"Bobby, its Sam." He couldn't help the small hitch in his voice that escaped.
"What's the matter boy?" A concerned Bobby's voice rang out, beyond the ear piece of the cell phone and into the room for even Dean to hear. Sam kept his voice hushed and tried to keep the fear out of his voice.
"It's Dean, Bobby…he's been…he's not…he's changing Bobby."
"What in tarnation dija mean Sam? He's changing? How?" Bobby questioned, concern making his voice rise even higher then its normal gruff pitch.
"Well, it started with this fire hunt thing, and that ended up being a Phoenix and, well, Dean sorta shot at it and it ended up scratching him. Now, he's, well, he's losing his flesh and growing freakin' wings!" Sam couldn't control his emotions anymore and he both laughed and cried into the phone.
"It's insane, right Bobby? I mean, it can't happen like that, can it?" Sam's voice was bordering on the hysterical and Dean looked on, sorrow written all over his face, the blanket still wrapped around him as if he was freezing.
"Damn, Sam. I've never heard of such a thing happenin'. Although, most hunters aren't damn fool enough to take a shot at a Phoenix! Still, it's gotta be tied to the scratches, musta been something in them that caused Dean to change."
"Ya think?" Sam sarcastically replied to the older hunter.
"Knock that off Sam, before I beat you senseless and then you'll not be in any shape to help Dean."
"Yes sir," Sam said, realizing he'd went a bit too far with Bobby, who was only trying to help piece together what happened.
"So, you're tellin' me that Dean's basically turning into a flippin' Phoenix? So, where do you have him? And please don't say in the room!"
"Well, yeah, Bobby, where else would a put my brother, whose naked and turning into a damn bird! Sell him to the circus?" Sam practically screamed into the phone.
Dean gave Sam an evil look, "Paaahhhyyy Nnnnnisssee."
Sam looked away and took a deep breath as Bobby answered him.
"Son, I know that's your natural response, but you know the lore on Phoenix, right?" Bobby paused for a moment and then continued with his point. "The Phoenix, right before it dies, makes a nest for itself and sets it on fire, immolating itself so that it can rise again from the ashes. Now, I'm thinking that Phoenix you guys went after scratched Dean in self defense, protecting its nest since it was close to dying. But, when it scratched Dean, it gave him a taste of his own medicine, making him into a Phoenix to show him they aren't bad creatures and he should be more careful when hunting. Problem is, if Dean's as far gone as you say he is, he might just burst into flames right there and take you with him!"
Sam looked over at Dean when Bobby said this. He was glad Dean couldn't hear Bobby anymore, because he wasn't leaving his metamorphosizing brother.
"Not a concern Bobby, because we're not gonna let that happen, right? Because if it does…Dean's a Phoenix for good, right?"
"That's how I see it kiddo," Bobby spoke softly into the phone, "So; we need to figure out what can change him back before it's too late."
"Right, I'm going to start looking things up online right now, there has to be something online somewhere…" Sam's voice trailed off.
"Sam?" Bobby questioned as silence filled the phone receiver.
"Wait a minute Bobby, I'm remembering something."
The silence continued, only broken by the sound of keys on a keyboard clicking away. He could hear Sam mumbling Phoenix repeatedly, then such words as ashes, burning, virtue, healing.
"THAT'S IT!" Sam screamed into the phone.
Bobby jumped on the other end of the line and hollered back, "What the sam-hill you playing at boy?! You nearly blew my eardrum!"
"Sorry Bobby, it's just that I remembered that when I stopped Dean from offing the Phoenix I told him it's filled with virtue and healing because it's rumored that Phoenix tears have healing properties. What if we get the Phoenix to take back what it's done somehow and get the tears? You think that'd work?"
"I just might Sam. I mean, I doubt Dean's got much time left anyhow from what you've indicated to me, so I'd say find it and have Dean do some damn good charmin' to that birdie."
"Thanks Bobby, call you when this is over." Sam flipped the cell phone shut without hearing Bobby's "Good bye and good luck." It didn't matter, though, because both boys knew how much Bobby cared for them.
"Dean, we need to take you back to the Phoenix, it could heal you. We'll have to take the Impala."
Dean shook his head violently, "Naaaaooohhh chhaarrr, bbbuuurrrnnn ith."
"Dean, stop worrying about the damn interior of your precious car and start worrying about you!" Sam was getting frustrated with the situation.
Dean still indicated that he wouldn't get in the car because it could ruin it.
"Fine! I'll steal a damn car, just get your birdie ass outside now!" Sam hollered while Dean looked hurt at Sam's choice of words but submitted to the demand.