Hello dear readers.

Well this is almost the end. The only chapter after this will be the epilogue. This story has taken so many twists and turns, that it is nowhere near what I had started it as. But I am beyond proud of what it became.

The epilogue will be posted next week. Also, I will be posting the beginning of a new story, that is mostly centered on Sam, but don't worry, Dean will be there too.

Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please let me know what you think.

Sam stood on the porch, and looked out at the dark driveway. A month has passed since the day Ray showed up, but Sam can still clearly see it all. At first he had thought he was fine, just a bruised shoulder. No big deal. Then the nightmares returned, followed by random panic attacks. It had taken both Dean and Bobby to help him calm down after one. Thankfully Natalie had been asleep upstairs, and Sam insisted no one tell her. She was going through enough, she didn't need his problems added on. Because of the nightmares, Sam hadn't been sleeping with Natalie. She hadn't asked why yet, but he knew she would soon. As each day passed Sam heard Ray's words echo through his mind, and he was starting to think the man was right. Natalie needed deserved so much better. Sighing Sam leaned against the post looking up at the night sky. He heard the door open, but didn't bother to turn. He was sure it was Dean coming out to check on him. Sam tensed slightly, when two small arms wrapped around his middle, and a light kiss was placed on his right shoulder.

"You've been out here a long time." Natalie whispered.

"I've been thinking." Sam was surprised when his voice cracked.

"About what." Natalie's arms tightened slightly, as she laid her head on the middle of Sam's back.

"Everything." Sam closed his eyes soaking in the sudden warmth. "So much has happened. To me, to you. I'm just afraid."

"Bobby told me everything." Natalie felt Sam instantly tighten, his breathing starting to come a little faster. Her grip around his waist shifted a little so one of her hands slipped under his shirt. Dean had his ways of calming Sam down, Natalie had hers. Slowly sliding one finger down the scar on his stomach Natalie whispered. "He was wrong you know that, right? You haven't poisoned me, and you're not damaged."

Sam let out a weak laugh. "Oh but I am. I still have nightmares, and damn panic attacks. I probably always will." Sam sighed. "My whole life I've hated hunting. But deep down I know it's a part of me. Now I'm not sure I will ever really be able to hunt again. You deserve so much better, than anything I can give you."

Natalie was silent for a minute. She finally released Sam and took a step back. "Natty has a spare room. So does Jody. They told me, I'm always welcomed there." Her voice drifted slightly as she took another step back. "I guess I'll…" Before she could turn away, Sam grabbed her and pulled her close.

"Don't." Sam whispered, burying his face in her neck.

Natalie smiled, wrapping her arms back around him. "I'm not." Turning her head slightly she kissed Sam's cheek. "If you're damaged, then so am I. If you want to continue hunting fine, if you want to stop fine. I will support you in whatever you decide. But I will never leave you."

Sam finally raised his head and looked into her eyes. "I am so sorry about Ray."

"My father loved me. I have to hold onto that. I have no idea what happened to him, or why he killed those people." Wrapping her hands behind his neck, she pulled him down and kissed him. "But I cannot forgive him for what he tried to do."

"What about Jody?"

"I have already forgiven her, many times." Natalie let go and took his hand. "Now come inside, it's getting cold and I didn't put on a coat."

"I can think of ways to keep you warm." Sam leaned forward and captured her lips.

Natalie sighed, then pushed him back slightly. "Does this mean I won't have to sleep alone tonight? Because you know you're not the only one having nightmares."

"I'm sorry." Sam said kissing her again. "I didn't want to keep you awake." He pulled her against him again and kissed her deeply bringing out a soft moan. They were close enough to the door that Sam was able to open in, and they stumbled in, still kissing.

"Hey, you two know Bobby's rule." Dean said. "As long as he can't see it what's happening."

Sam broke the kiss and looked at his brother. Dean was sitting on the couch Dria on his lap. Sam laughed. "I think you're breaking the rule, just as much as we are."

"Would you tell your brother to let me go?" Dria grumbled, trying to get up, but Dean's arms were securely locked around her.

"She threatened to leave." Dean said shifting his arms, to get a better grip.

"I didn't threaten." Dria sighed, finally realizing that getting away was impossible. "I just said, that a few days ago, Jody offered Nat and me a place to stay for a while."

