A/N: Here we are, at the end of the journey. I hope you have enjoyed the story and will come back for the next one. Many have asked for another story in this AU and I hope to have one soon, though it might be a short story. It was so much fun to create this AU and I want to continue it. I do like to know your thoughts and reviews would be great. Until next time…. NC
Chapter 55
Dean found a road that led to an isolated, wooded area off the highway past O'Neill to get rid of the body. It did not look like it had been traveled in a long time and found a place to pull off.
"This looks like a good place. I'll get a hole dug before moving the body," Dean told Sam.
"Let me help."
"Nope, you're in pain and I'm not going to let you make it worse," Dean stated firmly. "After I'm done, I want to see your chest."
"It's fine," Sam insisted, as he pouted.
"I'll decide that. You stay here and keep watch. If anyone comes by, tell them you're…I don't know you're lost and stopped to figure out where you are."
"Right," Sam replied rolling his eyes, but was glad Dean was not letting him dig. While he was gone, Sam dug some Tylenol from his duffle and took three, hoping it would help ease the pain he was feeling in his chest. He was trying to hide it from Dean because he did not want him going overprotective again.
Sam got out and gazed both ways up and down the road to be sure no one was coming. He looked the way Dean had gone but could not see him. He paced around the car, getting impatient and glanced at his watch. He sat back down and sipped on some water and quickly stood up when Dean came back through the brush, groaning softly because he moved too fast.
"Hole's done, now to get rid of the body," Dean announced, going to the trunk. He stopped and flared his nostrils drawing in the scents to be sure he did not smell anything or anyone. When he was satisfied, Dean opened the trunk and hoisted the body over his shoulder and disappeared back into the brush.
Sam checked the sun in the sky, watching it slowly sink toward the horizon. It was late afternoon and he realized he was hungry. Sam rummaged around in the car and found a granola bar to eat. He finished it off and the water by the time Dean got back.
"Okay, all done," Dean grunted tossing the shovel in the trunk. "Now, stand up and let me see," he told Sam stopping in front of him sitting in the car.
"Really Dean, I'm fine," Sam protested pulling away from his hand.
"Don't make me go big brother on you. Now, let me see."
Sam pouted and huffed a breath out before standing and unbuttoning his shirt to take it off. Dean moved closer and helped him take off both the T-shirts to expose his chest. Sam looked down at two large bruises forming and tried not to wince when Dean examined them. He felt warm fingers gently press on the areas and could not help sucking in a sharp breath.
"Sorry bro, I need to check them," Dean said softly. He pressed again very carefully. "I think the bullet might have cracked a rib. You may need to see the doctor Bobby knows. We're only a couple of hours away. I'll call him and see if the doc can wait on us and go there first."
"Dean, it's bruised and yeah, hurts like hell, but I'll live. Nothing seems broken at least."
"Have you taken anything?"
"Yes Mom, while you were burying the body, some Tylenol."
"I think you need something a little stronger. I've still got some of your pain meds from your other injuries, how 'bout at least one." He opened the back and found his duffel to dig around in until he found the bottle. "Here, one since you took the other stuff." He shook one pill into Sam's hand and found a bottle of water in the back for him to drink. After Sam took the pill, Dean helped him get his T-shirt on and Sam put on his button up shirt.
"I'm good now Dean, let's get out of here okay?"
"Yeah, let's do that," Dean agreed, waiting for Sam to take his seat and closed the door for him. He went around to the driver's side and got in cranking the Impala and headed back to the highway.
With the steady motion of the car, the hum of the engine, and along with the meds, had Sam nodding off. Dean gently pushed him a little, so he was leaning against the window and not straining his neck. If he did not seem better by morning, Dean was making him go see the doc if he had to hog tie him to do it.
spn
Darkness was moving across the land by the time Dean drove into the outskirts of Sioux Falls. He drove through the town looking at familiar sights and thought it seemed like a lifetime ago that he was here. He took the road leading to the salvage yard with a feeling of excitement and anxiety. He knew Bobby said he was okay with them staying at the Community part time, but had a feeling he was leery and worried about them being there too, especially Sam.
"Hey, wake up, we're almost there," Dean called to his brother, shaking his leg.
Sam grunted and began to stir, looking bleary eyed as he tried to sit up. He groaned in pain when he moved to quickly or the wrong way. He wiped his eyes and tried to clear his vision before looking out the windshield trying to see where they were.
