Okay, schmoopy chapter coming up! Thought you all could use a break from the drama. Hope you like it.

Cindy.

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Dean stumbled clumsily into Bobby's kitchen with one thought in his head. Coffee, and lots of it. Bobby looked up from the paper he was reading and acknowledged Dean with a surprised quirk of his eyebrow.

"Need coffee," Dean mumbled as he reached for a mug.

Bobby nodded as he watched the younger man with a critical eye. "What ya need is sleep," he quipped.

"I sleep…but, Sammy needs me," Dean said quietly in reply.

"You don't sleep enough…and yeah, Sam needs you. He needs you well rested and healthy. How is he by the way?" Bobby grumbled disapprovingly.

"I slept Bobby. Got in a good six hours. And Sam's the same. Hasn't woken up yet. Cas is keeping an eye on him for me," Dean answered as he sat at the table, steaming mug in hand.

"Well, then it's a good time for you to eat something. I'll make ya a sandwich," Bobby said, rising from the chair and heading for the fridge.

Dean nodded his thanks and took a long swallow of the hot, strong coffee. "It's been two days Bobby. Maybe we should take Sam to the hospital," Dean said, his words thick with worry.

"And what could they do Dean? He needs rest and he can get that better here than anywhere else. Castiel said it's in God's hands now. Why don't we just give Sam a chance to recover," Bobby answered.

"Doesn't seem like God's been on Sam's side very much, Bobby. His whole life, everything has gone against him."

"Yeah, I know that, Dean, but look how strong it's made him. If things had been easier on him, do you think he could have withstood what he went through? Could he have defeated Lilith? Dean, the struggles we have in life are what make us stronger."

Bobby set a plate containing two sandwiches before Dean then he took his seat again. Dean sat for a moment in contemplation before he looked up at the older man.

"Bobby..do you think Sam can get past what happened to him down there? I mean…I know how long it took me, is still taking me actually. What he went through though. I…I don't know how he could get over that," Dean said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't really think he can get over it completely, Dean. The rapes…Alastair wearing your daddy's face. But…he will get to a point where it won't consume him. It may come up from time to time, but he's strong. Plus, he has you, Dean. He has us. Just like you had him, he'll have you," Bobby replied, his hand grasping Dean's forearm reassuringly.

Dean smiled sadly then brushed his hand through his unkempt hair. "God Bobby…I'm just so frickin' worried about him. Shit…I don't even know if he's gonna wake up!"

Bobby squeezed lightly on Dean's arm and made sure he had his attention. When Dean was fully focused on the older man, Bobby spoke. "He'll be fine Dean. I have no doubt that he will wake up. He's sure to be rewarded for the sacrifices he's made. You just need to be patient and give him time."

"I know Bobby. It's just hard. I mean, he looks better and Cas keeps reassuring me, but until he opens his eyes…until I can talk to him…" Dean started, his eyes dropping to his yet to be touched lunch.

"I understand. You know how I feel about you boys, and that one…well, he kinda grows on ya. Big lug that he is, ya still want to protect him. Just…just keep the faith, Dean. When he's ready, he'll wake up. You'll be wishing soon enough that he'll shut up," Bobby said with a chuckle.

"God, I hope you're right Bobby. I miss him," Dean replied.

"I know Dean. Me too. Now…eat up 'fore you keel over."

Dean looked down at his plate then back to his friend and surrogate father. "Do you mind if I take this upstairs? I kinda need to get back," he queried apologetically.

"Figured ya did. Now git back up there to your brother. And you eat all of that Dean, ya hear me?" Bobby instructed, shaking his head with amusement when Dean grabbed up the plate and hurried toward the staircase.

Bobby turned his eyes upward and scrubbed a hand over his face. "You better wake up soon Sam. Don't know how much more that brother of yours can take. Don't really know how much more I can take," he said softly before returning his gaze to the paper he'd been reading.

