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.

CHAPTER 15 Catch me if you can.

The small convoy made its way out of the motel carpark in the breaking light of dawn. Two trucks and two cars moved onto the highway and sped up before any lights showed. Dean sat at the wheel of the impala with Sam curled up on the seat next to him. Bobby headed the convoy in his car with Jo bound and gagged next to him, John followed the impala in his truck and Joshua brought up the rear, keeping a close eye on the way John drove, just in case of course.

'Dean?' Sam whispered his brother's name and waited for the seconds to pass before Dean answered him.

'Hey Sammy.'

'Where we going?' Sam asked blinking furiously he tried to focus on the shadowed scenery they whizzed past.

'Bobby's got a safe house organised so we can regroup.' Dean said not taking his eyes from the rear of Bobby's truck, 'he's got Jo with him and Dad and Josh are bringing up the rear in their own cars.'

'Oh.' Sam frowned and then turned his attention back to Dean, 'Dean?'

'Yeah Dude?'

'Feel strange.' Sam muttered and then when he saw the look on Dean's face he back-pedalled a little, 'no strange as in good Dean, I feel ... better.'

'You sound so surprised Sammy.'

'Yeah well, when I fell asleep again, the pain ... it hurt but the further we move away the better I feel.'

'Okay weird.'

'Tired though.'

'You get some sleep then, and if you're still feeling better when we stop then you can drive for a while.'

'Really?'

'Yeah why?'

'You sure that you're feeling okay Dean? You're not in any pain are you?'

'Sheesh Sammy do you want to drive or not? Under the proviso that you are definitely getting better of course.'

'Yeah of course.' Sam smothered a yawn and then settled back against the seat and pulled the blanket around his too thin shoulders. 'Just need to...' In a heartbeat, Sam's eyes slid shut and his breathing evened out as sleep claimed him once again.

'Hey Sammy wake up for me please.' Dean said a frown creasing his forehead; something wasn't right with his brother. 'Sam hey dude wakey, wakey.'

'D-Dean?' Sam mumbled and sleepily stared at his brother, 'Wha?'

'How's the numbness Sam?'

'What? Why?'

'Humour me, how's the numbness?'

'It's ... it's gone.' Sam spluttered seemingly more awake, testing his aching body he stretched his legs and flexed his feet before doing the same with his arms and hands, 'Dean it's all gone.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah, yeah I can move freely.' Sam exclaimed in disbelief. 'What happened?'

'And, and you said that you felt better as soon as we were on the road and away from the motel?'

'Yeah I'm tired but ... other than that, I do feel better kindof.'

'Whatcha mean?'

'Okay umm it's like I feel good but I ache like you do when you're getting over a really bad cold or case of the flu.'

'Like wiped out?'

'Yeah and achy like I could sleep for a month.' Sam yawned again. 'My throat still hurts though.'

'You look like a poster boy for acme bandaids dude.' Dean grinned, 'ah shit.'

'What? What's wrong?'

'Freaking cast is giving me ... I so need to scratch.'

'Dean how are you driving with that thing?'

'Don't ask and I don't tell.' Dean grinned.

'Bobby's signalling to turn off.' Sam pointed out, 'want me to take over?'

'Dude you really are feeling better?'

'Yeah best I've felt in a long time.' Sam said a little distracted, 'weird huh?'

'Yeah but that's you dude, weird to the end.'

'Gee thanks Dean.' Sam smiled and rested his head against the back of the seat, 'wake me up when we stop.'

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Bobby turned the motor off and looked over at his passenger, 'so young lady it's like this, we're going to go inside and have a break, something to eat and drink and we're all gonna play nice. You are not to talk to anyone or touch a cell phone is that understood?'

Jo nodded her head and watched with wide eyes as reached over to undo the ropes and remove her gag, 'th-thanks.' She whispered coughing slightly.

'Remember what I said or I will get Joshua to knock you out for the rest of the trip.' Bobby warned angrily, he didn't trust her and that didn't sit well with him. She was Ellen's daughter, he should be able to trust her implicitly but ... she was there when Sam got hurt so badly, she was there when they did what they did to John and she tried to bring em all down with her phone call. No Jo Harvell would have to earn his trust again.

