Dean shifted Sara slightly trying to ease the ache in his shoulder. Though he knew they were nearly at the house, the thought did little to alleviate the exhaustion that was dragging at him. He knew Sam fared little better.

It didn't help that he felt as if he were the lead in a funeral procession. Both Sara and Jack had shown no signs of waking up since the Anchanchu's last powerful blast of wind, just before the creature had flickered out of existence. Within moments of its banishment, Sam had gathered up their supplies and had done a quick triage on Jack. Dean had been dismayed by the number of wounds the dog had sustained.

Building the travois next to the dog, the brothers had carefully slipped him onto the contraption. Jack hadn't even whimpered. Dean couldn't help but wonder if they were just providing a change of scenery for the dog to die in. Unable to do any more than keep trying, Sam and Dean had moved out, Dean struggling under Sara's dead weight.

"We're nearly there," the sound of Sam's slightly breathless voice gave Dean the nudge he needed to keep going.

Then as he rounded the last bend he saw the house. Standing tall in the dim early morning light, Sara's home looked none the worse for wear despite it's missing windows. Home, Dean thought, as he stared up at the wood sided house, a twinge of relief flooding his burning muscles.

"Call 'em, Sammy," Dean continued up the lawn toward the house, not even bothering to go inside. Straight for the driveway, he only paused once he was on the macadam surface. There he found himself unsure of what to do next.

The sound of Sam's deep rumble re-assured Dean that his brother was in fact calling an ambulance. Both Winchesters had agreed that the damage done to Sara and Jack was far beyond their capacity to deal with. Especially, Jack. The dog hadn't even whimpered once since the fight and his pulse was becoming harder and harder to find.

Dean's confidence in Sara was slightly stronger, though bruised and bleeding from various cuts and scraps, he was able to find her pulse each time they paused. Weak at best, it was still there to be found. What worried him more was her lack of response. Not once had he been able to rouse her. Even a moan or heartfelt cry would have been preferable to her absolute stillness.

"Here, Dean, let me have her. You're done in, man," Sam said, as he stopped beside Dean, Jack's still form on the sled behind him.

"You've gotta be as tired as I am, Sam. Jack outweighs her by a good bit."

Sam's eyebrows drew together and Dean prepared himself for a lecture. Luck was with him though as Sam's tirade was cut off mid-sentence by the approaching sirens. Dean exchanged a glance of surprise with his brother and shrugged. "Slow night I guess."

A faint smile creased Sam's face as he said, "Well, that and the promise of a bear attack victim. I'm thinking they don't get that often."

"A bear?" Dean questioned, as he looked down at Sara. Leave it to Sam to explain away all the carnage in one smooth lie. Though not common, bear attacks would leave the victims looking a lot like Sara and her dog.

"Yeah well, I figured a Peruvian Vampire Fairy wouldn't exactly fly."

Despite the gravity of the situation, a snort of laughter burst from Dean. "True, very true." Dean watched as his kid brother, dropped to one knee beside Jack's side. "How's he doing?"

Sam shook his head, "I can't tell. I mean I still feel a pulse but..." Sam's voice trailed off giving weight to just how upset he was.

"He's gonna be fine," Dean growled, unable to image the Power's family without their fiercest protector. "Just fine."

At last, the ambulance roared down the driveway, the sound of the siren destroying the early morning calm.

888

Sam roared into the parking lot of the veterinary hospital. More familiar with the layout of the building than he cared to admit, he pulled right up outside the emergency doors and jumped out. Not bothering with the side entrance, he went straight for the large double doors.

As promised, not a moment after he pulled up the doors swung wide and two techs pushed a low flat cart out to the Impala. In less time than it had taken to get him loaded into the car, the two young men were wheeling Jack into the building. The older of the two, was barking orders in between gathering some basic information from Sam.

"A bear?" the guy questioned Sam once more, clearly floored by his affirmative response.

"Yeah, came out of nowhere. Is he going to be okay?" Sam questioned, his voice giving way under the strain of the last couple of hours.

Despite an over abundance of begging and pleading the ambulance driver that attended to Sara had refused to send another rig out for Jack, leaving Sam to get the big dog to the clinic in record time. Succumbing to Jack's sweet face and Sam's own puppy-dog eyes, the paramedic had talked one of the local cops into giving Sam an escort.

If it wasn't for the severity of the situation, Sam and Dean would have shared a good long laugh over the sight of the Impala following a cruiser. Instead, they'd parted ways, Dean heading to the hospital with Sara, and Sam being left to follow the cop, with Jack barely breathing in the back seat.

