Chapter 3: Someone to Lose

She got back to the motel and headed to her room. She was just getting her boots off when someone was pounding on her door. She got up and opened it to a very pissed off Sam who barged in past her.

"Please come in Sam. Make yourself comfortable," she said sarcastically.

"Where were you?" he asked his tone clipped.

"I went to check out the lake some more, and I found something -" she was interrupted before she could get the news out.

"What is wrong with you!" Sam shouted at her.

"Pardon?"

"What the Hell is wrong with you? You take off without a word, you could have been hurt, and we would have been none the wiser."

"Sam I'm a big girl I can take care of myself," Sam just looked at her with his face serious. "Sam, I may be reckless a lot of the time, but I'm not stupid." Sam continued looking at her. Andy sighed and sat on the edge of her bed."Truthfully it's been so long since I worked with someone else consistently that it takes a bit of getting used to. So for what it's worth, I'm sorry." Sam nodded and sat next to her.

"M'Sorry too. It's just between you and Dean it's like I've got two kamikaze hunters on my hands that I can't deal with. Dean is sick, and he won't let himself rest and you are no help."

"Sammy, listen. I know that your brother can dive you mental and you do the same to him, but you just have to learn to live with each other."

"And what about you? Huh?"

"What about me?"

"Andy you're like family what if something happened to you?"

"Sam nothing is going to happen to me. Sure I can get hurt I can get sick, but the fact is I'm 800 years old Sam, I've lived several long fruitful lives being cautious. And here I am now, being reckless and hunting demons, and I am loving it. I think I have earned some enjoyment in life."

"And that's fine for you when you're hunting by yourself, but Andy you can't do stuff like that around him. You can't let him lose you too."

"What? What did I just say? No one is going to lose me."

"You heard me Andy. You can be as reckless as you like when you hunt alone. But when you're with us you can't be like that. He will just go even farther to keep us both out of danger by putting himself in it."

"Sam why the hell would me being here have any effect on Dean" Sam stared at her."Andy for someone who is pretty good at being observant just not around yourself," she looked at Sam confused. " Andy, Dean's in love with you. He has been since Dad first brought you to meet us."

"You're nuts."

"Oh I'm nuts? Andy have you ever noticed how protective he is of you and how he always has a smile for you. He always calls you when he really needs help. You're the only other person he trusts completely."

"Why the hell would Dean be in love with me and why would he never tell me?"

"Because he thinks you would laugh in his face." Andy hesitated, thinking for a second.

"Ok if he's so in love with me why are you here and he's not?" Andy retorted.

"Because he's still asleep, he didn't know you weren't here. If he did, he would have high tailed it after you in a heartbeat. He loves you Andy. So much, he would put himself at risk to keep you safe." Andy's next retort died on her lips as understanding dawned. 'Christ this is just like a bad romance novel' she thought. She had always hid her feelings by treating Dean as a brother and he hid his by doing the same.

"Holy crap," she said sitting down on the bed and putting her head in her hands. "I am a complete idiot,"

"Yea you kinda are," Sam said sitting next to her "But it's never too late." Andy looked at him eyes wide. "He's just next door Andy, and he's been waiting a long time." Andy smiled slowly. She looked up at Sam and nodded. They went out of the motel and back to the boys room. The minute Sam opened the door he noticed that Dean wasn't on his bed anymore and he didn't hear him in the shower.

"Dean?" he called out. No answer. "Dean!?" he shouted. Andy turned and looked back out the door.

"Sam, the Impala's gone."

"What the hell is he thinking?!"

"Maybe he just went to get some food, or something."

Sam glanced at the take out boxes he had just brought back before storming over to Andy's and shook his head. "Well he can't be ahead of us that much we can just go after him."

"Yea but even so if he gets there he is a sitting duck,"

"Sammy have a bit more faith in your brother."

"Andy he's sick. He's running a fever, and you know how he gets." Andy's face fell.

"Well that changes things,"

They found the Impala in about the same place Dean had parked it the day before. They called out for him but there was nothing. Andy was standing by the water's edge when she saw something. It was one of Dean's shirts.

"Sam!" Andy called out to him and held up the shirt. "There are drag marks here too," she said pointing out the over turned soil. "Ok I'm going to go divining, see if you can find a land entrance to that cave." She grabbed her gun and a few other supplies from her bike and went back to the shore. Sam was pacing.

