Divided They Fall Together

Here lies the definitive ending…a definite end to the lies. lb.

Chapter 10

He was conscious of the warmth surrounding him at first and a floating feeling. It felt good, safe.

The white starkness as he opened his eyes however brought a sense of déjà vu associated with pain and hurt and death and he gasped instinctively for breath, clawing his way up from the depths. The thought of being in a hospital made him suddenly want to scream and he didn't even know why. He just knew he had to get out.

A hand on his arm made him jump. "Hey, calm down Dean its okay. It's over."

"Sam?' He turned his head towards the sound. His brother had a bandage across his forehead and a cut across his face and looked gaunt and worried. His eyes looked…God, his eyes. Dean remembered why they were here, what had happened and with the sudden rush of knowledge, knew they had to get out.

"Dean what're you doing. You can't just get up, you been out for hours and you still need to rest." Sam moved his hand to Dean's chest, applying enough downward pressure to make his point.

"Sam we have to go. Please just trust me, we have to leave now. Are you okay, can you walk?" Dean added when he realised his brother was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Dean, I don't understand. You're exhausted, they operated on your hand and they had to put pins in it man, it was that bad. You've got stitches in your shoulder and…"

"God Sam, they must have seen the bullet wound, they've probably called the cops. We have to leave now." He pushed his brother's hand away and sat up, trying to ignore the fact the room was spinning slightly.

"No they didn't know it was a bullet wound, Jo did a good job of disfiguring the entry wound enough so…" Sam shrugged and smiled tightly at the thought. "We don't have to go."

"Sam we don't have to go far but we need to get out of here." Dean took a breath and looked his brother in the eyes. "Are you okay enough to leave, what did they say?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Sam mumbled looking away. "Okay I'll…I'll organise it. As long as you let the doctor check you first. Okay?"

"Yeah okay.' Dean relented impatiently, knowing it was the only way he was going to win this argument in a hurry.

"Will you please tell me what's going on?" Sam was at a loss, there was obviously something he was missing. Hell, he was missing quite a few details from the past day so that should be no surprise but still…

"When we get out. Please just trust me on this Sam."

"Dean…" Sam's face was drawn with worry.

"Sammy please."

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"Mr Addison, you shouldn't be leaving so soon after surgery. Apart from the normal observation time, you'll need the pain relief. You're also suffering from exhaustion and dehydration as is your brother."

"I'll be fine Doc, I'll just get some pain meds to go okay. What about Sam what does he need?"

"I don't think you understand, the pain medication I can subscribe is not as strong as what you're getting through the IV. You'll experience localised pain where the pins were inserted as well as throughout your right arm and possibly even your shoulder from the trauma. Your left shoulder has been stitched and…"

"Yeah I get it okay, it'll hurt. What about Sam?"

The Doctor paused at the stubbornness of his patient and resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't going to win this fight. He should cut his losses and at least let the boy know what to expect.

"Your brother has had thirty four stitches in his knee and he'll have to have antibiotics for the infection that has set in. You'll need to check it and make sure the dressing is changed twice a day and no further swelling occurs. If it does, he'll need to come back. He's also suffering from concussion and although we've ruled out cerebral contusion I'm still a little concerned. There has been subconjunctival hemorrhage in both eyes and we're still unsure about the cause of this, although it should have no permanent effects. He should be staying for observation, there is always a guarded prognosis in regards to head trauma particularly for the first twenty four to forty eight hours. Things can go from good to bad very quickly."

Dean took I every detail, questioning what was the lesser of two evils – leave Sammy in the hospital in case he got worse or get them somewhere safe. He figured if they stayed in town he could always bring his brother back if he needed to, that was the best compromise he could come up with given the circumstances. At least they would be harder to find.

"I get it Doc, I know what to look for and…thanks."

"Your brother needs rest and so do you. Your right hand needs complete rest and you really shouldn't be using your left arm strenuously. Your blood pressure is high as well and I'd really like to run some tests."

The Doctor paused and seemed to reach some decision before continuing. "The bruising around your neck and face is not from some hike in the woods. Whatever reason you're leaving for son, do you need help, is there anyone I can call? Are you sure about this?"

