Chapter 21

Sam stopped by the bedroom to grab sleep clothes before returning to the bathroom this time to actually shower. He turned on the water and cranked the hot as high as he could stand it, wanting to warm his chilled body. It felt so cold right down to his bones. Once it was ready, he stripped and stepped under the hot spray sucking in a sharp breath as the hot water beat on his body. He could feel the tension draining from him and reached for the shampoo to quickly wash his hair before he got too exhausted. Sam didn't realize how much his meltdown took out of him as he steadied himself with the support bar so he wouldn't fall. He tilted his head back to rinse the suds out and felt everything turn sideways for a moment before it passed. After the dizziness passed, Sam finished his shower quickly and got out to dry and put on his sleep clothes. He picked up his dirty clothes and shuffled to the bedroom feeling like an old man.

Sam dropped his clothes in the middle of the floor and crawled into bed snuggling down under the blankets not caring his hair was still damp. All he wanted was to make a nice warm cocoon for himself, but he didn't know if he could go to sleep. His mind rebelled at the thought afraid the vision would come back again. He lay in the dimly lit room and watched the door, waiting for his brother to join him. He couldn't help the hot tears that pricked his eyes as he though about him and vowed to do whatever it took to not let what he saw happen. Sam heard footsteps and the door to the bathroom closing and wiped his face on the sheet so Dean wouldn't see he had been crying again. He drew in a couple of slow breaths knowing he needed to get his emotions under control and not let them take over like they did before. He knew he needed to be strong and lock away anything that would make him vulnerable. Sam's eyes locked on his brother and followed him as he walked into the room and moved his discarded clothes out of the way.

"You doing okay bro?" Dean asked stopping between their beds to look down at him, only seeing what little of his face that wasn't covered.

"Yeah." Sam mumbled hunching deeper into covers still not feeling warm.

Dean laid a warm hand on his forehead and felt a tiny shiver run through Sam's body. He didn't feel feverish but he still felt cold. He walked over to the closet and pulled out a quilt, shaking it out and draping it over his body and tucking it in around him. He smiled when Sam sighed and saw his eyes were getting heavy and knew he would be asleep before long. Dean watched him fight sleep, as he jerked and blinked his eyes rapidly trying to stay awake.

"It's okay Sammy, go on to sleep I'm here." he told him softly brushing his damp hair from his face. "Missouri says inside these walls you're safe, you can sleep. Let all that worry go and get some rest." He watched as Sam finally gave it up and started to relax drifting to sleep. Dean hummed a few lines of 'Hey Jude' making sure he was asleep before stepping to his own bed. He stripped down to his briefs and tee shirt before slipping under the covers and letting the mattress cradle his tired body. It wasn't long before he was dozing, but he wouldn't let himself fully sleep because he was attuned to his brother in case he needed him.

spn

Dean was the first to wake the next morning. He stretched quietly and gathered up his clothes and boots before glancing down at his brother who was snoring softly. All he could see was a sliver of his face since he had wrapped the quilt up around his head covering most of his face. He silently snuck out and went to the bathroom. Once he was finished, Dean headed downstairs wondering if Missouri was awake yet.

"Good morning child; did you sleep well?" Missouri asked as Dean stepped into the kitchen, startling him.

"Halfway. At least Sammy slept through the night." he answered looking to see if coffee was made.

"Yes, the coffee is ready, so help yourself and I have a pan of cinnamon rolls in the oven baking for breakfast along with waffles and eggs." she said before Dean could ask.

"Thanks." he replied stepping to the counter and pouring a cup of strong, hot coffee. He now smelled the aroma coming from the oven and licked his lips in anticipation. "Don't go to a lot of trouble for us."

"It's no trouble, I have to make my breakfast anyway and I enjoy cooking. Why don't you take a seat and I'll put some batter in the waffle iron and get one started. I think your brother will be joining us shortly."

"I figure we'll head out today and go on back to Bobby's unless Ash finds another person we need to check out."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need to child. My home is always open to both of you." she told him. "Good morning Sam, and how did you sleep?"

Sam walked into the room rubbing his eyes and yawning still not quite awake. He looked around bleary eyed and spotted Dean at the table.

"Dude! Give me five minutes and a pair of scissors..." Dean commented when he saw how Sam's hair was sticking out around his head like a random animal tried to make a nest in it.

"Screw you." Sam mumbled to him as he tried to tame his unruly hair, not thinking what he was saying. "Sorry Missouri." he apologized when he realized what he said.

