Supernatural does not belong to me, although I wish it did. I am simply playing in Kripke's sandbox for a bit. All rights and ownership are the property of Kripke and the CW network. I am not making any money from this; it is for my own personal pleasure.
Synopsis: Set at the start of Season One, Dean had been in a wheelchair since his father disappeared more than a year ago and he finally has to tell Sam… There'd been an accident that night and Dean had paid a very high price….one he still doesn't understand. The story will have some hunts from season one and possibly into season two…the brothers will continue their search for their father…there will be alterations to the hunts to accommodate Dean's new situation. I have every intention of returning Dean to good health before this ends…but getting there is going to be bumpy.
Please keep in mind that I do not have a Beta, so all grammatical errors are my own.
Not Slash. Brotherly love and Angst only…
Please Review: So I know there's still interest
Previous Chapter:
"Wait." Sam called. Andy turned back toward him. "Take Jake. None of us should be going outside alone."
Andy nodded and walked toward the other room where the soldier had headed.
Sam sank onto the wooden steps and leaned his elbows on his knees as tried to clear his head. He knew that the demon was messing with him, but that didn't make the fact that he'd just watched his mother burn to death any easier. That he'd seen the surprise and the recognition on her face when she'd realized that she knew the shadowy man in her son's room. And what the heck did all that mean anyways?
He snorted and shook his head in frustration. "Man I wish you were here, Dean." He muttered.
A rustle behind had Sam spinning around. "He can't help you now, Sammy." A woman's voice floated toward him and Sam felt his skin crawl as he recognized it.
"Ruby." He answered coldly.
"Can't pull a thing over on you, can we, Sam." She cooed as she stepped from the shadows.
A scream from the exterior of the building had Sam surging to his feet and starting toward the door before he felt the pull of demon hold and Ruby blocked the door. "Uh-uh, Sam…that's cheating. He has to survive on his own." She raised a sculpted eyebrow and stared at her nails in boredom. "Just like you will."
Sam's face twisted into anger. "What the hell are you talking about?"
She smiled and if he hadn't been so angry he would have realized that she was actually kinda pretty. At least the meat suit she currently inhabited was pretty. He figured that the actual demon form that her soul would take outside the human form probably wasn't going to be as appealing. "It's kind of a gladiator type thing."
Another scream had Sam's gaze flashing up and something froze in his gut. "I don't understand."
"I know you don't." Her brown eyes flickered toward the rain sliding down the window as it started to fall more heavily. "Maybe we can have your brother explain it when he gets here." She smiled evilly at the look of shock on his face. "You thought we didn't know?" She stepped closer and Sam took an involuntary step back. "Ohhhh…and here I thought we were making a connection. Guess not."
"Leave Dean out of this. It doesn't concern him." Sam ground out between his clenched teeth.
She laughed out loud. "He's every bit as much a part of this as you are. And only one of you walks away from this tiny little town." Ruby turned when the rain picked up and threw a comment over her shoulder before she exited.
A second voice added to the first. "And you brought him right to us, Sam. Thanks for that."
Sam spun around and his mouth dropped open when he spotted a blonde woman that he didn't think he'd ever seen.
XXXX
Chapter 56
Cold Oak…Part One
Sam stared at the windowless wall of his 'cell'. It was just a dank little room really, but with demons on the other side of the door it was more secure than a maximum-security prison. He'd tried to get out once and had been thrown into the opposite wall for his efforts. He reached up and ran his fingers over the painful bump on the side of his head. A nasty little reminder of how bitchy demons could get. But the pain was nothing compared to the guilt. He'd inadvertently led his brother into a trap and he had no clue how to warn him. He didn't have the same powers as Andy…at least he didn't think he did. Sam couldn't project his thoughts or desires onto another person. He shuddered at the mere thought of being one of these sick black-eye bastards.
Okay well he knew he wasn't a demon, but he had demon blood coursing through his veins and had his entire life. He wasn't even sure how to tell Dean about the whole blood thing. His older brother had been crippled by demons because of Sam and that hurt like hell to think about. He shifted and his back popped causing him to grimace at the stiffness of his entire body. There was one lousy light in the room and it was flickering with dying energy. Soon he'd be in complete darkness and that realization had Sam wrapping his arms around his midsection. He really didn't like the dark. Over the last several months he'd learned things about the dark that he'd never considered…it was a far more dangerous place than he'd known as a child. It wasn't fear that drove his concerns…it was knowledge.