The veterinary tech's voice brought Sam back to focus. "I don't know, we're going to have to assess the damage before we'll know anything. We'll send someone out for you as soon as we have anything to report."

Just like that, Sam found himself standing alone in the hallway, the events of the past six hours weighing heavy on him. Fear for Sara and to a lesser extent Jack, sheer exhaustion from the hike to and from the clearing, and the slightly nauseas feeling that he always attributed to too much adrenaline, left Sam feeling cold and sick. Needing some kind of reassurance, he found a quite corner of the waiting room and pulled out his cell phone.

It took only two rings before Dean's world-weary voice answered.

"Hey, Sam, how's Jack?" Dean asked before Sam could say a word.

Sam took Dean's question to mean that Sara was at the very least stable. "No clue, it doesn't look good though. The vet promised to let me know what's going on just as soon as they get him stable. How about Sara?"

"She's stable, or at least that's what they keep telling me." Dean's voice dropped another octave, making Sam strain to understand him. "She won't wake up."

"She's gonna wake up, Dean. We stopped the bastard before it could hurt her anymore. She's just...worn out, that's all," Sam insisted, hoping if he said the words often enough they'd hold true.

Dean's voice seemed to grow stronger as he agreed with Sam, "You're right, we just need to wait."

Sam had to smother a laugh at his brother's words, waiting was one of the few things that Dean truly sucked at. He found himself suddenly grateful that he had drawn Jack duty, as being enclosed in a tiny hospital room with Dean hopped up on caffeine and worry was a place Sam would rather avoid.

"Let me know if there's any change," Sam said just before he snapped the phone closed.

"Mr. Powers?"

At the familiar name, Sam turned and faced the young man he'd met earlier. "How's my dog?"

888

"Here, it won't cure what ails you, but it should help you to keep those pretty green eyes open wide."

Dean turned with a weary smile to face the matronly nurse that stood just behind him. Nurse Kulp had shown him nothing but kindness since he'd first show up in her waiting room. Despite the state of his clothes, or maybe because of them, she'd taken pity on him.

It had taken only the mention of Sara's name and the police's assurances that Dean had helped to drive the 'bear' off for the older woman to adopt him. As fast as the double doors, barring him from Sara, swung to a close, the nurse had a change of clothes ready for him, and several well meaning pats on his shoulder. Dean grateful to change into something clean, even if it was only scrubs, had accepted the pats with only a bit of wincing and had shrugged off her careful attempts to reassure him.

Since then she'd managed to get him into Sara's ICU room despite not being family and had returned every now and again to check up on him.

With a muttered thanks, Dean accepted the coffee and sipped, wincing a bit at it's bitter taste. As he watched the older woman bustle around the bed, taking notes on the chart she held in her hands, he couldn't help but ask, "How is she."

Nurse Kulp never lifted her eyes from the clipboard in her hand. "Getting stronger, honey. You just wait and see. Our Sara's a fighter, not even a bear's gonna be able to keep her down."

Surprised at the familiarity of the nurse's words Dean couldn't help but ask, "You know her?"

"Course I do, it's a small town and she's the same age as my daughter. Her and Jason went to school with my Karen. Not a week went by when they were growing up that I didn't see Sara."

It was obvious by the nurse's gentle touch that Sara still held a place in her heart. Dean took hope from the woman's words and reached out to rest a hand on Sara's arm. Touching Sara had become something close to a compulsion for Dean. It was his way of reminding the widow that he was here and here he would remain. He only hoped that sooner rather than later Sara would respond to his touch.

Setting aside his coffee cup, Dean leaned forward, the cut on his back pulling at the movement. As his eyes slipped shut he allowed himself to rest, the warmth of Sara's skin under his roughened hand lulling him to sleep.

888

"Dean?"

Heart in his throat, Dean jerked awake and sat bolt upright. Turning toward the door, he saw Sara's brother Tom standing just behind him. Suddenly feeling as if he were under a microscope Dean swallowed hard and stood. He had always gotten on well with Tom, not once had Sara's older brother made him feel inferior or as if he wasn't good enough to be a part of Sara's life.

That however, had been before Dean had left Sara and her life behind. Now, he found himself nervous to see just how Sara's family would greet him. "Hey Tom," Dean said as he stepped forward to greet the older man.

Tom completely ignored the hand Dean held out in greeting and instead grasped his shoulders and pulled the surprised hunter in for a hard, fast, hug. Releasing Dean almost before he'd realized what had happened, Tom then moved to his sister's side. "What the hell happened to her? Dad mentioned a bear?"

