Crossing Paths

by Silvertayl 57

Dean and Sam take on what should be a simple hunt or maybe it's a hoax for a lizard-like creature said to be living under Seattle. Once in Seattle a strange turn of events finds the brothers shot forward in time to Seattle 2021. Will Dean's uncanny likeness to X5-494 now known as Alec lead them into a deadly situation from which there is no return? Full summary in chapter 1.

10. Fighting Back the Darkness

Crossing Paths

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Authors/Chapter Note: Many thanks go out to: alisonmichal and DA Fan 494452, the only readerswho reviewed chapter 9. I have to say that was very disappointing and after so many readers pleaded for an update. Anyhoo with that gripe out of my system here's chapter 10, enjoy!

Chapter 10: Fighting Back the Darkness

Burke had been so close; his target had been within his grasp. 494 had been in the hospital minutes before he and his men had marched through the doors. But 494 had somehow managed to ditch the tracking device and assisted by his companions had slipped out of the hospital into the night and once again out of Burke's reach. After a brief search of the hospital the tracking device had been located in a hospital medical waste bin, still transmitting. Burke knew the head doctor was lying. Carr had claimed he knew nothing of how it came to be there and who it had been extracted from. So Burke had put one his best men on Carr, a man he knew he could 100% trust; he had doubts about the loyalty of White's men; there were whispers that some of them had disapproved of the former NSA agents methods and sympathized with the transgenics. So it was one his men that was given the task to follow Carr and report his every movement. Burke was convinced that sooner or later Carr would slip up and eventually lead him to 494.

Kovar had been furious that he had failed to recapture his guinea pig; the man had shouted down the phone line that if Burke couldn't retrieve 494 within 36 hours he would travel to Seattle and do the job himself. The man's anger making his accent so much more pronounced that Burke found the angry words almost impossible to understand. What Kovar didn't know was that Burke was just as furious but for a different reason entirely; that Manticore test tube freak had in one night completely humiliated him and all but destroyed the fearsome reputation he had amongst his men and in the military in general.

Burke's intense gaze slid around the large room, early morning sunlight poured in through the windows facing onto the street it had been a little over 12 hours and so far nothing.

His dark eyes landed on the slight Asian man as he crossed the room heading in his direction. The man he recognized as one of White's men a mister Lee. "You had better have good news for me Mister Lee." Colonel Burke growled as the man drew close.

Nervous and sweating after being the one given the task of reporting to the colonel, Lee took a breath before answering. "The surveillance on Dr. Carr continues and…" The man hesitated he knew Burke was going to be very displeased with what he had to tell him or rather what he didn't have to tell him. His hesitation was a second to long.

"Spit it out man!" Burke said low and dangerous.

"All our efforts have so far been unable to locate 494 Sir."

Burke looked furious; a muscle in his cheek flexed as he clenched his jaw the scar slashing across the dark skin twitched in response. The colonel's dark eyes slid away from Lee for a moment before coming back to rest on the young man who was now almost cowering at his feet. "It's been 24 hours Mister Lee are you telling me that in that time with the resources at hand, including some 30 men, this fully equipped command center curtesy of your Agent White that you have failed to locate one Transgenic and his little band of misfits?"

"We're trying sir but so far… yes Sir I mean no sir we haven't been able to locate 494." Lee stammered, eyeing the foreboding man with well-deserved trepidation.

"You're trying?" Burke queried.

"Yes sir," Lee answered.

"Tell me Mister Lee do you think you are trying hard enough?" Burke enquired.

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Lee's face. "Yes Sir?"

Burke exhaled exaggeratedly and looked over the top of Lee's head. "I disagree." Burke said once again looking around the room. "I think it's time."

"Time sir?" Lee inquired. Knowing he would probably dislike the answer.

"I believe it's time to try a different approach." Burke said thoughtfully.

Surprised, relieved and unsure of the Colonel's meaning and where he was going with the sudden change of topic Lee bravely questioned. "A different approach Sir?"

"We'll make them come to us."

-CP-

Max had dropped Sam back at the house saying she had some things to take care of in TC and she'd be by later; as the sound of the powerful bike faded away down the street Sam entered the house carrying a bag of pastries and croissants.

That same bag now lay where he'd dropped it forgotten in Sam's hurry to get to his brother before he hit the worn carpet.

"What the hell just happened?" Sam snapped, waiting for an explanation.

He was huddled on the floor his arms wrapped firmly around Dean's unconscious form. Sam looked down at the top of Dean's head where it was tucked into his shoulder; he could feel Dean's harsh; warm breathes puffing against his collarbone through his t-shirt and alarmingly the warmth of Dean's blood as it spilled from his face and soaked into Sam's shirt.

Diane stepped up to the brother's huddled on the floor falling to her knees in front of them her trembling hands reaching out tentatively towards Dean. Sam pulled back his natural instinct to protect Dean even from the one person right in front of him who could help him the most.

Diane dropped her hands down to her sides. "I… I don't really know." Her voice shaking with reaction to what had unfolded moments earlier. "I was asleep, I woke up and Alec was… he was strangling Logan and-"

"Alec was awake?" Sam cut her off, shocked his eyes shooting to the crumpled form of Dean's clone.

"Yes," Diane said on an exhale.

"Why?" Sam asked, intense hazel gaze back on Diane. "Why would Alec try to strangle Logan?"

"I… don't know why." Diane answered. "Dean tried to stop him but Alec head butted him and threw him off that's when Dean hit him with a book."

From the corner of his eye Sam saw Logan stand slowly from the chair he had blood smeared on his neck; using a desk as support he rounded it and moved shakily to Alec squatting down beside the fallen young transgenic.

Seeing the rise and fall of Alec's chest Logan lightly tapped Alec's face. "Alec… Alec." When he got no response he glanced between the three people huddled close by before settling on Sam. "He's breathing but he's out again."

"Are you okay?" Sam asked eyeing the blood on Logan's throat. "Are you bleeding?"

"I'm alright, the blood's not mine I think its Alec's," Logan said his eyes dropping to Dean still wrapped firmly in his arms. "What about Dean?"

"I… don't…," Sam answered looking back down at the top of Dean's head.

Sam felt pressure on his arm. His eyes slid from Diane's small hand up her arm to her face; she gave him a smile of reassurance. "Sam let me look at him… please? I need to look at him."

Sam nodded rolling Dean in his arms until Dean's head rested in the crook of his arm his battered bloody face turned towards Diane.

Diane's blue eyes scanned Dean's face. "Logan can you pass me some gauze please it's in the bag."

As Logan moved away Diane checked Dean's eyes lifting his lids in turn and then fingered his cheeks and nose.

"Thanks," She said as Logan returned handing her the gauze. Gently Diane began to wipe away the blood from Dean's nose and mouth. "I don't think there are any broken bones; all this blood makes it looks worse than is."

Sam heaved a sigh of relief.

"What with this and the fact that he's still feeling the effects of the blood lose and all of the trauma his body has been through this week, he passed out." Diane explained.

The flow of blood from Dean's nose was already starting to slow. "Sam, hold this against his nose until the bleeding stops." Diane said indicating with her head to the gauze pad in her hand. "I'll check on Alec."

Sam did as she asked replacing his hand for hers. Still on her knees Diane slid across the small space between them, Alec and Logan who had returned to Alec's side.

"You should ice that," Diane said, sparing a glance at the reddened handprints marring the skin of Logan's throat. "It will help with the bruising and swelling." She added as she slid her fingers behind Alec's head feeling the area where the book had met Alec's skull; no wetness met her gentle probing fingers only a good sized lump. Satisfied that there was no bleeding she checked his eyes, airway, breathing and pulse, quickly finding the source of the blood that ran down Alec's arm and coated his hand was from where the IV had been ripped from the skin. "His breathing and pulse are good; we'll have to wait until he's conscious to check for concussion; Logan do you think you can help me move him back to the sofa?" Diane asked looking up at Logan from where she was crouched over Alec.

Logan nodded moving in close to Alec he squatted down then slid one arm under the young transgenics head the other under his knees and with Diane lending her support they lifted him.

