With The Coming of the Dawn

Summary

The hunters become the hunted when a creature stalks a remote community, and one of the brothers has a choice to make. Will both brothers survive the hunt and the decision of the other?

Disclaimer-

Who checks this? I mean really, can I get the job checking every SN fanfic chapter to see if it has a disclaimer? So, for the lucky devil who has the hardship of doing this…nope I do not own anything SN, it's all Kripke's, but if he ever needs any help….

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay in posting- had a bit of a crisis in confidence, kept scrapping, then re-writing, then scrapping, then a brief period of 'I can't do this!'… But couldn't leave it hanging there so…

Well, my friends, at last we have come to the end….or do we?

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Chapter 23

Dean walked quietly into the surgical ward of Mercy Hospital. His brother was still out of it, curled in his bed. He smiled affectionately - the kid could never lie straight. Funny how no matter how out of it they were, they always slept facing the door. Well maybe more sad than funny really.

He approached the bed and looked down at his brother, pale and vulnerable and far too young for what life had already thrown at him. Life, death, the afterlife…man we're screwed, Dean thought with a sigh, we could end up with a complex if we're not careful.

The surgery to remove the claws had gone successfully and Sam's chest and shoulder were now swathed in crisp white bandages. His mop of dark hair seemed to emphasise the dark circles beneath his brothers' eyes.

Dean knew that physically his brother would be fine but emotionally, mentally he was far from it. The lasting wounds the Demon had inflicted were bloodless but deep- Sam had been hurt in his soul. Dean had no idea how you healed that kind of injury – he could only do what he had been doing all of his life, watch over his brother and to be there when needed. Oh, and to hunt those sons of bitches that had hurt his brother down and make them pay…

He dragged an uncomfortable plastic hospital chair across next to the bed and settled down to wait – Sam whimpered. Dean leaned forward "Shh Sammy, it's ok."

Sam's face twisted in pain and confusion, still struggling to return from his drug-induced sleep. "De." He whispered quietly, his voice a broken echo of the original.

"It's ok Sam- I'm here." His brother spoke softly and with the exception of his brother anyone who knew him would have been surprised at the gentleness. He reached one hand and grasped Sam's, his thumb carefully brushing across the back of Sam's hand in small, light circles, unconsciously mimicking how he used to soothe Sam as a baby.. With the other he gently stroked Sam's brow, smoothing away the lines of pain. I came so very close to losing you this time Sammy, he thought to himself. His brother quietened beneath his brother's touch and settled. Dean blinked rapidly; damn hospital air conditioning always messes with my eyes. He would have done anything to spare Sam the last few days, hell the last 23 years for that matter. And now he had to protect him from their own father?

"I'll not let anything hurt you Sam, you know that don't you? So if that's why you're taking your sweet time waking up kiddo, there's nothing to worry about. I told you nothing bad's gonna happen to you. I won't allow it."

Sam stirred, his eyes fluttering open, searching for his brother. His eyes were so lost, so bereft and hurt that it stole Dean's breath away.

"Hey Sam." His hand unconsciously tightening on his brothers. Sam would be ok, anything else was unacceptable.

"De?" Sam's voice was slurred and groggy from the anaesthetic.

"I'm here Sammy."

"You ok?"

"OK Sam? OK doesn't do me justice – you know that!" He was determined at least for now to divert Sam's attention away from his hurts, both physical and emotional. "How you feeling?"

"Like a pin-cushion Dean" Sam grumbled, peeking at his brother through half open eyes.

"I always knew we shouldn't let you play with anything sharp" A smile tugged at Sam's lips at his brother's familiar insults.

"You promise you're ok" Sam refused to be diverted till he knew his brother was safe.

"I'm not the one who is trying for the part of a mummy Sam."

Sam smiled sleepily, "hmm? Shame – gagging you would be good."

"I'm really not into the whole bondage scene Sam."

"Yeah right, that's why you are so adept at picking handcuffs with paperclips dude."

Sam was definitely spending far too much time with his brother, the elder hunter smirked almost proudly. God it was good to have his brother back with him.

