Chapter 54

As the morning light peaked through a crack in the curtain, Dean opened his eyes and drew in a deep breath, waking his body and mind up. He rolled over to get up, seeing Nitro was doing the same. He watched her stretching as she stood on one foot and yawn.

"Guess it times we head out." she said giving her body a little shake before looking for her crutches. "I'll be glad when I can toss these things away." she mumbled to herself.

"Yes, go change and use the bathroom and when I've changed we finish this trip." Dean said. He didn't mention the troubling dreams he had last night and was knowing had something to do with Sam. He pulled out his cell and dialed Shadow waiting for an answer after Nitro made her way into the bathroom.

"Hello Gunny." Shadow greeted him. "Glad you made it back okay."

"What's going on bro? Did something happen to Sam?" he questioned cautiously.

"Yes and no. Can we meet before you see the kid? I need to talk with you first and fill you in." he said in a serious tone.

"Alright, we'll be on our way shortly. We're not that far away."

"We're in Dripping Springs, just outside of Austin off exit 121. There's a park a couple of blocks from our motel, called Rambling Rose Motel, we can meet in private before you see Sam."

"I'll find it and text you when I'm near."

"Thanks Gunny." Shadow said before hanging up.

Dean hung up and looked at the cell for a moment, contemplating what Shadow had said. Something else must have happened on their trip to Austin and he thought Shadow wanted to prepare him before meeting Sam. He shook his head slightly to break his train of thought as Nitro hobbled back into the room.

"Your turn." she said packing her things and sitting the bags on the bed.

"I'll be ready shortly." he replied picking up his clean clothes and stepping into the bathroom. He quickly changed clothes, relieved himself and washed his face and hands before joining Nitro in the other room. He gathered their things and left the room, going to their car to put their bags in the trunk before getting in. Nitro came out after him more slowly on her crutches. She put them in the back seat and hopped around to get in the passenger seat.

"Time to finish this journey." Dean said cranking the car and pulling out of the parking lot and heading for the interstate toward Austin. Both were quiet on the trip north, Dean not wanting to talk and Nitro knowing something was going on with him and knew not to question him. She could sense his mood had changed but didn't know what had caused it.

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Traffic was light and they moved at a steady pace north. Dean stopped halfway to let Nitro drive so he could contact his father. Since she injured her left foot, there wasn't any problem with her doing it, plus she was bored and it gave her something to do. She happily got behind the wheel and got back on the interstate, humming to herself as she fiddled with the radio for a moment.

Dean listened to the ringing of the other cell and waited for his father to answer.

H'llo." a gruff male voice answered.

"Hi Dad." Dean replied.

"Dean, son, how are you?"

"I'm fine. How are things going there?"

"Ellen's glad that Bill's home unharmed. They're trying to comfort each other right now. I'm staying for a while to help out in the bar. Figured they could use a little time to themselves and not have to worry 'bout the place. They got a kid here, named Ash who's helping too, though I'm not too sure of him...He's kind of weird and spacey, but he does help out."

"Did things go okay with your...job?"

"Yes, it's been taken care of. You?"

"No problems. We're heading for Sam's location and I'm gonna check in with the DA and see where everything stands. Once the trial is over, we'll be heading your way."

"I'll let Ellen know, she wants to do a service for Jo and wants you two here, both of you." he said emphasizing the last few words to get his point across.

"Sounds good to me. I'll let Sam know and see what he says. I'll call you when we're heading your way."

"You be careful Dean, it's still not over yet."

"I know, and we will. Good-bye Dad." he said hanging up and dialing another number. "Hello, Dean Winchester checking in...Yes he's in a safe location nearby by...Alright I'll have him ready. If any changes come up you can reach me at this number."

Nitro looked over at him as he stuffed his cell back into his jacket pocket, a closed look on his face. She couldn't help but ease drop on his conversations as he talked to his father and the DA's office, but there was something else bothering him, she was sure of it. Dean didn't pay attention to her as he looked out the windshield and side window before glancing back over his shoulder at the traffic behind them like he was looking for something. Nitro was sure he was checking for anyone following them as she had been too. She kept an eye on all the mirrors, watching the vehicles to see if any looked suspicious.

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"You'll have to bypass Austin and head west on 290 toward Dripping Springs. The guys have Sam hidden away in a motel there."

"Alright, I can do that." she said watching the road signs and seeing 290 was only five miles ahead.

"I'm going to meet up with Shadow at a park near the motel before seeing Sam." Dean said randomly not giving any further details.

"Alright, I can drop you off, go get some gas in the car and something to eat." she said knowing she wasn't needed at that meeting. "I'll take my time so you can."

"Thanks." Dean nodded knowing she would understand. "When we're closer I'll text Shadow to meet us."

Nitro didn't say anything as she exited onto 290 heading west out of Austin. Once they were away from the city, traffic thinned out letting Nitro pick up speed as she made her way to Dripping Springs. It didn't take them long to drive into the town limits and Nitro took an exit for downtown. Dean quickly sent a text to Shadow to join him at the park. She let Dean guide her to a small nice park and stopped so he could get out.

"Go on and do what you need to. I'll text you when we head back to the motel and let you know the room number." Dean told her getting out and leaning down to talk with her. "If you go back that way and turn right you'll find gas and food and a few shops."

"Thanks Gunny. I'll see you later at the motel." Nitro said, waiting for him to close the door before pulling out and following his directions.

Dean looked around the park and spotted a bench in the shade just off the trail that ran around it. He headed that way and dropped onto it to wait for Shadow. It wasn't long before a truck pulled into the parking lot and parked at the beginning of the trail. He watched Shadow's tall form dislodge himself from his truck and look around spotting him and headed that way. Dean stood as he drew near, seeing the serious look on his face.

