Sweat had dried to Sam's brow in a greasy film, the roar of pain in his leg had dulled down to an ache. The empty jar of peanut butter lay on the linoleum beside him, plastic spoon held limply in half-curled fingers.

The sound of footsteps approaching down the hall alerted Sam to the fact that he was no longer alone but he didn't move; he wouldn't have time to escape and he was in no condition to fight.

Lifting his head as the visitor stopped in the doorway, the hunter wasn't surprised at the sight that greeted him.

Lucifer leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, his blue eyes appraising the young man.

"I've stayed too long," Sam said.

"Nice to see you too," Lucifer smirked and stepped into the room.

Sam watched as the fallen angel got down on one knee so that they were just about eye-to-eye.

"That's one hell of a cut you've got there, Sammy," Lucifer said and patted the wound on Sam's leg, making Sam gasp in pain.

"I could help with that, you know," the Devil told him, not taking his gaze from Sam's face, "Fix your leg up good as new."

"Oh yeah?" Sam replied through clenched teeth.

Lucifer nodded, "You just have to do one little favour for me."

"How about no?" the hunter growled.

Lucifer sighed, the fingers of his hand tightening around Sam's leg, squeezing the wound.

"Ah!" Sam cried out in agony, "Fuck!"

"Just think about it a while," Lucifer released his grip on Sam's leg and stood.

"Screw you," Sam hissed and watched as the fallen angel turned and walked from the room.

SPN

"Hey Chuck!" Dean called to the Prophet as he jumped down from the jeep, back from the supply run.

Chuck approached and staggered back as the hunter shoved a cardboard box into his arms.

"Here's the stuff you wanted," Dean growled and turned away, heading towards his cabin.

He could feel eyes on his back as he walked away but he didn't care. He knew he'd been acting like an ass but Cas bringing up Sam had really gotten to him. The revelation that Sam was Lucifer's true vessel had in truth, shaken Dean to the core. How could his baby brother? His compassionate, nerdy, needy little brother be the one made to house such a monster? Sure, Sam had made mistakes in the past- who hadn't- but was he really that bad? Dean didn't even want to entertain the idea that his brother had even a speck of evil in his soul.

Not only that, it was easier on both of them to be alone. Dean stood by what he'd said and did not doubt that if they could, Michael and Lucifer would use Sam against him and vice versa, to get what they wanted. If they remained separate, it was safer for both of them and the people who counted on them.

"Dean!"

Turning, the hunter saw Cas walking towards him.

"Dean! Wait! Stop!"

Dean kept walking.

"I don't want to talk to you right now," the hunter growled as the former angel caught up with him.

"Dean, please-" Cas tried again but Dean shrugged him off. Cas stopped walking and watched the hunter head up the stairs to his cabin and slam the door.

SPN

Sam started awake, groaning in pain as he did so. The bathroom was in shadows, night had nearly fallen.

Raking his hair back from his face, Sam packed his duffel and stood. All was quiet but Sam knew if he waited around much longer it wouldn't be. For all he knew it was already too late and there was a welcome party waiting outside for him.

Not if I have anything to say about it, Sam thought, checking that his gun still sat in his duffel before hoisting the bag over his shoulder.

Carefully so as not to irritate his injury, Sam left the bathroom and headed down the hallway. Moving slowly in the darkening house, Sam reached the first floor and eased towards the front door, peering through the opening he saw the street was empty.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he stepped outside. Even though it was night and he knew he shouldn't be out, his nightmare had spooked him into moving. He couldn't risk Lucifer locking onto his location. Besides the Enochian sigils on his ribs, Sam had nothing else to prevent the Devil from finding him.

Shivering ever so slightly in the cool wind, Sam started down the sidewalk in the direction he'd been going before he stopped, hoping that his luck would hold out just a little bit longer.

Author's Note:

Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing this story!