Chapter 55

Sam wasn't paying much attention when Shadow came back in until he heard that familiar voice that he wanted to hear some badly. He jerked his head to the side and started wide-eyed in disbelief at Dean standing in the room smiling at him.

"Dean!" he cried trying to get up but his legs seemed liked rubber as he stumbled from the couch to throw himself at Dean and wrapping his arms tightly around him.

"Watch it tiger!" Dean laughed as he stumbled slightly and took Sam's full weight, but could tell he had dropped a few pounds since last seeing him. He wrapped his arms around him, holding him close, feeling Sam's body trembling in his arms. The flood gates seemed to open up and the raw emotions Sam was suppressing came pouring out at one time. He had tried to put up a good front in front of Shadow and Strom, but he couldn't do that with Dean. He was his rock since all this mess started and Sam clung to him, afraid to take his eyes off him for fear this was a dream and he might disappear.

"C'mon Storm, let's go get some food." Shadow told him wanting to give them some alone time.

"Hey Ni, good to have you back." Storm said getting up join them at the door. "Should I even ask?" he asked eyeing the crutches and her bandaged foot.

"I wouldn't." she warned with a huff. "We'll be back Gunny." Nitro said seeing Dean nod his heard. "I already ate, but I'll keep you two company while you guys eat, maybe I'll have some dessert."

"You can tell us about your adventure..." Shadow suggested as they walked out the door leaving Dean and Sam alone. "And why we can call you Gimp now." he teased.

"Watch it there buster! Even with one leg incapacitated I can still whip your butt." she growled swinging a crutch at him connecting with his backside.

"Ow! Ni go easy there." he whined putting Storm between them making both of them laugh at his antics.

spn

Dean could hear hitched sobs coming from Sam and raised a hand to massage his neck as he cooed to him. "It's okay kid, I'm back. Things are going to be alright now. It'll be over with soon." Very carefully Dean moved Sam backwards so they could sit on the couch and be more comfortable. He still kept an arm around his shoulders as Sam leaned into him not wanting to lose contact with him.

"I-I tried t-t-to be brave Dean." Sam said sniffing hard as he wiped the back of his hand across his face to remove the wetness from it. Dean looked sideways at him thinking how much he looked like a five year old kid who had popped his balloon.

"Shadow told me what you went through and you were very brave." Dean assured him. "I'm proud of you bro."

"You shouldn't be...I was so scared...I tried to get free...But when he took me to the bathroom...I felt so degraded and sick on my stomach...But I thought of you and fought back. I head butted him as hard as I could and bloodied his nose, but it didn't stop him..." Sam whispered wadding Dean's shirt in his fist, closing his eyes tight as tears continued to leak from them while he continued to relive what had happened. "He threw me on the bed and I could feel his hot breath on my neck...I tried so hard..." Sam hissed, his voice cracking and getting hoarse. "The bastard punched me so hard I blacked out for a moment. I don't know what happened until I woke up in a motel room with Shadow and Storm."

"The main thing is you're safe now Sammy. And think 'bout it you brought first blood, that head butt was a good move. I'm here now and I'll help you get through this. I know it's something that won't be forgotten for a long time, but talking about it will help you put it behind you. You can't let it control you Sammy. You've got to fight it to conquer it." Dean told him blinking back his own tears. He tilted his chin upward so he could see into his eyes. "You're not alone in any of this; together we'll get through it and put it behind us."

"I'm so glad you're back." Sam said through his tears as his lower lip trembled uncontrollably and he buried his head into his shoulder.

"Me too kid, me too." he replied looking to his jacket pocket when his cell started ringing. Dean hated to move, but thought it might be an important call and disengaged himself from Sam and got up to answer it. He kept his eyes on him and watched him curl up on the couch holding himself to try to stop shaking. "H'llo...Yes...Are you serious?...So that means what?...I am glad to hear it...No problem I'll let him know and thank you...My boss will be sending out a final bill for my services...Good-bye."

"Who was that?" Sam asked looking at Dean smiling at him.

"That was the DA. He wanted to let me know you won't have to testify after all. The case is not going to court."

"It's not? But why?"

"Seems the accused murderer was shived in prison. There was a distraction from some other inmates and he was attacked, but they didn't see who did it. He wasn't the only one, seems two other cartel goons who were his protection were killed too. Since he's dead, there's no trial and you don't have to testify against anyone." Dean explained. "You just lucked out kid. It's over with now. There's no one else out there to come after you."