Sam looked down at Natalie. "A few days ago." His arm instantly went around her waist, holding her tight.

"It was just for some girl time." Natalie smiled, and didn't even try and fight.

"That's not what it sounded like." Dean was almost pouting.

Dria looked at him and instantly caved. "You seriously thought I would leave forever, permanently, never come back."

"Please stop."

The pure feeling, showing through his green eyes, took Dria's breath away. Snuggling close, laying her head gently on his uninjured shoulder, she said. "How could I ever leave this?"

"You four going to be okay for a few days?" Bobby asked, as he came down the stairs.

"We're fine." Sam said turning to look at his foster father. "You headed out?"

"Yep."

"Don't tell me you found a hunt." Dean said. "You're the one that said we needed a vacation."

"And we do." Bobby said, pulling on his coat. "You four will have the run of the house, for the next four days. Don't burn it down."

"Bobby you don't have to leave." Natalie grabbed the man's hand. "You deserve a break too."

Squeezing the girl's hand, Bobby smiled. "And I intend to take one. Just not here, with four hormonal kids. You two ladies are in charge, keep these two out of trouble." Letting go of Natalie's hand, he walked out the door.

"Where the hell is he going?" Dean asked, trying to look out the window, without really moving.

"Don't worry about it." Dria said kissing him.

"Do you two know something you're not telling?" Sam asked, looking down at Natalie's smiling face.

"We might know something." Natalie moved slightly away. "Then again, we might not."

Sam grabbed her and pulled her close. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear. "Truth." Without another word, the two headed up the stairs.

"What was that about?" Dean was still confused.

Dria snuggled close, running her finger down Dean's chest. "Something between them."

"You know were Bobby is heading, don't you?"

"Maybe." Dria looked up smiling wickedly. "How you going to get it out of me?"

"Oh I have my ways." Dean's voice was suddenly low, as his lips claimed Dria's.

##

##

Bobby parked the truck and pulled his phone out. Dialing the number, he listened to the ringing. He wasn't ready when he heard John answer.

"Winchester."

"Hey John." Bobby shifted his hat slightly.

"Hey Bobby, everything okay?"

"Yeah, listen I'm sorry I didn't call sooner, a whole lot of shit's been happening."

"What happened?"

"Ray showed up at the house. Don't worry." Bobby heard John gasp. "The boys are fine. Sam got a bruised shoulder that's already healed. A bullet grazed Dean, it's mostly healed."

"When the hell did this happen?"

"About a month ago."

"A month ago!" John screamed. "And you're just now telling me this why? What the hell Singer. You couldn't pick up the damn phone and give me a call?"

"I was a little busy Winchester." Bobby snapped back. "A cop was involved, so I couldn't just burn the body and move on. There was paper work to fill out, and questions to answer. Not to mention a very upset young lady who just lost her father. I had to work fast, to keep some random family member, from swopping in and taking her away. On top of all that, I had to help Sam through another major panic attack. Make sure Dean's shoulder didn't get infected. While I was also enrolling the kids in school. So I'm sorry that I didn't call you the second it happened, I've been a little busy."

"Busy being a father." John whispered.

Bobby closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "In seven days call Sam. He wants to talk to you."

"Why seven days?"

"We're taking a vacation." Bobby explained. "Plus in seven days Dean will be on a hunt somewhere."

"He'll never forgive me." Bobby heard the pain in the man's voice. "Not that I blame him."

"One son at a time John. Sam wants to talk, but for now only over the phone." Bobby smiled. "And be ready to hear a lot about Natalie. She's pretty much all he ever talks about."

John laughed. "Sounds okay to me."

"You know Sam's the only one Dean will really listen to." Bobby said gently. "If Sam forgives you, Dean eventually will."

"I know." John sighed. "You take care of our boys Singer."

"I will John." Bobby hung up. A light tapping on the window had him turning.

Jody stood outside his truck smiling. "You going to stay out here all night?"

Bobby smiled opening the door. "I had to do something, I'd been putting off."

"Well come inside, the stew's getting cold." Jody said heading toward her house. "What are the kids doing?"

"By now, I don't want to know." Bobby said following Jody into the house.