Though tempted to tell the truth, Dean kept his answers to a minimum. He had little doubt that before this was all said and done, Sara would tell her father the truth, but that was it. She had made it clear on more than one occasion that she didn't want her brother or the rest of her family dragged into the world she now knew existed. If she'd had a choice she would have hidden the truth even from her father. Only problem was there had been too many times starting with when Jason died that the perceptive man had noticed more than he should have. In the end, Sara had come clean with him. Everyone else got the abridged version.

Aware of what Sara would want, Dean just nodded and said, "Jack saved her life."

Tom carefully lowered himself down into the seat that Dean had recently vacated and reached out to touch Sara's hand carefully. "Thank god the kids weren't there. Michael's gonna be heartbroken as it is."

"How'd you find out?" Dean asked still trying to play catch up. He'd only been at the hospital for a little over two hours now and he'd never thought to notify Sara's family.

Tom looked up at Dean his dark brown eyes sparkling as he took pity on the younger man. "You're brother said you might forget to call. Hell, can't say as I blame you. When something goes down and the woman you love is in the middle of it, reason seems to fly out the window. Sam called the house this morning and talked to dad."

Sam, leave it up to his brother to remember to notify Sara's family. His baby brother was nothing if not practical in emergencies. Dean had a tendency to go more on instinct then reason when the shit hit the fan, it was probably why he and Sam managed to deal so well together, together they could see all the angles.

"I'm sorry, Tom, I-"

"Don't, don't apologize. I just thank god you and Sam were there to get them out of the woods. Who knows what would have happened if you weren't," Tom interrupted before Dean could get out another word. The older man's gaze returned to his sister's still figure and he tightened the grip he had on her arm. "She's gonna be fine," he murmured sounding as if he was working to convince himself even more than Dean.

Desperate to keep both himself and Tom from falling into despair over the sight of Sara hooked up to every possible tube and wire, Dean asked, "You said Sam called you? Did someone call Judy about the kids?"

Tom dashed an arm across his eyes and stood, his gaze traveling toward Dean only after he wiped his eyes once more. "Um... Dad's headed for the kids now. He's gonna bring them back up to his house."

Dean snorted at the idea of Sara's father having to face down Judy. "Good luck to him, I'm sure this'll just be another reason for the bitch to give Sara crap."

"Yeah, most likely. Dad'll have no trouble, though, he can be pretty diplomatic when it serves his purpose. I'm sure at this moment he's sweet talking Judy into letting them go. It won't hurt that the woman doesn't really want them there anyway."

"And Jack?" Dean questioned hoping that Tom had an update on the big dog.

"Sam said he was torn up pretty good. They were most concerned about the blood loss, he was in pretty bad shape from what Sam said. His hind leg was especially torn up. Sam wasn't sure if they'd be able to save it."

"Shit," Dean breathed guilt riding him because he'd been unable to keep the family pet safe.

"Hey," Tom said with a ghost of his normal grin. "Better a Saint Bernard tangled with a bear than a Pomeranian. At least Jack stood a chance."

The idea of Sara owning a dog that weighed less than one of Jack's hairy paws was enough to make Dean smile. "Yeah, well you'd have to ask Sam, seeing as he hauled Jack out of the forest, but a Pomeranian would have been a bit easier."

Suddenly, the smile slipped from Tom's face and Dean had an anxious moment wondering what he'd said to set off the older man's frown.

"The forest? You mean it wasn't near the house?"

Afraid that he'd stepped in it now, but unable to figure out a way to deflect the question, Dean answered honestly, "It happened near the stream, about an hour in."

Again, Tom ghosted his sleeve over his face wiping away the lone tear that leaked from his eye at Dean's words. "God, we owe you guys everything. I didn't realize it had happened so far from the house. No one would have found fault if you'd left the dog there and just hightailed it out."

Dean avoided the look of gratitude that shown on Tom's face and shrugged. "Yeah, well Jack's family."

Tom nodded and then forced a chuckle. "That's true, he's loyal, brave and stubborn, I guess he is part of the family. Thanks for bringing him back, for better or worse at least you tried."

"You don't need to thank us," Dean said, uncomfortable with the praise. The way he saw it, they'd had no choice but to bring Jack home. The dog was a member of Sara's family, there was no way he could have faced her if he didn't at least try.

"I do need to thank you. More than once you've been there for her when she needed you." Tom's frown returned drawing his dark brows down. "My little sis seems to have a cloud of bad luck hanging over her head. Ever since Jason...well it just seems as if trouble finds her."

Dean had never heard a truer word, though he was sure if Tom knew just how much trouble seemed to follow his baby sister, the older man would probably never let her leave his side. "Can't argue with that."

"I was surprised when my Dad mentioned that you and Sam were at the house. How long you been in town?"