"Are you serious?" Sam asked in disbelief. "It's over...Really over?"

"Yeah Sammy...It's over." Dean nodded sitting back down beside him and squeezing his shoulder gently.

"I-I can't believe it..." he mumbled staring off into space lost in thought.

"Have you eaten?" Dean asked. "Looks like you need to put on a few pounds."

"Just some cereal for breakfast early this morning."

"Why don't we go celebrate and get a late lunch? You need to get some food in you." Dean suggested. "I'll text the others and let them know."

"Let me get my shoes and go to the bathroom." Sam said getting up and heading for the bathroom. He wanted to wash his face and hands before they left to look a little more presentable.

Dean sent a text to Shadow and waited patiently for Sam to return so they could go eat. He thought about what the DA had told him and wondered who was behind the killings. It was too much of a coincidence that they were killed before Sam had to testify. It sounded like a hit from the inside and Dean mulled it over until Sam came back out.

"I'm ready." Sam said excitedly brushing his hair down and straightening his shirt.

"So what are you in the mood for?" Dean asked him as they headed out the door.

"You know pizza would be nice. I know it's not good for you, but we are celebrating..."

"Pizza it is. Let's see if the front desk has a brochure for the restaurants around here." he said heading for the office. They went inside and Dean got another room for the night and a list of restaurants. "Here we go. There's a pizza place about four miles from here."

"Great, I'm actually feeling hungry for the first time in a while." he said getting into Dean's car. He smiled happily glad to be able to leave the motel room and get some fresh air. He rolled the window down and let the breeze blow in his face, relishing the warmth and sunshine and having Dean back safe. The stress and worry that plagued him was fading away and he was starting to feel lighter and more himself again.

"You know Sammy, we can talk more later when you want to." Dean offered knowing it would do him good. He knew the more Sam was able to talk things out, the better he would get.

"Maybe..." Sam replied.

spn

"I can't eat another bite." Sam moaned as he dropped what remained of his fifth piece of pizza onto his plate.

"Dude! Did they even feed you while I was gone?" Dean questioned as he laughed at Sam moaning and rubbing his stomach in contentment. He watched the kid put away piece after piece of pizza, barely stopping long enough to breath. Dean took another bite of his piece and shook his head in dismay at Sam.

"Yes, but nothing tasted as good as this does right now." Sam said sipping some soda and suddenly burping loudly. He ducked his head, turning deep red with embarrassment as he slapped his hand over his mouth. "'cus me." he mumbled between his fingers looking around to see if anyone else heard it.

"It's okay Sammy; just means the food was good." Dean teased as he chuckled.

"So what now Dean?" Sam asked as he wiped his mouth and fingers off on a napkin.

Dean looked at him for a moment contemplating things in his head before answering.

"Well, the guys will go back home and we'll head for Austin first. I thought you might like to come with me to the Roadhouse. Uncle Bill and Aunt Ellen are planning a small service for Mouse once we all get there."

"Are you sure they would want me there? I mean after Jo..." he asked quietly keeping his eyes down as he tore apart the napkin by his plate.

"Of course they would. Mouse really liked you Sam and they did too, there's no reason you shouldn't be there. That is if you want to come...And Aunt Ellen sent a personal request for both of us to come."

"Yeah, yes I would like that." Sam agreed biting his lower lip with his decision. He really did want to go, but still he had his doubts. He trusted what Dean said and hoped he was right.

"Good, we'll spend the night here and head back to Austin tomorrow to get more clothes and check on our places before heading out. So are you sure you're done?" Dean asked him as he signaled for the waitress wanting to get a to-go box for what was left of the pizza. She brought him a box and the check and got them takeout cups of soda. Dean left a nice tip and gathered up the leftovers to take with them. "I need to make one stop before we go back to the motel." he said.

Dean stopped at a discount store and ran in coming back out with a plastic bag. Sam didn't question what he had thinking he would tell him if he wanted to. They drove on to the motel to find the others had gotten back too.

spn

"You won't believe this but it's over with guys." Dean told them once they got inside the room.

"What? He doesn't have to testify?" Nitro asked looking surprised at everyone.

"Are you alright?" Sam asked when he saw the crutches leaning beside her and her bandaged foot resting on a pillow for the first time. He never noticed her being hurt when they first got there since he was totally focused on Dean.