The younger Winchester closed his eyes drowsily before speaking up again "Has Dad gone?"

Dean sighed; he had hoped to avoid that conversation for now. "Yes". He was surprised by the look of relief that passed across his brother's face.

"Where'd he go?"

"He said he was looking up an old contact." This time there was no mistaking the flicker of fear in Sam's eyes.

"How old a contact?" Sam asked before he could stop himself, his heart beating faster.

Dean looked sharply at his brother at Sam's strange question. "Spill it Sam – what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Classic Sammy hedging.

"There's something you're hiding from me Sammy. You never could lie to me worth a damn."

It was true; the youngest Winchester was lousy at lying to his brother, mainly because his heart was never in it.

"What do you remember about what happened De?" He asked randomly. It was a symptom of Sam's state of mind that he was reverting to his childhood nickname of his brother.

Jesus, what could he forget? The sounds of Sam screaming and the smell of burning flesh would haunt him for the rest of his life. The memory of his brother pleading that he had to let him go, that he deserved to die, his resolve that Dean would actually be better off without him- all of it was firmly etched in Dean's mind. Every time he closed his eyes the images rose up to accuse him of how badly he had failed to protect his brother.

"Enough" Dean said harshly, he did not want to have this conversation.

"The Demon. I think we can safely say that it is definitely after me."

"What do you expect growing your hair long like that – of course the guys will chase you."

Sam wasn't going to let Dean change the subject. "I'm serious Dean"

"So am I Sam – its not gonna happen. So forget about it." Dean voice was hard and uncompromising.

"You should leave bro - get as far away from me as possible."

"We're not going down this road again dude, I thought I made that clear."

"You did but…" How could Sam say anything without revealing their Dad's bargain? He wanted to say, I don't want you to see Dad hand me over, I don't want you to see me possessed or die burning. I need to know you'll be ok, it's the only way I can cope with this.

"But what Sam?" A hint if anger laced through the older hunter's words. What else is there? Oh yeah, apart from the fact that Dad betrayed us and the only other person you have let yourself become remotely close to went up in flames just a few hours ago.

"It's killing those that I care about Dean, and that makes you their number one target!"

"If it wanted to kill me Sam, it could have done it any number of times before now."

Dean hated to admit it but it was true. The fact that it had left him alive brought him to the inescapable conclusion that it either did not consider him a threat, or that it had some other plan for him, which didn't exactly fill him with confidence.

"Sam what was in that vision? The one after you saw Elsie?"

Sam turned his face away – "It was the same vision."

Liar - Dean couldn't believe his brother sometimes. "Fine keep your secrets for now Sam but this is not over."

There was a clearing of a throat at the doorway and Missouri stood scowling at the two Winchester brothers.

"If you boys don't play nice, you'll get a spanking. Don't think I won't do it either just because you're supposedly all grown up! And don't even think about smart-mouthing me boy or I'll wash it out with soap." That comment was aimed at Dean who couldn't resist a leer at the spanking comment. Sam snickered and Missouri turned. "And you better watch yourself too boy. Don't think that just because you're in hospital means you'll get away with any foolish behaviour! That brother of yours is trying to help you, it's about time you let him!"

"Sorry Missouri." Both boys muttered contritely, both peeking up at her from lowered eyes. Dean's mouth was twitching, his eyes sparkling, and Sam looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. She shook her head, these boys must have been one hell of a handful growing up, she pitied anyone who got in the way of these two when they were playing up, which surely was often.

"And you should be especially nice since I have a present for you."

"Present?" Both brothers faces lit up, they may be grown men but they looked like a pair of kids at Christmas. She waved a set of keys at them.

"Unless of course, you want me to keep a certain black car I stumbled across?"

"You found her? Missouri I could kiss you!" Dean's face had broken into a beaming smile. He snatched the car keys from her hand and enveloped her in a bear hug.

"Careful Dean, frail old woman here!"

"Frail my ar…. um, I mean you're not frail!"

Sam's face was also glowing. The Impala was not just a car to him and Dean anymore – it was home.

