Of Werewolves And Humans

Chapter 11 ~ There You Are

THEN:

Dean would've growled comfortably, wouldn't it have let on their position. While Sam's breaths evened out again, the wolf kept his senses high alert to the world outside of the cavern. He heard and sensed movements of his kind on the outside every now and then. He hoped dearly that they wouldn't try to crawl thru the hole and that the skunk-tonic would last long enough to cover his and Sam's scent.

NOW:

Hours that felt like years passed …

Dean didn't dare to move, nor shift, and even for him it started to feel cold in the meanwhile. How long could it possibly take for Bobby and the other's to find them?

Another full-body-shiver let Sam's form tremble violently and he nestled closer into the warm comfortable fur. He buried his toes in between Dean's hind-legs to warm them up further. It didn't feel that cold anymore – but he also was far away from comfortable at all. Sam blew out a long shuddering breath. The small cuts and bruises from his fall from the slope burned and rubbed against the fabric of his torn clothes when he shifted. Sam dozed along, trying to not slip into sleep, just like Dean had ordered him to.

Every time he fell too silent and wouldn't move a at least a bit, the wolf nudged him with his wet snout. So Sam did him the favor and shifted, or moved his – in his fur tangled – fingers every now and then. Even when it was just minimalistic. And the wolf seemed to be satisfied with these little signs of counterfeit.

Then finally – after what felt like eternity – Dean sensed a shift in the air. And moments later, he heard a rustling and shuffling, barks, howls and pained yelps shattering the cold night's air. The wolf shifted – for the first time in hours – and nudged Sam's shoulder with his nose.

Sam sniffed and shot a glance in the direction where the entrance had to be, and even if he didn't see anything, he stared at it.

The younger Winchester uncurled slowly and the hair rose from his neck, all down over his spine. He growled and gave a full-body-rumble from him.

Sam uncurled slowly from the position he had been in for hours – still staring at the hole. He hadn't bargained with the dizziness that overwhelmed him the very next moment. He reached for the wolf, that still lay beside him and tangled his fingers in the soft hair, waiting for the episode to pass.

Sam swayed in his sitting position, fighting against exhaustion and for conciousness at the same time. But it was no use. - His body took control over his mind. And his body was the one yelling at him to give the hell up and stop fighting.

… his mind didn't stand a chance in this case.

Dean pulled his jeans up and slipped into a shirt he had pulled out of his duffel, shooting glances at Sam all the time. He had passed out just minutes before and there had been no way to get him back to conciousness.

The human was hypothermic and exhausted. - He shouldn't have left his father and Sam in the cabin. He should've taken them with him. They could've got their belongings the next day.

Dean pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed audibly. Cursing himself not to have done so.

He should've known that they wouldn't leave anyone alive. - At least no witnesses or victims.

Dean hurried back to the human on the ground and picked him up as if he weighted nothing. He then carried him to the hole that led outside and laid him down there. - How the hell were they supposed to get him out there again?

„You ready?", he called out.

„Sure. - I'll grab his shoulders from here.", he heard a gruffly familiar voice.

All Dean heard was the rustling of clothes and two long arms that reached inside. He shifted the human forward, carefully not to hurt his neck or head and saw two strong hands gripping at the torn fabric of Sam's shirt.

„Take care of his head.", Dean called out, watching the body before him being pulled thru the hole.

Once outside, Caleb (A man in his forties, grey eyes and short hair well-combed to hide most of his half-bald head.) wrapped a thick blanket around the human's shoulders and another one around his incredible long legs.

Dean joined them seconds later. He looked around, seeing not just the corpse of the female wolf. There were three more now. - One was missing though.

Dean gathered Sam in his arms, the human's head lolled into the crook where the wolf's neck and shoulder met. „Dad?", he asked into the round.

„He's fine. - Still out for the count but fine.", Bobby answered panting. „What about you?"

Dean shook his head. „I'm fine." He sniffed and shifted Sam in his arms, long legs tangling from his hold. „Where's the car?"

„Right up in front of the cabin. Got John on the bed of the truck.", Caleb answered, „Did you see how many there were?"

Dean nodded. „Five."

„Means one's still out there.", Bobby grunted and shook his head. „You two – go and change, I'll get ya' clothes.", he pointed at Ash and Caleb.

The both male's nodded and stripped off before they did so. Bobby collected their clothes and soon they were on their way to the cabin. Dean held the human in his arms close – so close. He wouldn't let go of him. Not even handing him to Bobby, so he'd have time to relax his muscles for a couple of minutes. Just because Sam was his. His alone. His responsibility, his live, his mate – His everything.

