Chapter 27

The travelers bid Harium, Sesia, and Darus a goodbye early the following morning and set out for Titus' farm. The brothers were getting anxious because they would be one step closer to getting home. It would take them a little over a day to swing by and see Titus and his family. Traveling was easier now that they could use a road to get to their destination.

"Well Sam, what do you think of my country?" Ice asked Sam as they rode side by side. "Besides being taken by a dragon and almost killed."

"It has its good points and bad points," Sam offered. "The creatures here are certainly different than what I'm used to dealing with. I have seen things I would never have seen in my world, so that's a plus."

"Don't let him fool you," Dean butted in. "He's geeking out over all this new crap. He lives for it. That's his high; ain't that right Sammy? The kid knows more oddities and weird facts than anyone I know. He's like a walking computer, I mean like a book," Dean corrected himself since he knew Ice didn't know what a computer was. "You're getting off on all this; aren't you bro?"

"Am not," Sam snipped giving Dean his best bitch face. "Jerk."

"Oh, you love it bitch, you just won't admit it. How many can say they babysat a baby dragon or have even seen a dragon period."

"Don't let him upset you Sam," Ice offered to Sam sensing this was a normal thing for them to pick at each other the way they were doing. He was sure it was a brother thing. There were times he wished for siblings to share his life with.

"I usually just ignore him," Sam mumbled with a snort as he nudged his horse to move faster to get ahead of his brother. It always made him feel uncomfortable when Dean teased him about being smart or a geek, especially around those he didn't know well. Sam knew very well that Dean was just as smart as him, if not smarter, but he hid it well and never let anyone know. That's why so many underestimated him.

"Was it something I said?" Dean called to Sam who ignored him. "He gets snippy sometimes," Dean shrugged watching Sam ride ahead of them.

"Is Sam, okay?" Ice asked cautiously since he didn't want to overstep.

"Oh, sure. Sammy and me do this all the time. We both know neither of us really mean what we say. At least most of the time…" Dean trailed off not providing additional information.

Ice glanced sideways at Dean and saw the faraway look on his face and didn't press. He knew Dean well enough to know when to keep his mouth shut. Ice looked back at Sam, studying his stiff posture as he rode ahead.

As the day wore on, they began to pass villagers on the road and got some wary looks from some and simple nods from others.

"There's a meadow with a grove of trees a few hours ahead that we can camp at for the night," Ice offered. "We should be able to get there by dark."

"Sounds good to me. That okay with you Sammy?" Dean asked.

"Fine," Sam mumbled his voice stilted and his face cold.

"You still pissed at me?"

Sam didn't answer, nor would he look at his brother. He knew he was being petty, and they had had worse spats before but for some reason he just wasn't in the mood for his teasing.

"Sammy…"

"It's fine," Sam answered with a huff. "You guys know more about this place than I do."

"Sam…You know I value your input 'cause it's saved our asses a lot of times."

"I'm going to scout ahead," Ice said, awkwardly deciding he wasn't needed right now. He rode ahead leaving the brothers alone.

"Okay dude, spill it," Dean grunted at Sam once Ice was out of earshot. "What's put you in this shitty mood?"

"It's nothing. Just drop it," Sam replied.

"If I crossed the line somehow, you know it was all in fun. Brotherly banter. I'm happy you are seeing this place and meeting the friends I made here."

Sam looked sideways at Dean and saw the honesty on his face and knew he meant it. He felt bad now for being so petty and a jerk. He couldn't explain his reactions and didn't really want to try. He knew this was his brother's way of apologizing and needed to accept it.

"It's okay," Sam finally said. "I was being a jerk."

"So, are we good then?"

"Yeah, we're good."

"Great! You're cooking tonight," Dean quickly said before urging his horse to go faster, leaving Sam behind.

"You're the jerk," Sam called after him, but smiled to himself glad they had worked it out.

Spn

Sam cleaned the pot and dishes after their meal and stored everything in a pack. The place Ice had picked to camp was great. It was quiet, calming, and peaceful. He stirred the fire and listened to the night sounds that were coming out.

"Look, I think we might have company," Dean whispered when he saw the shimmering lights moving around in the grass and shrubs that encircled the meadow.

They sat still as the little sprites ventured closer to them to check them out. When they moved closer, Sam could make out the soft colored tones of their flowing outfits and the shininess of their wings as they fluttered about.

"Hello," Dean said softly when a sprite bravely landed on his hand. He slowly raised it so he could see the little creature better and smiled at her.

"They're talking to us," Sam said as the sprites began to chirp and sing to them.

"If the sprites are around, then this place is safe," Ice commented as the sprites ran up and down his legs and across his stomach.

"Hey, that tickles," Dean chuckled as sprites played around the collar of his shirt and in his hair.

"Where do they live?" Sam asked watching the ones on him bounce around.

"In the trees mainly, though I think some have homes underground," Ice replied.

"It's amazing how they glow and shimmer."

"I guess it is new for you since you've never seen them before. It's a common occurrence for them to visit travelers at night. I guess you could say they're guardian spirits."

"Well, I for one am ready to get some shut eye," Dean yawned as he stretched and looked behind him to be sure he wasn't going to squish a sprite. He carefully laid back on his bed and wiggled around making the sprites jump and fly around him until he settled.

"Me too," Sam agreed. "I'm going to lay down now," Sam spoke softly to the sprites. "You need to keep back so I don't lay on you." He wasn't sure if they understood him or not as he carefully settled on his sleeping bag. He listened to the hypnotic sounds of their singing as the sprites lulled the travelers to sleep.

