Chapter 16

"Here you go boys," John said holding out a key for a room at the Travel Lodge that the marshals provided for them. "Asa and I are just below your room if you need anything."

"All I want is a long hot shower," Dean replied taking the key and motioning Sam to head down the sidewalk. The dogs followed them, staying close to their charges not wanting to leave them.

"Marshal Mills said she'd come by in the morning to take your statements and then we can head home."

"Okay Dad. See you tomorrow."

"Night Dad," Sam mumbled trying not to stumble as he shuffled toward their room.

"You need to go to bed," Dean told him grabbing his arm to steady him.

"A shower would be nice."

"I agree, but why don't you wait until in the morning when you'll be feeling better."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I don't need to pass out in the shower."

Dean opened the door to their room and turned on the lights to give it a once over. He got Sam inside and let him use the bathroom while he turned down the bed next to the windows. Dean never let Sam have the bed closest to the door in case there was any trouble; he would be the first defense. He looked toward the bathroom door when it opened and Sam stepped out, pausing for a moment before moving to the bed.

"Thanks," Sam grunted softly as he toed off his boots and stripped down to his briefs and T-shirt being careful of his injured arm. He slid between the sheets and eased down on the pillow sighing with relief. His head was hurting, and his arm was throbbing.

John had stopped and gotten some pain meds for him along with some takeout food that they ate on the way to the motel. It would be several hours before he could take any more and hoped his pains would ease enough for him to sleep. He felt Barney ease onto the bed and curl up next to him butting his hand to be petted. He scratched his head and left his hand on his neck as he drifted to sleep.

Once Dean saw Sam had settled in his bed, he headed into the bathroom to get a hot shower and wash the sweat and grim of the day off. He quickly undressed while the water was heating and adjusted it before stepping into the tub. It felt so good as the strong spray hit his body, making him shiver for a moment until he acclimated to it. After scrubbing his body good and washing his hair, Dean just stood under the spray letting it beat on his shoulders and neck for a few minutes trying to ease the tension in them.

He shut the water off and grabbed a towel to dry his body and hair. He stepped from the tub and wiped a hand over the mirror to remove the moisture so he could see his reflection. He looked weary and rubbed a hand over the stubble on his face. With a long sigh, Dean picked up his dirty clothes and shook them out before going into the main room tossing them in a chair. He let the towel drop as he pulled the sheets down and crawled between feeling the coolness on his skin. Fred waited until Dean had settled before joining him in the bed resting his head on Dean's stomach. Dean could hear his brother's soft snores coming from the other bed and let his eyes close as he gave in to the darkness that engulfed him.

spn

Dean and Sam were finishing their breakfast that Asa had dropped off earlier when a knock sounded at their door. The dogs went on high alert stepping to the door growling softly. Dean got up to answer it to find Marshals Mills and Lafitte standing there. He snapped his fingers, and the dogs retreated to the other side of the room to lay beside the beds but never took their eyes off the strangers.

"Hello young man, is this a good time to get you and your brother's statements?" Marshal Mills asked him.

"Sure, come on in," Dean replied holding the door wider so they could enter. "Have a seat."

"Hello, how are you feeling today?" she asked Sam as he cleared the table and threw the trash away.

"Some better," Sam answered. He pushed his still damp hair from his face and tucked it behind his ear. He took the time to study the marshals as they took a seat.

"Alright, if you will tell us what happened to you orally and then write it down and sign the statement," Jody explained as she pulled a tape recorder from her pocket to use and opened a pad to take notes.

"Did you find Crowley?" Dean asked joining them at the table.

"No, we did find the vehicle but no sign of him."

"I figured as much," Sam noted. "He would have a backup plan. Do you think we're still in any danger from him?"

"Yeah, I mean I did take his diamonds so that had to hurt," Dean added.

"That I can't truthfully answer, but I would be careful and keep a watchful eye, but I doubt he'll take the time to come after you. You outsmarted him, plus there was blood in the SUV so he was wounded. He'll want that taken care of and is probably on his way overseas."

"Crowley will go elsewhere for funds," Benny offered, his voice smooth and dripping with his Louisiana accent. "He may try to get out of the country until things die down. He'll regroup."

"Shall we get started so you guys can head home?" Jody asked, turning on the recorder and looking at the brothers. "Tell me in your own words what happened?"

"After the rescue job in Missouri, we were heading back, and Dad decided to get a motel room so we could rest. Sammy and me went down to a bar a block or so from the motel for a couple of beers to help us unwind," Dean recounted their drama. "Some guy bought us a beer that had to have been drugged. The last thing I remember was trying to walk down the sidewalk toward the motel."

"Yeah, Dean was stumbling and slurring his words before he passed out. I tried to get help, but I passed out too and we woke up bound and in a van. They took us to a small airstrip and flew us here," Sam continued.

"We met Crowley, and he told us what he wanted. A plane went down in the wilderness and there was a briefcase he wanted retrieved," Dean picked up. "I was to hike in and find it and he was holding Sammy as hostage to get me to do it. He threatened to kill him." Dean stopped talking as his anger surged for a moment but calmed down when he looked at his brother.

"We didn't believe one word he said," Sam continued. "We knew he would kill both of us once he got what he wanted. I knew Dean had some type of plan, but we didn't get to talk about it."

