Road Less Travelled

Follow up to my story Two Hunters and a Baby, so if you haven't read that one it might pay to and then come back and revisit this one, coz it might get a little confusing.

Disclaimer: Sigh nope still nothing ... hmm what to do??? Okkies I promise I will send em home after I finish playing with my boys!!

This is a repost coz I realised that I made a bit of a booboo when I had the healer female and then male. Believe me she is all female!

CHAPTER THREE

The guard dropped an unconscious Sam back on the floor and wiped his hands on his own pants before he left the room, swallowing deeply he went in search of his boss. This was not going to go down well. The interrogation took an hour, with Sam remaining silent throughout the torture and threats. Softening slightly the guard let Sam drop to the floor and took a step back, his breath coming in rough heaves as he fought to control himself. Usually he enjoyed his job and found torturing his victims a good release of pent up emotions and anger. But pummelling the broken body of this young man brought nothing but feelings of disgust to him. The prisoner didn't know where the child went, he barely understood the questions, just shook his head and took whatever his tormentor dished out.

'Master.' He dropped his gaze and waited for Cornase to reply before he continued knowing from past experience not to go in half-cocked and interrupt something.

'What is it?' Cornase turned around and stared at the guard with a cold malicious stare.

'The prisoner, Sir did not make a sound during the interrogation and showed no signs of lying he does not know where the child is.'

'What state did you leave him in?'

'He is unconscious but alive, he will need to be seen by the medic before further questioning though.'

'Hmm and you are qualified to give this opinion how?'

'From the damage I inflicted on him Master, he is lucky to be alive from what I put him through.'

'And you say he made no sound at all?'

'No Sir, when questioned directly about the child he shook his head no, even under extreme duress he did not give any indication that he knew where she is or even who she is.'

'The drugs?'

'He was given another dose before I left, they didn't even loosen his tongue.'

'Hmm very good, you're dismissed.' Cornase waved his hand and waited for the guard to leave before he started pacing the room. So Sam remained silent throughout his torture interesting, but that doesn't help with finding the child.

'Where is she?' A cold, vicious female voice raked over Cornase's skin making it crawl, 'where is the child?'

'She has disappeared.' Cornase replied turning slowly, 'the prisoner was tortured to the point of death but he has no idea on her whereabouts. He is drugged so he may not have been conscious when she did go.'

'You have no security cameras set up?'

'No, there is no need for them I have all of the safe guards up.'

'What about nuisance animal spirits?'

'The only one who would be a nuisance was disposed of as a feline.'

'Why do I feel as though you are lying to me?'

'I will take you to the prisoner and you can question him yourself if you like.'

'Enough attitude Cornase if it wasn't for me you would still be languishing in the pits.'

'Yes I know my Lady, I know.'

The door opened and she stood staring dispassionately at the pitiful sight before her, 'you sure that he is alive?'

'Yes my Lady and drugged as you requested.'

'Very good, leave us Cornase but do not go far, I have another job for you.'

'Yes my Lady.' Cornase snivelled backing out of the room, 'I will get you bitch.' He mumbled under his breath.

She crouched down next to Sam's inert form and touched his forehead with an almost tender gesture. 'Sam are you in there still?' Her voice, silky and smooth wrapped around him like satin, soothing and cool.

Sam's eyelids fluttered and opened enough for him to try and focus on the face floating above him. 'Wake for me Sam, come to me.' the seductive voice continued to pull him back from the depths where he felt no pain.

Sam's eyes opened and he stared at the familiar woman hovering over him, a soft breath escaped as he released his breath but remained silent, still and watching.

'Oh Sam what has he done to you?' She asked gently sliding her hand down his cheek, 'I am sorry I wasn't able to stop him.'

Sam felt his body starting to wake up, but remained pain free, his head filled with cotton wool felt like it was floating. Sadly he knew that he couldn't respond even if he wanted to, the damage done to his throat from the constant injections directly into his neck, made it hard just to swallow, let alone speak. He could hear her voice, but couldn't actually make out the words, it was soft sounds that were soothing but terrifying at the same time. He knew that they wanted to know about Mickie, but he couldn't remember what happened to her. Maybe an angel took her, and it was his time next. Blinking Sam tried to focus on the face and remember who it is but sleep called to him and he wanted to close his eyes and drift again.

'No, no Sam no falling asleep on me.' She tapped his cheek gently and then wiped the errant tears falling from his pain-darkened eyes.

'Cornase where are you?' She yelled realising that she was going to get no where with Sam in this condition.

The demon appeared just behind her, a sneer of hatred marring his features, 'you called?'

'Where are the healers? The medics? Sam's needs attention now.' She declared standing up she turned her flaming eyes to Cornase, 'remember who I am now Cornase and what I can do.'

