Steve Wandell. The man he had murdered when he'd been possessed. This had to be his family. That's why Tommy looked so familiar. He looked like a young version of his father. And that was a face that would be etched in Sam's memory forever.

But, did they know he was the one who had killed him?

Get a grip – how could they?

No one had seemed to even notice Sam standing there, and now he was glad for that fact. He knew his shock and terror was probably written all over his face.

He had to give Dean credit, though. Even in his current condition, he was quick on his feet mentally. Sam had seen a flicker of recognition in his brother's eyes, but only someone who knew him well would have noticed it.

Sam could also see Dean weighing options. Does he sidestep the hell issue or the murder issue?

No contest there. Not with Dean.

"Wandell? I've heard that name," Dean said, feigning thoughtfulness. "That's it – Steve Wandell – any relation?"

That hellish grin seemed plastered to Tony's face. But his eyes grew sharper. "He was our father."

"I heard about what happened to him. Damn shame. I never met the man, but I knew of his reputation; a good guy."

"Yes, he was."

Sam realized Tony was now staring at him, his eyes like twin beams of cold green light piercing completely through him.

Could they know? But, if so, why take us in – patch us up?

"We're sorry for your loss. I understand how hard…"

"Ah, that's right - you boys lost your dad awhile back, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

An awkward silence fell over the room for a moment, with Tony staring at Sam.

Kelly cleared her throat. "So, how are we going to finish off that pesky Nukekubi?"

Tony turned on his sister. "I told you. I don't hunt anymore. And I didn't think you did, either."

Kelly glared back at him. "This one is in our own backyard! We can't ignore it. But since you don't seem interested, you can stay here with Tommy tonight. Sam and I will handle it."

Kelly was pulling rank on her younger brother. Sam recognized the attitude.

"Great. My favorite pastime – watching the little retard."

"Tony!"

Tony was officially on Sam's crap list now.

Tony shot Sam a look as he turned back to Dean. "Well, nice to meet you. I've got horses to tend to. Enjoy your stay." That last comment was followed by a soft chuckle as Tony left the room.

"So," Kelly said breezily, as if her brother's abrasiveness was an everyday thing for her, "how are we going to fix our little Nukey problem?"

*******

10 minutes of talking about the Nukekubi and fussing over Dean later, Kelly finally left the brothers alone. Sam had been hard pressed to keep his attention on the discussion. All he could think about was getting out – getting away. Steve Wandell's death was one chapter of his life he would do anything in his power to change. It had taken him a very long time to move past it – to bury the massive amount of guilt he carried over it. And he was realizing now, that he never had moved past it. Not really. Like Dean had told him numerous times, he knew that he wasn't really the one who murdered Wandell, but he couldn't get past the fact that it was his hands that carried out the act. If he had only been more aware – more on guard – more…something. He should have been able to keep himself from being possessed. So, it was his fault.

And now he and Dean were being cared for by his victim's daughter. And there was nothing he could do to set things right.

"Sam?"

Sam was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Dean the first time.

"Sam! Snap out of it."

"What?" Sam turned away from the window.

"So much for a simple hunt, eh?" Sam knew his brother was trying to ease the tension, but it wasn't working.

"Right." Sam collapsed back into the recliner. "Do you think they know?" He spoke barely above a whisper.

"You think if they did – at least if Tony did – we'd still be in one piece? There's no way."

Sam shook his head. "Bobby knows. And Kelly said she's known him most of her life. Why would he send us here knowing that I'd killed her father?"

"What? You can't think…Sam, Bobby would never do anything to hurt us, you know that. And he'd never tell anyone about that. You've got to let this go, man."

Sam sighed, letting his head rest against the back of the chair. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I'm just… it's just…I mean, if they really don't know, then who shot you?"

Dean's browed furrowed, but then he brightened. "Hunters. It's deer season, right? And it happened about dawn, right? Well, there you go. Mystery solved."

A stray bullet. Through a barn. Right.

Sam just rolled his head to the side and stared at his brother.

"What? It could happen."

Sam kept staring.

Dean sighed, leaned back against the pillows and stared up at the ceiling. "Yeah, you're right. It's bullshit. Look, Sammy. Let's just get through tonight – finish off the Nukawhatever, and then we're out of here. We owe Kelly that much. All right?"

