IT'S ALL IN THE CARDS

DISCLAIMER: The usual, not mine to own but I love to play ... no money passes hands for this story or any other I write. I wish but nope not yet. No Laundromat washers or dryers were harmed or destroyed in the writing of this story.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the combination of three story ideas, and thanks and LovinJackson for the wonderful input and ideas for this story.

AUTHOR'S NOTE 2: Sam is 18 and Dean is 22 – 23 (set between new years day and Dean's birthday to begin with.) Before Sam goes to Stanford.

S—D

Chapter Eleven

Then:

'He wanted me to call him father, I refused and told him that my name is Sam not Samuel.' Sam shrugged, 'Dean don't feel so good.'

'Yeah I – I know Sammy, me neither.' Dean felt lightheaded and nauseous just as an overwhelming exhaustion swept through him, 'so tired, Sammy ... hey Sammy stay with me.'

'He's ... doin' again.' Sam whispered as he slumped against his brother, 'drugs.'

The cool breeze subsided as the two brothers fell back against the mattress, a slight blue tinge around both of their mouths.

Now:

John sat behind the steering wheel of his truck and rested his aching forehead on it. He had to get out of the place, away from the others, and their well-meaning platitudes and discussions. But, most especially he had to get away from Tess, the woman mystified him and it wasn't a good feeling. She claims to know exactly where they can find the boys, she claims that she sees it all in her tarot cards, though there is something he can't put his finger on but there is something about her that unsettles him. She is sexy, passionate, easy to get on with, but not Mary. A diversion perhaps though he hated himself to think that.

An enigma, that is what she is, something to study and someone to get to know better if the circumstances were right. But, for John Eric Winchester there would never be the right circumstances.

'Are you alright John?' Jim asked as he got into the truck's cab next to him. 'Honestly?'

'Honestly Pastor?' John laughed mirthlessly, 'I am so far from alright it scares me.'

'Bobby rang with some reasonably good news…'

'What?'

'Those papers you found in the house, the ones that …'

'Yeah what about them?'

'They are definitely fake John, Bobby had a contact, who had a contact in the department whatever they are forgeries very good ones but still forgeries.'

'And that is good news? I already knew that Jim.' John said wearily, he turned bloodshot and red-rimmed eyes to the cleric, 'Sam has always been mine.'

'It's good because if that … person, tried to do anything through so-called legal means, he has no claims John. He can't even pretend to be Sam's biological father. This is good news John you have ammunition against him.'

'Is Tess coming?'

'Yes she is just packing up and will be out momentarily,' Jim studied his friend closely, he took in the fine tremor in John's hands, the dark shadows under his eyes, the strange dullness in his dark eyes that made them look more like stormy clouds than anything else. For once, Jim felt truly worried that John would do something in desperation that could lead to an unrequited ending. An ending where John Winchester may find himself languishing in a jail cell or worse, and that was something Jim Murphy would not allow to happen. God help us all.

Tess slid into the truck next to Jim and glanced over at John, 'they are there John I promise you.'

'Why does Sammy call you the 'red' lady? Why was he so scared of you?' John asked before he was willing to start this little road trip. 'What's your connection to all of this?'

'John…' Jim tried to placate John he could see the anger start to burn in his eyes.

'It's okay Pastor Murphy,' Tess laid a hand on Jim's arm, 'honestly John I'm not sure but I have a feeling … that I know him.'

'The bastard that took Sam and now both my boys?' John asked incredulously what else is she gonna come up with.

'I-I have been having dreams, of my childhood … long forgotten memories in glorious technicolour.' Tess shivered as the memories came back, unconsciously she played with the locket. 'I think, I think that I am having these visions of Sam, and of him because … because I think that that man, I think that is he my long lost father.'

S—D

Dean sat with his back against the wall, his baby brother cradled in his arms, the drugs or whatever they had filtered into the air made him nauseous to say the least, his head thumped unmercifully intensifying the pain from his pre-existing injuries making him feel like a whole lot of hurt and nothing else. Although it was Sam who took all of his attention and worry, his little brother hadn't woken up from the drugs and he showed no signs of returning to consciousness. Unbidden and unnoticed tears rolled down his pale, bruised face, Sam was dying in his arms and there was nothing that he could do. He was helpless and he hated that feeling. 'God Dad where are you?' he muttered as he absently ran his fingers through Sam's sweaty and matted hair. 'You need a haircut kiddo.'

