Wisdom Reigns … Denial Remains

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the CW or the producers, cast and crew of Supernatural nor do any monies pass hands. I do however love to play with two certain brothers and return them in relatively good health.

Author's Note 1: Warning! This fic will contain very dark themes and violence, if it offends then don't read. Dean is 27 and Sam is 23 this story is set around season 2 but probably will not follow canon to the letter, so can be classed as AU if you like.

Author's Note 2: This chapter is dedicated to GLuisa88, thanks so much for your wonderful review, it came at a perfect time for me and I just wanted to say thank you!

What happens when the brother you can see is not the brother you know?

For GLuisa88:

Chapter 5: Boy … You've got to carry that weight a long time.

Do friends wear masks and only appear true in your dreams?

Then:

'A Gorathic Moth?' Bobby mused over the information as he started to unconsciously rub the back of his neck.

'Bobby you okay there?' Caleb asked as he watched his friend suddenly become pale and shaky. 'Bobby?'

Before Caleb or Dean could do anything to help him, Bobby tumbled from his chair to the floor as he started to convulse, his limbs flailed uncontrollably as the convulsion became stronger and more violent, it took both Dean and Caleb to get him situated into a recovery position and away from anything he could hurt himself on as they had to impotently watch their friend struggle through back to back seizures, until blood trickled out of Bobby's ears and nose.

Now:

An hour later saw both Bobby and Sam occupying the two beds; both men silent and still as they fought internally for against the unknown and unseen enemy as Caleb worked feverishly on the laptop trying to find more information on the Gorathic Moth and Dean tended to the unconscious hunters. Bobby moaned slightly and showed some signs of waking while Sam lay in an almost deathlike state; Dean sat between them and alternatively wiped their faces, arms and hands with cool wet cloths although it probably only made him feel better for doing it rather than having any benefit for Bobby or Sam.

'Ya know Bobby you asked me to tell ya about the first time Sam had a seizure, and I guess while you're out for the count is the best time to tell ya the story.' Dean admitted as he glanced over at his brother's slack features. 'Feels like a freaking life time ago since it happened,' he admitted as he swiped his hand over his own eyes and slumped a little more into the uncomfortable wooden chair. 'We were hunting a Rawhead and dad wanted to use Sammy as bait. He was about fourteen I guess maybe a little bit younger; it was Sam's first hunt…'

I couldn't believe what dad was suggesting, my stomach started on me and I really felt like throwing up. 'Dammit dad Sam's only been on one hunt he barely knows what is out there.' I heard myself yelling the words before I could stop myself and then I saw the look come across dad's face. Almost in slow motion his eyes darkened and shadows moved in to hide most of his features. It was then that I had realised I had overstepped my position in this family yet again. But damn it this is Sammy we're talking about, the kid can hardly hold a gun and dad wants to use him as bait.

'This is not open for discussion Dean, your brother has had it too easy for too long now, he has to learn what is out there and how to fight it.'

'Yeah but Rawheads go after kids Sammy's age it's like waving that red flag in front of a raging bull.'

'Watch your tone boy.'

'Yessir.' I snapped it was impossible trying to discuss things with dad when he's in these moods his favourite companion is Jim Bean not me or Sam. The acrid bitterness burning in my stomach started to make its presence known, I'm gonna have an ulcer before I'm twenty at this rate!

'When are you going to tell Sam?' I asked as I tried to reign in my urge to punch dad until he understood about Sam.

'I'm not,' dad said and I should have known and expected what came next but it still hit hard and hurt, 'you are. You think that you can handle Sammy better than me then you can tell him.'

Fuck dad didn't even give me a chance to change his mind after that, he went and got his keys and slammed out of the motel room without saying another word or even look at me. A small sound I barely heard had me spinning around in horror as I stared at the pale face of my baby brother. 'S-Sammy?'

'What does dad want me to do Dean?' Sam asked me and I felt like throwing up again.

'We ahh have a new hunt Sammy,' I started but when I looked down at Sam, really looked at him I knew that he had heard everything.

'What's a Rawhead?'

'A creature that hunts kids…'

'that's why dad wants me to be … b-b-bait?' I could see the tears and fear in Sammy's eyes and for that solitary moment I hated dad.

'yeah Sammy he does.'

So we went on the hunt, with Sam out there alone, and so scared he was shaking and dad never said a word just watched with this look that said right then and there, we weren't his kids we were his soldiers to send out into battle.

'I remember hearing Sammy's screams, fuck I can still hear them more remember them than anything else. Dad took off after the Rawhead and left me to look after Sammy, there was so much blood and then Sammy started to jerk and went into these convulsions … I was eighteen years old and never had to deal with … I thought Sammy was in the throes of dying and then dad came back all smiles coz he got the monster.'

