Okay, you've suffered long enough with the last cliffy so here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. You may need tissues.
Cindy.
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Dean burst through the open doorway of he and Sam's room and pulled up short at the sight that met him. Bobby stopped beside him, eyes wide with concern. Sam sat cowering on the floor between the beds, the lamp from the bedside table shattered beneath him. Castiel stood a few feet away from him, his steady voice trying to reassure the terrified man that all was well. Dean stood transfixed, unable to move at seeing the absolute terror in his brother's eyes. The sight of blood on the shattered pieces of lamp, on the floor, and on his brother broke the older man out of his stupor and he moved fluidly across the floor, his hands held out before him in a placating manner.
"Sammy…you need to calm down kiddo. We're not gonna hurt you. Please Sammy," Dean pled in a calm voice that belayed how he truly was feeling.
Sam's eyes shot from Castiel to Dean and they widened even further. He let out a strangled sob and backed up until his back hit the bedside table. His hand scrambled along the floor and Dean winced as he saw small pieces of glass pierce Sam's fingers. Sam's hand shot up and he held a large, sharp piece of glass out before him, brandishing it like a weapon.
"Stay back! You're not him!" Sam screamed in anguish.
"I am, Sammy. I'm Dean…you're home. You're not in hell anymore…"
"You're lying! You said I had twenty years left!"
"No Sammy…that was Alastair. He lied. You made it…you made it back."
"No, no, no…you're not my Dean! Please…leave me alone…"
"Sammy…think about it. You're not tied to that table…you're not naked…you're not being tortured anymore."
"This IS torture! Showing me what I can't have…wearing my brother's face! I'd rather be cut…burned…anything but this…"
"Sam…this is real. You're home. I'm really Dean. Please…you're hurt…bleeding. Let me help you," Dean pled as he inched closer to his stricken brother.
Dean sensed Castiel moving slightly away and Bobby moving in closer behind him, but he kept his eyes firmly on Sam. Before either man or the angel could comprehend what happened, Sam had sprung up from the floor and scrambled on top of the table, his left side and back pressing dangerously against the glass of the large window. Dean sucked in a startled breath as he imagined the glass breaking and his baby brother tumbling out into thin air, dropping from the second story window to the hard, unforgiving ground below. He stopped his forward motion instantly.
"Sammy…come down from there. You're gonna fall. Please Sam…please," the terrified hunter begged as he heard the glass creak from Sam's weight.
"Stay away…leave me alone! You're not my brother…" Sam cried, pressing even further against the pane of glass.
"Sam…look at my eyes. Alastair may be able to wear my face, but he can't copy my eyes. Come on little brother…look at my eyes…please…"
Sam looked up and met Dean's panicked eyes and his own eyes went wide in wonder. His body seemed to relax just slightly and the shard of glass he held fell from his hand to the floor below.
"Dean?" he whispered so softly that the other occupants of the room barely heard him.
"Yeah Sammy…it's me…" Dean answered, tears trailing down from his relieved eyes.
Suddenly, what Dean had feared happened and the glass that supported Sam gave way and the young man tumbled backward, letting out a startled cry as he started the downward motion.
"Sammy!" Dean screamed as he lunged forward.
Dean's fingers somehow found the cuff of Sam's shirtsleeve and he held on with all of his strength, praying that the material would hold. Sam's body slammed against the side of the house, his feet scrambling for some sort of foothold. He looked up into his brother's face and reached his free hand up, trying to grab Dean's outstretched hand. Bobby's face loomed behind Dean as he held the hunter around his torso. His face turned beet read at the strain of holding both brothers weight.
After several terrifying moments, Dean's hand finally grasped Sam's and he held tight as he let go of Sam's sleeve and grasped his other hand in a vice grip.
"Pull Bobby! Pull…" Dean cried as he leaned back into the older man.
Bobby pulled with all his might and once there was enough room, Castiel leaned out the window and grabbed the waistband of Sam's jeans and together the three of them pulled Sam up and through the window. Bobby and Dean fell back onto the floor, both gasping as Sam's weight fell on top of them. Dean wrapped his arms around his brother's shoulders and carefully rolled him off onto the floor beside him. He scrambled to his knees and immediately began to check the younger man over. Sam appeared to be unconscious and Dean began to panic. He cupped Sam's face, his thumbs rubbing softly over flushed cheeks.
Sam's eyes fluttered open and he started slightly when he saw Dean leaning over him. His eyes flicked behind Dean as Bobby appeared over the older brother's shoulder before moving back to Dean's face.
"Hey Sammy…you okay?" Dean asked softly as he continued to hold Sam's face in his hands.
Sam reached up a trembling hand and brushed his fingers shakily over Dean's cheek. Tears spilled from his hazel eyes and quiet sobs shook his body.
"Dean? It's…it's really you?" his soft voice queried as his fingers remained on Dean's cheek.
