A/N: Dean has decided Sam is getting too close. Sam doesn't think he's all the way there yet. Dean's not giving him the chance...

The Pompatus Box (Chapter 22: Return to Terra) by frostygossamer

It's easy enough to drug Sam as he lies sleeping on what has inappropriately become his side of Dean's bed. One tiny prick and Dean's long-term guest is no longer a problem. Once Dean succeeds in manhandling the inert hunk into his ship's stasis chamber and he cranks it up to eleven, that is it. The ride to Terra is a peaceful one.

He calls Jo on his intercommunicator and informs her that he's finally snagged his prize and is ready to hand him over. Jo is delighted.

"Great! I'll wire his people right away. They're ready to welcome him home with open arms the minute he gets back. His grandfather, the Grand Duke is gonna be so relieved to give the paparazzi some good news for a change."

Dean reminds her about his bottom line.

"As long as he's ready to open his wallet."

The guy is worth bucks only as a commodity. Dean has to remember that. The assignment was about retrieving a missing person and reuniting him with his family. Nothing more.

He did NOT go to Boristown to pick out a husband.

=O=

Dean sets Baby down on the designated airfield closest to the Grand-Ducal palace and is immediately admitted to the residence, without formalities. Sam has been transported from Dean's ship, still in stasis inside a monitored unit. The unit's instruments indicate that his vital signs are strong and healthy.

Grand Duke Samuel is every bit as pleased as Jo believed he would be. Although he's an old soldier himself and generally a somewhat stern man, anxious months worrying about the fate of his young heir have weighed heavily on his heart. Seeing the older man's eyes light up, on seeing his grandson again after so long apart, makes Dean feel a little better about what he's doing.

The Grand Duke taps the glass window over Sam's face.

"He seems to be in great shape."

Dean sees that he's tempted to release Sam from the unit immediately. He warns him to resist the temptation.

"You need to let him thaw out slow. Open it up now, there could be trauma."

He wishes he didn't sound so much like a nervous mom. Samuel steps away from the unit, folding his hands behind his back and assuming a more formal air. He waves a hand at a functionary who steps forward with a small keypad on a silver salver.

"We agreed your fee, Captain. I hope you'll accept a thank-you bonus."

Dean tries not to smirk as Samuel keys a short series of numbers into the keypad and Dean's payment is directly transferred to his account. He ponders for a moment how a human being's worth can be translated into mere money. But he's aware everything comes down to money in the end.

Samuel chuckles. "My grandson has always been a wilful young man. I'd guess you had your work cut out to find him and bring him back to home and duty."

Dean finds himself saying, "Oh, he was no trouble."

But he wants that bonus so he hastily adds, "Not after I'd tracked his wily ass down and snatched him right outta the hands of that gang of dangerous cutthroats and brigands he'd gotten himself mixed up with."

He may as well let the guy know what he's paying for. Samuel seems impressed. He shakes Dean's hand heartily.

"Thank you again, Captain Dean."

Dean bobs his head. "No, thank YOU, Your, uh, Highness."

The transaction is clearly over and Dean is dismissed. He turns and walks out of the audience room without looking back. Another job well done. Another detour in his life straightened out.

Maybe another opportunity passed up.

=O=

As he takes Baby out of Terran orbit, Dean tries not to dwell on the past. Sam is back where he should be and that is a weight off of Dean's shoulders. Now he can get on with his life without the drag chain.

He doesn't need a deputy. He's a one-man band. And it isn't like he could really USE a guy who has been known to haul ass to the other side of the multi-satellite system and try to die of a broken heart. Who NEEDS blind devotion like that? Dean isn't going to let himself WANT it either.

So Sam is good with a keen sword and a loaded handgun? The guy doesn't need a life like Dean's. Even Dean doesn't really want a life like his. The alternative sucked, is all. Sam could have gotten himself dead and all because the Demonblood confused his muzzy head and made him believe they were meant for each other or some such crap. It will wear off soon enough. Dean has learned it's always best to let that kind of nonsense go. It hurts less that way.

On the other hand, Walker is a liar and a slimy toad, and Dean has decided not to let THAT go. If Walker has destroyed the Pompatus Box for Pirate Benny that means Dean isn't going to get paid for bringing it back. Sure, he will get a few credits for his time, but the big bucks will be off of the table. That makes him mad. He wants to find Walker and take his payment out of the guy's hide.

With a vindictive snicker, Dean sets a course for Walker's last known hangout.

=O=

The next time he wakes, Sam is in his childhood bedroom in the Grand-Ducal palace back on Terra. He has a bad headache and a his tongue feels like sandpaper. Almost before he can take in his change of location, there's a polite knock at the door and an elderly footman enters.

The footman carries a laden breakfast tray. Sam recognizes this man as Barrymore, an old family retainer. Huh, this definitely IS home, damnit! Some day he's going to find Captain Dean and punch him in the face.

The old man smiles politely, laying the tray down on the bed.

"Morning, Master Samuel. Did you sleep well?"

Sam finds two Tylenol on his tray, and he takes them with a swig of juice before responding.

"What's the date, Barrymore? How long have I been back?"

The old man ignores his sulky tone and treats him to a benign grin.

"You arrived last night, sir. It appears you were, shall we say, unconscious. Artificial stasis, I think they call it."

So that was Dean's trick? The coward put him in stasis because he didn't want to deal with Sam's protests. Yeah, because he was afraid of Sam talking him out of it.

"And the guy who brought me back?"

He grasps at the hope that Dean is still around to suffer his righteous indignation. But no.

"I believe paid off and long gone, sir."

Surely he left a final word of some kind.

"No message?"

"None, sir."

Sam grits his teeth. Dean could have said goodbye, the chickenhearted jerk. But he isn't going to get mad, that would only make him feel worse and he feels bad enough as it is. The old servant smiles warmly.

"If you don't mind me saying, we're all very glad you're home, sir."

The sentiment sounds genuine, but Sam could have used that sentiment coming from someone else right now. Still, it's not the old servant's fault that age has taught him to be more honest about his feelings than emotionally locked down Dean.

"Thank you, Barrymore. But I can't honestly say so myself.

TBC

A/N: Poor Sam. Dean dumped him! And just when he thought he had found a proper fairytale prince's happy-ever-after. But we're still a long way from the end of the story. More soon.