"He's heavier than he looks," Logan grunted out as he crossed the room his voice raspy from the abuse the man in his arms had caused. "Must be all those super genes." He added laying Alec gently down on the sofa and sliding his arms from beneath him.

Alec's head rolled loosely to one side facing the room and its occupants.

Sam watched in a distracted way; he felt disconnected as if watching a movie. Looking away from Alec to his brother he pulled the gauze away from Dean's nose when no blood immediately followed Sam studied Dean's face willing him to wake. As if Dean was aware of Sam's unspoken demand and he was fighting back the darkness Dean's eyes rolled under closed lids his long eyelashes quivered before lifting, the pupils inside the green irises shrinking in the light of the room.

"Dean?" Sam said tentatively.

"Sam?" Dean said blinking up at him, his voice low and voice full of question.

"Yeah," Sam answered.

"Sam?" Dean repeated.

"Yeah Dean," Sam ventured, unsure if the repeating of his name and Dean's cloudy eyes meant Dean was not truly fully conscious.

"Are you… cuddling me?" Dean rasped.

Sam pulled his head back in surprise. "As a matter of fact… yeah I am you friggin' jerk." Sam replied on a huff of laughter.

"Bitch," Dean answered before stiffening in Sam's arms his eyes darting. "Alec? Is he alright?"

Sam immediately soothed Dean placing a hand on his chest. "He's here he's… out to it again." Sam said.

Dean's eyes bounced up to Sam's. "I hit him on the head… twice. I had no other choice."

"I know Dean; I know you and I know you did the only thing you could do." Sam soothed.

Dean relaxed back into Sam his conscience seemingly soothed for now.

"Dean?" Sam asked, serious now. "What happened?"

"I woke up and there was Alec… awake, on his feet and strangling the life out o-" Dean cut off suddenly realizing what he was saying. "Logan oh my God is he alright?" Unknowingly repeating the same words Alec had said to Max some months earlier.

"Yeah," Logan answered. "A little bruised around the throat but okay."

Dean's eyes slid in the direction of Logan's voice. He was standing across the room next to the sofa bed even from this distance the reddened handprints were clearly visible. Dean frowned at the blood that coated one side of his neck and spotted the collar of his shirt. "Did he cut you?"

Logan wiped at the blood. "No it's not mine." Logan answered.

"Whose is it?" Dean asked concerned.

It was Sam that answered. "It's Alec's apparently he ripped out the IV before he attacked Logan."

"I tried to stop him and he head butted me, man he's got the hardest skull ever." Dean proclaimed.

"I can see that; he sure did a number on you," Sam agreed.

"Yeah well he might have my DNA but he's no mere mortal Sam; he's genetically empowered with super strength and speed."

"Excuses, excuses," Sam quipped.

"Not funny Sam," Dean replied shooting Sam a shriveling look. "I think he broke my nose… again." Dean added lifting a hand towards the offending appendage.

"Don't touch," Sam said sternly, slapping Dean's hand away lightly. "You'll make it start bleeding again."

"Hurts like a bitch." Dean stated.

"I'm sure it does. Diane said it's not broken, don't fret you're still pretty."

"You know it," Dean answered as he began to push himself up away from Sam. "Help me up will ya'?" Dean added angrily.

Sam knew his brother's anger wasn't directed at him but at himself for his weakness. "Okay, okay! Take it easy or you'll faint again." Sam said slowly gaining his feet and bringing Dean up with him keeping a firm grip on his brother's bicep.

Dean gave him another shriveling look. "I do not faint Sam," Dean growled although he was swaying like a sapling in a strong breeze.

"Oh really?" Sam answered steadying Dean. "You don't faint?"

"Yes Sam. I don't faint. Girls faint, well girls and… you," Dean paused. "Now me… I pass out in a very manly fashion."

"Keep telling yourself that Dean," Sam said as he helped Dean back to the chair he had occupied before.

"I'm sick to death of this chair," Dean grumbled even as he sank down onto the seat in relief. "And these freakin' scrubs." He added plucking at the material of the scrubs top.

"I might have something for you. We're about the same size and height." Logan said looking Dean up and down.

"That would be great," Dean said with gratitude.

Dean took the pile of clothes Logan had collected and stood. He had only taken two steps towards the kitchen intending on changing in the privacy of the laundry when he sensed Sam following behind him. Pulling to a stop so suddenly that Sam ran into his back Dean half turned to face his brother as Sam took a step back. "Where do you think you're going?" Dean asked.

"With you, I thought you might need some help," Sam answered with a smile.

"I think I can manage to change my clothes without your help thank you very much," Dean shot back.

"Says the guy who was unconscious in my arms not four minutes ago," Sam returned serve.

Dean colored slightly with embarrassment.

Sam thought it was the most color he'd seen in his brother's face for 3, 4, or was it 5 days? He'd lost count of how much time and how many days had passed since Dean had walked away from him on that garbage dump of a Seattle street heading for sector 11. Somewhere between then and now Sam had lost track.

"Sam you so much as take one more step and I'll flatten you," Dean threatened.

Sam held up his hands in surrender. "Okay suit yourself." He answered.

With a nod of triumph Dean turned away and continued walking into the kitchen his bare feet slapping against the vinyl floor covering; knowing all eyes were on him he valiantly resisted the urge to press a hand against his ribs, against the flare of pain even walking caused to shoot through his side.

"If you pass out in there in your very manly fashion don't expect me to pick you up off the floor," Sam called out to Dean's retreating back.

Dean's steps didn't falter at the remark and Sam didn't see the smile that curved Dean's lips.

Gritting his teeth he against the pain and pull of bruises and the damage to his upper body and spine Dean crossed his arms across his stomach gripped the hem of the scrubs top and pulled it up and over his head as he dropped it to the floor he caught sight of his chest in the small mirror; the burns from the tazer although they were a little inflamed they appeared to be healing as quickly as burns tended to heal. The pants were less painful to remove after pushing them as far down his legs as he could he kicked first one leg then other clear of his feet.

The pile of clothes consisted of dark blue pants, black v neck t-shirt, maroon colored shirt and even a pair of black cotton under shorts. Early in life he'd had made it an unwritten policy that he would never wear another man's underwear no matter whether it was shorts, boxers or briefs… not even if they were Sam's it was just… wrong. Should he then stick to that policy, ditch them and go commando? Or just bite the bullet and make this the first and absolutely the last time he put on another man's underwear? Deciding beggars can't be choosers he pulled them on finding that they fit reasonably well. The fit and length of the pants was also good although a little loose around Dean's slim waist and hips. It was clear the ordeal his body had been through over this last week or so had taken its toll resulting in some weight loss, his ribs and hip bones were more prominent than they had been before all this started. The movement as he pulled the t-shirt over his head elicited a hiss from between clenched teeth when pain from the movement of lifting his arms sent sharp pain through his ribs and shoulder and the tender spots along his spine. The shirt was easier as he was able to slide his arms into the sleeves without a lot of movement and hence only a little pain.

Sparing another quick glance in the mirror he saw more evidence of his weight loss in the prominence of his cheek bones; the bruising from Alec's head butt was already coloring the skin under his eyes. Leaving the scrubs in a pile on top of the ancient looking washing machine he left the laundry. Now he was dressed and even though he was still barefoot, the boots he'd travelled to this time in had been taken away some time after the tazer had knocked him out in the alley and before he'd woken tied to that chair in the warehouse he felt like he was more himself and somehow stronger; not the same man who trembled with weakness after any exertion no matter how miniscule. Striding back into the main room all eyes turned to him except for Diane who was crouched next to Alec. A gauze pad had been placed over the wound inside Alec's elbow held in place with a bandage the blood had been wiped away and Diane had inserted another IV line into the back of Alec's hand and re-attached the bag of fluids.

Apart from the rise and fall of his young clone's chest there was no indication that the he was even alive; and it was because of him Alec was laid out on the worn sofa bed and again silent and still.

As if sensing Dean's gaze Diane turned her head towards him looking him up and down with unabashed interest and approval.

At her perusal Dean straightened and squared his shoulders, lifting his hands out from sides for emphasis he enquired. "What?"

