A/N: Sorry I took a couple days longer than usual to update. It's been a busy week. Enjoy!

Chapter 21

"Happy Birthday!"

Laney jumped at the unexpected voice behind her. She'd been packing up her bag and thought she was alone. She quickly regained her composure and turned to glare at her brother before breaking into a smile.

"Trying to scare me to death, Dean?"

Dean smirked. "Nah, just making sure your reflexes haven't suffered with age."

"Ha, ha, very funny. I think you're the one who's pushing 30," she said with a smirk.

Dean's face darkened momentarily. "Don't remind me," he said with a grimace.

"So, I'm officially legal," Laney said, waggling her eyebrows.

Dean grumbled. "I think I'd rather you stay 17 for the rest of your life."

Laney laughed. "I'll always be the baby not matter how old I get."

Dean smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Happy birthday squirt," he said, kissing the top of her head.

Laney pulled away. "Thanks. Now where's my present?"

"Don't you think you're a little old for presents?"

Laney raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who squealed like a girl when he got that fancy taser gun last year."

Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it was awesome." He started packing up his duffel bag. "Anyway, we're waiting on Sam."

"Where is he anyway?"

"He had to go out for a bit," he said slyly.

"Oh, very secretive. Is this about my gift?" Laney practically clapped her hands together like a little girl.

"Maybe."

Laney rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile. She was already packed and waiting. She stretched out her wrist and flexed her fingers out. Her rescue from the Feds had resulted in a minor break in the wrist. Her cast had been removed just a couple days earlier and the stiffness and weakness were already improving with daily exercise. Her thoughts drifted through what had transpired over the last several weeks. They had lain low, done some easier hunts that weren't overly physical and much easier to fly under the radar. She hadn't had any dream visions of the special children since her stay at Missouri's and her abilities were well under control. Everyone was getting along and now it was her birthday. She was 18. She'd never been a fan of her birthday. For awhile she never thought she'd live to see the day. But here it was. And it wasn't without sadness. Her mother had died 18 years ago today. That wound never really healed for any of them. She wondered what her mother would think of her and how she'd turned out. She felt sure her mother would be sad about the life they ended up leading, but she had a sneaking suspicion she'd have been proud at how close her children were.

Dean had been quietly watching his sister staring off into space. He saw as her face darkened and eyes grew glassy. He knew exactly what she was thinking about. It was inevitable and impossible not to think about no matter how hard they all tried.

He walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. She looked up at him startled. She'd been off in another world.

"Hey," he said, patting her knee.

"Hey," she said back, not looking up at him. Laney knew he'd picked up on her mood. She felt the change in him, courtesy of her gifts, and not for the first time, she wondered if Dean didn't have some abilities of his own. Or maybe it just came along with raising her that he could sense every change in her.

"Let's not go there today, okay?" he said, his voice soft.

"It's hard not to."

"I know. But we missed your birthday last year and with everything that has happened in the last year, I think you deserve to celebrate."

Laney nodded. "I guess you're right." She turned towards him and graced him with a bright smile.

"Need I say it?"

"Go right ahead," said Laney, knocking her knee into his.

"Of course I'm right. I'm the oldest."

Laney rolled her eyes again and playfully punched her brother in the shoulder. "I miss her," she said with a quiet sigh.

"Yeah, me too."

"Seems weird for me to miss her, when I didn't even know her, you know?"

"You might not think I understand, but I do. I also know she'd be proud of you."

Laney took a trembling breath. "I hope so."

"I know so," said Dean.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. For being the most awesome brother. For always fighting for me and Sammy. For fighting so hard to keep us all together."

Dean grabbed her chin and turned it towards him to get her attention again. "You don't see it do you?" he asked, his bright green eyes serious.

"See what?"

"You are what keeps us together. You're the glue Laney."

Laney's eyes misted over and she bit her lip. They were dangerously close to a chick flick moment. Actually, they'd passed that long ago.

Laney leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You're more sensitive than you look."

Dean barked a laugh.

The motel room door opened to reveal their freakishly tall brother smiling widely at the scene before him.

"What's so funny?" asked Sam.

"Dean's showing his softer side."

"He has one?"

"Yes, I bring it out for special occasions."

