Chapter 13

"So, what you're telling me Singer, is that this was all a scam she dreamed up to con her way out of hell?"

"No scam John, if Dean had lost, she would have taken Sam, just like she said she would. She wasn't lying about that. She would have given him in trade for her freedom, and they would have gladly taken him. But Dean didn't lose. She was betting on him to win, and he did. That's how she got out. It was a win/win situation for her either way."

"What about me, where do I fit into all of this?"

"She served you up as a prize to Dean just to piss them off one last time. Sending you back was her way of saying a final 'fuck you' before she left."

"So, thanks to us, the queen of hell is free to roam the earth, with nothing to stop her, is that it? I guess I know what we hunt first," John couldn't mask his anger as he digested everything Bobby had told him over the last two hours. Sam just sat silently, listening intently to every word.

"You can't do that John. She's not the queen of hell anymore. She used Dean to bargain for her freedom. She's technically not even a demon anymore."

"I don't give a shit Bobby. Did she escape hell with no power, totally mortal, totally human? I bet she didn't. That makes her evil, and we have to destroy her."

"She knew you'd say that. She said you better think twice before you do anything, she's got some kind of insurance," Bobby gave that bit if information to John, eyes clearly fixed on Dean.

"What's that supposed to mean, insurance?'

"Don't know exactly. She said she'll only tell you. Wants a face to face. That's it. The next thing I knew, she was gone."

"This face to face, where and when."

"She said she'd be in touch."

"She'll be in touch, that's just great."

Sam finally spoke, only wanting the answer to one question. "What about Dean? What happens to him?"

"I don't know Sam. All she said was that she was the only one that could help, and I think she might be right."

"So, I guess we wait then," Sam sighed, slouching in his chair, looking defeated.

"Like hell we do. I say we go find that bitch, and force her hand."

"You would say that, wouldn't you, Dad. Let's piss her off, maybe she'll just get it over with now and kill Dean. For god's sake, look what she's already done to him. She has the upper hand, let's just wait for her to play it."

"Sam's right John, you push her, you don't know what she'll do or what she's capable of."

John knew they were right, but it broke his heart every time he looked at Dean. All that hurt and guilt, and all of it because of him. Sitting still and waiting was not something that came easily to him, but common sense would have to win out this time. With a single, forced nod of his head, he told Bobby and Sam that they'd won. He settled back into his own chair, staring off into space, his mind reeling at the thought of trusting someone like her with something so important to him.

They all sat in silence, never moving, never leaving, until well into the night. The room had long since gone dark, the sun giving way to the nearly full moon now and the tension almost visible when Dr. Garfield came in. All three men picked up their heads and stared at him, looking like they wanted the answers to life's most elusive questions.

"Our patient's still sleeping, I see. He may sleep straight through until morning, and my nurses tell me none of you have left this room since you got here. Might I suggest that you all get something to eat and get some rest. You won't do him any good if you can't even take care of yourselves. I know you've all been through an ordeal, but you're not doing anyone any good here. Visiting hours are over in twenty minutes, and I really can only let one of you stay."

"I'm staying," Sam's statement was final, his tone telling his father there would be no discussion on this point. That wasn't going to stop John from arguing though.

"Sam, the doc is right. You've been through a lot too, and not just the last couple of days. You need to rest. I'll stay with your brother."

"I said I'm staying Dad. You have no idea what we've been through, so don't even pretend you have a clue."

"John, Sam, now would not be the right time for this," Bobby indicated that Dr. Garfield was still in the room, hearing every word. "John, leave the boys. They'll be fine. We'll come back in the morning."

"Bobby, don't…"

"Dad, go with Bobby, because I'm not leaving. I'll call if anything happens."

"Sam," John's voice sounding almost desperate as he let out his one word plea.

Sam turned and gave his father a look he'd never seen come across his son's face. He looked like a mother ready to kill the predator that threatened it's young. It was enough for John to know that Sam wasn't moving one inch toward that door.

"Ok Sam, you win. We'll be back first thing in the morning."

