Time, Tattoos and Trouble.

Third in the Decebal Trilogy

Disclaimer: Not mine never was and never will be...sigh just my own fevered imagination and the odd original character.

Author's Note: I have loosely based this small town on Sleepy Eye Minnesota, now I have never been there, or for that matter, I have never left Australia. So after researching the town etc, I have created one of my own based on it. If there is a Sleepyville in Minnesota or anywhere else that sounds remotely like what I describe then I humbly apologise.

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CHAPTER 9 Who's your daddy now?

Dean sat slumped against the wall; he had his knees pulled up against his chest and his face resting on them. His body shook with tiny tremors from the abuse he received the night before and his broken ankle felt heavy and painless. He knew that it was more than just a break there was nerve damage.

Fidgeting to find a more comfortable position Dean felt the leather collar bite into his neck again, cussing he started to hit his head against the wall again. Dumb, dumb, dumb he knew openly defying Decebal in front of his so-called guests would only escalate the demon's brutality but he couldn't help himself after being forced to lie on the floor at Decebal's feet. He could still feel the mocking eyes staring at him laughing at his expense the only thing he was good for was to lie naked and bleeding at the feet of a demon.

'Dean son look at me.' A familiar voice broke through the fog and he tried to focus on the figure in front of him.

'Dad?' He whispered and then started to laugh hoarsely the giggles bubbling up into harsh barked chuckles, he felt like he was truly losing the fight. 'Dad you look ... love the collar dude.' He managed to choke out.

'Same for you kiddo.' John grinned back but then sobered straight away when he saw Dean's fresh injuries. 'What did they do to you?'

'Don't Dad please?' Dean asked his laughter dying as quickly as it came to life.

'Dean I need to know.' John whispered crouching down in front of his son, he stared into the red and puffy green eyes and saw the humiliation and pain lurking there.

'Dad.' Dean started to look away but John stopped him cupping his son's face in his hands blinking back his own tears as he studied Dean for a moment longer.

'Dean none...'

'Dad please don't.' Dean's voice sounded so hoarse and tired it broke John's resolve completely and his own tears trickled down. 'No Dad.'

'Dean I am so sorry, this should never have happened to you.'

'We have to get to Sammy Dad, Decebal wants him for something I dunno what but he's willing to hurt anyone who gets in his way.'

'I have to get you some clothes from somewhere,' John said glancing sceptically at his own robe, 'nothing fancy but I'll find something.'

'Dad, I – I can't even put weight on my ankle.'

'One step at a time Dean, that's all.' John said his stomach lurched when he saw the defeat reflecting in his eldest son's face, 'you can't give up Dean, not now.'

'I am just so freaking tired Dad.' Dean said pulling himself out of John's embrace and huddled against the wall again. 'It's never going to stop, they're always going to be someone or something, it's never gonna stop.'

'Dean ... what the fuck did they do to you?' John mused reaching in he tried to pull Dean towards him but his son scooted backwards out of his father's reach but only just as the chain attached to his collar went taunt and he stumbled falling forward, his breath cut off from the tight leather band. 'Dean!' John launched himself just catching his son before he fell and choked himself to death.

'Let me go Dad.' Dean wept brokenly, 'I'm no good for anyone or anything not anymore.'

'Dean suck it up son, you have to be strong.'

'Why Dad? Why do I have to be so freaking strong for? I failed Sammy, I failed you fuck I can't even stop a demon ...'

'Stop a demon doing what?' John asked.

'He passed me around like a piece of meat Dad.' Dean shouted his self-imposed walls of defence shattered, 'maybe that's all I'm good for coz I fuck everything else up.'

'Dean Winchester you look at me!' John yelled to get through his son's rambling filled with self-loathing. 'You are not useless; you are not anyone's piece of meat. You are my son and Sam's brother and I will never ever allow you to speak like that again. Do you hear me?'

'Yes.' Dean mumbled but kept his gaze downcast.

'I didn't hear you.'

'Yessir!' Dean's head shot up and he glared at his father.

'Good so do we have to talk about this again?'

'No Sir.'

'Good, so let's get you some clothes and get out of here so we can help Sam.'

'Dad?'

'Yes son?' John smiled gently and squeezed Dean's shoulder.

'Thanks.'

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'Bobby?' Sam whispered frowning at the new pain in his neck, 'Bobby where?'

'You're safe Sam we moved you into Ellen's spare room.' Bobby said moving out of the shadows and into Sam's line of sight.

'What's wrong with my neck?' Sam demanded.

'We are found out what was making you sicker.' Bobby said succinctly sitting on the edge of the bed he handed the small device to Sam and watched his confusion slide away. 'It is sophisticated Sam, never seen anything like it before ... it automatically pumps drugs into your system, quite a cocktail by the way.'

