Fic: Fearing The Man In The Mirror
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Sam awoke to the door of his room being opened. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and took in the two uniformed police officers that now stood before him.
One was a young brunette, a female and someone that his brother would immediately be flirting with. Her partner was an older gentleman in his fifties, with salt and pepper hair.
“Officers?” Sam squeaked out as he shifted to sit up in bed. He quickly abandoned that plan as dizziness assaulted him, so he opted to raise the bed using the controls.
The female officer gave him a reassuring smile before speaking. “I'm Officer Martin and this is my partner, Officer Smith. We are so sorry to bother you Mr. Winchester but the doctor called in your injuries. He said you were having trouble remembering the attack?”
Sam nodded. “Yeah, it's all fuzzy.”
Officer Smith spoke next, a bit firmer than his partner. “We spoke to your friend, Rebecca Warren by phone about her attack and the fact that her brother was about to be released. She shared with us that she didn't know her attacker, one Dean Winchester and was shocked to find out that he was the brother to her college friend Sam Winchester. After her attack, she received a call from you wanting help. You stated to her that your brother Dean had attacked you. Is that true?”
Shit. Sam mentally cursed himself. He was not in the state of mind to deal with this crap, but he realized he just needed to muddle his way through. Dean stated that he was to take the blame and Sam really didn't see an alternative at the moment.
“Yes, my brother he changed. I-I don't remember much but I do know he was the one that attacked me. I guess I was knocked unconscious, and when I awoke, I was alone in a motel room. I called Becky and she picked me up and brought me here. That's really all I know.” Sam looked down at his hands, and hoped that his story would hold up and that the cops would leave him alone.
Officer Martin cleared her throat and Sam looked up. He could tell she was hesitant about speaking.
“Mr. Winchester, have you spoken to your friend since she brought you to the hospital? Did she tell you about your brother?” Sam could see the concern in the officer's face and it scared him.
“Uh, she spoke to me but not about my brother.” Sam bit his lip and waited for the officers to continue.
Officer Martin looked very uncomfortable with her reply. “I'm so sorry to tell you this, but you see your brother is dead. He was killed.”
Sam's eyes went wide and then he remembered Becky telling him that Dean had killed the shifter.
Taking a calming breath, he spoke. “What happened?”
Officer Smith shifted, his tone much more stern. “Mr. Dean Winchester returned to Rebecca Warren's house hours after the original attack, and in self defense, Mrs. Warren shot and killed him.”
Sam felt his breath catch in his throat. Becky couldn't have killed the shifter, no the shifter was with him at that time. Had kidnapped him. The story wasn't adding up. It didn't make sense, unless...
What if the shifter had killed Dean and taken on Rebecca's form? Sam felt sick, he needed to know, needed to know if his brother was dead.
Voices finally pierced his panicked state.
Officer Martin held his hand. “Are you okay? Should we call the doctor in, I know this is a shock.”
Sam let out a shaky breath, he had to get it together. “N-No just give me a minute.”
The male officer walked over and handed him a glass of water. Sam gratefully took it and took a couple of long swallows before sitting it on the table next to his bed.
Officer Smith took this as a sign to talk. “Mr. Winchester, like Officer Martin said, we know this is a shock but we do have one other thing we need you to do. It doesn't have to be now, but it would be helpful to our investigation if we could do it now.”
Sam turned to the officer with a confused look. “What do you need?”
Officer Martin patted his hand. “The body of Dean Winchester is in the morgue downstairs in this hospital. It would be very helpful if you could identify the body as next of kin. It doesn't have to be now.”
Sam swallowed the panic he felt building. He couldn't lose control now, not when the answer was just downstairs. “Okay, I can do that.”
Officer Smith moved to the door. “I'll see about grabbing a nurse and a wheelchair so that you can travel.”
A few moments later, Officer Smith returned with a wheelchair and Dr. Rogers in tow. The doctor did not look happy.
“Sam, I don't think this is a good idea.” The doctor huffed out as he entered.
“I-I understand your concerns Dr. Rogers, but this is my brother. I have to know. Sitting here in bed not knowing is not an option.” Sam replied as sternly as he could considering his emotional turmoil.
“Fine, but I'm accompanying you. And I think we should call your friend.” Dr. Roger stated as he took the wheelchair from the officer and approached the bed.
“N-No, she is so tired and her brother just got released.” Sam stopped speaking as he let himself be guided into the chair. Concern for Zach filled his head. What if Becky was the shifter? Shit. He didn't know what to do.
Fighting at the anxiety and pure exhaustion that plagued him, he decided to take things step by step. Right now he needed to know if Dean was dead.
