Thanks to every one who has reviewed this story, and I apologize in advance if this chapter isn't very good, as I found it really hard to write.
Beneath My skin
Dean paced the room like a caged animal, he felt literally sick to his stomach and the intense stares that Sam kept giving him weren't help things. He eyed the bathroom door with such intensity he could see right through it, could almost see the toilet beckoning him. He shook his head, and resumed his pacing, the last hour coming back to him.
"Dad, come on" Dean was in auto pilot, and he barely registered as his hand seek out his fathers neck, but when he felt the steady beat of a pulse under his hands, he almost burst with joy.
His eyes drifted up to meet his brothers watery gaze, he nodded his head slowly and allowed himself to fall to the floor, and pull his fathers head into his lap. Sam shifted with him, and held onto his hand, trying to give some of his own strength, in hope of bringing his father around.
Sam had started a mantra in his head, something along the lines, of please god please, and the second he had seen his fathers crumpled body, lying in a heap on the floor, his legs tucked into his side, it had changed to, please let him be all right. And as he held his fathers hand in his own, he couldn't help but feel afraid, afraid of what was going to happen next, with the stranger that had brought him back, because he knew the price she was going to pay, and he find his eyes drawn to her, as she stared down with the reaper.
"Do it" The words penetrated into Sams mind, and Sam couldn't help but think, that she looked a little to confident, when she knew she was about to die. He had the urge to jump and breech the circle, but he didn't know, what would happen to their dad if he did, and it was that fact alone that he did nothing.
He watched with bated breath as the reaper took a step forward, Max raised her head, her eyes locking with the reaper. The reaper faulted for a second, and Sam wondered if he was changing his mind, and he almost sighed in relief when the reaper started walking forward.
Max fell to the floor, her eyes screwed shut in pain, as the reapers hands connected with the side of her face.
Sam scrunched his face up in confusion and turned to face his brother wondering whether he had seen the reaper gasp in pain, and by the mystified look on Deans face he guessed he had. This time the reaper gasped louder his hands falling from her head and backed away, smoke emanating from his hands.
"What the hell" Sam turned to his brother, who was looking from his father, the reaper and Max. Sam shook his head, and once again his eyes turned to Max.
The reaper looked down at his hands, and gasped in pain, as his hands caught fire, he eyed Max with annoyance and confusion, his eyes taking in the necklace that was fixed around her neck.
"You double crossing bitch"
The reaper turned his eyes to John, and both Sam and Dean grabbed hold of him, their eyes burning with fire. The reaper gasped his eyes turning to Max who had gripped hold of his leg, her eyes burning into his very being.
"A soul for a soul" Max's hand fell limp from the reapers body, and her body fell to the floor, her head hitting the ground with an almost sickening thud.
Dean and Sam turned towards each other shock and relief on their features before they turned and watched as the reaper burned, his ashes falling to the floor.
Dean blinked his eyes in attempt to rid himself of the memory's that had surfaced, he sighed and ran his hand over his face, he turned his head, and took in the two beds that were in front of him.
His father who had yet to wake up, was lying in one of them, his body still and motion less, the only sign that he was alive was the small movements of his chest and the slight twitch in his hand.
The other bed held Max, her face pale, her breathing erratic, her eyes moving rapidly, small murmurs escaping her mouth, as if she was fighting some unseen force.
"Dean" Dean turned to face his brothers face and nodded his head in understanding, before seating himself onto the chair next to his fathers, bed and took a cold hand into his own.
"Why? How?" Dean shook his head, his eyes once again becoming emotionless.
"I dunno Sammy, by all rights, either she should be dead, or d…..dad should" Dean couldn't help the slight hitch in his voice when he thought about losing his father a second time.
Sam nodded his head and turned his head when he heard Max struggling to breath, he was about to stand and go over to her, when she calmed. Sam sighed and shook his head.
"She shouldn't have taken the risk" Deans eyes snapped to his brother, his eyes turning cold, Sam caught the look and nodded his head, tightening his grip on his fathers hand.
"Dean I didn't mean that, I just………….I don't think dad would want someone dying to bring him back" Dean nodded his mind flash backing to when he realized his dad had died for him.
The door to the room opened and both Sam and Dean turned to see Ellen, Ash and Jo making there way into the room, Jo and Ash making there way over to Max's bed and taking one of her hands each, while Ellen used the wall as a leaning post.
"No change" Sam shook his head, and Ellen sighed.
"Dad?" Sam shot his eyes over to his brother's worried voice and then down to his father, who was struggling to breath, both Sam and Dean leapt out of their chairs, ready to start CPR if need be, but at the moment all they could do was stand and watch as their father waged a war with some unseen force.
"Come on" Dean muttered, Sam standing at his side, looking lost and afraid.
John came to with a sudden gasp, his eyes searching the room with panic, his eyes took in Sam and Dean and he smiled slightly.
"My boys" Before his head fell back to the pillows his eyes closing once again, but this time both Winchesters knew he was going to wake up.