A/N:

THE FINAL CHAPTER

Chapter 37 ~ Riding The Storm Out 2.0

They met up at their settled meeting-point. It was only a mile away from the center of where they had cast the spell.

Dean was the first one to arrive there, and was hoovering - with a flashlight in his mouth – over a map he's laid out on Baby's hood.

He had taken a withered map of the US with him. And a buttload of them of other states eastern from the bunker, which were waiting to come to use.

Bobby came up beside him, as soon as he spotted Dean, who was not joining the others to clink their glasses together, as they were celebrating their win.

"Dean?", he asked as if he didn't know and stared at the map. "What're you doin'?"

Dean pulled the flashlight from his mouth with a wet pop.

"You don't really think I'll give Sam five days before I'm going to look for him?", Dean asked with a smirk and winked at the grizzled man.

Bobby patted his shoulder and smiled. "That's my boy. – So. – Where are the ingredients for the tracking-spell?"

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

Wyoming, 43.5862, -110.2949 … that's where Sam was currently.

They would meet Sam somewhere along his way back to the bunker.

At least that was Dean's plan.

It'd take too long – in case Sam was hurt, or suffering badly from the aftermath of going death-star-supernova – if they'd wait five days for Sam to return to the bunker.

Anything could happen in the meantime.

The A-Team was clear about it, that they'd drive towards Sam, while the rest was supposed to head back to the bunker.

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

About five-hundred miles later, they did another tracking-spell, checking if Sam's position had changed.

It had. Sam was apparently following Route 26, but hadn't gotten that far yet. At least not as far as he was supposed to, supposedly, that he was well enough to drive and still had Castiel's car.

Another five-hundred miles later, when they took a break to stretch their aching bones and get some rest, Dean did another spell to track Sam's position.

"Where's he?" John came up behind his son and handed him a bottle of water.

Dean took it gratefully, gaze glued to the map, and unscrewed it.

"Still where he's been five-hundred-miles ago.", Dean murmured. "He's probably not doin' so well … takes a break. Holes up somewhere safe to get a couple of hours rest. Sleep." Dean chewed the insides of his lips and frowned at the map. Then he looked over at his dad. "Probably had to lay down." … what had to be expected, he figured. He'd be surprised if Sam wouldn't need to lay low at some point, to regain strength.

John hummed. "He's took the meds with him, right?" There was honest concern in his father's gravelly voice. On top of that, he sounded exhausted.

Dean nodded. "We stocked the car up on water and gas too." He paused.

John laid his hand on his son's back and patted it reassuringly. "He's been moving. Means the Leviathans didn't get him."

Dean's frown deepened. "Doesn't mean he's fine, though, dad."

"He'll be.", John smiled reassuringly. "You'll see."

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

For the next three stops they made, Sam's location didn't change, which made Dean itchy all over. He was nervous, skittish, pushing his Baby to her limits.

Another two stops and tracking-spells later, Sam seemed to be on the road again, still heading west, still sticking to the main-roads.

Which was a dangerous thing to do.

Then again, maybe Sam was too out of it to even care …

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

The black sleek SUV's back broke out, swerved, but the car returned into its lane, until it stopped abruptly a few hundred yards later. It's engine died.

The door at the driver's side sprung open, and a couple of minutes later, Sam stumbled out of the vehicle, towards the side of the road and went down to his knees hard.

He heaved and puked what little he had in his stomach. – Including the pills which were supposed to hold the fever down he was sporting ever since he's left the church.

Sam knew he couldn't keep driving in his condition. He'd park the car in the ditch or against trees if he'd go on like this.

He was too exhausted. Too spent.

"Damnit.", he panted, wiping over his lips with the back of his sleeve's shirt.

He knew he wouldn't make it back to the bunker within the upcoming three days, as he was getting along too slow.

Dean and Bobby were going to be pissed.

Sam had managed to only drive for another two-hundred miles, before he found himself here – at the road's side – again.