Here it goes, thought Dean, now the questions would start and then the accusations as to why he'd left all those months ago. "We got in little less than a week ago. Car trouble stranded us here."

Tom's gaze held no accusation as he stared hard at Dean for a moment. "I was under the impression that you and Sara..." Tom's voice trailed off allowing Dean to offer an answer.

Dean opened his mouth to answer with no real clue of what to say. At last he blurted, "Sara deserves someone that can be there for her 24/7, not a guy that can only swing through town now and again."

With a snort, Tom replied, "You know that's exactly what I said to my sister when you two first met. That she deserved more than what you could give. You wanna know what she said?"

Suddenly, more than anything Dean wanted to know what the widow's reply had been. Almost afraid of the answer Dean asked, "What?"

"She said every minute spent with you was worth the times in between, no matter how much she missed you when you were gone."

Pain ripped through Dean as he accepted Sara's words for the truth. She was right, before he'd left her for good, he'd always been able to leave with a smile, the anticipation of their eventual reunion allowing him to endure the separation. Once he'd left permanently, the separation had become unbearable.

"It's good to see you here, Dean," Tom said as he clapped the younger man on the shoulder and headed toward the hospital room door. "I'm gonna see about getting you something to eat, and maybe some coffee."

With that the doors slipped shut and Tom was gone, though his words still echoed in Dean's mind. With a weary sigh, he dropped back into the chair beside the bed and took Sara's hand once more in his own.

888

Bobby eased into the room, his eyes drawn to the narrow bed that dominated the space. As he approached it he couldn't hide his wince as he studied Sara's still form. Just before he'd kicked Dean out, the elder Winchester had reassured Bobby that Sara was on the mend. If this was better, than Bobby had good reason to be thankful he hadn't arrived sooner. He wasn't sure he could have taken much more.

Dean had been brutally honest in regards to Sara's condition. The younger woman, apart from the thirty or so stitches it took to repair the damage the fairy had done, was also suffering from blood loss. For the first two days the doctors had kept her sedated allowing her body to heal. According to Dean, she had only awoken for the first time earlier this morning.

"Well, damn, kid," Bobby whispered, dismayed by Sara's appearance. "You sure look like you tangled with a grizzly."

As Bobby eased into the plastic chair vacated by Dean, he noted the effort it seemed to take Sara to force her eyes open.

"Black bear, actually, we don't have grizzlies in Pennsylvania," Sara replied with a small grin. "What the hell, old man, it took you long enough to get here. What'd you do walk?" The younger woman asked as she reached for the bed remote.

Bobby pre-empted the moment and used the remote to raise the bed for her. "Walked?" he ground out, pleased that Sara felt well enough to trade barbs. "Hell, I pushed the pedal to the metal and still missed all the excitement."

With a slight groan, Sara said, "I don't know about you, but, I could have done with a bit less excitement."

"Ah, kid," he replied, as he reached out and laid a hand carefully on Sara's shoulder. "You and me both."

Bobby eased back pretending not to see the tears that welled in Sara's expressive green eyes.

"I saw the kids, they're all settled in at your folks," the older hunter blurted, uncomfortable with the raw emotion that flitted across the widow's face.

Sara seized the topic, seemingly grateful for the subject change. "They're very impressed Jack and I went up against a bear," she said with a smile. "Though, Dean's their real hero as he was the one to drive the creature off."

At the mention of Dean's name, Sara's gaze darted around the hospital room. Bobby had no doubt what she was thinking. It was evident in the controlled way she held herself and the tears that still lingered in her eyes.

"I sent him out for a cup of joe," Bobby said with a tired smile.

"Who?" Sara questioned feigning disinterest.

Bobby glared hard at the younger woman. He suddenly found himself with an urge to shake sense into her. As much as he cared for both Sara and Dean, he often had the urge to throttle them both. Two more stubborn, self-sacrificing, in love people he'd yet to meet.

Refusing to play along, Bobby growled, "Girl, you're as dumb as he is if you think I'm gonna buy that. Only reason he left your side is 'cause I threatened."

"Threatened? Don't flatter yourself, Bobby. I only left because I knew you get mean as a junkyard dog when you don't get a dose of caffeine."

Bobby turned to watch Dean enter the room. Until today he hadn't seen the younger man in nearly two months. It seemed as if Dean's self-imposed exile from the Powers family had left its mark on the hunter. Lean and pale, with dark shadows beneath his eyes, and the beginnings of a beard, Dean looked hard worn and more tired than Bobby could imagine.

At the sound of Dean's voice all the tension seemed to slip from Sara's body. A flush of color swept up her cheeks, and her green eyes seemed to sparkle a bit more.

