Fic: Fearing The Man In The Mirror
-0-
Dean was holding a blond tight, but he could have sworn he heard his brother whimpering. Then with a jerk he found himself awake. Slowly reality trickled back to him, the shifter, the injuries his brother suffering, the concussion...
Shit, Sammy!
Dean turned to see his brother whimpering in his sleep, and thrashing a bit. He quickly looked at the standard motel alarm clock in their room and realized that he must have been asleep for awhile because it was two hours later than the last time he had checked.
Dean cursed himself for falling asleep when his brother needed him. He quickly jumped up to go wake Sam when he was assaulted by a wave of dizziness and nausea.
Taking quick stock of his body as he sat back down, he realized that Sam had been right in worrying that the both of them might be at risk for a concussion. But Dean knew unfortunately from many past experiences that what he was suffering from was mild symptoms. Nothing for a Winchester to worry about, especially when his little brother needed him.
Dean once again made his way to Sam this time a little more gingerly. He carefully sat down on the side of the bed, and gently shook his brother as he spoke in a calm voice. “Sammy, dude wake up.”
Sam's eyes flew open and the kid moved away from Dean in a frantic jerking motion. Dean's addled brain tried to keep up as he grabbed for Sam.
“D-Don't touch me.” Sam growled out as he made his way off of the bed. Dean knew at that moment that he wasn't the only one suffering from a concussion.
Dean's adrenaline kicked in, he knew he had to reassure Sam and keep the kid from running. A hunt that had gone wrong years ago ran quickly through his mind.
Sammy had been about ten years old and a witch had lured him from the Impala while Dean and John were hunting. It had used Dean's voice and had taken Sam out with a blow to the head. The kid had woken up confused and shot like a missile out of bed before their dad or Dean could stop him. It almost ended in the kid getting hit by a car.
Sam looked just like he did all those years ago, ready to bolt. Dean made sure he positioned himself between Sam and the door.
“Sammy, you need to calm down. You hit your head and probably are suffering from a concussion. Sit down and we'll talk about this.” Dean held his hands out in a placating manner.
Sam's eyes moved wildly around the room taking in his surrounds. By his younger brother's actions, Dean could tell that Sam was probably suffering from some memory loss. Unfortunately, that was a symptom of concussions right along with confusion. Dean once again had firsthand knowledge on these symptoms.
Caleb had been a bear to deal with after one of their joint hunts due to memory loss.
Dean knew that Sam felt cornered and confused so he kept talking.
“Dude, it's me your brother. We killed the shifter don't you remember?” Dean could see the confusion and anger cross his brother's face.
“You've fooled me before. I thought you were gonna kill me... why did you take me instead? I'll never be your brother.” Sam rasped out.
The words hit Dean hard. He knew that Sam's time at the hands of the shifter had been no picnic but having that all confirmed in Sam's own words was like a punch to the gut.
“Shit Sammy, I'm so sorry that you had to deal with the shifter. But it's over I promise. We can call Becky, she'll...”
“No, you sick son of a bitch, you are not involving her, not again. I won't let you.” Sam at that moment decided to make his move.
Luckily for Dean, Sam was not at his best and even in his own concussed state Dean was able to keep him from getting to the door. Sam slowly backed away from Dean once again eying the room.
Having Sam closer, Dean could tell that his brother was swaying and probably dizzy. His pupils were dilated and that really scared Dean. Sam was suffering from more than a minor concussion and needed to see a doctor soon.
Before Dean could work a plan out, Sam was on the move again, this time he did make it past his older brother. The bathroom door clicked and locked as Sam made a dive into it.
Dean quickly did a mental check and sighed in relief when he realized that there was no window in the interior bathroom. So Sammy was safe, and since he was not going anywhere it gave Dean a moment to think about their options.
“Sammy, you're safe, really try and relax.” Dean winced at how silly his words sounded.
As he thought about their situation Dean mentally cursed. They were so screwed. His body double was in a morgue nearby and the only contact he had was Rebecca Warren. Reluctantly he moved to his brother's discarded jeans and pulled the kids cell phone out of them.
A quick look and soon he was connected with Becky.
“Sam, are you okay?”
“It's Dean and well we're having a few issues.”
“Oh, is there something I can do?” Dean could hear the exhaustion in the young blond girl's voice and he wished he didn't have to drag her into their mess even if it was kind of her fault.
“Sam is suffering from a concussion and in his confusion from it thinks I'm the shifter. He's locked himself up in the bathroom. I think he needs medical attention but he won't let me get near him. I'd just call the paramedics but I'm kind of supposed to be dead.”
“Shit, yeah. Huh. Do you think he would listen to me? Where are you?”
Dean sighed in relief. “The Happy Trails Motel on the edge of town.”
“I'll check Google map and be there soon. Sit tight.”
“Thanks.”
