Chapter 15: Revealed

Part 1

'Meg' was content with the way things were going. The men were both bound once more, although Sam was now bound on the floor so as not to put stress on his back. She sighed when she knew she'd have to stitch him up again to keep his blood loss to a minimum. But then she brightened when the prospect of what that would allow her to do, the less the blood loss, the more he stays awake, and the more pain he'll experience.

She looked over at Dean who was once again hanging from his chains. She had knocked him unconscious from behind and then re-shackled him to the ceiling. He wasn't awake yet but she could see him coming around as soft groans were heard coming from him. She grinned evilly knowing the head ache he'd have when he woke up.

His chest had not stopped bleeding but it was down to a slow ooze which meant that whatever damage had been done was not too bad and he'd most definitely live. Well for now anyway; she wasn't sure exactly what it was her father wanted from the old brother. He was more or less a mystery to them; all they knew was that he was strong willed and possibly the only thing keeping his little brother grounded. But when the demons had thought beyond that they realized that it was exactly the same in the other brother.

So everyone knew that the best way to get to them was through each other. 'Meg' knew how much communication meant, not only in their line of work, but to the brother's themselves. That's why she had chosen those creatures; also because she knew the kinds of hearts the beasts would need and it was the kind that both brother's wielded so well against them, too well in fact.

She smiled again when she saw Dean's head jerk up and down in waking. His eyes slowly opened and he raised the head that now felt like it weighed a tonne, grimacing when the room spun before his eyes. It felt like it was about to split open, the welt in the back of his cranium throbbing relentlessly. He looked around, seeing Sarah/Meg in the middle of the room and behind her, lying on the floor, out cold, his brother. He had thick ropes around his ankles and cuffs on his writs that were behind his back. His gaze shifted to the small, and thankfully, not growing, pool of blood beneath his brother. Then he switched his attention back to the demon in front of him and he sneered in hatred while trying to say words that definitely shouldn't be said in the presence of a woman.

She just smiled sweetly, taunting him in his silence and inability to insult her. Then she walked towards him and he stopped moving his mouth, instead letting his lips form a thin line. She looked at him with false concern but very real pity , and he hated her for that alone.

"So Dean, still being a Smartass even when no one can hear you. Wondering why you can't talk yet? I bet it's killing you that your kid brother was able to break the spell and you weren't…I guess he's just more special than you are." She sneered at him. Her words weren't meant to sting so much as they were meant to irritate. And she could see that she was doing a good job; because he wasn't able to talk he had no way of defending himself from her insults. No Smartass comebacks or sarcasm available to him.

Instead his face just turned a slight shade of red, but he held his tongue. He wasn't willing to give her the satisfaction of losing it, that's exactly what she wanted and he'd be damned before he gave into her. If he did, what kind of example would that set for his little brother. Sam had always been that damn monkey: monkey see, monkey do. How else had he managed to grow up to be as awesome as his brother. Well almost as awesome. Dean thought with a smirk.

"Well, do you know why? I bet you don't….Sam was always the smarter one. I'll bet he knows, oh but he can't tell you right now can he? It's just you and me, we're all alone. I've been waiting to get back here you know, on this earth. Hell, well hell's no fun…and I hated going back there." The sneer on her face grew to one of hatred and anger, her black eyes glittering dangerously. "You sent me back, after I had done everything you asked me to. You broke your deal, in my opinion…you're no better than me. You lied, you cheated and you killed that poor girl. What did you tell the cops about that by the way…I've always been curious about that. And her family? I mean, her family had been looking for her the whole time she had been gone. Did they find out that their little girl was murdered?"

Dean kept silent, like he had a choice, his face stoic. Inside though there was a raging inferno of emotion. A myriad of everything mixed at once and he was worried he wouldn't be able to hold for long. Right now he was like a dam with a crack in it, the pressure of the water slowly building, the crack slowly spreading until it gave way, and the water poured out. If Sam would just wake up then he would have someone there to help him with it, but like so many times in his life, he was alone. His father and mother were gone, his brother was here in body, but missing in mind.

He was losing his battle and he knew it. And he guessed by the way she continued, so did she. She continued her tirade, breaking him down, the growing emotion in his eyes betraying his face. He was starting to look dazed, as if it was too much for him to take. She knew he'd break soon and it excited her to no end. Only a little more and he'd go off the deep end, and she knew exactly where to go to make that happen.

