Chapter Nine – Against All Odds

Dean sat against the Impala. It had been days since he left Jakob's Ladder. He felt alone, used against his will. But he was alive and something bothered him. Why did Sam and Alana have to die? Were Majestic and his father alive or not? He shook his head; he wasn't getting anywhere fast here. But as he read the local papers from home he also found out that Missouri was dead, burned in her own home. Sam had to have done it; he killed Derek with fire didn't he?

He got into the car and drove off, his bags were packed, there was nothing left for him here. He was alone, forever if he had his way.

He was on his way to Brigham when he pulled over and closed his eyes, he was weary and tired. Being alone for too long would drive him mad but as he raised his head he looked to the passenger seat and found Sam sitting there.

"Sam?"

"About time you woke up. Dad left us coordinates for Bishop. You decided to take a nap and that was six hours ago!"

"What about Jakob's Ladder?"

Sam looked at him oddly, "What's that?"

Dean shook his head, "Never mind. It's nothing."

"Ok." He said, looking back to the newspapers, "Oh by the way Dean, dad wants us to pick someone up. She's in Lawrence right now with Missouri. Dad says she is part of the family, so I don't know who she is. But all I know is what he told me, to go pick her up."

Dean knew he was dreaming then, he closed his eyes tightly and reopened them. Sam was still sitting there, shaking his head, "Dude, you want me to drive? You look sick."

"Maybe you should Sammy." He whispered.

"It's Sam and alright."

Things were far too familiar for him, yet he was still confused. What had just happened? Was Sam dead or alive? What the hell was happening to him?

Sam slid into the driver's seat as Dean leant his head against the door. He was suddenly tired and fell into a deep sleep, unaware of his surroundings.

Sam pulled up in front of Missouri's house two hours later. He decided to make a detour before heading to Bishop, yet as he stepped from the car, a sudden wave of déjà vu slapped him in the face. Something was out of place; this house wasn't supposed to be here, was it?

"Dean?" Sam said, shaking his brother's shoulder, "We're here."

Dean slowly opened his eyes, "We're where?"

"Missouri's."

Dean bolted upright, "Where?"

"At Missouri's. I want to meet this person dad asked us to pick up."

Dean shook his head, "Her name is Alana. She's our sister."

Sam looked at him, "What?"

"We have a sister Sam. She's younger than us, but we have a sister."

Sam shook his head, "I think you've lost it Dean." And got out of the car.

Dean got out as well and followed his brother up the walk. The fire at Missouri's looked as if it never happened. Yet as Sam knocked on the door, Dean felt nauseous.

"Dean?"

"I don't feel so well…" he said, passing out on the front porch, "DEAN!" he yelled as Missouri swung the door open.

"Oh dear god, Sam help me bring him inside."

Sam did what he was told and help placed Dean on her couch. He was burning up with a fever but he was very pale. Sam was worried, this wasn't normal for Dean, he never got sick.

"I don't know what happened Missouri; he just passed out right there and then."

"He's been inflicted; he thinks he is in the wrong place. His mind keeps making its way back to an alternate reality. He thinks we're dead Sam. This doesn't make any sense to him at all."

"What can we do to help him?"

She shook her head, "He needs to battle this out on his own. Bury things so that he can come back to the living."

"No." he whispered as Missouri looked up to the entryway. A young woman stood there, tears in her eyes.

"This is my entire fault." She whispered.

"What do you mean baby? He's never met you before."

She shook her head, "I was in his dream Missouri. I died and he and Sam watched. Sam turned evil and killed himself to protect Dean. He thinks we're all dead even dad and my mom. This dream is killing him!"

"Oh baby, this isn't your fault, I know it."

"I have to help him Missouri, if he knows I'm safe, he'll awake and he'll be fine."

Sam shook his head, "If you go back, then I have to as well. He needs to know that it was all a dream."

Missouri stood, shaking her head, "There is no way I'm going to get all three of you killed."

Alana slumped into the chair next to the couch and sighed, "Then what can we do?"

John came into the room and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "Wake him up and tell him that we're alive and well and that he was dreaming."

Sam did just that, he woke Sam up and placed his head towards their father and Alana, "We're all here Dean. We're safe."

Dean sat up and rubbed his eyes, "What happened?"

"You had a nightmare. Sam's visions to be exact."

"What?"

John laughed, "You and Sam share abilities, now I'm really going to have to look after the both of you. It's why I asked Alana to join you on the hunt."

Dean smiled, "Then we are a family."

Alana and Sam hugged him, "Yes."

His nightmare was finally over. Or so he thought.