Disclaimer: The characters of "Supernatural" were created by Eric Kripke and are owned by the CW Network. No profit is being made.

Note to Readers: Sorry, for the short chapter but I have been so busy this week I have had almost zero time to write. I hope I have more time between now and next weekend, so the next chapter can have a little more bulk to it. As always, thank you for the reviews and PM"s you send me. They are all appreciated! Happy Reading, I hope.

Side Note: The chapter title is named for the poem that this chapter has an excerpt from.

Our Solemn Hour

By Dawn Nyberg

Chapter 10: Invictus

"… My head is bloodied, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid…"poem excerpt by William Earnest Henley, Invictus

Sam wiped down the bar and grabbed a clean towel to dry it. He glanced over at Dean putting away pool cues and racking the balls neatly on the table. "You don't have to do that man," Sam mused across the quiet room. The bar had been closed a good hour and he was cleaning up. They had been back four days now and settled into this routine of Dean coming to the bar and hanging out or shooting the breeze outside over cars and bikes.

"Well, you're on your own here man, I just thought I'd help. I'm bored," Dean commented easily.

"Well, the closed the kitchen down a good hour before closing tonight, so everyone else got done early … anyway, I think they're under the impression your free help man," Sam smiled. "Seriously Dean, it's been four days, come on you gotta go back to Lisa and Ben. Your little trip to Stull has turned into almost two weeks away dude … aren't you missing soccer or something?"

"Sammy," Dean groaned. "I called her okay? I'm good."

"No," Sam put down the towel and walked around the bar and approached his brother. "I'm not gonna be the reason you throw it all away man. I'm not gonna pull a stunt like I did at the cabin again … I said we'd keep in touch. I'm not going anyhwere," Sam assured.

"Sam," Dean walked and stood in front of his brother. "I can't just leave you man, we're family. I…"

"You'll what Dean? Look dude your ass is in the car in the morning and going back to Cicero. I'll be here when you can visit."

"You're not the boss of me dude … last I checked I was the older one in this equation."

"I'm serious Dean," Sam looked at his brother for along moment. "What? You don't trust me to not check out on you one way or the other?" Sam's tone was bitter.

"No," Dean's voice was quiet. "I know you won't try the cabin stunt again or take-off to parts unknown, it's just … look Sammy, for the longest time I thought you were dead and thinking about where you were killed me a little everyday and keeping the promise I made to you … you're my little brother and …"

"And, what? You want to be here for me? Dean, man, you are even if you're a few hours away you're still here for me, okay? Please," Sam's tone wasn't forceful just simple and matter of fact. He smiled softly at his brother, a genuine smile, maybe no dimples but it was real nonetheless. Dean sighed and rubbed a hand across his face and over his hair.

Sam knew with that simple action from his brother he'd won the battle of wills he'd been waging for the past four days with his big brother.

"Seat taken?" Lisa smiled down at Dean who sat on the front steps of the house he shared with Lisa. Dean looked up at her and offered a tentative smile. She sat down next to him and looked out over the neighborhood with him. "You've been back a week Dean," she offered lightly. "I've been thinking," she began and Dean looked at her. "You call Sam every night and you're texting or emailing. I know you're worried about him and I think," she took a breath. "I think you should go back to Kansas. To be honest you've still been there in here," she placed her hand over his heart. "This past week has felt like a long good-bye, Dean," her voice was soft and a little sad, yet accepting.

"Lisa, I don't want you to think that I don't care for you and Ben, I do …"

"I know, we both do. We're here alright, maybe you'll convince Sam to try Cicero when he's ready. But, he's you're little brother and I know how you were when he was gone," she said the last word gone quietly as if she feared it would hurt him to hear it louder and be reminded of those long months without his brother thinking him dead. She leaned in and kissed him.

The sun dropped behind the neighborhood trees and Dean knew where he needed to be.

"Sam?" Josh, a co-worker at the bar called out from the other end of the bar.

"Yeah?" Sam said over his shoulder as he slid a beer across the wood bar toward a waiting customer. The music was load and Sam shouted over the din of voices and music.

"We're runnin' low on ice dude, can you grab a couple bags from the kitchen?"

"Sure," Sam replied easily. It was a busy night and it kept his mind from getting too bogged down. He looked forward to getting home and reading his email. He'd never admit it to Dean but his emails had felt like a lifeline and kept him centered. It felt like Dean was still around for him and not a couple states away.

He wanted Dean to have that apple pie life but part of him wanted his big brother here with him. He grabbed the two bags of ice and hoisted one over his shoulder and held another in a strong grip. He pushed against the swinging door from the kitchen and shut off his mind as he went back to work.

To Be Continued