Dean's snarky face popped up in his head and Sam inhaled deeply and shook the image free. He wondered how Dean had managed being alone for all that time after he'd left for college. A pang rippled through him at what his brother must have gone through on a daily basis. If he'd known…he would've made more effort to stay in contact. The worst thing was that he knew that Dean would've made the effort without the guilt…had their positions been reversed. It was tough learning that you'd been a selfish bastard. But those days were behind him. Sam wasn't leaving his brother again and he sure as hell wasn't gonna let these asshats kill Dean.
A scraping sound just outside his door had his eyes flashing up. The door opened and bright white light rushed into his small room, Sam shielded his sensitive eyes. Ruby stepped through the doorway with a small tray of food and a gallon of water. She raised an elegant eyebrow at seeing him cringe away from the blinding light. "Shouldn't be much longer, Sammy." She purred.
Sam found his voice. "It's Sam." He growled out.
Ruby tilted her head and folded her arms. "I like the way Sammy rolls off my tongue…think I'll keep calling you Sammy." She smiled and he found that there was nothing but malice behind the way her lips curved over her white teeth.
He remained quiet, hoping that she would just get the hint and leave. Instead Ruby moved toward him and placed the tray on the ground. "Dean is almost here." She reached out and ran her fingers down his cheek. Sam fought the urge to smack her hand away.
"What?" Sam questioned as his stomach growled at the sight of the sandwich. His brow furrowed in irritation at his own body's weakness.
"I just got word that he should be arriving shortly…along with some consolation prizes." She watched carefully as her words landed like a blow to the back of Sam's head.
"You don't need them…you've already got me." He said softly. Sam was staring at the ground now, his thoughts shifting to his brother and his surrogate father. He snorted when he remembered that it was very likely that they also had the angel Castiel with them. Maybe Ruby didn't know that…so he kept his mouth shut.
Ruby 'tsked' and waggled her fingers at him. "Oh come on now, Sammy. You and I both know that Dean is the key to unlocking your potential. Without him you are locked up tighter than a chastity belt." Ruby held him with demon power and sank down onto his lap seductively. Her liquid brown eyes watching carefully as she ran her palms along his chest.
Sam swallowed his anger and his repulsion at the demon's close proximity. He forced himself to look into her eyes. "Please…he's been through enough." Normally Sam wouldn't beg. But for Dean? He'd do anything to keep his brother from suffering any more than he already had in his short life. No one child should know that one of their parents despised them or that they are part of the reason that their only family abandoned them. That thought sent another pang of guilt crashing through Sam and he found his next breath hitched in his throat with emotion.
"Oh please tell me you're gonna cry?" Ruby asked as she shifted on his lap, an evil grin on her face. "I simply love it when strong men cry."
Sam leaned away from her and turned his body toward the wall. He blinked a few times and the tears that had threatened dried up in a second. Ruby inhaled in irritation that he wouldn't rise to the bait. She stood up and stepped to the side.
"Fine…" She ground out as she and headed for the door. "You're no fun…I sure hope Dean plays better than you do." With her departing remark she disappeared through the door and it slammed shut with a finality that made Sam wonder if he'd ever actually the light of day again.
"Don't come Dean." He thought as he dropped his head onto his knees and hugged them to his body. "Stay away."
XXXX
Dean watched the road fly by out the window. He was finally whole again…but he didn't feel like he'd won anything. Sam was still missing and they knew that the demons had taken him. Dean was trying desperately to quiet the angry voice of his father inside his head. All those times that he'd been warned that he'd be the death of Sam were replaying over and over like a tape stuck on repeat. His eyes slid sideways for a second and he was grateful to see that Bobby was asleep.
"You realize that we not be able to save Sam?" Castiel said quietly.
Dean's green eyes flashed to the rearview mirror and he glared at the open blue gaze of the angel. "I don't believe that." He gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.
"Never the less, it is true."
"Then we'll have to change fate." Dean bit out.
The angel raised an eyebrow at that. "We cannot change fate, Dean." It was so matter of fact and calm that it made Dean want to scream in return. His jaw was clenched so hard that he felt like it might pop right out of the sockets.
