Supernaturldh, and ephiny63 thank you so much for making fanfiction writing such a wonderful experience.

I really owe those who reviewed my story. I know I can't thank you enough for your kind reviews.

oo0oo

Ann opened the door to the basement. It was very dark, the light of the outside lamp shone through the basement illuminating the steps. She could hear the Al who was wailing like a wounded animal. The site was scary and she was so terrified, but she had made her mind.

Nothing could stop her from helping Sam.

As she descended the steps, she felt she is sinking in something so dark. So dark that it may taint her. Her heart was jumping up and down in her throat. She came down the last step and turned on the light. When she saw Al wrapped and tied in iron chains, it was like time stopped, nothing mattered anymore. Even her life.

Al stopped groaning when she saw Ann. Ann raised her shot gun and aimed it at the Al. with the gun she felt powerful. Powerful enough to open her mouth and talk, or rather negotiate.

She put on the most courageous game face that he could muster. "Heal

Sam."

"Oh, my child." Al looked fiercely at her, "I guess you are old enough to know nothing in life is for free." Al knew that it's not Ann's intention to release her; she just hoped she could convince her. Al always could comprehend humans and their emotions so easily. It was one of the reasons she could convince them or trick them every time she was in trouble.

"Heal him and I kill you NOW." Ann said shakily.

"Oooh…Isn't that a generous offer?" Al said sarcastically, but she already knew exactly what was in Ann's mind.

"A creature like you must be so smart… If you help Sam I kill you and you don't have to suffer until you die miserably down here."

"Like I said what a generous offer!" Al said irritably.

"You want to be racked with pain until you die?" Ann said calmly. "I thought you are smarter than that."

"You will release me eventually I just had to be patient." Al knew one of them would lose their endurance sooner or later. Seeing some one in pain is hard for humans, especially when they could help him. "Are you sure you can take it when you hear that boy crying in pain? You can't… trust me on this one.

"You sick son of a bitch." Ann was shaking with anger and desperation. As much as she hated to admit, Al was right. What was she thinking bargaining with Al, she had nothing. "Take me instead." Ann said desperately. She would have been dead if Sam hasn't saved her. So she wouldn't lose anything.

Well maybe very ironically just her life. She didn't care.

Al snorted. "And what good it would to me? I'll die anyway, whether you die or that pathetic hunter."

Ann was defeated. No matter how hard she wanted to help Sam she couldn't. Al was looking at her as she was looking at the most pathetic hated thing in the world.

"You really are the lowest form of life, aren't you?" Al said with hatred.

"Look who's talking." Ann answered. She didn't want to give Al a chance to enjoy this, everyone but her.

"Me? You are created out of dust the lowest material in the world. At least I am created from…." She paused considering if it was wise to tell what she was created from or not.

"Iron." Ann said instead her. "You basic substance of your creation is iron. I know it, but still you can't escape from it. How pitiable!"

"A pitiable creature who you should release. Now how pitiable is that for you?"

Ann lowered her gun. The most reasonable thing was to make the deal and Save Sam. There was no way around it.

oo0oo

After that vicious coughing fit Sam was sleep, or rather unconscious. He hasn't stirred a bit. Somehow Dean was grateful for that. At least he couldn't feel the pain any more. For now Sam wasn't in pain, but his fever was higher than before. Actually Sam was so hot Dean considered getting him to a hospital. He had brought a few more towels and more ice, and decided if this didn't work he would get Sam to a hospital.

Dean replaced the washcloth on Sam forehead with a fresh one from the bowl of water and ice. He dipped the towel on the bowl and squeezed the extra water and put it on Sam's chest. Dean's fingers were almost numb from cold water, but Sam didn't even flinch. He was deeply unconscious.

Mary was helping Dean to take care of Sam and Make him as comfortable as possible. She gave Dean another washcloth and went downstairs to check on Ann.

Dean dipped the washcloth to replace it with the washcloth on Sam's neck. When he picked up the washcloth from his little brother's neck what he saw shattered his heart into pieces. If pain, high fever and coughing blood weren't enough to make him doubt about his decision, the vivid bruising on Sam's neck made him rethink about it seriously.