"Andy this is not a good idea,"

"Sam we don't have a choice, I can get to the cave easily. You just find a land entrance and back me up. Don't forget the bridle." Sam nodded.

"Be careful," he said gripping her shoulder tight. She nodded and plunged into the lake. She swam hard and fast and reached the cave entrance soon. She broke the surface of the pool slowly. She looked around. The Kelpie was nowhere in sight. She climbed out of the pool and walked carefully along the passage. She hadn't gone far when she heard something. A wet sliding footstep. She held her breath and listened. It seemed to pass by on her left. She shuffled along the passage for a while longer. There was light coming from somewhere other than her flash light. Suddenly she heard footsteps again. She grabbed her knife ready to try and fend off the Kelpie. The footsteps were just around the next bend. A figured appeared. She lunged and came face to face with Sam.

"Shit Sam! Sorry, I wasn't expecting you so fast."

"Yea I can tell. There was an entrance. There were other drag marks that lead to it."

"Come on. Let's find your brother and get out of here," They continued along the passage. At some point they came upon a smaller passage that broke off to the left. They looked at each other. Sam shrugged. Suddenly they both heard the dragging step that Andy had heard before. They dove into the smaller passage and didn't stop until they couldn't hear the steps. They decided to keep going. It wasn't long before the passage opened onto a small cavern There was a torch lighting it on one wall. Tied to the same wall, shirtless, wet, and on his knees was Dean.

"Dean!" Sam called out and ran to him, Andy close on his heels.

"S' about time you guys showed up," Dean said thickly. They both knelt in front of him. He was bruised and scraped but didn't look too hurt. They made quick work cutting through the ropes that bound him to the wall. The sudden release of his bonds made Dean fall forward.

"Whoa easy there. I've got you. You're all right." Andy caught him with an arm across his chest.. She could feel the unhealthy heat that was radiating off of his body. 'Oh yea, he's burning,' she thought. She looked up at Sam who's face mirrored her concern.

"Thanks for finding me guys," he breathed out with a weak smile.

"You're welcome sweetheart. Now come on, let's get you out of here." Andy said looking around checking that they were still alone.

"Yea, ok let's do it." Together Sam and Andy got Dean on his feet and with an arm around each of their shoulders they made their way back to the main passage. They had to stop at one point because Dean doubled over with the force of his cough. When he managed to get his breath back, they made it to the mouth of the main passage. Where the Kelpie was waiting in the shadows for them. First it took a swing at Sam who had to let go of Dean to block. Suddenly finding herself supporting 170lbs of fever weakened Dean sent him and Andy into the wall. Sam was still fighting the Kelpie and it wasn't giving up easily. Dean attempted to go and help Sam, but he was so dizzy he couldn't focus. Sam landed and good blow with his knife and the Kelpie backed off and fled. Sam took off after it.

"Andy get Dean out of here! I'll meet you at the car!" He shouted over his shoulder. Dean tried to go after him but he stumbled and fell to one knee. Andy hurried to him and got him on his feet."Dean come on. Sam can handle this. Let's get back to the car," She supported him through the passages and managed to find the land entrance fairly easily. Sam was right it was fairly close to the main parking lot. Dean was struggling. He was shaking so hard he could barely walk, and coughs were tearing their way out of him regularly. They stopped for a moment because Dean was panting hard.

"Dean you need to breathe baby. Take a deep breath." She could tell he was trying. Andy rubbed his back and slowly Dean got his breath back. "That's better. Come on we're almost at the car. We get there then you can take a break." They were only a few feet away when Dean's knees gave way. With the sudden dead weight he and Andy slowly sank to the ground."Whoa! Dean!" she cried in alarm. "Dean?!"He had passed out cold. Andy supported him on her legs. She passed a hand over his forehead. 'He's really burning up,' she thought concern rising in her throat. A moment later Dean's eyes fluttered open.

"Andy?" he said fuzzily. "What the hell happened?"

"You blacked out," Dean blinked up at her glassy green eyes "you're running a pretty high fever." Dean shivered and coughed.

"Great," he sat up slowly Andy helped support him. He leaned forward and put his head between his knees and took a shaky breath.

"Come on, let's get you in the car. You can sleep for a while." Andy grabbed Dean's arm and hauled him up.

"Where's Sam?" he asked in a rough voice as he managed to stagger to his feet. Andy put an arm around his waist.

"He was right behind us give him a second." They waited. And waited. Andy could feel him trembling in the cool air. Dean looked around his brow furrowed with concern.

