*Sam*

I wake slowly, feeling warm and extremely comfortable despite the profound ache in my body; that I'm quickly becoming aware of. I groan weakly, feeling reluctant to get up but it's getting obvious the more alert I become that the pain is what woke me. So, it's clear that I am in dire need of painkillers.

I move to turn over but find that I'm hindered by...arms?

I open my eyes sluggishly and then frown in confusion when I see Dean in my immediate proximity, sleeping soundly. And then recognize that the arms around me are his.

After a moment of feeling lost, I remember the reason why I am in bed with him. It was his solution to getting me to stop fighting sleep - enforced cuddling.

I try to get out of his hold without waking him but clearly fail when he grunts and hums, "Hm, what's wrong?"

"Pain," is all I say.

Dean opens his eyes, looks at me groggily before he says simply, "Okay." He lets me go but when I try to get up he places his palm firmly on my chest hindering me from doing so. "Stay," he commands.

I look at him confused when he gets out of bed and walks over to the duffel with the first aid kit and rummages through it.

"I'm not in that much pain that I couldn't get up to get the painkillers myself," I announce, sitting up, feeling somewhat irritated.

I hear the rattle of pills as Dean gets the bottle out of the bag. He yawns loudly as he walks into the bathroom and runs the water - getting a glass of water.

"I'm sure," he agrees plainly as he comes back to the bed. "But you'd use it as a reason to stay awake," he says as he opens the pill bottle and passes me three pills and the glass of water. I take them appreciatively if still a bit irritated. He looks over at the clock. "And it's just about to hit six. Way too freaking early to be up."

I put the glass down on the bedside table after swallowing the pills, rolling my eyes. "Nearly six hours is enough," I state while a yawn contradicts me. "We've worked on less."

Dean grunts, disagreeing, and throws himself back into bed, jostling me. I scowl at him but feel surprised when he reaches for me, pulling me back into his arms. "Sleep," is all he says as we move around to find a comfortable position we can sleep in together - me pressed against his side, head on his shoulder while he lies on his back, his arm around my back.

"I can go back to my bed," I offer even though we're finally comfortable. "I'm tired enough; I'll sleep," I promise.

"It's fine," he mumbles sleepily.

I hum my resignation but don't feel at all bitter about it; much too comfortable.

Dean falls back asleep pretty quickly. I follow just as easily.

I wake once again, still feeling warm and comfortable but this time not in much pain. At ease enough that I could go back to sleep but I feel I've slept enough. Feeling the warm lump next to me, I immediately remember that I'm sleeping with Dean. It doesn't feel as awkward as it did earlier. I open my eyes and find daylight brightening the room a little; grateful that the curtains are thick enough to keep most of the light out so as not to be blinding.

I roll onto my side, pleased to find that Dean has removed his hold on me. It makes it easier for me to escape - or, I mean, get up. I rise from the bed and thankfully he doesn't stir - still deeply sleeping.

I look at the clock; it's nearing ten-thirty am. Definitely enough sleep.

I head to the bathroom to clean up and get ready for the day. Need to find those shops and do more research.

When I come out of the bathroom - shower pressure was as weak as I thought it would be going by how crappy the motel and room looked - I'm surprised to find that Dean's still sleeping. Usually, my morning routine wakes him.

I walk over to my still open and in Sleep mode laptop…and contemplate it.

I could stay in the room and continue researching but I'm pretty sure with it being close to the time Dean should be getting up that I will definitely wake him with the clacking of my typing. And I really feel that he needs more rest than I do. Also, I am in desperate need of caffeine and nourishment.

I close the laptop, deciding to head over to the little café a few blocks away that I noticed on our way to the motel. It had advertised 'Free Wi-fi access'.

I grab my wallet and cell, pack up my laptop, and write Dean a note so he doesn't worry. I leave it by his cell on the bedside table to the right of his bed. I ignore the keys to the Impala, deciding that it would be smarter to walk than to take the car because the roar of its engine would immediately wake Dean. And I would really like to give him a few more hours of sleep. However, if truthful, I really want the peace his sleep affords me. He can't fight me if he isn't aware of what I'm doing.

I leave the room quietly, starting for the cafe, still consumed with guilt over how much this feels more like I'm sneaking out instead of letting him have a few more hours of rest. I just try to comfort - or convince - myself that "I'm just trying to let Dean catch up on sleep".