Spn

The following morning all the sprites were gone, and they broke camp to continue their journey. It was midmorning when they got to Titus' house and were warmly greeted.

"It's good to see you made it safely," Titus called to them as he came out of the barn.

"Good to see you made it home okay too," Dean greeted him with a hug and slap on the back.

"I'll take care of the horses," Sam offered taking Ice's reins and holding his hand out for Dean's reins.

"Let me help," Ice offered.

"It's okay, go visit. I'll be in when I'm done."

"Sam, there's oats in a barrel in the barn you can feed the horses. I've already filled the water trough for them," Titus told him.

"Okay, thanks," Sam nodded as he led the animals to the barn.

"Come on in and I'll get you something to drink," Titus told the others. He led them to the house and went inside.

"Tisha, they're here," he called to his wife who was in the kitchen.

"Hello again," she greeted Ice and Dean as she looked around for Sam. "You're missing one."

"Oh, Sammy's taking care of the horses. He'll be in shortly," Dean told her.

"I've got a nice fruit drink made up for you."

"Here honey, let me help," Titus told his wife. They went into the kitchen to fix the drinks.

Dean looked toward a crib when he heard whiny noises and went over to pick up little Dean.

"Hey little man, how are you doing?" he cooed to him.

Little Dean rubbed his eyes and looked at Dean for a moment before grinning at him and gurgling.

"So, you do remember me?" Dean chuckled tickling him and smiling when he laughed. He took a seat by Ice on the couch and began to play patty cake with him.

"You have a way with young ones," Ice commented watching the interaction.

"Had plenty of practice raising Sammy," Dean replied.

"Here we go," Titus offered carrying a tray with cups back into the room. He passed them out and took a chair beside Tisha taking her hand and kissing it.

"No, I don't think you need any of this," Dean told the baby as he tried to grab his cup.

"Dean usually doesn't take so easily to strangers, but he seems to like you," Tisha said. "Let me get him something to drink." She went back into the kitchen and came out with a small cup for her son. "Come here honey," she cooed to him. "They are probably tired after their journey, and you can be a hand full at times."

"I guess you're ready to head home now," Titus asked.

"It's time. We accomplished what we came here for, to bring you home."

"I will be forever in your debt for that."

"I'm just glad things turned out okay and we all came back in one piece."

"Should I go check on your brother?" Titus asked since Sam hadn't joined them yet.

"Naw, he's fine," Dean replied. "He'll be in shortly."

They all looked toward the open front door when Sam wandered in and faltered in his steps as all eyes were on him. He swallowed nervously and sought out his brother silently asking if something was wrong.

"Come on in Sam," Tisha invited him. "There's drink here if you'd like a cup."

"Thanks," Sam mumbled moving to the only chair available by Tisha and sat down. He accepted the cup from Titus and kept his eyes downcast as he sipped it.

They all laughed when little Dean launched himself at Sam, deciding he wanted to play. Sam barely caught him without spilling his drink and got a firm grip on him.

"Hey there buddy," Sam spoke softly to little Dean as he pushed himself up on wobbly legs to face Sam.

Little Dean began to talk to Sam and grabbed at his beard he had grown since being here and pulled at his shirt.

"You can put him down if he's a bother," Tisha told Sam.

"He's fine," Sam replied quickly finishing his drink and letting little Dean have the cup. He bounced him on his knees as the baby gnawed on the cup.

"He's cutting teeth and wants to chew on everything," Tisha laughed softly. "Here you might want a rag, he does slobber everywhere."

"Thanks," Sam replied taking the rag and wiping the baby's face. He used the rag to play peek-a-boo with him.

Dean watched Sam playing with little Dean and smiled lovingly at them. It brought back fond memories of their past and raising his little brother.

They talked about all that had happened and told stories of the past until Tisha told them she needed to tend to their dinner. Ice went with her to help to give Dean some time with Titus. Sam took little Dean outside on the porch and sat in the swing to rock him.

"You have a great family Ty," Dean told him.

"And it's all because of you that I got this chance to have a family," Titus praised him. "If you hadn't chosen me for your guide…Well, I would probably be living in a barn somewhere wondering where my next meal was coming from. I'm sure I could have found some type of manual labor that paid only a few coins, but it would have been a hard life."

"I pull for the underdog, and I could tell the first time I saw you, there was potential in you. And I was right. You just needed a chance and to be treated like a person," Dean surmised. "Everyone deserves that chance and if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have made it through those tasks and been able to go back home. You're the hero here and I owe you."

"You became the big brother I never had, and I consider you part of my family. I know we may never see each other again after this adventure but I will tell my son about his uncle and what he did."

"You know if you ever have problems again, if there's any way to get word to me and can bring me here, I will come."

"Thank you for that. Why don't we go check on your brother and my son. Dean can be demanding."

"He takes after his namesake," Dean chuckled getting up and clapping Titus on the shoulder and pulling him into a semi-hug.

They stepped from the house on the porch and found Sam and little Dean asleep in the swing. Little Dean was cuddled on Sam's chest with his head tucked under Sam's chin. Sam had his arms around the baby to be sure he wouldn't fall.

"Let them sleep," Dean whispered. He dug into his pocket for a camera and snapped a couple of pictures of the sleeping pair. "Why don't you show me around?"

"Alright. I'd like that. I'm proud of what I have accomplished here. We have a nice abode here."

They walked out into the yard and Titus gave Dean a tour of his farm.

A/N: One more chapter to get the brother back to their world. Their adventures were ones they will never forget. I do like reviews/comments. NC