Chapter 6

A voice was calling to him from what sounded a long way off. Dean mumbled in his unconscious state, as he tried to shake the deep sleep that consumed his body. The persistent voice invaded his head again, more aggressively this time and someone began to shake his shoulder.

"I'm up!" he growled slinging an arm out to stop the shaking only to be met by thin air.

"Come on Dee, time to get up." Oree urged. "We need to get started finding our brother."

"Gimme a minute." he coughed raising up on one elbow. He definitely didn't get enough sleep, but Oree was right, they needed to start looking for Sam before the trail got any colder.

"Here." she offered holding out a cup of steaming coffee.

"Thanks."

"I have breakfast sandwiches in the kitchen, why don't you grab a shower and join me." she said still being a little cold toward him.

spn

Dean sipped the coffee, letting it wake him up before throwing back the covers. He sat on the edge of the bed letting his body come alive. The memories of what had happened to Sam flooded back and he pushed himself off the bed and headed for the bathroom. He had to get his head in the game and find out what Sam had been hunting.

Oree was sitting at the table nibbling on a sandwich when Dean wandered into the kitchen with an empty cup. He made his way to the pot and poured another cup for himself.

"Here, I put extra bacon on this one for you." Oree offered pushing a plate to an empty chair.

"Thanks." Dean half smiled as he sat at the empty place. Dean heard his stomach rumble as he inhaled the aroma of the food. "Have you looked through Sam's clothes yet?" he asked before biting into the sandwich.

"Yes, I found a motel key for a Shady Brook Motel, and a couple of receipts from a diner and gas station. I'm thinking maybe they're around Clarksburg where the hospital was. Do you know what he was driving?"

"One of the junkers Bobby fixed up. It was drivable, I checked it out."

"So looks like we're heading up north, I'll grab my bag and herb kit." Oree stated wiping her hands on a napkin before getting up. "I'll have Auntie come and stay with Sam while we're gone. Angel can go ahead and wait on us there."

Oree headed out of the room not waiting for Dean to answer. Dean chewed his food thoughtfully knowing he was still on Oree's shit list. He helped himself to another sandwich deciding he better eat while he could; they never knew where hunts would take them or when the next meal would come around.

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"Angel, any change?" Oree asked Castiel softly as she looked over her brother and Ellie who was still lying on the bed.

"No, I took him to the bathroom."

"Good, Auntie's coming to stay with him while we're gone. Why don't you have him put some sweats on and we'll see if he'll eat on command." she instructed him. "I want you to go ahead and we'll meet you at the motel Sam was staying in."

"Anything else I can do while I wait for you?"

"See if you can get a copy of his admitting records at the hospital. I'd like to know who found him and brought him there."

"Do I get to be FBI?"

"God no, use your stealth mode and snitch it. You're not even ready to go solo FBI." she told him half smiling as she pictured it.

"Very well, I will wait for you there." Castiel said a little disappointed that he didn't get to make believe he was FBI like they did sometimes when on a hunt. "I'll have Sam change clothes and then leave."

"Clarksburg, the motel is Shady Brook Motel."

"Sam, you need to change clothes." Castiel informed him taking the clothes Oree held out and laying them on the bed beside him. Castiel watched as Sam took them and dressed himself. "Let's walk to the kitchen."

Castiel laid a guiding hand on his arm and headed for the kitchen. Ellie followed closely behind them, keeping a close eye on Sam. He found Dean at the table finishing his second cup of coffee.

"Sam?" Dean asked him as Castiel pulled out a chair and had Sam sit down.

"I'm to go ahead of you; Sam should eat if you tell him to." Castiel explained before disappearing.

"Great." Dean mused. "Sam you need to eat."

Sam sat at the table with the same vacant stare he had last night. He didn't respond to Dean's words.

"Hey, can you pick up the sandwich and eat it?" Dean tried again. Still Sam didn't move to obey.

Not knowing what else to do, since his brother needed to eat, Dean took a knife and cut the bread into small bites. He forked a piece and held it to his brother's mouth.

"Open your mouth." Dean tried hoping this would work.

Much to his surprise Sam opened his mouth and accepted the bite of food. He began to automatically chew it, but didn't acknowledge Dean or the fact he was being fed like a two year old. Dean slowly speared another bite and offered it to him. While Sam chewed and swallowed the food, Dean when to the fridge and found some orange juice for him to drink. He poured a glass and put a straw in it figuring that would be the easiest way for him to drink it. Sam followed his commands and by the time Asteria arrived, Dean had fed him the rest of his sandwich and part of a banana.

"Auntie!" Oree cried when she saw her aunt had arrived.

"Oh my dear, I am so sorry for you. I know how close you are to your brothers." she said hugging her tight.

Dean looked up from wiping Sam's face as Asteria floated into the room. He didn't know what it was about her, but she was so graceful and almost fragile. She stopped by Sam and looked over at Dean.

"Dean, how are you?" she asked in her soft musical voice.

"Asteria, good to see you." Dean said quietly.

"I wish it were under better circumstances. Don't worry about your brother, I will take very good care of him." she told him laying a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Sam dear, would you like to go into the living room?" she asked him gently nudging his arm for him to rise.

Sam followed her lead and got up from the table allowing her to lead him into the living room. They went to the sofa and sat down and Ellie lay at Sam's feet resting her head on his foot. Asteria was talking to him softly as they settled on the couch. Dean watched it all, trying to see if Sam would react in anyway. He didn't see any change in Sam's features or demeanor. He sighed sadly and wiped a hand down his face.

"You 'bout ready?" Oree asked him from the doorway.

Dean shook his head, bringing his mind back to the present and replied, "Yeah, let me hit the head and I'll be good to go."

Oree walked behind the couch and leaned down putting her arms around Sam leaning over so she could put her lips near is ear. She hugged him tightly and whispered into his ear so only he could hear.

"You hang in there Sammy; I'll find you and who did this to you. Believe me they will pay dearly for doing this. I promise." she whispered fiercely. "I promise." Oree kissed Sam on the cheek brushing his hair behind his ear. "I love you."

spn

Oree walked to the door and picked up her two bags waiting for Dean to follow. She watched him stop by his brother and lay a hand tenderly on Sam's bed hair smoothing it down before kissing the top of his head.

"Take care of my baby brother."

"He's in good hands Dean, we will watch over him." Asteria assured him as Ellie lifted her head to look at him silently speaking her thoughts as well.

"Okay kid, let's go. I want whoever did this to my brother."

"Get in line."

Dean followed Oree out the door and to the Impala. They threw their bags in the trunk and Oree climbed into the passenger seat and settled in. Dean slid into the driver's seat, pausing for a moment, letting the addition of Oree in the seat sink in. Sam had always been his wingman all their lives, it was strange to have someone else riding there. He brought the Impala to life and eased her down the driveway for the main road and the interstate north. He turned on the radio, found a rock and roll station and settled in for the long drive. CCR's Bad Moon Rising began to flow through the car as Dean thumbed to the tune on the steering wheel.