"Yeah…it's really me. God Sammy…you scared the crap out of me," Dean answered, his heart finally beginning to slow it's frantic beat.
"I…I made it? I'm back?" Sam questioned, his voice filled with wonder.
Dean nodded and smiled warmly. "You did it Sam. You made it."
Sam stared up at his brother, unable to speak. He pulled his hand away and that was when he saw the blood that oozed from several cuts on his palm. He turned his hand and stared at the blood, his eyes glazing over at the sight. Dean saw the blood too and immediately took Sam's hand to examine it.
"Shit!" Bobby exclaimed from behind Dean when he saw the damage.
"Here Sammy. Let's get you back on your bed so I can check you out better," Dean said, becoming concerned when his brother didn't move, his eyes blankly staring ahead. "Sammy?"
Dean's concerned voice broke through Sam's daze and he blinked up at his brother. "Wh…what?" he asked softly.
"We need to get you up and out of all this glass. Can you stand?" Dean asked as he found his feet and pushed up from the floor.
"Yeah…I-I think so," Sam replied, rolling onto his side as he began to push himself up.
Two strong sets of hands curled around his arms and Dean and Bobby carefully pulled him up from the floor. Sam hissed as pain shot through his shoulder and Dean immediately became alarmed.
"What's wrong Sam? Are you hurt somewhere other than the cuts?" he queried with concern.
"M-my shoulder. I think I hurt my shoulder when I fell," Sam answered, his eyes gazing longingly at his brother's face.
Dean's hands immediately went to work prodding Sam's shoulder while at the same time, Bobby examined the young hunter's hands and feet. Dean pulled back and smiled reassuringly.
"I think you just pulled a muscle or something Sam. We'll get some ice on it," Dean said.
"'k Dean," Sam whispered softly.
"He's pretty cut up. Got some glass imbedded in both palms and both feet," Bobby said as he rose from his knees and headed toward the door. "I'll be right back with the first aid kit."
Dean nodded before his eyes found Castiel standing at the foot of Sam's bed. "Thanks Cas. I don't know what I would've done if he had fallen," he said softly.
Castiel smiled slightly and moved across the room to the chair he had sat in as he watched over the brothers. Bobby entered the room a few minutes later and he and Dean began the painstaking task of removing every sliver of glass from Sam's hands and feet. Sam barely moved throughout the ordeal, his eyes staring in wonder as his brother and friend worked on him. Finally, all of the glass was removed and the cuts were cleaned and bandaged.
Dean stood and walked to the corner of the room. He retrieved Sam's duffel bag and brought it to the bed. He rummaged through it and pulled out a pair of sleep pants and set them next to Sam on the bed. He reached up and began to gently pull the button down and tee shirt from Sam's body. Sam lifted his arms, wincing as his shoulder complained from the movement.
"Let's get those jeans off kiddo and get you more comfy okay?" Dean said softly.
Sam looked at him and nodded. He stood, gingerly putting weight on his injured feet. Bobby stood and cleared his throat nervously.
"Uh…I'll leave you two to that. Are you hungry Sam?" the older man questioned as he looked into wide, hazel eyes.
"Um…I don't know. It's been so long. I-I…maybe I'm a little hungry," Sam answered softly.
"Well, okay then. I'll go fix you up something light. Maybe some toast and fruit? Coffee too?" Bobby said.
"That…that sounds good Bobby. Thanks," Sam whispered.
Bobby nodded and started to walk away, but he suddenly turned and pulled Sam into a strong, but gentle embrace. Sam's eyes widened and he slowly, tentatively wrapped his arms around the man who had become his surrogate father.
"Welcome back Sam. I…uh…just, welcome back," Bobby said as he pulled away. "Don't you ever do anything like that again. Near broke my heart kiddo."
"'m sorry Bobby…had to do it though," Sam whispered, his eyes dropping to the floor.
"Hey…don't be sorry. Just don't do it again, ya hear?" Bobby said, smiling when Sam sheepishly met his eyes.
"Okay Bobby. I won't…"
Bobby nodded then turned and walked from the room. Dean nudged Sam's arm and the younger brother turned his attention to the older man. Dean held the sleep pants in his hands and Sam took the hint. He slowly removed his jeans, careful of his new injuries. Once he had the sleep pants on, Dean helped him into bed. Sam sat with his back against the headboard and watched as Dean fussed with the blankets and the pillows. A small smiled ghosted over Sam's lips, but soon fell away. He felt a surge of panic when Dean headed away from him and toward the door.
"Dean? Wh-where are you going?" he asked in a small, scared voice.
Dean turned at the fear he heard and smiled reassuringly. "I'm just going to get some ice for your shoulder Sammy. I'll be right back," Dean said, his heart breaking at the lost look in Sam's eyes.
"Oh…uh…okay…'m sorry," Sam whispered.
