"What the hell was that thing that got it's claws into your brother anyhow?"

Sam shook his head distractedly.

"Not sure - I um didn't see it."

The nurse eyed him curiously then shrugged.

"Uh -huh.Well, anyway, our main concern is the head injury. He should be fine but we're gonna keep him in overnight just to be safe."

Sam nodded his previous worry now turning to anger as he realised how close his brother had come to getting himself killed. Again.

"Head injury, huh? Yeah I wouldn't worry about that - not much in there to damage anyway."

The nurse smiled amused.

"Yeah sugar I get that. Boy doesn't use his head that much at all I reckon. Apart from to look pretty an all huh?"

"Yeah, oh yeah that." Sam shook his head apologetically understanding that the nurse was most likely referring to Dean's irrepressible flirting.

"Personally - and don't take this the wrong way sweetie - but I'll be glad when the two of you are outa here. You've got my girls all turned around they can't even do their jobs right."

"So he's gonna be ok then?" Sam asked for the eight time.

"Sweetheart that boy will be just fine. Like I said we're gonna keep him in overnight, just so we can keep an eye on him, but after that you can take him home."

Sam grinned suddenly feeling like a huge weight had been lifted, thanked the nurse and began to head off to his brother's room before turning, walking back up to the nurse and kissing her cheek warmly. The nurse watched him leave trying not to appear flustered, shaking her head.

"Dammit, but if I were a few years younger."

Sam felt almost euphoric as he entered Dean's room. His grin was erased however as he was just in time to see his brother give one of the nurses his Brave Soldier Smile and a cheeky wink as she left wafting herself seductively with a clip board and smiling over her shoulder at him as she headed for the door. Stopping short when she saw Sam, she appeared a little embarrassed and hurried out of the door, her head down.

Sam watched her amused and then turned to his brother his face displaying mock disgust and admonishment.

"Hey, how come you get so many nurses?"

Dean grinned smugly at his brother.

"What can I say – I'm adorable."

Sam pulled a face and sat down in the chair next to his brother's bed.

"So, how you feeling?"

Dean sat up wincing, "Head hurts. Chest hurts. Legs hurt. Back hurts. Arms hurt. But other than that, yeah, I'm good."

Sam nodded bighting his lower lip.

"Does your ass hurt?"

Dean frowned looking worried.

"No... actually that's the only part of me that...

"Good cos as soon as you get out of that bed it's getting kicked!"

Dean frowned again sinking back onto the bed, trying his best to look wounded so his little brother wouldn't yell at him.

Sam looked away his jaw tightening

"What?" Dean looked worried at what he recognised as anger on his little brother's face. Sam turned back to him glaring.

"What? I'll tell you what, Dean." Sam's voice was hushed but furious. "You could've been killed back there you idiot! I was out of my mind and now you're sat here, like nothing happened, hitting on anything that moves!"

Dean looked at him having the grace to look contrite but said nothing.

"What the hell were you thinking Dean?"

Dean shrugged apologetically.

"I dunno - I guess I wasn't."

"No you never do!"

Sam sighed, laughing bitterly and shaking his head. He was trying his best to stay mad at Dean but he was finding it hard. Sam wasn't the only brother who could manipulate someone's feelings with a mere look – hell he had probably picked up that little trick off Dean in the first place.

"You know, I really, really oughta beat your ass for that stunt you just pulled."

Dean glared at his brother his voice hard.

"Sam, I had to. I had to fix this. Now you can be mad at me all you want, but you know I had to do this."

There was a long pause as the brother's eyed each other before Sam backed down, looking away and nodding reluctantly as Dean knew he would.

"Yeah, I know"

Another pause before Sam tuned back to his brother his finger raised.

"But if you ever do anything like that that again..."

"I know, you'll kick my ass. Got it." Dean smiled sheepishly and a moment passed before Sam changed his expression attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

"So Casey's doing fine. I made some enquiries and they say she should make a full recovery."

Dean nodded and smiled slightly, "That's great."

Sam smiled back at his brother suddenly filled with an enormous sense pride.

"Dean, you did it man, I mean you saved her."

Dean shifted uncomfortably and then quickly changed the subject.

"Listen Sammy, you couldn't go grab some things for me could you? They're keeping me in until tomorrow and I could do with a change of clothes. The ones I have are a little torn up."

Sam winced knowingly.

"Yeah sure. The nurse told me already - about you getting outa here. Personally I think you should stay a few more days..."

Dean's face screwed up interrupting Sam.

"Sam, please. I mean yeah, I have a concussion - apparently - but as long as I have someone around to keep an eye on me... then I should be fine."

Sam nodded and their eyes locked meaningfully, until Sam blinked and looked away.

Dean stepped in again bringing a smirk of amusement from Sam.

"You know I meant you, right?"

Sam said nothing but chuckled slightly, shaking his head before saying.

"Right, I'll get going then." He stood, turned to leave then spun back round to face his brother. He stepped closer to Dean's bed, his hands fidgeting a little before making the decision to sit back down in the chair. Dean looked away, pulling a face, the discomfort obvious on his features but Sam ignored it.

"Listen, dude, I nearly lost you today."

"Oh come on, Sam, don't be such a drama queen, I kicked that little bitch's ass, no contest!"

Sam nodded sarcastically.

"Yeah I can see that Dean."

"Hey, I'm alive aren't I?"

"Dean I'm serious."

"Oh, I know that, you're always serious."

Sam sighed and looked down at the sheets which he was fiddling with before looking back up to meet his brother's eyes.

"Just... don't ever do that to me again ok?"

Dean smiled crookedly and nodded, rolling his eyes knowing as well as Sam that the chances of him never doing anything like that again were pretty much slim to none but it was a comfort to them both to pretend. Even if they were fooling no one.

Sam retained eye contact with his brother only breaking it briefly as he looked down and grasped Dean's hand squeezing it slightly.

"I'll be back here as soon as I can ok?"

Dean nodded again, giving Sam a cheerful wink.

"Yeah, I know you will Sammy."

And then he released his brother's hand and reluctantly left him alone for what was for Sam far too long.

TBC