S—D

Pitts stood in the doorway watching the brothers carefully, he was worried that the mixture was too strong this time, Sid was not Max, he did regret the "passing" of his right-hand-man but Max was getting soft and there was no room for getting soft. Not when so much was at stake.

He had to get Sam to accept him before Azazel made his move on the boy, he had to have him groomed and ready; he knew that he had a few years before the other demon laid claim to the Winchester youngest but years would pass too quickly and if he was to prove himself and to have Samuel standing at his side as his fully-fledged and "improved" son then he would have to work quickly.

He watched as Dean started to stir; the guardian, guard dog, protector whatever you want to call him he was the key to ensuring success with Sam. As long as he could convince both boys that their "other" father is dead – John Winchester has to die.

'Mister Pitts there seems to be a problem with your son.' Sid spoke breaking into his boss's thoughts.

'What is it Sid?'

'He is weakening and is not regaining consciousness.' Sid replied unfazed by the look Pitts gave him.

'I am aware of what is happening in that room, I am watching them.' Pitts said slowly enunciating each word.

'Yes Sir, but I have just monitored their responses …'

'Yes, yes I saw you do that … what is wrong with my son?'

'Young Sam's vitals are dropping, at best he is catatonic … he was too weak to undergo the drug therapy you requested, I am positive that Sam has slipped into a coma.'

'No, no I will not have that my son is not in a coma. Wake him now Sid.'

'That I can't do Mister Pitts, the only one who could possibly do that is his brother and it has not worked with him, there is nothing I can do for him Sir.'

'Revive him now or suffer …'

'You can threaten me all you like Mister Pitts, I'm only an army medic and not a doctor but it's not hard to tell that he's comatose. His immune system was already compromised, he had severe blood loss and other issues the mix you ordered to make them more pliable was too strong Sir.'

'This is your fault Sid, fix it.' Pitts thundered.

Sid stood there and stared at his boss, he did not sign on to murder kids, 'there is nothing to fix Mister Pitts, I can do nothing to reverse what you have already done.'

'My son will not die.' Pitts pushed past Sid and hurried into the room where he held the Winchester brothers prisoner. 'Wake up now Samuel.' He bellowed grabbing Sam's wrist and wrenching the boy out of his brother's arms.

'What the fuck are you doing?' Dean yelled struggling to get to his feet as Pitts shook Sam's limp body unmercifully. 'Let go of my brother you bastard.'

'Wake up now Samuel, you are not doing this to me.' Pitts snarled slapping Sam's face, 'you defiant little shit.'

'That's enough Mister Pitts,' Sid grabbed Pitts' hand and stopped him from assaulting Sam any further.

Dean caught Sam just as his brother collapsed bonelessly to the floor, 'Sammy!' he cried ignoring the two men in front of him as he hugged Sam's unresponsive form to his chest, 'Sam!'

S—D

Bobby shifted his gaze from John to Tess and then back again, he had trouble reconciling the fact that these two did hook up but now, now she's supposed to be the long-lost daughter? Scratching his beard Bobby opened his mouth and then closed it again, for the first time in a long time he was speechless.

'Are we gonna go and get my boys anytime soon or are we gonna stand around making impersonations of fish?' John snarked as he watched Bobby's opening and closing mouth. 'Jim you ready?'

'Yes, Mark and I will be ready in the van for the boys, please God that they won't be too badly hurt.'

'Yeah well after what he did to Sammy last time I aint takin' no chances.' John ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair something felt wrong but he couldn't work out exactly what had his 'hunter-senses' firing but there was definitely something hinkey about it all. 'Damn I'm getting more like Dean.' He thought as he turned to go to the truck appearing to ignore Tess in the process.

'John please talk to me,' she asked as she slid into the truck beside him, 'I can't choose who my parents are, just as much as you can't … I need you to believe me.'

'Just … at the moment Tess all I can think about is getting my boys back and then we'll discuss the rest … Later.' John smirked, but then adding silently, 'much later or never.'