The Fifth wolf didn't appear during their long walk thru the woods. There were no signs of him at the cabin, nor on their way to the Salvage. And Dean wasn't sure if this was a good sign, or a bad one.

He sat in the backseat, Sam leaned against him, his warm tender exhales brushing over Dean's neck. The wolf tugged the blanket tighter around Sam's shoulders and his neck, where it had slid down before. He felt Sam's skin again – He was cold. So cold.

Sam remained silent. Eventually during the drive, he had opened his eyes for a few moments. But he was mainly shivering what meant his body started to fight.

Probably the only good thing that happened today – besides finding Sam alive.

Dark-brown and white fur waved in the soft wind as the wolf broke through the skirting of the woods. He held towards a small farm about a mile away. His giant paws hit the uneven soil with muffled thumps and he took one of the fences in a giant jump. Then another one and before he reached the porch of the main-house he started to morph into his human form.

He grabbed the blanket that was thrown over the rocker and wrapped it around his waist before he entered without knocking.

Three men turned around and eyed the in dirt-covered man with wide eyes. A small fire was blazing small orange sparks up and the wood was crackling silently. The interior looked like gripped out of Gone with the Wind.

„Where's Deryl?", the man panted, holding the blanked to his body with one hand.

„Upstairs ...", one of them answered and swallowed hard. „Where's …. where are the others?"

The man shook his head. „Dead. - All dead.", he choked out and shook his head with a sniff, „They killed them all. One of them killed her."

The truck stopped short behind the Impala in front of Bobby's house. And not a single moment later, a giant black wolf jumped from the bed. His legs obviously still weak and his sense of balance still out of the usual. Though the wolf made it around the car and his way swaying towards the Impala's backdoor.

Big brown eyes darted through the window beside him onto the backseat, seeing his son and the human covered in blankets. His look met Dean's and he gave the older wolf a short nod, signaling that everything was okay with them – at least as okay as it could possibly be.

„Sammy.", he whispered gently, and brushed over the younger man's cheek wich still felt too cold for his liking. „Sammy, we're here."

The human gave a silent groan and shifted a bit, nuzzling into Dean's neck.

„I'll get you inside.", he said then, pulling his arm out behind Sam. „We'll get you all warmed up, Sammy. - Then I'll let you have some sleep, okay?"

Sam's limps felt heavy and of no use. Not even his mind would let him understand the spoken words. All he knew was that it was Dean talking. That he felt the younger Winchester's body next to him.

With Bobby's help, he maneuvered the younger man out of the backseat. Carefully not to bump his head on the frame and lifted him up in his arms, carrying him up the stairs and over the porch. He hadn't even reached the door when it opened from the inside and a middle-aged tall guy stood before him. Grey cool eyes observing him and the human warily, before a small smile tugged on the man's lips. A smile that didn't reach his eyes.

A flash of disgust crossed his face, as Dean went past him, carrying his precious upstairs. The younger Winchester heard the man mumbling and a growled „Shut up" from Bobby right afterwards. Actually he didn't care what problem Thomas had right now. He had other things to care about. Things like Sam.
But he sure as hell was able to imagine what Thomas' problem was. - The human. Thomas had never been a friend of them. When he would've had a say in it, they could've all been slaughtered and he'd given a damn about it.

Just like Dean until three weeks ago.

Dean heard heavy footfalls behind him on the stairs and watched Bobby pass him, going for the bathroom. When Dean entered it, warm water was running into the bathtub and the old man was laying out some towels on the floor and placed a stack beside the sink.

Dean gave him a grateful nod before Bobby left the bathroom and shut the door behind him, giving the men their needed privacy.

Without hesitating, Dean laid the human onto the floor and started to peel the blankets and torn fabric from Sam. „I'm giving you a warm bath.", Dean muttered as he cut away the jeans and shirt and then his boxers. „Gettin' you clean and all warmed up again, Sammy. - You'll see."

Dean eyed the dirty face and sticky hair of the younger man carefully. His lips were still a little bit blue, but not that bad anymore. Most of the grease was dried mud and just a little of it blood.

And just like that, Sam decided to come back from his unconscious status. He shifted a little bit, feeling the hard surface under his body. But this time it wasn't that cold. It was warmer where he was now and he heard water, felt the warm steam making the air heavy. He felt hands on his shoulders and saw a smiling face appearing above him. Gleaming green eyes looked down at him.

„There you go, kiddo." Dean grinned and helped Sam to get into a sitting position. „Bathtime."