"It's a shame the mighty John Winchester gave up his life to save someone as pathetically lost as you. The world would probably be better off if he had lived and you had died, at least then there would be one less monster in this world. But instead a 'hero' gave up his soul, went to hell, in order to save a coward. Everyone knows it should have been you Dean. You know it, your dad knew it, and Sammy knows it too. You should be dead, what is that, the second time now? So I guess your body count keeps rising…it's like four people now isn't it? Meg, John, that guy in the alley and let's not forget sweet Layla…that poor girl was so misguided in forgiving you."

Dean was now hanging by a thread and each fibre of that thread was snapping with every word spoken. He needed a release, he needed a savoir right now but he knew no one was going to rescue him. He would be left to fall off this cliff and no one would care. He was at the point where he wanted to fall, he knew the things she was saying were meant to hurt him, but he couldn't help the agreement he felt in his heart. As his last cry for help, unable to use his voice, a tear fell down his face. It's path leaving a lifetime of pain and guilt that he was no longer able to deny. As he stared off into space, detaching from his mind, his heart made that one last attempt for forgiveness.

He never believed it would be answered. But it was, the one thing he needed more than anything in this world was given to him as a simple sentence was spoken in an all to familiar voice.

"Don't believe a word she's saying Dean." The voice said to him, it's tone soothing his broken mind and making his heart beat strongly. His eyes became downcast, not wanting to look at the speaker, he feared it was all an illusion. That voice was much too strong, it shouldn't be that strong after everything that happened. It should be broken and disappointed, disappointed that Dean had failed it. He couldn't face it, it must all be a figment of his imagination, his mind playing tricks, creating what it was he needed. But somehow he knew it wasn't, he had always trusted that voice, always would, as much as it pissed him off at times.

But he had also always obeyed that voice. "Son, look at me." And Dean obeyed, like he always had; like he always would.

Part 2

He had had enough, no more taking orders, not when he could do something. I can't believe I'm starting to act like my sons… Even if it cost him, he wouldn't let this happen. He had stood by long enough, long enough to see his sons tortured, and long enough to see them breaking. It killed him to know that he had known this would happen, that he had allowed it to go this far. But he couldn't do it anymore, they meant too much to him and he didn't care what his disobedience would bring upon him.

So John walked forward, confident and strong. He couldn't allow his fear to show when his son would be able to see it. And especially the demon in the room with him. She looked at him, shocked, yet somehow satisfied. He knew why, he was going to get in a lot of trouble for this, who knows what they'd do to him. But watching this happen was far worse than any pain they could inflict

He spared a glance at his youngest lying bound and broken on the floor. His eyes portrayed a deep sadness towards his boy. He wished to god that someone else had been chosen, that his son never had to go through what he'd been through. But deep down he knew that if anyone could make it through that kind of life, it would be his Sam. His son was the strongest person he knew or ever would know.

He switched his attention back to his eldest who was now staring at him like he thought he was all in his head. But when 'Meg' turned from Dean and strode up to John while pointing an angry finger at him, something in Dean clicked and he realized his father was truly here, saving him. As much as he wanted to cry, he couldn't, he was too ecstatically happy. His father was…alive? And everything the demon had said to him melted from his memories. His pain left him in a moment of clarity and he smiled disbelievingly.

John looked past the demon in front of him now and saw his son smiling, looking suddenly so young. He looked like he had when he was younger and John would get back from a hunt after being gone for so long. The greeting had always broken through the clouds and darkness in John's being and made his world brighter.

He smiled back at Dean, this was a time when he needed to be open with his son, strong but open. He nodded at his son and then fixed his attention on the now very close demon in front of him.

"You…you were not supposed to interfere." She jabbed her finger at him. "I thought we gave you an order. Didn't you learn the first time that when we give orders, you follow them." She sneered. "And I'm sure you remember what happens when you don't. Consider yourself lucky my father likes you so much. Otherwise he wouldn't have kept you around, he would have sent your sorry ass to hell. To be with your wife."