Dean looked at the older man, wishing things could be easier, that uncomplicated but…"Thanks Doc, I'm sure."

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Sam sat in the car trying to ignore the vertigo. Dean would not have asked him to do this unless it was important, he knew that. He glanced over to his brother who was hunched behind the wheel obviously trying to overcome his own pain.

"Dean, you said we wouldn't go far. You can't keep going okay?' Sam was getting worried, his brother had just had surgery and shouldn't be driving but Sam still hadn't got his full vision back and felt useless. He didn't know what was going on but he trusted his brother.

Dean didn't answer but finally pulled into a motel in the backstreets of town.

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Sam sat slowly on the motel bed dropping his crutches to the floor, his head pounding. "Dean? What's going on? Please, I need to know."

Dean looked across at Sam. "We weren't safe. Had to get out okay. M'sorry Sammy." He dumped his bag, grabbing clean jeans and underwear and walked across the room. "Rest Sam. I'm gonna grab a shower."

Dean closed the bathroom door behind him, effectively ending any further conversation. As he dropped his clothes and turned the water on he wondered how much longer he could do this, he was so tired. How was he supposed to tell Sam what was going on when he knew it would only bring the guilt and the memories back?

He searched through the pockets of his jacket until he found what he sought and threw the pills into his mouth to overcome his growing fatigue.

The water felt so good, hot, burning but he didn't care. He had just enough presence of mind to keep the plaster on his hand out of the spray. Not caring that the dressing over the fresh stitches in his left shoulder got wet. His body shook as the water mercilessly pounded the endless cuts and bruises that adorned him.

He dried his legs and somehow managed to pull clean jeans on trying to ignore the thrumming pain that seemed to be coming at him from all angles. He needed to stay alert, he knew he couldn't drive any further but hopefully they would be safe here for a while. Sammy would be safe.

Dean walked out of the bathroom, crossing the room and sitting on the unoccupied bed. He rummaged through his bag for a clean t-shirt, finding even this small task required a mammoth effort. He stilled when he felt a hand on his arm.

"Dean wait, I'm gonna have to change the dressing. You're s'posed to keep the stitches dry." Sam spoke softly as he began peeling the tape and gauze away. "Talk to me, what's this about?"

Dean closed his eyes, he was so tired but thankfully he could feel the caffeine begin to course through his system. When he opened them they fell on his brother's fatigued and worried face. Sam's eyes seemed to look through him, past any game face he could hope to pull off at the moment.

"Bobby rang." He watched the frown deepen on his brother's features. "Said there're hunters tracking the Unity job and he's not sure why. These guys are bad news Sam."

Sam lowered his gaze and shook his head. "It's because of me isn't it? You think these guys are looking for…are hunting a killer? Hunting me."

"You're not a killer Sam and I don't know what they're doing but I'm not gonna take any chances. It's not like we can sit them down and explain the situation and if it comes down to it, well we're not gonna have much choice but to deal with them. At least this way we might stay under the radar."

"What do you mean if it comes down to it Dean? I can't…" Sam shook his head and looked at his brother horrified. "Dean we can't, I won't let you have blood on your hands over this."

"You think I'd just stand by, give you over? No Sam we do what we've gotta do, this is black and white. They're either with us or against us." Dean suddenly felt like the room was closing in and he stood abruptly, sweat breaking out on his forehead and bare chest even though his hands felt cold. He couldn't sit any longer and felt the need for movement, thoughts running through his mind as though on fast forward.

"Hey sit down man I've got to cover the stitches." Sam was surprised at his brother's sudden movement.

Dean's eyes shifted to the curtained window as he heard yelling coming from the parking lot. A shadow passed by the darkened window. They were here and he wasn't ready. God he wasn't ready and they were gonna come in and kill his brother while he just stood there.

Without further thought, Dean went to the weapons bag lying at the end of their beds and awkwardly pulled a handgun out. He gestured at Sam to stay still as he silently moved to the door and switched the light off. He felt a tremor through his left hand as he held the gun, the cold air on his still damp chest making the skin rise in goosebumps. He wondered if Sam could hear his heartbeat as it became almost deafening.