The bruises on Sam's neck were a dark crimson around the edges and yellowish and puffy at the center. They were definitely infected, and turning to open wounds.

It was getting harder and harder not to run to the basement and make the deal. Just hang in there Sammy, I will either find a way to make you well or make the God damn deal, it'll be ok, I got you.

oo0oo

Marry came down to talk to Ann, but she was no were to be found.

"Ann!..... Ann where are you?"

Ann sniffed. "Here."

She was sitting at the basement door crying.

"What are you doing here?" Mary came closer to her. She didn't look up. She didn't want her cousin to see her crying.

"Why are you crying?" Mary asked with sympathy. So much for not crying in front of others.

At least she didn't cry before Al. Mary sat beside her on the floor. "Ann, we'll find a way. Don't worry."

"The only way is to free Al."

"We don't free her unless we are one hundred percent sure we can't do anything else."

Ann looked up. "And what? We let Sam suffer in pain for no reason?" She snapped. "How can you even say such a thing?"

"That's not what I want. It's what THEY want." Mary answered angrily.

"No one wants to be in pain or see his brother in pain." Her eyes were filled with tears with was threatening to fall any second.

Mary's expiration softened. "We got some medication from last summer, when my dad was sick and had surgery. Sam doesn't need to be in pain until we find a way."

"What kind of drug?"

Mary just sighed.

oo0oo

Dean was looking at Sam's neck, thinking about what he should do about it. Should he bandage it? Should he give Sam some antibiotic? At this point everything was so unsure. Not only the cure, but also the disease itself.

Sam was dreaming. He dreamed that he was four years old and he was in a small motel room. He was sleeping on his side on one of two beds. His small form was curled into himself, a large blanket was tucked over him and there was an oversized pillow under his little head. Dean was there too, sitting on the edge of the bed. They were alone, no dad.

Sam was sick, his throat hurt and he couldn't swallow. It was hot, maybe that was why he couldn't breathe well, why the air was so thick?.... Or was it him? What was wrong with him? There was an unpleasant feeling inside his head that he didn't even know existed before. Sam was experiencing a severe headache coming from the flu.

And what was wrong with Dean? Why he was crying? Where was their dad? He felt an urgent need for his dad. He wanted his dad to be there, to make thing okay. To make Dean stop crying.

Little Sam coughed a few times in his sleep and moaned in pain. 'Daddy' his fragile voice whispered out. And Dean cried louder and harder.

"Don't die Sammy." Dean sniffled. It was the first time that they were alone and Sam was sick. Dean was so scared. Sam was so sick and his eight year old mind couldn't figure out a way to help his little brother and make him all better. He had tried a wet washcloth on Sam's forehead, but that didn't work. That was what their dad would do, put a wet washcloth on their forehead when they were sick and had a fever. Why it wasn't working this time?

"Sammy! I called dad he'll be home soon. Hang on please." Dean begged. It was the only remaining thing he could do. Sam's only answer was just more coughing and moaning.

Sam heard his big brother begging him not to die from the haze of his feverish mind. He wanted to tell Dean that he would keep fighting to stay alive. To tell him that he would never leave him all alone. That he wouldn't do it, but he was so tired, he just wanted to let go, to fall into the blissfulness of sleep. Let go of his pains, physical or non physical. This pain that was getting worse by the moment. This pain that was raking his body mercilessly. This pain that he couldn't fight.

'Sorry.' Sam slurred out. He said it to Dean. For letting him down time after time. Did Dean hear it? He said it again maybe this time Dean could hear him.

Dean was deep in thought when Sam groaned in his sleep and stirred restlessly. He was saying incomprehensible words in his sleep.

"Sam calm down." Dean put his hand on Sam's forearm and looked into his almost closed eyes.

Sam continued to mutter unintelligible words. "Dea' … 'sor'y…"

The realization of what Sam meant whispered hit Dean hard, like in punch in the face.

TBC

I'm so so sorry it took me so long. I promise I update sooner next time.

Don't forget to make me happy. Please review.