AN: I hope you all enjoy this chapter... don't forget to let me know. Oh... and yes... I know... I'm evil, cruel... horrible even. Yeah, my kids make sure I know quite often, thank you! ;)

Dr. Trenton sat and looked sadly at the father in front of him, wishing he had better news. "I'm sorry John, but what you're asking me for, I just can't give you. Sam's condition is something that can be triggered in a variety of ways or nothing at all. If one of the triggers is mold, you won't want to stay in a place that rains a lot. If the bronchial spasms are brought on by extreme cold, then you don't want to live in the Northern regions. Pollen, dust, and pollution are just a few other factors to consider. Trying to give you a magical place to raise your boy is like trying to predict tonight's lotto numbers."

"So, you're saying that this… condition… can kill him if we don't take precautions, but when I ask the best place to live, you can't help me figure it out? Do you understand how idiotic that sounds?" John practically yelled as he stood and began to pace. "You don't know what we've been through; you have no idea what we've already lost. We… I can't lose Sammy… do you understand that? I can't… won't!"

Nodding, the elder man sat and thought over a few options before smiling. "John, I think I have a solution. A protégé of mine is now head of the Cardio Pulmonary Unit at one of the hospitals in San Jose. If he has room for another patient, how soon do you think he could expect Sam as a patient?"

"Doc, if he's anything like you, the question is more when he wants us there," John stated, leaning over the desk in anticipation as he watched the doctor, who had already saved his boy countless times began his call.

Dean watched as his little brother walked across the room and felt an overwhelming urge to shout out with joy. It had taken a few days, but Sammy was starting to get his strength back even if it was in a little way. He had no delusions that his brother wouldn't have set backs, mostly due the current environment or weather, but right now he was happy that they were at this point right now. Now if he could just get Sammy to go out of the room.

"Hey kiddo, I'm starving, how about we head downstairs to grab something from that steakhouse next to the lobby?" he asked, hoping that today the answer would be different, that today his little brother would trust him enough to make it out the door.

Sam stopped from his little jaunt, pleased with his accomplishment and turned slightly. "Why, we can order and they'll bring it up. I bet they'll even bring you some pie if you ask," Sam said quietly, hoping his big brother wouldn't make an issue of it – he wasn't ready to see other people at the moment.

Sighing, Dean had known that would be the answer, and still it came as a shock. They'd been in the room for days and all he wanted was to show his brother that there wasn't anything to be afraid of. However what came out of Sammy's mouth next just about sent him over the edge.

"You can go it want, I think I'll stay here and start that new book Dad bought me," Sam said while trying to keep up a calm façade, all the while scared to death that his brother would really leave him… there… alone… defenseless.

"Oh hell no!" Dean exclaimed as we walked up to his brother and gently pushed him into the nearest chair. "You listen and you listen good, 'cause I'm not going to say this again. We're a team. You and me. I'm not going anywhere without you and you damned well better not be thinking about going any damn where without me, got it? Good! Now that that's settled, I want a steak. Not one of those wimpy things they like to send up for room service, but a real steak. One with a huge ass baked potato dripping with butter. So, since you and me are a team, we are going downstairs to eat for a change. I promise… the book will be here when we get back."

Sighing in defeat, Sam knew he was beat and nodded. Although he trusted Dean more than anyone else in the world, he couldn't help but worry about what would happen beyond that door, beyond the safety of the room. "Ok, but… I don't know if…"

Smiling, Dean put his mask of confidence on and nudged Sammy on the arm. "Hey, think of me as your personal valet tonight. I'll only push you if you need it," he said, then held up his hand. "Uh uh… you've already made it around the room by yourself, but there's no way I'm risking a hernia carrying your heavy ass half way back. Now we're taking the chair and that's final, I'm too young and gorgeous to have a broken back playing pack mule…"

Sam smiled at Dean as his brother walked off carrying on his tirade. He knew his brother didn't mean anything by it, it was normal for one to tease the other about something. Now though he couldn't help but wonder how much longer they would have these moments. Shaking away his moody thoughts, he forced himself to lighten up – he'd store every one of these moments away for when the inevitable came… when his family finally got fed up and left him.

John pulled up to the hotel and leaned his head against the seat, the Impala's motor singing a soothing ballad to his already frayed nerves. The conversation with Dr. Trenton had led to another conversation with a physician in San Jose which led to several conversations that he thought he'd never have again. While Dr. Trenton and Dr. Moore hashed out details, he was on another phone speaking to a realtor. Taking a deep breath, his mind reeling, he couldn't help but wonder when things had gotten so complicated. How had it gotten to the point that he had to worry about HEPA filters, down payments, and regular doctor appointments and lab work. What happened with the open road being their home, taking them to wherever they were needed next.

Looking at the file next to him, he smiled sadly, gratefully. Things could have been so much worse, and he was sitting there feeling sorry for himself because he wasn't the one calling the shots anymore. Scoffing, he shook his head in disbelief.

"You're really one selfish son of a bitch," he said to himself as he stepped out of his car and made his way to the lobby. He had everything going for him, he knew that. Now to pull himself together and show his youngest that he had everything going for him too. And he'd do it… even if it was the last thing he ever did.

Pushing his little brother back to the hotel room, Dean smiled sadly. The meal had been great and the waitress had been a tiny hottie that at any other time he'd be more than willing to inspect her credentials. However, it wasn't the time to go back to old habits. Right now, he needed to make sure his Sammy was taken care of properly, and at that moment it meant wheeling his sleeping sibling back to the room to get ready for another round of medication and therapy.

He didn't feel the change at first, not until it was too late. Although he fought against it, he felt himself slide to a place he never knew existed and became trapped inside himself, with only a cloudy window to show him what was happening, helpless to stop it and terrified it would end the one he'd sacrifice anything and everything for.

The entity smiled in his new home, stretching to get a good feel for what this body could do.

"Oh yes, this is going to be fun!" it smiled with its stolen face before continuing the journey to a place more private, a place he could begin to finish what he'd started.