Bobby piled into the truck squeezing Tess between the two men; he had to turn his face away to stop himself laughing though when he caught a glimpse of John's panicked expression and Tess' look of horror. If the circumstances were different man could he have some fun.

'Argh … no, please not now.' Tess whimpered grasping at her head with both hands she dropped the two tarot cards she had been holding. 'S-Sam … no … can't … feel … Dean's sorrow.'

'Where are they Tess? Concentrate on where they are and not how they're doin.' Bobby coached her as John's truck roared to life, rumbling and revving as he waited for directions.

S—D

John pulled the big black truck to a stop two houses away from the target building, Jim deftly pulled the plain van in behind them, Mark already in the back of their homemade ambulance preparing for any problem that may arise once they got the boys out.

Tess stumbled as she got out of the truck and gasped as her ankle started to twist and collapse under her. Two calloused, strong and masculine hands caught her around the waist and steadied Tess before she fell and completed the wrenching of her ankle joint. 'Th-thanks John.' She blushed prettily.

'Anytime,' John whispered as he stared down into her liquid eyes, losing himself for a second before clearing his throat and setting Tess back on her feet without further incident. 'Time to …'

'Yep I know,' Tess reached up to give him a small peck on the cheek and then moved towards the house. She glanced behind to see that the guys were no longer visible but she keenly felt their presences. Taking a deep breath, Tess knocked on the door and waited.

'Can I help you?' An older almost matronly looking woman opened the door and stared at Tess, 'is that you Miss Tess?'

'Yes … Aunt Maggie?' Tess frowned slightly, she hadn't felt or seen her father's sister in this mess, it gave her a queasy uneasy feeling all of a sudden.

'Dear Lord it's been too long, come in child your father will be back in a minute.'

Tess let her aunt lead her inside, looping her arm around Maggie's elbow she forced herself to act and speak excitedly about seeing her father again.

S—D

Once Tess disappeared inside with the other woman; the three hunters slipped unnoticed inside the house before splitting and going their separate ways. John headed towards the kitchen in search of the basement stairs, Bobby stayed on the main floor while Jim took upstairs. The rendezvous point was the kitchen, hopefully it'd remain empty.

Moving quickly through the upper level, Jim paused as he heard voices coming from one room, after casting a glance around to make sure that no one was around he moved closer determined to hear the conversation.

'Where are the boys?'

'Downstairs in that room the boss had built for the runt.'

'Damn kid is so wiry.'

'Tell me but it's that older kid that gets me, he's more like a Rottweiler guard dog than a supposed brother.'

'Yeah but they aint the bosses kids for sure. The younger one, the one he claims is his true son … yeah apparently he's dying.'

'Poor kid, I was here last time but then again, the pay and privileges are too damn good.'

'Yeah that's for sure, aint many bosses give ya such good … extras.' The laughter filled the room and spilled out into the passage way.

Jim frowned when he heard the two men discuss Dean and Sam, especially Sam. 'Don't worry Sam, Dean we'll get you two out.' Jim muttered under his breath as he moved stealthily away from the door and headed back downstairs to meet up with Bobby and John.

S—D

Bobby crept towards the room where Tess and the other woman stepped into; he still had mixed feelings about the psychic and her connection to the Winchesters.

'So Tess, how have you been? It's been too many years child.'

'I know Aunty but father has had a lot to do with it.' Tess replied her voice tinged with sadness.

'And your mother, I'm sorry Tess I know how close the two of you were, but she told your father to leave and to never come back.'

'She must have had her own reasons Aunty, besides I was never a good child.'

'So what are you doing now?' Maggie asked her eyes glinting dangerously, 'I hear that you're using your talents finally.'

'Yes, yes I am,' Tess smiled softly warming to one of her favourite subjects, 'I have my own shop in Arlington, called the Mystic Nymph, but yeah I do more than just readings now.'

'Good girl, that's good to hear, now tell me what brought you all the way here.'

'I-I had a vision about Father.' Tess admitted carefully not wanting to give too much away even though she did love her aunt, Maggie was still her father's sister.

'Oh my dear, well let me go and fetch him.'

'Argh, no not now.' Tess cried out as she held her head in her hands and squeezed her eyes closed. The pain was so intense it took her breath away, as a whiteness descended blotting out anything else. Then slowly the white bled red and she could see her father standing over Dean who cradled Sam's body against his chest. Blood dripped down the walls and spilled across the floor staining all that it touched. 'You killed my brother.'

