Summary: AU: Stanford Era: "Dean … Sammy's in trouble." A late night phone call sends Dean Winchester and long-time friend, Caelan Hagan in a desperate search to find Sam before the unthinkable happens; uncovering lies and secrets involving the youngest Winchester, that have been years in the making.
Warnings: Violence, swearing, physical abuse, torture, implied adult themes.
Disclaimer: I don't own the supernatural characters.
Author's Note: Just another possibility on why Sam left for Stanford. Hope you enjoy. I have no knowledge or training in medical areas. I have tried to keep everything as realistic as possible, but, as medical knowledge is not my area of expertise, just beware that there may be some mistakes in the next few chapters.
Special Note: Thanks to kandilyn, Cheetah Grrl and Souless666 for your kind words. Here's another chapter just for all you guys who have taken the time out to read this story and to all the people who have this story on their alerts or have put it on their favourite lists. Thanks. It means a lot. Did I say two chapters? Yeah, that's not happening, sorry. Just trying to tie up all the loose ends and boy am I struggling with that, but there is an ending in sight … just not quite sure when.
DEMON SPAWN: THE PHONE CALL
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
John Winchester was hunched in the passenger seat, fingers tightening in a death grip on his phone, desperately willing either Caelan or Caleb to call him and let him know what the fuck was happening.
It had been nearly two hours since Bobby had helped to sneak John out of the hospital and in that time, even though John had repeatedly tried to make contact with either Caelan or Caleb, neither Hunter were answering their phones. And John's mild concern was now hitting full-blown worry because neither Caelan or Caleb were the type of people to disobey a direct order from John Winchester … especially when it was his sons on the line.
The only explanation John could think of for why neither man were answering their phones or contacting John, was that the two of them were now in trouble as well, along with both Sam and Dean.
John peered at the speedometer before glaring hard at Bobby. "Come on Bobby, surely this truck of yours can go faster than this! Put your foot down on the accelerator and get us to the boys now! My boys … all of them are in trouble Bobby. We need to get there as of yesterday!"
Bobby scowled in John's direction, opening his mouth to retort with a few choice, selective, not so nice words of his own, before John's phone rang within John's clenched hand, cutting Bobby off before he even had a chance to begin; which was just as well, because knowing John like he did, John would no doubt have gotten offended by Bobby's colourful reply and eventually it would have caused the two older Hunters to exchange heated words that both of them would probably regret once they'd had a chance to cool off.
Bobby understood John's desire to get to his boys as fast as possible; he understood the helpless feeling of not being able to do more for them because they were stuck fucking travelling, trying to reach them in time. And even though Bobby understood and sympathized with the man, yelling and screaming at Bobby wasn't going to make them get there any faster! John had to be a little bit patient … yeah, right! John Winchester patient? That would happen as soon as pigs could actually fly!
Bobby couldn't help but scoff at that thought before turning his attention to the road once more, one ear listening into the conversation John was participating in over the phone. By the sound of the man's tone, it wasn't one of the boys who had called him, but it was fairly obvious that John knew this caller, even if he didn't particularly like the person he was talking to.
"Really?" John asked and Bobby saw a little of the tension leave the other man. "You found Sammy, that's great." John stated, flashing a relieved smile in Bobby's direction.
Finally, something was going right for them for a change. "And is Sammy okay?" John paused, listening to the reply on the other end, looking a little bit calmer and less desperate than he had earlier.
John nodded. "Yeah, we're on our way there now. Shouldn't be more than a couple of hours, but … " John hesitated, not wanting to ask this man anymore favours, but not seeing any other way out of this. Even if he decided not to help with Dean, Caelan and Caleb, he had to be warned of the obvious trap so that Sammy wasn't snared within the organisation's grasp yet again.
John swallowed his pride, laying everything he knew out on the line, explaining that he hadn't heard a word from anyone who had been at the hospital and that it was likely a trap to lure them all into one place so that the organisation could get rid of all of the people who they perceived as posing a threat, who could stand in their way and end up bringing the organisation down to their knees.
John listened intently to his reply, murmuring in agreement every few seconds before John suddenly bristled stiffly, anger flashing within the depths of his dark eyes. "Of course I haven't forgotten our deal!" John snapped, insulted that he would think that John would renege on the bargain the two of them had struck when he had offered to find and retrieve Sammy from the clutches of the organisation.