"How are you feeling?" Dean asked him once he saw he was awake.
Sam drew in a breath before answering.
"It's better, but still sore," he replied being honest with him.
"Maybe some more pain meds when we get to Bobby's and you go to bed." Dean turned onto the road that ran by the salvage yard and could see the outside lights ahead. He slowed and steered the car through the gates and around to the front of the house. He saw the porch light was on and smiled to himself.
The brothers got out of the Impala and Dean was almost bowled over by Bobby's Rottweilers as they attacked him, with excited yips, whines and gruffs. They danced around him trying to get closer until he clicked his tongue and growled at them to behave. They stood by his side waiting to see what he did.
"Let me get your bag Sammy," Dean told him taking it from his hand when Sam picked it up.
"I'm not helpless Dean," Sam huffed in annoyance.
They turned to the door when it opened, and their surrogate father stepped into the lit doorway. Smiles spread across their faces as they walked toward him. Dean snapped his fingers and the dogs trotted off to guard.
"Hey Bobby," Sam said. He gave him a warm smile before stepping closer, careful of his injuries, and wrapping his arms around the older hunter.
Bobby looked at his boys and a tightening started in his chest. He waited as they approached, and Sam stepped to him and hugged him. He returned the hug and blinked back to tears. He heard Sam grunted softly when he tightened his hug and pushed him back.
"Sam? What's wrong?" Bobby asked looking to his pained face.
"He got shot and stabbed," Dean commented from behind Sam.
"Shot and stabbed?" Bobby cried looking Sam over for the injuries. "Get in here and tell me what happened."
"Honest Bobby, it's not serious," Sam told him following him inside.
"Getting shot sounds pretty serious to me and stabbed too. So, what did you two step in this time?" Bobby asked with a grunt. "There's coffee in the kitchen and Jody brought some beef stew and homemade bread by earlier. It won't take a minute to heat back up. And I picked up some meat for you Dean."
"Thanks Bobby. You don't need any coffee Sammy; you can have water or milk. Meds and some food are what you need."
"I am a little hungry," Sam agreed.
"Wanna tell me what happened?" Bobby asked as he got the stew from the fridge to heat up. He dished two bowls and stuck them in the microwave to heat. While the food was heating, Bobby sliced off four pieces of bread for them. He sat the bowls on the table with the bread and took a seat.
"Caught a hunt on the way here. It went sideways, but it was a good thing I had Sammy wear that T-shirt Mason gave me. It saved his life. Shapeshifter was taking on people's identities and going on a killing spree. We tracked him and he shot Sam, but the shirt stopped the bullet like it did for me. He got the drop on me and turned into the human me. My werewolf side protected me, and I broke free. Found the shifter me trying to stab Sam and killed him. Sam's sore and bruised, may have a cracked rib but he's too stubborn to have it looked at."
Bobby sipped his coffee as Dean talked and listened without interrupting.
"Guess your quick thinking came in handy and Mason's gift. I'm just glad you boys are okay."
"We thought we'd hang here until Sam's better and look for another hunt. You got any cars that need fixing?"
"There's a couple in the garage you can look at tomorrow if you like."
Once they had finished eating, Dean looked at Sam and could see how tired and weary he looked.
"Okay Sammy, go on to bed."
"But…"
"Sammy," Dean cautioned him in his big brother voice, letting a soft growl follow showing he meant business.
"Fine, nite Bobby," Sam pouted getting up from the table and heading into the other room, taking his bag this time, and heading for the stairs. He did not feel like arguing but he knew Dean was right.
Dean and Bobby watched Sam trudge slowly up the stairs before turning to pour more coffee and remain at the table.
"It's good to be home," Dean sighed leaning back in his chair and relaxing.
Bobby looked at him and saw the contentment on his face and it made him feel happy. He thought back on what Mason had told him when they went to rescue Sam, 'since Dean is part of our clan now, that makes his family a part too. So, you actually have a very large extended family now'. Maybe this was not a bad thing having an extended family like this. It gave the boys more support and gave them another home if anything ever happened to him. He knew now they would be taken care of and being accepted into the clan made that a sure thing. Bobby felt some of his worry and stress had been taken from him now and he knew his boys would be okay, even with the changes that had happened to Dean. His boys had both changed, but it seemed all for the better. He could rest easier now.
The End