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Under normal circumstances Dean would have a blast in the Warren's decadent crib, but not with his brother in the hospital. No with Sam hurt and not within eye sight, the house felt like a gilded cage.
He was relieved to hear the front door open and Becky's voice.
“Dean? We're back. I picked up Zach.”
Dean made a beeline from the living room to the foyer and was greeted by the sight of Becky standing next to a bearded kid that had to be Zach.
The kid moved forward with his hand outstretched. “You must be Dean. Man, it's so good to meet you. I owe you so much.”
Dean held his hand out and shook Zach's. It was always uncomfortable for him to accept praise from the people he helped, but he tried to give Zach a smile.
“Don't mention it. So Becky, how was Sam, when you left?” Dean stood back and waited for Becky to answer.
“He was pretty tired, the pain meds had him a bit out of it but he did seem a lot more relaxed than before. Sam seemed to buy the story about you killing the shifter. I just wish the cops would have waited to question him, I wanted to be there.” Becky replied in frustration.
Dean frowned. “They did it on purpose, calling you to come get Zach and going to question Sam knowing you would be away. They wanted to question him alone, but don't worry about it. Sam's a pro, unfortunately we've faced similar scrapes with the law before, it's part of our job.”
Becky sighed. “Yeah, guess so. Don't know how you two do it.”
Zach nudged his sister's arm. “Go lay down before you fall down. You both could use some sleep. I'm all hyped up with my release and I plan on making the most awesome breakfast ever in celebration. So rest and I'll cook.”
Dean gave Zach a smile that really didn't meet his eyes. “Yeah okay, just wake me when you're done. I'll be on the couch.”
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The morgue was cold and dark. It fit Sam's mood as he was wheeled in front of one of the body lockers. The morgue attendant looked at Sam before moving to open it.
“Are you sure you're ready kid?” The older attendant asked.
Sam slowly stood up so that he would have a good view of the body. “I-I'm ready.”
The attendant gave him a sympathetic look and slowly opened the locker door and pulled the body tray out. He then sat out to unzip the body bag.
Sam felt it hard to watch and didn't really set his eyes on the body until the sound of the zipper stopped. What lay out in front of him took his breath away. It was Dean, naked but Dean.
Sam felt himself lose his battle with gravity and slumped into his chair. Sobs began to wrack his body.
“No.” He screamed and whimpered as he was lead away.
How could this happen? It was too hard to think, his mind foggy from the concussion and pain meds. That pain now was competing with the pain in his heart.
He could feel himself being wheeled away and then laid out in a bed, the comforting tone of the nurses and Dr. Rogers floating in his ears but not registering. Sam felt a prick in his arm and gladly sunk into the darkness calling him.
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Becky could hear her phone buzzing and she wanted to ignore it. Her bed felt so warm and inviting and she had been sleeping soundly until the buzzing. Finally, the need to stop the buzzing outweighed staying snug in bed and she reached for the offending phone that was laying on her bedside table.
“H-Hello.” Becky spoke mid yawn.
“Mrs. Warren, this is Dr. Rogers and I'm so sorry for bothering you. I know you have had quite the day but I thought it best I inform you about Sam.”
Those words were all it took to wake her. “What about Sam, is he okay?”
The doctor sighed on the other end. “Physically he really hasn't changed but that might not be the case for long due to the emotional state he is now in.”
“I'm not sure I understand.”
“The police officers told him of his brother's death and had him identify the body. It is being held in our morgue downstairs. He was muttering that you had killed him and was deep in a panic attack by the time we got him back to the room. I gave him a sedative and he's resting comfortably now. I was just wondering if he had family close by? He really needs some sort of support at the moment and under the circumstances I'm not sure you would be of much help.”
“Crap, uh I think his father is traveling but I'll do my best. Thank you for calling.” Becky clicked the phone off not wanting to say anymore to the doctor before talking to Dean.
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Dean had fallen into a light doze but immediately awoke at the sound of someone approaching the couch.
“Becky, why aren't you sleeping?” Dean got out as he started to sit up.
“There's a problem. Becky plopped down next to Dean. “The cops told Sam that I killed his brother and had him identify the body that was being held in the hospital morgue. In his confused state, Sam believed them and had a panic attack. They had to sedate him and now the doctor wants me to contact a next to kin, fearing that Sam won't want me near him.”
Dean slumped defeatedly on the couch. “Son of a Bitch. Damn cops have to mess everything up.”
Zach entered the room. “What's going on?”
Becky turned towards her brother and spoke. “Sam thinks Dean's dead and that I killed him.”
Zach's eyes went wide. “Shit, well then we just need to prove to Sam that Dean is alive and is not the shifter.”
