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 THIRTEEN

Dean watched Sam play with Mickie and for a moment, everything felt normal, too normal. He scrubbed at his two day stubble growth and then rubbed his eyes wearily he wanted to sleep so badly but was afraid to. He didn't know if Sam was still going to be there if he slept.

'Uncee Sammee booboos?' Mickie cooed and kissed her uncle's cheek cupping his chin with her small hand she stared up into his eyes and smiled, 'no more booboos.'

'Thanks Sweetie.' Sam sighed and kissed her back, 'I so needed that.'

'Sam how you doing?' Dean sat down on the bed next to Sam's legs and patted them affectionately, 'Mickie keeping ya company?'

'Dude I just wanna go outside.' Sam sounded more like a four year old than an adult, 'I am so tired of these four walls.'

'I know man, but remember what the Doc said,'

'I know but…'

'Just a few more days Sammy that's all.'

'This sucks big time Dean.'

'I know man I really do.'

'Morning boys.' Bobby came into the room and stared solemnly at the two young man, 'hey how's my girl?' He picked Mickie up and gave her a big hug.

'Uncee Sammee got booboos.' Mickie said with a small pout, 'Uncee Sammy is sad.'

'I know little one so what should we do?'

'Outside?' Mickie clapped her hands excitedly.

'yep the doc gave the all-clear.' Bobby grinned, 'what do ya think boys?'

'How? I mean Sam's totally vulnerable outside.' Dean protested as he took his daughter from Bobby and sat back down with her on his knee. 'What's going on Bobby?'

'Goin' on?' Mickie mimicked her father's voice and giggled happily, as she chewed on his fingers.

'Ouch, honey daddy's not a teething ring.' Dean protested softly, 'Sam?'

Sam looked up when he felt Dean's touch on his arm, he blinked and stared first at Dean and then up at Bobby, he could feel his emotions starting to rampage again when he realised that he had no idea on what they were talking about. 'What?'

'Doc said that you could go outside if you want to.' Dean said slowly and made sure that Sam could see his lips, 'you're doing better.'

'Tired, might sleep for a while.' Sam muttered sullenly, 'might after.'

'What's going on Sam?' Dean asked only minutes ago Sam was begging to go outside and now all he wanted to do was sleep.

'Tired.'

'Nope don't believe ya so try again.' Dean snarked, 'Bobby do you want to take Mickie out to Maggie I think it's time for her snack.'

'Daddy?' Mickie whined, 'want daddy.'

'In a minute Sweetie daddy just wants to talk to uncle Sammy.'

'No!' Mickie set her face and stared at her father, almost daring him, 'Mickie no go.'

'Mickie!' Dean growled and then stopped himself when he saw that familiar stubborn set of the jaw and grinned, 'dam-dang it all you look so much like your uncle.' He couldn't help but laugh at his daughter's stubbornness. 'and probably just like me too.'

'Ya think Dean?' Bobby grinned back appreciating the levity even if it was only for a few moments.

Tears fell down Sam's face as he watched the interactions between his brother, the man he considered a father and his precious niece. He felt so alone just then; even surrounded by them, he was alone, 'I'll be okay I just need to rest first.' He mumbled shamefacedly as he slid back down into the bed and turned his face towards the wall. Mickie squirmed in her father's arms until he put her down on the bed, once freed she crawled up over her uncle's inert form until she sat on his chest where she sat and regarded him with a serious stare, her arms folded across her chest, 'Uncee Sammee play wif Mickie.'

'Sorry sweetie but uncle Sammy doesn't feel so good.' Sam tried to protest but was quickly silenced when he saw her face, the reddening of her cheeks and the look of thunder building in her eyes. 'Mickie?'

'Wanna go wif Uncee Sammee.' She started her voice rising sharply as the tantrum started.

'Okay, okay calm down Mickie I'll go outside with you.' Sam sighed and started to chuckle softly as she calmed down just as fast as the tantrum started. 'You sure know how to work your uncle.'

'That's daddy's girl.' Dean beamed proudly, another awkward emotional scene averted by his little girl, his smile faded when he saw the dejected look on Sam's face this had to stop. 'Sam dude what is it?'