I owe her a lot more than that.

"Okay."

Silence drifted between them for a few minutes.

"Sam? If they know about you – then why would they shoot me?"

Good point.

"Then who did?" I'm going crazy here.

Dean scrubbed his face with a hand. "You know what Sam? Right now, I really don't care." He shifted in the bed to a more comfortable position. "Get some rest. It's gonna be a long night."

"Dean?"

"Yeah," Dean answered irritably.

Sam hesitated. Maybe he shouldn't mention it. Dean was tired. "Never mind."

Dean sighed deeply and then struggled back to a sitting position, gritting his teeth against the pain in his side.

He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers in a 'come hither' motion. "Ok, Sam. Let's have it."

"Tommy has abilities."

*****

Sundown found Sam pacing the floor, keeping an eye on Dean, who had pushed himself up into a sitting position on the side of the bed, and removed his IV.

"Dean, you're not going. You nearly died less than 15 hours ago!"

"And you're in so much better shape! Toss my bag over here."

Sam glared at his brother.

"Look – I don't have fever, I'm not dizzy, I feel – ok, well, I feel like crap. But I can at least drive. You're not going after that thing alone with a bum wing."

Sam shook his head. "I won't be alone, Dean -Kelly's going. You know that."

"Right," Dean snorted. "Give me the bag, Sam, I'm going. End of discussion. Besides, it'll make for a quicker get away afterward. I thought you wanted away from here."

That's true – just have to keep an eye on him.

"Fine." Sam dropped the bag on the bed.

When Dean headed for the bathroom to clean up and get dressed, Sam immediately put a hand on his elbow to steady him, but Dean shrugged him off.

"Relax, Sammy, you look like you're waiting for your executioner."

Dean shut the door in his face.

Sam ran his good hand through his hair. Dean was right. He was a nervous wreck. There was something going on here that he couldn't see. And it was driving him crazy. And his head hurt. His shoulder hurt. His face hurt. He was tired.

And he was carrying a fresh load of guilt that felt like a mountain pressing down on him.

Maybe I should just come clean with Kelly – tell her what happened. Maybe she'll kill me for killing her dad. At least then it'd be over. No more worrying about my powers or figuring out what's right or wrong, or…

And then Dean would be alone to fight the apocalypse. Yeah - and that's such a good idea.

Sam glanced over at the bathroom door. Dean had him seriously worried. It seemed each day that went by his brother was coming a little more unraveled – moving a little closer to the ragged edge of existence. On some days, Sam watched him struggle just to keep it together long enough to get the job done and get back to drowning himself in booze. Sam couldn't seem to stop his headlong plunge into despair.

Another stab of guilt. How could he even think of letting Dean deal with all this by himself?

Sam walked over to his backpack, set it on the counter, and started zipping it up. He heard an odd noise outside the window, glanced up and was so startled he jerked back a bit. A floodlight at the corner of the barn provided enough light for Sam to see a figure standing just outside the window.

Tommy. That kid was getting downright creepy. Sam took a deep breath to calm himself. The boy looked terrified.

"What is it, Tommy? What's wrong?"

"I know what you did."

Sam's heart skipped a couple of beats.

"What do you mean?"

"You killed my dad."

Sam couldn't meet the boy's eyes through the window.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok. It was a demon, not you. It wasn't your fault."

Sam looked up then. His chest tightened in a swirl of emotions. Tommy knew? How? The kid was forgiving him? Who else knew? Why was Tommy frightened?

"Does Kelly know?"

"Don't know. Don't think so. And I won't tell her. Or Tony."

"How did you know?"

It was Tommy's turn to look away. "It was in your mind just now – when I came to the window. I can only hear minds when I'm close by."

"What else did you hear?"

"Please don't go on this hunt. Please just leave. Please take me with you."

Please take me with you? That set Sam back on his heels.

"Why?"

Tommy glanced over his shoulder before facing Sam again. "Tony's gonna kill me. He's gonna find out about what I can do, and then he will kill me 'cuz I'm a freak – a monster like Dad used to hunt."

"Tommy, you're not a monster! You're a good kid with a unique ability that you can use for good. Besides, he's your brother. He's not gonna kill you."