Diane's blue eyes met his. "Nothing… it's just that this is the first time I've seen you dressed in anything other than scrubs." Diane explained.

Uncomfortable Dean squirmed at her look of obvious appreciation. "How is he?" He asked, effectively changing the subject.

"Well his vitals are strong, pupils equal and reactive and the fact that he was awake is a good sign." Diane said looking back at Alec.

"Did I… do more damage make things worse?" Dean asked a note of worried dread in his voice.

"Dean," Sam interrupted Diane's reply. "You said it yourself you had no choice."

Dean unfolded his arms dropping them to his sides with a wince of pain. "Yeah I know but that freak doctor already scrambled his brain maybe that hit was the straw that breaks the camel's back?"

Diane was suddenly beside him her small hand on his arm. "Dean," Diane waited for his eyes to meet hers before she continued. "Talking about breaks; give yourself one. You did what you had to do, if you hadn't Logan would be dead." Diane said soothingly. "I'm sure Logan is grateful that you did." Diane's eyes did a hit and run to Logan and back to Dean. "The human brain is amazing. It may well be that a blow to the head is the one thing that undoes whatever it was that they did to him. Perhaps it will reset his brain back to normal and bring him back… stranger things have happened… right."

Sam stared at Diane in admiration. To himself and he knew the same applied for Dean, Alec had never seemed anything less than human despite Alec's, 'I was made in a lab' line; but it was blatantly clear not everyone in this time felt the same. Diane wasn't one of them; she had indirectly referred to Alec a transgenic and hence all other transgenics made in a laboratory as human.

Sam saw that Dean's eyes were full of varying emotions as they looked into Diane's, guilt and hope mostly but there was also, pain, anger and regret. "For Alec's sake I hope you're right." He said softly.

-CP-

His body felt weighted as if made of lead rendering all muscles and limbs useless and his mind felt drained and empty; as it did after PSYOPS; after hours of being tied down unable to move; the laser pointer penetrating through the optic nerve of his eye and into his brain. This feeling was familiar in a terrifying way; the result of re-indoctrination creating a nothingness no latent thoughts or memories. Mentally he began searching through the compartments of his mind; there was nothing until he came to some kind of wall, a blockade completely intersecting his mind. It was as if a dam had been erected in his mind holding everything he felt everything he was at bay, captive and secured behind it. This had never happened in re-indoctrination before and it was quiet it was never quiet in the cell they dumped you in after they were finished; there was always the tormented cries and high pitched shrieks of the nomalies that existed down here usually accompanied by the metallic rattling as they shook the bars on the doors of their cages that confined them for life in this hellhole. He could hear… nothing… not a sound and it was dark, too dark, complete and utter darkness. There was no light from the steel mesh covered naked globe on the ceiling of the cell, burning his tortured hypertensive eyes; not even the muted light from the dungeon corridor outside.

And the darkness it was hot, palpable with humidity; smothering. It wrapped around him pushing on him; it was alive and had a will of its own; all-encompassing and heavy like being cocooned in a heavy blanket in the middle of summer.

He fought against it; he mentally struggled clawing at the wall in his mind at the unseen confines surrounding him holding him captive. He was desperate to escape the heat and the stifling quiet. He knew it was impossible that nothingness and quiet could be stifling and yet they were.

In his mind he screamed for help; please help me someone. I don't want to be left alone forever in the dark.

-CP-

Unwilling to return to the chair, Dean slid onto the corner of the nearest desk; with one foot on the floor and the other swinging free he angled his body to the right braced his hand against the desks surface; he found this position took the pressure off of damaged ribs, healing shoulder and punctured spine he then began to drum his fingers rhythmically against the wood.

Diane had approached him a minute later, telling him that it was time for his dressing and bandages to be checked and changed if needed.

"Later," he had informed her in no uncertain terms accompanied by a look that brooked no further comment or argument.

Giving up the fight for now Diane went back to kneel beside Alec.

Dean had positioned himself so he could watch Alec unobstructed; he had seen the tightening and relaxing of his young clone's facial muscles and the rapid eye movements under closed lids; and now there was the intermittent twitch and ripple of the muscles under his skin; none of these movements had been present before the incident with Logan and the whack with the Holy Bible; Alec had been completely, utterly still. Dean didn't know if the uncontrolled movements were a good thing or bad; or which was worse; the stillness from before or the agitated movements of now.

Dean had seen Sam through a few concussions and he had never seen this kind of thing. "Those muscle spasms that's not normal for concussion." Dean remarked; it was somewhere between a question and a statement.

Diane who was taking Alec's pulse looked across at him. "No it's not. But for a transgenic it could be par for the course so who knows."

There was something about what Diane had said that struck a chord in Dean. Something forgotten, pushed aside by the events of the last few days. All he knew was it was something about transgenics something that was important about what was happening now at this very moment.

Laying Alec's hand down gently Diane observed. "His pulse is racing as well it wasn't before."

"What do you think that means?" Sam asked in concern from where he stood leaning against the mantle of the fireplace, hands thrust into his pockets. Although he couldn't see Dean's face he could tell from the set of brother's shoulders and by Dean's baring that he shared his concern for the young man. But for Dean it was more than concern it was self-blame. Dean blamed himself that his actions, actions that had led to Alec's seemingly worsening condition.

"I wish I knew. Could be he's waking up again or could be he's…" Diane's sad voice tapered off.

Everyone in the room knew what she could not verbalize.

"I vote for he's waking up again," Dean said eyes still pinned to Alec.

"If he is… should we take some precautions? Because when he does wake up he might go after Logan again." Sam said quietly.

His brother had put Dean's own thoughts into words; had him pulling his eyes to Sam and away from his vigil of his younger self. "What like restrain him, tie him up?" Dean clarified.

"Yeah," Sam answered.

"You really think that'll work on a transgenic? Dean asked eyes flitting around the room to each of its occupants. "We'd need more than some strong rope or zip ties."

"Dean's right." Logan said. "I've seen Alec Houdini out of rope restraints before."

"I could give him a shot that will keep him mildly sedated," Diane ventured. "There are risks though a number of risks."

"There always is." Dean stated.

"What sort of risks?" Sam asked.

"Firstly I can't give him a sedative if he's concussed and that means waiting until he comes around. Sedatives and a concussion are a definite no-no. Secondly if he is not concussed and being transgenic I don't know enough about that to accurately calculate the correct dosage. It would be easy if he was a… regular man but if I give him the wrong dosage…" Diane paused, her eyes flitting between Logan and the brothers.

"What would happen?" Dean asked

"Not enough and it won't have the desired effect. Too much could kill him." Diane said bluntly.

Sam and Dean exchanged looks.

"No," Dean said forcefully with a shake of his head. "We're not taking that risk; we'll have to think of something else… a plan C."

"I'm not seeing a lot of other options for a plan C here Dean," Sam said his voice rising in frustration.

"Then we'll go with plan A." Dean said his eyes once more on Alec.

"I'll call Max she'll want to know what's going on and she might know the best way to keep him restrained without the risk of making the situation worse." Logan said heading for the kitchen where he'd left his cell phone.

Silence enveloped the room's occupants all lost in their thoughts until Logan re-entered the room cell phone to his ear. "Okay Max we'll see you shortly."

"So Max got anything?" Dean asked, as Logan disconnected the call.

"Yeah," Logan replied. "She's on her way said she knows what to do."

"Did she say what that was?" Sam asked.

"No, but she said something about us needing to use the bathroom," Logan said with a shrug.

"Bathroom… Really?" Dean retorted in angry surprise. "What the hell for?"

"I have no idea," Logan answered straight into the face of Dean's angry question.

"Maybe she wants us to run him a nice hot bath," Dean answered, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Logan smiled at Dean's remark. "Wow. I can see what Max means about the shared smart ass personality gene."

Dean returned Logan's revelation with a glare of green fire.

-CP-

"You're kiddin' right? You want to chain him to the bathroom pipes?" Dean said staring with disbelief at the length of chain with a manacle attached at either end Max held in her hands. "I've seen firsthand how strong he is; what makes you think that's going to hold him?"

"Dean's got a point," Sam said in agreement.