Sam knew he wasn't quite with it, he felt groggy from drugs and the pain that came with concussion. He limped slowly to the end of his bed not bothering with the crutches and retrieved a gun from the bag. Knowing the weapon as soon as he grasped it, even in the dark. He backed up against the wall and waited, following his brother's lead.

Five minutes and all he could hear was distant traffic and the muted sounds of other guests going about whatever mundane tasks they were doing. Normal people doing normal things.

"Dean?"

"Dean, whoever it was has gone. I don't think it was them."

Another sound pierced the quietness of the room as his older brother's breathing became harsh, almost laboured. Dean turned the lights on and began pacing the room, gun still drawn. His broken hand clutched to his chest and the fresh stitches trickling the smallest amount of blood in a weaving line down his chest as it mixed with the water droplets on his skin.

"We gotta be careful Sammy. Just…just get some rest and I'll take first watch. S'okay I won't let them hurt you okay. I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you, they'll have to go through me or over my dead body." Dean continued to pace between the window and the wall adjacent to the bathroom, broken hand now dropped almost forgotten by his side. His left hand held the gun drawn and pointed to the ceiling.

"There's no one there Dean, you're just tired and you need to rest."

"Sammy I'm not gonna rest till those sons of bitches are all dead. They're coming after you and we've gotta be ready." Dean's movement didn't cease as he stared at his brother, trying to bring order to the confusion of jumbled thoughts in his head. He couldn't understand why Sam was acting this way, doubting him. He wished the ache in his right arm wouldn't hurt so much, wished he couldn't feel the pain throbbing down through his fingertips.

"What? No Dean, I need to redress your shoulder and you need to calm down." Sam was beyond worried now, maybe heading somewhere between alarmed and panicked. He understood Dean was trying to protect him but his brother's behavior was too erratic almost…manic.

"Calm down? We need to deal with this and then get you somewhere safe until…"

"Until what? Until it all blows over, until it's forgotten or until it happens again? I don't think there's anyone out there Dean but even if there was…I'm guilty. I killed a man and I didn't stop it from happening and you can't change that now." Sam took a breath, finishing his train of thought barely above a whisper. "It's done."

Dean stopped dead in his tracks. "But it's not over Sam. It's not over and we're going to get through this and I…"

Sam watched his brother, almost mesmerised by the complete lack of movement and thoughtful look on his brother's face. It was as though this inner process required both a mental and physical effort.

"You what Dean?" Sam prompted gently as Dean seemed to become lost inside his own head.

"I just want to be your brother." Dean almost looked surprised as the words whispered out of his mouth. As though he had overlooked or misjudged that the answer to it all was such a simple concept.

Sam nodded, steeling his jaw and swallowing around the lump in his throat. Dean had just given him everything he couldn't ask for, everything that he thought he could never have back. In those few words Sam understood that Dean didn't hate him, didn't blame him and most importantly, was giving him the one thing he realised he didn't have without his brother.

Hope.

"Well…I guess I'm gonna be okay then." Sam closed his eyes for a second but couldn't help the grin as he answered. As everything suddenly fell into place for him.

"Hell yeah Sammy. You're gonna be okay." His voice soft almost broken.

Sam's grin faded and for a second he looked like a lost boy almost too afraid to ask a question he might not want answered. "Are you gonna be okay Dean?" Sam remembered the nightmares and pain. He remembered this was not something Dean usually shared with him.

Sam held his breath as his older brother seemed to take a minute to contemplate the answer instead of giving the usual automated all clear response.

"Yeah." Dean's gaze shifted and briefly met the intensity of his brother's focus. "Yeah Sam I think I am."

A pause. "Except…" The corner of his mouth twitched a little.

"What?" Completely at a loss.

"I feel like freakin climbing the walls and Bobby's gonna kill me cause I haven't called him back yet. Oh and did I mention I could climb the freakin walls?"

Sam thought for a minute as Dean resumed his pacing after placing his gun on the table. "Oh God you haven't been popping NoDoz?" Sam thought back to the last time Dean had overdosed on the caffeine tablets and had been sleepless and wired for days only to become lethargic then sink into an obscenely bad mood. It explained the manic.