"You don't need to worry about me Nirkish; I honour the deals I make." John proclaimed in a cold voice. 'Yes, I remember the conditions. Don't worry; the boys won't know a thing … what? … Well, I can't decide that for him. That will be something you will have to talk to Sammy about. Of course … I'll see you in four weeks."
John hung up the phone and slowly turned to meet Bobby's questioning, worried gaze. "Sammy's okay," John told him, a tired smile pulling at his mouth. "And if all goes to plan … we should be hearing from the boys … all three of them … within the next hour."
Bobby raised his eyebrows skeptically.
"Don't worry Bobby, I've this under control." John assured his old friend.
Bobby looked far from convinced. "Johnny … what the hell did you promise to do for that … person? You know what he's like. And whatever you've agreed to do … I know it ain't a good thing."
"Leave it Bobby," John snapped irritably. "It doesn't matter. As long as my boys are safe, nothing else matters. I would make a damn deal with the Devil himself in order to keep my boys out of trouble! Especially since none of this is their fault.
This damn organisation targeted Sammy because of what … because of The Demon. But, I'll tell you this right now Bobby … they will regret the day that they messed with my baby boy. Everything they've done to him … I will be only too glad to return the favour." John promised.
Bobby couldn't help but shiver in apprehension at the harshness and finality within John Winchester's voice, knowing that no amount of prodding from him would get John to say any more about this deal that he had apparently struck with … him … and knowing that John would find a way to follow through with that promise, no matter what he had to do or who he had to go through to achieve it.
JW DW JW DW JW DW JW DW JW DW JW DW JW
Dean's eyes flew open; a gasp on his lips, looking about him wildly as everything came crashing down upon him with blinding clarity.
They had been betrayed by the Doc, she had appeared to be on their side, treating Sam with professional compassion, including Dean in every detail of Sam's medical health, his recovery and how best to make Sam comfortable while recuperating from his injuries, even to the point of getting Dean's input on which staff members would help Sam with his daily medical needs and care. Dean had thought that she was one of the good guys. Boy, had she played him for a sucker!
Dean moaned loudly when he tried to manoeuvre into a sitting position forgetting about the gunshot wound to his abdomen, in his haste to get the hell out of here, find Sam and reconnect with Caelan.
Shit … didn't the Doc say something about setting a trap for Caelan? Fuck, Dean had to warn him before it was too late … if it wasn't already too late."
"Hey, Winchester, are you back in the land of the living?"
Dean's head swivelled so fast in the direction of that voice that Dean almost gave himself whiplash, instantly on high alert at the sound of the unfamiliar, yet familiar voice.
Dean blinked to clear away his blurry vision and couldn't help the groan of dismay that escaped him when Peter Stewart's ugly mug appeared before Dean's eyes.
Instinctively, Dean's hand shot forward and he was pleasantly surprised when his fist connected with Peter's jaw, hearing a harsh oath escape Peter as he cradled his aching jaw within his hand.
"This is the thanks I get for helping you out!" Peter grumbled, taking a cautionary step back from Dean in case he decided to throw another punch. "Especially since it was me who switched the vials with my sister, so that you would only be knocked out for ten minutes instead of hours."
"What?" Dean blinked, still a tad disorientated. "You helping me out?" he retorted sarcastically, pushing himself into a sitting position, bitting upon his bottom lip to keep in the sudden nausea and pain that movement caused.
But Dean couldn't be flat on his back; that made him look weak and feel vulnerable. He had to equal out the advantage one way or another … or at least have equal footing. "You're the reason we're in this mess to begin with!"
Peter winced, a flash of guilt within his eyes before it was gone again, replaced by his superior, contradicting, smug smile. "It's okay to admit it Winchester … I know I've grown on you."
"Yeah, right!" Dean spat out, infuriated by this … boy's ego. Dean was surprised that Peter had lived this long, positive that he wasn't the only Hunter that Peter had pissed off!
"Between you and your evil bitch of a sister … I'm definitely feeling the love! I wouldn't ask you for your help if you were the last person on Earth! I think I'll take my chances without your input thanks." Dean replied sarcastically. "Besides, after I escape from here, you and me have a little appointment with each other."
Peter raised his eyebrows quizzically.
"Yep, it's where I get to show you what happens to the sons of bitches that put their God damned hands on my baby brother!" Dean growled, his voice low, fill of threat and dark promise.
Peter tried to shrug off Dean's threat, trying to act nonchalant and disinterested in Dean's promise, but Dean could see the spike of fear within the Hunter's eyes.