"Thanks Missouri. Where did you find it?"

"It was in Danny's garage. He must have taken it that day when Dean was at the Mill."

Sam's face clouded at the mention of Danny. Missouri picked up on it straight away. "You had no choice Sam; he had murdered at least 15 people that we know of. Had you released him he would have killed all of us."

"But he was defenceless!"

"Like hell was he Sam, he had 5 knives on each hand!" Dean snapped out.

"Who was the other creature, did we ever find out?"

Missouri shook her head, "We don't know yet, there have been a few people disappearing around here since the other demon was destroyed. Hard to tell who were the victims and who were the monsters. But none of the creatures were innocents Sam; they went into their bargains with their eyes wide open." Both brothers flinched at the word "bargain" damn…

"I have another gift for you boys. One not so easy to take I think" The brothers looked at her confused. She sighed, "Elsie changed her will a couple of days before she died, and you and Dean were listed as the only beneficiaries. She herself had inherited a fairly large sum of money some years ago which she has bequeathed to you as well as some land and property. The details are in this letter. I was named executor of her will." She handed a letter to Sam.

Sam pushed the letter away. "No". He turned his face to stare out the window, his expressive eyes pain-filled and haunted.

"Sam"

"Look I'm tired. Can't this wait?" Sam pleaded. Oh god Elsie, I'm so sorry I brought this down on you. His and Dean's banter had been a welcome diversion, keeping him dwelling on the thoughts that crept back.

Missouri sighed – Sam didn't want to face things now but she knew that the longer she gave Sam to stew on this, the firmer his conviction would be that he was to blame for Elsie's death, and he had already accepted too much guilt that should be at the feet of the monster that haunted him and his family.

A wave of vertigo assaulted her senses, renewing her resolve. A voice whispered to her, a fragment of a thought. They mask their pain and fear behind a charade of banter and familiar humour; each believing they are protecting the other. What neither realise is that the distance they are trying to enforce in order to shield the other from truths they feel would cause pain, will create a subtle weakness. A tiny crack in the bond they share. A crack that if not mended could fracture and eventually shatter. You must not allow this.

Dean had been watching his brother; he knew what he was thinking and damned if was going to allow Sam to beat himself up with anything else. "Sam? Sammy, look at me." Sam continued to look out of the window, his eyes suspiciously bright.

"Please Dean, leave me alone"

"Not going to happen little brother" Dean reached out his had and gently turned Sam's face to look up at him. Tears spilled from Sam's eyes and Dean absent-mindedly brushed them away with his thumb. "None of this was ever your fault Sam, you have to believe that." He tried to pour every ounce of his belief in his brother into his gaze. Please Sammy, believe me…

He didn't care if Missouri was watching, like hell was he going to allow Sam to shoulder this burden.

"Your brother's right Sam."

Dean took the letter from Missouri's hand. "The least we can do is hear what Elsie has to say, don't you think?"

Sam reluctantly took the letter, it wasn't as if he could ever refuse his big brother, and opened the envelope and began to read…

Dear Samuel

I am sorry if my death has caused you any more pain than you have already suffered. But you need to know this - this was always going to happen. I have known for many years that my end always lay at the hands of a Demon. My family has a history of psychic ability. My mother was gifted as was my grandfather. Unfortunately it is a simple fact of life that these gifts attract attention. Do not allow the demons of this world to destroy what you and your brother have. Your spirits shine so brightly, and we need that light to stave off the darkness that is fast approaching. Remember to believe in and trust one another. Guard your souls - unfortunately there will be others that will try to steal them.

Samuel, you must stop blaming yourself for those actions carried out by others. We are ultimately only responsible for ourselves, and answerable only for our own actions. Remember to take care of your brother; he needs you as much as you need him.

Dean, you need to place more value in yourself. You have an important role to play as does your brother, and he will need your strength before the end. And Dean - emotions do not need to be salted and burned…

I do not mean to be all doom and gloom but I sense that my time is finally coming to a close. What I wanted to really say is that I have no regrets for the two of you coming into my life, I feel that in being a part of this I have somewhat redeemed myself for the loss of my family. I am grateful to have been allowed to be a small part of your lives.