Dean thought back to the last time he had done this when Sam had threatened to tie him up and make him travel in the trunk. "Maybe." Well it had seemed like a good idea at the time.

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Sam slept. Dean stood guard.

He felt wired but in control. Sam had been relentless until Dean had given in and allowed him to play nurse, checking, redressing and categorizing every single wound that covered his body it seemed. Down to the bruises around his neck and body inflicted by Sam's own hands. At least the painkillers had finally taken the edge off the ache in his hand and shoulder even if they hadn't negated the effect of the caffeine in his system. He would just have to wait that out.

Dean allowed himself a smile. They were going to be alright.

Sam had succumbed to the headache and drowsiness brought on by pain and medication but not until after he had talked some more and said his peace. And made Dean talk. Damn caffeine had only loosened his tongue further and that was the excuse he was gonna stick to if the subject was broached ever again.

As he paced the room he heard the beep of his phone as it protested its low charge and demanded attention, reminding him he was also gonna have to call Bobby soon as well. He saw the icon on the screen and realised he had never listened to the voicemail messages left for him by his brother. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

He listened now.

"Dean where are you – call me back. I need to know you're okay."

"Dean I'm sorry man. I'm sorry. Please don't do anything. Please come and get me and we'll finish this together. Don't you do this Dean, y'hear me? You don't do this without me or I swear I'll kick your ass."

"Dean I know you're hurt. It was an elf shot so you need help. Please call me, I'm worried man. I'm on my way to the cave but I need to find you. Please man, call me. Please Dean, let me help you."

He closed his eyes hearing the desperate voice of his brother. Filling in the gaps of when the calls were made when Sam woke up, when he read the letter, when he found the arrow.

He took a breath as he looked at the sleeping form of his younger brother, exhausted but safe. Things between them were healing, they were gonna be alright. Dean felt good even though his own body continued on its struggle to mend and recover. Even though they were still in danger.

For the first time in an eternity Dean felt something close to peace, felt like he was home.

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Sam stood watch as Dean slept.

Finally.

It was their second night at the motel and this was the first time his brother had actually fallen into a deep sleep.

At least Bobby had given them the all clear when Dean had finally got the guts to call him back. After some inventive expletives which raised even Dean's eyebrows, he let them know that the hunters had been distracted by another job which seemed to have conveniently come up. He also let them know that they had no business making him wait to see if they were alright and not dead in some ditch. Not that he was worried about them or anything.

Sam watched the still bruised face of his older sibling, wondering how long it would take for the darkness beneath his eyes to fade or the latest wounds to heal or scar.

Dean's hand would need further treatment to remove the pins but there should be no complications provided he looked after it. Sam had already made a mental note to ensure this was top priority and would do whatever it took to make sure his brother took it easy for the next few weeks. A smile touched his face as he realised he had one card up his sleeve that would work. His knee was on the mend but it would have a sudden relapse if that was the only way to make Dean stop.

He made a cup of instant coffee and sat down at the table, propping his leg up on the spare chair and clearing a space for the laptop. He may as well check out some place to rest up in for a few weeks, somewhere there would be no ghosts or monsters or witches. If a place like that actually existed, he thought with sigh.

As Sam waited for the computer to come to life, his eyes wandered over to his phone sitting on top of his wallet. He squinted at the small display and pressed a button to light up the screen noticing he had voicemail. He listened to the message.

"Hey Sammy just thought I'd return your calls and I'll answer in order so your little brain doesn't get confused. To start with, I'm okay. Actually I'm pretty damn okay right now. Secondly, you are not capable of kicking my ass little brother so get over it. Lastly, when I'm feeling up for it I am gonna beat the crap outta you for being a freakin' blood sacrifice and then we could probably…I don't know, just shoot some pool and have a coupla beers. You're buying of course."

A pause.

"Bitch."

Sam smiled. If Dean were awake to see, he would have thought that it lit up the room.

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The End.

a/n: As always, thanx for reading – hope you enjoyed the story.

And as always, thanx to those that continually drop by to comment and encourage.

lb.