This is a rewrite.
Title: Shadow Play
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and Summary: See part one
Many thanks to my beta for her tireless support and edits
"This should be fun," the Crossroad Demon stated as she vanished.
Dean found himself alone as her laughter ricocheted.
The cement floor changed to a dark orange, giving illusion of a dormant fire. The area above turned gray.
Dean drew himself up to his full height and waited, his green eyes constantly scanning the horizon.
/What is she up to?/ Dean wondered.
The atmosphere then changed like the suddenness of a summer storm. The 'ceiling' turned a bright red. Dean watched as it slowly changed from a blood red to a shade closer to a fire truck. Dean raised his hands in a fighter's stance.
The red sky flashed and a dark shape appeared. The shape accelerated toward Dean. As it came closer, the first element he saw were its eyes, the same red as the 'sky' it came from, stark against its black body.
If it weren't for the fierce red eyes and the speed of the creature, it'd be almost comical.
It looked like those store-bought Halloween ghost decorations gone bad.
The creature dove toward Dean, causing him to duck. As it came back for another pass, he took a swing with his right fist.
Dean was surprised when he connected with something solid. He had expected his hand to pass right through
The demon ghoul let out a screech like a banshee as it swooped up and flew back for another attack.
Dean raised his hand to block it, but he wasn't fast enough. A slim arm, almost tentacle-like, emerged from the creature's right side and wrapped around Dean's throat.
He gripped the tentacle with his hands grappling to get free. Instead it tightened like a snake, lifting him off his feet.
Ronon glanced up with concern as Beckett and one of his nurses made their way quickly into Teyla's room. Knowing Sam wasn't going anywhere, Dex followed Beckett.
"Doc?" Ronon asked quietly as he stood in the doorway.
The Scotsman looked back at his friend with a smile. "She's comin' around."
It was well past midnight California time when Bobby's cell phone rang. He had been lightly dozing in a chair by the tv of his motel room. The hunter cracked one eye open and glanced at the phone's display.
"What can I do for you, Ellen?" Bobby asked quietly.
"Was wondering if you heard from Sam and Dean at all this past week?"
"Nope, but that's not unusual. You know that. Why, have you heard somethin'?"
Ellen shook her head as she absently fiddled with the corner of a magazine lying on the coffee table of her rented house. "No... Just with everything..."
Bobby absently glanced at the infomercial playing on the small screen. "They can handle themselves."
"I know, Bobby. I worry about them... there's only so much a person can take."
"So do I, Ellen. So do I. When they need us... they'll find us."
Elizabeth Weir rose from the computer, the tech nearby confirming that the wormhole was closed and the videolink severed.
As Elizabeth made her way toward the door of the control room her radio crackled to life.
"Beckett to Weir."
"Go ahead, Carson," Elizabeth replied, hoping for once it was good news.
"Teyla's awake."
Weir smiled as she walked out of the control room and into a corridor. "That's wonderful news. I'm on my way."
Sam's mind was clearing. The pain medication was doing its job. On the other hand, exhaustion and hunger were taking its place.
The exhaustion and hunger didn't matter to Sam now. His main focus was Dean.
His big, strong, older brother should not be lying pale and unmoving in a hospital bed.
Sam didn't want to leave Dean, but he couldn't save his brother just sitting there. They were in another galaxy… all kinds of possibilities.
Sam couldn't explain it. He'd had a good feeling since they'd arrived in Atlantis.
Atlantis and this galaxy was the answer to Dean's deal.
Sam just had to figure out how.
Sam moved over to Dean and gently squeezed his brother's hand. "Dean, I'll be right back. You hang in there, you hear me? I'm working on a plan… just hang in there."