Dean tired brain grasped at that last statement. “That's it Zach, I need to sneak into the hospital and prove to Sam that I'm alive and not the shifter.”
Zach nodded thoughtfully. “But how?”
Dean sighed. “Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until nighttime when there are less people around. I can sneak in, that's easy.”
Becky laid a hand on his shoulder. “But how do you prove you're not the shifter?”
Dean smirked. “Easy, I'll take Sam's silver knife with me. I cut my arm with it and he'll know it's me.”
Both Becky and Zach looked at him eyes wide in doubt. Zach finally spoke. “You boys live one weird life.”
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Sam started to awake he could feel a weight on his body. He slowly opened his eyes and found Zach Warren on his bed straddling his body, holding him immobile. Becky was next to him and quickly placed her hand over his mouth.
More than one shifter, has to be. That was Sam's initial thought as he struggled.
He stopped his struggle when he heard his brother's voice. It made tears well up in his eyes. Watching the shifter impersonate his dead brother was more than he could take. Sam welcomed the idea of death.
“Shhh, Sammy don't cry. I'm Dean and I can prove it kiddo. Just give me one minute, okay?” The shifter's voice was warm and comforting.
It took a moment for what the shifter said to sink into his addled brain. Sam tried to nod. It wouldn't hurt to see what the shifter had in mind and maybe there was a chance...
The shifter smiled and motioned for Becky to remove her hand. “Don't scream Sam, please let me prove it's me.”
Sam cleared his throat. “I won't scream even if you aren't Dean. I'm ready to die, I can't take this anymore.”
The shifter's face fell and Sam could tell he was trying to get his emotions under control. It made his heart skip a beat.
Reaching behind his back, the creature pulled out a knife. Sam knew he was doomed, it was all a game and he was being played again. It didn't matter, as long as it was over soon.
It shocked Sam when the shifter held its own arm out and started to cut. “Sammy, this is your knife. Your silver knife that I gave you for your thirteenth birthday. It has your initials on it. A shifter would not be able to cut itself with a silver knife. It's me, I promise kiddo.”
The knowledge of what was happening slowly filtered into his foggy mind and Sam swallowed and emotional lump as he stared at Dean, his brother, not the shifter.
“D-Dean.” Sam whimpered out as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
Zach quickly crawled off of Sam and gave Dean access. Sam was so relieved to have his brother pull him into his arms. Their no chick moments thrown to the wind after the last few days of emotional turmoil.
Dean was alive and with Sam and that was all that mattered.
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Sam had reluctantly agreed to stay put in the hospital until he was cleared. Anything less might have raised flags that they couldn't afford. Dean remained in hiding at the Warren household and they talked each day by phone.
It was a big relief two days later when Dr. Rogers finally released him. It was a happy reunion followed by a big feast prepared by the Warren siblings.
The next morning they were packed and ready to hit the road. Sam was a bit sad to leave Becky and Zach but he was just relieved that due to their intervention his friend was now free.
After their goodbyes it felt nice to climb into the Impala. It felt like home.
Dean reached over and nudged Sam's shoulder with his fist.
“Dude, what?” Sam asked faking annoyance.
“I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you kiddo. You held your guns on this one and because of it, Zach's free. And, I also wanted to say, that you were incredibly brave facing off the shifter. I don't know if I would have done as well fighting off a Sam look-a-like.” Dean's face was full of pride and Sam relished it. It was something that was rare in their family.
“Thanks Dean. I don't know what to say...” Sam started but was cut off.
“No chick flick moments.” Dean smirked.
“Jerk.”
“Bitch.”
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The car was unusually silent, except for the song 'It's Alright Now' by Free playing and the thrum of the engine.
Dean broke that silence with a statement that shocked Sam a bit. “Sorry man.”
Confused Sam turned to his brother and replied. “About what?”
Dean sighed. “I really wish things could be different, that you could be Joe College.”
Sam smiled. “No. It's okay. You know truth is even at Stanford I never fit in.”
Dean interrupted. “It's cause you're a freak.”
Sam chuckled appreciative of his brother's attempt to keep things light. “Yeah thanks.”
Dean smirked. “We'll I'm a freak too. I'm right there with you, all the way.”
Sam gave him a grateful smile. “I know you are.”
Dean quirked his brow full of mischief. “You know I got to say I'm sorry I'm gonna miss it.”
Sam was confused again, his brother was being cryptic. “Miss what?”
Dean chuckled. “How many chances am I gonna get to see my own funeral?”
Sam tried to return his brother's smile as his stomach tightened. Sam was feeling very lucky that he hadn't had to attend a funeral for his brother. This hunt had hit too close to home, and staring at his lively brother sitting next to him, he silently gave thanks to God for protecting Dean.
End
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