Point of Know Return

23. Bad to the Bone

[Hunted]

LAKESIDE

"Before Dad died he, he told me something -- something about you," Dean said.

"What? Dean, what did Dad tell you?" Sam asked.

"Dee, what?" Natalia asked quietly.

Dean looked at Sam. "He said that he wanted me to watch out for you two, to take care of you two."

Sam frowned. "He told you that a million times."

"No, this time was different. He said that I had to save you."

"Save me from what?"

"He just said that I had to save you, that nothing else mattered; and that if I couldn't, I'd..."

"You'd what?" Sam and Natalia pressed.

"That I'd have to kill you. He said I might have to kill you, Sammy."

"Kill me?" Sam repeated. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know."

"I mean, he must have had some kind of reason for saying it, right? Did he know the demon's plans for me? Am I supposed to go Darkside or something? What else did he say, Dean?"

"Nothing, that's it, I swear. And Nat doesn't know anything."

"How could you not have told me this? Or have not told Nat this?"

"Because it was Dad, and he begged me not to."

"Who cares?! Take some responsibility for yourself, Dean! You had no right to keep this from me or Natalia!"

"You think I wanted this? Huh? I wish to God he'd never opened his mouth. Then I wouldn't have to walk around with this screaming in my head all day."

Sam turned and took a few steps away, fuming. "We've just got to figure out what's going on, then, what the hell this all means."

"We do? I've been thinking about this, I think we should just lay low. You know? At least for awhile. It'd be safe. And that way I can make sure-"

"What? that I don't turn evil? That I don't turn into some kind of killer?"

"I never said that."

"Jeez, if you're not careful, you will have to waste me one day, Dean."

"I never said that! Damn it, Sam, this whole thing is spinning out of control. All right? You're immune to some weirdo demon virus, and Nat and I don't even know what the hell anymore. And you're pissed at me, I get it. That's fine, I deserve it. But we lay low until we figure out our next move, okay?"

"Forget it."

"Sam please, man. Hey, please. Just give me some time. Give me some time to think, okay? I'm begging you here, please. Please."

Sam nodded reluctantly and looked at Natalia who had walked off to stand next to a nearby tree.

He walked up and asked, "Nat, you okay?"

She looked at him and nodded, glancing angrily at Dean.

"You goin' with me or staying with him?"

"I-I--"

"Tell you what. Stay with Dean for now and if you can't bear to be with him, I'll come get you, okay?"

She nodded and he hugged her before kissing the top of her head.

Sam left the motel room alone, a bag over his shoulder. He walked quietly past the Impala to a small black car. He opened the door with a coat hanger, looked around, and got in before driving away.