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!!

CHAPTER EIGHT

The little girl sighed and stared at the sunrise while she waited with patience beyond her years. Movement next to her made her smile and giggle not long to go now, with a mischievous grin she patted the face next to her and tugged on an ear. 'Wakey, wakey wanna play.'

'Mmph not now.'

'Uhhuh nows.' She giggled again.

'Mickie please.' Az scratched her nose and stretched, 'it's too early.'

'No, no, no, wanna see daddy.' Mickie cried again, 'Unc Sammy.'

'You'll see them soon enough sweety but first we have to wait.' Az said glancing at the bedside clock. 'Michaela! It's only six thirty in the morning.'

'Go daddy now.' Mickie started to pout, turning big luminous eyes on her carer.

'Your daddy is gonna be mad.' Az sighed.

'Nah-huh wanna daddy.'

'Okay, okay we'll go and see your daddy.'

'Now.' The little girl demanded wrinkling her little nose, 'Az silly.'

'No Mickie silly.' Az giggled in seconds she had them dressed and ready with just a wave of her hand and then she picked Mickie up and held her tight, 'okay kiddo here we go.'

A warm light twinkled and hovered between the two beds without raising any alarms. The room remained silent, the occupants blissfully unaware as the new arrivals started to coalesce.

'Daddy.' A high-pitched little girl's voice pierced the silence immediately waking two of the three occupants. 'Daddy.'

'Mickie?' Dean blinked and stared up at the faces of his daughter and her guardian. 'Az what? Who?'

'Daddy.' Mickie squirmed and twisted her way out of Az's arms and tried to escape to her father's arms. With a sigh of relief, Az handled over her precious bundle and then stood back and watched as father and daughter greet each other.

'Hey baby.' Dean buried his face in his daughter's downy soft hair, 'daddy's missed you.'

'Don' cry daddy.' Mickie cupped her father's face in her tiny hands and stared at him with a look that didn't belong on the face of a toddler. 'Daddy owies.'

'Daddy's fine now ... Az what happened? She stood still be ... safe.'

'She brought herself back,' Az said trying her hardest not to flicker and disappear, 'no one can explain it so she brought herself back and cried for you.'

'Mickie?'

'She was inconsolable, nothing anyone ... she only calmed down when I said that I would bring her to you.'

'Az ... Merci she's ...'

'I know, that is one reason why we ... they sent us back to you. She found out where we had her hidden. If she didn't wake when she did ... Merci would have her.'

'Fuck.' Dean breathed absently rubbing circles on his daughter's back.

'Dean what happened?' Az asked tilting her head to the side she stared at his pallid features and obvious injuries. 'She knew you were hurt.'

'Mickie?'

'Daddy ... Unc Sammy?'

'Oh God Mickie ... he's just over there.' Dean pointed to the other bed, 'and Uncle Bobby is asleep over there.'

'Kay ... daddy?'

'Yes sweety?'

'Love you.' She said throwing her arms around her father's neck, kissed him and cuddled tight against him, and then promptly fell asleep.

'Az?'

'What happened Dean?'

'Cornase and Merci.' Dean said unable to take his gaze from his daughter, 'they tortured Sam before we could get him back. The doctors had to operate on his ears, they don't know if ... he may not hear again.'

'Ah Dean, what about you?'

'She ... she ... I'll be fine, especially now I got this little bundle of worms wriggling into me.' Dean sighed sliding down onto his pillows he cradled his little girl against his chest and fell asleep, this time free of nightmares and drugs.

Maggie opened the door cautiously making sure that she didn't bother any of her boys until necessary. When she stepped closer to Dean's bed, she stopped and stared in confusion, a little girl wearing a black T-shirt and jeans cuddled against her patient's chest, her chubby thumb fixed tightly in her mouth.

'Morning Maggie.' Bobby said his voice rough with sleep, 'well hey little one when did you get here?' He grinned when he saw Mickie with her daddy, 'where's that guide of yours?'

A meow from the end of Sam's bed sounded in answer making Maggie turn around her mouth open in shock.