'What?' Sam blinked but avoided looking at his brother as he sat Mickie next to him and slowly pulled himself up, 'I'm fine.'

'Sam, Sam damn it look at me.' Dean gripped Sam's shoulders tightly and forced him to look up, 'what … is … wrong? And don't you dare say that you're fine.'

Mickie watched the interaction with her father and uncle and flinched, she could sense the anger emanating from both men; just then Az appeared in the room took one look at the men and then gathered the little girl up, 'human men I dunno.' Az spat and disappeared with Mickie in her arms.

'What was all that about?' Dean asked in shock.

'Whatcha two eedjits think it was about? Mickie and you two both so angry you're scaring her.' Bobby told the brothers off before he turned to leave, 'Az was doing what she was supposed to do, look after the baby now what are you two gonna do?' He finished as he left to find the others.

Sam and Dean stared at each other in shock, and then both visibly relaxed and laughed, 'well guess we just got told.' Dean grinned,

'yeah guess we did,' Sam answered, 'ah Dean look I'm sorry man.'

'Yeah I know but I need you to talk to me, about anything you want just talk to me.'

'Is this usually my line to you?' Sam tried to deflect some of Dean's concern but saw that it wasn't working. 'I dunno I just feel weird.'

'Weird? How weird?'

'Weird, dunno empty, alone, frustrated, deaf, hearing voice in my head, oh and did I mention deaf?'

'Sam.'

'No look Dean I'm … I'm dealing okay I just need more time.'

A child's scream rang through the clinic effectively ending the conversation between the brothers, 'even I heard that.' Sam quipped earning a glare from Dean as they moved towards the door.

'You stay here Sam.' Dean ground out as he put a hand on Sam's chest.

'Yeah right Dean, as if I'm gonna sit back and let something happen to you or Mickie or the others.'

'Sam.'

'Don't, don't Sam me Dean please.' Sam said as he slowly but surely got out of bed and made his way out of the room.

Dean shook his head and mumbled something rather nasty under his breath as he caught up with his brother and then passed him. 'I'll see ya there Sam.'

'Oh nice one Dean … yeah pick on the cripple why don't ya.' Sam seethed his frustration and anger started to take over his thoughts and cloud them. 'Never ever step aside for anyone do ya Dean.'

'Sam?' Bobby touched the younger Winchester's arm to let him know he was by his side, he involuntarily flinched when he saw the thunderous look on Sam's face, 'what is it boy?'

'Don't you start to Bobby,' Sam snarled and pulled his arm free from Bobby's grip.

'And don't you sass me boy, now what is wrong?' Bobby said as he positioned himself in front of Sam, 'not goin' anywhere till ya start talking.'

'We … me and Dean were arguing and then we heard Mickie's scream, Dean ran off half-cocked and wouldn't wait for me.' Sam felt his anger start to dissipate as he spoke, 'sorry Bobby.'

'Sam …son yer got me spinning like a top here whatcha sorry bout?'

'Snapping at ya … the fight's between me and Dean I shouldn't take it out on you.' Sam said as he made out as though he was stepping up next to Bobby when he suddenly felled the older man with a vicious punch to the side of his head. With a look of mixed regret and determination Sam helped the older man slump to the floor and that he was breathing alright before he forced himself to hurry down the corridor, this was going to end once and for all.

S—D

'My God Merci just how many lives do you have?' Dean asked incredulously, his stare fixed on the demon holding his daughter, 'how many times do I have to kill ya before ya stay dead?'

'Now, now is that anyway to talk in front of our daughter?'

'Mickie's my daughter, never was yours.' Dean snapped, he could feel the vein throbbing in his forehead, 'just put her down and let's finish this, you and me finish it here and now.'

'I wish I could but this little darling has a date with her destiny and as her mother I am bound to make sure that she meets it.'

'I swear Merci if you harm her in anyway I will rip you to pieces.'

'Daddee.' Mickie wailed unsure of what was going on but she knew that she didn't want to go with the lady calling herself her mommy. 'Want daddee!'

'Shut up the wailing.' Merci yelled giving Mickie a hard shake, 'shut up now.'

'You are dead you bitch.' Dean watched horrified as Merci shook his daughter before he snapped out of his reverie and launched himself at the demon. 'Az get your ass in here.' He yelled as he tackled Merci and grabbed his precious daughter.