"Andy?" he said fear entering his voice.

"Just another minute." They waited.

"Andy…?" Suddenly there was a loud splash and something broke the surface of the water. A horse and rider rose out of the water and walked to shore straight towards the car. Andy and Dean stood up, panicking slightly. Dean swayed a bit but Andy balanced him. The horse stopped 10ft from them and the rider dismounted. It was Sam, drenched and shivering but alive and unharmed. Dean broke into a relieved smile. Sam looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry I took so long," Sam said stepping forward. Dean embraced him hard. Sam hugged him back, concerned about the heat of Dean's body and the small shudders he could feel running through his brother.

"Don't do that again," Dean said quietly looking hard at Sam, then he sneezed violently.

"Bless you, and I won't. Trust me." Said Sam

"All right boys we need to get you back. Dean get in the car and put a shirt on. Sammy come over here and I'll dry you off." Once she had dried Sam off he looked over at the horse.

"What are we going to do about that?" he asked. Andy went over to her bike and opened one of her saddle bags and pulled out a long knife. She went over to the kelpie, patted it's nose to keep it calm then drove the knife into its heart. It screamed and collapsed to the ground, melting into a greenish brown puddle of water. Andy wiped the knife off and went back over to Sam.

"Taken care of," she said. Sam nodded. Andy managed to convince Dean to let his brother drive. It wasn't much of a fight. She pulled the blanket that the boys kept in the trunk out. She threw it over Dean once he was in the passenger seat. She smiled at him lightly and closed the door. Then she grabbed her bike and sped off after them.

In the car Sam watched Dean shivering under his blanket.

"What happened Dean?" Dean just looked at his brother with fever glassy eyes, then sneezed again. "Dean?"

"Look I thought it was Andy ok. Went looking for you and I saw her bike was missing. I panicked. Figured she had gone back to the lake. When I got there I thought I heard her call for help so I went. It was stupid but that's what happened." Sam couldn't help but crack a smile. Dean coughed harshly "What's funny?" Sam wiped the smile off his face.

"I'm sorry Dean. It's really not funny."

"Ok now I'm just confused…"

"You really should just tell her how you feel."

"What are you talking about?"

"Dean I'm your brother and I know you. You're in love with Andy. Just tell her and get it over with."

"I am not,"

"Yes you are Dean, and she cares about you. Probably more than she even knows." Dean was quiet for a moment.

"There's no way," he said.

"Dean you've been avoiding each other for years. It's really not that hard to see." Dean sat there shivering thinking about what his brother said. He coughed a bit to clear his throat, but it back fired and he ended up falling into a fit. A deep racking fit that when it finally finished left him panting.

"Shit Dean you sound like hell."

"I feel like hell," he said hoarsely leaning his head back into the seat.

"We're almost back at the motel."

"Mmm" Dean murmured. Sam snuck a glance at his brother. Sam was really getting worried. Dean was so pale and he could hear him wheezing. Sam reached over and rested a hand on Dean's forehead who flinched a bit and half heartedly tried to push Sam away. 'holy crap he is burning up.' Sam thought. He pulled into the motel and hoped that Andy was close behind. He shook Dean's shoulder to wake him up. Dean looked at him with fever bright eyes.

"Come on bro. Let's get you in to bed," Sam said. Dean smiled slowly.

"Sorry Sammy you're not my type," he said and chucked. Which turned into a cough, which turned into a fit of deep barking. The sound made Sam cringe. He got out of the car and went quickly round to the passenger side to help Dean out. For once Dean accepted the help quietly. He was really out of it, and he was still shivering. Sam heard the growl of Andy's bike just as he was getting Dean in the door of their room. She came in right behind them. Sam helped Dean to his bed. He just sat there staring into space. Andy knelt in front of him.

"How you doing?" she asked taking one of his hands.

"Peachy," he answered and lay back on the bed. He coughed once. Andy started taking off his shoes. Dean didn't do anything to stop her, which was worrying. Dean would normally never let anyone do something like that for him. She turned to Sam.

"How's he doing?"

"Not too good. His fever is high, and his cough is really bad."

"I'm fine Andy."Andy got up and went over to Dean and tried to lay a hand on his head. He flinched and pushed Andy's hand away. "I know I'm sick you don't have to baby me." Andy made a sound in her throat that could only be called a growl. "Threats won't help." he said and closed his eyes. She looked at him brow furrowed in frustration. A small smile spread on her face. She gave Sam a look. He looked at her puzzled. She bent and kissed Dean's forehead. The touch startled him. His eyes flew open and he stared at her.