'Az stop spooking the woman.' Bobby chided the animal guide, 'ah guess you're wonderin' what's goin on?'

'Oh you could say that.' Maggie said, 'who or what is that?' she asked pointing at the cat cleaning her paw, 'and who?'

'First up the little girl ... she's Dean's baby girl Michaela but she gets Mickie and that over there is supposed to be her guardian and protector Azuraus.'

'But, but it's a cat.'

'Nuff of the cat stuff.' Az twinkled into human form, before starting to fade again.

'Az nuff of that come back here.' Bobby said mindful of the sleeping Winchesters, all three of them.

'Daddy?' Mickie blinked and stared at her father with a small frown, 'daddy sad.'

'Hey baby, no daddy not sad just tired.' Dean whispered not wanting to wake up and find it all a dream and Mickie was still fast asleep in the ground.

'Unc Sammy wakey.' Mickie sat up clapping, 'wanna Unc Sammy.'

'Az you mind?' Dean asked looking over at the animal spirit he realised that they were definitely here, in the hospital with him and Sam. 'Morning Bobby, oh hey Maggie.'

'Dean.' they both said together.

'Maggie have you met my daughter Mickie?' Dean said pride glowing in his eyes.

'Hey Mickie my name is Maggie.' The nurse said smiling at the solemn faced little girl. 'My you look like your daddy don't you.' Maggie said taking in the bright green eyes and smattering of freckles across her little nose, 'but you got your uncle's dimples.'

'Unc Sammy.' Mickie demanded impatiently pushing on Maggie, 'Unc Sammy.' As soon as she was placed on the bed next to Sam she moved until her little arms rested on Sam's chest her little chubby legs tucked under her belly she regarded him with a serious look and then reached up to touch Sam's ears and then his mouth. 'No, no Unc Sammy.'

'Mickie?' Sam opened his eyes and gave his little niece a wan smile, 'hey.'

'Unc Sammy got owie?'

'Yeah sweety.' Sam answered and then lifted his head to look over at Dean, wincing with the movement he swallowed down on it and smiled tremulously, say something Dean.' he rasped, his voice barely audible but loud enough for Dean to hear him.

'Whatcha want me to say bitch?'

'Whatever you like jerk.' Sam shot back instantly, 'I – I can hear you.'

'Sammy?' Dean grinned and tried to pull himself out of the bed.

'Hey hang on there mister where do you think you're going?' Bobby put a restraining hand on Dean's arm.

'To my brother ... why old man you gonna try and stop me?'

'Nope gonna give you a hand you over-reacting eedjit.'

'Oh ... ah thanks.' Dean showed enough respect to look chastised but still impatient while he waited for the help into the wheelchair and across the room to Sam. 'Hey bro.'

'Hey Dean.' Sam smiled hugging Mickie tightly 'hey button.'

'Unc Sammy.' Mickie wrinkled her nose and reached up to kiss her uncle's cheek running her fingers over his stubbled chin, 'better?'

'Will be Mickie, will be.' Sam smiled and rested his aching head against the pillows, 'tired though.'

Dean took Mickie from Sam's arms and nestled her on his knee before reaching up to touch Sam's shoulder, 'rest bro, we're not going anywhere.'

'Dean ...'

'Yeah?'

'Thanks.'

'For what?'

'Everything.' Sam said between yawns, 'love you and Mickie dude.'

'Okay now we're crossing the chick flick threshold.'

'Chicky-flicky.' Mickie squealed and clapped her hands happily.

Lewis stared at his patients with a look akin to shock on his face, both of the Winchester brothers who only a few hours ago were fighting for their lives, now were sitting up in bed talking and laughing.

The young doctor stared down at the cute little girl sound asleep on Dean's knee, knowing that their remarkable improvements were down to her presence in the room if not more. 'So little one how do you manage to have grown men grovelling at your feet?'

Lewis pulled up a spare chair and sat down opposite Dean. Maggie took Bobby and Az for a walk down to the cafeteria for a break from the room, while Sam, Dean and Mickie slept.