Dean clicked the phone shut and slumped down on the bed.
-0-
Sam could hear the shifter talking to Becky on the phone.
Shit, what am I gonna do? The bastard is strong...
Sam took a calming breath. He needed to stay strong, he couldn't break down not now, not when Becky's life depended on him.
The shifter kept talking and Sam just blocked him out. Any other time, his brother talking to him in a calming voice would be welcome but not now. Not until he found Dean, or Dean found him. Surely his brother would find him soon.
-0-
Dean quickly let Becky in and hugged her. “Thanks for coming.”
Dean kept his voice quiet and nodded towards the bathroom door. “Let's talk quietly, I don't want Sam to know you're here yet.”
“So Sam thinks you're the shifter? How am I gonna get him to come out Dean?” Becky asked voice full of frustration.
“I've been thinking about it. What if we have a loud fight and Sam thinks you ran the shifter off?” Dean hated the idea of tricking his brother but he was out of options.
Becky nodded. “Might work but the minute he comes out and sees you... then what? I'm not sure we'll be able to get him to the hospital.”
Dean sighed. “I'm gonna leave, he'll be in your hands. I can't go to the hospitals around here. Not with my body double laying in a morgue somewhere in town.”
Becky's eyes went wide. “Shit, I didn't think about that. Alright, then I have a plan. You take my extra key and the garage door opener. Head back to my parents place and hide the car in the garage. The police are done with the investigation at the house and that's the last place they would look for you.”
Becky dug in her purse and pulled out a key ring and a garage door opener. Dean smiled and took them.
“I can give you an insurance card but...”
“Nonsense, after everything you both did, let my family foot the bill for the hospital. It's the least we can do.”
Dean gave her a relieved smile. “Okay, then let me gather up our stuff and take it to the Impala and then we can put on our show.”
-0-
Sam realized that he had dozed off the minute his body jumped from its place on the floor in the bathroom. He could hear loud voices on the other side of the door.
He scrambled to get up, to help Becky. Sam thought he could hear her voice. But his body wasn't co-operating, he was so dizzy it was hard to even stand.
Voices filtered into his fogged and rattled head.
“You're not Dean. Dean warned me about you. Gave me this gun, and I'll shoot.”
“Go ahead, might sting but you can't kill me...”
“It has silver bullets, you asshole.”
There was a scrambling noise and the front door slammed.
“Sam, it's Becky. He got away but he's gone. I think I scared him off. Can you unlock the door?”
Sam was a bit reluctant to open the door, the shifter could be tricking him again but he really didn't have any other choice. Sooner or later, he would have to leave the bathroom.
He slowly, made his way to the bathroom door and unlocked it. As the door opened he was relieved to see Becky standing before him, concern evident in her eyes.
Sam knew that the shifter could change form but there hadn't been enough time, this had to be Becky. Even his addled brain could comprehend that.
Sam slowly made his way into her open arms and sighed. “Becky, thank you for coming.”
“Shhh, it's okay Sam, but we need to get you out of here. Okay?”
It felt good to let someone else make the decisions. He was so tired and his head was throbbing.
“Yeah, l-let's go.”
-0-
Becky found it a relief to get Sam through the hospital doors. Getting Sam dressed in the jeans, shirt and shoes that Dean had left behind had been a chore. Her friend had been lucid enough to help her guide him into the car but he had almost taken a head dive a few times. Due to his size, she had almost gone down with him.
The ER attendant had immediately taken Sam away leaving Becky to fill out forms. She had to fudge her way through part of it. Luckily Sam had left his wallet with her which helped with his Social Security number, but the fact that he had credit cards with fake names on them was troubling.
Rebecca decided to pull a Scarlett O'Hara and worry about her friends troubling job and aliases, another day. Today, she just wanted Sam to be okay, everything else could wait.
Shortly after filling out the paper work, a doctor had called for Sam's cousin, Rebecca Warren. She was very thankful that Sam had remembered that she was going to fake being a distant relative that he was visiting.
The doctor looked at her with concern in his eyes and she could see he was eying the recent bruises she had sustained.
“Mrs. Warren, I'm Dr. Rogers, can we sit and talk?” The doctor motioned towards some empty chairs in the waiting room. Becky nodded and followed.
“Your cousin Sam was attacked? It looks like you were too.” The doctor voice was full of concern.
“Yes, but my family doctor treated me. We were attacked at different times. Did Sam give you the details?” Becky realized in the hurry to get Sam to the hospital they hadn't discussed what story to use.
“He said he didn't remember being attacked. It appears that he has experienced two blows to the head, and I've ordered a CT scan to make sure there is no bleeding to the brain. He is definitely confused and showing signs of amnesia in regards to the attack. His pupils are unequal and the ER attendant said that he had trouble walking. These are all signs of a severe concussion, and we should know more after the scan. He also has quite a bit of bruising around the neck, arms and back. They suggest that he was in a major scuffle. Do you have any information in regards to the attack? Was it connected to yours?”
