Chapter 1

Sam couldn't believe this. They had searched for their father for months and just let him go. Deep down he knew Dean was right. Their father was vulnerable when they were around, but it didn't stop Sam from feeling they should stick together. The youngest Winchester touched his cheek and hissed. The deva left deep scratches running down his right cheek. His father had been in worse condition and Sam was worried. He also knew the devas did a number on his brother, but knew Dean would never complain.

Sam glanced towards Dean. The dashboard instruments eerily illuminated his brother's face. The meager light didn't help him determine how bad his brother was injured. He was about to say something when Dean pulled off to the side of the road. The older Winchester put the car in park and cut the engine.

"What?" Sam asked.

There was no reply as Dean slumped towards his brother.

"Dean!"

Sam grabbed his brother's shoulders and eased him down on the seat. The interior of the car was pitch black forcing Sam to open the door in order to turn on the overhead light. That's when he noticed the blood covering Dean's shirt and pants.

"Jerk," Sam muttered as he lifted the bloody shirt.

Three deep scratches ran from below his brother's left rib cage over his abdomen ending by his right hip. Sam bit his lip as he pulled the shirt up higher to reveal three more gashes from Dean's left shoulder and across his ribs to the right. The young hunter cursed as he grabbed the keys. He needed to get the first aid kit out of the trunk.

The trunk opened and Sam pushed the duffels out of the way to get the kit. The slamming of the trunk was loud along the deserted road. Sam dropped the kit on the floor boards then pulled his brother towards him, laying him as flat as he could.

Bandaging the wounds proved to be a challenge as Sam wrapped the pressure bandages around his brother. The wounds needed suturing, but that would have to wait until they got to a hotel. When he was finished Sam pulled his brother into a seated position then closed the door. The driver's side door creaked as it was pulled open. Once inside the car the younger hunter eased his brother down on the seat with his head in his lap. The car rumbled to life as Sam turned the key.

"Shit!" Sam cursed when he realized he had no idea where they were.

Sam pulled onto the road hoping there was a town not too far ahead. Thirty minutes later a sign appeared welcoming travelers to Contention. A few miles more and a motel could be seen up ahead. Sam pulled the car in front of the office for the Shady Rest motel. An old man looked up from the desk in the office. The younger Winchester climbed out of the car and walked inside.

"I need a room," Sam said.

"One bed or two?"

"Two," Sam replied, pulling out a credit card and dropping it on the counter.

"Anything else I can get you Mr…" The old man squinted at the name. "Manilow."

"Extra towels," Sam sighed as the clerk walked away.

Dean thought it would be funny to get Sam a credit card in the name of Barney Manilow seeing how Sam hated the mullet rock names.

"Nasty cuts you have there," the old man replied as he handed Sam the towels.

"Bar fight," Sam replied, taking the towels. "Broken bottle."

He was sure the old man believed him as he signed the credit card slip then left. As he climbed back in the car he noticed the old man watching as he pulled the car in front of room fourteen. Dean was still unconscious and Sam left him in the car as he took the first aid kit and the duffels into the room. When that was taken care of Sam left the door open and went back to get his brother. The old man was still watching as he opened the passenger door. Getting Dean inside was going to tough. His brother was shorter than him, but Dean was all muscle and out weighed him at least twenty pounds. Sam grunted as he got the other hunter over his shoulder and stood up. Inside the room Sam put his brother in the bed closest to the door. The springs squeaked in protest as Dean's weight taxed the old bed. Sam left to secure the Impala and noticed the old man was no longer watching.

Sam wasn't looking forward to what he had to do next as he headed back to the room. Patching up his brother wasn't something the youngest Winchester enjoyed. First, he had to get his brother undressed. The boots and jeans came off easy. The leather belt had kept Dean from being eviscerated by the deva . Sam rolled his brother on his side and pulled off his leather jacket. Grimly Sam dragged the first aid kit closer. Opening it revealed bandages, suture kits and a clear squeeze bottle of liquid containing water mixed with peroxide and holy water. Sam took the water out along with the suture kit and some gauze pads. The extra towels were lined up along Dean's side to catch the excess water. Sam took a deep breath as he squeezed the bottle, allowing a stream of water to hit the claw marks. The reaction was instantaneous. Dean started screaming as smoke rose from the wounds. The younger man dropped the bottle as he clamped a hand over Dean's mouth.

"God, I'm sorry,"" Sam cried as his brother painfully gripped his forearm.

The smoke slowly dissipated as a shaken Sam removed his hand. Dean squeezed his eyes shut tight riding out the pain.

"Dean," Sam tentatively called.

"Son of a bitch!" Dean ground through clenched teeth.

Sam picked up the bottle watching his brother. Dean finally opened his eyes and looked at him.

"What the hell happened?"

"You passed out," Sam said angrily. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because we had to get away," Dean answered. He raised his head and looked at the damage. "Shit."

"I have to clean these," the younger hunter said. "They need stitches too."

"Just give me something to bite down on."

Sam nodded, handing his brother a washcloth. Dean gripped it between his teeth and nodded. The younger Winchester took a deep breath and poured the water again. Dean's muffled cries tore at Sam as the holy water hit the open cuts. The younger Winchester poured more over the wounds causing Dean to arch off the bed. There was no way Sam could cause his brother to suffer. Sam stood next to the bed and lashed out, punching Dean in the jaw. His brother went limp on impact.

"I'm sorry," Sam said. He took the rag out of his brother's mouth as he gently straightened Dean's head on the pillow.

An hour later Sam placed the last piece of tape over the gauze covering the cuts on his brother's chest. He pulled the covers over his older brother with shaking hands. That had to be the worst thing he ever had to do. Sam went into the bathroom and started the shower. The water was hot and he adjusted it to a more tolerable level. When the water was just right Sam stripped out of his clothes and stepped in. The hot water loosened his tight muscles. The cuts on his face stung as the shower spray hit them. He pulled the curtain back and grabbed the holy water off the counter. Steeling himself with a deep breath he poured the holy water over his own cuts.

"Shit!" Sam cursed. The pain was incredible and he sympathized with his brother.

When the pain lessened he poured more over the cuts. It didn't hurt as much the second time. When he was satisfied the cuts were clean, he turned off the shower and stepped out. He dried off wrapping a towel around his waist. The mirror was fogged and Sam reached up, wiping it off. The cuts were still bleeding and he grabbed the first aid kit. Butterfly bandages would have to do since he wasn't about to try to stitch himself. When he was finished he stumbled back to the room and over to the window. The sun was rising as Sam put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the knob and closed the door. He checked his brother to find him sleeping. The young hunter crashed on the next bed and remembered no more.