Max dumped the chain on one of the desks with a loud metallic thunk. "They're not just any chains; these are escape proof even for a transgenic. The chain is hardened titanium steel; the manacles are also titanium triple welded to the chain. We need something strong to secure him too. The plumbing pipes running through the bathroom walls are our best option." Max explained.

Sam nodded his head in agreement. "Of course; it's why they tell people to go into the bathroom if there's a tornado; because of the pipes; they go down into the ground anchoring them and the pipes themselves create a kind of metal frame."

"And if he wakes up and he's like he was last time won't he harm himself?" Diane said with concern.

"He could," Max said looking between the rooms occupants seeing their collective concern. "I don't like it but it's the best solution for now. We can wrap and pad his wrist that should help."

"We can use bandages for that; I got plenty in my bag," Diane offered.

"That's a good idea," Max said with smile of gratitude to the nurse.

"Okay it's ready," Logan said entering the room from the kitchen.

Max looked across at Alec; she hated to have to do this to him but for now it was the best option.

"I'll get him," Sam said already moving.

"I'll help you," Dean replied moving to follow.

"Stay here Dean I can manage on my own," Sam answered turning to face his brother.

"Sam I can help you, I'm not an invalid," Dean said annoyed.

"I didn't say you were but I can see the way you move your still in pain from you ribs, your shoulder."

"Sam I'm okay?" Dean answered.

"No you're not okay, "Sam shot back. "Dean can you please just take it easy just for today? Is that too much to ask?" He added, frustrated.

Sam was using the puppy dog eyes and Dean couldn't deny Sam had a point he was in some pain although he would never admit it to Sam. Dean knew Sam was more than capable of carrying Alec without his help. "Who died and made you queen?" Dean said lightheartedly.

"Shut up jerk," Sam said with ill-disguised humor.

"Bitch," Dean gave the standard answer.

Sam waited while Diane unhooked the IV bag from the picture hook on the wall and placed the bag on Alec's stomach. As Sam lifted Alec in his arms he had to admit Logan was right; Alec was all muscle and heavy and he was grateful that the journey to the laundry was only a short one. He sidled through the doorways so as not to catch either Alec's head or feet on the wooden frames. Once in the laundry he very gently laid Alec on the floor in the space Logan had cleared. The small mirror had been taken down and put to one side; Sam hooked the IV bag onto the nail, whilst Diane wrapped Alec's right wrist creating a cushioning pad with the bandages; then Max opened one of the manacles and closed and locked the manacle in place around two of the exposed pipes; she tugged on the chain to test the strength before fixing the other manacle onto Alec's wrist.

"This sucks; I hate this," Dean said echoing Max's thoughts from three minutes ago.

"I know Dean we all do, but what choice do we have?" Sam reasoned. "We can't take the risk of him going after Logan again."

They all felt the same about this situation and about what they were doing; hence the mood in the small room was a somber as they stood back to wait; to wait and to watch; each one of them lost in their own thoughts.

-CP-

Just like that it happened; after what felt like an eternity of struggling against the darkness and silence and his mental pounding at the wall blocking his memories, his identity, his soul. The darkness began to lift from pitch black to a charcoal gray and he heard the distant snatches of murmured voices. He tried to see through the darkness and hold onto the distant sounds and focus on them.

"You're kiddin' right? You want to chain him to the bathroom pipes? I've seen firsthand how strong he is; what makes you think that's going to hold him?" a male with a deep, pleasant timbre said in a disbelieving tone.

"Dean's got a point," another male voice agreed.

"They're not just any chains; these are escape proof even for a transgenic. The chain is hardened titanium steel; the manacles are also titanium triple welded to the chain. We need something strong to secure him too. The plumbing pipes running through the bathroom walls are our best option." A young sounding female explained.

"Of course; it's why they tell people to go into the bathroom if there's a tornado; because of the pipes; they're anchored into the ground and they create a kind of metal frame." This was from the second male.

The next words were indistinct as they began to fade and slip away returning him once again to the pitch black darkness and stifling silence. NO! NO! Please don't go come back, don't leave me here alone.

Silence reigned for what could have been hours, minutes or only seconds and then as if they had heard his mental cries the voices returned and the darkness faded again.

"This sucks; I hate doing this," the deep timbre voice said.

The darkness lifted further from charcoal to dark gray.

"I know Dean we all do, but what choice do we have?" the second male said. "We can't take the risk of him going after Logan again."

Alec! Who is Alec? Could they be talking about me? No I'm X5-494! X5-494 A soldier; an assassin, a killer, a murderer! I can't be Alec! I'm X5-494… No! No that's not right… I used to be X5-494! I used to be! But not anymore! I am Alec… I am Alec!

With renewed hope he resumed his pounding against the solid mental wall and cracks began to appear, cracks that widened and grew; he was fighting back the darkness and light cascaded in.

Bit by bit the psychic wall implanted in his head began to tumble and fall away; flooding him with memories and emotions; a feeling of euphoria almost completely overwhelmed him.

With a sigh he forced his eyes open.

-CP-

The laundry was crowded with five anxious people standing in a semicircle around the young man chained on the cold tiles at their feet. When Alec pursed his lips then released a sigh all six stiffened; at full alert they collectively held their breath as his long lashes trembled and slowly lifted.

He blinked up at the ceiling pupils shrinking rapidly, the vivid green irises clearing and focusing. He turned his head slowly in their direction his eyes landed on each of them in turn. A line of confusion creased Alec's brow. "Hey guys what's going on?" He asked his voice scratchy from days of disuse.

"Alec?" Max ventured softly. "Do you know who we are?"

"What?" Alec replied not sure he was hearing correctly.

"Do you know who we are?" Max repeated.

"What kind of question is that; of course I know who you are!" Alec spat out.

When the people around him continued to stare at him Alec resignedly replied. "Max, Logan, Dean, Sam and…" His frown deepened and his lips pursed at Diane. "You I don't know… but I'd really like to." He added the frown disappearing, replaced with a lift of one brow and a cheeky smile.

Diane blushed prettily at Alec's remark.

Dean saw Diane's very female reaction to Alec's words. He smiled to himself; the kid definitely has the Dean Winchester charm.

Sam's thoughts were on a similar path; Alec's remark with the addition of the 'you can't resist this smile' smile only added to what he and Dean already knew Alec was related; he is our brother.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Alec's expressive eyes flitted between them; when they remained silent the crease in his brow returned. "What'd I do this time to piss you off?" This was directed mostly to Max. Because ever since he'd met the fellow X5 he'd had a knack of pissing her off and most of the time he didn't even know why or how.

"This time? Nothing," Max replied with a slight lift of her full lips.

"Okay… so if I haven't pissed you off I repeat why are you looking at me like that?" Alec said raising his hand for emphasis. The small movement was accompanied by a clang of metal on metal; lifting his head off the tiles Alec squinted down at his lifted hand at the chain his wrist was manacled onto. He gave it an experimental tug causing the length of chain to again clang against itself and the pipes onto which the other end was attached with a second manacle. "What the hell? Why am I chained up?" Alec growled in fury. "And why am I wearing this ridiculous outfit?" His now angry gaze pinning each of them in turn.

"We had too, we had to make sure." Max said.

"Make sure? Make sure of what?" Alec shot back.

"That when you woke up you were… you," Logan explained.

"Well that makes sense," Alec retorted. "Okay, enough with the riddles, someone tell me what the hell is going on," Alec said pulling on the chain in angry frustration his voice low and menacing.

Ignoring Alec's angry question Dean asked. "Alec, what's the last thing you remember?"

"I-"Alec stopped suddenly closing his eyes as a spasm, a tremor ran up his spine and his muscles twitched in response; the spasm blossomed as pain in his head and nausea in his belly that made even thinking an effort.

Dean had seen the young man stiffen had seen Alec's muscles jump and bunch under his skin. It was the same as he'd seen in Alec before he woken. "You alright kid?" Dean asked concerned.

Alec forced his eyes open gave a slight nod and a lopsided smile. "Yeah I'm always alright.

"Alec what do you remember?" Sam prompted.

