Chapter Twenty Seven

Sam walked alongside Dean , behind Grace and Nicki as the quartet made their way toward Al's Diner at the bottom of the street. Staying in for as long as they had, looking after each other, tending to each other's wounds and needs meant that no one had really been out in over a week. Dean's incessant nagging to the fact eventually wore even Grace down to the point where she decided dinner at the diner wasn't going to kill him.

Although the slow progress just might.

Sam made sure he stood on Dean's left side so he could grab him should he falter. Sam's left arm was still sling bound, but thankfully his other cuts and bruises had faded enough to not bother him anymore. His shoulder, although sore, was manageable with the fine painkillers Doc Jones had prescribed . That man had a decent amount of pills for both brothers. Dean's were slightly stronger though, his injuries taking their time in healing. His thigh left him with a limp, the muscle bruised badly enough to cause him to wince as his limb took the weight of each step. After a few days Sam had been able to help Dean to sit up and carefully stand, although try as he might he still needed to lean some of his weight on his little brother. His ribs would take a few weeks to mend, but thankfully the bruising on his face and the cuts on his wrists were already fading. Slowly, bit by bit, the brothers were regaining their strength.

As Grace and Nicki watched both were very aware that as the Winchesters healed, the time for them to leave was drawing near.

Grace was determined to make the most of the time they had. She was going to miss these boys.

Glancing behind her she smiled as Dean batted Sam's hand away from him as the younger brother attempted to lend support to his limping sibling. Dean kept his right arm across his abdomen, but his steps were determined and the smile on his face as he breathed in the fresh air was warming enough for Grace to know allowing him out was the right thing.

She was still determined to keep them another week. No point in leaving until they were stronger.

Walking side by side with her Niece Grace felt more complete than she had since her husband had died. She'd spent many evenings talking with Nicki, holding her, crying with her. She'd expelled more emotion than Grace had ever dreamed possible. Her fears, her guilt, it had all poured out and Grace was so thankful, so very ,very thankful.

Jason seemed to be helping too. Grace smiled as she remember catching Nicki taking a sandwich out to him the day before. She'd watched as her Niece had strode across the street, paused by the entrance to the garage, almost turned back twice, then walked in. The sound of laughter from both Nicki and Jason had filled Grace's heart.

She always had liked that boy. He had a deep, kind heart and a good head on his shoulders. He also spoke his mind and had an inner confidence beyond his years. He was happy being a mechanic, happy around cars and for as long as she had known him he'd only ever dated one girl, leaving her the second he found out she had cheated on him.

Grace liked a man with morals. Plus that boy was one hot man. She glanced back at Dean again and he caught her eye, gave her a sly smile and winked.

Jason was hot, but for Grace, he had nothing on Dean. If only she were younger. The memories of bathing his aching torso a few days after he'd defeated Kate would warm Grace on even the coldest of nights. At first he had said he was fine, no need to fuss. Yet as he'd tried to find a comfortable position to lay in Grace had caught the wince and the pain filled sigh and had returned from the bathroom with a bowl of warm water and some towels. Pulling back the sheets and unwrapping the bandage she had gasped at the colourful bruising beneath.

"I'm ok , really"

"Sure you are honey, I'm just going to soothe those aches for you sweaty."

"Seriously Grace that's not necessary"

"Now come on child, you promised me remember?"

Dean couldn't suppress his smile as she looked at him with a glint in her eye. She laid a towel along his side and soaked a face cloth in the warm water, as she ran the cloth over his skin he felt the heat warm through into his tired, aching bones and closed his eyes under the loving touch.

"Shhh baby, that's it, you just go to sleep while I take that pain away"

"Mmmm ok Grace, just no peeking ok?"

Grace smiled as she continued to run the warm cloth across his ribs and chest. She frowned as she traced the diagonal scars on his skin. An old injury, but it had to have been severe. Poor boy, both had been through so much and Grace had the distinct impression that their entire lives had been a struggle.

As Dean's gentle snores reached Grace's keen ears she gave in to temptation and lifted the sheet slightly, smiling and erupting in a blush she tucked Dean in and left him to sleep.

"Table for four Al if you don't mind"

"Anything for you Grace, these those boys that saved you and Nicki?"

"Yes they most certainly are"

Al extended his hand to each Winchester and shook with vigour and gratitude.

"You boys did good, you really did. There's been no more missing people around these part's thanks to you. Anything you boys want, anything at all and it's on the house, same goes for you and your Niece Grace"

"Oh Al that's too kind, we can't…"

"I'll not hear another word Grace, now y'all sit yourselves down and I'll get Justine to bring you some menu's"

Dean carefully sat next to Sam in the booth. He was feeling tired but he felt so warm and loved. Maybe this was what it was like to have a real family? Maybe this was why Sam ran away to Stanford? Whatever it felt like Dean knew he was going to miss Grace and Nicki, but they had to move on soon, they had to leave, there was so much more they needed to hunt and kill and staying too long only meant it was going to be harder to leave. He'd discussed this with Sam a few nights prior and both had agreed to stay until Sam could use his arm to drive. They had another few days to enjoy the mothering. Both brother's hearts had ached slightly when Doc Jones had dropped by to check on them, announcing that Sam's arm was healing nicely and he'd be able to use the limb as long as he was careful. A few more days and he wouldn't need the sling at all.

"Hey all"

"Hey Justine, this here's my Niece Nicki and our friends Dean and Sam"

Justine smiled at Nicki , smiled at Sam but almost gasped at Dean, his bruises, although healing were still visible and his colour was still a little pale.

"God sir are you ok?"

"I'm fine honestly, just got a little banged up saving my brother here from a girl"

Sam frowned his brother's way.

"You're the two that saved Grace and this lovely young woman aren't you?"