Dean woke and gave the doctor a small smile, while he watched the young man examine Sam, unable to stop his smile widening when he saw the look of shock on Lewis' face. Now he sat cradling his daughter tightly to his chest and faced the doctor's enquiring gaze. 'I didn't even know about Mickie before she came into our lives.' Dean said his voice barely audible. 'Even after everything she is still a miracle to me. Ah I dated Merci a couple of times and then we went our own ways never really gave it a thought until I found a little bundle on the backseat of my car.' Dean chuckled lightly, and his eyes misted as he recalled that day. 'Sam and I had no idea about babies especially girls but we worked it out.'

'You can tell she's your daughter.' Lewis said taking another long look at the toddler.

'Yeah only then her name was Isabelle and only five months old.' Dean smiled at his little girl.

'Dean can I ask you something?'

'Yeah I guess.'

'When you and Sam were admitted ... you were under the name Singer, but you said that you are Winchesters and little Mickie here is a Winchester ... I'm confused.'

'We ... we are Winchesters doc, that is our dad's name, when Bobby became our legal guardian it was easier to use Singer, made it less confusing. I didn't know when she had her, Mickie's mom put my real name on the birth certificate.'

'Ah, so Bobby is related on your mom's side?'

'Yeah, we dunno what we'd do without him.'

'Explains a lot, so I gather you want to keep the name Singer on the records?'

'Yeah please, thanks Doc.'

'Don't thank me Dean just make sure that you look after yourself and your family.'

'Intend on doing just that Doc.'

'Now the woman ... she posed as a temp nurse on the ward.'

'She is a sick woman doc, thinks she's some cult leader, they worship an evil demonic presence. I was totally ... I never knew about that until later, then she had kidnapped Sam and Mickie, playing the tragic victim herself, even had herself beaten up. Most of the scars on Sam's ankles, back and arms were when they held him captive. Long story short, she was going to sacrifice Mickie to this demon and keep Sam prisoner. We fought them for a long time, we even changed Isabelle's name to Mickie or Michaela hid her with some trustworthy people but they still came at us.' Dean took a deep breath and glanced over at Sam, not surprised when he saw Sam's eyes open and watching them silently. 'Finally, we thought we had gotten rid of them been nearly a year and nothing. Until ...'

'Until they got to Sam and Mickie again.' Lewis finished for him, 'Sam is not well enough to sustain anymore abuse ... perhaps'

'What is it doc?' Dean asked shifting Mickie slightly taking the pressure from his bad arm.

'I have a small clinic not far from here. It's where I started my practice, I work part-time here at the hospital and the rest of the time at the clinic. If we sneak you two out and to ...'

'Hide out in the clinic?'

'I have a small ward set up when patients just need observations for twenty four hours and not necessarily hospitalisation. It's fully equipped and Maggie won't mind doing some private nursing.'

'Is Sam well enough to be moved?'

'Normally I would be saying no way, but considering that she has already breached security once and is still at large it will be the best course of action.'

'Dean?' Sam's whisper caught his brother's attention immediately, 'please.'

'You alright with this?'

'Yeah.' Sam nodded, 'Mickie?'

Smiling Dean managed to stand up and pass his still sleeping daughter to her uncle, gently he laid her head on the crook of Sam's arm, mindful of his surgical incisions and other injuries. Sam sighed happily and brushed a kiss over his niece's head and immediately fell back asleep.

'Ah Sammy my boy, how you doing?'

'What are you doing here?'

'Just wondering if you need another shot yet?'

'Don't need anything from you.'

'Oh I see, I'm gonna have to change that.'

'Leave me alone, leave my family alone.'

'Sorry dear boy I can't do that.'

'Why?'

'Well it's like this if Merci can she wants to sink her talons into you and keep you for herself, now I can't have that you're mine.'

'I'm no one's anything, why are you all so interested in me? I'm nothing.'

'Oh you're so much more than you ever could realise.'

'Get out of my head.'

'I will for now just remember boy, I can find you at any time, and any where.'

'Go fuck yourself.'

'Nope not yet anyway, I will be waiting for you, you just have to call.'

'You'll be waiting for a long time.'

'Something tells me that it won't be that long. How's the knee?'

