Chapter 5

Wherever Sam was, it was peaceful. Warm. Soft. Numb. His mouth seemed to be filled with cotton, and his ears, too. He couldn't lift his eyelids, but that was all right. He really didn't want to.

The world seemed to be conspiring against him, though. Figures.

A hand touched his forehead, then pried his eyes open and flashed a painfully bright light into them. He tried to swat the offending hands away, but his arms didn't respond. He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a muffled groan.

"Wake up, kid."

The words were distant, so faint, Sam could barely make them out. The hands returned, squeezing his shoulder gently.

"Sam…"

It took three tries to get his eyelids open, and he immediately closed them again. The light was too much. Another voice joined the first.

"There. Try now, Sam."

Sam complied with the unfamiliar voice's instructions and opened his eyes again. The light was dimmer now. He blinked, trying to clear the blur.

When his recalcitrant eyes finally settled, he found himself face to face with Bobby. A very close, very angry Bobby. Sam frowned. A glance to his right revealed a stranger wearing a white coat. The stethoscope and pocket full of pens told Sam Doctor.

The doctor spoke first. "Sam? Can you hear me? I'm Doctor Pierce."

Sam nodded, eyeing the man carefully.

"I'm going to check you over, all right? It's going to hurt a little, but don't be alarmed."

He wasn't sure how anything painful could pierce the cocoon of warmth and numbness he was enjoying, but Sam didn't argue. He doubted he could have anyway.

The doctor looked him over, working quickly, chattering in soothing tones, describing everything he was doing. Sam ignored him, turning back to Bobby, who was sitting silently, clearly stewing. Anyone who knew him would be looking for some other place to be right then.

Sam certainly was.

The doctor spoke again, wrapping up his examination. "Well, Mister Raimi, you certainly are a lucky man. I don't know many people who come out of cave-ins with so few injuries."

He couldn't hold his tongue at that. Sam coughed a few times to clear his throat. "How— How bad…is it?"

"Shockingly, mostly cuts and bruises. You do have two cracked ribs, however, and one bruised one. No breaks, and it doesn't look like your lungs are in any danger, but I'd like to keep you here under observation for a few days so we can be sure. The more noticeable damage is to your face. We had to stitch the cut, and I'm afraid it will scar, but overall I'd say you were very lucky, Sam. The nurses will bring you some painkillers when you need them." Excusing himself, the doctor left the room.

Sam reviewed everything he'd just heard, turning to Bobby quizzically. "Sam Raimi? I thought I swapped IDs in Syracuse."

The junk dealer didn't reply at first, glancing over his shoulder to be sure they were alone. When he looked back, his face was stony. "I could kick your ass, Sam."

Sam offered a feeble smile. "I think somebody beat you to it."

Bobby's face softened fractionally. "What do you remember?"

That was a challenge. Sam tried to corral his jumbled thoughts into something he could describe. "Uh…the roof collapsed, a priest…there were demons… Dean! Damn it!" Sam struggled to sit up, only to fold backward when his chest erupted in pain.

So close. Oh, God…. He'd lost his brother again. The pain of having Dean snatched out from under his nose hurt worse than the injuries. Sam tried again to sit up, only to gasp when his ribs protested the abuse.

Bobby gripped his shoulders to restrain him. "Calm down! The nurses will sedate you."

The threat got Sam's attention. He forced himself to lie back, sliding his left arm protectively over his torso. It took a moment to catch his breath. Sam looked at Bobby urgently. "Dean. A demon has him. They—"

"They're long gone."

Sam looked up at the new voice. "Father McBride?"

McBride stood just inside the door, watching Sam sadly. "In the abused and sore flesh. I'm sorry, Sam. We tried to stop it, but it got away, with your brother, it looks like—and the book. How are you feeling?"

Like death warmed over. Sam frowned. He was going to need painkillers soon. None of which was important at that moment. "What happened?"

"The cavern was coming down around our ears," McBride explained. "I got you out, but I was afraid I did more damage jerking you around. I found Mr. Singer's number in your wallet and called him when I got you here."

Sam blinked, trying to remember what had happened in the catacombs. "The demons. Father, did the demons escape?" The last thing he had wanted was to unleash another horde of demons on the Earth. They were still fighting the previous army.

"Trapped," McBride supplied.

"How?"

The priest smiled ruefully. "I took your advice. When it was clear you'd gone down into the catacombs and the demons had broken the devil's trap, I used the sprinkler system to bless most of the ground while Father Gunston tried to hold off the intruders."

Sam winced. "I'm sorry about him, Father. I never would have—"

"I know. I…don't condone your actions, Sam, but…I can forgive you for them." McBride tapped his collar. "It's part of the job description."

"Wait." Sam held up a hand, thinking back to the fight. "Hallowed ground wouldn't have been enough to stop them all, not with the trap broken. How…?"

McBride chuckled. "Remember I mentioned the other priest, Father Francis? He's a rather rabid gardener. He spread salt over the ground while I went down and tried to find you."

"Over that whole field?"

The priest nodded. "Let me tell you, I was never so grateful he browbeat me into paying for that automatic seed spreader for the riding lawn mower. Francis used it to scatter salt over that field in just minutes. Unfortunately, the one carrying your brother got out before he could finish."

"But, the rest are trapped? Underground?"

"Yes. I have no idea how we're going to get in and exorcise them, but…they aren't going anywhere any time soon."

Sam took that in, but his thoughts were already circling back to his brother being taken by Mullin. "We have to find Dean," Sam said, looking back at Bobby.

The older man gave him a chastising look. "Sam, we will. But you have to rest."

"Rest?" Sam looked at the man in disbelief. "What—?"

"Were you listening to the doc before, kid? You're banged up nine ways to Sunday. You can't even sit up." Sam tried to protest, but Bobby silenced him. "We will find him, Sam. I promise. I'm gonna make some calls, round up Ellen and a few others. You're gonna need help if you want to go after him."

McBride excused himself. "Get well, Sam. I hope…I hope you find your brother."

Sam stopped him before he reached the door. "Father?"

"Yes, son?"

"I'm really sorry about Father Gunston. If I'd gone with him—"

"Then the demons would have been able to open that gateway with no one to oppose them. You were where you needed to be, Sam." The priest exited without another word.

Bobby watched Sam for a moment, then stood himself. "I'm gonna make those calls. Stay put this time, would you?"

Sam couldn't meet the other man's eyes. "Bobby…I—"

"Don't say you're sorry, son." The junk dealer looked away with a sad expression. "If I'd listened to you, I coulda been there to help. I'm the one who should apologize to you."

"I was so close, Bobby. Dean was right there—he was right there! I almost touched him!" Pounding the bed in frustration, Sam groaned. He could barely move. He had no idea where Mullin had taken his brother. Where would he even start? "What am I gonna do?"

The hunter pursed his lips, a look of certainty on his face. "We are gonna do what you wanted from the beginning. We're gonna go find Dean. Try to sleep some. I'll be back."

Sam nodded reluctantly and watched Bobby leave. He absently reached up and touched the bandages on his cheek and forehead. The wound was just like Samuel's, right down the side of his face.

I'm telling you to let it all go before it's too late.

He frowned at the memory of his dream. It was already too late. Dean needed him. Sam needed Dean.

That was all that mattered anymore.

After a few minutes gathering his strength, he pulled himself up on the bed, put on his best poker face, and buzzed the nurse. When the attractive brunette poked her head in the door, Sam smiled at her.

"Hi. When's the soonest I can fill out the AMA papers?"

End Part Two

A/N - Part 3 will be up probably starting Tuesday, after the holiday. Happy 4th everyone!