Abby worked hard at Speech Therapy and was talking even though her words faltered at times. She gained most of her physical strength back, and she was quieter than she was before the surgery. It wasn't like she was just more shy, she even said less to Sam. She did express more with her actions, though, so it was a trade-off.

Missouri was sad to go back home with Joshua and Jefferson. She made them promise to call and put Nate on the phone so she could talk to him. The house seemed much quieter as the rest of them watched their visitors back down the driveway. They'd had a good, long visit. So much had happened.

Tasha and Abby got ready for work. Abby wasn't allowed on ladders or stepstools at the store anymore. Both for her own safety and everyone else's anxiety level. Abby enjoyed being back in a world that existed beyond the scrap yard and hospital. She still had exercises and Speech Therapy, but her life was getting back to normal.

Dean and Kylee were keeping busy with the garage. Nate was no longer sleeping in their room, so they weren't so blurry-eyed in the morning. Still, Dean and Kylee missed their nights with Nate, stolen moments in the middle of the night when they just loved him and didn't care if they spoiled him.

They had put their baby plans on the back burner when Nate was in their room because it just didn't feel right to Kylee. Dean didn't think it should have been a problem if Nate was asleep in his cradle, but he didn't argue. He made sure to do little things each day to make Kylee feel special. All it took was a few minutes to pamper her, steal a few kisses between the cars in the scrap yard, or whisper a message meant just for her into her ear when she was concentrating on a car. Those whisperings made Kylee blush and Dean laugh.

Bobby decided to carve the devils traps into the wood of the house. Since they were already painted on, he just had to carve the markings out. Bobby wanted the traps there permanently and carvings did look better than spray paint.

Sam was sleeping better at nights because when Abby had her nightmares, she recognized Sam as soon as she opened her eyes and was able to calm down enough to lie back down. Abby also seemed to be more relaxed with Nate in their room. Sam had prepared that other room and crib for Nate but it looked as if he'd be rooming with them for awhile longer.

Spring was turning into summer. The muddy puddles began to dry up and the fresh breeze flowed through the house when the windows were open. It stayed light later and later. The seasonal change was energizing the people at the scrap yard as the earth renewed itself.

The flu bug made its way around the store and Abby brought it home from work. Even though they did their best with washing their hands and preventing the spread of the it, there was no sparing Sam and Nate. Abby tended to Sam. Everyone helped with Nate because they just couldn't bear to see the little guy so miserable. That meant everyone was open to the flu, and it attacked with a vengeance.

Next to get sick was Bobby, and he rarely got ill. When he did, it hit him hard and kept him down for days. Tasha called work because both her and Abby had their hands full. Sam wasn't quite over it and Nate was just getting better.

Tasha fell sick shortly after Bobby and the two of them were miserable. They just stayed in bed. Abby and Sam tried to make sure they drank plenty of fluids but the pair just wanted to sleep. Sam and Abby also bothered them every few hours to take their temperature and give them Tylenol.

"You got your wish, Tasha," Bobby's voice croaked on day.

"What's that, Bobby?"

"You got me in bed with you all day," he chuckled a little. "Now that you have me, what's your big plan?"

"Sleep," Tasha curled up by him. "You'll need to watch out when I'm feeling better, though."

"Oh, really?" Bobby replied, thinking it was funny. "I think I can handle my little wife."

"You just wait," Tasha said sleepily. "I'll surprise you when you least expect it."

"You just do that," Bobby fell back to sleep.

Abby went back to work when Bobby was on the mend. She was happy to be around people who weren't sick.

When Dean got sick, you would have thought that no one had ever had the flu before. He could be quite the baby when sick. He drove Kylee bonkers so she went out to work in the garage for awhile. That left Sam to take care of his brother.

"I think I'm gonna die," Dean moaned.

"You're not gonna die, Dean. The rest of us had the same thing," Sam laid a cool rag on the back of Dean's neck as Dean contemplated heaving some more.

"I think I caught something different. This is awful."

"I know. It will get better."

"When?" Dean looked up at Sam with his face flushed.

"Not soon enough," Sam knew his words couldn't bring much comfort. "You ready to get back into bed?"

"I don't think there's anything left in me."

Sam handed him a glass of water.

"I'm just so warm."

"Let me help you back to bed and we'll try some more Tylenol. That should make you feel better."

"That's what you said last time," Dean got cranky when he didn't feel good.

"I would have made you feel better if you would have kept it down," Sam argued and then realized that it was no use. He didn't really want to argue with Dean anyway, he just wanted him to get better.

Sam grabbed another wash cloth and wiped Dean's face and neck with cool water. "Is that any better?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Let's get you back into bed."

"Thanks, Sammy," Dean said as he closed his eyes. "I know I'm hard to be around when I'm sick. Just don't tell anyone else that I am. Gotta be the tough guy, right?"

"Sure," Sam smiled. "Our secret." Let Dean think that was the way it worked if it made him feel better. Everyone knew he was the most difficult when sick anyway.

Abby came home from work sick, again. She'd only been back two days.

"Maybe you just went back too soon," Sam told her.

Abby just gave him a weak smile as he tucked her in.

"I'll be back in awhile to check on you," Sam told her before he closed their door.

"Why's Abby home?" Bobby had been waiting for Sam in the kitchen.

"She's got a fever. Maybe it's a relapse of the flu," Sam guessed.

Bobby shrugged. "Keep a close eye on her. Tasha still isn't feeling good."

"It's been awhile. Think she needs to go in?"

"She's staying hydrated. I don't know what else they could do for her," Bobby answered. "I can check on Dean if Abby needs ya. I remember how he can be from when you boys were little. You were a good little patient and Dean was the exact opposite. He stayed sicker longer because he wouldn't do what he was supposed to in order to get better. Then, he'd try to push himself too soon and get sick all over again."

"I swear my earliest memory is of having to take care of him after he got me though an awful cold. Dad had us out on the road with him. I'd just learned to tell time and he'd written down when Dean was supposed to get what medication. What he'd forgotten to tell me was how to keep Dean in bed or make him drink."

Bobby shook his head. "Most folks will figure it out after they're sick a few times. Dean is either stubborn or a slow learner."

"I vote for stubborn. He's that way even when he's not sick."

Bobby nodded. "Give me a yell if ya need me."

Sam got Nate down for his nap and laid down with Abby. She felt so warm to him but it wasn't time for any more Tylenol. He just held her and wished that she would get better. She didn't need another illness right on the tail end of the other.