Sam nodded. - He felt gross and ugly … and dirty. And actually pretty naked. His eyes widened and he started to struggle against Dean's hold.

„No.", he breathed gathering all the strength he had left in him. He wouldn't would he?

„Hey." Dean rose both hands in surrender, showing his empty palms. „We're just getting you clean, okay? - Just a bath."

Sam eyed him warily, trying to recall what had happened, how he got from the cavern to here. Then he nodded hesitantly.

„Fine." Dean rose, holding his hand out to him.

Sam took it, with his other hand preserving of little dignity he had left, covering as much as he could from the other man's eyes. He let himself being pulled up on his feet. - His knees buckled. With a little bit of Dean's help he got into the tub and sat down. He leaned back and frowned at Dean while the water rose steadily.

After a while Dean turned the water off and poured some soap inside, while Sam fought to keep consciousness. But his eyelids were too heavy. He was too exhausted, too tired. And the overly warm water didn't help it either.

Sam looked at Dean – who sat beside the tub - the entire time. He then lifted his hand up from underneath the water and laid it over Dean's, tangling his fingers in the wolf's. The younger Winchester smiled at him and squeezed his hand gently and Sam gave a small smile back before he drifted off into darkness.

Dean got him all cleaned up. He also washed Sam's long hair and inspected the small cuts on him as soon as he had brought the human to the bed one door further down the corridor. He got him dressed in a pair of boxer briefs and pyjama bottoms.

Bobby had prepared a stack with blankets, that sat on a chair on the end of the single-bed furthest from the door.

The younger Winchester laid the human on it. Then he took two of the blankets and spread them over the human who was already covered by a thick comforter, so he'd warm up properly.

He eyed Sam's bed – the one furthest from the door – and the other one that was probably meant to be his – the one closest to the door. A glance at the watch on the nightstand beside his bed showed him that it was close to five in the morning and with that he felt exhaustion and tiredness hitting home.

Dean yawned and stole a last glance at the sleeping human before he crawled under his own comforter and turned to the side to face Sam.

Just for a couple of hours, he told himself, then he'd shove the beds together.

Dean had slept just a couple of hours when he heard loud growls and voices from the kitchen. He blinked his eyes open with a disapproving sigh. The first thing he saw was Sam. - Sam just like he had tugged him under the blankets, slow and deeply breathing. His cheeks flushed from the warmth and his eyes moving behind the lids – he had to be dreaming.

A smile tugged on Dean's lips, but faded again as he acknowledged the distance between them. - This didn't feel right, not even a little bit. And though he decided to accept the separated bed-situation for the moment. He'd ask Sam how he'd want it later, when he would wake up.

But first he had to hush the damn idiots downstairs before they'd wake him up. So he threw his legs out of bed and connected them with the hard-wood-floor silently. Dean glanced again at the other bed and smiled like a seventeen-year-old that just had seen his sweetheart.

He then stood up and walked over to Dean, with one finger brushing over Sam's temple and down over his cheek towards his yaw. His smile faded slowly and got replaced by a concerned expression.

Sam felt warm. Too warm.

Dean frowned and laid his hand on Sam's forehead. Hell, he should've known that something wasn't right. He hadn't woken once to Sam's screams or uneasy sleep.

The human was running a fever.

Dean groaned, and shook his head. Something they didn't want to deal with at all right now. Sam had just recovered half-way from his wounds and now this? Honestly? What else had fait planned for the human?

The fever seemed low and otherwise Sam looked like he was fine. Maybe just a small infection after their camping-night. - Probably just a tiny bug, that'd go away with enough fluids and rest and some Tylenol.

He couldn't blame Sam's body after this night. - Not at all. He hadn't even recovered completely from what he had been through before. Dean could only blame himself for not being alert enough.

Dean made a mental note to phone Ellen, if Sam wouldn't improve until tonight. Further he changed his plans for today. He'd stay with Sam and would have a close eye on him. Would let him rest, instead of trying and introduce him to those he hadn't seen yet.

With another sigh he tore his gaze away from the human and headed downstairs, hearing upset voices as he left the room and went down the stairs. He rounded the corner into the kitchen, where the offspring of the voices was.

Bobby, John and Thomas stood there – in the middle of the room. They stilled as soon as they notices Dean entering and their heads swept towards him.

John and Bobby tried to smile, but failed miserably. Thomas just stared holes into Dean's head and chest and then at the floor.

„How's Sam doin'?", John asked finally, while Dean tried to ignore that they just stopped arguing as he had entered the room.