'When?'

'As far as I can tell when you got pushed down the stairs they jabbed this into you first.'

'Why?' Sam asked staring at the minute device, 'why do this?'

'From what I can tell and what Ash could find out about the cocktail of drugs, it looks like they would progressively make you weaker physically and more susceptible for manipulation. Like the hallucinations about Dean, if possible you would have walked out and contacted Decebal thinking it was Dean.'

'Fuck.' Sam gasped, 'that was in me?'

'Injecting straight into your spine.' Bobby confirmed not wanting to sugarcoat the seriousness of Sam's situation. 'If Ellen and me hadn't found it when we did ... we would have lost you, coz you would have either died or disappeared.'

'I am so sorry Bobby.'

'What the hell for?'

'For putting you through all of this,' Sam waved his free hand over himself, 'it's not fair on you or Ellen.'

'Sam Winchester I aint complaining and if I didn't want to help I wouldn't so get that notion out of your thick head.'

'Yes sir.' Sam felt his lips tug into a small smile.

'Now feel like getting some grub into ya?' Bobby asked gruffly.

'Yeah I guess I'm a little hungry.' Sam nodded.

'Okay I'll go and get Ellen for ya.' Bobby said and left before anything sloppy could be said again.

Sam sat back against the pillows staring at the device he held between his fingers, the horror of what it entailed sent shivers down Sam's spine. The shrill ringing of his cell phone shattered Sam's thought process and he stared at it blindly for a moment before realising what it was and why it was ringing.

'Sam, son how are you doing?'

'Who are you?'

'You don't remember me? I am shocked I tell ya, I'm shocked to the core.'

'What do you want?'

'I was wondering if you were missing Dean yet. Would you like to set up a visitation regime?'

'If you hurt him I am going to kill you.' Sam seethed quietly.

'Now, now Sam such dramatics ... now I know your brother would like a family reunion and I am feeling rather lenient for now don't test me.'

'What do you want me to do?' Sam asked resignedly.

'Shake your guard dog and come to meet me; I will have your brother there.'

'How do I know it's not a trap?'

'Ah now that's where you will have to trust me, do you trust me with your brother's life?'

'Damn you Decebal, what about my father and Jo?'

'Nope this deal is Dean and that is it.'

'What do you get out of it?'

'Ah now there's the crux of it all. What do I get?'

'Cut the crap Deci and just tell me what you want?'

'Hmm where to start? World domination, power, sex the usual but where the Winchesters are concerned I need use of your ah special abilities that's all, a onetime deal.'

'Why don't I believe you?'

'What happened to trusting little Sammy?'

'I met you.'

'Touché Samuel let me see if this helps.' Decebal spoke away from the phone making Sam very uneasy.

'Sammy?' Dean's unmistakable voice sounded down the cell phone, 'Sammy don't you come you hear me that's an order!'

'Dean!' Sam cried out, he could hear the pain in Dean's voice.

'Sammy promise me you won't come.' Dean begged.

'Dean I ... I have to.'

A garbled voice and a hiss of pain was all Sam could hear on the phone, his temper frayed to disintegration along with his patience, 'Decebal! Put Dean back on.'

'Sorry Sammy looks like Dean's down for the count.' Decebal giggled, 'oh by the way your daddy sends his regards, you should have seen the touching father son reunion I walked in on before. So touching it actually brought a tear to my eye.'

'Where do you want to meet?'

'I will text you with the details in an hour.' Decebal said pleasantly, 'remember no guard dogs just you my sweet.'

'Fuck you Decebal.'

'Oh yes please Sam. Decebal laughed cutting the call before Sam could say anything else.

Ignoring the pain from his own injuries Sam forced himself to sit up and to dangle his legs over the edge of the bed to gain his balance. Sweating profusely, he stared at his clothes on the chair across the room. It may have well been across the universe his strength waning with just the effort of sitting up.

Then it hit him, why would Decebal ring him on the cell if he was controlling him with the drugs?

'Sam what the hell do you think you are doing?' Bobby yelled seeing Sam struggling to keep upright.

'I have to go Bobby.' Sam whispered listing to his side, 'I – I don't feel so good Bobby.'

'Lie down son.' Bobby eased Sam back onto the bed and lifted his legs up and under the covers again, 'now what's going on?'

'I – I have to go Dean needs me.'

'Sam?'

'I have to go, Decebal ...' Sam tried to sit up when he winced and pinched the bridge of his nose as a shooting pain flared through his head. 'Argh head hurts.'

'Sam?' Bobby frowned worried at the sudden downturn of Sam's health again; the boy couldn't take a trick at the moment. 'Hey, hey settle down there son.'

