A Death in the Family

By Mady Bay – May 11, 2006

Post Ep to "Devil's Trap"

Sam and Dean waited anxiously in the waiting room, hoping for good news.

They'd been through hell themselves, each sporting bandages over various body parts, Sam's left arm in a cast, Dean's right strapped to his body to protect his broken collarbone. But they'd gotten out in good shape compared to...

Sam watched again as Dean closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and prayed.

It seemed like hours before anyone came to talk to them. They both stood, albeit slowly, as the messenger came.

"I'm sorry," he said. "There's nothing we can do."

"No," Dean whispered. "No."

Sam gently put his good arm around his brother's shoulders. "Can we see... say goodbye?" he asked.

"Sure. Go ahead," they were told, and shown the way.

Despite all the horrors they'd seen in their lives, the brothers still weren't quite prepared for the sight before them. Dean's knees began to give out.

"It's not fair!" he cried, reaching out his hand, to touch, just once more.

Sam stood by, supporting his brother, trying not to cry, trying to be strong. It was his turn to be strong, now.

"It's gonna be okay, Dean," he said. "We're gonna be okay. As long as we're together."

"I don't know if we can, Sammy. It won't be the same," Dean whispered.

Their solemn moment was interrupted, then, by a harsh beeping noise.

"No. No… No!" Dean shouted as the tow truck backed into the bay, towards the Impala.

"Again, I'm sorry," the mechanic told them. "But there's nothing we can do."

"Thanks," Sam told him and led Dean away, toward the used car lot adjacent to the shop.