"Crowley was an asshole and would never keep his word. I kept watching for the right moment to take out the goon that came with me on the hike. Too bad we didn't run across a momma bear and cubs." He shook his head and laughed at his comment. "I would never wish that, besides bears don't eat carrion, so she'd turn her nose up at that pile of shit. Man, sorry for the language," he apologized to Jody. "Pile of excrement. Too bad he didn't fall down a hill and break something."

Jody arched her eyebrows at Dean's statement but didn't say anything. It seemed the older brother was very protective of his younger brother and didn't take kindly to anyone hurting him. She looked at Benny who was trying not to laugh at the statement.

"I caused the rockslide, and high tailed it back to my brother. I got there in time to see Dad and Asa and the dogs take out the other two guards and Crowley was trying to get away. I shot at him, but it didn't stop him. I'm sure I hit him though."

"If it hadn't been for Fred and Barney, I would probably be dead," Sam stated looking at the two dogs lying by the beds with love and respect.

"They do seem very protective of you two. Okay, if you will write out your statements and sign them we should be done."

"Sure, I'm ready to go home," Dean said. He grabbed a pen and began to scribble on the paper, pausing for a moment at times as he put down his thoughts. He bit his lower lip and frowned as he concentrated on his statement.

"Me too," Sam agreed picking up the other pad and pen. He wrote steadily as his mind ran through the events of the past few days. When he finished, he looked over the statement, adding or changing a few things until he was satisfied with it and then signed it at the bottom of the page.

"Done," Dean announced pushing the pad to Jody.

"Thank you; I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. We will be going and if there is anything else we need I have your contact information." Jody stood shaking the brothers' hands before nodding to Benny they could go.

"Take care," Benny told them gripping their hands firmly in a shake.

Before Dean could open the door someone knocked. He opened it to find John and Asa waiting outside.

"That was good timing Dad. The marshals just finished with us, and we can head out," Dean told him.

"Marshal Mills and Marshal Lafitte, nice to see you again. Is that true, we're done here and can head home?" he asked.

"Yes sir, Mr. Winchester. If we should need anything else, I'll be in touch. You guys have a safe trip home," Marshal Mills replied before stepping from the room with her partner and leaving.

"We're packed and are ready when you are," John told his sons.

"Great, let me walk the dogs and we'll be ready," Sam told him. He whistled to the Fred and Barney who scrambled to their feet and followed him out the door.

"He seems better today," John commented to Dean after Sam had stepped from the room.

"Yeah. I know his arm is still bothering him, but he won't admit it."

"He's stubborn that way," John chuckled knowing his sons very well. "Just like his big brother."

"Who? Me?" Dean piped trying to act surprised by his father's comment.

"I'll go turn in the rooms," Asa offered as they headed out to the vehicle to wait on Sam and the dogs.

spn

Asa was driving the last leg of the journey back to Kansas. All had taken turns so they wouldn't have to stop again. Darkness had fallen across the land and traffic was thinning as it got later in the night.

"Boys, we're almost home," John roused his sons who were dozing in the backseat.

"Yep, I'm up," Dean snorted as he shook himself awake and straightened up in the seat to look around. He saw familiar scenery around him and punched Sam in the side to wake him.

"What?" Sam grunted in annoyance at being woken.

"Head's up, we're home," Dean told him as Asa pulled down the long driveway and to the main house. The house was lit up by the outside lights as Asa stopped the vehicle in front of the house.

Everyone got out and stretched before making their way to the porch. The door was flung open by Mary who rushed out and made a bee line for her sons.

"My baby," Mary whispered as she wrapped her arms around Sam's body and hugged him tightly.

"Hey Mom," Sam mumbled returning the hug and relishing it.

"How is your arm?" she asked when she saw the bandage on his arm. "Do you need to see a doctor now that you're home?"

"It's not that bad and Dean has already doctored it," he tried to assure her. "I'm fine."

A redheaded blur rushed past them, and Charlie threw herself at Dean, wrapping her arms around his neck and almost knocking them down if John hadn't grabbed Dean to stop them from toppling over.

"I was so worried about you guys," Charlie cried as Dean held her off the ground in a hug.

"We're fine Red," Dean assured her finally sitting her on her feet only to be socked in the arm. "Ow! What was that for?" he complained rubbing his arm.

"For scaring me like that," she fussed. "Don't ever do that again."

"Awe Red, this wasn't our idea."

"Dean, honey," Mary called to him holding out her arms for him to step into her hug.

"Mom," Dean smiled wrapping his arms around her body. "It's good to be home."

"Boys, glad to have you back," Bobby greeted them with a warm hug too.

"Alright, I think everyone needs to head to bed and get some rest now that all this is over with," John told them wrapping his arm around Mary and pulling her to his side.

"Amen to that," Dean agreed with a long sigh. "It'll feel good to sleep in my own bed tonight. C'mon Sammy, I can hear my bed calling me."

"Night everyone," Sam said giving a brief wave as he followed Dean down the steps and toward their house.

Asa, and Charlie headed for their cabins and Bobby to his garage apartment to get some rest and sleep while John and Mary went back inside the house. Everyone would sleep good tonight now that the brothers were back home and safe.

A/N: Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I do like reviews/comments. NC