"It's okay Sam, you pay no never mind to that brother of yours. Why don't you get yourself a cup of coffee and breakfast will be ready shortly. Like I was telling your brother, we're having waffles, eggs and homemade cinnamon rolls."

"Yes ma'am." he replied casting his brother a bitch look before pouring coffee and doctoring it so he could join him at the table.

Dean made a cutting motion with his fingers just to annoy him and was happy when he saw Sam give him the finger. He could tell Sam seemed better today and was glad. He didn't like seeing him so broken and stressed like he was before.

spn

"Here you go, hot waffles, eggs and rolls. Here's the syrup so eat up boys." Missouri said in her sing-song voice as she sat plates on the table and went to make some hot tea.

"Man this meal is fit for a king Missouri. You know you're spoiling us." Dean commented as he helped himself to the food. "You need to eat Sammy 'cause we're heading back to Bobby's today."

"We are?" he questioned glancing toward Missouri for a moment wondering how he could talk to her alone before they left.

It was like she had seen through his wall when Missouri commented, "Sam you think you could help me in my herb shed after we eat? Bobby wanted me to send him some things back with you two."

"Alright I can do that." he nodded sighing with relief.

"You gotta try the rolls dude! They melt in your mouth." Dean hummed as he took another bite of cinnamon roll. He licked his fingers getting the sweet icing that stuck to them only to have Sam roll his eyes and frown at him and his table manners.

"Food is good, thanks for taking care of us." Sam told Missouri.

"It was my pleasure Sam. I don't often have handsome, young men to cook for." she teased.

"Do you think you could make up a few more hex bags in case we find any more out there like Sammy?" Dean asked trying to get a head of the game and be prepared.

"I've already done that, all I have to do is bless them and they will be ready."

"You think Mom will come back by here to see you?" Sam questioned.

"I'm not sure, but how did you know she came by to see me? Mary never tells anyone when she's coming my way as protection for me and for herself."

"I don't know, I just felt her here." Sam shrugged not really thinking anything of it as he took a bite of waffle. He stared off into the room as images of his Mom and Missouri popped into his mind for a moment and then disappeared. She was sitting at the table where he was sitting now.

Dean looked at Sam and then Missouri wondering what Sam was thinking, but didn't comment on what he said. He had to prepare himself for whatever powers that Sam might develop and make sure he knew he would be there to support him. He was sure things were going to get worse before they got better.

spn

"So child, what is bothering you?" Missouri asked as she opened the door to her herb shed.

"You knew I wanted to talk to you alone?" Sam questioned.

"Yes child, you're worried about what you saw." she said leading him inside.

"Yes, I'm not sure if it was a dream or vision but Dean died and the yellow eyed demon did it." Sam got out quickly as he looked to her in a panic. "Is that going to happen? Can I stop it? How do I protect Dean?"

"Calm down honey, what you saw was a future event but not necessarily one that will happen like you saw it. You see the future depends on the paths that are taken in the present. That is one outcome, but not necessarily the one that will happen. Are you understanding me child?" Missouri explained to him as she busied bagging a few herbs and spices for Bobby so Dean would think what she said was true.

"I think so." Sam said as he pondered what she told him. He frowned and his brain went into overdrive sorting through his thoughts. "What I do today will affect what happens in the future. So I have to figure out a way to not let what I saw happen."

"In a manner of speaking. But I have to tell you son, there are some things that no matter what you do can not be changed. I can not tell you if this is one of those times are not. All we can hope for is there will be a path taken that will change it in some way. You're so strong Sam and don't be afraid of what is inside of you, accept them, for it may be the key to defeating this evil. Believe in yourself child and don't ever give up hope. Now don't forget what I taught you. Work on those meditation techniques and don't let your brother tease you about it. There might be other abilities wake up inside you so don't let it scare you and always know child if you need to talk to someone other than Dean, call me."

"I'll try and thanks for everything you've done." Sam said softly as he mulled over this new information.

"Well we better get back inside 'fore your brother comes looking for us. He can be an impatient rascal." she chuckled already sensing Dean heading their way. "Are you good Sam?"

"Yes, I think I am." Sam told her, smiling softly toward her glad Dean brought him here. She was a unique and special individual that helped those in need without question.

A/N: They're back on the road again. Thank you to all who are reading my story. The end is coming soon so sit back and enjoy the ride. Reviews make my day. NC