"All right, that's enough you two," A new voice spoke as he appeared on the other side of Dean, followed by another Hunter that Dean owed a serious beat-down to, who went to stand beside Peter Stewart.
"C-Caleb?" Dean couldn't help but be shocked by Caleb's sudden appearance. Dean had known that Caelan had called in Caleb for help in dealing with Peter and Hank – who now stood beside Peter – but Dean had been too busy getting Sammy to the hospital to talk to the Hunter, much less think about him.
Slowly, Dean's shocked amazement at seeing Caleb vanished, replaced by a slow burning suspicious feeling. Why was Caleb here, with these two … clowns, when he should be out there backing Caelan up?
Oh hell, did that mean that Caleb was working for the organisation? Had they been betrayed by one of the few Hunters that Dean trusted with his own life?
DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW
An intense feeling of grief and rage washed over Sam as he furiously paced the length of the living room in a rundown shack that Sam didn't recognize at all, but at the same time he felt completely familiar with it.
"Damn it!" Sam heard himself snarl in a stranger's voice, feeling more agitated and frustrated than he had ever felt in his whole life. "Now what the hell am I supposed to do? This plan of yours is not working! John Winchester has escaped from the hospital … obviously he is very much alive, after you told me you would handle him!"
Sam shot a disdainful look at the body of a man who was laid out upon the couch as he continued to pace, his rising emotions swirling within him, almost out of control.
"You told me that the old-school Hunters would be taken down by the organisation once we framed them for the abduction and non-consensual torture session of the Demon Spawn. That's why you told me to call in Peter Stewart and Hank Adams and ordered me to leave to make it look like Peter and Hank had only done what their fathers requested them to.
But they haven't been brought down at all! In fact, now we look like the traitorous ones. And everything you told me … is a lie!" Sam screamed.
Before he quite knew what was happening, Sam was standing over the dead body, a helpless, aching feeling of loss intermingled with the other emotions that raged throughout him.
"I did everything you asked of me! I trusted you and believed in you and now … now you're dead?! Killed by the man whom you swore to destroy because he had allowed his Demon Spawn off-spring to be born, being responsible for your beloved Mary's death!
You're pathetic!" Sam shouted, deliberately spitting upon the dead man's face. "I hate you! I fucking hate you … do you hear me Dad?"
Dad?! This man wasn't John Winchester! Confusion filled Sam, none of what his … other self? … Dream self? … said was making any sense. Sam didn't know this dead guy … did he?
Hang on a minute … was that Marc Ley-Lamp? A Hunter that Sam recalled from his child-hood who had befriended his Dad after Connor Hagen's death and whose name and face still caused Sam to shiver in dread, fear clutching at his very being, even to this day, even though he didn't know why he should have such a violent reaction to this man.
This wasn't his Dad! This could never be his Dad … so, why the hell did he feel as if it was his Dad? Just what in the hell was going on here?!
"I hate you for leaving me here by myself!" Sam's voice cracked, almost on the verge of sobbing even as he began to pound his fists against the dead man's chest in both despair and anger. "You fucking lied to me! You told me … you told me that I could have him … claim him for myself. You said that after today … after I broke him that little Sammy Winchester would be mine forever!"
What the fuck?!
What the hell sort of dream was this?
Dream Sam squeezed his eyes shut, tears slipping down his checks as he continued to pound against his dead father's chest. "Fuck you, you bastard! I hate you!"
Strong fingers enclosed around Sam's wrists, preventing him from connecting with the dead man's chest once more.
Sam jerked his eyes open, staring in shock as, the man who he knew to be dead, groaned softly as he slowly opened his eyes.
"D-Dad?" Sam asked, his voice shaking in confusion. "But … you're dead! How're you …?"
"Still alive?" The previously dead man supplied, smiling gently as he reached out a hand and caressed Sam's check lovingly. "It was you, my boy. You brought me back to life by harnessing your power."
SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW
Dean's eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets as he stared up at Caleb, unable to comprehend that this man would betray not only him, but Caelan as well. Caelan had vouched for him, believed in him and now …
Dean swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm because he honestly didn't know what was going on here. For all he knew, this could be part of an elaborate plan that Caelan and Caleb had cooked up together.
Regardless of anything else, Caleb deserved to explain himself. After everything the man had done for the Winchesters, the least Dean could do, was to hear him out. And if it turned out that Caleb was working for this organisation, then that would just be another name added to Dean's hit list of people he would personally deal to later.