'Fine.'

'And your hearing and voice?'

'I told you I'm fine.'

'And yet I can taste the pain radiating from you.'

'Leave me alone.'

'Enjoy your little family reunion Sammy boy, I'll be waiting.'

'Doc, what's wrong with Sammy?' Dean asked his stare fixed firmly on his brother's face. 'There's something wrong.'

Lewis looked at Dean and then turned his full attention to Sam, when he noticed the tight lines around Sam's eyes and mouth, the pallor of Sam's skin, now more grey than white, and the way his entire body tensed.

'He's seizing.' Lewis cried, he picked up the now awake Mickie and handed her to her father before he lowered the head of Sam's bed and moved closer to check his patient, carefully. Just then, Maggie and the others came back into the room, instantly their chatter stopped and she rushed to the doctor's side, her nurse's side taking over. Bobby and Az went to stand behind Dean and Mickie, where they watched in stunned silence while Lewis worked on stabilising Sam.

'I thought he was getting better.' Dean whispered, 'Az can you take Mickie for me?'

'Yeah sure Dean.' Az smiled as she picked up the toddler, 'how's about we go for ice cream?'

'No.' Dean glared at the spirit and then shook his head, 'sorry Az I didn't mean to snap, but until we know what's going on it might be safer if you two stay here with us.'

'Okkies Dean.' Az said her voice low and trembling, 'we'll be over here.' She took the toddler over to the other side of the room and sat with her on the floor, an ice cream materialised in her hand and she watched as her little charge started to devour it.

'Dean?' Lewis' voice broke into Dean's morbid thoughts, 'Dean he's stable.'

'What happened?'

'Has Sam ever suffered convulsions before?'

'Huh? Oh yeah ... he had a – a cerebral ...' Dean's voice faded as he fixated on his brother's face, Bobby squeezed his young friend's shoulder and continued to explain to Lewis and Maggie about Sam's head injury from the last time they fought Cornase and Merci. How he had to be on anti-convulsant medication and had surgery to repair the damage. Lewis looked back at his young patient and his impressions of Sam grew even more. For both of the brothers, they were totally amazing.

'Dean?' Sam's eyes fluttered open and he tried to call out for his brother, 'De?'

'Here Sammy, I'm right here.' Dean moved closer to the bed and took his brother's hand in his good one, 'I'm right here.'

'Tired De.' Sam whispered, 'don't ...'

'Hey, hey Sammy come on please don't talk like that.' Dean squeezed Sam's hand tightly and felt his heart clench tightly, 'want to cuddle Mickie for a while?'

'M-Mick?' Sam blinked at his brother with a confused look on his face, 'here?'

'Yeah dude, she's right here.' As Dean spoke Az appeared at Sam's bedside and placed the squirming little girl down on the bed with her uncle.

'Unc Sammy?' Mickie tipped her head to one side and looked at her uncle with a serious stare, 'got bad owie?'

'Yeah.'

'Mickie fix?' and then before any of the adults could say or do anything Mickie scrambled up her uncle until she could reach his head, and placed her two small hands on his temples. 'Owie gone now.' She mumbled sleepily, curled into his side and placed her head on Sam's chest right above his heart.

Sam lifted a heavy arm and placed it protectively over Mickie before he looked up at the others, he gave them a small smile and then let sleep claim him once more.

'If I didn't see it with my own eyes ...' Maggie mumbled, she shook her head and bustled about straightening the sheets and covered both Sam and Mickie making sure that his IV line and nasal cannula were unimpeded.

'Doc, I think we might take you up on the offer.' Dean said, 'as soon as possible.'

'Dean, boy what is it?' Bobby asked as he watched Dean visibly tense.

'Something ... dunno but there's ... I just want to get them to safety before.'

'Cornase?'

'Huh? Oh yeah Bobby?'

'Rafe called me earlier, I didn't want to say anything while the doc worked on Sam.' Bobby said as he glanced up at the doctor and then back to Dean.

'Okay well Maggie can you come with me, you can write up the medications for both boys while I make some calls, we'll have you shifted from here within an hour.'

