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.

Author's Note: Sorry for such a long break between updates, no excuses really except that I am back at Uni and trying to get my head around my four new subjects and the new timetable. Promise I will be back on track very quickly

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CHAPTER 11 Operation Save John and Jo Winchester Style part 2

The voice became silent, the speaker suddenly realising he had slipped in front of the prisoner. 'Now that was a slip there, still no matter I suppose you're not going anywhere and no one can rescue you as you're already dead. This means that I can do what I like to you.'

'Get fucked you freak and let me out of here.'

'Sigh such language for a young man; someone should wash your mouth out with soap.'

'Come on then, come on, and try it!' Dean taunted his tormentor, his rage still building deep inside, 'show yourself and let me at you in a fair fight.'

'Now where would the fun be in that?' The voice started to laugh as it grew louder and closer until the Master materialised in front of Dean. 'You truly are a magnificent specimen.'

'Dude, I don't swing that way and even if I did eww! Sorry but I am definitely not into necrophilia.'

'That is not nice Dean.' The Master hissed as he pushed closer into Dean until their faces almost touched, 'do you realise just what kind of position you are in?'

'Yeah, and I am telling you again, I don't swing that way, I am no one's submissive and I do not do the dead!'

The Master ran a clawed finger down the side of Dean's face and regarded him carefully, 'do you realise just how beautiful you are?'

'Do you realise that your breath stinks, one suggestion for ya, mouth wash does wonders for that.'

In reply, the Master pressed the tip of his clawed nail into Dean's cheek until he drew blood then he slowly raked it down until he sliced Dean's cheek to his jawbone. Dean clamped his mouth shut and swallowed hard against the pain, he stared hard into the eyes of the Master showing that he did not fear him, well outwardly that is, inside the creature's lack of sanity had him seriously worried.

The Master pulled back and slowly licked the blood from his finger as he regarded his victim thoughtfully. 'I did have other plans for you, but after your performance just now perhaps I should do something else instead.'

'Ah thanks but no thanks, actually I'm kinda tired why don't you wake me in an hour and we can talk about it then.' Dean quipped as he swallowed against the rising panic, as he saw the smile forming across the Master's face. 'Really, I don't mind putting it off for an hour or so, might have a bit more energy then.'

'Ah but you see my brave warrior, you won't need energy for a while at least.' The Master stood and appeared at the doorway moving faster than Dean could blink.

Dean woke with a stifled scream stuck in his throat, panicking he gasped for air and turned to check the bed next to him.

Sam slept but was tossing restlessly in the grips of his own night-terrors, forcing himself to calm down Dean slipped out of his bed and went to the bathroom, standing at the basin he splashed cold water on his burning face and then downed a large glass of the cool liquid, his stomach churning didn't help the water settle. But he managed to keep it down.

Shakily he braced his hands against the basin and stared at his haggard reflection in the mirror. 'Look like shit Winchester.' He berated himself; turning to go back to bed, he caught sight of the tattoo staining his back. The dragon was shrinking, shocked he turned back to the mirror and checked it again, even on the front the colouring had started to dull and bleed back away from the outlines.

A hoarse scream from the main room pulled Dean out of his musings as he ran back to his brother, 'Sammy?'

'Dean ... Decebal?'

'He's dusted Sammy remember Bobby dusted him.'

'No, no he's not gone.' Sam sobbed rolling away from Dean, 'I can feel him Dean.'

'What? Sammy look at me.'

'No I – I can't.' Sam started to sob again his frail body shaking so much Dean thought that he would snap something.

'Dammit Sammy look at me.' He ordered sounding a lot like John. Miserably Sam rolled back to face Dean, his eyes shining with unshed tears looked so luminous in the pale lighting that made Dean want to take his brother in his arms and hold him tightly never to let go again.

'Dean, what did ... what happened to you with Decebal?'

'Sammy please don't go there.' Dean said this time he went to turn away when Sam's hand snaked out and gripped his wrist, 'Sammy don't.'

'Dean we need to talk, we have been fighting Decebal for so long now ... each time I need to know Dean.'

'Why Sammy? Why can't you just leave it be?'

'Because Dean I know what he did to us that first time, it's starting to come back in full technicolour.'

'Sam you're not making any sense.'

'In my head, my dreams whatever all I can see is that first time you were taken by Decebal and – and he had me arrested for you murder, I keep seeing those headlines Dean, BROTHER KILLER, I know that I should just ignore them but ...'

'But what Sam?'

'Whatever was put in me I think it is bringing the memories back?' Sam admitted, 'Dean Decebal hasn't gone back to hell somehow he ... he's still around.'