'Bobby?' Sam rasped out his friend's name just as his eyes rolled back into his head and he passed out.

'Damn.' Bobby pulled his baseball cap off and ran his head through his short greying hair and then over his beard wearily, 'what the fuck is going on?'

A buzzing sound from Sam's cell startled Bobby; curiously, he picked it up and opened the text message, thinking if it was overly important, he would try to rouse Sam. 'What were you up to Sam?' Bobby wondered as he read the message, 'sorry son but you're not making that meeting.'

Bobby stood up and glanced around the room, taking Sam's clothes and shoes he put them out the door and then came back in and checked the younger man making sure that he was comfortable and safe in bed, drawing the blinds he crept out shutting the door quietly. Picking up the confiscated clothes and shoes Bobby put the cell phone on top and went to find Ellen.

As quickly as possible, he explained to Ellen what was happening and what Bobby was going to do, 'he's still out for the count, but he's gonna be pissed when he comes too and finds ...'

'I'll take care of Sam, I want you to take care too Bobby, don't let that creature take you.'

'I won't I promise.' Bobby gave her a lopsided grin, 'anyway don't think I'm that bastard's type, I aint a Winchester.' He added humourlessly as he left but then he turned and went back to Ellen, 'one thing I have been thinking about though ... not sure if it was Decebal who put that thing in Sam.'

'Oh why?'

'Well for one, it aint the style of that sick freak and second he called Sam on the cell, and left a text message for him ... if he had implanted it why didn't he just use that to try and lure Sam away?'

'Good point but one ...'

'That can wait until I come back.' Bobby grinned and with a short wave was gone, leaving Ellen and Ash to face the wrath of Sam when he regains consciousness.

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John lifted his head and tried to shake his lethargy away after Decebal found him trying to help Dean and gave him back to Ruby for punishment, after flogging him with her quirt she left him hanging limply in the frame. His blood running freely down his back and legs into a small pool beneath him.

'Oh is the papa waking up?' Ruby cooed slinking towards the frame she smiled sweetly and ran her finger through the blood, 'mm fresh blood.'

'Get your hands off me bitch.' John ground out jerking away violently.

'So slave you are still defiant.' Ruby spat in his face, 'perhaps a little more pain will help ease you back into submission.'

'Go for it bitch.' John spat back spraying blood and spittle over her face. The slap was lightening fast and split open his cheek.

'Perhaps you need to learn some manners slave.' Ruby snarled picking up the cane she flicked it menacingly in front of John's face, the wood making a whistling sound as it whizzed past. 'All you have to do is submit to me body and soul.'

'Fuck you.' John ground out as the first strike across his chest hit.

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Decebal paced anxiously chewing his thumbnail waiting to see if Sam took the bait, he glanced down at his pet where he lay cuffed and gagged, and mercifully unconscious, well merciful for Decebal sick of hearing the pitiful mewls and muffled cusses that filled the air around them until they had arrived. The trip so exhausting and painful for Dean that he had passed out seconds after being dropped on the ground in an undignified heap.

The cloud of dust in the background made Decebal giggle in delight as he watched the impala draw closer to them, kicking Dean sharply in the side he tried to rouse the young hunter, 'get up dear one your brother is arriving.'

Dean groaned and waited for the next kick to bruise his bruises, feigning unconsciousness he gave himself time to prepare for what was going to happen. He knew beyond a doubt that Sam would try to ride in and save the day, but that was Dean's job to do for Sam not the other way around.

The slamming of a car door made Dean open his eyes and move his head slightly to get a better view, as soon as he saw the boots he knew it wasn't his Sammy. Panic started to rise in his chest, there was only one reason why Sam wouldn't be here himself.

'What do you want Decebal?' Bobby snarled a sawn-off shotgun balanced lightly in his hands.

'Where is my Sam?' Decebal shrieked 'what are you doing here?'

'Sam is rather indisposed,' Bobby said continuing his steady stroll closer to the demon, 'he sends his apologies.'

'No, no, no.' Decebal screeched, 'Samuel was the one to be here to try and save his brother, I want him not you.'

'Sorry to disappoint but I only came for one thing.'

'And what would that be? You've already lost your life.' Decebal pouted watched the gun carefully as Bobby took aim. 'I do detest such violent weapons.'

'Yeah so I see, fists and feet are more your style.' Bobby said the first time he acknowledged Dean's presence.

'Oh my pet has been a very naughty boy and had to be taught a lesson.' Decebal sighed waving a distracted hand at Dean.

'He aint your pet.' Bobby snarled cocking his already loaded gun.

'My oh my we are the strong one aren't we?' Decebal flirted and then pouted when Bobby failed to show the desired response. 'You are no fun Mister Singer.'

