I don't own Supernatural.

Dean hated getting help. And he seemed to be needing more than his fair share in the last few hours.

"Stop fidgeting," Sam ordered as he continued to mess with the strap of the newly purchased sling. "There. Now is that too tight?"

"It's fine," Dean said too harshly.

"Come on, Dean. You're the one that has to live with it."

"Could be a bit looser," Dean grudgingly admitted.

Sam barely hid his smug face. "Now was that so hard?"

The eldest Winchester rolled his eyes and let himself into the passenger side of the Impala. Sam joined him in the driver's seat, but didn't start the car. Dean braced himself for the inevitable heart-to-heart.

"Dean, I—."

"I know," Dean stopped Sam before he could say any more. "And I know that too," he said when Sam opened his mouth again. "I've been running away. Pushing you away."

Sam raised an eyebrow.

"And I know I'm an idiot."

Sam nodded in agreement.

"I just. . . I don't want to try to live and then end up dying anyway." Dean shrugged. "To me it seemed easier to not try at all."

"What makes you think that we can't save you?"

"You heard what the Doc said. No cure. Just an extended game time."

"No offense to her, Dean, but we know there's a lot more out there than just medicine."

The corner of Dean's lips twitched like he wanted to smile, but he couldn't help but hear Cas's words echo in his head. That it was time to give up. Whether it was just his subconscious or something greater, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Even though he seemed to have successfully put the angel out of his head. "I don't know, Sam. I just don't know."

"There's always hope. Don't give up on me just yet."

Dean smiled sadly. "Always the optimist, right Sammy?"

Sam smiled and started the engine without a word.

"Where we headin'?"

"Bobby'll know of something. Besides, we need a vacation so you can heal up."

OK guys, we are nearing the end I think. I can feel it looming. Still a few more chaps, but I think I have a for sure plan now so I will try to update quicker than I have been.

Thanks for Reading and Reviewing!

~abrokencastiel