'What do you need to know Sam?' Dean asked wearily suddenly too tired to argue.

'This last time when ... when Decebal took you ... I know he did damn it Dean please don't make me ask specifically.'

'I need a drink first,' Dean muttered going to the fridge he pulled out two cans of soda, coming back he put them on the small nightstand between their beds and then helped Sam into a sitting position making sure that he was comfortable, and handed him his drink before going back to his own bed and got comfortable. Taking a long draught from the can, he finally looked up at Sam. 'I – I dunno if I can go into detail Sam but I'll try to tell you what I can.'

'Fair enough, if we can somehow connect his actions and places of torture maybe we can workout where he's gonna turn up next.'

'Okay, but first I need you to be honest with me Sam, how's the numbness?' Dean asked bluntly his stare fixed firmly on Sam's face.

'I ah can't really feel them, but I have pins and needles so I guess feeling is not far away.'

'And the rest?'

'I'm feeling a little better Dean, whatever Joshua gave me yesterday has really helped so now spill, I know you told me a little but...'

'Yeah there's more.' Dean admitted then he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly trying to work out exactly what he was going to say and how. 'I've started having memories too Sam, of the first time Decebal took me.' Dean paused and let the news sink into Sam's thoughts, 'I ah remembered when I first saw him in my dream he has a fondness for tying me spreadeagled on beds ... ah naked.'

'Dean?'

'Let me get this out Sammy please?' Dean pulled his gaze away and fixed it on the cast encasing his ankle. 'At first I thought it was just because he was sadistic but ... the, the abuse started way back then, I think after a while I tuned it out if it wasn't Decebal it was Max.'

'Max? What happened to him?'

'Dunno, I think he was killed but ... some things are just too hazy ya know.'

'Yeah I know.' Sam agreed softly.

'Anyway this last time he had me spreadeagle on the bed but this time he had a noose around my neck so if I tried to get free I'd choke myself. Then, then he came in wearing a new meat suit, looking a lot like you Sammy and the Sam age, I lost it then and started laughing, I couldn't stop myself, I didn't even feel the beating he gave me I just kept laughing.' Dean chuckled softly, 'I guess I did lose it for a few minutes, then, then he started choking me. Honest Sam I thought that ... I thought that this was it, I was going to die but you were safe with Bobby and Joshua. I win, I said that to him and then he stopped strangling me. I ah must of blacked out, the next thing I know was that someone was seriously hurting my ankle ... Sammy it was Dad.'

'Dad?'

'He was under Decebal's control; he put a rope on the collar and forced me to walk on my ankle. I ah fell and I thought that Dad was going to kill me but he stopped and then he snapped out of it.'

'Oh God Dean, I am so sorry.' Sam breathed in shock.

'Anyway we both knew that I couldn't possibly try to escape with my ankle so we decided to play along with Decebal and bide our time until we could escape easily. So Dad continued to pretend to be under control and took me to Decebal's chambers. I ah ended up facedown on the floor with Decebal's foot on my back keeping me there.' Dean's voice started to crack and he took a long sip of his drink, lost in the memory for a moment. 'He ah shit Sammy you heard what I said to Bobby didn't you?'

'Yeah but there's something else, I know what you said about ... the demons and the humiliation but what happened to you afterwards Dean?'

'Why is this so important to you?'

'Because for both of us to heal we have to have the full story.' Sam said simply, 'I ah will tell you everything there are some things that I haven't told anyone.' He admitted shamefacedly.

'Sam!' Dean looked up and stared at his brother.

'You first Dean.'

'Afterwards when I thought the humiliation couldn't get any worse ... he brought Jo in, she was completely out of it, full on mind control. He had them tie me to four stakes that just appeared in the floor ...' Dean's voice trailed away and he started to shake uncontrollably, 'it seems that Ruby took great delight in training Jo to be a dominatrix in all sense of the word.'

'Dean I ...'

'She did these things to me Sammy, I know that she was controlled but I dunno when I saw her face she was enjoying it Sam.' Dean turned his face away from the look of sympathy from his brother. 'She raped me, me ... I mean fuck Sam it was bad enough done by a man or demon but that's a control thing but when a woman can get on top of you, do this stuff and then make me ...'

'Dean, I ... okay after that?' Sam said his voice cracking with pent up emotions.

'I got strung up for a good old beating and then they dumped me in that closet with the chains and left me there until Dad ... we nearly got out of there but Decebal found us and sent Dad back to Ruby, I really don't remember much after that until Bobby ...'