"Like our baby sister's 18th birthday?"

"Exactly."

Sam walked over and lifted his sister up into a giant bear hug. Laney squealed, laughing.

"Happy Birthday baby!"

"Thanks Sammy," Laney said, as her brother put her down. She smoothed out her clothing and hair. She turned to Dean. "So what's on the agenda? We got a case?"

"I'm sorry, but did you miss the part where today is your birthday and we're going to celebrate?" he asked.

"No…but…"

"But nothing. I'm declaring today a holiday. No working."

Laney smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sounds good to me. So what are we going to do?"

"That's for Sam and I to know and you to find out."

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Laney couldn't remember a day in her recent past much like the one she'd been having. It was surreal. Dean had driven them from Central Florida, where they'd worked their last case, down to the Florida Keys.

Now they were sitting beachside with fruity drinks with umbrellas, enjoying the warm Florida sun and sights. It was beyond relaxing. It was just what they all needed. Good conversation in an environment where something wasn't trying to kill them, a real actual sit down dinner at a nice restaurant, followed by a leisurely stroll through the main street of Key West.

Laney didn't want to leave. It was a little slice of a normal life that they rarely saw. There was zero talk about any cases, demons, special children, or hunting. Her brothers were having a lighthearted but heated debate about the realism of fighting tactics in Steven Segal films. Laney sat quietly, smiling every once in awhile when one or the other said something especially funny or ridiculous. Dean could have been a champion debater. It made her sad sometimes, all the could-have-beens. But she put it aside. She had the best family in the world, in all its dysfunction and drama and pain and death, she still wouldn't trade it for anything.

Her brothers settled down as the sun began to set. It was the most beautiful sunset in her memory. Bright oranges and reds and deep purple filled the skyline. And even though her birthday had always symbolized the loss of the life that had set them all on their current journey, she didn't let the sadness creep in. She enjoyed the day for what it was, a celebration of life and family.

When the sun finally dipped below the horizon and the dusky skies darkened into night, Laney turned to see that her both of her brothers were watching – studying – her closely. She was glad it was dark because she was sure she was blushing.

"What?" she asked finally.

Dean shook his head. "Nothing."

When in reality it was everything. He recalled memories of her growing up. Like he was a proud father. She'd turned out better than he could have ever hoped and he thought just maybe, he had a little something to do with it. She was strong, willful, smart, and sensitive. She had all the best parts of her family in one. He was exceedingly proud of her.

Dean felt his eyes growing slightly misty. He briefly turned away and then cleared his throat.

"Okay, so what next?" he asked.

"I don't know. How do you top that?" Laney said pointing out across the water.

"I can think of a few things," Dean said with a waggle of his eyebrows towards some scantily clad women leaving the beach.

"How about you keep it in your pants, just for today?" asked Laney.

Sam's laughter boomed across the beach they were sitting on, getting a few stares from the beachgoers who were heading back into town.

Dean glared at her, although there was no heat in it, his mouth even twitching up slightly in a smile.

"You have a mouth on you," he said.

"Wonder where I get it from."

"Maybe it's time for her present," suggested Sam.

"What present?" Laney asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought all this was my gift."

"Its part of it," said Sam.

"Yeah," huffed Dean. "Like you're not totally spoiled."

Laney smiled but said nothing. Because she totally was.

"Alright, gimme," she said, clapping her hands together.

"Not here, too public," said Sam

"Good idea," said Dean.

"Hmm, a gift you can't give me in public...I'm intrigued."

"Whatever shrimp, let's go back to the room for awhile," said Dean.

"Let's go," said Laney, gathering up her stuff and taking an arm of each of her brothers. She noticed all the women making eyes at her brothers, and how could they not? She wasn't blind to that fact that her brothers were good looking men, who carried themselves well. She smiled inwardly knowing they were totally focused on her.

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The room was actually a beachfront suite. Dean had really splurged. They'd gotten lucky. The FBI had frozen the few assets they actually had in their real names, but it wasn't much. They still had the money from the accident settlement, which they had smartly kept most of in cash at various banks in safety deposit boxes and accounts in assumed names. Dean still hustled pool, mostly for fun. Money was not yet a problem for them, but they were usually very frugal and smart about what they spent. It wouldn't last forever.

