First of all... A HUGE apology is needed. I've gotten so many PM's from readers that had followed this story from the get go wondering where it had went. And one i recieved this morning really had me sitting here wondering.. "Why the hell is this taking me so long?" So I'm back!
I have so many other Ideas i want to do or that i've started and i CANT do them because this story isn't finished yet. I have been having such a hard time filling in spots before the end... which i have had written for months. But I haven't given up on it yet. And hopefully no one has given up on me. i'm sorry this is short. I figured I'd get this out first and I can work some more on the next part.
Because i want this to be resolved soon it probably wont be much longer then 3 more chapters. Hopefully I didn't lose too many of ya! Again i'm sorry. Life and lack of a brain are the culprits for my lateness. hell maybe even because i suffer from Procrastination. Admitting you have a problem is the first step right? LOL
Also I'd like to announce the Death of my Leonard... yes Leonard the Laptop has checked out. Hard drive went up in a puff of smoke... well not literally. Luckily i got it on long enough to get what i needed off of it... and that INCLUDED the end of this story!
So the lesson here my friends is.. you neve rknow when youc an lose everything! BACK IT ALL UP ON DISK! lol
Ok... enjoy guys...
The Rest of the ride back to Tracy's house was actually a lighthearted one. Dean had switched on the radio, which led to at least 20 minutes of ribbing from Sam at the music that blared out of the Impala's speakers.
"Sure you let Nurse Jenn listen to what she wants… is this Black Eyed Peas?! You don't ever let me listen to what I want to!"
"You never ask! You just rip on MY Music… besides… she's a girl."
The brothers' banter eased the occupants in the car, even Tracy who at one point looked like she wanted to stab something just to vent. It was hard for her to absorb everything that has been happening to her. Not just the day before with the witch using her body as a vessel for the day but everything before it. Her missing friends who she know knew without a doubt she'd never see again after learning of the Witches uses of them. The death of her Librarian friend's son... It all hit her hard and decisions ran through her brain as to her next course of action.
They had driven quite a ways last night in Dean's attempt to get his brother as far away from that witch as he possibly could before they pulled over and his body was kicking him in the ass for it now.
Sam couldn't help but notice it to. As the ride continued on, Dean's laughter toned down and he started trying to focus much harder on the road then the entertainment and conversation in the car. It was evident he was getting too tired to concentrate on both.
Sam knew Dean would never let him drive, especially with the knot on the back of his head but he made a point of keeping a keen eye on him the rest of the way back to Tracy's.
It was around five o'clock in the evening when they finally pulled into the driveway. Dean rubbed a hand over his face to wake himself up some more. The day wasn't over yet. They still had to put protection spells on the house before anyone could feel safe inside.
"Well… Home Sweet Home." Dean commented as he opened up the squeaking driver side door of the Impala. He shot a quick glance to Tracy in the back seat finding her tense and with an almost frightened look on her face. She didn't make any movement to get out of the car and Dean didn't object as Sam and Jenn climbed out as well.
Jenn watched as she leaned on the trunk of the Impala as the two Winchester brothers brought over a bunch of things to the front porch. The bone Dean had retrieved at the graveyard was placed under the front steps and Sam sprinkled a dark looking powder all around the base of the house. Dean read off something from their dad's journal that the young nurse couldn't really make out from where she was standing and she was unprepared for the snap sound and the puff of smoke from the powder lines.
"Whoa! I guess that means its working now huh?" She asked while watching a line of smoke run up the sides of the house.
"Better be." Dean muttered as he made his way back over to the car to get their things.
"Well you are just filling me with confidence."
Dean turned to the nurse and gave her a tired sly smile and after throwing the backpack strap over his shoulder he reached over and opened the back door to the Impala signaling Tracy it was ok to come out.
She gave him a weary look before slowly pulling herself from the car.
The exhausted group entered the house quietly. Dean ushered his younger brother into the kitchen following right behind Tracy and went to deposit him into one of the wooden chairs at the table. Jenn stayed standing.
"Hey Tracy? Do you mind if I go take a shower? I've been in these clothes way too long."
"Yea sure… Feel free to help yourself to my closet for something to sleep in and we'll throw your clothes in the washer."