"Gunny its good to see you." Shadow said bumping fists with him and sitting down when he did. He stared down at his hands as they clenched into fists and then relaxed. Shadow didn't know how to start telling him what happened to Sam and drew in a deep breath to build up the courage.

"Shadow, I know something must of happened after talking to you. Why don't you get it off your chest and tell me."

"Before I start...I want you to know I take full responsibility for what happened...I should of known better than to fall for that damn trick...I just want you to know about what happened before seeing the kid..."

"Shadow...Is Sam safe?"

"Yes, but..."

"Was he injured?"

"Pretty minor, but..."

"And you've not had any other problems?"

"No, but..."

"So take a breath and tell me the what happened. Spit it out I'm listening." he said sitting back on the bench and waiting for Shadow to talk.

"Alright..." Shadow said glancing at Dean for a second before starting. "We were stopped at a gas station and Sam was finishing up in the restroom while Storm and I waited on him in the store. Some kid came in and said a guy was messing with our vehicles and we ran outside to find our tires had been flattened and the guy got away. We hurried back in when Sam didn't come out and he wasn't anywhere in the store. We checked the video and found he was kidnapped. The clerk gave us enough info to track them down to a house about thirty miles away. Storm and me drugged two of the kidnappers and I went looking for Sam and the third..." Shadow stopped as he clenched his fists and anger and gritted his teeth.

"Go on." Dean urged knowing what was coming up was crucial. He could already feel his temper flaring, not at Shadow but at whoever took him. He clenched his jaw as his nostrils flared with anger and his eyes flashed with fury.

"They had Sam cuffed and in a bedroom in the back of the house. When I found him...The third guy...He was going to...He almost ra...I jerked him off Sam and beat the shit out of him. I was going to scalp him and maybe castrate him too, but Storm stopped me...I stopped him before he could do anything...Sam had some scrapes, bloody lip and bruises, but he was okay physically. I think emotionally he's still suffering, nightmares, not eating, that kind of thing. We had to take out two Cartel guys who were coming to get Sam. I really don't think they'll be missed and those guys are going to have a hard time explaining the two dead Mexicans if they call the cops. I'm so sorry Gunny, I shouldn't of left him alone like I did." Shadow finished hanging his head.

"Shadow, you know you're being way too hard on yourself. What happened could of happened to any of us. You know no matter how much you plan, things don't always go as they should. What's important is you got to Sam in time. It sounds like you took care of the problem so I'm guessing I don't need to pay that asshole a visit. I'm not blaming you or Storm for what happened, you're both excellent team members and I would not have trusted Sam with anyone else. Don't blame yourself for what happened, 'cause I don't." Dean told him trying to ease his mind and control his emotions. "You and Storm got him here and have kept him safe, that's what counts. I think it's time I go see him. What room are you guys in so I can send it to Nitro?"

"Yeah, I agree. He's really missed you and I know he'll be glad to see you too. We're in room 167." Shadow said smiling half heartedly at him. "Thanks Gunny."

"You got the job done and it turned out alright. Don't beat yourself up over it, we're good."

They got up and walked toward Shadow's truck to head back to the motel. He pulled his cell out and sent a text to Nitro they were heading there, giving her the name and room number. Shadow pulled out and headed for the motel feeling a huge burden had been lifted from him now that he had told Gunny what happened. He had a feeling he would understand, but had to hear it from him to ease his mind.

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Sam was slumped down on the couch absently watching a movie on television wondering why Shadow hadn't returned. He usually wasn't gone this long, unless... No he couldn't think like that; he was fine and just taking his time is all, nothing had happened to him. He hadn't slept well since they got here and part of it was bad dreams and part was worrying about Dean. The dreams he knew were to be expected after what he had to endure and over time they would probably go away. He knew Dean couldn't call him while he was away and that just made it that much more stressful. Sam rubbed his tired eyes and tried to suppress a yawn not wanting anyone to see how tired he was. Both guys had fussed at him to eat more since he was picking at the food they made or the takeout they went and got. He wasn't sure why, but he just couldn't seem to stomach food right now. Being a doctor, he knew it was probably the stress and worry he was putting himself through, but he couldn't help it. Until he knew Dean was okay, he couldn't stop worrying.

Storm was at the table working on his laptop occasionally glancing at Sam to be sure he was okay. He had been trapped in this motel room for five days now and he was starting to climb the walls and get bitchy moody. He could tell by the dark circles under his eyes that he hadn't been sleeping very well. Sam had woke them a couple of times crying out in the night from a nightmare. He wouldn't talk about it and they didn't pressure him, knowing it was about what he went through. Shadow had told him Gunny and Nitro were back, but not to tell Sam. He was going to meet with him first and they would head back here. Storm wanted to go too, but they didn't want to leave Sam alone and Shadow felt he should be the one to tell Dean what happened. He looked toward the door when he heard a key in the lock. Shadow walked in and behind him trailed Gunny and a hobbling Nitro. He looked to Sam who hadn't seen Dean yet and waited for it to happen.

"Hi ya Sammy." Dean called gently to him not wanting to startle him. He could see his profile and when he jumped looking his way, Dean thought he looked tired and worn down. His heart broke to see him that way and was going to sit him down and talk things out knowing it would help.


A/N: We have two paths merged now and Dean and Sam are reunited. It will all be coming together soon. Thank you so much for all the support and a special thanks to all the guests who leave reviews, especially Elliesamdeangirl, I am humbled by such kind words. I do like to know your thoughts, please leave a review. NC