It was two bedroom suite, with a living room and full size kitchen. Laney's favorite part was the large private Jacuzzi on the patio. She planned to spend some quality time in it before the night was over.

Laney had been used to having a room, a space of her own, at Bobby's. But this was different. She was embarrassed to admit that she didn't really want her own room here. She had been suffering some separation anxiety. She didn't know why, but she felt the need to be within arm's reach of her brothers most days.

She wandered into her brothers' room, having changed into a short summery dress that was probably the most revealing thing she'd worn in her life. It was late spring in Florida, but the night was a balmy 80 degrees and she wanted to enjoy it comfortably.

"Hey guys."

Dean turned towards her and raised an eyebrow. He raked a scrutinizing glance over her clothing. Her outfit was more revealing than he was used to, but certainly not inappropriate. The crisscrossed scars on her upper chest were visible, although they had faded to a silvery color. The ones on her leg from the accident and subsequent surgeries were a little brighter and more pronounced. She had many more on her abdomen too, but she'd kept those covered. He was glad she seemed more confident and less uncomfortable with them though.

Laney patiently waited for her brother's remark.

"You look gorgeous," blurted out Sam. And she did. Her skin was sun kissed and glowing, her honey eyes were bright and golden; most importantly she looked well, rested, and happy.

Dean swallowed thickly. She was beautiful, and although she mostly favored their father, he could see traces of their mother in her.

"You look nice," he finally said.

"Thanks guys," she said, blushing.

She sat down on the bed and cleared her throat. "So where's my present?"

Dean laughed and nodded at Sam. Sam smiled and pulled out a gift wrapped box and handed it to her.

"Happy Birthday," he said, running and hand over her thick hair.

Laney smiled brightly at both of them and then eagerly grabbed the box and ripped off the wrapping. Inside the box was a leather case. She unzipped the case to find inside a brand new pearl handed handgun, much like the one Dean had and she'd always admired. Her eyes widened in excitement.

"Wow," she said, breathlessly, as she caressed the handle. "I love it. I'm just – "

"What?" asked Dean

"A gun?."

"Why not? You're a hunter and every hunter should have their very own weapon."

Laney's mouth fell open. She'd been hunting for months and held her own. Her brothers had told her how much they accepted her as a hunter. But getting the gun, it felt like a final confirmation that she was part of the fold.

Dean's thumb came up abruptly to her face to catch the tear she didn't even realize had formed.

She looked up at him and smiled, jumped up and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.

Sam pulled her into a hug. Laney pulled away and caressed the gun lovingly, still in disbelief.

"I'll show you all its features later. Let's enjoy a night on the town. What do you think?" asked Dean.

Laney laughed. "Sounds good to me. "

Dean watched as she carefully put the gun back in its leather case, touching the leather case with reverence.

It had been Sam's idea to get her her own gun and Dean had to admit, he'd resisted at first. It was at the end of a hairy hunt that he knew he had to stop thinking of her as just his sister. She'd held her own and more; saved their asses more than once. It was time she felt like the hunter she was and he acknowledged it. He'd ended up spending weeks shopping for the perfect handgun.

"I'm ready!' she said, as she slipped on her sandals.

Dean grabbed her hand. "Let's go."

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It was Spring Break for many of the colleges across the country and Key West was a hot spot for party goers and vacationers alike, so downtown was bustling with crowds hanging out of clubs and bars and into the streets. Dean and Sam kept Laney between them. She was in the age range of the crowd and the men around hadn't failed to notice her presence. Dean and Sam didn't blame them. Laney was more beautiful than any of the other women, and a completely natural beauty at that, not that they were biased or anything. But whenever either one caught a guy giving her the eye, all it took was one glare from Dean or Sam to send them a message that she was off limits.

They stopped at an outdoor tiki bar, not far from the hotel. Laney used her fake ID to get in, but of course was not drinking anyway. She'd sworn that off after her experience in Boston. Dean and Sam had a few beers while they played darts and Dean hustled some pool even though they didn't need the money. Laney could see that he was in absolute heaven. Women were flocking to him left and right. Even Sam for once, was really enjoying himself, although the female attention didn't overly impress him. It may have been nearly two years since Jessica had died, but it was still pretty fresh for Sam. And he'd always been more of a one woman kind of man.

