Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 19 Better

After the boys had eaten dinner together watching TV on Sam's bed, Deans phone rang and he flicked it open after glancing at the caller ID.
"Hey Bobby. How's it goin?"
"Not bad, Dean. How are you feeling? Enjoying being back in the wide world again?"
Sam had called Bobby when Dean got out of hospital but hadn't called again because of the gift they had ordered. They wanted it to be a surprise and didn't want to accidently tip him off.
"Yeah. I'm fighting fit and ready to go. How have you been?"
"I've been good, although I got a delivery that shocked the shit out of me yesterday."
"Oh." said Dean innocently.
"Yeah, it seems two chuckleheads sent me a basket of food and a fishing trip. Wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"Must have been delivered to the wrong address." Dean joked.
"Ha Ha. Its got your name on it you idjit. Anyway thanks Dean, you didn't have to do that although I will enjoy it. I've been wanting to make that trip for a long time. How did you know anyway?"
"Well my trusty sidekick is pretty darn smart, Bobby. Anyway you deserve it, have fun and enjoy yourself. Here's Sam he wants to say hi."

Dean handed the phone to Sam, who was looking at Dean curiously. Trust Dean to pass any praise to someone else. The gift had been Dean's idea all the way yet he wouldn't take any credit himself.
"Hi Bobby."
"Hi Sam. I was just trying to thank you boys for the gift. Its very good of you although you know I'll always be there for you no matter what and you don't have to thank me."
"Well, it was Dean's idea." Sam laughed at Deans open mouth. "He knew you wanted to fish the lake. I just wondered what all the fishing digests were doing among the Wiggan texts and mythology books."
"Yeah he is pretty shrewd, our Dean, and he hates to be told thanks doesn't he?"
"That's true Bobby, anyways, we just wanted to say thank you. You saved our skin again."
"Well if you remember you boys were helping me in the first place."

That night when Sam got into bed, Dean was brushing his teeth. Sam had almost drifted off when Dean came in and turned the light off. Sam was expecting Dean to say goodnight but instead he got shoved across the bed by Dean's right hand and Dean climbed in next to him. Sam turned to say what the hell Dean purely as an inbuilt reaction even though he wanted Dean with him but Dean kissed the words out of his mouth then stayed close to go to sleep. It looked like Dean had liked the idea of them sleeping together the couple of nights they had and wanted it to continue. Sam liked the idea as well but didn't expect Dean to come around so readily even as loving as he had been to Sam lately, it still surprised him.

Sam had another great nights sleep and woke in the morning with no Dean beside him. He wasn't in the next bed and not in the bathroom when Sam went in. He went back to his bed and grabbed his phone off the bedside table to call Dean. He was starting to panic because Dean still getting over injuries and drugs after all. When the door opened and Dean walked in with a bag under his arm.
"There you are! Where have you been? You scared the crap out of me Dean."

Dean pointed to the bedside table that Sam had just picked his phone up from. "Ah, I left a note Sam."
Sam had been too worried to see it. Dean dropped the bag on the kitchen table and strode over to Sam, he pulled Sam into his arms.
"I'm sorry, alright? I just wanted to get us breakfast before we took off this morning, that's all. Are you okay?" Dean rubbed his hand over Sam's face to the back of his neck and back to his face.
Dean could see Sam was less upset.
"Yeah I'm sorry, just panicked a bit." Sam hugged Dean tight and kissed Dean strongly but briefly.

Dean pulled Sam over to the table and started to serve up the breakfast. Sam noticed Dean was dressed in jeans, T shirt and shirt and jacket and he was shaved and showered.
"You look better this morning. How do you feel?"
"Much better. Head feels as clear as a bell this morning, thank god. I was so sick of being doped up. Why would people do that to themselves? It beats the hell out off me."
"How's your back?" asked Sam around a mouthful of pancake.
"A bit tender. That bit on my chest where you put the ice, feels a bit throbby but that's about it." Dean put his hand on his left side to show Sam where he meant.
"Well let me know if it gets sore on the road today. We should be able to stop a few times if you need to. It's only a six hour drive but it might be a bit much."

To Sam's surprise Dean didn't argue the point as he expected just nodded and cleared the plastic breakfast plates up. Once Sam was showered and dressed and the motel bill was settled they packed the car and hit the road. Dean was a little uncomfortable but stayed awake and talked to Sam to keep him company and awake while he drove.

After lunch Dean got the photocopies of the newspaper articles of the victim's deaths that Sam had made, out and looked at them as they drove along.
"So the victims, didn't know each other, the causes of death are so varied its not funny, even where they died is only limited to the same area of the state. It crosses county lines pretty easily almost like its mobile rather than has a den or lair it hunts around." mused Dean.
"Yeah, I couldn't work that out." said Sam in agreement.
"Maybe, it's a spell or whatever that stays with the victim after they have left the area where they were "infected" let's say."
"Yeah, you might be right but that doesn't narrow the assailant down much. Some of the victim's have been torn apart . That would make a strange spell."
"I know it could be a few things, but I am getting a feeling about this. The patterns seems familiar but from a while ago."
"You don't remember from when?"
"Not yet."

