Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…just having fun!

Den of Thieves

Chapter 22 – Epilog

Sam stretched his tired muscles as he looked over to the bed beside him. Glad that for once his brother was getting some sleep. The past few days had been a blur for Sam as his body struggled to recover. Every time he woke up, his brother was there. Sam smiled…he didn't know what he would do if he ever woke up one day and his brother wasn't there. How could he ever have thought of leaving before?

Dean heard movement in the bed beside him and came immediately awake. He sat up in bed and started to walk over towards his brother's bed. He smiled as he saw some of the color returning to his brother's cheeks. The fever had broken last night and hopefully, that meant the nightmares would also be ending. Dean had relived the hours spent in the hidden room in the basement many times over the past few days.

A key in the door had both boys tensing as they looked to see who was entering the room. As John's head appeared in the doorway, they both visibly relaxed. John had a bag of fast food and coffee with him. "Thought you boys might be a little hungry…so I stopped off at the diner across the way to get you something to eat…any takers?"

"Man, I could eat a horse!" Dean sighed as he headed for the bathroom. "Just give me a minute to take a quick shower and get dressed."

"Great…we won't see him for at least an hour…he needs the time to make himself pretty for the girls at the bar!" laughed Sam gently as he tried to sit up in the bed. John quickly moved to help Sam sit up, placing pillows behind his back to make him more comfortable.

John felt lucky that both his sons had come through once again with just minor injuries. Dean's cuts and bruises had quickly healed. The doctor had just given him a shot of antibiotics and then instructed good food and bed rest for a few days. Of course, to Dean that meant a quick shower and then he began his watch over his brother. John had made him get some rest though and made sure that there was plenty of food for both boys to eat.

Sam, although his injuries were more substantial with 3 broken ribs, had also come through it just fine. The Doctor didn't say much about the strange burn marks on Sam's skin and seemed to accept the explanation that the two boys had been injured during a hiking accident. He had kept Sam overnight, providing him with the IV fluids his body needed and medicines to fight the fever he had developed. He had suggested that the men stay with him for awhile to recover, but John and Dean wanted to get as far away from the area and its memories as they could.

The stopped at a small hotel just off the main highway, near Benton Harbor. Here is where John and Dean had tended to Sam, helping him recover his strength. None of them has spoken of Sam's powers, not wanting to upset him. Dean and John had decided to let Sam come to them in his own time…giving him time to figure it out for himself.

"Well Sammy…glad to see you're up and around today…how are you feeling son?"

"I'm still sore and a little tired, but otherwise I'm good Dad" Sam looked away at the awkward silence that almost always followed a conversation with his father.

"Look Sam…I just wanted you to know, if it hadn't been for you…none of us would be here today. I know that I don't say this very often…but I'm proud of you and your brother." John looked away, embarrassed by the emotion he had shown.

"Thanks Dad…thanks for coming when you did…have you been able to locate anything on the demon yet?" Sam decided to get them back on a safer…less emotional ground.

"No…I think he has gone into hiding again…have you had any visions about him lately?

"No…Dad…believe me, you would be the second person to know" Sam replied as he looked towards the bathroom door as it swung open to reveal a fully dressed Dean.

"Hey…where's the food! I'm hungry!" Dean said as he rubbed his hands together. He had overheard the conversation between his brother and father. For once he didn't need to step in between the two of them…maybe…just maybe…oh well, for now he was glad that they all seemed to be getting along.

John rose from Sam's bed and walked towards the doorway, pausing to look back at his two sons. "Boys, it's time I get going…I have to get back to tracking the demon. Just remember, be careful and take care of each other… and, if you need me…just call…I'll be there!" Before the boys could respond, he opened the door and walked out into the morning sunshine.

Sam looked at Dean trying to see if his father's leaving had upset him. He knew how much Dean wanted his family to stay together and worried about how he would feel about being left behind again.

"What are you looking at Sammy?" Dean asked with his eyebrow raised.

"Nothing…just…nothing…can you hand me a cup of coffee?

"Sure bro' and after breakfast, it's time for you to take a shower. I'll help you in, but you're going to have to stand on your own…I don't do showers!"

Sam smiled as Dean began to fuss around him. A few months ago, he would have resented it, but today…he was glad he had Dean in his life and he hoped that he would always be able to be there for his brother.

Dean handed Sam his cup of coffee and started to go through the bag of food his father had left. He thought about his father leaving and was startled to realize that he was ok with it. The fact that his father had come and had answered their calls, made his absence bearable. Dean hoped some day they could all be together…but for now, he was happy to have things as they were…as long as he had Sam…he'd be fine.

"So, Sammy…are you ready for some more camping this weekend? I hear there is a haunted cabin up in the Catskill Mountains."

"Sure Dean…no problem…I'm sure Tinker Bell will be more than happy to show you the way…Man I can't believe you almost became a pixie…Jeez…how wrong is that?" Sam started to laugh until his ribs reminded him they weren't totally healed.

"Yeah…but I'd be the baddest pixie in town Dude!" remarked Dean as he placed the food in front of his brother

Yes…as long as they had each other…things would be just fine!

The End!

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Raven524: Whew…this seemed like a long story. Thanks to all of you who took the time to send me a review…believe me, it helps, especially when I've developed a little writers block. Hope you all liked this story. If so, let me know and if not, well I can take it. Either way, let me know if you would like more! See Ya until next time!