'Bobby can I ask you something?'

'What?'

'Do you really think that Decebal is gone?' Jo asked her eyes narrowing slightly.

'Think so why?' Bobby asked turning to face the young woman suspicion weighing heavily in his thoughts.

'Oh just wondering!' Jo smirked her eyes flashing black, 'you as dumb as you look or do you have to work at it?'

'Jo what the ...?' Bobby asked as the ropes previously binding Jo's hands and ankles now appeared around Bobby's effectively trapping him. 'Jo Harvell what the fuck do you think you are doing?'

'Tsk, tsk such language to use in front of a young lady.' She clucked her tongue, 'can't have that.' She shoved a dirty rag in his mouth and then glanced in the rear vision mirror checking out herself before she touched Bobby's shoulder, his eyes widened as he felt a numbness spread through him, the coldness wrapping itself around his organs and slithered through his nervous system.

Humming to herself Jo pulled Bobby out of the driver's seat effortlessly tossing his boneless form over into the backseat before sliding into the driver's seat and gunned the car. Giggling she pressed her foot down on the accelerator kicking up loose gravel as she sped out of the carpark leaving the others standing near their cars all with stunned looks on their faces.

'What the fuck is going on now?' John grumbled to no one in particular.

Joshua pulled his cell phone out and hit the fast dial button for Bobby, impatiently he waited hearing it ring and then the voice mail took over and Bobby's gravely voice sounded. Swearing he closed down the phone and stared at the others, 'dunno what the freaking hell he is up to.'

'Or who else is up to something.' Dean muttered.

'What does that mean?' Josh snapped harsher than he intended.

'He's got Jo with him, possessed or brainwashed Jo.' Dean pointed out speaking very slowly as though he spoke to a small child.

'Dean, Joshua enough.' John snarled his head starting to thump with a new headache, he swayed unsteadily as his vision blurred and all he could hear was a ringing in his ears.

'Dad?' Dean and Sam spoke in unison.

'John?' Josh just managed to get to his friend when John collapsed, his knees buckling and he fell heavily against Josh. Sweat ran down his face in rivulets, 'John man speak to me.'

The only sound John made was a soft groan, lowering him down to the ground Josh made sure that his neck was straight and he had a clear airway before looking up at the distraught brothers. 'Sam can you get my bag?' He asked noticing that Sam was standing without help. 'You okay dude?'

'Yeah feeling better.' Sam muttered as he hurried as fast as he could towards Josh's truck.

'Dad?' Dean whispered awkwardly crouching down next to his father, his casted ankle stretched out to one side. 'Dad?'

John moaned his chest felt as though a huge rock fell on top of it, it hurt to breath, his eyes burnt and his head thumped the pain beating at the back of his eyes. He could hear voices but they were so far away he couldn't understand what they said to him or what they asked or just ... whatever, he just wanted to let go. He wanted to leave the pain and the humiliation and join Mary again.

'Damn it John don't you do this.' Joshua growled as he checked John's pulse once again, 'we have to get him to hospital guys.'

'Dude we're in the middle of nowhere.' Dean said his voice thick with fear.

'I think your Dad's having a heart attack.' Josh said, 'Dean, Sam I don't want to alarm you guys but if we don't get him to hospital soon.'

'No.' John moaned and reached out to grip Joshua's wrist, 'no ... not ... heart...'

'John.'

'No ... no ... other ... hosp ... can't ... help.' John grunted out before he gave in and let the darkness take his pain and confusion away.

'Dean it's up to you.' Joshua said meeting the younger man's gaze, 'what do you think?'

'We get a motel room and get Dad settled; if it is something else then it could be ... ah fuck it.'

'What?'

'A diversion.' Dean uttered.

'Divert us with an emergency while they get away with Bobby.' Sam finished his brother's thought.

'Dean what do you want to do?' Joshua asked again.

'Motel saw the sign for one about a mile down the road we stay there and workout what to do.' Dean decided glancing down at his father's face. 'This ends Dad I promise this is gonna end.'

Sam drove their father's truck, while Dean led the way in the impala and Joshua drove in the middle with his newest patient.