As the elder Winchester moved toward the bed, three cups of coffee balanced in his hands, his grin became more genuine. "Thought you might feel up to a cup," he said as he eased closer, holding a cup out to Sara.

Sara seemed to hesitate before she reached out to grip the Styrofoam container with a small thanks. Bobby couldn't help but notice the tremors in her hand as she brushed against Dean. The younger hunter's jaw clenched just a fraction, and his smile slipped a bit at the contact, the heat in the room seemed to grow. Feeling like an intruder, Bobby found reason to look away.

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As Sara's hand brushed against his own, Dean felt the world tilt. For so many months he'd denied his need for her, concentrating only on putting one foot in front of the other. Surviving without her was his only choice, he'd made sure of that. Then without much thought to what it would do to him, he'd come back to town. His intentions had been pure, he needed to ensure Sara's safety and in his line of business he hadn't had the luxury of ignoring his nightmares. The fact that he'd been right and that she was in trouble hadn't made things any easier.

Just being around her had left an ache in his heart that seemed to pulse with his every heartbeat. For better or worse Sara held his heart and she always would.

"You feeling any better?" he couldn't help but ask, regardless of the fact that he knew she had to be feeling like crap.

Sara cradled the cup to her chest and sighed softly. "Like crap."

Dean nodded and moved to the far side of the room, with a glance out the window at the overcast sky he offered, "Your Dad's got guys crawling all over the place, getting the windows fixed and the glass cleaned up."

What excuse did you use?" Bobby asked as he sipped his coffee.

Sara's grin was weak but beautiful nonetheless. "We've no clue how it happened. They think it might have been a rouge blast from the old quarry over by my place. They also believe that's what drove the bear to attack. Apparently they believe the pressure from the explosion drove him mad with fear."

"You're kidding, right? That's the bullshit they came up with to explain away the windows and your injuries?" Bobby asked his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yeah well, when there's no plausible explanation, most people are happy with whatever comes the closest. We said we were hiking, got hit by the bear, returned to the house to find the glass blown out." Dean didn't bother to mention just how glad he was that the authorities seemed to accept it. He'd been a little short of ideas on how to explain away the window glass.

"It helps that my closest neighbor also had the glass blown out of his windows. Makes it seem more plausible," Sara offered, her eyes slipping closed once more.

Dean exchanged a look with Bobby and reached out to rescue the cup that was threatening to topple out of her hands. "Get some sleep, Sara, Bobby'll be here when you wake up," Dean reassured her.

"Just Bobby?" Sara questioned, her eyes open wide once more. It didn't take much to see the naked panic that filled Sara's eyes. Unable to deny her anything, Dean reassured her, "I'm not going anywhere."

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"Quit frowning, Dean. Doctor says she's gonna be fine," Sam said as he slipped quietly into the room.

Dean allowed Sam's words to ease the tension that gripped him. Sam was right after nearly four days of monitoring, Sara's doctor had finally granted the widow's wish. Tomorrow Sara was being discharged. Dean himself still wasn't sure she was ready.

Though not quite as pale as before, Sara still rivaled the pillow she lay on for whiteness. It didn't help that earlier he had noticed her hands were still shaky. "She's not ready," Dean couldn't help but say as he carefully edged the blanket that lay across her chest slightly higher. He knew he was fussing but he found he couldn't help himself.

The urge to touch her, to have contact with her, however minor had become an almost constant need. He needed the reassurance that she still lived, still breathed, even more when she slept.

Awake, Sara was rarely still. Even when she wasn't actively moving some part of her body was usually in motion. Foot tapping, leg bouncing, or fingers twirling she fidgeted like a little kid. It was only in sleep that she was every really calm. Now, watching her silent and still, he couldn't help but reach out and touch her now and again to reassure himself that she truly was okay.

Sam crossed the room and came to a stop beside him. "She can sleep at home as well, if not better, than she can here. It's time."

"Not with the kids and her family pulling at her. She won't be able to rest. She'll push herself too much," Dean argued.

Sam's shrug spoke volumes. "She won't stay any longer, Dean, you know that. At least at home she'll allow others to help her."

Dean sighed in frustration know his brother was right. Soon there would be no keeping her down. Dean sent a glance toward Sam and conceded. "I know you're right." Leaning back in his chair, he ran a hand across his bearded chin and sighed deeply. "I was thinking maybe we should hang around a bit. You know. Make sure everything's okay before we hit the road."

"Let's talk a walk," Sam suggested as he abruptly turned from the bed and headed for the door.