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

Another tracking-spell later showed, that Sam had stopped again – only one-hundred and fifty miles later.

"Stay. – Just fuckin' stay where you are.", Dean murmured to himself, "We're comin' for you anyway."

Dean was anxious – to put it mildly.

There was only one reason why Sam would take as many breaks. – He wasn't doing good. Not at all. – Which had to be expected. Dean couldn't bear the thought of Sam being out there on his own. Exposed to all kinds of creatures, possibly threatening his life, and him being completely vulnerable to them.

"He's slowin' down further." Bobby stretched his aching muscles and looked at the map before Dean, staring at the tiny burnt holes in it along the marked road.

"Yeah. – That ain't good.", Dean murmured, "Figured he won't be able to make it back to the bunker within five days." … not since he was well able to imagine in what condition Sam might be.

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

Sam couldn't care less …

He's parked the SUV at the side of the road, doors locked, head resting against the cool glass with his eyes closed.

The cool surface soothed his burning and aching skin, as he had stripped down to his jeans, shirt and parka abandoned on the passenger's seat on top of the duffel.

His mind was spiraling up and down in an endless marry-go-round. The antipyretics worked a little, holding his temperature down and though … he felt like the blood in his veins was daring to burn him from the inside out.

The exhaustion he felt dared to pull him under the surface of awareness and drag him into a sleep-like state more often now. – No matter how many naps he took. How many rests he allowed himself to make.

Sam had reached a point, where he didn't care anymore. He wanted to sleep. Needed to sleep.

No matter the danger outside. No matter what threat may linger in those woods …

Sam felt so heavy. His body. His mind.

His limbs felt as if they were weighing a ton.

So, he decided to give into sleep. Catch some more rest. Only a few hours though, until he'd feel better …

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

They were on the road for four days now.

Since the past 22 hours, Sam's location hadn't changed. What made Dean's guts churn and twist into an aching heavy knot.

They had about two more hours ahead of them, before they'd reach Sam's location. Two hours too long for Dean's liking. Hell, FOUR DAYS too long for Dean's liking.

Not knowing in which condition Sam may be as soon as they'd reach him, drove an icicle into Dean's heart, letting it freeze, spread a merciless coldness through him, and let it linger in his every fiber.

He couldn't bring himself to not think about the things which may could happen to Sam out there. Things which may could have happened, since his man was most likely defenseless and vulnerable to the threats still existing in this world.

On their way, they've seen SOMETHINGS, overgrown by roots, oozing black goo.

So even when the spell worked, and the Leviathans and every other creature belonging to Purgatory were gone, didn't mean that it was safe out there in the wilderness.

That very fact kept nagging at Dean's nerves …

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

About two hours later …

Dean spotted a black big vehicle at the side of the road. Half parked in the ditch, half on the right lane.

He slowed down, and pulled up beside the car.

The others – who were hard on his tail – followed his example.

Dean didn't care about protection. The only thing he had in mind was his mate. His man. Also knowing, that the others had his back and were weaponed as they emerged from their cars, guns and weapons drawn to secure their surroundings.

Dean wrenched his door open, slid out behind the steering-wheel and went straight for the black – too clean – SUV. He first checked the passenger's side door, as it was the closest to him and he found it locked.

"Sammy?", he hollered and tried to get a look inside through the tinted window.

It was no use, as that was what tinted windows were made for.

He tried the back-door.

Locked.

Dean rounded the SUV, going for the driver's side.

Which was also locked.

He bumped against the metal with his fist. "Sam?"

Dean sensed movement inside the car and took a step back on instinct.

It took a few moments until he heard the locks snap, and the driver's door flew open forcefully, squeaking it its hinges.

"Dean.", Sam's low voice was heard, and a moment later, long legs appeared and a messed-up mop of hair followed.

Before Dean could have a proper look, or close the small distance between himself and the tall man sliding out of the vehicle, he found himself wrapped up in a hug.

"You're okay.", Sam breathed into his mate's neck, as he tightened his hold on him. "It worked."