The animal spirit appeared and then squealed in fright at the sight of Merci and started to disappear, 'no time for that Az you appear now.' Dean yelled and then passed Mickie to the spirit, 'take her to safety Az, to Sam's room.'

'Kay.' Az nodded and vanished with the toddler who sobbed uncontrollably, large tears fell down her reddened cheeks as she stared at her father until she was gone.

'Now we finish this bitch.' Dean rolled his shoulders and readied himself, 'we got some couple's therapy to work out.'

'I love it when you want to play rough.' Merci countered with a laugh, 'come on lover show me what you got.' She added as she attacked, her movements inhumanely fast, as her fist connected with Dean's chin in a blur of motion. However, Dean didn't fall instead he planted himself and countered with a blinding punch of his own to her stomach.

'Oh baby you remember just how rough I like it.' Merci grinned as she jumped to her feet and prepared to attack again, this time she flicked a wicked looking blade out from a wrist holster. 'Remember this little beauty?'

Dean blinked and stared in horror at the blade she had used to slice through his hands, his anger piqued again and he rushed her barely feeling the pain as the sharp blade sliced through his left bicep. He stumbled slightly and quickly righted himself just as she dove at him again wielding her blade viciously.

'Dean!' Sam shouted as he watched the blade slide into his brother's side, his fury now unabated as he turned his attention to the demon, 'hey bitch why don't ya take me on?'

'Sammy, oh long time no see and how's the hearing?' Merci gloated, 'should I be signing?'

'Sign this bitch.' Sam said as he closed his eyes and concentrated on the demon a cold smile fixed on his face.

Merci screamed as she felt her body pulled in all directions, her tendons started to snap and joints dislocate, 'this is not over.' She screeched as she disappeared.

The connection broken Sam's eyes snapped open and he paled as everything started to spin around him, his head pounded and he felt a warm fluid dripping onto his upper lip. 'Dean?' He whispered as his knees started to buckle and he dropped to the floor, he pushed himself back against the wall and held his head in his hands as it felt like it was ready to explode. 'No, no!'

'Sammy?' Dean staggered over to his brother ignoring his own pain to check on his brother, 'Sammy talk to me dude.'

Sam stared dazedly at his brother, he could see his lips moving but he heard no sound at all, slowly he shook his head and tried to reconnect with his own reality when a laugh burst through his mind, slicing through his brain like a hot knife. He didn't even realise that he was screaming as he curled into himself and started to rock.

Panicked Dean reached out to grip Sam's shoulders and try to get him to look up but stopped when he heard the pitiful mewls coming from his brother and then the silence as Sam slumped forward mercifully unconscious.

'Dean what's going on?' Bobby ground out as he staggered into the room nursing his jaw, 'what did I miss?'

S—D

Lewis finished examining Sam and then sat down to talk to his patient, his heart heavy with the news he did not want to share, 'Sam you feeling better?'

'Yeah I guess,' Sam watched Lewis' lips closely, 'my hearing is gone for good isn't it.'

'I – I can't tell you for sure Sam, you really need to be seen by a specialist…'

'Lewis please just tell me.'

'The pressure caused bleeding in both ears again, I – I really can't say what damage …'

'Lewis I can barely hear you at all,' Sam spoke quietly but didn't drop his stare from Lewis' face and lips, 'it's different this time, it feels different there's no noise at all. No white noise or buzzing whatever there's nothing, just emptiness.'

'On a scale of one to ten, ten being the loudest yell and one being the softest whisper how loud can you hear me?'

'One.' Sam replied succinctly.

'I am sorry Sam, I would really love to take you for an MRI and CT but with what happened … what did happen here?'

'Merci somehow got in and nearly took Mickie, she tried to kill … Dean where is he? Is he alright?'

'He's fine Sam I promise he's with Mickie at the moment, the cuts were only superficial.'

'Thanks Doc I thought…'

'Sam … Dean told me about the collapse and the fact that you appeared to have another seizure.'

'That what caused my hearing to go again?'

'Yeah I think so.'

'I'm tired, mind if I have a sleep?' Sam yawned and tried to get comfortable in the narrow bed.