'He is not dead, merely comatose, don't be so overdramatic boy.'

'I aint your boy,'

'Well you're hardly a man now are you?'

'Leave us alone now.'

'So much blood,' Tess moaned, blinking she winced at the spiking pain behind her right eye and then she felt the dripping liquid coming from her nose, 'great another nosebleed.'

'What happened Tess?' Maggie asked a look of genuine concern shining in her eyes, 'I'll get Roland.'

'Get Roland for what?' Pits asked as he came into the room, 'Tess? Daughter? Is that really you?'

'Hello father,' Tess gave him a watery tiny smile, 'it's been a long time.'

'What brings you here tonight?' Pits asked his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

'I – I had a vision of you Father, I had to see you, to make sure that you're alright.'

'And now?'

'I had the same vision again Father is there something you're not telling me?'

'No but the vision … tell me about it Tess.'

'Wait … father how can you be so calm about the visions and stuff?' Tess blinked as the realisation hit her. 'You left before I ever knew about what I can do.'

S--D

John scoped out the kitchen and took note of two armed men who seemingly patrolled the outer parameter; at least something was going right for them. He moved easily through the large room heading towards two doors at the far end of the room, dodging the table and chairs John paused at the two doors, one he prayed led to his children but which one?

S—D

The three hunters met back by the base of the stairs, an unconscious guard propped up against the wall, deftly tied up and gagged. Bobby shrugged and gave them a 'what' grin.

'Two doors in the kitchen both locked and two guards outside.' John whispered succinctly.

'Tess, her father and apparently her aunt are in the living room.' Bobby reported.

'Two men upstairs not sure what they were doing but they did discuss the boys,' Jim finished his portion of the intel sharing, deciding not to go into detail and upset the volatile Winchester anymore than he already is.

S—D

John led the way into the kitchen when they heard the voices drifting out of the living room, happy with the knowledge that Tess was keeping Pits busy. They left the now unconscious guard stuffed under the stairs.

With expert flicks of his wrist John had the lock picked on the first door and while Bobby went downstairs to investigate John picked the lock on the other door and moved down the stairs while Jim kept watch in the kitchen.

S—D

Tess sipped at the iced water and started to feel better, but she couldn't get the image of Sam's flaccid body cradled against Dean, at least he was no longer in pain, the thought crossed her mind as she looked up at her father's face and tried to read his features. 'Father, can I ask you a question?'

'Yes you can ask me anything Tess you know that.'

'Why are you fixated on Sam Winchester?' Tess asked him staring at him closely.

Pits sputtered and narrowed his eyes as he met Tess' stare, 'what do you mean by that Theresa?'

Tess swallowed deeply, cursing herself silently for being so direct. 'Forgive me if I overstep my mark Father but I saw a young man by the name of Sam Winchester in the vision along with his brother.'

'What else did you see Theresa?'

'Blood, so much blood and they were in a white room.'

S—D

'Sid!' Pits pushed Tess away from him sending her crashing against a wall where she crumpled onto the floor, lying there stunned and in shock at her father's violent reaction. 'Sid get downstairs now!'

'Roland what is going on?' Maggie demanded.

'Nothing to do with you woman,' Pits seethed, 'see to your niece but make sure she doesn't leave this room.'

S—D

John opened the door and stared into the room a small sigh and then curse came thundering out as he took in the store room. Loping back up the stairs he came to a skidding stop by Jim, just when the two men heard Bobby's muffled cry. 'The boys.' They cried out simultaneously as they sprinted down the stairs to meet up with the other hunter.

S—D

Bobby picked the lock on the door at the base of the stairs; a deep-seated feeling of dread filled the pit in his belly. 'Boys?' he cried out and then followed it with a string of expletives that would turn a blue sailor white again. 'Dean?'

'Sammy … Sammy …' Dean rocked as he hugged his brother tight, unwilling to let go for anyone, he was lost in his own grief to notice just who was in front of him.

'Bobby!' John came to a stop next to his friend and let his gaze fall on what or rather who Bobby was staring at. 'Boys?'

'Sammy … sh its okay dad'll come you'll see.' Dean mumbled still unaware of the newcomers.