'I am so sorry Dean.'

'The worst of it, the biggest kicker ... Jo was at his side all of the time.'

'Do you think ... do you think Jo has embraced?'

'I dunno but I'm worried about Dad.' Dean admitted and then taking a shuddering deep breath he visibly shook himself and set his neutral mask firmly in place, 'your turn.'

'Do you remember the symbols Jessie had on her arm?'

'Yeah why?' Dean's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Sam pushed the sheets away from his legs and with a great deal of effort slid his sweatpants down and then lowered his boxer waistband from his right hip, 'they branded me when he gave me to Ruby.' Sam said glancing up at Dean, 'after she did that then ... then she you know, when Decebal tried to act as though he was saving me from Ruby he cut his symbol in the middle and drank from it.'

'Oh God Sam.'

'Then he ... took me,' Sam said unable to meet Dean's gaze, 'and the rest you basically know.'

'So we know he has developed a penchant for tatts and brands, and bondage is part of his permanent line up.'

'Yeah, he likes places with no windows, lots of rooms and passages and large beds.'

'With lots of leather strips, collars, and ball gags.' Sam finished, 'dude he is one sick little puppy.'

'You brought Max up before why?'

'He's been in the memories and yet I don't remember having a lot of contact with him.'

'Sam did you ever meet a chick named Rhiannon?' Dean asked suddenly.

'Random where did that come from?'

'Did you?'

'No, not that I remember why?'

'She was Decebal's sister, supposedly her good to his bad.'

'He has a sister?' Sam repeated paling even more, 'Dude.'

'Yeah well dunno about her but Max on the other hand I am sure that he was killed but the funny thing is that the memories I have been having as well feature him.'

'This is getting to freaking weird even for us Dean.'

'Too true Sammy.'

A knock on the adjoining door disturbed the brothers' conversation and they both looked up in shock as Bobby strode in, a look of anger and concern etched across his rugged face.

'Bobby?'

'Just found this on my doorstep.' Bobby dropped the package on the bed next to Dean, 'boys we're moving.'

'They, they found us already?' Sam asked his face paling even more.

'Damn Bobby.' Dean gasped as he opened the package and saw the photos that fell from it. 'We have to get to Ellen.'

'You sure?'

'Dammit Bobby you saw those pictures we have to get to Ellen as soon as we can.'

'Dean?' Sam whispered, 'I – I don't feel so good.' His eyes fluttered shut and he slumped bonelessly against the pillows.

'Sammy?' Dean cried out, 'Josh get in here now.'

'What is ... Sam?'

'What's wrong with him Joshua? He was getting better.'

'Sam come on kiddo don't do this not now.'

Sam's eyes snapped open and he stared directly at Dean 'Dad.' He said in a strangled voice, dark purple bruises started to appear on Sam's throat and he stared to gag fighting desperately to breath. Rope burns started to form on his wrists as his breathing hitched and he dropped back onto the pillows.

'Not again.' Dean cried out.

'What? What do you mean not again?'

'Something is attacking Sam through his dreams, mind, thoughts dunno what but it has to do with Decebal.'

'Sam listen to me you have to wake up.' Joshua said shaking Sam's shoulder and tapping his face, 'wake up kiddo.'

'Sam please fight it.' Dean begged as he watched Sam fight his way back. 'The brands ... Joshua the brands on his right hip.'

'Dean?'

'Decebal branded Sam he just finished showing me them, one is Decebal's symbol.'

'Son of a bitch.' Joshua and Bobby exclaimed as they stared down at the marks on Sam's hip.

'Fire.' Bobby exclaimed, disappearing for a few minutes he came back with a red hot iron bar, 'hold him down.' He instructed Joshua and he touched the hot end to the row of brands. Sam screamed and writhed under the burning but remained unconscious. The room filled with the stench of sulphur and a cold wind whipped through the room, then the air filled with a rage-fuelled howling.

'Sam?' Dean asked fearfully when he saw his brother slump back on the bed, 'Sammy?'

'Dean?' Sam opened his eyes slightly and fixed his gaze on Dean a small wan smile played on his lips before his eyes slid shut and his breathing evened out.

'Well I think we got what was stopping him from getting better.' Joshua announced, 'the device and the symbols clashed, like two combating forces were fighting for dominance inside Sam.'

'One against the other?' Dean breathed out, 'so who is out to get Decebal and still wants Sam in the process?'

'Sam or you Dean?' Bobby asked staring down at the older brother, 'I have a feeling it's you that they want and Sam is just a pawn to them, easy prey.'

TBC