A/N: Since I wasn't able to post last week, am giving you guys another chapter to read. Enjoy... NC

Chapter 15

The more Dean searched, the more wreckage he found scattered throughout the forest. When he discovered the front portion of the fuselage, he carefully made his way inside to look around. The pilot was dead still strapped in his seat. He still hadn't found the passenger but there was no way he could have survived the crash. He sighed heavily and continued his search.

Sharp and sheered metal made it look like someone opened the plane with a can opener. He started throwing things out of the way as he searched for the case. Luck was on his side because when he tossed a ripped-out seat out of the way, he spotted the case wedged under it.

"Yahtzee," Dean mumbled as he jerked and pried it loose. "What is so important in this thing?" He stepped from the wreck and picked up a piece of sharp metal to pry the case open. Cushioned inside it was a black, velvet drawstring bag. "Damn!" he gasped after looking in the bag. Retying the bag, he stuffed it in the side pocket of his cargo pants for safe keeping making sure the pocket was secure.

Now that he had what Crowley wanted, Dean started working on a plan to get rid of the goon waiting on him at the bottom of the cliff. He hurried back to the edge and looked up and down it until he spotted what he wanted. Very carefully, Dean started loosening small rocks from around a large group of boulders intending on starting a rockslide. Once he had the boulders ready, he took his rope and anchored it to a tree so he could quickly rappel down.

Deciding to use the case as a distraction, Dean tossed it over the edge hoping it would lure the goon to the right spot. He waited for a couple of minutes to give the goon time to go after the case. He removed the last rock holding the boulders in place. It happened quickly as the rocks and boulders slid over the edge to fall to the ground below.

As soon as the rockslide started, Dean threw the rope over the edge and speedily jumped his way to the bottom. He looked around as the dust started settling, hoping some of those rocks hit the goon, taking him out. Dean didn't see anything at first, until he moved closer to a large mound of rubble and boulders. The goon was unconscious, with rocks and debris laying on him.

Not wasting any time, Dean disarmed him and checked his injuries before tying him up. He dumped the goon's pack, only leaving a power bar and couple bottles of water beside him. No way was he wasting time trying to free him since he didn't have any life-threatening injuries. He would leave his rescue to the cops once he freed Sammy.

Dean found his pack and jogged back into the forest going a different route that was shorter than the way he had led the goon to this place. This trek would cut his time in half on getting back to Sammy. He was moving fast and only stopped for a moment here and there to check his compass before continuing.

spn

"Where are they going?" John questioned as he followed Asa's directions toward his sons.

"I think they're heading into the mountains. I don't know how much longer we'll be able to pick up the signal," Asa replied.

"Call Charlie on the sat phone and have her check this area out and see if there's something around here."

"On it." Asa speed dialed Charlie's number and waited for her to answer.

"It's your dime," Charlie answered.

"Hey Charlie. Are you still tracking us?"

"Of course, what do you need?"

"Is there anything around this area that these kidnappers might be heading to?"

"Hold on…" Charlie began to type furiously on her laptop looking at screens and switching search engines. "Okay, the only thing I've found the way they were heading are logging roads. They weave throughout the mountains there. I'll send you a basic map."

"Thanks Charlie. We'll get back in touch when we know anything."

"Be careful guys."

"Good thing we brought the 4x4 if we're having to traverse those types of roads," Asa commented. He looked at the photo Charlie sent him and then up at the scenery as John turned off the road onto the beginning of the logging roads. "Hey, check that out, see those tracks? They look fresh," he pointed to the dirt road ahead of him.

"Yeah, I'm thinking it must be the kidnappers. I don't think anyone else would be up here. Hopefully all we need to do is follow them up the mountain. We'll need to be careful and stop before they can hear us."

"We lost the signal; they must be out of tracking range now."

"Once we get a little higher, I'll send the dogs out and see if they can pick up the boys' scents."

"Good idea. By this map it's about twelve miles to the crest and where the logging roads end."

"Alright, let's keep a sharp eye out and see if the tracks veer off this main road anywhere along the way."

"Will do."

John tried to steer around the worst of the potholes and washed-out places as he climbed higher into the mountains. He kept a close eye on the odometer deciding he would stop a couple of miles from the top, and they would hike the rest of the way to be sure no one heard them coming.

spn

After pulling their vehicle off the road, John and Asa got out, letting the dogs out too. They got their packs and John let Fred and Barney sniff a couple of shirts that Dean and Sam had worn so they would have their scents.

"Alright boys, search. Do it quietly," John instructed the two dogs. He watched them quickly sniff around before taking off up the road. "Let's go Asa. I have a feeling we're close."

"Yeah, I have it too," Asa agreed as they started to jog along the side of the dirt road.