The younger Winchester shuffled to the fridge and opened it, lurking inside. „He's runnin' a low fever.", he answered and took out a bottle of milk. „Need to call Ellen later, if it's gettin' worse." He unscrewed the bottle and gulped half of it down.

Dean ran a hand thru his sleep-ruffed hair and gritted his teeth, placing the bottle a second time on his lips and emptied it. Then he took a bottle with Gatorade out and cocked an eyebrow. The younger Winchester turned towards the men and looked at Bobby with a wide grin. Having a pack like this was more worth than all the money in the world. Dean could tell.

The oldest among them knew exactly what they'd need for a human that was still recovering. He had also filled up the fridge with a whole lot of stuff they would never eat – but humans would.

„You're the best, Bobby.", Dean grinned. „You don't have any Tylenol around, have you?"

Bobby nodded. „I stucked up our medicine chest actually." He grinned back and pointed at the kitchen-drawer to Dean's left.

Thomas growled disapproving and turned away from them with a disgusted look, muttering something under his breath.

A low rumble tore from Dean's throat and he put the Gatorade and the Tylenol on the counter (with way more force than necessary). He then turned around, his nostrils flaring and his mouth formed into a thin line that'd tell everyone to back the fuck off. His eyes gleamed dangerously at the pack-member.

„You got something to say? Then say it, Thomas. - NOW. Or suck it up.", Dean growled.

The man turned towards him, eying him from tip to toe. „A human? - Honestly? YOU?", he snapped.

„Stop it, Tom.", John hissed.

„Yeah. - A human. Got any problems with it?" Dean took a step towards the other man as he asked snarling.

„It happens that i have a problem with it.", he snarled back, making himself bigger. „He doesn't belong here."

„Tom, please.", Bobby threw in with warning voice, watching Dean's behaviour closely. He knew how fast wolves could freak out when it was about their mates.

„He belongs to me. - So he belongs here. Just like everyone else in the room." Dean's yaw clenched, the muscles in his neck worked, his hands balled into fists.

„Either you're gettin' him out here, or I WILL. -Your choice." Thomas growled and gritted his teeth, ready to pick up a fight right there.

„Sam's not going anywhere." Dean's voice was calm – just like the lull before the storm. „He's staying here with me. - If you like it or not."

„Oh – I guess then I've to proof my point a little bit different." And with that, Thomas hands clenched into tight fists and his back started to deform slightly.

„Thomas. - Stop it." John stepped in between his son and the other male, locking his eyes with him. „The hunman's his mate.", he spoke then silently, his gaze never letting go of Thomas. „We won't ditch him. - No matter what he is or who he is. He belongs to us like you do. - Like everyone else does in this house." John remained completely calm and determined. „Even if it wouldn't be like that. - He needs shelter. - Even if he doesn't realize it right now – he'll need his pack."

Thomas' expression morphed from fury to confusion and into a manic grin. Then a short hysterical lough ripped from his throat. „Can't be ...", he chuckled dismissive, „You?" He looked at Dean in disbelieve. „YOU and a human?"

Dean tilted his head to the side and cocked an eyebrow. „You heard it. - And even if he'd be a rabbit, I'd protect him from EVERYTHING."

Thomas gave another lough. „He's a freaking nutcase." He sniffed. „Guess that's not what Dean Winchester wanted, is it?" Thomas frowned, eying the younger male challenging. He was out for blood and damn well would get it. „You honestly have the worst luck ever of all of us. - Probably better i'd free you from him before the both of you get bound to each other for good ..."

Dean snarled, his eyes glinting in rising rage.

„Shhhh.", Bobby hissed sharply and all of them froze. - Just like that.

There were silent steps – that definitely came from the stairs – audible. And then they stopped. - Just like that.

Dean shot Thomas a warning glare. Thomas cocked an eyebrow as respond. Then the younger Winchester grabbed the bottle with Gatorade and the Tylenol and passed the men, heading out of the kitchen and that was the moment when he heard a door slide into a lock – ever so silently. He stopped for a moment, before he continued his way towards the room they were sharing now.

Dean then stopped as he heard bare feet shuffling over the hard-wood-floor on the other side of the door and then a squeak from a mattress followed. He listened and heard the rustling of fabric, leaving Sam the delusion of not being caught in the act.

Though he wondered how much Sam might have heard and how much of it he understood. Not that he thought Sam was stupid. - No way. He sure as hell wasn't. Just … Thomas' words could've been hurtful for someone who didn't know the wolf like Dean did.

… Hell, these words could've been hurtful for everyone to be honest.

…... to be continued

sooo … is there something special you'd like to read during this story?

(if it fits into the plot of course)