Unsure of what was up, but fairly certain he wasn't going to like it, Dean followed him out and into the hallway. Once there, Sam turned to face him.

"You're just gonna walk away?" Sam snapped as he turned to challenge his brother.

"Sam," Dean warned now certain he wasn't going to like what was coming.

"Don't, don't Sam me. You know I'm right. If we'd been here this would never have happened."

Unable to deny Sam's words, Dean went on the defensive. "I thought you were the one that said we were bucking fate trying to keep her alive."

Sam shifted in frustration and gestured toward Sara's door. "I also said that we should at least try."

"I can't, Sam, I can't be the reason she..." Dean couldn't find the words. How could he explain to Sam that it was easier to walk away than to face the fact that he might be the one to bring even more danger into her life. Rather than the sympathy Dean expected, Sam reached out and shoved him hard, knocking him off balance.

"That's a copout, and you know it. You're just afraid to stay cause you can't commit."

Suddenly it was too much, the pain of missing Sara, of standing by as Greg, however unsuccessfully, tried to weasel his way into Sara's world. Knowing that somewhere down the line someone would succeed where Greg had failed, then the later agony of carrying her lifeless body out of the woods. It was too damn much for anyone to have to deal with.

Dean lashed out, his fist striking Sam solidly across the jaw.

888

The force of the blow, while not enough to do any real damage, knocked Sam backward into the wall. Startled but heartened by the rise he'd managed to get out of his brother, Sam refused to back down. "Admit it, you'd rather run than stand your ground. I never thought I'd live to see the day when Dean Winchester tucks his tail between his legs and runs."

Sam knew the words were harsh, but he also knew the only way he'd get Dean to admit his feelings was to get him angry.

This time, lucky for Sam, Dean didn't go for the punch. Instead, he grabbed Sam's shirt and shoved him backwards driving him into the concrete wall once more. "I'm no coward and I ain't running to protect myself. I love her and I always will. I'm just not willing to bring death down on her doorstep."

"Boys," a voice barked behind Dean.

Sam turned startled eyes toward the noise and found Bobby plus one of the hospital security guards standing nearby. If Sam had to find a way to describe the guard it would be scared shitless. It was obvious that the small rural hospital rarely saw any kind of commotion. The guard no doubt was hoping that Bobby could rein in his 'nephews'.

Immediately, Dean dropped his hands from Sam's shirt turned to face Bobby and the guard, his shoulder brushing Sam's. Sam took the contact in the spirit it was offered and relaxed his stance also. He knew that Dean would later apologize for losing his temper though, honestly he'd been provoked into it. "Sorry, Bobby," Sam offered hoping that Bobby had heard enough of the argument to understand what had been going on.

Bobby stared hard at the Winchesters for a moment before turning toward the guard. "Just boys being boys is all, I'm sure you understand that."

The veiled threat in Bobby's tone did the trick and the guard took a step back. "Sure, yeah, no problem. If you could just remind your nephews to keep it down a bit, that'll be fine." Without a backward glance, the young guard turned tail and nearly ran back down the hallway.

Bobby watched the younger man's progress then turned toward the Winchesters with a snort. "You two dumbass' done hollerin' down the place yet?"

Sam winced a bit, ready to acknowledge that his choice of venue wasn't very inspired. He hadn't meant to pressure Dean here, but when he'd heard his brother suggest that they would be leaving he'd seen red. With a mumbled apology, Sam started toward Sara's room only to have Bobby growl.

"No you don't, you two are coming with me. I'll not have ya getting her all excited. God knows she probably heard your little love fest as it is."

Grimacing at the reprimand, Dean shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Boy, if I have to grab you by the ear and drag you out of this hospital you're coming with me. I've watched you all dance around this crap for long enough. I got something to say and you ain't gonna like it, but, you will hear me out."

Sam watched as Dean and Bobby matched glare for glare. At last, the younger man backed down, his love for the older man the only thing keeping him from flipping off Bobby and ignoring the order.

As Dean turned and stormed down the corridor towards the exit, Bobby pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the bead of perspiration from his forehead. Sam's mouth flickered in amusement at Bobby's obvious relief.

"You gonna stand their smirking or are you gonna come help me convince your brother how not to be a jackass?" Bobby snapped as he followed Dean.

The smile wiped clear form his face, Sam started down the hallway one hand rubbing his sore jaw.

888

At last, the boys and Bobby tumbled from the hospital into the parking lot. The bright afternoon light, caused Bobby to squint as he turned to face Dean. He was flying blind on this one. His only experience with love had ended with him stabbing the woman of his heart repeatedly with a kitchen knife. Maybe though in the long run, that was just the kind of reminder Dean needed.