"You don't know him. He's not like your brother. Dean loves you no matter what. I know he does. I heard him thinking about you. Tony doesn't love anybody. And he's planning something. Something bad. I just can't figure out what it is. Kelly won't listen to me, but I heard him thinking. Not very much – not enough to know what he's gonna do, but..."

"Kelly's not going to let him hurt you."

"No, Sam! You don't understand!" Tommy was sounding desperate. "He's planning …"

Tommy suddenly dropped from sight just as Tony walked around the corner of the barn. Apparently unaware of his little brother, he went inside and closed the door. But Tommy did not reappear.

"Tommy?"

No answer.

"Hey."

Sam jumped for the second time in the last few minutes as Dean spoke right behind him.

"Guilty conscience?" Dean smirked at him, glancing out the window to see what Sam had been looking at.

Sam grabbed Dean's arm and steered him away from the window.

"Tommy thinks Tony is up to something. He …"

The door opened and Kelly came in, carrying a backpack and dressed in black jeans, with a black t-shirt under a black denim jacket. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and covered with a ball cap – also black.

Dean appraised her with an eyebrow raised. "Swat Teams-R-Us have a sale?"

"You should be in bed! Sam, let's go. It's nearly full dark and I have a lead on where the Nukekubi might keep its body hidden."

Sam grabbed his backpack and swung it over his shoulder, then started to reach for Dean's duffel bag.

"I got it." Dean carefully swung it over his right shoulder, holding his left arm against his damaged side. Sam saw his brother's jaw clench and a flash of pain cross his face.

"You're not going, Dean!" Kelly said vehemently. "You've just been shot."

Dean was suddenly looking a bit pale, but he grinned at her. "You don't know me very well, sweetheart. I am going. Come on." With that, he pushed past her and walked out.

Sam thought he saw what could be panic cross Kelly's face, but then that iron mask slammed into place again. She glared at Dean's back, but said nothing and followed him out.

Sam glanced back at the window before following the others.

Take care of yourself, Tommy.

******

"What were you saying about Tommy back there?"

Dean was herding the Impala behind Kelly's El Camino down a dirt road not far from her place. Fortunately for their stiff and sore bodies, Kelly was driving slowly down the potholed path. Apparently, she loved her car just as much as Dean did his.

"He said he thought Tony was planning something bad – and he wanted us to take him with us when we leave. The kid's terrified of his brother."

"Well, I can't say Tony impressed me as a candidate for Brother of the Year, but… I mean, kids exaggerate, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But he was really scared."

"So what's Tony supposed to planning?"

"He didn't say. I don't think he knew. I have to say though, this whole thing – it just…"

"…feels wrong. I know, Sammy, you said that before."

Sam glanced over at Dean. The irritation in his voice was a tone he recognized as pain-induced. Even in the dim backwash of the headlights, he could see Dean was pasty white and sweaty.

"You okay?"

"Fine – we're here."

Kelly had pulled off the path in front of an abandoned chicken house. If Sam's sense of direction was right, this was the back side of the same property that the old barn from the night before was located.

Sam was out of the car and reaching for his weapons duffel when Kelly came up.

"My source said that he saw a black streak go into a window of the chicken house about dawn this morning."

"You really think it would use the same hiding place after last night?"

"I don't know," she snapped. "If you've got a better idea, you let me know. It's the only lead I have at the moment. Our only other option is try to figure out who it is during the day."

Sam winced as he awkwardly cocked his Glock, holding it with his left hand and operating the slide with his right. "All right, we start here."

Sam flicked on his flashlight and bent down to look at Dean through the window. He hadn't even attempted to get out of the car.

Dean was checking his gun. Sweat beaded his forehead and was breathing hard.

"Listen – that building isn't the best place to be with fresh wounds. You can cover nearly the whole outside of it from here. You stay here, and I'll go inside with Kelly, all right?"

Dean shot him a glare, but then closed his eyes for a few seconds, stifling a groan. When he opened them again he just looked tired.

"All right, but you be careful. Don't make me come drag your ass out of there."

Shouldn't have let him come.

Sam glanced back as he and Kelly entered the building. Dean was resting his head against the headrest.

Good - maybe he'll sleep.