Caleb had stopped typing and turned to listen to Dean's recanting of the story to an unconscious Bobby and Sam, his heart broke a little for the eldest Winchester brother just then he knew that John had expected more from his sons than anyone should but that was just out of line even for John Winchester: the great hunter himself.

Dean straightened his shoulders and glanced over at Caleb when he suddenly heard the sounds of typing and sniffling, sniffling? Caleb? 'So dude how's the research?' Dean asked as he cleared his throat but he still sounded gravely from his unspent emotions.

'Fine yeah not much more on what Sam found but…'

'But what dude?'

'I think I might have found a way to kill it.' Caleb said albeit hesitantly when he saw the look of almost hope on his young friend's face, 'it's risky and gonna take a lot of work.'

'So what is it?' Dean demanded narrowing his eyes suspiciously he stood up and moved slowly towards the table where Caleb sat.

'It's a potion which is not so bad in itself a couple of ingredients will be tricky but not impossible to get…'

'So what is the risky part?'

'We need a large amount, I mean a whole lot more than just a vial … we need a few litres of the stuff and it has to be sprayed directly onto the thing when, and this is the hard part we need to do it when the thing is actually visible.'

'Well hell yeah just another walk in the park for us,' Dean drawled, 'beer?' he asked suddenly changing his course and heading towards the small kitchenette he went straight to the fridge.

'Damn only got two left.'

'Well that's enough for now aint it?' Caleb grinned mirthlessly, 'aint like Bobby or Sam will be wanting any at the moment.'

'Sam's getting dehydrated.' Dean said randomly as he handed the open can to his friend, 'can see it in his skin and he's lost so much weight.'

'We'll fix this Dean you have to keep believing that we will.'

'Yeah I know have a bit of faith…'

'And let wisdom reign …' Caleb added, 'dunno where I got that from.'

'Whatever dude, so we need a super-soaker huh?'

'Okay random … we need a what?'

'You said we need something to spray a large amount of the potion at the moth-man … still can't believe we're fighting an actual moth-man! What about a super-soaker?'

'What like a water canon?'

'Nah nothing that big but … it's like a giant sized water pistol but pump actioned … where were you raised dude?'

'Obviously not in the same place or style as you were.' Caleb shot back wincing slightly when he saw the sadness settle in Dean's eyes again. 'So we need to do a beer run and go to a toy department?'

'Yep looks like it …' Dean said as he turned to stare forlornly at his unconscious brother and uncle, 'but someone has to stay with Sammy and Bobby.'

'You stay Dean … I'll round up what we need for the potion and a … super-soaker.'

'Don't forget the beer.'

S—D

Bobby slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus on the shape floating in front of him, he could taste something sweet and yet foul on his tongue and all he wanted was a drink to wash it away. But the effort of speaking was almost beyond him; he knew that he was required for something to do with the protector but damned if he knew exactly what it was.

'Bobby? You awake dude?' A gravely and tired sounding voice came from the blurred figure hovering in front of him and for a moment Bobby wanted to shy away from the danger radiating from the other's presence.

'Damn it Bobby wake up and talk to me dude, I'm going nuts here talking to myself.'

The voice demanded this time forcing Bobby to concentrate on the blurred blob; gradually his sight cleared and he could make out a shadowed form, although everything he could make out was a creamy white and made it very disconcerting for the older hunter. 'D-Dean?' Bobby grunted, 'thirsty.'

'Hang on dude I got some water here,' the relief in Dean's voice was palpable and it was enough to help Bobby emerge completely from his chrysalis-like state.

Dean felt like crying when he saw Bobby slowly start to rouse himself, to begin with it was barely perceptible with just the tiniest of twitches with his fingers that slowly morphed into more of scratching movements. Then the tic around his eyes started, every so often a tiny little tremor in the corner of his eyes made it appear as though he was blinking in his sleep but with his eyes half open showing a milky-whiteness.

'Just a few sips,' Dean coached the man he thought of as not just a friend but family, 'don't need ya to choke or anything.'

'How … how long?'

'Few hours.' Dean said anticipating the question, 'Sam's still out of it but at least he's still breathing.'

'Good … Dean … can't … can't see ya.'

'Yeah figured as much your eyes are milky-white just like Sam's were before … must be an effect of the moth's bite.'

'Ya mean I got whammied by a freaking moth?' Bobby asked blinking rapidly he tried to clear his vision but nothing happened all he could see was white nothingness.

'That just about covers it, if it helps any no one can see the thing before it attacks.'

'Oh yeah that just really makes things so much better.'

'Well ya must be feelin' better for all of your bitching.' Dean said as he helped Bobby sit up a little more and then handed him the glass of water, 'remember not too much at once.'

'What are you my mother ya idjit?' Bobby growled as he sipped at the cool liquid, 'be better if it had a bit of flavour in it … a smooth malt whiskey would be just right.'