'How can I forget?' the demon sneered his anger over-riding his common sense. 'You won't let me.' He screamed as she ran a flaming finger down his chest scorching the skin in its wake.

'Do not underestimate me Cornase, I am no longer your servant I am now your Mistress.'

'Forgive me my Lady.'

'Get Sam cleaned up and placed on a proper bed with medical attention or a healer whatever it takes.'

'Yes Mistress,'

'oh by the way Cornase, keep him drugged he is much more compliant this way.'

'Of course Mistress.'

Sam tried to shake his head when the needle came closer but he could no more fight it off than fly, a sigh escaped as he felt the biting pinch and the vile concoction invade his body again.

His tormentor returned with another guard and together they carried Sam to the bathroom but this time laid him in a large tub filled with warm water and fragrant oils.

Sam felt the hands washing him but he didn't care as he rode the waves of a drug induced lethargy.

The one who tortured him felt his remorse rise as he took in the damage Sam had already sustained and the newer injuries he himself inflicted. The kid's one tough son of a bitch that was for sure.

'Rafe the healer's here.'

'Show her in.' Rafe looked up at the younger man, 'she can check him out while he is in the tub and pliable.'

'Yes Sir.' The other guard nodded and left the bathroom again, leaving Rafe and Sam alone. Rafe Engles, nearly his fiftieth birthday but knowing because of his deal that he would never reach it. Now he worked for the demon Cornase who owns his contract, in his previous life he was notorious for his physical approach to problem solving as was often hired as a torturer by major crime bosses. But this, this was different now his entire existence consisted of torturing human prisoners and lower class demons who displease the bosses. Was clean and easy work for him, but now he doubted it. The kid had an air of sensitivity and innocence around him and Rafe himself saw how he was with the little one. He did not deserve to be hurt like he is, and to stay so quiet.

'Look Kid I dunno if you can hear me, but ... well I'm supposed to give you another injection to keep you drugged, but well I reckon it's gonna kill ya first so just between you and me I gave it to ya.' He whispered emptying the contents into the toilet and flushing it before going back to Sam and easing the needle point into Sam's skin making it look like he had done it.

Sam opened his eyes and blinked up at the man, the look in his eyes showing his thanks before they slid shut again. Rafe sat back and smiled softly before he heard the door opening. When he turned to meet the new arrivals he wore his professional 'don't give a damn' face. 'bout time Healer.'

'Sorry but the Master keeps me busy.' The sniped answer came back, 'so what do we have here?'

'Young Sam, gave the Master a few problems in the past, so when he ... had him beaten, broke his knee cap, cheekbone and nose as far as I can tell, maybe his fingers too. Then they drugged him with some concoction and well I got ordered to do an interrogation on him.'

'Has he regained consciousness at all?'

'Some but he ... don't think he can talk and has trouble hearing as well.' Rafe reported the injuries rolling off his tongue in a dispassionate tone.

'Well let me see him, I cannot heal everything but I can make him more comfortable I take it the Master wants me to leave the drug effects going?'

'Yes, he wants him addicted.'

'Ah alright let's see what we got here.' The healer indicated for the Rafe and the other guard to lift Sam out of the tub and to lie him down on the bench. Rafe placed a chair at the end to accommodate the extra length in Sam's legs.

'My, oh my he has done a number on him.' the healer muttered as she ran her hands over Sam's naked body, her eyes closed as he concentrated on the injuries, external and internal.

'Rafe we are going to have to shift him first I will need to do several healings for him to survive the night.'

'J.T. come on you can help carry Sam to the guest room.' Rafe ordered the young guard on the door, 'now J.T.'

'Yes Sir.' Together the two men carried Sam into another room, only semi-conscious Sam felt them lift him but that was all.

As carefully as they could they lowered Sam onto the soft bed, Rafe ordered J.T. to go and clean up the tub and the bathroom, effectively leaving Sam alone with the healer and his torturer.

'Seriously healer, what are his chances?'

'Why? Starting to have a conscious Rafe?'

'Just wondering geeze Doc.'

'Honestly his injuries are severe, if he recovers he is ... his is in danger of having serious deficiencies and disabilities unless more healers can help him or even human medicine.'

'What else did they do to him? I mean I know what ... what else did they?'

'You were correct with the knee, cheek and nose fractures. As well he has fractures in his left hand and fingers, his left wrist and at least four of his ribs on the left side. He has internal bleeding which I have managed to stop before we shifted him, the bruising around his abdomen is worrying and he has damage done to both ear drums, his throat and larynx, honestly I cannot tell you if he will be able to speak or hear again.'

'Damn doc if I knew he was that bad I would have refused...'