"Shit," she muttered under her breath. She started opening his jacket and flannel.

"Wait…what…what the hell are you doing?" Dean said trying to sit up. Andy pushed him back down.

"Behave and let me check you out," she said and laid and ear to his chest "Deep breath for me," he complied. She could hear a distinctive crackles rattling through his lungs as he breathed. The deep breath triggered a small coughing fit. He was forced to sit up and cough hard into his fist. Once Andy had heard that she knew. "Oh Dean," she said looking at him worried.

"What?" he said roughly with the last bit of his cough.

"I think you have pneumonia," Andy said.

"What? No I don't. It's just a cold…" he broke off coughing again. Andy looked at Sam who had a mix of concern and fear on his face.

"Sweetheart that is no cold I have ever heard. You need to do some serious resting."

"She's right Dean. You really need to give yourself a break."

"All right all right you two. But I'm going to have a shower first." Dean stood up unsteadily and made his way to the bathroom. Sam looked at Andy.

"He's in rough shape, isn't he?" Sam said. Andy looked at the closed bathroom door.

"Yea, he is, but he's tough he'll be fine." Sam nodded then smiled slowly. He looked up at Andy. "What?"

"You sure gave him a shock when you kissed him," he said. Andy chuckled.

"I know. I didn't really mean to. I just wanted to catch him off guard." She smiled and shrugged. "It worked." Sam laughed.

"Sure did." Sam picked up his computer and started surfing around. Andy lay back on Dean's bed and closed her eyes. She was wiped and worried. Dean could be a real pain. A few minutes later they heard the shower turn off and heard an new round of deep racking coughs. They didn't sound like they were going to stop soon. Suddenly they stopped and there was a loud thump. Andy's eyes flew open. "Dean?" Sam called out. No answer. Before Sam could call out again, in one fluid motion Andy was up and off the bed and heading to the bathroom. She pulled the door open. Dean was lying on the floor panting for breath.

"Jesus Dean," she said stepping over him and kneeling next to him as Sam rushed over as well. Dean's eyes were open and they found her face.

"I guess…I'm not as…fine as…I thought…" he said haltingly between breaths. She looked up at Sam, his face was echoing her feelings. Together Sam and Andy managed to get Dean on the bed. Andy laid an hand on his forehead. Dean had closed his eyes and didn't open them.

"Shit," Andy said quietly.

"What?" Sam asked.

"His fever's still rising,"

"What? How can you tell?"

"I'm not positive. Sam do you have a thermometer?" He thought for a moment.

"I think there might be one in the med kit in the car. I'll be right back." Sam left. She looked back at Dean. He was so pale. Dark circles under his eyes. She took his hand. He opened his eyes.

"Andy?" he breathed. There was fear in his voice.

"Hey Dean, I'm right here."

"Are you ok?" His eyes were glassy, and he was looking at her concerned.

"What? Yea sweetheart I'm fine,"

"You were, you were hurt. You called for help. But you're ok?" Andy was confused but she played along.

"Yea Dean I'm fine, you saved me, but now you need help. So let me help you baby." she said caressing his flushed face. He nodded slowly and closed his eyes. Sam came back with a thermometer and a bottle of Aspirin. Andy took the thermometer and stuck it in Dean's mouth. It beeped a minute later. "104.2, damn it."

"Is he ok, what's wrong?"

"Sammy, he needs a hospital. His fever is way too high. He's delirious." Dean's eyes flashed open.

"No. No hospitals!" Dean said fervently. Andy looked down at him.

"Seriously Dean - "

"Andy," Dean choked out "No h-hospitals!" Andy closed her eyes. She had forgotten how stubborn and afraid of hospitals Dean could be. Sam had started pacing muttering to himself about whether to risk taking Dean to a hospital.

"Andy, what do we do?" Sam asked her with tears in his voice.

"First Sam, you need to calm down. He isn't in any danger at the moment. All we can do right now is ride it out, hope his fever breaks soon." she said looking down at her sweet green eyed boy. A thought flashed across her mind. 'It's not time for that. If he gets worse, then it might be.'

It was a rough night for all of them. Dean would wake up panicked about something or other and try to go racing off to kill something or rescue someone. It was all Sam and Andy could do to keep him in bed. When he slept, he slept restlessly. He moaned and cried out. Sam sent Andy to her own room around midnight. She was so exhausted that she didn't argue. Around 4am she went back. Sam was sitting in a chair next to Dean's bed. He looked up at Andy when she came in."How is he?" she asked.