Impatiently the boys waited while Joshua got them two adjoining rooms paying cash for the first week. Then after stowing their car and trucks at the back of the motel they carefully carried John into Joshua's room, and then Sam and Dean set up their own room. Within the first hour of their arrival they had the windows and doors lined with salt, their weapons loaded and ready, placed strategically around both rooms, including the bathrooms, then they finally relaxed.

'Josh how's Dad doing?' Sam asked softly his green eyes dark with worry.

'Holding his own Sam, I think that you're brother was right with this one, they attacked the weakest target and at the moment that was your Dad. He's still too hurt to resist any kind of attack.'

'Thanks Josh for everything.'

'Hey that's what I'm here for.' Josh gave Sam a small grin and then it faded as he regarded the tall young man in front of him. 'Sit down Sam ... please.'

'Josh I'm fine ... honestly.'

'Humour me.' Josh said as he nodded towards a chair just behind them, sighing heavily Sam sat down silently thankful, the light-headedness was starting to get to him and his blurred vision gave him a headache, thankful he only had to drive a short distance.

'So okay I'm a little dizzy.' Sam shrugged, 'I'm just tired.'

'Sam follow my finger with just your eyes, keep your head nice and still.' Josh said a frown forming as he watched the sluggishness of Sam's responses, 'okay dude I'm gonna shine a light in your eyes just focus on the wall behind me.'

'Josh honestly I'm just tired.'

'Sam shush and focus.' Josh interrupted Sam's protests, after he finished examining Sam's eyes he checked out the still healing bruised neck, the scars and then checked in Sam's mouth and throat.

'Josh what's the matter?' Dean asked limping into the room he watched Joshua examining his brother.

'Just checking.' Josh mumbled, 'okay Sam almost done just wanna do your temp and blood pressure.' Before Sam could protest, Josh shoved the thermometer in his mouth and started to wrap the cuff around his arm.

Dean watched bemused at the look of frustration building on Sam's face, his brother effectively was trapped silenced for a few minutes. 'Damn is that all I had to do to get him quiet?' He quipped grinning at Sam.

'Don't laugh too soon Dean you're next.' Josh said as the small beep sounded on the thermometer. 'Okay Sam shower and bed for you,' he announced as he read the LCD screen his frown deepening.

'What is it?' Sam asked worried as he saw the look on the medic's face.

'Your temp and BP are up slightly,' Josh said, 'like I said Sam shower and bed, Dean you're next.'

Grumbling under his breath Sam made his way to the bathroom ignoring the smirk on Dean's face. 'Dean front and centre now.' Josh ordered sounding surprisingly like John Winchester. Dean's grin faded slightly as he limped to the chair and slumped down.

'First Josh truth time ... how is Sammy doing?'

'Better ... but.'

'But what Josh?'

'His temp is up not alarmingly but high enough, his BP is concerning me though.'

'Why?'

'It's too high, I know he's still recovering and that with this new setback he's stressed but I'm worried Dean.'

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Sam listened to Joshua and Dean talking about him, and then they started to discuss John's condition. Carefully Sam moved away from the adjoining door his head filled with thoughts of guilt and an unconquerable rage.

'Sammy, Sammy you will have to calm down or you will have a stroke.' Decebal's voice sounded in Sam's mind drowning out all of his other thoughts.

'What? How? I thought you were toasted.'

'Nice Sam, very nice I thought that I meant more to you than that.'

'What do you want?'

'Ah so much to tell and so little time, I want you to pick that gorgeous butt of yours up, leave your cell, guns and knives and whatever else you have on that luscious body of yours and get in your father's truck.'

'Why would I do that?'

'If you don't I will do two things, one I will start to play with your ruggedly handsome friend Bobby and then I will do some not so nice things with young Jo here. You remember Jo don't you? You and her did that wonderful stage show for me not so long ago.'

'Do anything to them and I will kill you.'

'And oh yes then there is your delectable father, mmm I can still taste how good he is do I have to go on Sammy?'

'What do you want me to do?'

'Just casually drive out of the carpark and head down the highway I will let you know where to go.'

'Why are you doing this?'

'Time is running out Sammy.'