Sam stayed quiet giving his brother time to think about the caseHe knew Dean would figure it out eventually. He always admired the way Dean's brain sorted through clues and found the answers to difficult problems. Something like that can't be taught and had pissed their dad off frequently that Dean had it naturally in spades, maybe he got it from their mother.

Two miles out of Redline, where the boys planned to stay, there was a squeal and a bang from under the hood of the Impala. Sam pulled over and Dean was out and going to the trunk before Sam had time to turn the engine off. Dean pulled out a belt Sam had never seen before and a flashlight and moved to the hood as Sam was putting up the hood stand. Dean put his arm into the engine bay and quickly pulled a busted fan belt out and handed it to Sam without a word. He went to work threading the belt around the pulleys with Sam holding the flashlight. When Dean had the belt secured he stepped back and lowered himself to the ground and slipped under the car after taking the flashlight from Sam.

Dean took so long under the car Sam had to ask.
"You okay under there Dean?" Dean crawled slowly out from under the car.
"Yep, but I'm gonna need a hand up."
Sam pulled Dean to his feet. "What's going on?"
"Well she threw a fan belt. A fairly new one and the oil filter has a leak."
"So are we okay?"
"For now but we will need to get it fixed. That's a temp belt not good for too far."
"So I'm gonna have to fix the car."
"No I can do it, Sammy. It's only a couple of hours work."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, tomorrow in daylight should be no problem."

They got back in the car and drove to town where they checked into a motel and grabbed dinner from a nearby take out. Before he ate Dean grabbed an old ice cream container and pushed it under the Impalas oil filter. After dinner Dean showered, kissed Sam goodnight and went to bed. Sam continued to research the hunt they were on. It didn't take Dean long to fall asleep. He felt a bit hot, he had another headache and his back felt cramped after the drive. Sam packed up soon after and climbed into bed behind Dean. He wrapped his arms around his brother, noticing how warm Dean was straight away. He put his hand up to Dean's forehead but it didn't seem too bad, so Sam cuddled up and went to sleep. He loved the feeling of having his arms around Dean, like he was protecting him for once.

When he woke in the morning Sam felt incredibly warm and comfortable and didn't want to get out of bed. Dean wasn't in bed again this morning and he looked at the clock to see it was 9:45 , wow another late morning. He should feel guilty but he felt so rested and at peace. He looked over to the table and noticed a bag sitting waiting for him with a note on top.
He padded over and read Deans note: 'Breakfast is served, out getting parts for the car back soon.' D.

Sam sat and ate breakfast then went for a shower. After he was dressed Sam made himself a coffee and while he was making it he noticed Dean outside near the Impala. He made Dean a cup as well and took it out. Dean had the hood up and tools on a cloth on the ground but hadn't started work yet. He took the cup from Sam and they drank the coffee together standing in front of the car.

Sam noticed Dean was wearing just a grey T shirt and jeans with his boots.
"Aren't you cold." Sam asked. He was wearing a jacket over his shirt.
"No actually, I'm running pretty warm today."
Dean had a slight flush to his cheeks, Sam noticed, and he put his hand up to check Dean's temperature. He was a little warm, but he threw Sam off by stepping up close and putting an arm around him, giving him a one armed hug.
"I'm okay Sam. I just walked up to the auto shop, I'll be a bit warm."
"Just be careful, today's meant to be cold and there's supposed to be a storm coming in tonight."
"I will, promise. What are you getting up to?"
"I thought I would talk to a few of the family's of the victims."
"I thought so. Do you mind if I stay and fix this?"
"No that's cool. I can handle a few interviews. You sure you don't need a hand?"
"As much as I'll miss you, I'll be okay."

Dean smiled at Sam then reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a car key on a plastic tag. He handed it to Sam.
"You will need this."
What's this?" Sam questioned.
Dean moved over to a medium white sedan parked next to the Impala.
"Your wheels for the day, its all yours till 6 o'clock."

Sam was shocked a) because Dean had organized a car for him and b) he hadn't thought of it himself. The victims where in a wide area and he would never get many interviewed if he walked to them all. He had forgotten he would'nt have the Impala while Dean worked on her.
So I will see you back here at quarter to six?" Dean grinned at Sam.
"Yeah I'll see you then, thanks man."

Sam went back inside to grab the papers he needed, he didn't know Dean had followed him in until he turned to walk back out and nearly smacked into him. Dean had a shy smile on his face and leaned over and kissed Sam on the lips pressing something into his hand. Sam looked down to see Dean's favorite silver-bladed switch blade in his hand.
"Just in case," said Dean softly.
Sam stepped forward and gave Dean a full passionate kiss, his hands moving over his warm back.
"Thanks Dean, I'll be careful."

Sam knew what Dean had meant when he gave him the knife. It was Dean's version of "look after yourself while I'm not there to do it". It meant everything to Sam that Dean trusted him to do the job. Even though he would always be Sam's protector he trusted him as well and wanted to give him room. Something their dad never did was believe Sam was good enough to do the job on his own.

Dean knew differently.

TBC