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Castiel sat next to Sam's bedside, his intense gaze never straying from the young hunter's face. He reached a hand out and rested it on Sam's chest, closing his eyes as he concentrated on the soft thump of the sleeping man's heart. He moved his hand up to cup Sam's cheek, his touch tender. Castiel opened his eyes and looked toward the doorway to find Dean standing there, a plate piled with sandwiches, his eyebrow arched as he stared at the scene. Castiel smiled warmly as he stood and turned toward the hunter.

"Sam will be waking soon, Dean," the angel said softly.

Dean's eyes widened, as he rushed forward. "Are you serious? He's gonna wake up? How do you know?" Dean queried excitedly.

"He told me."

"What? What do you mean he told you?"

"His heart…his mind. He's been here all along. He just needed a break from everything."

Dean glanced at Sam and could swear he felt something different about his brother. Over the past days as he watched over Sam, it almost felt like Sam's body was present, but nothing else. Now, it seemed as though there was more than just a warm body occupying the bed and Dean felt his spirits brighten. He smiled with relief at Castiel before moving to sit on the chair next to the bed. He glanced at Sam then looked up only to find that Castiel had disappeared.

Dean turned back to Sam and watched him closely before he realized he still held the plate of sandwiches Bobby had made for him. Remembering Bobby's command, Dean picked up one sandwich and took a bite, not realizing until that moment just how hungry he was. It only took a few moments for the sandwich to be gone and Dean was just reaching for the second when a soft moan from the bed stopped all movement on his part. Dean placed the plate on the bedside table then leaned forward and watched as Sam's head slowly rolled from side to side on his pillow.

"Hey Sammy…open your eyes. I'm here kiddo. Open your eyes," Dean instructed as he reached his fingers out and brushed them over Sam's warm cheek.

Sam turned into the touch and moaned again as his eyelids fluttered in an attempt to open. Dean continued to softly caress Sam's cheek, trying to coax him awake. After a few moments he was rewarded as tired, hazel eyes blinked open and stared up at him. Dean sagged with relief as he gazed upon his brother's face. He moved his hand around to cup the side of Sam's head, his fingers brushing through long, tangled hair.

"Oh thank God, Sammy. Oh my God…I thought…shit Sam," Dean stammered.

"D'n?" Sam whispered, his eyes not quite in focus yet.

"Yeah kiddo, it's me. How ya feeling?" Dean replied.

"Mmmmmm…stiff…" Sam groaned.

"Yeah, I'll bet. You haven't moved a muscle for two days Sam."

Sam gazed up and eyed Dean closely. "You 'kay D'n?" he asked, his voice weak and hoarse.

"What? Of course I'm okay Sammy. You're the one who nearly gave yourself an aneurysm, not me," Dean answered incredulously.

"Lilith…threw you 'n Bobby…"

"We're fine Sam. The bitch didn't hurt us…you made sure of that."

"'m tired Dean," Sam whispered with a relieved smile.

"Okay…okay Sammy. Sleep. I'll be right here if you need me."

"Dean?"

"Yeah Sammy?"

"They dead?"

"Lilith and Alastair? Yeah, they're dead Sam. They can't hurt you or anyone else ever again."

Sam nodded weakly as his eyes slowly closed. "Good," he whispered as sleep claimed him once more.

Dean pulled his hand away from Sam's head and closed his eyes, breathing in a deep breath before exhaling. He brushed his hand over his face then opened his eyes to gaze upon Sam again.

"Thank you…whomever…for bringing him back to me. Thank you so much," Dean said quietly as he settled into his chair.

Dean was so intent on watching Sam that he didn't notice Bobby standing in the doorway, a smile on his lips as he watched the brothers. Bobby nodded his head and sent up a prayer of thanks. He turned and headed back down the hallway, leaving Dean to do what he did best. What he was born to do.

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Schmoopity, schmoopity schmoop!! And look Ma...no evil cliffy! Sam's awake, Dean's eating, Bobby's...Bobby. Alls good with the world...for now. More coming tomorrow.

Cindy.