Laney sat back and enjoyed the scene, knowing full well they'd be back on the road and back in business in a day or two. They wouldn't get another mini-vacation for a very long time.

A blonde college aged guy had found the chink in the brother armor and made his way over to Laney.

"Hey," he said.

Laney looked up. "Uh, hey," she said. He was a good looking guy. Blue eyes and blonde hair. He was such the stereotypical college boy, it did nothing for her. She had a certain type. Like Gavin. She pushed aside the pang of remorse that came up whenever she thought about him and smiled. Gavin was past history. Or at least she'd mostly convinced herself that was the case.

"What's your name?"

"Laney."

"Laney. That's a pretty name."

"Thanks and you are?"

"Anthony," he said, reaching out a hand.

Laney shook his hand, and peeked around him at her brothers. They were totally preoccupied with a game of pool, but it was only a matter of time before one of them came charging over. But in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to flirt. She was feeling bold.

"Spring break, huh? What college do you go to?"

"MIT," said Laney. Not technically true anymore, but he didn't need to know that.

Anthony raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed.

"How about you?" asked Laney.

"Kansas State."

Laney's eyes went slightly wide. "Really? What part of Kansas are you from?"

"Born and raised in Lawrence. You know it?"

Laney's spine stiffened. Of all the places in the world, he was from her hometown. She suddenly felt very exposed.

Sam had noticed the young guy talking to his sister before Dean did, but he didn't go running over. She was entitled to have some fun too. But when he saw her posture change and the dark shadow that momentarily crossed her face, he patted Dean's arm to get his attention, pointed in Laney's general direction and rushed towards her.

Laney was stuttering a response when Sam came into sight. She cast him a grateful glance.

"Can I help you?" asked Sam, low and threatening.

Laney was momentarily impressed. Sometimes she forgot how dangerous and menacing Sam could be. Usually it was Dean's thing... the brother who was behind him with murderous eyes.

"Just making small talk," said Anthony, putting his hands up in mock surrender.

"These are my brothers Sam and Dean."

"Oh, hi," he said.

"Anthony here goes to Kansas State and he's from Lawrence."

A barely perceptible look passed between her brothers. Sam understood what Laney had gotten upset about.

Dean narrowed his eyes. "Really? That's pretty interesting. But we're going to be on our way."

College boy looked disappointed, but smiled at Laney. "Maybe I'll see you around this week."

"Not likely," snapped Dean.

Sam grabbed his sister's hand and pushed her behind him as he waited for the guy to leave. He seemed to have gotten the message, and slunk away.

When he was gone, Laney sighed heavily and her shoulders dropped as she released the tension.

"Stupid," Laney breathed out.

"What?" asked Sam.

"Nothing. I think I'm ready to go back to the hotel and take advantage of the Jacuzzi."

"Sure," Dean said, slowly. "But I want to know what that was all about first."

"It's so dumb. When that guy told me he was from Lawrence, I panicked."

"Okay," said Dean. "But that doesn't sound so stupid to me."

"Did he threaten you?" asked Sam.

"No and he's just some random dude, seriously. He didn't want to hurt me, he was just interested in me," said Laney. And if she'd taken a second to let her abilities do their jobs she would have picked up on it right away.

Dean sighed and shrugged. "Well, I don't blame him. You are a Winchester. Good looks run in the family."

Laney rolled her eyes, but smiled at her big brother.

"You sure it's nothing?" Sam asked again.

Laney and Dean turned towards him, and for the first time Laney really saw the deep concern in his eyes.

"It's okay Sammy. Seriously, if anything was up I would have sensed it. It was totally random."

The lines in his forehead eased off a bit. "Okay," he said, finally, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side.

"Come on," said Dean, now sufficiently worried. "Let's get out of here."

"You guys can stay," insisted Laney. "I'm good. The hotel is right across the street. I'll be fine. I'll jump in the hot tub and soak for awhile."

"Yeah right," said Dean. "You are a magnet for trouble."

"I am not."

"Uh-huh" said Dean, as he pushed her towards the exit.