John crouched down in front of the boys while Jim and Bobby took up watch at the door for any intruders, running his fingers through his hair John watched his sons carefully, taking in their appearances, injuries – the visible ones anyway and the way Sam lay so still, too still. 'Dean … son it's dad.'

Dean blinked and lifted unfocused, glazed and red-rimmed eyes in the direction of where the voice came from. 'Dad?' He whispered hoarsely, 'no – not just a dream.'

'No it's me Dean, it's me.' John's voice cracked, reaching out he cupped Dean's cheek 'can I see Sam?'

'No, no please don't take him from me … he needs me.'

'Not gonna take him Dean I just have to … I just want to check him out.'

'He won't wake up,' Dean offered his despair rolling from him in waves, cloying and suffocating. 'Why won't he wake up?'

'Let me see Dean please,' John tenderly lifted Dean's hands and let out a small gasp of surprise when he felt the heat radiating from the sweat slick palms and the fine tremors running through his boy's body. 'Ah Dean.'

'Help Sam please dad, help Sam.'

John looked down at his baby boy, albeit extremely tall, but still his baby boy and his heart broke even more. 'Dear God Sam.'

'John we have to git going.' Bobby warned hearing the thudding footfalls overhead. 'John!'

'Well, well what do we have here?' Pits appeared in the room standing right behind Dean, the thudding footsteps stopped just as Sid come into sight. 'A little party,'

'What have you done to my boys?' John thundered standing he pulled himself up to his own imposing height, 'I'm going to rip you from limb to limb.'

'Tsk, tsk watch the blood pressure John,' Pits smirked 'and remember … you are not Samuel's father.'

'I'll give you something to show you that I'm Sam's father, for one he is called Sam not Samuel and for two…' John let his words trail as he pulled back his right fist and landed a king punch on the side of Pits' head. The man, taken by surprise, stumbled backwards and crashed into the wall.

The small room filled with grown, large and violent men suddenly felt like a tomb it was cramped and full of testosterone. Swallowing deeply Dean pulled Sam back to him and shuffled back on his butt until he backed up to the wall. Ignoring the commotion playing out in front of him, Dean gave his brother his sole attention, the rest of them became white noise and that was all. 'I gotcha Sammy.'

S—D

Sid appeared just as his boss started to antagonise Winchester, taking a couple of seconds to study the actual father to the boys he took in the power radiating from him, the brute strength and determination gave Sid pause to reconsider his own position in all of this. Pits was clearly insane and his obsession with the youngest of the two was just plain sick. He lifted his gaze up and stared at his now-former boss, he paled when he saw black flood into Pits' eyes, and that was the last thing he needed to help cement his decision.

'Don't move just listen,' he whispered into Bobby's ear and then turned to head back upstairs when he finished his message.

S—D

'Do you know what Father is doing here?' Tess asked her aunt, although her attention was fixed on the shut door.

'Tess this is bigger than…'

'You do know!' Tess gasped her eyes wide as she turned to look directly at the other woman. 'Aunt Maggie?'

'Oh grow up Theresa,' Maggie snapped, 'you have no idea of the magnitude of what Roland is …'

'It's wrong Aunty, so wrong … Sam and Dean are innocents…' Maggie's short, sharp laugh brought Tess to silence; straightening her shoulders she fixed a stare and decided that she had to do more than just witness she had to act.

'Roland is more than a mere human, we may inhabit these meat-suits but it is only because no one can look at us in our true forms. In hell, he rules many and is truly powerful. However, there is a usurper Azazel who covets Sam Winchester as well. Roland should have been his father, as well as yours, Azazel interfered the night Roland was going to possess John Winchester and procreate with his wife Mary. Sam Winchester is the key to unlock Hell's greatest gift to the world.' Maggie's eyes shone with a maniacal glint that sent shivers down Tess' spine.

'What about you Maggie?'

'I am Roland's sister, and believe you me I will do anything to make sure he fulfils his destiny.'

'Is that why I have these…?'

'Yes, you are special child – yours and Sam's destinies will become intertwined once you and he accept them.'

'Never … I will never accept anything so heinous, so evil.'

'Ah but child it's written in the cards you cannot fight destiny.'

S—D

TBC