"Dean, I'm not gonna bullshit you. What we do is dangerous as hell. What you've forgotten though, is that Sara knows this. She's seen it first hand." Bobby frowned hard at the ground for a moment, struggling to put his thoughts into words. At last, he settled for the honest truth. "You can't protect her. Not if you know what's coming and not if you're ignorant. People die, that's the honest to god's truth and something your daddy forgot long ago. There's no undoing what's been done."

Dean's bright green gaze turned watery as he met Bobby's gaze. Bobby couldn't help but feel his own heart clench in sympathy. As always when faced with John's boys, Bobby found himself wondering what would have been if only his life hadn't ended with the death of his wife.

"Bobby, I can't live with-"

"Do you remember what you told me when I lost Jess, Dean?" Suddenly Sam was by Dean's side, his shoulder just brushing the older Winchester's. "You told me 'no regrets' do you remember? You said to hold onto her memory and to think of the good. That it's what Jess would want."

"Sammy," Dean started, but Sam cut him off.

"Oh, I get it, that was bullshit, you were just trying to make me feel better. Is that it."

"No, damnit, that's not it, but-"

"No, buts, Dean, Sam's right. If anything the decision really belongs to Sara. If she's willing to run the risk, who're you to belittle her choice?" Bobby could see that Dean stood on the verge. Unsure of which way the younger hunter would fall, Bobby hedged his bet, "What if your positions were reversed? What if Sara left you to keep you safe."

Dean rubbed at his eyes, hiding any telltale tears and replied, "Come on, Bobby. I can take care of myself."

"And Sara can't? Seems to me she's a bit more capable than your average soccer mom," Sam snapped making it clear that was deluding himself if he thought Sara incapable.

Bobby happened to agree with the younger Winchester. He'd known Sara longer than the boys had and he was pretty sure that none of them had yet witnessed just what the widow was willing to do to keep her family safe.

"That's not the-"

"It is the point, Dean. You're worried that our lives are too dangerous and that we could bring trouble down on her. Well if we're all in agreement that she's capable of taking care of herself then what's holding you back?"

Dean turned his head to gaze first at Sam then Bobby but said not a word.

At last, sick of waiting Bobby asked, "What?"

"Well, it's just the two of you are doing such a good job convincing yourselves I figured I'd just let you finish."

Bobby snorted, "Smart ass," under his breath before turning to Sam. The younger man rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to say something. This time it was Dean that cut him off.

"You know this is all fine and well, but, let's face it. If Sara was lying in the morgue right now instead of a hospital bed you'd be singing a different song."

Sam looked down to study his dusty boots and Bobby shifted to examine the parking lot. At last, the older man looked back to Dean and answered truthfully. "Probably, but regrets're part of life. Nobody gets through life without having 'em."

Dean nodded at Bobby's words and turned to face his brother. The stark pain that lined the elder Winchester's face tugged at Bobby's heart.

"I'm gonna take off for a bit." Dean said holding out his hands for the Impala's keys. "Let Sara know I'll be back."

Sam nodded and handed off the keys, his features already seeming resigned to Dean's decision. Bobby on the other hand retained hope. Dean had spent a lifetime watching his father deal with his regrets. Bobby held onto the idea that Dean had learned a thing or two about letting go what you cannot change. It was a lesson that John had never learned.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Sam as they watched Dean cross the lot, Bobby was again reminded of just how lucky he was to have the boys in his life. Ever since John had wandered into his life, Dean and a baby Sam by his side, the Winchester boys had been like family. Bobby only hoped that this time he wouldn't be forced to watch Dean turn away from the one thing that would truly make him happy.

888

"Hey there, big guy," Dean whispered as he eased into the tiny room. He was unsurprised to see that Jack was caged. The veterinary technician that had given Dean the update on Jack's condition had made it clear that the dog hadn't been on his best behavior. The menacing growl that came from the metal cage only confirmed the woman's words.

Approaching the box that was little bigger than the dog inside, Dean turned to the woman that had slipped in behind him. "Give me a few moments here."

"Mr. Powers, like I told your brother, the dog's likely to lash out. He's in a lot of pain and the drugs make him feel confused. It's not safe for you to open the cage."

Dean ignored the woman, dropped to one knee before the metal cage and stared in at the battered animal. "Ah, damn, Jack." The dog lay slumped on the ground, barely able to lift his muzzled head, he was making a sound that was half growl, and half whine. There was a bare patch on his foreleg where the hair had been shaved and an IV needle was inserted in his skin. Even from outside the cage, Dean could see several bald patches where wounds had been stitched. He looked like a patchwork quilt gone awry.