'Oh I'm a barrel of laughs when you get to know me.' Bobby said firing the gun point blank at the demon. Screeching in pain Decebal started to flicker like static.

'What did you?'

'Oh just some rock salt bullets dipped in holy water.' Bobby grinned, 'I call it my double whammy.'

'I'll kill you!' Decebal screamed launching himself at the older hunter who shot again twice both times hitting the demon directly in the chest. The air filled with a sulphuric stench and dust as the demon was cast out of the body and disappeared to regroup.

Bobby dropped down next to Dean and tentatively held out a hand. 'You alright son?'

Dean blinked and nodded slightly, mumbling against the gag.

'Hang on there.' Bobby undid the leather thongs and slipped the ball out of Dean's mouth, 'easy does it, got some water here for ya.' Holding Dean's head and the bottle to his mouth Bobby helped him have a sip of water. Dean sighed relishing the cool fluid sliding down his parched throat.

'Sammy?' Dean finally managed to get out once he got his jaw working again.

'He's safe son, he's safe.' Bobby said watching Dean carefully as the young hunter slumped and finally allowed himself to lose consciousness properly.

Gathering the young man into his arms Bobby hurried as fast as he could possibly manage to the impala, once he made sure that Dean was buckled in and safe did he look around for signs of a possible tale before taking off.

He drove to a motel and booked a room under one of Dean's aliases choosing the last room on the block with a parking space at the rear. Bundling Dean up into a blanket Bobby carried him inside without too much effort or notice. Dropping him as gently as he could onto the bed, Bobby proceeded to make short work of the cuffs trapping Dean's wrists and ankles. Literally covered from head to foot in bruises, cuts, long welts and the tattoo the boy was a mess. 'You should be in a hospital Dean.' the older man muttered checking the damage done to Dean's ankle. 'Fuck me Dean, what didn't he do to you?'

'Sammy?' Dean whispered fighting to regain his awareness. 'Sammy?'

'He'll be here soon I promise Dean.' Bobby said his voice sounding even more gravely as he fought to keep his emotions in check.

'Dad?' Dean cried out trying to sit up, 'he's got Dad I have to go back.'

'Dean you're not going anywhere in your condition, except maybe to the local emergency department.'

'They'll kill him.' Dean moaned dropping his head onto the pillow exhausted, 'it's my fault I failed them again.'

'You've failed no one Dean, my God son look at what that thing did to you and you're still here.'

'Where's Sam Bobby?'

'I ah had to hobble him a little and left him with Ellen.' Bobby smirked as he started to clean Dean's wounds.

'How?'

'Ah took his clothes, shoes and cell.'

'You are going to be in so much trouble.' Dean sighed, 'ouch ah Bobby that stings man.'

'Suck it up Winchester!'

Dean laid back against the pillows watching Bobby move around the small room, feeling better Dean managed to keep water down and stay awake longer than thirty seconds, which made him feel brighter immediately. The other thing that made him so happy was the fact that Sam was alive and he was on his way here with Joshua as backup.

Bobby perched himself on a chair at the window keeping a good lookout while he could explain to Dean about the device that he and Ellen had dug out of his neck.

'It was constantly injecting him with a cocktail of drugs, keeping him sick and disorientated, he even tried to go sledding with you at one stage.'

'Sledding? Man I haven't thought of that in years, we managed to sneak out while Dad was asleep, Sammy twisted his ankle and Dad went ballistic but damn it was a good afternoon, hadn't seen Sammy laugh so much for a long time.'

'He's going to be alright Dean, they all are.' Bobby said, 'ah here they are.' He said watching Joshua's sleek truck pull up and give the prearranged signal. 'I'm going to help Joshua with Sam, you stay put.'

'Me? Go anywhere? You wound me Bobby.' Dean protested good-naturedly but he was not going to be lying flat on his back and make Sam worry even more. Instead, he managed to pull himself up and rest against the wall and then pulled the covers up to hide his legs and torso.

'Dean?' Sam's voice sounded like honey to Dean when he saw his baby brother come in supported either side by the two hunters.

'Oh God Sammy?' Dean breathed all colour draining from his face as he took in Sam's skeletal appearance. 'What did he do to you?'

'Dean?' Sam smiled warmly, his dimples showing, 'it's so good to see you.'

'You too man.' Dean watched carefully as Joshua and Bobby lowered Sam onto the bed next to his brother's.

'So do you two think you can behave yourselves for five minutes?' Bobby asked trying to glare at the boys.

'What?' They asked in unison, both with wide-innocent looking eyes staring up at the older men.

'Save me from the Winchesters.' Joshua grumbled striding out of the room with Bobby close behind.

TBC