What you do is important so please accept my gifts to you to at least help you with your financial needs.

With my thanks and love

Elsie

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Sam looked up at Missouri, his eyes brimming, not with tears of guilt now but of sorrow and loss. "She didn't need to do this"

"No honey, but she wanted to."

"How did she know that The Demon would kill her?" Dean asked curiously as Sam collected himself. Some of the letter was a bit mystical mumbo jumbo in his opinion, the kind of spiritual crap fortune tellers and new age hippies like to spout. But if it stops Sam blaming himself, he'd go along with it.

"Most psychics know how they will die Dean, some even know when."

"Oh." Dean looked at her questioningly.

"No Dean - I'm not one of them. I know how you'll die though."

"What?" Dean looked startled, Sam suddenly fearful.

"You will one day be far too smart for your own good with a certain psychic who will beat you to death with a wooden spoon." As she intended, the tension in the room lifted.

Dean grinned, chagrined that he had almost fell for it, and his brother smirked across at him.

Looking at the two hunters in front of her, Missouri once again felt her heart catch a little at the thought of what John had had to do to protect his family. We'll protect you Sam, she swore, we are not losing you or Dean without one hell of a fight. Already she and John were calling in every favour owed to them.

A nurse had come in to check Sam's bandages. "We'll wait outside Sam."

Missouri and Dean moved to the hallway to give the nurse some room although Dean made sure his brother remained in sight.

"Dean – we need to talk."

"What about?"

"Your father, your brother, how you are both alive now."

Dean's face twisted in anger. "I already know Missouri."

"You know nothing boy. Shut your fool mouth and listen to someone older and wiser. Your father had no choice, I know this, Sam knows this, and you need to accept it."

"Sam knows? How?"

"Let's just say that Sam is a very accomplished eavesdropper. You were both dying Dean, we couldn't stop it and there was literally only moments left before we lost you both. Your father tried everything, even offered himself to save you boys but the Demon was hell bent on Sam. In the end, your father only agreed in order to gain time to find a way around this. It wasn't the perfect solution but it was the only one that was available to him. We will find away around this Dean, no-one is giving up on Sam, least of all your father."

Dean felt something deep inside him ease a little. He was still angry that his Dad was gambling with his brother's soul but at least he understood his reasoning. Missouri's choice of words came back to him - the Demon was hell bent on Sam.

"It's not fair Missouri, why does everything go after Sam?"

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Sam lay watching the subtle play of emotions across his brother's face. Years of reading his brother had made him an expert on the many faces of Dean. For all of Dean's aversions to chick flick moments, Sam knew just how deep his brother's emotions ran. He thought back on the words spoken by the Demon and knew that he was a danger to his brother. Dean had the whole big brother protectiveness ingrained into him- his devotion to defending his brother would one day cost him his life and Sam knew he could not allow that.

As Dean stood in the hallway of the hospital, his gaze once more travelling to his brother, he felt his eyes begin to burn. Dammit, why can't they just leave him alone? He never even wanted to be involved in this life.

His and Sam's eyes met and for the first time in his life, he realised the enormity of their situation. His brother was a magnet for evil; they were drawn to him like moths to a flame. For every demon or evil they defeated, another seemed to fix its gaze firmly on the young hunter.

Sam will never be safe…

And all Dean could do was stand between him and the oncoming storm…

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Well, hoping this was not too much of a disappointment, please let me know what you think.

Coming soon…That Which We Hold Dear…

also I'm making a stab at a more lighthearted fic - Memory Mine...first chapter should be up this week...

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"Holy procrastinating fic writer Batman"

"Yes she certainly made us wait Robin!"

"At least the good guys won Batman"

"Yes But I feel that something may be afoot"

"Could be the Batskates Batman, - my feet are covered in blisters"

"Shut up Robin"

Evil Fangirl watches Batman and Robin from afar….hahaha- its only beginning….