The dogs stayed within their sight as they led them toward the top, ever sniffing and weaving from side to side on the road. The rescuers moved ahead cautiously in case there were any guards posted along the way. John and Asa kept a steady pace and as they rounded a sharp curve, they saw the sun glinting off a vehicle window and quickly dropped to the ground. John could see the dogs slinking through the weeds and brush as they got closer.

"Must be them," John whispered motioning for Asa to follow him into the shrubs and overgrowth that had come up since the logging had stopped. When they were close enough, John studied the scene, frowning as he tried to determine what they were doing. He saw Sam sitting on the ground, leaning against a 4x4, two guards nearby, and a third man sipping on a drink under a tent. He seemed to be the one in charge. He couldn't see his eldest son anywhere and wondered what had happened to him.

The dogs were easing closer to their prey and watched being patient and waiting for the signal. They were not trained as attack dogs, but seemed to know their partners was in danger and would defend them.

"Don't you think your brother should have been back by now?" Crowley questioned looking at his watch and then glancing along the tree line for any movement.

"I don't know. Depends on how far he had to hike and the terrain out there," Sam shrugged. "Have you ever tried to traverse a ravine or fight your way through underbrush?"

"I'm not liking this, something feels wrong," he continued. He nodded to a henchman who stood alert waiting for the command. "Let's get rid of the excess baggage."

Sam quickly stood and started to back away as the henchman pulled his gun and smiled evilly at Sam as he took aim. He knew he couldn't flee and get shot in the back. His mind was racing as he stared down the barrel of the gun.

"No, no," Sam started holding up his hands. "You had a deal with my brother."

"I lied," Crowley shrugged.

The world suddenly exploded around Sam so fast he didn't have time to react. Just as the henchman was pulling the trigger, a hundred pounds of sheer muscle hit him in the chest and clamped down on his arm with strong jaws, throwing his aim off. The gun went off and Sam fell to the ground, crying out in pain. Another hundred pounds of muscle grabbed the henchman's other arm to pin him down.

"What the hell!" the other guard exclaimed as he pulled his gun to fire at the dogs. Before he could get a shot off, John barreled into him sending them both to the ground. They rolled around until John landed two hard punches to the guard's face knocking him out.

Crowley was on his feet and hurried toward a vehicle to get away. As he stepped from under the tent, Dean ran from the forest zeroing in on the boss and firing the stolen gun. Crowley stumbled feeling a bullet hit him, but he got the door open and scrambled inside. Dean continued to shoot, shattering windows and poking holes in the doors as Crowley stomped on the gas sending mud, rocks, and debris flying out behind him. Dean shielded his face to avoid getting injured.

"Sammy!" Dean yelled quickly looking around and spotted him on the ground, trying to sit up. He saw blood seeping between his fingers that were grasping his upper arm. He ran to his brother and squatted beside him. "How bad is it?"

"Hurts like a bitch, but I don't think it's too bad," Sam grimaced as he clenched his jaw in pain.

"Let's get you in a chair and I'll check it out. Dad, Asa, good to see you guys," he called to them as he helped Sam stand.

"Couldn't let you have all the fun," Asa grinned snapping his fingers to Fred and Barney to let go. He grabbed a hand full of shirt jerking the bad guy forward before delivering a strong punch to the face knocking him out. He tied up both of the bad guys while John went to check on his boys.

"Are you boys okay?" John asked as he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Fred and Barney were prancing and whining as they circled the brothers, butting and smelling them, happy to see them. Sam patted them with his good hand and looked up at their father with grateful eyes. He was trying to hide how much pain he was really in so not to worry anyone.

"Asa, see if one of those guys has the key to these cuffs," Dean told Asa once he saw the cuffs were still on Sam.

"Okay." Asa knelt at the first bad guy and patted his pockets not coming up with anything. He moved to the second one and found a key in his shirt pocket. "Let me," Asa said. He stepped to Sam and used the key to take the cuffs off his wrists.

"Hold still while I look at your arm," Dean ordered Sam as he grabbed the bottom of his shirt sleeve and ripped it to the shoulder. After wiping away the excess blood, Dean saw the wound was a through and through. "The bullet didn't hit the bone so that's good. Dad, can I see your knife?"

"Sure son," John replied pulling out his knife and handing it to him. He watched Dean cut the sleeve off and quickly cinched it around the bullet wound to slow the flow of blood.

"What did these creeps want with you guys?" Asa asked.

Before Dean could answer, a loud thumping noise drew their attention toward the sky. A large helicopter suddenly flew into view and circled the area before landing on the road below them. US Marshals disembarked from the side doors with guns ready as they ran toward them. The dogs went on alert and positioned themselves between these new foes and their family.

"Fred, Barney, stand down," John ordered them snapping his fingers. The dogs moved to the brothers' sides and stayed there, eyeing the new arrivals closely.

"Mr. Winchester," Marshal Mills huffed looking around at the mess. "Why am I not surprised."

"Marshal Mills, glad you could join us," John replied in an easy voice.