"Good night gentlemen," Dr. Garfield told them as he extended his arm towards the door, the indication that it was time for them to go quite obvious.

Once they were alone, Dr. Garfield turned to Sam, seeing the desperation in his eyes.

"You know, I've got a big brother and an overbearing dad too. If you wanna talk, just say so. I'll listen."

Sam doubted the young doctor could really relate to anything he'd have to say, but thanked him anyway. Hell, he'd probably have Sam committed if he heard half of what was going on in his head right now. He stopped him before he could walk out the door, wanting to ask just one question.

"Shouldn't he have woken up by now?"

"Sam, if he was missing in the woods for two days, obviously with no food or water, and without knowing what kind of conditions he was under, I'd say no. The brain needs to recharge just as much as the body. Don't worry, when he's ready, he'll come around. Try to get some rest yourself. I'll have one of the nurses bring you a blanket."

"Thanks doc." Sam had to hope the doctor was right. It was all he had to hold on to right now.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

John and Bobby made it to the cafeteria, knowing they had to eat something, not wanting to really go anywhere. They knew they'd have to find the nearest hotel to camp out in for the night. Grabbing sandwiches and chips, they found a seat in the farthest corner away from everyone they could.

"Can't remember the last time I ate food, and this is all I could get," John groaned.

"Quit complaining Winchester. It's gotta be better then what they serve where you came from," Bobby replied.

"Wouldn't know, never made it to the front of the buffet line."

"Probably damn lucky for that too."

Clearing his throat, John started the conversation he really would rather of avoided. "So, you and the boys close?"

"As close as they'll let me get. They don't let anyone too far in."

"I'm glad they have you. You've been a true friend, and they need more then just each other."

"Thank god they at least have each other."

"Amen. Bobby, I just want to say I'm sor…" John didn't get a chance to say what Bobby had probably been waiting years to hear.

"My, this is all so touching. And here I am without any tissues. My eyes are getting all misty, please, don't let me stop you."

John looked into her sharp, green eyes, and started to rise from his seat, ready to strangle her right here, right now.

"Sit down John, before you do something you'll regret. You should know that when Dean pledged to serve me for all eternity, he bound himself to me. Yeah, sure, I'm not a minion of hell anymore, but that really doesn't matter. Think of it as the grandfather clause, you know, the deal being made before I won my freedom, or should I say Dean won my freedom. Believe me, I took all my baggage with me. That means, if I die, he dies. It's as simple as that. Call it my little security blanket. You didn't honestly think I'd be that stupid, did you. I knew the minute I let you out, you'd come after me. Girl's gotta protect herself by any means possible. Besides, you wouldn't be here if it weren't for me. You should be grateful, not biting the hand that feeds you. You owe me your life, John Winchester, and don't ever forget it."

"I owe you my life? You tortured my son physically and mentally. You drove him to the brink, then kicked him over. He offered to trade himself for me, after you wounded him with every word you spoke. I owe you nothing, I owe him everything."

"John, that's not entirely true. If Dean hadn't offered himself for you, he would have lost, and all three of you would be in hell right now. You, because you put yourself there. Sam, because he would have been my prize. And Dean, because without you or Sam, he would have killed himself. I only did what I did to ensure his victory. I truly wanted him to be victorious. I wanted him to have back what is rightfully his. I apologize if the methods were cruel, but the end result is what matters, doesn't it."

"You really have a sick kind of logic, don't you?"

"It's realistic logic, that's all. Now, as for you, I'm sure you or your fellow hunters won't be of any threat to me, right. I think you know what's at steak. Since we three, or five if you count Sam and Dean, are the only ones that know what really happened, if we all keep it to ourselves, we can live happily ever after, no questions asked. Can I count on you for that, John? And you Bobby?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No, you don't. Nice doing business with you, John."

She got up from the table and turned to leave, feeling John's hand grab her tight around the wrist and pulling her back.

"What about Dean? Is he ever coming back to us?"

"Don't look at me, I won't stop him."