Dean smiled and watched as Justine melted. Chicks dug injured heroes. He moved slightly in his seat and let out a painful wince. Justine instantly leaned forward to help him shift again to a more comfortable position. As she did he stole a quick glance toward her body and smiled as her dress fell forward revealing her silky skin.

Grace watched bemused as Sam frowned and rolled his eye's. Nicki's attention was taken somewhat as Jason entered the diner with his Uncle. As his Uncle seated himself just around the corner from the counter, Jason made his way over to say hi to Nicki and Grace.

He took Justine's place by the table and smiled at Nicki.

"Hi"

"Hey"

Dean smirked at Grace who in turn smirked at Sam, their looks ignored as the background melted into the distance for Nicki and Jason.

"How are you?"

"Good thanks. You?"

"Yeah I'm good thanks. You here for dinner?" Nicki again mentally slapped herself.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah"

"Well, glad to see we're all here for dinner." Grace kicked Dean under the table.

Ignoring her, Dean continued, hoping his shin wouldn't take another hit.

"So Jason, Nicki's free tomorrow night and she tells me she has a liking for dinner so maybe you two could go out, you know, and get some, dinner?"

"I'd like that" Jason still hadn't acknowledged the others at the table, his eyes refusing to look anywhere but at Nicki.

"Me too"

The two stared at each other until even Grace could take no more.

"Well, I'm glad that's settled then, Jason honey, you come by and pick Nicki up at seven. Best get on back to your Uncle now, he hates to eat alone."

"Yeah, um, I'll see you tomorrow Nicki. Ya'll have a nice meal"

Dean smirked as Nicki watched him walk away. Sam sat bathing her in a smile until she looked back and realised that everyone's attention was on her.

"You're blushing"

"No I'm not Sam"

"Are too"

"Am not"

"Are too"

"Ok enough!"

"Sorry Grace" both said simultaneously.

Justine returned for their orders , Dean again playing the sympathy card. As she walked away he whistled and smiled at Sam.

"She's one hot babe"

"Dude please, you're injured so it's highly unlikely you'll get anywhere with her."

"Sammy, Sammy Sammy Sammy. You know nothing, chicks did injured hero's, and unless you're deaf as well as blind, this whole town has proclaimed us heroes. Besides, you're just jealous"

"Jealous of what?"

"That I get not only Grace's full and undivided attention, but that waitresses too"

"What! Oh please Grace has looked after us both"

"You only got injured because you were jealous of her attention to me"

"Shut up Dean that's so not true"

"Is so"

"Is not"

"She gave me a bath, beat that Francis"

Sam, open mouthed and shocked, looked at Grace as she smiled to hide her blush.

"Is that true?"

Dean looked triumphant as Grace slowly nodded. She glanced his way before slyly saying to Sam "Don't worry though honey, you have nothing to worry about, that older brother of yours is shorter in more ways than just height"

As Nicki spat her coffee out Dean's own face erupted in a shocked, reddening expression, the blush creeping conspiratorially across his features. Sam sat back, smiling, he didn't need to say a word. Instead he revelled in the moment for a few seconds more before excusing himself to go to the bathroom.

As Sam made his way back to the table he paused to watch as Grace and Nicki joked more with Dean, it was so heart warming to see his brother relaxed and happy in their company. His nightmares had receded to the point where Sam was sure Dean was pulling himself from their clutches before the real horror over took his slumber and pulled him into the abyss. After all the ways he'd tried to help, all the comfort he offered, it had taken an abduction and subsequent mothering and friendship from these two amazing women for his brother to begin to put his demons behind him. Sam knew that the same had happened within his own heart. The attention he'd received from Grace had helped ease his worry, helped to ease his pain.

Somehow he knew they'd be ok. Somehow.

As he turned to walk around the tables to make his way back to his temporary family he walked straight into a woman making her own way around the crowded diner. Before Sam could stop himself he'd knocked her coffee all over her white t-shirt.

"Oh god I'm so sorry"

"Oh it's ok, I like being soaked in hot coffee, just makes my day" The woman was about to say more but as she looked up at her coffee attacker she stopped dead.

Wow.

As Sam grabbed a cloth and began wiping the coffee from her jeans and stomach the woman had to keep reminding herself she was married and had two kids who wouldn't approve of her taking this young man right here and now.

"It's ok honestly, I should have been watching were I was going"

"No , no it was my fault, gosh I'm so sorry about your t-shirt"

The woman looked down at herself and blushed.

"Yeah, guess white was the wrong colour to wear hey?"

"I'm sorry, let me get you another coffee."

"To drink right? Not to wear."

Sam smiled as he turned back to the counter, he ordered her coffee and handed her another cloth which she held across herself self-consciously.

"I'm Sam"

"Paula"

"Nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you too, although it would have been better without the drenching"

"I'm so sorry"

"Stop, honestly it's ok, I'm only teasing you."

Dean and Grace exchanged looks as Sam sat back down. He ignored them both, but when Nicki averted her eyes, trying to contain her smirk he gave up.

"What?"

"Nothing man"

"What?"

"Sam honey, maybe you and I need to talk about your flirting skills"

Sam ignored them all as they broke into laughter. He pretended to look annoyed but inside his heart swelled at the sound as Dean lost his ability to speak and breathe amongst the laughter as tears rolled down his face.

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Many thanks to EagleGirl6 for the "Chicks dig injured heroes" line. xxx

Justine was inspired by my friend Cutie-pie-rock-chick

Thanks to my friend Daisymaygirl for the inspiration for Paula (those thoughts still make me laugh!)

And thanks again for all the readers and reviewers. I love you all . You've made this one hell of a ride, only two more chapters left (am so sad) but all good things have to come to an end at some point. (BTW To those with car trouble, Jason is on his way round!)