"You should have contacted us before storming in here. Where's Crowley?"

"Gone. He took off when the shooting started."

"I think I winged him," Dean butted in. "Oh, and there's another asshole about four miles into the forest due east. He's alive but pinned under some rocks."

"I take it that was your doing?" Marshal Mills questioned.

Dean didn't answer, just shrugged innocently as he finished wrapping Sam's arm.

"Benny, take a couple of guys and go find him," she ordered.

"You got it," Benny replied looking at Dean and giving him a wink and smile of approval before heading off into the forest.

"Does your son need medical attention?"

"Do you have a first aid kit?" Dean asked. "I can take care of him myself."

"Barker, get him the first aid kit."

"Yes Boss," one of the guys replied before jogging back to the helicopter. He brought back a kit and handed it to Dean.

"Thanks," Dean nodded sitting it on the table and opening it. After taking off his makeshift bandage, he prepared to doctor it. He got out alcohol and gauze to clean the gunshot wound. "This is going to sting," he warned Sam before pouring the alcohol over his upper arm.

"Holy crap!" Sam hissed as he tried to pull his arm loose from Dean's strong grip.

"Don't be such a baby, you've had worse," Dean snipped. He wiped away the blood and liquid before pressing thick pads on the front and back of Sam's arm and wrapping it with gauze. "All done," Dean huffed taping the gauze in place. He handed the kit back to the marshal with his thanks.

"I'll get an APB out on Crowley and get roadblocks set up. Maybe we can catch him before he leaves the area."

"I doubt it," Sam spoke up. "He's too crafty to be caught that easily."

"Oh, and agent," Dean called to Jody as she started to walk away making her stop and turn. "You might want these." Dean pulled the black bag from his pants pocket and held it out to her. "I think this is what Crowley wanted."

Jody accepted the bag and opened it to pour diamonds into the palm of her hand. They sparkled and glittered in the bright sunlight, making everyone stop for a moment as they stared at them.

"Thank you, young man. You just saved a lot of lives." She put the stones back in the bag and stuffed it into her pocket. "Do you guys need a lift?"

"This one still has keys in it," Asa offered looking into vehicle.

"We're good Marshal Mills," John told her. "I just want to get my boys out of here and home to their mom."

"I'll need to talk to them and get statements before you leave the area. Why don't you let me get you guys a couple of rooms at a motel in town for the night and we can finish this up tomorrow. You can have your son's injury looked at and get some rest."

"Sure, why not," John huffed. He felt like he was running on empty and could use the rest before heading back to Kansas and have Sam's arm looked at.

"I'll send you the info when it's set up. Why don't you get your sons out of here Mr. Winchester."

"Thanks, we'll do that. Come on boys, let's go."

Dean helped Sam to stand, and they made their way to the 4x4 to get in the back. The dogs jumped in with them and John got behind the wheel and Asa slipped into the passenger seat. They headed down the logging road to their vehicle. Asa was going to drive it back to the nearby town. Asa gave Dean his sat phone to call Mary and Charlie to let them know they were okay and safe.

"Hello," Mary answered her cell on the first ring.

"Hi Mom," Dean said in a warm voice.

"Oh Dean, I'm so happy to hear your voice. Are you okay? Is Sam okay?"

"I'm fine, but Sammy didn't dodge fast enough and got shot, but it's not serious. We'll get it looked at."

"What! How bad is he hurt?" she exclaimed.

"It's only a flesh wound in the bicep. He'll live."

"Your Dad and Asa, are they alright?"

"Yes, to both. Here, talk to Dad." Dean handed John the phone a sat back in the seat letting his body slowly come down from the adrenaline rush.

"Hi honey. Everything is fine."

"I'm so relieved," Mary cried. "Are you heading home?"

"The FBI need us to stay another day to give statements so they're putting us up at a motel in town. After that we're heading home."

"Did they catch the persons who kidnapped our sons?"

"All but the boss; he got away, but they've got an APB out on him."

"Will you be safe with him still at large?"

"Yeah, he was wounded so I don't think he'll be a threat. He'll be more concerned with getting away."

"Hurry home sweetheart."

"We'll be on the road as soon as we can babe. I love you."

"I love you too and tell the boys I love them."

"Will do, bye." John hung up and handed the phone back to Asa. "Your mom says she loves you," he said to Dean and Sam.

"We know Dad," Dean nodded.

"We do," Sam mumbled. He winced when he moved his arm and settled back with Barney half laying over his lap. Barney looked up at him and licked his hand. Sam smiled and rubbed his head. "Thanks guys, you saved my life." He reached over and petted Fred who was half laying in Dean's lap.

"They did good," Dean said. "When we get home I'm cooking them a couple of steaks."

"Amen to that," Sam agreed.

A/N: Thank you for coming along for the ride and thank you to any guests who left reviews. I do like reviews/comments. NC