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Coming back to the hotel room to veg out in the giant Jacuzzi was the best idea Laney had all day. She was actually a little stiff and sore from all the sightseeing and walking through town for so many hours. Key West had a very rich history and if she didn't know any better, she was pretty certain her brothers were trying to find out if there might be a job in town.

She didn't blame them. She didn't want to leave either.

Laney could hear her brothers' booming laughter from inside the suite. They were watching Police Academy and even though they'd seen it a million times, it never seemed to get old. They always cracked up. The patio had a sliding door and she'd insisted they keep it open and only close the screen to keep the bugs out. She liked hearing them in the next room. Solitude was overrated.

It was the most normal day she could remember in ages. A family, vacationing, celebrating a birthday, it didn't get much more normal than that.

Laney was about to call out to one of her brothers to bring her a drink, when she felt the initial aura of a vision coming on. She attempted to brace herself just seconds before it hit, because this felt different. Then her head felt like it had been ripped in half and hot lava poured into it. Her last coherent thought was "why me?"

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Sam handed his brother another bottle of beer from the cooler they had between them. They'd stocked up at the liquor store and were enjoying themselves, watching stupid movies and bantering back and forth about nothing of real importance.

It was a nice change.

"This was a good idea," said Sam, interrupting Dean's laughter.

"What? The movie?"

"Not just that, the whole thing. Coming out here for Laney's birthday. It was a good idea. I think we all needed it."

Dean fidgeted in his seat, not comfortable with the compliments. "Yeah, well I'm glad to see her having such a good time. She deserves it after the year she's had."

"We all deserve it," Sam said.

"True," agreed Dean.

Sam leaned back against the couch and kicked his feet up on the coffee table, looking towards the direction of the patio. "How long do you think she's going to roast in there?"

"I don't know. All night probably," said Dean, with a smile. "Besides, I'm not the one who bought her all that froufrou bath stuff to throw in."

"Hey, I happen to know she likes that stuff."

Dean raised an eyebrow. Only Sam would have noticed such a thing.

"You're such a girl, Samantha," he snorted.

Sam was about to make a smart retort when he suddenly sat up straight, his head cocked to the side as if listening for something.

"What?" asked Dean, immediately on alert. He knew every change in his brother's body language.

Sam put up a finger for silence. Dean grabbed the remote to mute the television.

"Laney?" Sam called out.

When he didn't get a response he took off at a run, barreling through the room and out onto the patio, Dean right on his heels.

Sam jerked to a stop and yelled out his sister's name.

It took a moment for Dean to get a line of sight around his hulking mass of a brother. And when he did, it was a sight he wouldn't soon forget.

Laney was face down underneath the water in the Jacuzzi, her body jerking and flailing.

Sam made a lunge for her; the upper half of his body nearly fully submerged in the tub, and yanked his sister up from her armpits and pulled her up into his arms and carefully laid her on the floor.

She was sputtering and coughing her limbs jerking and flailing about. But at least she was breathing.

She coughed up a couple of spoonfuls worth of water, moaning and grabbing at her head.

"Laney!" barked Dean.

She flinched at the sound which told him she was at least slightly coherent.

Sam went to reach for the phone to call an ambulance not wanting to take a chance.

"Wait Sammy," Laney croaked, one eye barely cracked open. She put up a hand and attempted to roll onto her stomach.

Dean helped her, while Sam grabbed a towel and wrapped it over her shivering body.

"Are you okay?" asked Dean, gruffly, trying to hide that fact that he was scared out of his mind.

Laney was panting quick breaths, but trying to slow them down and get herself under control.

She propped herself up on her arms to get to a sitting position. A trickle of thick red blood poured from her nose.

And Sam knew without a doubt, that she'd had a vision.

Dean pulled a corner up from the towel to wipe the blood from her nose. When more trickled out, he motioned for Sam to hand him another towel. He put it up to her nose and adjusted her position to tilt her head up, eliciting a moan of pain from her.

Dean winced in sympathy. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms willing calm. Her shudders began to lessen.

The boys were silent. Dean rubbed her arms and then the back of her neck. Sam held a hand and rubbed a thumb over her palm in a soothing manner as they waited for their sister to come all the way back to them.