Sam opened his eyes and felt his knees buckle as he sank down on the bed, his aching head slumping towards his chest as he tried to calm himself down. With a shaking hand, he wrote Dean a short note and left it on the bed with his gun and cell phone. Staggering slightly he slipped out of the room and drove away from the motel before Dean or Joshua could stop him.

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'Hey Sammy you gonna drown in there?' Dean called limping back into the room he shared with his little brother. The fine hairs on the back of his neck started to prickle as a feeling of unease filled him, the bathroom door was wide open and no sign of Sam showering or anything else in there, turning back to the bed his gaze rested on the gun, knife and cell phone lying on Sam's bed next to a piece of paper.

'Ah fuck what have you done Sam?' Dean mumbled as he lurched towards the bed, with a trembling hand he picked up the note and read it. 'Josh! Josh get in here we have a problem.'

'Dean? What is it?'

'This.' Dean handed Josh the note, 'what the fuck do we do now?'

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'Very good Sammy boy, nice to see that you can still follow orders.' Decebal's voice startled Sam and he swerved hitting the shoulder of the road. 'Tsk, tsk Sammy keep your mind on your driving.'

'Well get out of my head then.'

'Glad to, first I want you to take the first exit on your left and follow it to the end, there will be a van waiting there for you, leave daddy's truck and walk slowly to the van.'

'Gee what's with all of the cloak and dagger shit Deci? You losing your grip or what?'

'Just do it Sam, I am so looking forward to our reunion.'

Sam chewed his lip and tried not to think of Dean and his Dad as he watched the exit, one thing that he was thankful for was the fact that Decebal insisted on Sam taking his father's truck. Pulling out the emergency cell phone out of the glove compartment Sam hit the speed dial and waited for Dean to pick up, not game to speak or think about talking to his brother, he just hoped that he would be able to track the GPS signal.

Turning off onto the exit Sam slowed down and tried to take in the surrounding area, he had placed the open phone on the seat next to him and started to mumble to himself, 'okay Sam keep it together, Deci said that the van is just down the end of this exit, just stay nice and calm.'

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Dean picked up the ringing phone and frowned for a moment trying to workout the number, 'fuck, it's the spare cell in Dad's truck.' He said looking up at Josh, 'Sammy? Sammy you had better start talking to me.' He yelled his anger getting the better of him. 'Damn it Sammy you turn that truck around and get your ass back here.'

'Dean?' Josh whispered looking over at John, his eyes open and staring at his eldest son.

Dean held his hand up as he listened intently, he could hear Sam's voice but it was from a distance, Sam must have put the phone on the seat. 'okay Sam keep it together, Deci said that the van is just down the end of this exit, just stay nice and calm.'

'Damn it Sam what's going on?' Dean grumbled.

'Okay gotta keep it together for Bobby and Jo's sakes can't have any more blood on my hands, I just wish ... damn I wish Dean was here with me.'

'Oh God Sam keep it together.' Dean whispered as he listened to his younger brother ramble for his benefit.

'Okay can see the van ahead, stay calm Sammy you can do this.' Dean could hear the tenseness in Sam's voice as he heard him slow down a little, 'Decebal's gone to a lot of trouble but why? Why take Bobby, Jo when ..., and Dad? What happened to Dad?' Sam started to think aloud, making Dean smile something Sam did even as a child when he was nervous or scared he would start to think out loud, try to work out the problem at hand, half the time he didn't even realise that he did it. Only this time Dean knew it was for his benefit.

'This is it, I can see them getting out the van ... I can do this, shit feel so crappy, so dizzy ... gotta keep it ... suck it up Sammy.'

'Oh God, Sammy.' Dean uttered as he heard the door slam shut and then nothing.

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Sam staggered slightly as he got out of the truck and made his way slowly towards the van, he could feel the drops of sweat running down the back of his neck and his abused throat felt even tighter than ever. 'Suck it up Sammy.'

'In the van.' The blank-faced man ordered brandishing a weapon at Sam; silently he nodded and tried to steady his breathing as he climbed into the back of the van, his breath knocked from him as he felt himself being shoved from behind and crashing facedown on the hard and ungiving floor.

As the van sped off Sam felt a tiny prick in his arm and a strange sensation flooded through him as the drugs took effect, the last thought he had was of his brother and father safe in the motel room.

tbc