"Yeah, just a stupid misstep on my part. Thank goodness it happened after the mission was over. Nothing a week or so off my foot won't fix." she told him.

"Have you had it looked at by a doctor? I can check it if you want."

"Thanks kid, but a doctor already did and got it x-rayed too. Torn tendons and bruised ankle."

"Seems the guy got ganked in prison, so there's no one to prosecute." Dean shrugged.

"Well halleluiah to that." Shadow grinned. "We need to celebrate."

"I got another room for Sammy and me, so you guys can use this one. We'll be heading out in the morning for Austin to swap out clothes and then we're heading for the Roadhouse. My Dad's there and they're gonna have a service for my cousin. "

"Can I bum a ride from one of you guys?" Nitro asked looking from Shadow to Storm.

"Of course, take your pick." Storm said.

"We'll be traveling the same way for part of the trip." Shadow added.

"While you guys chat, I'm going to check out the other room." Dean said gathering his packs and heading for the door.

"Wait, I'll come with you." Sam said heading to his bedroom for his bag.

"We're a couple of door down from this room in room 170." Dean told them. "I'll be back shortly if you wanna go grab a six pack to toast with a cold one."

"We can do that." Storm said grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

"I'm coming too." Shadow called.

"Well I'm staying here and relaxing." Nitro commented to anyone listening as she propped her injured foot up on a pillow and sighed.

"C'mon Sammy." Dean said when Sam came hurrying from the bedroom.

spn

Dean opened the door to their room and flipped on the light to look around before letting Sam follow him inside. It had two queen size beds, nightstand between the beds, table with two chairs, dresser, flat screen TV and over stuffed chair. He saw the bathroom through the open door and decided it was suitable for their needs. He took the bed nearest the door, dropping all but one bag on it. Sam took the other bed and watched as Dean carried a pack to the table and opened it up. He removed four huge bundles of shrink wrapped money and lined it up on the table. Sam got up from the bed and walked over to stare in shock at it and then at Dean.

"Where'd you get that?"

"Ni helped herself when she was setting her surprises for the cartel." Dean said studying the money before opening one of the packs. They all looked the same size and he started counting the one hundred dollar bills from the opened stack. "Here make yourself useful, count this."

"Alright." Sam said accepting the stack to start counting. His lips moved slightly as he counted the bills and when he was finished looked over at Dean.

"How many?"

"Seven hundred."

"I got eight hundred, four stacks that would be..."

"Six hundred thousand dollars." Sam answered blowing out a mouth of air. He had never seen this much money before in one place.

Dean found a pad on the nightstand and began making a list and doing some figuring. Sam watched him wondering what he was doing as he tapped the pen to his lips for a moment before scribbling some more.

"Okay Sammy, start counting out stacks of a thousand bills in each." he instructed as he picked up part of a stack and began to count too. He made a stack with five hundred in it, one with two hundred and fifty, and one with two hundred and one with fifty before helping Sam finish his stacks. He got up to get the plastic bag and pulled a box of oversized envelopes out.

"Here put one stack in each envelope."

Sam did as he was instructed; sealing it once the money was inside. He watched Dean write something on the four envelopes he had and was surprised when he handed Sam one he had filled.

"What's this?" Sam asked surprised with his actions and stared at the envelope in his hand. He knew there was a hundred thousand dollars in it and was at a loss of what to say.

"Your cut." Dean said getting up and dropping three envelopes into his bag, one for him, one for Charlie and one for Stikes and the crew of the plane that got them into Mexico. He thought both deserved a cut too, given all the help both gave them. He put the others in the plastic bag to hand out to the ones next door. "Let's go see if the others are back." he said picking up the key and heading for the door.

Sam faltered for a moment and went to put the money down in his pack for safe keeping before hurrying to catch up with Dean. He was still a little shocked to have that much money at one time and was still shocked Dean had given it to him. Sam was amazed that Dean could still surprise him at every turn. He knew he was a good guy, but he was also honest and considerate of others and didn't mind sharing his good fortune. This made Sam respect him all the more with this gesture and showed why he made such a good leader.


A/N: I know everyone has been waiting for this chapter and I hope you liked it. To a guest who made a suggestion, I did go back and change Sam's age in Chapter 1 so it would be more believable. Thank you for all the support for this story. To the guests, I can't thank you personally, so I will thank you here for your reviews. We're heading down the last stretch guys and I have to say I'm sad to see it coming to an end. Reviews are appreciated. NC