"There really isn't anything you can do for right now. He's been given a transfusion and we've been pumping him with fluids. We've got him on antibiotics and a morphine mixture to manage the pain and keep him still. It's just a waiting game now, but we're fairly certain he's going to pull through."

Without thought, Dean reached out and eased back the latch that held the cage shut. He had no fear of Jack, drugged or not the dog would never turn on him. "Why the muzzle?" Dean asked his heartbreaking over the nylon strap that secured Jack's jaws all but closed.

"He's snapped at two of our techs and bit another so far, you can't trust him right now."

Dean ignored the woman and eased into the cage. It wasn't all that hard seeing as Jack was nearly as large as a grown man. Speaking in low tones Dean waited for Jack to recognize his voice. He had little doubt that the dog had done his best to piss off the people trying to care for him, he was nothing if not Sara's dog. Dean was also sure that the dog had lashed out simply out of fear. Without acknowledging the woman that hovered behind him Dean said, "I'm going to be in here for a bit."

Apparently, the woman could take a hint, with no farther warnings she turned and left, leaving Dean and Sara's beloved pet alone. A burning anger began to build in Dean as he looked over Jack. He was suddenly thankful that the woman had left, otherwise he would have needed to take her down a peg or two for the disgraceful state that Jack was in.

As he got comfortable on the hard metal bottom of the cage, he noted that Jack was barely able to lift his head. It was obvious that whatever the vet had him on was working.

The dog continued to growl even as Dean settled in beside him. At first, he feared that the blood loss had been too extensive and Jack had suffered injuries far more serious than the cuts and bruises that littered his body. His fear, however, proved groundless when Jack, at last, gave a weary sigh and laid his head on Dean's jean clad leg.

Dean didn't bother to wipe away the tears that crept down his cheeks as he stroked Jack's large square head. The normally bright white blaze that made its way down his solid forehead was stained with blood and grime. His eyes were caked with dirt and the lower lids drooped more than normal giving testament to just how out of it he was.

"They're giving you the good stuff, huh?" Dean questioned as he carefully worked the buckle that held the muzzle off. Wincing in sympathy at the straps that held the dog's mouth firmly closed, Dean gently eased the contraption off.

As expected, when freed of the nylon strap Jack began to rub his face back and forth over Dean's jeans obviously trying to scratch an itch that had been out of his reach for god only knows how long. Memories of being stuck in a foot cast over a long hot summer had Dean scratching at the offending itch, trying to ease the dog's discomfort. Jack's low groan of appreciation was more telling than anything else that the dog would recover despite all that had happened.

If they had been any farther from the medical treatment, if they had been dealing with a country vet versus an emergency care center for animals, if Sam hadn't made it clear that everything and anything possible was to be done, then there would have been little chance of Jack surviving.

As it was it had been touch and go for a while, just how close it had come only Sam knew. However, from what Dean could tell, Jack was expected to make a full recovery. The only question that remained was whether he would retain the use of his hind leg.

The vet had been vague on that point, insisting that getting Jack healthy again took precedence over worrying about his mobility. The Anchanchu had taken a chunk out of Jack's hind leg damaging the muscle, the extent of the injury still wasn't clear.

Dean sat there, Jack's giant head lying in his lap and began to talk to the dog. At first it was just ramblings, apologies for allowing the dog to go first into the trouble, for allowing Jack to act as a tracker. Before long, Dean was running his hands up and down Jack's sleek head. As the dog began to make happy little growling sounds, Dean found himself thinking through everything that Sam and Bobby had said to him earlier.

He wanted to reassure himself that they were wrong. That in his case Sara would be better off without him in her life. Problem was, Sam was right if it were his little brother standing in his position he'd be encouraging the kid to try and make it work. Why was it he wasn't able to follow his own advice?

He often wondered if it was because he'd seen first hand what his mother's death had done to his dad. Sam had grown up with no memory of the real John Winchester. He'd only ever known the militant, cold, angry version of their father. He'd never seen the way John's whole face would light up when Mary walked into the room. How had John teased and laughed with her, the way the house was always full of music and magic. Dean still remembered.

It was the way he felt when he was with Sara and it scared him to death. How could he continue if something did happen to her. "I love her too much, man," Dean whispered to the dog that was now soundly asleep in his lap. Jack's only reply was a rough snort. Unable to face putting the muzzle back on the big guy, Dean leaned his head back and shut his eyes. As he drifted off, memories of Sara and her kids drifted through his mind making him yearn to be a part of their lives once more.

Chapter End Notes:

Okay so, you still with me?? Hope so, I'll get my update posted just as soon as I can. Thanks as always for reading - Kel