John let it roll off his back, he had already endured pretty much every insult known to man, and demon it would seem. He'd grown a resistance against words, demons spewing things at him was like water under a bridge, a very high, sturdy bridge. He just looked at her, not showing emotion as he had become accustomed to doing. Even looking at these things the wrong way would get him a nice bruise or broken bone, always somewhere that wouldn't interfere too much with his tasks.

Instead he just shrugged his shoulders and looked past her once again. This time his son looked thoroughly confused and frightened. He looked at the demon once again, knowing she wasn't aloud to hurt him too badly and then walked around her. His boldness stunned her for a moment and she let him pass. He made his way to his son, taking in the damage done on the way. He was filled with anger, but relieved that he had done something in time to truly save his boy.

"Dean. It's been a while." He smiled at his son. Dean just nodded dumbly, at a loss for words and unable to voice any. John shook his head and stared the young man in the face. "I'm sorry about all this. I never meant for this to happen, but I didn't have a choice. You would have died if I hadn't done anything. I know Sammy was trying to save you, but the demon had his claws in you so tight that there wouldn't have been anything your brother could have done." He looked down for a moment, almost ashamed at the admission. There were few things Sam couldn't do, and the fact that saving his brother had been one of them, if only that one time, made his heart ache.

Dad, how are you even here? I mean you were… Dean thought, hoping his father could understand his question, could hear it. Not that he needed to because the look on Dean's face said it all.

"I didn't trade my life for yours Dean. The demon just made it look that way, it was the only way I could get you back. I knew that if you and Sam were together, you'd be alright. You wouldn't need m-." John stopped at another painful truth. Dean shook his head adamantly denying it but John just smiled a knowing smile of acceptance. "It's alright Dean. I had known it for a long time, I'm fine with it. I only cared that you two would be ok, and that you'd be alive. I didn't trade my life, I traded my service. I traded what I could, he didn't want me dead. I imagine he respects me too much to want me dead, but, to have me as a kind of servant…Dean, in no way can you make that your fault." John changed his tone considerably in the last statement. It was full of truth and a firm confidence that flowed right through Dean's being.

His father was making everything better, like Dean had always wanted him to, needed him to. He was giving his eldest son everything he'd need to keep going. He smiled at his father thankfully, looking like the weight of the world had just lifted from his shoulders.

"I am so sorry son. I never should of said what I had said. It was cruel to lay that pressure on you, I know that but I need you to be prepared for what might happen. But after watching you two over the last while, I'm more sure than ever that you can save him. You always could." John had tears of pride in his eyes. He had stated the most honest thing he could think of.

Dean was choked up too. But quickly both men covered it as the years of being together and having non-chick flick moments kicked in. It was amazing how quickly they resorted back to the way things used to be and accepted their reuniting.

'Meg' had been standing around long enough and decided to step in at this time. "Well it's nice that you think that John. But you know as well as I do that my father won't give up. Not on Sammy, he's far to important to just kill and cast aside. If it was anyone else we would been fed up with them a long time ago. Again, you should consider yourself lucky." She was gaining her cockiness back and it pissed off the two conscious men.

That's when the object of their attention decided to return to the waking world. He groaned and 'Meg' turned towards him, a smile growing on her face. This should be interesting. She thought. John turned to his youngest as well and after shooting a glance at Dean, who nodded in earnest, ran over to his youngest son. He knelt in front of him, not realizing he was kneeling in blood until it soaked through his pant leg. He looked down at it and concern etched itself into his already tired features. He gently placed one hand on his sons shoulder and the other under Sam's face, lifting it off the ground to get a good look at his son.

He looked pale, he was sweaty and his breathing was slightly laboured, probably just from pain though. John quickly checked his pulse and found it strong if not a little fast. Sam moaned again and John focused on his son's eyes, waiting for them to open. He gently shook Sam's shoulder, trying to rouse him faster. Sam's eyes started to flutter and when his eyelids cracked open he saw the figure in front of him. He knew it wasn't Sarah because it was too big, so he turned to the only other option.

"Dean?" He whispered, his voice a little hoarse and his tongue dry. He was so thirsty, and hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten something. He spoke the name again as his eyes started to focus, the bright light behind his brother's head making it harder. But his eyes quickly snapped open when he saw what he could have sworn was facial hair.