"Not much better, but not worse as far as I can tell." Andy looked at Dean. His hair was limp from sweat, he was still death white and he was trembling. She looked at Sam. He had his head in one hand and was fighting a losing battle to keep his eyes open.

"Sammy, why don't you go and get some sleep in my room. I can sit with him." Sam shook himself and sat up.

"It's ok. I'm good." He rubbed his eyes and blinked rapidly.

"Sam, honey, you look wrecked. Almost look as bad as your brother. You need some sleep. One sick Winchester I can deal with, but both of you would be too much of a handful for this girl." Sam looked up at Andy and gave her a weak smile. He got up stiffly and hugged her after she gave him the key to her room.

"Watch out for him,"

"You know I will," Andy got herself comfortable in the chair. She watched Dean sleep, which under different circumstances he probably would have found creepy. She was buzzing with concern. He was coughing frequently and hard. He would moan slightly after a fit, which told her that he was in some pain. She reached out and took his hand. She wished she had the courage to tell him. The boy she had loved for almost as long as she had been in this world. He was sick, and vulnerable, and she couldn't help but wonder what could go wrong.

"Dean?" He shifted and opened his eyes. His eyes were glassy and unfocused.

"Andy? What's going on?"

"I just wanted to ply you with more drugs. Sit up for me?" Dean struggled his face creased with pain to sit up. Andy helped him to get as comfortable as possible. She got up and grabbed a glass of water and some aspirin. Dean had started to cough. He was bent double, fist pressed to his mouth. Andy put the water down and began to rub his back soothingly. It took a long time for him to come down, by the time he had he was gasping for breath.

"Breathe Dean, breathe."

"Doin…my best…Andy."

"Here," she handed him the glass of water and aspirin. He took them both gratefully.

"Thanks," he breathed. Andy smiled at him. She took a cool cloth and passed it over his face and neck. Dean moaned. "That feels stupidly good," he said slightly slurred.

"Glad to help," she wiped the sticky sweat off Dean's upper body. When she was done Andy helped him lie back down. It seemed like he fell back to sleep in moments. Andy sighed. She hated seeing the man she loved so sick and weak. She got up to make herself some tea. Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed her arm. She looked down and saw Dean looking at her wide eyed.

"Don't leave. Please," he said almost fearfully.

"I'm not going anywhere Dean." she said and sat back down on the bed. Dean let go of her arm and pushed himself up in bed. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. Andy looked at his pale face concerned. "Dean, what's wrong?" He swallowed and looked away from her.

"I…I don't…" He couldn't seem to get the words out. Andy touched his face turning it so that he would look at her again.

"Dean, you can say anything to me." He gazed at her for a long moment with his fever bright eyes.

"Andy…I…I want you to know, how I feel. In case…" Andy's eyes popped.

"Dean, there is no in case. You are going to be fine."

"Andy, please. Just let me get this out." She was quiet. "I want you to know, how much I care about you. I think I fell for you the day we met, and I have never felt that way about anyone since." Andy swallowed back the tears that had risen in her throat. "I figured it was time that I stopped worrying about what you might think and just get it out there." Andy was quiet. She thought that if she tried to speak she would lose the battle against her tears. Dean watched her, his face going from hopeful to crestfallen to embarrassed. "Please say something so I don't feel like a complete fool." Andy couldn't help but laugh, her voice cracking through the tightness in her throat.

"Dean, you are always a fool." she said smiling at him. He grinned sadly back at her. "But you are a fool that I fell for years ago and was afraid to tell you." Dean's face lit up and Andy laughed again at the drastic change. One tear had managed to escape. Dean brushed it away with his thumb and caressed Andy's face. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Dean's neck.

"We are both fools for not letting this out earlier," she said.

"Too true," Dean replied chuckling. His chuckles turned into coughs, which turned into deep wracking barks. Andy pulled away from Dean and placed a hand on his back. Her joyful mood swung to gut wrenching concern as she watched Dean desperately try to catch his breath. When the coughs finally stopped Andy kissed Dean's forehead.

"Time for you to go back to sleep. Need you to heal up."

"You bet," Dean said rasping. He settled down on the bed and was soon dead to the world. She sat just watching over him that night, floating on clouds of ecstasy.