Jenn smiled her 'thank you' and Sam let a smile come back to his lips at the returned calm in Tracy's face. He was worried about her. So many bad things had happened to her in the past few months and strangely he felt responsible for it.
Figuring he could do something constructive, Sam stood back up from the chair, wincing as the motion made his head spin.
"Sit." Dean sternly said. His voice hardly hid the annoyance at his younger brothers lack of consideration for his own body. They were certainly going to have a long talk about it but first Sam needed to rest.
Sam didn't argue and placed himself down into the chair again. His head was throbbing and was grateful when Tracy slid a bottle of Tylenol across the table at him.
"Take those," she ordered him. Her command had Sam lift his head to look at her. His face held a wince but not from the pain in his head.
"Only a few hours together and you are already channeling him," he said in a whine while throwing a thumb back in Dean's direction indicating he was talking about his brother.
"Well what ever works? I swear you have a death wish!" she scolded at him.
Dean clasped a hand on Sam's shoulder and Sam could only imagine the wide grin on his brother's face.
"I like this girl! Now do what she says and then it's off to bed with you." Sam felt his brother's hand slide off of his shoulder but didn't notice when Dean crept out of the kitchen.
"Yea do what I said! Here's some water too." She handed him a glass of Luke warm water and sat across from the younger Winchester. "It's easier to take pills with warmer water… trust me… I've had the practice."
Sam looked up at the woman with a confused expression. "Why is that?"
"Ahh Samuel that is a story for an other time. Just chalk it up to a misspent youth. But right now for once it's not about me. Take those or I'll sick your brother on you again."
Sam looked away from Tracy and scanned the room. Dean wasn't there. How did he not even notice his brother had left the room? His head must have been fuzzier then he thought.
Tracy noticed she completely lost the attention of the man in front of her. She reached out and put a hand on Sam's forearm, causing him to slightly jump at the touch. It worked and it brought his attention back to her again.
"Why don't we continue this conversation for later huh? You should get some rest." The woman knew rest wasn't what was at the forefront of Sam's mind at the moment. She was in awe of the Winchester brothers. BOTH of them were more concerned for the other. She knew Sam would deny his body rest until he was sure his brother was safe and Visa Versa. Her suggestion for him to get some rest was just wishful thinking on her part. They needed to be fresh if they were going after that witch anytime soon.
"I'm gonna go find Dean." Sam said, ignoring the "Rest" comment as she figured he would.
"Ok. You do that." She said with a smile and knowing full well his brother would force the issue for her. She wanted time to think anyways.
Sam slipped out of the kitchen in search of his brother. He had this overwhelming feeling to not be too far apart from Dean. Now was not the time to dive into his emotional or mental issues but he was sure it stemmed from the fright of losing him again. He couldn't' go through that an other time.
He assumed Dean had gone to check on Jenn or maybe he forgot something in the car. It was odd to see Dean with her. Never in a million years would he have figured he'd see Nurse Jenn again. But apparently just watching the two together they had truly bonded. Plus he could just tell that she had been there for him. Why else would Dean worry for her like he did for him? It was true that Dean cared a lot more for people then he let on. He risked is life every day for the human race. But for Dean to show so much concern for someone else other then Sam it had to be a big deal.
Sam stepped into the living room at the front of Tracy's house and let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. Dean was laying on the couch out cold. His jacket was still on and Dean could see the keys to the Impala held limply in his right hand. His left hand was tucked under one of the throw pillows. Sam figured Dean must have fallen asleep while trying to kick off his boots because he had one off and one still attached dangling off the side of the couch.
The younger Winchester smiled wider then he had in a long time and with the bit of stealth he had gained over the years, crept over to his brothers sleeping form and silently began untying the other shoe.
Dean must have really been tired because Sam slipped off his other boot and lifted his older brothers leg up on the couch with the other one and yet he didn't stir. Sam grabbed a throw blanket off of one of the other chairs in the room and gently draped it over Dean. He resisted the urge to pull the Impala keys from Dean's fingers knowing that might be one of the few things that could wake him up right now and lowered himself into a nearby recliner.
The sight of his brother finally getting the sleep he had been fighting since Sam figured, the moment he woke up was therapy for him. It didn't take too long for his own heavy eyelids to slip closed. A feeling of security and peace hovered over him in his first stages of sleep.