"No, Sam. It's not Dean." Sam froze, his eyes searching frantically over the person in front of him. He saw a little more clearly now. Dark hair, scruffy, brown eyes, and definitely a lot older than he was. He couldn't believe what his eyes were telling him because it was impossible.

"Dad?" He whispered, shell shocked and still not believing. When the man nodded his head, Sam shook his. "No…no you aren't him. You can't be. He's dead…he died because of me. You can't be here…" his mind was so fractured by everything that he couldn't put things together. He couldn't stop the words of denial, and he couldn't stop his emotions. He wasn't in control by any means.

So instead of accepting it, he broke down. He tried to move away, but found he couldn't. His body hurt so much and his heart wasn't in it anymore. He didn't want to do this, he wanted to be left alone and just give up. But the man pretending to be his father held him tighter and pulled him towards him carefully, resting his chin on the top of Sam's head and hugging him to him.

The sobs from his baby boy made him want the world to disappear and it to just be him and his boys. He didn't care about anyone else. He wanted this to be over, had wanted it to be over for a long time. He kissed the top of his son's head while softly speaking all the things he had never said before, trying to sooth the younger the way he had the older.

His son stopped crying and looked up at him. He believed it now, he just didn't know how, but to tell the truth, he didn't care. He looked around his father to see Dean and Sarah watching them, and he became suddenly uncomfortable. It was like he was on stage and he became very embarrassed. What was worse though is that he felt ashamed for showing this emotion in front of a demon when he had promised he wouldn't.

He lightly pulled away from John who looked down and nodded reassuringly, he was ok with Sam's break. Sam nodded back, smiled at his father and then sniffed, sucking it up. Replacing the tears with renewed strength.

Dean smiled at them too, finally things were ok. If only their predicament was. 'Meg' was still watching, her face blank, but slowly changing into a sneer. "Well isn't this sweet. It's like one big family reunion. Well except for Mary of course. But moving on now, we've got some important things to talk about. It's a good thing you woke up Sam, we're going to need you for this." She smiled at him sweetly and licked her lips.

Sam grimaced and looked away, fighting the urge to gag. John looked down at his youngest again and saw his reaction. He looked at Dean questioningly and all Dean could do was make a face. Sarah caught John's question and her smile grew.

"Oh yah, John I don't think you've actually met my meat suit. We never got the chance to introduce ourselves. This is Sarah Blake. I don't know if Sam had told you anything about her but let's just say, they got friendly. Not as close as Jess, but close." She smiled again as John looked back at Sam who was glaring at the demon with enough intensity to make John realize it was true.

He looked back to the demon angrily. "You people really need to stop messing with my sons. Hurting people they know and love isn't going to help you get what you want. Hell after taking me, Sam and Dean were just as strong as before." He said it with so much finality that he almost believed it himself. He knew his sons had been one step closer to the edge and he couldn't help but blame himself. Neither boy had come to terms with his 'death' and they each had decided to shoulder the responsibility for it.

Under pretty much any other circumstances, them being reunited again would have been one big chick-flick moment that all three men would have denied of ever even existing later on. But right now, their reunion meant anything but good news.

'Meg' walked towards the stairs, turning her back on her prisoners before reaching the first step and spinning around. "Well, since you broke the rules and messed up my fun, I guess we're just going to have to get down to business." She paused and looked to Sam on the floor. "There's someone who's been dying to see you again." She sneered when Sam continued to glare but also shifted uncomfortably. She then turned back to the stairs and climbed them, slamming the door shut hard enough to make the floor shake slightly.

John waited until he couldn't hear her footsteps anymore before facing his boys and finding their eyes on him. He sighed and averted his gaze for a moment. Dean looked from his father to Sam and became even further frustrated by his inability to talk. He gave Sam a meaningful look that his younger brother seemed to understand because he looked to his father and took a breath before speaking.

"Dad…how are you even…you know…here?" Sam couldn't look his dad in the face and was hesitant to ask, not sure if he wanted to know the answer. John looked back to his boys and scrubbed a hand across his coarse chin before answering.

"When you found me in the hospital." he paused, seeing the pained look on Sam's face. "I saw it all happen, you just couldn't see me, the demon made sure of that. What you found was something that he made you see, I guess sort of…a doppelganger…without the shape shifter or anything like that. He created a form that looked like me, but it never really existed in the first place."