'Sleep well Sam, I'll send Dean in, in a little while.'

'Thanks again Doc.' Sam closed his eyes and slowed his breathing down just enough to feign sleep in the hope that Lewis will leave. Minutes later he was alone in the room, sitting up he waited until the dizziness subsided and then he shoved the sheets off his legs and stared at his deformed looking knee, no longer encased in the brace but it still looked swollen and angry with red puckered marks and faded bruises. He took a deep breath and lowered his injured limb over the edge of the bed and then his good leg. He stood for a minute and steadied himself, he refused to think of using his wheelchair, canes or crutches he was determined to do this on his own volition.

Lewis' news about his hearing and seizures sealed his decision; he was going to end this once and for all. He was intent on giving Dean and Mickie the freedom to have a life without demonic intervention. Even if it costed him his life.

He knew how angry Dean was last time he decided to take off but this time was different, this time he truly had nothing to lose.

S—D

Dean stared at Lewis with a look of shock on his face that quickly morphed into disbelief and then anger, 'so you're telling me that Sam's deaf again?'

'His hearing has been affected by this latest episode Dean I won't lie to you.' Lewis said as he glanced at Bobby for help, 'it may only be temporary and will return when everything settles down.'

'But?'

'I'm not a specialist I can't give you a definitive prognosis Dean, Sam really needs to have an MRI and a CT scan to assess the damage and possibly another surgery.'

'And we can't do that while we're stuck here.'

'Exactly.' Lewis said and nodded his head but when he was about to continue speaking he was interrupted by a little girl not even two years old.

'Uncee Sammee!' Mickie screamed and started to sob uncontrollably.

Azuraus and Maggie looked at each other in shock as Mickie pulled away from them and made her way to her daddy, 'Uncee Sammee gone bye bye.'

'Sam?' Dean managed to lift Mickie up and nestled her on his hip before hurrying to his brother's room, 'Sam? Dammit Sammy not again.' Dean turned around and stared at the now empty room.

'Dean he's outside.' Caleb yelled out, making Dean hurry to the rear of the clinic. There he joined Caleb and stared out the window in shock, 'what the fuck?'

'Daddee?' Mickie tugged at his t-shirt, 'Uncee Sammee?'

'Sam?' Dean passed his daughter to Caleb and went to go outside when he found that the doors were locked, 'Sam?' He ran around to the side door but it was locked as well, slowly the news came back to him all of the windows and doors were locked effectively trapping all of them in the clinic. Dean ran back to where Caleb stood with Mickie and thumped his fists on the window. 'Sam!'

'Sorry Dean.' Sam mouthed at his brother before he closed his eyes and concentrated thankful for once for his inability to hear. Unable to hear his brother's screams and the others their voices all silent to him, he turned in himself and called for Cornase to appear.

The wind whipped around his frail body but Sam seemed unaffected by it as he waited patiently for his nemesis to appear.

'Now, now Sammy have you finally accepted your fate?'

'I want to make a deal with you Cornase.'

'A deal? How quaint, and exactly what do you have that I could possibly want to make a deal for?'

'Me, you keep saying that you want me, so here I am … I'm yours just call off your demon bitch and leave Dean, Mickie and the others alone.'

'Hmm interesting thought, you would just do that? Give yourself over to me?'

'I'm here aren't I?'

'Ah but is this just a trap?'

'You tell me Cornase.'

'My, my the little pup is learning to bark.'

'This is getting boring Cornase do you want to deal or not?'

'Sam, Sam oh I can taste this new power in you, and I am sorry but I will have to decline.'

'Why? You wanted me so here I am.'

'No, you are damaged goods Sam and have awoken a power in you that I have no desire in testing.'

Fuck you Cornase I am not playing.'

'Neither am I darling boy and it grieves me completely in saying no to such a delicious offer but for now I must decline. However, I will give you a gift to remember me by and when the time is right then I will come back and you will come to me willingly and with no deals.'

'What are you talking about?'

'Farewell for now my beautiful boy.'

Sam staggered and dropped to the ground, crashing on his already damaged knee, stunned he tried to work out what had just happened when he felt something sharp pricking his arm. He looked down and stared in horror at the needle protruding from his limb, 'No not again.' He cried out as the insipid drug made its way through his body, he lifted his stricken face to look at his brother and released the hold he had on the clinic, suddenly the doors flew open and released the occupants of the building.