Alec's eyes darted about in thought. "I… remember… you." he said to Dean." We were at some warehouse and…." Alec paused. "There was a man he shot me with a dart." Alec finished lifting his left hand to rub at the remembered sting in his chest.

"Nothing after that?" Logan asked.

"I…. No… nothing," Alec replied.

Alec didn't miss the shared look of concern that circulated amongst them. "What is it?"

"Alec you've been in a coma for the last three days," Max explained.

"Come again?" Alec exclaimed confusion and disbelief lacing the words.

"You've been in a coma for three days," Max repeated.

Alec just stared back at her disbelieving; another tremor ran through him; this one worse than the last; the pain nearly stole his breath away. Alec started to lift his hand he wanted to rub at the pain that enveloped his head. "I think I need-"

He was going to say Tryptophan. But the word was never spoken as the tremor escalated from a tremor to a full blown grand mal seizure trapping him in its powerful grip and all thoughts fled.

Diane was the first to react when Alec's eyes rolled back in his head his body stiffened and began jerking uncontrollably.

"He's seizing!" Diane almost shouted falling to her knees beside him; Max was a second behind her. Diane laid a hand against Alec's forehead. "He's burning up we need to get his temperature down." Her eyes darted left and right, seeing the scrubs Dean had discarded earlier within easy reach on top of the washing machine next to her she reached up and pulled them down waded the material into a makeshift pillow and pushed it behind Alec's head.

"I'm so stupid; I should have seen the signs," Max berated herself.

"Signs?" Sam questioned. "Signs of what?"

"Tryptophan," Max was saying her dark eyes on Alec. "He needs tryptophan."

Diane darted a look from Alec to Max and back to Alec. "How do you know that?" She said sharply.

"It's a neurological disorder specific to X5's," Max informed Diane.

"What sort of a disorder?" Diane asked needing more information in order to treat the stricken young man at her side.

"X5's can't produce serotonin in their brains it's the low levels of serotonin that cause the seizures. It starts as mild tremors then to petit mal seizures; without treatment in the early stages it progresses to full on grand mal seizures and then to…." Max didn't want to say the word; death. "He needs tryptophan to up the serotonin levels and the seizures will stop. He usually takes a tryptophan supplement every day but with everything that's happened he hasn't been taking a regular dose." Max clarified.

"When you say X5's that includes you," Diane said. "So you have some of the tryptophan supplement we can give him."

"Yeah every X5 excepting me; I don't need tryptophan any more. Manticore fixed me a year or so ago," Max supplied.

As Dean watched on in worried concern it hit him; although it was more like someone had taken a baseball bat and whacked him over the head with it. It was the something important Dean had forgotten about transgenics or more specifically X5's that had been nipping at the back of his memory since Diane's comment of; But for a transgenic it could be par for the course so who knows." Marshall had told him on the plane; X5's had flaws… their humanity and a neurological disorder. "Low levels of serotonin in the brain that led to violent seizures; Manticore used to administer tryptophan daily to increase the serotonin levels and control the seizures." If only he'd remembered earlier he could have perhaps prevented this.

Dean was jolted away from his thoughts and back to the room. "I think he skipped the petit mal and went straight to the big one." Diane observed giving Max a long penetrating look.

Dean interjected voicing his thoughts. "Maybe not," All eyes turned to him. "Think about it; the rapid eye movements the twitching, the jumping muscles that's what we were seeing before, the petit mal seizure things."

"I think Dean might be right," Diane conceded.

"How long after the supplement is stopped do the seizures start?" Diane enquired.

"It varies, each X5 is different but the seizures usually start after two to three days without the supplement."

"So it has to be longer than 3 days since he's had any?"

"Yes," Max answered.

"They must have given him tryptophan at the sanitarium or the seizures would have started before today," Sam surmised looking on helplessly.

"Well we don't have any of the tryptophan supplement on hand dairy is the next best option it's a good natural source of tryptophan he needs milk or yoghurt," Diane said looking over her shoulder at the men standing close by.

"There's some milk in the fridge, I'll get it," Logan said already running out the door.

"I need help to get his mouth open to make sure he doesn't swallow his tongue," Diane looked around the small room; she spotted the wide rolled bandage left over from wrapping Alec's wrist. "Hand me that bandage roll." She said to Sam as she braced her thumb and fingers against Alec's jaw as she tried to pry open his mouth.

Sam did as requested moving to retrieve the bandage.

"Dean, I need your help," Diane said with a quick glance at Dean over her shoulder.

Max stood and moved away allowing Dean to slip in next to Diane at Alec's side.

"What do you want me to do?"

"His jaw is locked we have to get it open," Diane explained.

The pain from his own injuries was summarily dismissed, compartmentalized into the back of his mind as Dean stepped over Alec's straining jerking form; he squatted down opposite Diane in the small space between Alec and the wall; he placed his hands next to Diane's adding his considerably strong fingered grip to hers as together they continued the fight to open Alec's rigid jaw.

"Here," Sam said thrusting the rolled bandage into Diane's line of sight.

Logan ran back into the room a half full 1 liter carton of milk in one hand and a small plastic cup in the other; just as Alec's jaw parted under the continued pressure of Dean and Diane's grip.

"Don't let go yet," Diane instructed Dean; maintaining her hold on Alec's jaw with one hand Diane took the roll from Sam and worked it in between Alec's teeth before removing her other hand. "There it's in, you can let go now." Diane motioned to Dean's hands.

Dean let go of the grip he had on Alec's jaw his hands hovering close for a moment just in case. The kid was so strong Dean was half expecting him to bight through the roll of material.

Alec's eyes were only partly open, only white could be seen. His body was still strung taut as he continued to spasm.

"How are we going to get him to drink the milk?" Sam asked.

"We have to wait until the seizure is over, if we try to give it to him before that he might aspirate into his lungs." Diane answered.

It seemed like an age but was only a matter of 30 or 40 seconds before the spasms began to ease and Alec's muscles started to relax; as the last of the tremors subsided and his body settled against the cold floor his eyelids fluttered, opening half way the green of his irises once again visible.

"Alec… you back with us?" Diane asked in a soft, soothing voice, one hand against his cheek. When his hooded, slightly unfocused gaze slid to her Diane smiled. "There you are."

Alec's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

With a gentle touch Diane removed the bandage roll from between Alec's teeth and put it one side; the roll of material was now flattened and had a well-defined imprint of Alec's teeth pressed into it. "How do you feel?"

"Like someone tried to tear the muscles from my bones with their bare hands," Alec whispered his voice raw.

"I'll bet," Diane replied. "You had a seizure a rather nasty Grand Mal seizure."

"Need tryptophan," Alec answered still in a pain filled whisper.

"Yes so I've been told," Diane smiled. "There's milk here do you think you can drink some?"

Alec nodded looking dazedly around him before settling on Dean. "Nice new shiners you got there Dean; someone else work you over?" Alec joked looking at Dean crouched on his other side. It was only now that Dean was close by he could make out the fresh bruises forming under his eyes.

Dean smiled changing the subject; now was not the time to tell Alec that he was responsible for the new bruising. "How you doin' champ?" Dean asked gripping Alec's shoulder and squeezing gently.

"I'm awesome," Alec quipped.

"That a boy," Dean said patting Alec's shoulder before he lifted the chain. "Key?" Dean's eyes slid to Max.

"Dean, do you think it's wise? Maybe we should wait a little longer?" Sam ventured. "We don't know yet if-"

"Wait? Wait for what huh?" Dean fired back. "For him to seize again? Maybe the next time he'll rip his arm out of the socket. Dean's voice dropped to a whispered hiss. "Look at him; in his condition, he couldn't hurt a fly. Give me the key?" Dean finished his tirade holding his hand out palm up.

"Here," Max responded quickly taking the key out of her jacket pocket she placed it into Dean's palm.

Sam watched as Dean unlocked the manacle on Alec's wrist. He knew Dean's harsh words weren't directed at him personally they were directed wholly and solely at himself; out of a misguided sense of responsibility and self-blame. Sam knew his brother better than anyone and he knew that Dean felt he was responsible for all of this; for Alec being captured by Phoenix, for Alec being tortured, experimented on and for Alec not having tryptophan and hence for the resulting seizures. Alec had gone into that warehouse to save him he'd risked capture had risked his own life to save Dean; to save a stranger's life, a man he'd never even met.