Dean sighed and moved back towards his brother. He sat on the edge of Sam's bed and reached out to gently grasp the younger man's forearm. "Hey, why don't we just wait for Bobby to bring your breakfast then he can get that ice. Does that sound okay?"
Sam peered at Dean through long fringes of chocolate hair and he shuffled nervously on the bed. "I'm sorry Dean…I'm being a pain…" he started with embarrassment.
"Hey…no need to be sorry Sam. I understand…really," Dean said as he patted Sam's arm.
"Thanks, Dean."
"No problem kiddo. To tell you the truth, I kind of don't want to let you out of my sight right now anyway. So…uh…if you want to talk…well…I'm here Sammy," Dean offered nervously.
"I don't think I can. Not yet anyway. Maybe never," Sam whispered.
"Sam…look, I know it's hard, but I can help. I want to help you. After what I saw…"
"Wait! You saw? Alastair wasn't lying?" Sam asked, his shocked eyes staring at Dean.
"Uh…not all of it Sam. The…the visions stopped after a while."
"Oh God…Dean…I…" Sam cried, his body beginning to tremble.
Dean reached for Sam's shoulder, pulling the younger man toward him when he got a firm grasp. "Hey…it's okay. I can help. Knowing what I'm dealing with…I…well, I can help Sammy."
Sam collapsed into Dean's embrace as sobs wracked his tired body. Dean whispered softly as he rubbed the distraught man's back, his body rocking gently back and forth. Sam's sobs subsided and turned into short hiccups and he rested his cheek on Dean's shoulder, his face nestled in the crook of his brother's neck.
"I didn't want you to see Dean. I didn't want you to see what he did to me," Sam's soft voice whispered.
"Sam…it's okay. We'll get through it…together. Okay?" Dean said as he pulled back, pushing Sam away slightly so he could see his face.
Sam's wet eyes met Dean's and the older brother was bowled over by the misery and anguish he saw in them. He smiled warmly and squeezed Sam's arm gently. Sam nodded then his eyes moved over Dean's shoulder to the door. Dean turned to see Bobby enter the room, tray in hand. Bobby looked at the brothers and smiled nervously as he set the tray on the bedside table.
"I got ya toast and jelly and some fresh melon and strawberries. There's coffee with cream and sugar. Is there anything else you need?" Bobby queried.
"Uh…n-no Bobby. Thanks…it looks great," Sam said softly.
"Could you bring an icepack Bobby? I need it for Sam's shoulder," Dean said as he looked up at the older man.
"You bet. I'll be back in a jiffy," Bobby answered.
The hunter left the room and Dean followed him with his eyes. It was then that he noticed that Castiel was no longer perched on the chair near the door. He shrugged his shoulders and turned back to Sam. Sam tentatively reached out and took a piece of toast from the tray. He took a small bite, keenly aware of his brother's gaze upon him. He took a few more bites then set the toast back on the tray before picking up a large strawberry. Dean stood and moved to his own bed. He sat on the edge and tried not to watch Sam as he ate. He didn't want to appear too overprotective, but wanted Sam to know he was there for him at the same time. He stared down at his hands and swallowed as a lump formed in his throat.
Dean felt tears rise in his green eyes and he briskly blinked them away. He had his Sammy back. Maybe he wasn't whole, but they'd get him there. He and Bobby would make sure Sam had everything he needed to get through this. Dean had no doubt that Sam would get through it. If he was strong enough to hold on over forty years of mindnumbing torture, then he was certainly strong enough to overcome the aftermath. Sam's soft voice brought Dean out of his musings and he looked up to his brother's expectant, hazel eyes.
"Huh? I'm sorry Sammy…I didn't hear you," Dean said with embarrassment.
"N-nevermind…it's stupid. I'm just…" Sam said softly, his eyes dropping to his lap.
"No Sam. Don't say that. What did you say?"
"Do…do you think Dad…uh…do you think he was…maybe Dad…I'm sorry Dean," Sam cried softly, his words tripping over each other as his emotions got the better of him.
Dean moved back to Sam's bed and touched his hand. Sam's eyes lifted and they looked so sad and lost, it stole Dean's breath away.
"What is it Sammy? What about Dad?" he prodded gently.
Sam swallowed and fell back against the headboard. His fingers fiddled nervously with the edge of his blanket.
"Do you think Dad ever wished I'd never been born? Do you think that he blamed me for Mom?" Sam asked softly, fearfully.
"What? No way Sammy. Why would you ask that? Dad loved you so much," Dean replied with confusion.
"It's just…I don't know Dean. Do you ever wonder why he treated me so differently than he did you? Why he was more…distant?"
"Sam…where is this coming from? Why would you think that?" Dean queried, a knot forming in his stomach.
"He…he uh…um…he said…" Sam stammered nervously.
"What Sam? What did Dad say?"
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So, not quite an evil cliffy. More like a mini-cliffy. I hope you enjoyed that chapter. As always, reviews are love.
Cindy.