Becky's mind reeled. It had been such a long forty eight hours with very little sleep. She was running on empty and not sure how to answer.
A hand rested on top of hers that were buried in her lap. “Ms. Warren, I'm going to have to call the police, and they can sort through exactly what happened. I just need to ask a few questions to understand all of Sam's injuries. He wasn't much help.”
“Of course, uh he was hit twice in the head over a day's period. And was involved in a major fight.”
The doctor nodded and looked down at his notes. “Has Sam been hard to wake?”
“I don't think so, he's been awake since I've picked him up.” Becky cursed silently, wishing that she could call Dean and ask him.
“Any vomiting or convulsions?”
Becky was certain that Dean would have shared that information. “No, I'm pretty sure, he hasn't.”
“Good, that's good. Well, I need to check and make sure they have Sam ready. We'll be back as soon as we know anything more.” The doctor slowly moved to get up.
“Thank you doctor.” Becky tried to give him a small smile as he moved to leave.
After the doctor was gone Becky decided to call Dean and update him.
The phone had barely wrung once when a panicked voice filled her ear.
“Becky, how's Sam?”
“He's got a severe concussion like you suspected. They are running a CT scan, and we'll know more later. Dean, the police are coming and I don't know what to say. Sam didn't tell the doctor anything but they know he was attacked from his injuries. And the doctor noticed my bruises.” Becky could hear cursing on the other end of the phone and then a loud sigh.
“Uh, so what did you tell the police after your attack?”
Becky took a calming breath and spoke. “Just what you told me, that my attacker came back and I killed him in self defense. I got a call about three hours before you called saying that they had identified my attacker as Dean Winchester and now had a pretty good case that he was behind all the attacks and that they might release Zach as early as today. They found the underground hideout after I mentioned the sewers. Thanks for that, by the way.”
“Yeah, so they have your attack on record and what story did you and Sam discuss.”
“Uh, not much Dean. He was pretty out of it so I just told him to make sure they thought we were cousins so that I could be in the loop. I took his wallet and using it I signed him in as Sam Winchester, oh crap...”
“Son of a bitch. Yeah, they're gonna put us together now.”
Becky swallowed hard. “I'm so sorry Dean. I didn't think.”
“It's okay. Really, they would have probably figured it out anyway, I just need to think.”
“I could admit to lying about Sam being my cousin so that I could be his contact. And that he is just a friend.”
“Yeah, you could do that. Tell the police that you didn't realize that Sam was in town until he called you from the motel room. He was beat all to hell and mentioned that his brother had done it to him. Dean Winchester is already screwed, let him take the full blame. Make Sam a victim. Can you do that?”
Becky nodded. “Yeah, I can. I'm so sorry.”
“Just take care of Sam, keep me posted please.” The phone clicked off and Becky slumped against the chair.
-0-
Sam was feeling a bit better, after the scan he had been told he was a lucky guy. They had found no bleeding and now he was able to relax as the pain meds did their job. He wanted to sleep but first he requested to see Becky. He needed to see if Dean had been in contact.
The door to his room opened and a very exhausted Becky entered. “Hey Sam, so glad to hear you're okay.”
“Yeah, well I have a hard head. Have you heard from ...”
Becky had reached the bed and took Sam's hand into hers. “Yes, he called. I told him that you were okay and he wanted me to tell you that he took care of the shifter. But the dude died with his face so he needs to lay low. In fact, because his name and face are already associated with this mess, he said to let Dean take the fall. If the cops ask who did this to you, tell them it was your brother.”
Sam's foggy brain tried to grasp the information being thrust at him. “But, didn't he burn the body?”
Becky looked confused. “No, the police found it and ID'd it as Dean Winchester, and they found the underground tunnels thanks to my tip. Zach's being cleared as we speak, in fact after I leave you, I need to go and pick him up.”
“That's great, you should go.” Sam replied quietly, happy that his friend's life was restored but worried about the cost to his brother.
“No, I can stay with you for awhile. In fact, I should stay, the cops are on their way to question you. I should be here to support you.” Becky's voice was soft and Sam could tell she was barely holding on, emotionally drained.
“I've handled this sort of thing before. I'll be fine. Your brother needs you and you need to rest. So do I. Come back tonight after you've gotten some sleep, and maybe they'll release me. It'll be fine, I promise.” Sam said with confidence that he didn't feel. He wouldn't truly be okay until he was reunited with Dean but there was no use in Becky holding his hand.
“If you're sure. Call me if you need anything, promise? Here, I'll leave your cell phone on the nightstand.” Becky laid it on the small table next to the bed and then leaned down kissing Sam softly on the forehead before straightening and turning to leave.
“Call, you hear me?”
Sam nodded. “Promise.”
Conclusion here...