Dean made short work of freeing Alec's wrist from the manacle; pushing the chain aside he placed a hand lightly on Alec's chest. "Alec I'm going to lift you up so you can drink." Dean explained softly. "It's gonna' hurt a bit." He added apologetically.

"Only a bit?" Alec raised one eyebrow in question.

"Okay you got me, a lot… you ready?" Dean said.

"As I'll ever be," Alec returned as a latent spasm passed through him.

Dean scooted around so he was behind Alec; he slipped his hands under Alec's shoulders and lifted Alec away from the tiles pushing the hastily improvised cushion aside he then lowered himself down onto the floor leaning back against the washing machine for support he slid his long legs out in front of him to one side of Alec.

Alec bit off a cry of pain bighting his lip against the agony the movement caused; squeezing his eyes shut as his muscles protested; they felt like they were being torn off the bone and pulled in six directions at once.

Hearing the sound of Alec's pain Dean tried to sooth him. "Sorry, sorry almost over." He whispered as he gently settled Alec against his chest. The result being Alec was sitting more or less upright. Dean then wrapped his left arm around Alec's chest holding him steady in a firm but gentle grip.

Dean had whispered something as he gently eased him back against the solid wall of his chest; Alec didn't hear the words as the pain at that moment had robbed him of 80% of his hearing; as it returned over a moment or two he felt a strong arm wrap around him anchoring him; through the material of Dean's t-shirt he could hear his steady heartbeat could feel the rise and fall of Dean's chest as he breathed; it was calming, soothing and the contact felt good, right, natural. It was something that a brother would do for a sibling, another brother. At the feather light touch on his cheek he opened his eyes. The pretty, blue-eyed brunette was holding a plastic cup of milk in front of him. He lifted a heavy hand reaching out intending to take it from her; he was alarmed when he realized that was not going to be possible; his hand shook so badly there was no way he would be able to hold the cup leave alone drink from it. It would make for a fun and embarrassing show when he spilled it all over himself, Dean and the girl.

The look in the girls blue eyes was one of understanding with a smile she said. "Allow me?"

Alec nodded embarrassed to show his weakness in front of the girl and the crowd of concerned onlookers watching on.

With that nod Alec was giving her permission so Diane brought the cup to Alec's slightly parted lips and tipped it slowly. "We haven't been formally introduced Alec I'm Diane."

After swallowing half the cup of milk Diane pulled the cup back. Alec drew in a shaky breath. "The pleasures all mine." He said with a smile.

"Okay Romeo stop flirting and drink your milk," Dean's humorous voice said close to his ear.

"Spoil sport," Alec answered back.

Diane again tipped the cup against his lips.

"How long does it take to get into the system?" Sam asked turning to Max.

"Forty five minutes to an hour but he'll probably need more than we have here," Max answered.

"There's a convenience store on the next block. I'll go and get some more," Logan said.

In the time Logan was gone Alec's condition improved by the minute. His body still trembled and shook and was racked by intermittent spasms but they were decreasing in length and time apart. Alec was now able to hold the cup and drink without assistance.

Alec was finishing off the last of the milk when Logan hurried in carrying a 2 liter plastic bottle of milk.

Diane took the empty cup from Alec and handed it off to Sam. Logan twisted the cap off the full milk container and refilled the cup.

Holding the cup at the ready Sam was watching over the situation. He saw Dean clench his jaw and wince as he readjusted his position on the floor behind Alec. It was the only sign that Dean would let slip that he was hurting; Sam knew his brother and he knew Dean would never verbalize any weakness even though less than twenty four hours ago Dean was in surgery having amongst other things his lung re-inflated. "Dean You alright?"

Dean looked up; he hadn't missed the concern in his brother's voice. "I'm okay Sammy just a little stiff and sore."

"If you want I can take over?" Sam offered.

"I'm okay," Dean reassured him.

"You sure?" Sam prodded.

"Yeah I'm good," Dean said with a nod of his head.

The sudden, unexpected ring of a cell phone broke the following silence in the room and made them all jump.

"It's mine," Max said taking it from her pocket. "This is Max."

The caller's side of the conversation sounded tinny and inaudible. "I'm kind of in the middle of some personal stuff." Max said suddenly glancing at Alec. Max listened to the caller's next words before she answered. "Okay I'll be there." She said disconnecting the call.

"Max, what is it?" Logan enquired stepping close to her.

"That was Clemente. He wants to meet me ASAP there's something important he wants to discuss but not over the phone." Max said looking up into Logan's face.

"Do you think it's to do with Burke and Phoenix?" Logan asked.

"It could be," Max answered.

"Who's Clemente?" Sam and Dean asked simultaneously their eyes flitting between Max and Logan.

"Detective Ramone Clemente of the Seattle PD," Logan clarified.

Sam and Dean exchanged a look. "You have meetings with a police detective?" Dean queried.

Max nodded. "Yeah; he's a good guy he's been a great help since the siege I guess you could say he's a friend."

"If he says it's important you'd better go," Logan said, looking down into her face. He ached to reach out and caress her cheek, to pull her into his arms and kiss her deeply to feel her skin against his. Logan could see by the look in her dark eyes that she longed for the same thing. But until the virus was neutralized they both knew it was impossible. They could only touch wearing latex gloves or through clothing. Placing his hands on her upper arms he gave them a gentle squeeze then rubbed up and down lovingly. "Be careful."

"I will," Max assured him.

Alec's rough voice drew their attention. "I know how hard it is for you to drag yourself away from me Maxie but just go already."

"You think I'm staying because of you? Oh please don't flatter yourself pretty boy," Max said with a smile.

Alec gave her a strained imitation of his usual cocky smile. "Come on Max you know you adore me."

Max's smile turned into a grin. "You're still a pain in my ass Alec, but it's good to have you back."

Alec returned her grin. "I knew it! You missed me. Now go see Clemente."

"I don't know," Max wavered.

"Max, I've all these big strong men at my beck and call," Alec teased. "And then of course there's Diane; the rose amongst the thorns." He said with a theatrical wave in Diane's direction. "I'm in good hands Max; the best." He added his smile turning from cocky to sincere.

"Alright then," Max said turning and heading towards the door. "I'll call by later after I'm done." She threw over her shoulder.

"Max wait, I'm coming with you," Logan called after her; Max stopped and turned back to face him. "There's something I want to talk to Clemente about and I have some other stuff to take care of."

"Okay; you want to ride with me or follow in Sam's car?"

"I'll follow you," Logan told her. "You guys can manage without me right?" Logan said looking between the brothers.

"Yeah of course," Sam assured him.

"Go. Do what you gotta do; we can take care of ourselves," Dean added.

When the slam of the front door reached their ears Alec lifted the cup; as he brought it to his lips he muttered. "Alone at last I thought they'd never leave."

Alec saw Sam and Diane smile at his remark and he felt Dean's deep laughter rumble up through his chest where it was pressed against the side of his head. "Kid, you're a chip off my old DNA block." Dean managed to say through his laughter.

-CP-

The spasms had abated to the odd shudder and jump of muscles by the time Alec had consumed three more cups of milk. At the proffered next cup Alec had shaken his head. "Anymore and I think I might throw up," he'd said with a grimace.

Diane handed the cup back to Sam and picked up Alec's wrist pressing two fingers to his pulse point. "Pulse is returning to normal," She said a minute later. Placing Alec's hand back down onto his thigh she brushed aside the light brown, blonde tipped strands of hair on his forehead laying her hand against his warm skin. "You're still hot." She added.

"I am hot," Alec said with a cheeky lopsided smile.

Diane gave a scoffing laugh and Sam rolled his eyes, Dean's face Alec couldn't see but he was sure his face held a similar look.

"I'm serious, I am literally hot," he said defensively.

"Uhuh, sure you are," Diane said playing along.

"You don't believe me?" Alec sounded affronted. "It's true; all transgenics body temperature runs 3 degrees higher than yours."