He waited for their reaction, letting things sink in a little bit. Dean was the first to speak, though John wouldn't have known it.

Why would he do that? Why wouldn't he just kill you…god knows the bastard tried hard enough…

Sam turned his eyes to Dean, listening to his questions. John glanced between his sons, from Dean's questioning gaze to Sam's at tentative expression. Something bigger was happening and he had a feeling things were about to get weirder.

Then Sam spoke, "Dean wants to know why he would do that…why he wouldn't just kill you." Then he was quiet and waited for his dad to answer. At first John said nothing, just stared at his youngest with a blank expression. Then slowly reality must have set in as his eyes widened and his mouth hung upon ever so slightly.

"You…you can hear him?" John asked carefully, he didn't really know how to approach this topic so he thought he might as well jump to it. "You can hear what he's thinking?"

Sam shifted his gaze between his brother and his father. Man…how do you explain to your 'dead' father that you're more of a freak hen he remembers. He looked to Dean for help but he just shrugged in his chains.

Sorry kiddo, you're on your own there…can't answer for you… Dean was being sarcastic but in the concerned kind of way. Sam also detected frustration and knew that he'd have to bring up the issue of Dean's silence soon.

"Uh…well yah. I don't know how but a couple of days ago…after the gentlemen took our voices I started to hear Dean's voice in my head and thought at first that it was just me until the pieces started fitting together with what he was actually thinking." John continued to stare and Sam began to get concerned. "Dad, you can say something anytime…now would be good."

John was freaked out, to say the least but also amazed. How could his boy have these powers. When he first thinks about all the things his son can do he figures it's actually more of a blessing. If he can hear Dean's thoughts, then they can communicate during hunts without making sounds, confuse their enemies etc. And the visions…well those are pretty obvious, they only do good. Asides from the pain it causes my son. He thought bitterly.

Then he started thinking beyond that, putting pieces together in this puzzle. Everything he knew about the gentlemen, Sam, the demon…everyone involved for that matter. The last thing, the thing he didn't want to believe and had never wanted to have to share with his eldest, was the last piece he put in. He looked at the picture the puzzle created, and shivered.

He looked at his two sons, his babies, and shuddered. He didn't know how to hide the fear in his eyes this time. Dean made eye contact and, when the older brother suddenly took on a look of horror, that he understood now too. Sam though, Sam just looked frightened by what he was seeing in his family's faces, his worry had officially went up a couple hundred notches ad was bordering on panic.

Finally John said something, not much, but it wasn't what anyone wanted to hear.

"Oh god Sam, I'm sorry…"

Part 3

Sam blanched. He had so many things going through his head and he had to get the out or he'd go crazy. Even so the only thing he could manage was fear in the form of frustration and anger.

"Why does everyone keep saying that to me!?" He half yelled the question to no one or to everyone, it was hard to tell. His tone was frustrated but his family knew it to come from a scared man, someone confused and unsure of his destiny.

John wished now that he hadn't said it but it needed to be said, they needed to talk about what was most likely going to happen when Sarah/Meg returned. The first issue to address was Sam's abilities and his new break throughs…literally.

"Sam, how did you get your voice back exactly. Did you feel anything when you did?" John asked rather urgently.

Sam was a little taken aback by the question and paused to contemplate his answer. "When Dean was…anyway, it just sort of happened. I did feel something…it was like when I moved that wardrobe at Max's or when I melted my locks earlier…it just feels like a punch. It's just adrenaline and stress…I guess…urgency." He answered honestly, splitting his eye contact between his brother and his father trying to explain it clearly. Both of the two men nodded thoughtfully.

"Ok…wait…you can move things too? And what locks…" John glanced around the room and spotted the other set of chains on the ceiling, but no locks. He frowned.

Sam followed his gaze and quickly explained. "Sarah, I mean Meg…she broke the locks after I had half melted them."

John looked back to his son. "Why did she break the locks?" That doesn't make any sense.

Sam shifted uncomfortably and looked down but not before John saw the heat rise in Sam's face. Dean also seemed disturbed, and disgusted. John got the picture and suddenly became worried that maybe there was a little more to Sam's state of mind than he had thought. This is going to get awkward…

"Sam…she didn't…so anything to you did she?" He tread lightly, in case it was a touchy subject. Sam shook his head while keeping his gaze on the floor. John frowned again. Well that's convincing. He thought. He questioned again, needing to know the truth.