When I reach the cafe I get myself a large coffee and a blueberry muffin. I frown at the muffin, though, finding that I'm not as hungry as I thought. I find a semi-secluded table and boot up my laptop. I resume my search for Occult shops.

After an hour and a half, three large cups of coffee, and numerous phone calls, I finally and thankfully find four of the seven books in three cities in Ohio. The cities are not really close by - all three are a few hours away in different directions from Findlay - but at least they are in the same state. The other three I still need to locate.

I lean back in my chair, sighing heavily and rub my face, feeling weary and conflicted because I don't actually know how I'm going to acquire the books. I mean, I'll have to 'commandeer' one of the stolen credit cards, that's for sure; Dean won't be too happy about that when he finds out - he'll definitely see the books as a waste of money. I'll also need to find a way to get to the cities because I am pretty sure Dean won't willingly take me.

I sigh lightly; getting the credit card will be relatively easy, I figure, but getting to the cities will take some finagling.

One option would be to just ditch Dean and go to the cities by myself. I'd have to 'borrow' a car because kidnapping the Impala would prove hazardous to my well-being. Although, so would ditching Dean, but I figure the benefits outweigh Dean's wrath. Sort of. Second option is faking cases in the cities that I need to go to. However, that one would prove challenging because I rarely make mistakes in finding cases; and three mistakes will definitely look suspicious to Dean, especially in the same state, and I need Dean oblivious since he's decided to hinder me in saving him.

I finish the last of my now cold coffee, frowning in thought as I weigh my options.

"That look never means anything good," Dean says easily but slightly suspicious as he sits across from me with his own cup of coffee.

I jump sharply, genuinely startled. I glare at him severely before taking a deep breath, forcing my heart to slow down, feeling irritated and stupid for being so caught off guard.

He just smirks at me and takes a drink of his coffee. "Startle you?" he asks nonchalantly, amused, setting his cup down in front of him, leaving it to rest between his hands.

I don't respond, just simply scowl at him.

After a beat, "So. What'cha scheming?" he asks trying to sound casual but fails. He studies me intently, accusation so clear in his face.

I consider lying to him; it would be in my best interest to. But then I figure that keeping him in the dark would just make him absolutely determined to find out what I'm doing, and he would.

So, really, what's the point in lying? Also, telling him the truth now would probably save us a few fights. Emphasis on probably.

I sigh heavily, feeling entirely defeated. I focus on my empty coffee cup, feeling a little guilty when I explain, "There were some sites that had suggested books - seven to be exact - that could possibly help with breaking your Deal. I found that four of them are sold in Ohio in three different cities. I was trying to figure out how to buy them and how to get to the cities since you won't help me." I risk looking at him when I finish, nervous about his reaction.

Dean doesn't say anything, just takes a deep drink from his coffee, looking thoughtful.

Suddenly, he gives a curt nod. "You're right. I won't take you. And I sure as hell ain't buyin' 'em," Dean states simply. I'm surprised that there is absolutely no irritation or anger in his voice. However, I still feel stung but don't show it. It would be stupid to act indignant because I knew this.

"I know," I say evenly.

He then gives me a serious look before sighing deeply and continuing, "But. I don't take you or give you the means to buy the books, you'll find a way, I'm sure of it. Ways I'm not going to like or approve of. " He takes a drink of his coffee and gives me a somber look. "I got some new cards; I'm willing to part with one. And I'll take you," he says somewhat grudgingly. "Because I'm not going to make you steal one from our stash - it would just piss me off when I find out. And I'm not letting you take off, leaving me worried and wondering if you're okay and if you'll come back unharmed or at all." He then grabs my muffin - which I've only taken a couple bites from - and stands. "Get packed and let's go," he orders tersely, taking a bite of the muffin and quickly walks away - taking my muffin and his coffee with him.

I sit for a few minutes, feeling stunned and unsure if I should count this as a 'win'. I mean, I got him to give me the 'money' and to take me to get the books but I've obviously angered him, which means he's going to make life hell for me for as long as he feels pissed off, and that can translate into days, weeks, or even months if he's feeling particularly vindictive.

'Yeah, maybe, not really a 'win' after all,' I figure, apprehensive and slightly disheartened.