'And then someone else more sadistic and murderous would have done worse.' The healer patted Rafe's hand, 'don't feel guilty over it Rafe, you have no more control over what happens here than I do.'

'Whoever took the child, I'm glad doc I would hate to see what they were planning to do to her.'

'I know, I agree with you there, now onto business, can you go and see if the Mistress will allow at least one more healer?'

'Sure, don't let him die, healer, I don't want his death on my conscious as well.'

-----------------------

Bobby and Dean watched the building from their well positioned hiding place. 'We can't wait all night Bobby.'

'I know Dean but we can't go in half-cocked either.' Bobby glanced over at Dean, 'we're gonna get him Dean but it aint gonna happen if we go in there blind.'

'I know Bobby it's just ... we're so close.' Dean ran his fingers through his hair and shook off his feeling of impending dread.

'Dean twelve o'clock.' Bobby nodded his head making Dean turn to look, 'is that who I think it is?'

'Fuck Bobby what's going on?' Dean rasped his eyes widening in shock as he watched the woman strut into the building.

'I dunno but I can tell ya this that aint the bitch you knew Dean.'

'I know she took me for a ride Bobby, damn is ... she's the one who wants Mickie back.' Dean sat back on his haunches as the realisation hit him, 'I know that they took Sam to get back at me but why Mickie, it didn't make sense until now.'

'Damn it Dean if Az didn't get to them when she did.'

'That bitch would have my daughter back.' Dean ground out.

----------------

Az watched Mickie sleep, she delighted in watching the little girl and sleeping was no exception. She was so much like her father it was scary but there was the vulnerability and specialness of her uncle in her too. Az sighed and stroked the infants face with the tip of her finger, tracing feather-light patterns in a soothing fashion.

'Sleep little angel, you are safe here and when you wake your daddy and uncle will be home.'

'It is time Azuraus.' A gentle voice came from behind the soft crib. Looking up she smiled at her mentor, 'I know Azurail she just looks so peaceful.'

'It is for the best, we cannot let the evil ones know of this place.' Azurail placed a hand on Az's head, a tender smile on his face. 'She will be safe little one.'

'I know it's just ...'

'What?'

'Her father entrusted Michaela to my care, what if something goes wrong?'

'Nothing will go wrong little one, she is safe and will continue to be ... what is the child wearing Azuraus?'

As grinned and straightened out the tiny black T-shirt and jeans on the little girl, 'her daddy bought them for her, I figured they would give her comfort.'

'A heavy metal band T-shirt?' Azurail asked incredulously, 'how did they find one so small?'

'It is the human way.' Az giggled, 'she looks so cute, she has a bandanna to match and a mini leather look jacket.'

'Interesting choices for a girl but ... I would not choose a better father for her.'

'Nor I Azurail ... Dean loves her with his entire being I don't even have to sense that and her uncle Sam ...'

'Sam can help her as she grows into her gifts, they are the wisest carers for her, I feel sorry that she cannot know her mother but it is for the best.'

Az nodded sadly and bent over the crib brushing a kiss on the chubby cheek before whispering a small chant in the toddler's ear. 'Sleep well little angel.' She kissed her again before sealing the cocoon around her. 'She will sleep until her father wakes her.' She said, 'I am ready to guard.'

'I will never be far Azuraus.' Azurail bent down and kissed the top of her head, smiling happily Az looked up at the smiling face of her mentor, 'did anyone tell you that you resemble John Winchester?'

'Or perhaps he resembled me?' Azurail chuckled as he gave her a protection blessing and hung the amulet around her neck. 'be careful little one.'

Az smiled and then transformed into a mammoth black panther with golden eyes, growling softly she curled herself around the cocoon and settled down, ever watchful.

-------------------

Sam opened his eyes and tried to remember where he was now, his head still felt light and floating, his throat constricted so badly he choked each breath and swallow, lying back against the pillow he resigned himself to the fact that he was dying, but at least he was sure Mickie was safe.

'Don't think like that Sam,' that voice came back in his thoughts, confused he turned his head and stared at the woman. 'Yes Sam you can hear me in your thoughts, it seems that you sustained some damage to your ears and throat. What a shame you can only hear me and can't do anything about it.'

'Why?' The thought pulled itself out from behind Sam's stubborn wall, 'why?'

'Why what?' Oh this?' the tinkling laugh made him shudder.

'Good old fashioned revenge, dear brother.'

'You are not my sister.'

'Oh not by marriage I suppose but you are uncle to my daughter are you not.'

'You are no mother.'

'Tsk, tsk Sam how can you speak to me like that?'

'Give me my voice back and then you can hear me in full volume.'

'Hmm tempting but I rather like you as the strong silent type.'

'Merci!'

TBC