"She didn't…um…go too far did she?" Oh god that sounded even worse than it did in my head…great parenting there John, way to go. He berated himself, ashamed that he couldn't just come out and ask his boy.

Sam's head shot up. "No! No…" And this time when he shook his head John believed him and sighed in relief. At least he had stepped in before that had happened. But now he had to get back on track.

"Ok, good. Um…so you melted the locks, you moved a wardrobe…anything else I should know about?" He was getting worried now, all these abilities presenting themselves, being brought out of his youngest.

"I think that's about it…I had a vision a couple nights ago, I started hearing Dean's thoughts before that…I melted the lock…oh and I also moved a needle that was imbedded in my back." He said and looked up at the ceiling to find the needle. He spotted it still embedded in the concrete ceiling and nodded towards it.

John followed his son's gaze and saw the needle as well. He whistled under his breath seeing how it had been driven straight through the concrete. He must of really needed that needle out…He thought sadly.

Sammy, what about this vision…I never heard anything about that. Dean questioned worriedly. Sam turned his attention to his brother and his eyes saddened.

"It was about that couple…the people you tried to save. I saw the gentlemen approach the house…I saw them go in and then you appeared right after that. Next thing I knew I was inside the bedroom and…uh…those things were standing around the couple. They woke up right before you got there. I saw the gentlemen drag you in and then they drugged you and took you away." Sam stopped for a moment to catch his breath while John watched quietly and Dean shook his head sadly.

Sam continued. "Once you were…gone…they went back to the couple and they killed them. Cut the man open and removed his…his heart. When they were done with him all of them left except for one and I thought…hoped…that she would be ok. But, it drove it's hand through her and killed her too. That's it" Sam couldn't look anywhere but the floor. He didn't want to say how he had tried to save his brother, he didn't want Dean to know about his weakness once he had gotten there and found everything the monster's had left, and what they had taken.

You mean you saw the whole thing? No fragmented images…no flashes? Dean asked, somewhat baffled. Sam shook his head and so Dean asked another question. What did you do after the vision?

Sam laughed humourlessly. "I ran to the house, went inside, went upstairs…You already know I was too late. I found the couple in the bed where the gentlemen had left them." He stopped there, he didn't want to continue and didn't think he could while keeping his composure.

Oh…that must have been horrible…I'm so-

"Don't say it Dean. Just don't alright? There's been way too much apologizing and every time I hear it something bad happens." Sam shook his head sadly and Dean's eyes became downcast for a moment then nodded in understanding. Sam looked back to John who was very quiet and not sure of what to say or what to make of everything Sam had just said.

"Sam, look son. I know things have been hard…harder then is fair. But…I'm afraid things might get a lot harder soon. I'm tellin' you both this because I need you prepared. Right now Meg is upstairs informing someone of everything that's happened since she the last time she came down here. We're sitting in the basement of a mansion right now, in the mountains surrounding Vale, in other words…we're in the middle of nowhere. No one's gonna be comin' to help us, no one else knows I'm alive and I'm assuming no one knows you two are here on this job either. Am I right?" John paused to allow the nods he knew were coming. "Alright, so we gotta handle this on our own. When Meg comes back down, she won't be alone. Now I'd love to tell you that she's gonna be with another of her brothers or sisters, but the reality is…her father is gonna come down here next. When I blew my cover, I broke a serious rule. I wasn't supposed to get involved when you two were…well…obviously they knew I wouldn't be able to just stand by and do nothing. Even though they were planning on me interfering, it doesn't mean they won't be angry so what ever they do to me…don't give them what they want. I've been hearing them talk, you'll understand what I mean soon enough."

John finished his speech, a sad subject, but something that needed to be said. His boys now had their game faces on, ready to do anything their father ordered them to if it was humanly possible. It seems that they missed following their father's orders while he was 'dead' and were willing to follow them now if it meant being with him.

"Alright, now that that's cleared up, let's focus on you boys until they get back. Dean, how about we get you down from there and check on your chest, then we'll figure out how to get you your voice back." John moved to do just that. He reached his son and observed the locks holding him in place before glancing around trying to find something to pick them with.