"Sammy.", he whispered and enveloped Sam in his arms, holding him close. "I was worried sick."

"'m fine." Sam's breath was hot against Dean's sensitive skin. "Only exhausted. Tired."

Dean eased out from Sam's hold, took a step back and cradled his face in his hands, examining Sam's features.

"'m fine. Really. – Just couldn't keep on drivin' like this.", Sam explained instantly.

"Figured as much, baby boy." Dean brushed with his thumb along Sam's cheek-bone. "You're still runnin' a fever …"
Sam gave him a jerky nod. "But it's not bad. – It's getting' better."

Dean bit his lower lip thoughtfully. "Okay. – let's get some water into you and back to the bunker."

Dean reached for Sam's wrist and wrapped his hand around it, ready to guide him to the Impala.

"Wait." Sam didn't move an inch.

Dean looked at him questioning.

"They have the angel-tablet.", Sam choked out. "Lucifer has the angel-tablet."

He swallowed. Dozens of questions popping up in the Winchester's mind, but they had to wait. Except for one: "Can we do something about it right now?"

Sam cast his look aside – embarrassed – and shook his head.

"No … don't think so …", he answered quietly.

"Then it can wait. – One problem at a time, Sammy." Dean laid his hand on Sam's jaw and made him look at him. "First we nurse you back to health. – Then we'll take care of the rest."

Sam gave him a nod – seemingly insecure.

Dean, not letting go of Sam's wrist, placed a gentle kiss to his dry lips. "It's fine. – Whatever it is. We'll deal with it."

Sam was not as sure about it as Dean seemed to be. After all it was his fault – somehow – since he's led them to the church. His blood unlocking the gate beneath their feet, where once the tablet had been hidden.

And the fact that Lucifer had let him go … had manhandled him into the Leviathan's vehicle, and had sent him on his merry way …

The fact, that he had known – obviously – all the while where the tablet had been.

The fact, that he's been drawn towards it without him knowing, nor noticing, that something about his choice of direction was off …

Then again. Dean was right.

Sam needed to regain his strength, because in his current condition he was of no use to anyone.

They needed to regroup.

Try to figure out how to get the tablet back.

Because, as it was, Lucifer would – hopefully – not be able to read it, and wouldn't find a way to do so either anytime soon.

Bobby went straight for his son, when the two men approached Dean's black beauty, and wrapped him up in a tight bearhug.

"I'm fine, dad." Sam ducked his head and returned the hug – a little less forceful, as he was lacking strength.

Sam waved at the others when they parted.

Dean urged Sam towards the passenger's side, opened the door for him and waited patiently, until his made had folded himself into the front of the car, before he slammed the door shut.

Dean gave the others a sign, that they were ready for take-off before he took his place behind the steering-wheel.

Sam traced absently with his fingers along a scar at the inside of his right lower arm, before he tugged his sleeve down to hide it.

One more scar – among all the others – and so much more of meaning to Sam than those he's already got.

He'd have to tell Dean. He'd notice anyway.

"You sure you doin' okay?", Dean asked after a few miles, not speeding like a mad man anymore. He stole a glance at Sam.

"Yeah. 'm fine." Sam pried his eyes open and offered a reassuring smile. "

And though, Dean had a feeling, that Sam wasn't all fine.

He let it slip for now, as he was more than grateful to have partner back at his side.

Riding shotgun.

Where he belonged to.

~*Apple Pie & Bacon*~

"

A/N:

So … what do you think?

I know it was a bit hard to read around the middle … I've had quite some troubles writing/finding the right words. I went over it a couple of times, but instead of better, I think some paragraphs became worse … So, I let it be in the end.

But I think there are some good sequences too, right? RIGHT? (please tell me there are) …

I WANT TO THANK EACH & EVERYONE who have been REVIEW-ING, COMMENT-ING, LIK-ING, KUDO-ING, BOOKMARK-ING and SILENT READ-ING ?

See you soon!