"I don't believe in fate or destiny…or whatever the hell this whole thing is." He looked back in the mirror, his gaze colliding with the angel's. "I can't." He finally whispered.
"Because he is your brother?" Castiel asked softly. He wasn't trying to argue, he was truly trying to understand what it was about humans that made them so…certain they could change God's plan for them. Angel's never questioned their orders…or at least they hadn't until he'd met Dean Winchester and defied his commanding officer to help the human. Now he'd heard that a few of them were asking dangerous questions…and he wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"Yes." Dean answered simply. His gaze shifted back to the road and he remained silent.
Bobby's unexpected voice penetrated the silence. "Good. He's yer brother, idget."
Dean looked over the closed eyes of the older hunter and couldn't help the smile that worked its way past his defenses. "How long you been pretending to sleep old man?"
Bobby sat up and cracked his back. "Long enough to hear you two whining."
"I was not whining." Castiel said immediately. He sounded offended to Dean. "I was merely stating the impossibility of fighting destiny."
Dean's eyelids dropped closed in an almost physical pain as he considered the fact that an angel of the lord was telling him it was hopeless. Apparently the elder hunter was more aware of what the eldest Winchester was feeling that he'd known, because he jumped in to end the conversation.
"Just stop talking." Bobby said as he pushed his ball cap up off his eyes before throwing a glare at the man in the back seat.
XXXX
The classroom was packed when Sam walked in. He shifted his worn backpack on his shoulder and took a slow deep breath before heading to the only open seat near the front. He hated sitting up front. Sam couldn't help the slight smile that pulled at the edges of his lips as he considered his brother's snarky response to that little revelation. Dean would never buy into that. His heart ached a bit at the thought of his older brother. Sam shook his head and slid into the seat.
An hour and twenty minutes later he was gathering up his notes and shoving them into that same pack. A pair of manicured toes stopped right in front of him. Sam lifted his gaze and his hear leapt into his throat. There in front of him was arguable the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. Her golden blonde hair was draped over one shoulder and the white cut off shorts showed off tan and toned legs that went on forever. Sparkling blue eyes stared at him as he stumbled to his feet.
"Uh…hi." He managed after a moment. She smiled.
"It's Sam, right?" Her voice was melodic and soft as she held out her hand.
He nodded, gently shaking her hand. "I'm Jessica Moore."
Sam wasn't sure what to say. "Did you need something?" He asked lamely. Internally he was kicking his own ass.
Jessica snickered. "I missed the first twenty minutes of class, can I copy your notes?"
He nodded and pulled out his notebook. "Uh…sure."
"You don't talk to many girls do you?" She said. It should have sounded judgmental, but instead she sounded genuinely surprised.
Sam felt the heat climb up his neck. Dean would have had a hay day with this whole situation. "My family moved around a lot."
Jessica grinned. "Do they live around here?"
"No." He knew that she was fishing for more information. But Sam didn't want to talk about his family. The argument with his father was still too fresh in his mind and the pain of walking out on his brother's tortured face still haunted his dreams.
"Any brothers or sisters?" She asked pointedly. Sam knew that there was no way to ignore the question without offending her. And that was the last thing that he wanted to do.
"I have an older brother…Dean." He swallowed the emotions that were pulled to the surface at mere mention of Dean's name.
Jessica caught the strained tone to his voice and wondered what had happened to this boy to make him look like such a lost soul. It was that puppy-dog quality that had led her to ask him for his notes…she hadn't actually been late, but she couldn't come up with another reason to talk to the cute kid in the front. "Uh…some friends are heading over to Pauly's for lunch if you wanna come?"
Sam was grateful for the reprieve in the conversation. He knew that Pauly's was a local pizza joint just off campus…and the food was supposed to be good. "Um…yeah…sure."
XXXX
A scream ripped through the air and Sam lurched into awareness. His eyes panned the small room and his breathing was coming in soft pants. He wiped his hand over his eyes and looked down, there was water pooling in the bottom of his cell. The door to his room was thrown open, but no one came into the room. Every bone in Sam's body was telling him it was some sort of trap. He recalled his and Dean's time in the Bender's company and he shivered as the memory assaulted him. When no one came through the open door, Sam forced himself to his feet.
The long hall was empty as he peered around the corner. There were other rooms, the doors all wide open like his…but they were empty. Whoever had been held in those rooms, they'd run at the first chance. Another screamed rippled through the hall and his head spun toward the sound. Sam took a deep breath and shook out his numb limbs before moving toward the end of the hall.
