CHAPTER 21

Sam walked slowly down the corridor, past his room and stopped in front of Y/N's door. He stood there with his hand on the door, his head lowered. He hadn't talked to GOD in so long, that Sam didn't know if He would listen now. But he prayed anyway. He prayed that Y/N's trauma wouldn't break her completely. That she'd eventually be able to heal. He knew it would be a long road. For everyone.

Sam quietly opened the door and peeked his head inside. She was buried up to the top of her head in the blankets. Just how he left her. It didn't look like she had moved at all. She was almost comatose. Sam doubted that she had gotten much sleep in the time Dean held her captive. He noticed a dark figure in the corner of the room, leaning on his shoulder against the wall. Sam walked over to Crowley and shot him a confused look.

"Where's Bobby?", Sam whispered. "And what are you doing in here, Crowley?" His look of confusion turned to suspicion. Crowley threw his hands up in surrender and pushed away from the wall. His playful smile didn't do anything to calm Sam's suspicions. Sam never knew what Crowley's true intentions were and he was always on guard when the demon was around. Walking up to the hunter, Crowley looked over at the bed and sighed.

"Bobby was falling asleep standing up", Crowley grumbled. "I told him to go to bed and I would watch her." They both looked over at the bed at the same time. "She'll sleep for a while", Crowley whispered. "Go to bed, Moose. I'll call you if she needs something." Sam looked down at his feet and nodded. Sam turned and walked back toward the door. He took one last look at the hair sticking out of the edge of the blanket. Sam turned and walked out, pulling the door gently closed behind him.

Sam just made it to his bed before passing out. He slammed into his mattress on his good shoulder rolling onto his back, not bothering to even take off his boots. His exhaustion finally dragging him down into sleep. His head hung off one side and his feet off the other, laying diagonally across the bed. For the first time in days he slept dreamlessly. His nightmares had never been so bad and a demon with his brother's face played a starring role in each one.

Cas stood in front of Dean, just watching him. Dean taunted the angel mercilessly. About anything he could think of. About his demotion, his relationship with the brothers, and especially about his inadequacies when it came to women. Dean knew Cas was terrified when it came to intimacy. The opposite sex intimidated him. Dean liked using people's shortcomings against them.

"Let me out of here and you can have that sweet little kitten sleeping down the hall", Dean purred. "She's just so fuckable, even you could get some! And trust me, once you've had a taste, you'll crave more!" The sinister grin on Dean's face caused Castiel to take a step back. "Awww, come on Cas! If you don't know what to do, I can show you". We can share her!" Cas grimaced, but made no comment. The little egg timer on the table went off, making Cas jump. He walked out of the room and went to Bobby's room to wake him to give Dean his next injection.

Bobby stumbled into the room still half asleep. He walked passed Dean and to the table where the cooler sat. Retrieving the syringe, he walked over to Dean and stuck him in the neck without saying a word. He threw the needle in the trashcan next to the table and walked back out of the room again, slamming the door. He had to get out of there before the screaming started. Even after everything that Dean had done, Bobby couldn't stand to hear his boy in pain. He couldn't remember when he had started thinking of Sam and Dean as 'HIS' boys, but he couldn't think of them any other way. But even with the door sealed, Bobby could hear the muffled shrieks through the thick metal walls.

"I need a drink", Bobby grumbled to himself. He walked quickly away from the metal door and made his way to the liquor cabinet. His nerves were about shot. Just as he was about to pour him some rotgut, a blood curdling scream echoed down the hall. Bobby dropped the glass on the floor and took off back the way he came. He flung open Y/N's door and looked at her huddled up against the headboard with her fists stuck out in front of her.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!", she screamed. Crowley was standing next to the bed with his arms up, showing he meant her no harm. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" She started to sob and Bobby approached the bed slowly. She was wheezing and shaking. "I WANNA GO HOME! PLEASE!"

"Shh...Y/N/N, Bobby soothed. "Look at me, Sweetheart. You ARE home. See? You're in your own bed." Bobby sat down on the edge of the bed just watching her. She looked around frantically, blinking hard. Her eyes fell on Bobby's and she sighed heavily. "Bobby?" What happened?", Y/N whispered. She looked up quickly at Crowley standing at the foot of her bed with his arms still up like she was holding a gun on him. Than she looked back at Bobby waiting for an answer.

"I think you had a nightmare, Sweetie", Bobby said softly. Y/N heaved a shuddering sigh and tried to relax. She wiped both palms down her face and shook her head, trying to rid it of the terrible images burned into it. She crawled away from the headboard and laid back down on her pillow again. She knew restful sleep would be a long time coming. She looked up at Crowley and away again quickly, her cheeks turning crimson. She was embarrassed that he saw her in this state. She didn't want him to see her so vulnerable.

"I apologize if I scared you, Love", Crowley whispered gruffly. "Are you alright?" She just nodded and stared at the ceiling. Bobby just sat there on the edge of the bed, not speaking. She liked that about Bobby. He could give comfort without saying a word. Bobby need only give her that goofy smile and her problems didn't seem so bad anymore. But, today she didn't know whether a smile would be enough. But, she had to admit, that when he shot her that old man smile that made all the lines around his eyes stand out, Y/N felt some of the stress melt away. She smiled back as much as she could. It wasn't a huge smile, but for Bobby, it was enough.

"I know it doesn't seem like it now, kid", Bobby whispered. "But You're gonna be OK." He patted the back of her hand and stood up. She knew Bobby was uncomfortable showing emotion and comforting people. So when he gave her any little piece of himself, she took it to heart. She smiled a little wider at him before he turned to walk out of the room. She propped herself up on her elbows and called out to Bobby softly. He turned and looked at her.

"Thanks Bobby", she murmured. "For everything". Bobby nodded at her and grunted. His cheeks reddened in embarrassment. He hurried out the door before she could say anything else. She looked over at Crowley who was back in his corner leaning against the same wall. She was about to open her mouth to thank him when he raised his hand to stop her. She looked at him, puzzled.

"Don't say it. Don't even think it, Sweetheart", he chuckled. "I don't want it getting around that I'm helping humans, let alone the Winchesters and their lot. I have a reputation to uphold, you know!" Y/N snorted despite herself. Crowley rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Yes, wouldn't want the other demons to think you actually have a soul, now would we?" Y/N said playfully. She flopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling again. She was thankful for the little bit of distraction, but as soon as it got quiet, the darkness crept back into her mind. When she closed her eyes, she could feel Dean's hands on her throat or holding her wrists and his hot breath on her cheek. But exhaustion pulled her back down into sleep without her permission.

She didn't want to sleep. She didn't want to dream.