"Hey Dean," Caleb smirked down at the younger Hunter, relief evident upon his rugged features. "Glad to see you're doing better. Thought Hags was going to "flip out" when he heard that you'd been shot!"
Dean's eyes widened slightly at Caleb's use of the code word "flip out", which meant for Dean not to panic and that everything was under control.
Caleb grinned at Dean. "Should have known it would take more than a bullet to take a Winchester out." Caleb teased good-naturedly.
Dean grinned back at Caleb, relaxing slightly at Caleb's playful jab, feeling more than convinced that Caleb hadn't suddenly switched sides on them as he shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I tell you Caleb … Winchesters are just "made tougher" than you lot!" Dean answered, able to throw in a code word of his own, basically telling Caleb that he trusted his judgment and would follow the other Hunter's lead when the time came.
"Guys!" Peter's whining, annoying voice interrupted them. "We don't have time for this. Liz will be back any minute now with your fag boyfriend …"
"Speak for yourself!" Caleb snorted, looking from Peter to Hank and then back to Peter again knowingly.
Peter blushed deeply at Caleb's dig, speechless as he stared at Caleb, dumbfounded.
"But Peter is right," Caleb conceded with a sigh. "We're going to have make this explanation quick before the head of the Stewart family shows up and decides to take all of us away, never to be seen or heard from again."
Dean's jaw jutted out defiantly. "Just let them try and take me!" he muttered, his green eyes darkening, his lips twisting into a delighted smirk. "I've been wanting to hit something all day!"
Caleb mimicked Dean's smirk. "Yeah, right there with you Dean. But right now, let's just stay alive long enough to get Caelan and Sam back and then we can talk about whose head goes rolling for this first."
"Agreed," Dean consented to Caleb's plan, knowing that even though his mind was willing for a brawl, he wasn't too entirely convinced that his body could follow through with that desire. "Okay, so what's the plan? And why are these to boozo's helping us?"
Peter threw an indignant scowl in Dean's direction and looked as if he was going to reply in some scathing manner, but Hank's hand on his arm instantly stilled Peter as the two of them shared a look before Peter lost his arrogant scowl and sighed deeply.
"Don't worry Winchester, this is the last thing that I expected to be doing; teaming up with you two … adrenaline junkies, but my father … he crossed a line tonight that I never thought he would be capable of."
Dean could see the intense anger and hurt within the depths of Peter's blue eyes, shocked to realize that this Wannabe Hunter could exhibit any other emotion other than smugness arrogance.
Peter squeezed his eyes shut; clenched fists at his sides, shaking with a rage that Dean almost recognized and could relate to.
Hank placed a hand upon Peter's shoulder offering support and reassurance, seeming to give Peter the strength he needed to continue.
When Peter opened his eyes, he seemed more composed and in control of himself, even if his voice shook and wavered, contradicting Peter's act of remaining calm and neutral. "I'm sorry Caleb, but I don't think that my father ever intended to honour his deal between you and Hagen. It was obviously a ploy to give him more time to …"
Peter choked back on a sob, looking Dean straight in the eye, letting Dean see the honesty within them. "Liz, she's a good person Dean, she really is. She got out of being a Hunter when Father joined the organisation. She said that it was corrupt and a disgrace to our family's prestigious name and we would be dishonouring the hunting lifestyle if he decided to join.
Father, of course, didn't listen to a word that Liz said, too damn stubborn and determined to do it his way. So, rather than watch us destroy ourselves, Liz left the hunting life and pursued her goal in becoming a doctor. Father immediately disowned her, and so it was up to me to carry on in the family tradition and business.
If Liz was in her right mind, she would never have betrayed any of you. But my father, he … he was so damn angry that he couldn't think straight.
Before he'd heard about the predicament I was in, another Hunter by the name of Marc Ley-Lamp, and fellow member of the organisation had accused my father, Hank's father and other old-school Hunters of going against the organisation's codes of ethics to engage in kidnapping, drugging and using … illegal experimentation upon another Hunter's child."
Wait … was he talking about Sammy? Was he referring to Sam's abduction and torture session that he and Caelan had walked in on earlier today? Did this whole thing loop back around to Sam? Why was it that after everything that Dean had learned today, his baby brother seemed to be in the centre of it all?
Dean gritted his teeth together, trying to keep his rising frustration and anger in check. It didn't matter to him how badly these bastards wanted his brother … they weren't going to have him. Sam belonged to him! And one way or another Dean would make sure that these sons of bitches would never lay a hand upon his Sammy ever again!
TBC