"Come to think of it, I might have heard that somewhere," Diane said.

"See I told you I was hot," Alec replied.

Diane had to laugh at that. "Okay hot stuff how about we get you off this cold floor and somewhere a little more comfortable?"

"And about time too; I lost all feeling in my legs ten minutes ago," Dean said with feigned annoyance wriggling a little for effect.

Diane lifted the IV bag from the nail as Sam moved in close and started to lift him. Alec had to stifle a cry of pain at the pull on his over-strained muscles. Once he was on his feet Sam pulled his arm across his shoulder. Alec tried to take some of his own weight and walk but the seizure had taken its toll on any reserves of energy he'd had. The result being he could barely lift his feet. IV bag in hand Diane moved in to his other side wrapping her arm around his waist and staying close so as not to pull on the tubing or the IV catheter, before they made their way from the laundry to the lounge room.

When Alec was lifted from him and supported from the room; using the washing machine at his back for support Dean staggered to his feet narrowly missing toppling forward and face planting on the tiles when his numb legs failed to respond to his brain's signal to do the simple job of supporting him. With one hand on the wall and the other braced on top of the washing machine he shook out his legs working feeling back into the limbs, after a minute the numbness gave way to painful pins and needles before normal feeling returned. He then left the room following slowly in the others wake.

Alec was already seated on the sofa propped up with some dusty looking cushions that Dean hadn't seen until now; Diane had already replaced the IV bag on the hook. As she checked and adjusted the flow Alec looked between the two Winchesters.

"So who's gonna explain what Max meant when she said I'd been in a coma for three days, why I woke up in Joshua's house chained to a pipe, why I look like an extra from a procedural hospital TV drama and why I have a lump on the size of an ostrich egg on the back of my head?" Alec asked gently fingering the tender lump.

"Awkward," Dean whispered out the side of his mouth.

"It's a long story." Sam said with a sidelong look at his brother.

"I got time," Alec declared.

"Are you sure you're up to it?"

"Yeah I'm good; that milk did the trick," Alec reassured.

Sam couldn't help but smile at the very Dean like comment.

Sam and Dean exchanged looks before Dean began the explanation. "You said you remembered the warehouse and being shot with a dart?"

"Uhuh," Alec answered.

"The man who shot you with the dart, Marshall he took both of us to this Sanitarium that was a cover for a Phoenix laboratory in Selina. They used some new drug on you as part of some experiment to mess with your brain. It was being run by this sicko foreign doctor named Kovar. They took me because they wanted my DNA." Dean paused to make sure that in his less than pristine condition Alec was taking it all in. "Does this jog any memories?" He frowned when Alec blinked and a strange look came across his face and a faraway almost vacant look lit in his eyes before his lashes fluttered and closed.

At Dean's question; Alec blinked and he was slammed with memories, feelings, and images of a thin faced man smiling lasciviously at him; the same man's bony hand caressing his cringing flesh. "What if I said PSYOPS? Jog any memories? …my beautiful boy this is so much more than re-indoctrination …it is permanent and once completed it cannot be reversed …I'm going to take what Manticore gave you and improve on it, manipulate your mind, you will be controlled via the neurological implants to obey all commands without question or feeling …you will be mine to do with as I please… you'll be my beautiful, perfect soldier."

And then there was cold fire spreading through his veins; rubber forced into his mouth; flashes of light and strobing colors bombarding his senses; high pitched ear-splitting sounds and through it all the same skeletal face smiling at him in sick delight; until… darkness and silence.

Someone was touching his face; instinctively he knew it wasn't the thin-faced man's bony touch he felt; the hands were warm where they cupped the sides of his face; and the voice that filtered through the silence was not foreign and heavily accented; it was deep, rich, concerned and growing in strength and volume as the silence was replaced by sound… Dean! Alec latched on to the voice and began to fight towards it… to fight back the darkness yet again. "Alec, Alec… come on kid don't do this again."

"My head; it's in my head," He said in a whisper.

"What is? Alec… what's in your head?" Dean's voice broke through his thoughts.

Alec opened his eyes. Dean's face was close to his, a frown creasing his forehead his green eyes wide as he stared at him in concern; it was his hands Alec could feel cupping his face. Over Dean's shoulders he saw an equally worried looking Sam and Diane. "I remember," he whispered on an exhale.

"Nice to have you back kid," Dean said patting Alec's face for emphasis before he removed his hands and stood back next to Sam.

"Did I go somewhere?" Alec questioned confused eyes searching the faces above him.

"You kind of zoned out on us for a minute," Sam clarified.

Alec's thoughts turned inwards trying to put the scattered pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that was his brain together.

"Alec, you said it's in my head," Dean prompted. "What did you mean?"

Alec's eyes darted around not landing for more than a nanosecond on anyone or anything. "Neurological implants."

"To control you," Sam said.

"Yeah basically, Kovar said I would be completely under his control, that sadistic bastard is ex Manticore I remembered him from PSYOPS… he is working for the government slash military, he wanted…," Alec swallowed trying to force down the sickness that flooded his mouth as Kovar's words filled his head. "You will be mine to do with as I please… you'll be my beautiful, perfect soldier." "Me." Alec voice broke on the word.

The connotations of that were not lost on the other occupants of the room.

"That sick son of a bitch," Dean growled low in his throat.

"He said the drug…" Alec stuttered to a stop.

"Cephalix," Sam intoned.

"Yeah, the Cephalix would alter the brain wave patterns and wipe out everything. He said once it was completed it was permanent. I would be completely under his control via neurological implants, I would obey all commands that I would do whatever he asked. "I wouldn't feel any pain because one of the implants would block the pain receptors in the brain."

"Like Van Damme in Universal Soldier," Dean said with a lift of lips and a nod. Alec and Diane looked uncomprehendingly at Dean's 90's movie reference.

"Dean," Sam sighed out his brother's name in exasperation.

"Bright side… I know they didn't get that one implanted because I gotta say my whole body hurts like a b,-" Alec cut off abruptly. "Like you wouldn't believe." He finished with a humorless smile.

"I imagine it does," Dean conceded.

"Anyway they had some notion that Dean's DNA contained some gene that slows the aging process, and they were going to isolate that gene and implant it in me." Alec said. "Kovar imparted that piece of information before he… started.

"Yeah Marshall thought I was in my 40's I didn't tell him I was actually only 28 because I knew they would never believe that I time travelled from 2007."

"You're absolutely right. It wouldn't have made a difference because age slowing gene or not your DNA would be useful as the beginning of another DNA data bank for their super soldiers." Alec concurred with Dean's summation. "I don't remember anything much after they started the Cephalix, just lights, colors sounds and then… darkness."

"Thank God we got to you before they could finish the implants and before they completely drained Dean as it was we got there only just in time. You were both in bad shape." Sam said.

"Have we been here at Joshua's the whole time?" Alec asked needing to fill in the blanks that still left huge spaces in his mind.

"No we went straight to the hospital when we got back to Seattle. That was when Sam Carr discovered the tracking device Phoenix had implanted under your skin; they were tracking us from Selina. Phoenix had Burke and his men crash the hospital to take you back to Kovar." Sam explained.

"So how'd we get out of the hospital?" Alec asked.

Sam picked up the story again with their hurried exit from the hospital. "Sam Carr and Diane helped us. Diane is a recovery nurse at the hospital she was taking care of Dean after the surgery-"

"Wait," Alec interposed. "Dean had surgery?"

Dean answered Alec's enquiry. "Yeah I had broken ribs a punctured lung and blood transfusions."

Sam noted that Dean left out the part about the gunshot and the infection.

"Because of the beating and the DNA extraction?" Alec surmised looking at Dean.

"Anyway while Sam stalled Burke, Diane helped us to hightail it out of there and that's how we ended up here; Max at first wanted to go to TC but it was deemed too risky; this was the only place Logan could think of that Burke didn't know about where we could lay low for a while." Sam explained.

Alec nodded in understanding. "I noticed Logan had bruises around his throat did he get those at Phoenix?" Alec asked indicating to his own throat.

"Not exactly," Dean answered.

"What does not exactly mean?" Alec queried. "Okay what are you not telling me?"