He looked around for anything that might double as a weapon, but all he could find was a long metal bar. Sam moved quietly along the wall he ignored the sounds as he stepped out into the dying light of the afternoon sun. The wind rushed past him and he shivered as the cold bit through his slim jacket. He hadn't been prepared for the weather when he'd been taken. He blinked several times just as the rain started. Sam glanced off to the right and an old windmill stood in defiance of the broken down nature of the place.
"Sam?!" Andy's voice cut through the howling wind causing Sam to sprint across the dirt road toward the smaller man. Andy had a deep laceration on his forehead and his left eye was almost completely swollen shut…but he was alive. "You okay, man?"
Sam nodded. "Better than you. What happened?" He motioned toward an old barn.
Andy shook his head. "That bitch came after me."
"Ruby?"
Andy looked at Sam like he'd lost his mind. "Who's Ruby? No…it was Ava."
The rain picked up and they found it difficult to hear one another over the storm. Both guys moved further into the structure. "Who's Ava?" Sam asked. He kept looking over his shoulder and around the dilapidated barn.
"Another one of the yellow-eyed demon's blood babies." Andy said with a snort. "Who's Ruby?"
"A demon with a vendetta."
Andy's eyebrows shot up and he tilted his head to the side. "Wow…can we pick'em or what?" A crack of lightening had both guys peering out into the pouring rain. Two large white dots in the distance caught Sam's attention. He squinted into the storm and his heart froze in his chest…Dean.
Jake came out of nowhere and slammed the end of a knife into Andy's head. The psychic was instantly out cold. He crumpled to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Jakes brown eyes pinned Sam in a manic stare. "Only one of us is getting out here." It was apparent that the soldier though that he was going to be that one.
Sam shook his head as he gaze dropped to the ragged breathing of the unconscious man. "We don't have to do this." He breathed as he held up the iron bar in a defensive position. Jake's gaze narrowed and he flipped the knife around so that he was holding it the way Dean would hold it…and Sam's heart sank. This guy knew how to fight with blades.
"Yes. We do. He told me we do." Jake ground out. He rushed Sam and shoved him into the driving rain. The air was knocked out of Sam as he landed hard and the bar popped out of his hand and slid in the mud. Jake jumped forward, but Sam rocked back onto his shoulders and his long legs shot forward hitting the soldier in the chest. He was caught off guard and fell hard against the side of the barn.
Sam hauled himself to his feet. He blinked several times and then wiped his soaked hair from his eyes as he searched for his weapon. Sam caught sight of the steel bar about four feet from his position. He lurched forward and grabbed the bar just as Jake regained his feet and launched himself at Sam again. He drew back a huge fist and drove it forward into Sam's shoulder. He felt the bones cracked beneath the inhuman strength of the soldier. Pain launched itself through Sam and he bit his lower lip in an effort to control it. Jake was just getting ready to hit him again when Sam managed to beat him to it. He threw a front kick that shoved the man through a wooden fence and into the mud. The knife skittered about of Jake's hand and Sam stepped through the busted fence. His arm was wrapped around his shoulder and his eye was swelling shut. Jake wasn't moving and Sam knew that he could finish this right now all he had to do was kill Jake.
His gaze dropped to the two weapons lying side by side and the debate only lasted for a fraction of a second before Sam heard Dean's voice in the distance.
"SAM?!"
Sam's gaze sprang up and he whispered. "Dean…" When he saw his brother running through the pouring rain toward him. Sam started toward him, but was stopped in his tracks when Ruby stepped out of the shadows and blocked his path.
"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?" She purred as she held up a gleaming silver blade. Sam's blue-green gaze lifted to his brother's manic face as Dean sprinted toward him.
TBC…
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter…hope you guys like the changes…more to come as the brother's figure out what the new plan is for them. Thank you so much to those of you that took a moment to review the last chapter. Such as LeeMarieJack, p4poonam, becca65d, QueenWoofy, 1hotpepper, ncsupnatfan, BranchSuper, Ragnhild, kaoticangel1983, steelcandy, and several guests I can't name here. Hopefully more of you will have a moment to do so for this one…please….
PLEASE REVIEW: Let me know you're still reading…please.