'Thanks Lewis.' Dean gave the young doctor a grateful smile and sank back into his chair, exhaustion finally taking a toll on him. 'Bobby what did Rafe have to say?'

'Get into ya own bed and I'll tell ya.' Bobby groused as he helped the younger hunter up but didn't help him any further just stayed close enough to lend a hand if needed.

Dean sat on the edge of the bed and took a last look at his brother and daughter as they slept cuddled together, Sam finally had a look of peace on his face. 'What's going on Bobby?'

'Would you believe that Rafe was contacted by Cornase, the bastard wanted Rafe to find you two and to bring em back.'

'Ah shit Bobby, can we trust him?'

'Yeah we can, I know what he did to Sam, and believe me he is gonna pay for that when this is all done. But he ... he didn't know who Sam was then.'

'What do you mean Bobby?' Dean laid back against the pillows, happy to be lying down for a while, he rested his aching hand on a spare pillow, now if he could just get the room to stop spinning around him everything would be good.

'I've known Rafe for years, more years than I care to remember. He knew your daddy and you boys when you were annoying brats.'

'Ha thanks for that.'

'I thought he died in a fight gone bad, didn't know that he made a crossroads deal. Cornase owns his contract, so I don't think Rafe would mind too much if that demon was out of his life.'

'He made a deal?' Dean blinked in shock, 'ah okay that explains a fair bit then.'

'Yeah it does, so Dean do I have to ya know knock ya out or you gonna get some shut eye yerself while they are?'

'Yeah, yeah old man geeze mother hen much?' Dean smiled as he let his eyes slide shut only to open them again, he stared at Bobby for a minute before he let out a sigh and drifted off.

'Dang fool boys.' Bobby gruffed scrubbing at his eyes, he sat back down on the big armchair near the window and watched his adopted family sleep. 'Fool boys.'

Az watched the occupants of the room with interest, humans never ceased to amaze her but these ones in particular scared and enthralled her at the same time. Her little charge has started to exhibit powers beyond her tender years, she wasn't even two human years yet. Dean, Az looked at him and sighed he had no gifts to speak of but he had power. Amazing powers and yet he was too humble to even realise it for himself. His loyalty, especially to his family made him shine brighter than any star she could name. Dean would give his life willingly for his family and as frightening as that was to Azuraus it was also inspiring for her. Then there is Sam, so sensitive, intelligent and talented yet he is another who does not know his own true worth. He has sought for his own path for so long it has become lost to him.

With a deep purring sound Az took on the form of a big tabby cat and curled up on Dean's feet, sending healing and warmth through his aching body.

For the first time in a while peace descended over the small ragtag group as they all rested for what lay ahead. Doctor Lewis Windom and his nurse Maggie Newsome moved into the room quietly, the transfer was set to go and now was the hard part, the large cat on Dean's feet looked up and hissed until she saw who it was and then she changed back to her humanoid form, not taking her eyes off them.

'Sam.' Lewis went to Sam's bedside and gently squeezed his shoulder to wake him, 'hey Sam can you wake up for me?' Finally, he was greeted with a pair of unfocused green eyes staring up at him, 'hey there Sam.'

'De?' Sam frowned confused, the face above him wasn't his brothers.

'Hey it's alright, Dean's asleep on his bed,' Lewis stood aside and gave Sam a clear view of his brother, after a few blinks Sam squinted and slowly Dean came into view.

'Doc?' He looked back at the man hovering above him.

'Yep that's right, we're going to get you ready to move, feel up to it?'

'De?'

'He's coming, you're all coming to somewhere a little safer than here.' Lewis said, 'we just have to get you moved onto a gurney without disturbing your surgical wounds and broken bones too much.'

'De?'

'He's waking up as we speak, don't worry about anything Sam.'

Sam blinked and closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again when he felt the icy cold invasion of a new IV drip.

'It's alright Sam, Maggie just gave you a fresh bag and added a dose of morphine, not much just enough so you won't hurt too bad while we move you.'

Sam nodded and felt the comfortable numbness move through his aching body, he felt them lift little Mickie out of his embrace and immediately he felt the loss.