The brothers exchanged looks before Dean continued. "Alec those bruises… came from you," Dean said quietly.

"What?" Alec said in confusion.

Sam answered his tone gentle. "That's why we had you chained."

"I… don't… understand," Alec stammered out his eyes searching their faces for an explanation.

"Logan was doing an Eyes Only broadcast and… there's no easy way to say this you tried to strangle him." Sam explained.

At Alec's stunned horrified expression Dean jumped in to clarify. "You weren't aware of what you were doing. You were in a coma until this morning then something happened you kind of woke up but you weren't fully conscious it was more like you were sleep walking… you went straight for Logan and you tried to strangle him."

"Luckily for Logan Dean stopped you before it was too late." Sam said, not going into too much detail.

"You asked how you got the lump on your head," Dean paused. "Well… that's how." He added.

"Why… why would I do that?" Alec asked in a hushed tone. "No I couldn't have… I wouldn't… not now… I'm not that person anymore." Alec's disbelieving voice faded away to nothing on the last words.

"I have a theory about that," Sam said.

When Sam didn't immediately elaborate Dean intoned. "You gonna tell us this theory or are we supposed to play twenty questions?"

"Logan was doing an Eyes Only broadcast when Alec attacked him," Sam started.

"Yeah, you already said that," Alec answered.

"So here's the thing Phoenix wants to get rid of Eyes Only right?" Sam questioned. When no one disagreed he continued. "What if one of the neurological implants was specifically designed to target Logan? Well not so much Logan but Eyes Only?" Sam said warming to his theory. "Maybe the implant was triggered in Alec's subconscious when he began the broadcast, it might have been something he said a word or a phrase?"

"You might be on to something," Dean said.

"It wouldn't be the first time Eyes Only has been targeted; Logan told me Manticore tried and they used Alec that time as well," Sam said.

"Makes sense," Dean said with a nod. "Add to that we have no idea how many or what kind of implants had been implanted into Alec's brain before you guys put a stop to it."

Alec looked stricken. "What if it happens again? What if there are other triggers for other things?" He said apprehensively. "Who knows what I will do… and if it does happen again? The next time it might not end the same, it could end up with someone else hurt or… worse."

"It won't happen again," Dean stated firmly.

"What makes you so sure?" Alec asked, staring hard at Dean. "What if I fall back into a coma or I fall asleep?

"You woke up okay before," Sam tried to placate Alec's growing fears.

"You don't know what the triggers are so there is no way you can know for sure… you have to chain me back up, I don't want to hurt Logan again," Alec's eyes moved between each of them. "I don't want to hurt any of you." Alec's voice quaked with emotion, moisture welled in his eyes and he looked down at the floor; his Adam's apple bobbed as he attempted to swallow his emotion.

Ignoring the pull on his ribs as he squatted down in front of the distressed young man Dean grasped Alec's upper arms. "Alec listen up; I need you to hear me," Dean said commandingly. Once he had Alec's full attention and Alec's green eyes the mirror image of his own met and caught with his he continued his tone a mixture of firm and gentle. "You have to believe me when I say it won't happen again, because we," Dean gestured over his shoulder with a shift of his head. " Me, Sam, Diane, Max, Logan all of us we're going to be here for you and I don't care what we have to do or how long it takes, we will find out what they did to you and we will fix it." Dean said with grim determination.

-CP-

Things remained thankfully calm and uneventful for the rest of the morning.

As he watched and studied them Sam became acutely aware of a trait his brothers shared; one brother he'd know his whole entire life and one newly acquired brother; both were stubborn asses. This and the fact that they were both not in the tip top shape was never more obvious when Alec although suffering the after effects of the being darted, the drugs, the brain washing and subsequent coma and adding to that the violent seizure had stubbornly tried to remain upright, alert and awake until he'd been convinced by his and Dean's assurances that they would watch over him and him sleeping would not lead to a repeat of the earlier incident had fallen into a sleep of pure physical exhaustion. And then there was Dean he too refused to rest to recuperate even though still suffering the effects of the burns from the tazer, the beating, infection from the wound Sam was responsible for, the blood loss and then the cherry on top, the surgery. Sam had to admit and smiled at the thought that none of all that had affected his big brother's veracious appetite. Dean had watched over Alec for some time after the younger man had finally slid down onto the sofa and slept; Dean had then devoured three croissants and two pastries from the bag Sam had brought from the bakery that morning. Afterward he'd finished eating Diane had changed Dean's dressings and bandages, re-wrapped his ribs and applied more of the salve to his tazer burns before giving him another antibiotic infusion and then removing the IV catheter.

"That's the last infusion but you'll need a full course of oral antibiotics to prevent any reoccurrence of that infection," Diane had said as she wrapped the IV insertion point with a bandage.

Dean had then rolled an office chair across the room positioning it close at the foot of the before he lowered himself a little gingerly into it settling in for however long was needed; Dean's expression challenging Sam to try and stop him from keeping vigil over his young clone. Sam of course had risen to the challenge.

"Dean, do I have to remind you for the umpteenth time that you should still be in the hospital?" Sam had fired at his brother in hushed anger in deference to the sleeping Alec. When Dean failed or maybe it was refused to respond Sam goaded. "Oh right… you don't think I'm capable of watching over both of you do you?"

"You know that's not true," Dean's green eyes turned from Alec and landed on Sam looming over him. "You know I trust you with my life Sammy and with Alec's," he replied in the same hushed tone. "But I made Alec a promise and I intend to keep it." Dean said his eyes going back to Alec for a moment before he looked again up at Sam his expressive face filled with grim determination.

Seeing that look Sam decided to pretend he had given up the fight and bide his time he could wait however long it took… he could wait.

It wasn't long before Dean's physical condition and shear exhaustion had however dragged him down. Sam stood off to one side watching in silent amusement as Dean's eyelids began to droop until they closed he blinked them open but they closed again this continued for a short while, the time in between each slow blink lengthening until his eyes closed and remaining closed; a minute or so later Dean's head dropped forward his breathing evened out into a familiar rhythm that had been the backdrop to the nights of Sam's childhood.

Sam's hazel eyes flitted between his brothers watching them and watching over them as they slept; the quiet broken only by his brother's rhythmic breathing.

-CP-

He'd been watching Alec sleep; had seen the occasional frowns that creased his forehead and the intermittent movement of his eyes under closed lids; it appeared as though the kid was dreaming; if he was dreaming Dean hoped they were good dreams and not the nightmare horrors of what the kid had seen and been through over the last twenty odd years. From what he'd been told Alec had only really started living since the end of Manticore only some 16 months or so ago and now that recently found life was in jeopardy by this new and possibly more dangerous threat than Manticore and White put together, Phoenix, Kovar, Marshall.

But for a reason that in that moment escaped him he could no longer see Alec sleeping in front of him all he could see was… darkness…. Why is it dark? Is it night already? It was then that it hit him it was dark not because it was night the darkness he saw was the inside of his eyelids. Dean forced open heavy lidded eyes and lifted his head from where it had dropped onto his chest; he'd fallen asleep; damn it and after he'd promised Alec he'd watch out for him whilst he slept.

The first thing he saw was Sam; his brother was sitting opposite him on the floor at the foot of the sofa; Sam's back was against the outside edge of the sofa, his upper body canted to his right and his head was propped against the sofas arm, one leg was bent at the knee and tucked under the other which was stretched out in front of him almost touching Dean's own bare feet where they rested on the floor. Sam's too long hair had fallen forward onto his forehead making him appear much younger than his twenty four years. His breath puffed in and out of his slightly parted mouth.

Smiling Dean whispered softly to his brother. "Looks like Alec and I weren't the only ones who needed sleep huh Sammy."

A smile still clinging to his lips Dean looked to the head of the sofa and his smile fled replaced by a confused frown; he blinked and blinked again just to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing or rather what he wasn't seeing. The blanket that had been covering Alec was laying half off the sofa one end trailing across the floor to Dean's right; the sofa was empty.

Alec was gone.

"Crap, nonono, not again," Dean growled lowly pushing up out of the chair.

Continued in Chapter 11: The Sound of Music