Laney drew strength and calm from her brothers' presence, using it to bring her back to Earth. The vision she'd had was by far the most painful she'd ever had and she had a feeling she knew why. It didn't help to ease the stabbing pain in her head that was beginning to settle behind her eyes. It was going to take a lot more than sleeping it off to recover.

Her entire body shuddered once and finally stilled as she found her balance. After a while she patted Dean's knee to signal that she was better. He pulled away from her and let her lean her head forward. The nosebleed was staunched.

"I'm okay," she said, her voice raspy.

Dean shook his head. She was anything but.

Sam didn't let go of her hand. He wasn't soon going to forget the sight of his sister in that tub, completely under the water, anytime soon.

"What happened?" he asked, getting a quick reproachful glance from Dean.

But Sam couldn't wait, he had to know.

"Vision."

"We figured as much," said Dean. His heart was only just beginning to find its normal rhythm.

Laney looked up at Sam, her eyes glassy with unshed tears and bright with pain.

"Special children. I saw Ava and Andy...other faces I don't know. They were being slaughtered. I saw it...felt it... in detail."

"You said the visions you got before came to you in your dreams and they weren't painful," said Sam.

"I know. This was different. I didn't see you, but I know you were there, I could feel you, and I don't know how, but I think I was too."

"Me?" asked Dean.

Laney shook her head, wincing at the movement. Dean reached up to rub the base her neck. "No," she answered, softly.

"What exactly did you see?" Sam asked.

"A girl hanging by the neck. Andy killed by a demon of some kind."

Sam swallowed hard. "I still don't understand why this was so strong if all the others were in your dreams."

"Maybe because you and I were there? It felt like a warning," she answered in a small voice. Her headache was reaching combustion levels.

"A warning from who?" asked Dean.

"I wish I knew."

"I'm surprised I didn't have the vision too," said Sam. "Whenever the special children are involved, I always get a vision."

Laney's mouth quirked down. She bit her lip.

"What is it?" Dean and Sam asked simultaneously.

Laney wouldn't make eye contact and Sam had a feeling.

"You kept it away from me didn't you?" he asked.

Laney sighed. "More like intercepted it."

"Why would you do that?" asked Sam.

"Sammy, it was like an instinct. I just...it came on fast, but it was like I threw up a wall around it and kept it in my head...kept it away from you."

Sam shook his head, fists curled in anger.

"You would have done the same for me, if you could have," said Laney, picking up his anger.

"You shouldn't have done that."

"What? You're the only one who can protect me? It's a two way street, Sam," she said, her last words on a hitched breath. She curled forward in pain, riding a wave of nausea.

Sam immediately backed off and felt contrite. His sister protected him the way the same way he and Dean protected her. But knew how painful visions were and she'd basically had a double punch at once, he hated that she didn't let him share the burden. He hated the pain she was in. Hated that it happened now, on what had been a really special day.

"Sorry," Laney whispered.

Sam frowned. "You have nothing to be sorry about." He rubbed a thumb up and down her arm to soothe her.

Dean rubbed Laney's stomach and waited for her to steady. "You okay, can we get you to the bed?"

Laney nodded weakly.

Sam pulled out some dry warm clothes for her to pull over her bathing suit, which had mostly dried.

Her brothers helped her dress. Sam carried her into their room and laid her down in the bed. Dean handed her a couple of extra strong narcotic pain meds saved for real emergencies. She took them without hesitation, which worried him considerably. She'd always been a pain in the ass about taking even an aspirin.

She whispered thanks as Dean put a cool washcloth over her eyes and turned down the lights in the room.

"Get some rest."

"We should figure out what's going on," said Laney. "I saw some landmarks. We can get a location."

"Hush now, we'll work on it when you don't look so green."

"Sorry," she whispered.

"For what?"

"Ruining everything. Supposed to be having fun."

"You didn't ruin a damn thing kiddo," said Dean, with a frown.

Laney's eyelids grew heavier with each blink.

"Sleep now," he said gently.

"Sammy?" Laney called out.

"Yeah baby," he responded, sitting next to her on the bed and grabbing her hand.

"Don't go anywhere, please."

And the please came out with a heartfelt pleading that it set Dean's heart racing again.

She grabbed Dean's hand hard, turned towards him and whispered so only he could hear. "Dean, don't let him go anywhere alone."