Dean ran to his brother's side just as Sam listed to his side, 'Sam? Damn it Sammy what did you do?'

'He wouldn't deal Dean.' Sam whispered, 'says that I'm …' a sharp cough stopped Sam for a few moments as he struggled to breath, 'I'm damaged goods … he – he left me a gift.' Sam lifted his arm up slightly to show Dean the needle still in it, 'says he'll come back when … when it's time.'

'Damn it Sammy.' Dean ran his hands over Sam checking him for any other injuries, 'when you get better I'm so kicking your ass.'

Sam smiled slightly and stared up at his brother's face, he could barely hear Dean's voice and couldn't make out any words but he felt warmer and safer in his brother's arm. His eyes slowly slid shut as the darkness claimed him along with the silence and effectively cut Sam off from everyone except Dean, Dean's touch anchored him.

'Doc, help him.' Dean looked up at the young doctor, 'Cornase gave him that drug again.'

'Dean I – I haven't got the equipment here to help Sam, he needs the hospital.'

'Damn, okay Bobby you and Caleb take Az, Mickie and Maggie and go, don't let us know where just send a message when you stop. Doc me and Sam are going to the hospital and then …'

'Dean.'

'No, this ends, and this ends now.' Dean said unconsciously channelling his father so well that Bobby took a step back and stared down at the younger man.

'No problems at all Dean I'll send a message with Az they can't track her.'

'Thanks Bobby, now go before I change my mind.' Dean said as he saw his little girl in Maggie's arms, 'tell … tell her that her daddy and uncle love her Bobby.'

'Dean…'

'Please just look after her.'

'Like she's my own flesh and blood.' Bobby promised, 'but we'll see ya soon, both of ya.'

'For sure Bobby, okay Doc we have to get Sam to the hospital and they'll be looking for an ambulance.'

'So?'

'We give em one with … '

'Don't worry I can work it out.' Lewis said with a knowing nod, 'you get Sam to the impala.'

'Thanks doc.'

'De?' Sam's eyes flickered open and he stared at Dean with slightly unfocused eyes, 'De?'

'I'm here Sammy.'

'Bastard drugged me.' Sam slurred and blinked hard, 'I have … it Dean.'

'What Sammy?'

'It, the Darkside, it's in me.' Sam giggled slightly and clutched at his brother's hand, no longer able to focus on anything, 'don' wanna die De please … don' let me go.'

'Gotta get you up Sasquatch.' Dean said though it was more for his own benefit than for Sam's, he needed to hear something other than his brother's ramblings. 'Come on up and at 'em.'

'Cornase didn't wan' me De, said, said, he said I was damaged goods.' Sam pouted as he leaned heavily on his brother, 'not dam-damaged goods.'

'Nope you're not Sammy.' Dean guided his unsteady brother to the impala parked in a garage at the back of the property.

'I – I member … I member lots Dean.' Sam started to sob as the drug finished invading his body, 'don' feel so good.'

'Hang in there Sammy.' Dean propped him up against the car while he unlocked the door, 'gonna get ya some help.'

'Let ya down De.' Sam whimpered as he settled in the car, he looked up at Dean with wet eyes shining in the waning light, 'I – I let ya down, so-sorry De, love ya man.'

'Yeah, yeah get your foot in the car Sammy.' Dean sighed he almost wanted Sam's hearing loss so he wouldn't have to hear Sam's ramblings anymore.

'Okay Dean we're good to go.' Lewis said as he ran into the garage, 'how's he doing?'

'Not so good, he's completely … under the influence.'

'Are you alright to drive?'

'Hell yeah, sorry doc and no offence but no one drives mah baby 'ceptin' me and on the very, very odd occasion Sammy.'

'Damaged goods De, don' like me no more.' Sam cried out as his eyes rolled back until only the whites showed and he started to slide sideways.

'I've got him Dean,' Lewis said as he slid in next to Sam and propped him up and made sure that he had clear airways, 'let's go.'

Dean glanced at his brother, then turned the key, and waited for his baby to roar into life, 'hang on for me Sammy, just hang on.'

TBC