"Ah Dad? The last time I picked those locks, I used these two syringes…they should be on the floor somewhere. I think they got kicked over towards that wall." Sam said motioning to the wall behind Dean. John stalked around his son and scanned the floor for the described objects. Though it disturbed John to know that syringes were involved at all, he had to be thankful in this case that they were present.

He spotted them just shy of the wall and quickly scooped them up. He moved back to his eldest and quickly picked the locks holding him up. He grabbed around Dean's waist while Dean slowly dropped his arms, careful of every move. Together they worked to reach the floor, John supporting his sons weight while Dean held in every grunt and gasp of pain that wanted to escape. It was true, the good little soldier was definitely in place right now.

He was finally seated on the floor, massaging his arms and legs. John patted his son on the shoulder affectionately before standing and moving towards his youngest. Sam's ankles were easy to free, the rope simply cut away by one of John's many hidden knives, His wrists in the other hand were a little trickier and John had to make a journey back to Dean's position to get the syringes he had dropped to catch his son.

When he came back he picked the locks on his son's cuffs and threw them across the room, not liking what they had done. As Sam brought his arm to the front, the other still pinned beneath him as he was laying on his side. John lightly grabbed hold off it while wrapping his other hand under his son's body to help lift Sam off the floor into a sitting position.

Halfway up Sam started to feel the tear in his back stretching and had to bite his lip to keep from crying out. But when he was almost sitting, his father moved his hand to just above the wound and pushed. Sam couldn't hold in everything at once and let a small cry escape, his pain becoming known to John. As soon as the cry was let loose John let go while Dean pushed himself to his feet and moved as quickly as he could to his brother's side.

"Sammy, where's it hurt? Is it your back?" Sam nodded at his dad's question while Dean was already in motion. He leaned his brother forward carefully against his shoulder to get a look at his lower back. He hissed in sympathy seeing the jagged edges of the flesh and the definite infection forming. John moved to examine it as well and looked at Dean with concern before looking back to Sam who was holding his breath, waiting for them to let his know how it looked.

Listen Sammy, you're getting an infection but it's not bleeding anymore. If we patch you up with something…it might be ok until we can get the hell out of here and get rid of the infection alright? Dean thought in a calm and determined tone. These demons had messed with his brother, and anything that does that pays the ultimate price.

Sam nodded his understanding and John only assumed that Dean had explained it to him. Turning to Dean he remembered the other thing they needed to take care of. "Hey Sam…do you know how to get Dean's voice back?" John knew that Sam was always the one to do the research so if anyone knew…it would be him.

Sam nodded and quietly said, "Yah…um…the ceremonial box over on that table…open it and all the voices should come back." He gestured to the box and then looked at Dean. "You should go open it." Dean looked hesitant so John put his hand on the older boy's shoulder.

"Stay with Sam, I'll go open the box." He nodded and stood. Walking over to the table he saw the small item. It never ceased to amaze him how so small an object could cause so much damage to so many people. He reached out to it and expected at any moment for that cruel twist of fate when he never actually came in contact with it…when something would get in the way. But strangely that something never came. His fingers brushed against the lid and without waiting for fate to change it's mind he quickly flicked it open.

Nothing happened, no bright lights, no dramatic mist and no sounds that weren't there before. He looked back to his sons and saw that Dean's attention was still on his brother, he hadn't noticed the opening of the box but the way he was softly rocking and the way Sam was so relaxed made him thankful that Dean didn't seem to care. He could imagine all the things his oldest son was thinking in order to comfort his youngest, he had always been able to do that and it appeared that he could now do it in totally silence as well.

Then John wondered if it had worked, if Sam could still hear his thoughts does that mean that it hadn't worked or that it didn't matter if it did or not? John decided he needed to know.

"Dean." Dean looked at him. "Did it work? Try talking."

Sam and John watched Dean while he opened his mouth and took a breath. Sam received a message in the midst of it all.

Here goes nothing…

And then the door at the top of the stairs opened and two people walked into the room. Black eyes focused on John with a sneer on her lips, lips that did not belong to her. While the black was on the oldest man, the yellow was on the two younger men on the floor.