'What's going on Doc?' Dean's sleep-filled voice filled the silent void, 'we ready to roll?'

'As soon as Maggie puts you in a sling and gives you some pain relief and we get Sam loaded and then we're out of here.'

'I don't need nothing.' Dean protested at the sight of Maggie and the syringe she had in her hand.

'Nothing you haven't had before Dean.' Maggie smiled 'come on you don't want your little girl to see you be a big baby do you?'

'Dirty pool lady.'

'Yeah I know.' Maggie smiled sweetly while she injected him with the medication and then she pulled a thin gauze like sling out of her pocket.

'What else you got in those pockets Maggie?' Dean asked with a cheeky grin.

'Oh wouldn't you like to know.' Maggie said as she quickly placed the sling around his arm and neck snagging it tight, his hand remained upright and virtually immobile.

'De?' Sam's voice carried across the room to Dean, 'De you kay?'

'Fine Sammy, just fine now.' Dean chuckled 'how about you?'

'Mmm kay I think.'

Bobby watched the two brothers carefully, something didn't feel right about having them both so out of it. He could understand with Sam but Dean was another matter; he took another look at the doctor, there was something off about the man, it was not something he could put his finger on though he had been in the game for too long not to listen to his gut instinct.

Slowly he pulled out a small flask from his jacket pocket and stood up, with a nod to Maggie, he stepped across the room to stand next to Lewis. 'So how are they?'

'Huh? Oh good, good they'll be fine once we get them out of here.'

'Wonderin' if you could do a favour for me doc.' Bobby said as he laid a hand on the doctor's shoulder.

'Yes whatever you want Mister Singer.' Lewis turned to face Bobby when he felt scalding water on his face. An unholy scream erupted from deep within him as he dropped to his knees, his head snapped back and foul black smoke plumed from his mouth.

'Bobby?' Dean tried to shake the lethargy from his injection and slid out of his bed, Maggie went to help him but he snarled and righted himself. 'Stay back lady.'

'What is going on?' Maggie demanded as Lewis collapsed, moaning softly as he tried to regain control his mind and body again.

'Wha – what happened?' Lewis moaned and slowly opened his eyes, 'oh god did I?'

'No, no they're all alright.' Bobby said, 'doc did you organise the transfer?'

'No, no but ... this is going to sound ... I remember thinking this isn't me doing the ... not to my clinic.'

'Ah okay, well I think we had better skedaddle outta here afore they come back.' Bobby said helping the confused man up, 'you feelin' alright?'

'Yeah, just a little weird.'

'I can understand that.' Bobby grinned, 'we'll explain everything when we get to the clinic.'

'Sam?' Lewis shook off the cobwebs and turned to face his patient, 'Maggie do you know exactly how much he was given?'

'The dosage on his chart.'

'Ah that's good, I don't think that there's any damage done they must have just wanted Sam to be pliable enough to shift.'

'They were going to take us on the pretence of ...' Dean shook his head again and swayed, 'Doc?'

'Dean what is it?' Lewis asked as he watched Dean's legs buckle and he dropped unconsciously to the floor. 'Dean?'

'What is it?' Bobby barked, 'Dean?'

'He's having trouble breathing ... Maggie what was in the syringe?'

'It should have just been a mild analgesic like you prescribed.' Maggie said as she picked up the empty needle and stared at it.

'Does Dean have allergies to any medications?' Lewis stared at the older man waiting for Bobby to answer.

'No, no don't ever remember ... nah if he had I'd know.'

'Help me get him back onto the bed.' Lewis and Bobby carefully lifted the unconscious Dean and carried him back to his bed.

'Daddad.' Mickie cried and struggled to get to her dad from the arms of Az. 'Wan' daddy.'

Dean stirred, he could hear the frantic calls of his daughter but couldn't find her, it hurt to breath and his body felt weighed down. A maniacal laugh echoed in his thoughts drowning out little Mickie.

'Soon Dean very soon.' The laughter grew louder until it hurt to hear it, he gasped and tried to sit up fighting the hands that held him down.

TBC