'Nope, no alcohol until we find out exactly what is going on with these bites … so far it's just you and Sammy.'

'How's the kid doing? Honestly?'

'Honestly? He's hanging in … just.' Dean's voice started to crack again and he had to turn away from Bobby even though at the moment Bobby couldn't really see him or the tears that threatened to fall making his green eyes shimmer and glisten like shards of diamonds.

'Dean? What is it?'

'Sorry Bobby … Sam's no worse but he's no better either … I – I think it's almost as though he's been put into a cocoon or something like that.'

'How so?'

'The way he's lying now, he's gone from being curled on his side to flat on his back as rigid as all hell. Ahh he's breathing is shallow and infrequent, sounds so forced like he's pushing through something just to catch a breath. Man he looks like a freaking mummy or something.'

'Oh okay …' Bobby scratched his nose and then lifted his own hand in front of his eyes but couldn't see anything at all except the blurred outline of a undefinable shape hovering in front of him. suddenly a buzzing like sound filled his ears; the pain was intense and immediate, curling his fingers over each ear he wanted to protect them but the screeching buzz was deafening and coming from within his own head.

'Bobby? Bobby come on talk to me dude what's happening?'

'Must … destroy … protector.' Bobby pushed the words out; but for Dean as he watched it looked as though each word Bobby uttered caused him immediate pain.

'Bobby please talk to me … don't you … not like Sam.' The random statements burnt in Dean's throat as he watched helplessly as another of his family, his loved ones start to succumb to the effects of the Gorathic Moth's bite.

S—D

'Where are you Dean? Why can't you see me?' Sam cried as he huddled against the large tree trunk. He had been running for so long, his legs ached and cramped with the exertion. All he wanted to do was to sleep but it was too dangerous. The moth knew exactly where to find him and it kept up its own malicious attack against Sam; hovering just above or behind him the draught caused by the giant wings freezing his flesh, as he alternated from wet to dried and cracked skin. Unable to get to his feet anymore Sam pushed himself onto his hands and knees and crawled determinably away from his tormentor. Blindly he pushed his hands out in front of him feeling for any dangers before he moved, it was slow, agonisingly slow but at least he felt a modicum of safety in doing so.

His head hurt so much it was hard for Sam to keep his head upright, the weight pushing against his scalp made him want to weep. Although, as long as he kept moving and following the silver orb he knew he would find his saviour, not only of his mortal body but of his sanity.

The moth struck out with claws and wings against his back trying to stop his agonising slow progress but Sam kept moving. Razor sharp talons ripped through his t-shirt and tender flesh flailing long strips of skin from along his spine, the wings beat him so hard they left large black and purple bruises in their wake. Each beating or scratch made him scream in pain but he kept moving he had to find Dean … his protector will save him when he knew deep down that there was no one else he could depend on. He had no one else save for his big brother, no one who loved him and cared for him and even that was undeserved.

Perhaps it was time to let go, to give in and relinquish his tenuous hold on his life and sanity. Perhaps it was time for him to save the protector?

S—D

Bobby moaned and tried to hide from the insistent voice mocking him and ordering him to accept his fate. He was the Destroyer of the Protector; the protector had to go in order for the Tribute to be given over fully. In his mind he saw the face of the Protector; the features were familiar but all he could feel when he saw the face was contempt. Although the contempt made him feel uneasy and ill it wasn't a natural feeling at all.

Dean sat silently watching his two charges, his baby brother Sam who up until recently was his world; a world that was fast crashing down around him and then there was Bobby his "adopted uncle" who at times seemed to understand him better than his father ever did. Then, then there was John Winchester, father, commanding officer, friend and stranger, the enigma that was his father who was now gone … because of Dean.

Would Sam and Bobby be lying in those beds afflicted with the bites of a supernatural moth if John was still alive and in charge? Then again would John have tried to save their lives or have given them up in order to kill the monster and to "avenge" their deaths?

'What do I do dad?' Dean whispered as he drained the last of his coffee before going into the kitchenette to go through the motions of making another pot of the thick, strong black stimulating drink. 'What the freaking hell do I do now?'

'De?' Sam's weak voice travelled across the room and seemingly broke through the calamitous voices and thoughts occupying Dean's mind. Blinking furiously to clear his vision and in turn his thoughts Dean forced himself back to his ailing brother's bedside. Propping himself on the edge of the mattress his took Sam's large hand in his slightly smaller one and prayed to that elusive God it was not just a trick of his mind and that he did hear Sam's cry.

'De?' Sam pushed the tiny plea out of his still lips once again and Dean felt his chest start to constrict again.

'Sammy? Can ya hear me dude?'

'N-no time …' Sam started to speak again, sounding as though he was trapped underwater, filled with fluid and cracking with effort the strain evident on his face as his cheeks appeared to become even more sunken as Dean watched.

'I don't know what to do … I'm losing you and I don't know what to do …' Dean carefully gripped Sam's biceps and pulled his little brother upright. With innate tenderness he held his brother as he moved to sit behind Sam. But just as he was about to settle Sam against his own chest Dean looked down at Sam's back in abject horror.

The tender flesh was covered in bloody slashes criss-crossing the entire spans of his back. Large spongy bruises covered the area of skin where the skin was still intact, black and purple in colour they were the shape of large handprints as though someone has deliberately pummelled him with their with their bare fists.

Sucking in a deep breath Dean angled Sam so that he was resting on his side against Dean's chest, his arm loosely looped around his thin waist to keep him upright, Sam's head tucked in under Dean's chin gave him all of the support he needed.

As he settled them in the bed, Dean belatedly realised that Sam's breathing had eased and sounded less strained. Taking a minute amount of comfort from the fact that he had actually done something to make his little brother a little more comfortable Dean let himself relax enough to ease his own breathing; he reclined against the padded bedhead and extra pillows, took the bulk of Sam's weight and noticed with dismay at just how much weight Sam had lost since his ordeal had begun.

'Ya know Sammy, this isn't the first time I've had to sit like this with ya,' Dean said as he slowly tugged his fingers through Sam's sweat matted long hair. 'I don't know what woke me that night, you must've been about eight or nine I guess. We were staying in another nameless motel in the middle of shit-knows-where while dad hunted in the next state over. It was snowing and dad said we didn't have to go to school that week until he got back coz we had no way of getting there and he didn't trust the school buses. Anyway I remember you were pissed as with dad coz you had an entry in the science fair and they were gonna announce the finalists on the Monday and you were gonna go to school no matter what dad said.

So anyway I dunno if you remember this but you got this cough after sneaking off to school. Dude you were the only geek I knew who would sneak off to school and not sneak off from school … I followed close by coz I knew what you were doing even if you thought you were being so smart. I saw you get that ribbon for being a finalist … bet you didn't know I was there did ya bitch? I never said but I was so proud of ya Sammy, I think it was just then when I realised just how scary smart you really were.

That night you got that cough, and tried to hide it … tell ya a secret Sammy you could never hide anything from me … well back then anyway. Next thing I knew you had a fever, you were all blocked up and had trouble breathing. The cough was awful and chesty … we spent most of the night in the bathroom, getting steam into yer lungs and then I gotcha into bed and sat behind ya just like this so you could breathe properly. I remember Caleb came by the next day, looking for dad … anyway he found us like this and took one look at ya…'

'And took both of ya straight to the hospital to get the little runt checked out, ended up with pneumonia and on antibiotics. I had to pretend to be yer big brother and guardian.' Caleb finished for Dean as he finally made his presence known to the Winchester brothers.

'You … you did?' Sam blinked sluggishly and turned his head towards the direction Caleb's voice came from.

'Yep sure did kiddo, how you doing?'

'Drowning,' Sam muttered as he burrowed his face closer into Dean's collarbone, his skeletal-like fingers twisting into the cloth of Dean's shirt.

'Dean?' Caleb looked at the older brother his concern ramping up when he saw the look on Dean's face, 'Dean what is it dude?' He dumped his shopping bags and what appeared to be a boxed large pump-action toy gun on the table and hurried over to Sam's bedside.

'Look at his back.' Dean said without making eye contact with his mentor and friend.

Caleb visibly paled when he saw the damage done to Sam's back; dropping onto the now empty wooden chair Caleb stared the injuries in shock unable to properly comprehend what had happened. 'How? When?'

'Dunno dude just found 'em when I sat him up.' Dean said his voice sounding hollow and emotionless.

'I was bad … didn't listen … tribute had to pay.' Sam tried to get out the words to explain what had happened but they were too jumbled for him to make sense of, he could only hope that Caleb and Dean understood him. 'Had to … fight … fly away … ' Sam stifled a giggle as he shifted one hand to grip Dean's bicep, tightening his fingers to clutch at the muscle, 'gotta fly … no … no hide … find … zoo … cage locked. Crawl … hide … silver ball … follow. Find me … feeding time … tribute … protector … no protect tribute … hide … gotta go save protector.'

'Sammy, come on dude concentrate yer not making much sense.' Dean cupped his hand around Sam's chin and tried to make his brother lift his face up so he could try and see what was going on his with his sibling.

S—D

Bobby lay quietly listening to the others, he had heard Dean tell Sam the story and then when Caleb came in and finished it for him. Aint that sickeningly sweet! Idjits dunno what is waiting for them. The contemptuous thoughts pushed their way through his clouded mind as murderous images of his killing the Tribute's Protector took shape and clarity filled his mind.

TBC