Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews throughout this story. You guys really inspired me and gave me the drive to keep writing cause this story was gonna be a lot shorter but I'm immensly glad you enjoyed it so much you wanted to see more cause I had a blast writing it for you all! But at last it's finished now-so thanks for waiting so patitenly for the updates (I've been at uni this week so I was a bit too busy) and I hope you're not disappointed with the ending. Thanks again :)

Chapter 18

Almost a week had passed since Sam had been taken by Gordon; a week of painful recovery and explanations and apologies; a week that was thoroughly too long for Dean Winchester. He wanted back on the road to eat up mile after mile of dust, a thrumming rumble beneath him and his kid brother beside him riding shotgun, complaining about the music. He wanted things to be they were they were. He wanted normal. Admittedly normal for a Winchester didn't really offer much comfort but he would take his chances…he had to; he didn't have all that much time left. Already Sam had started worrying about his deal with the crossroads demon claiming, rather transparently, that he couldn't do much else with his time because of his healing wounds. Dean too was still recovering but he'd never been one to let that stop him before now. Moreover he and Sam had been staying with Bobby for almost a month now and he really needed some space.

Sam had noticed Dean getting more and more antsy as the days passed but had steadfastly feigned ignorance. Now, it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as Dean had actually started whining. Whining! Sam shook his head as yet more mumbled cursing erupted from behind the fridge door.

"…Stupid pansy-assed excuse for food… 'it's healthy Dean'…bull! Anything green can't be good for you…"

Sam actually found himself smiling in fond exasperation at the totally Dean-like rant, glad to hear the customary bitching about food as it meant Dean was recovering just fine. He hastily tried to conceal his amusement as Dean's head poked round the corner as if sensing his brother's secret sniggering.

Dean's eyes rested shrewdly on Sam, taking in the papers strewn over the kitchen table, the laptop ever present before him, a huge sigh escaping him as the rest of his body emerged from behind the huge fridge. He scowled at Sam as he sat down, oozing his big-brother authority. Oh God, he knows I'm lookin' for stuff about the deal…

Sam merely smirked at him, his own eyes travelling to rest on the bag of peanut M&M's fastened securely to his brother's hand.

"You do realise," he began with no little amusement in his voice, "That M&M's aren't a substitute for actual food Dean? Even if they are green." He raised his eyebrows teasingly.

Dean shot him a scathing look that caused him to snort in laughter as his attention drifted inexorably back to his laptop screen. Moments later it was his turn to glower at Dean as an M&M made its way onto his lap.

"Real mature Dean, you mind?" He asked turning yet again to his notes.

Dean looked up at the ceiling as if considering Sam's question before he shrugged, "Not really." Another M&M pelted him squarely between the eyes and Dean gave a hoot of laughter, "Scooore!"

"Dean-" Sam growled in warning, cut of as yet another M&M was launched at him from beyond the eerie blue-white glow of the laptop screen. "Goddammit Dean!" he sighed angrily, plucking the offending item from his unruly hair to return it to his brother rather forcefully. Dean merely opened his mouth to catch the projectile candy. A smug smirk lazed over his face as he munched happily.

"You try Sammy. Come on, it's easy" So saying he carefully aimed one at his semi-scowling semi-amused sibling who deftly caught the air born piece of candy in a large fist before stuffing it in his mouth defiantly.

"Cheat." Dean grumbled.

"Jerk" Sam mumbled absently, the customary 'bitch' following instantly.

"Sam can you please stop for a second and actually talk to me here?!" Dean burst out a few minutes later, thoroughly sick and tired of the light tap-tap-tapping of his brother's long fingers. Sam didn't even look up to shake his head. "Please!"

"No…"

"For me?" Dean asked softly.

"Hell! I am doing this for you! You could try to be grateful you know, thankful that someone gives a damn, could even try and help a little-maybe even just care! I mean would it kill you?!" Sam shouted, slamming his laptop closed in a sudden flash of anger. The colour drained from his already-pale face as he realised what he had just said and he swayed as the world lurched precariously around him.

Real smooth Sam…'would it kill you?' god what an idiot! How can I be so insensitive…!

"Actually yeah it would," Dean's deep voice broke through his hazy guilt and he snapped open his eyes to stare at his older brother with a mix of anger, terror and pained confusion.

"I can't look at anything to do with the deal Sam…" Dean said slowly, his reluctance to continue obvious as his eyes were averted to his lap.

"Why not? Don't you want to live Dean? You can't just accept this! You can't, it's not you…" Sam whispered softly.

"I have to accept it Sammy, and…you have to too."

"What! No, no way! I'm not gonna give up on you. Not now, not ever!" How can he be saying this?! How can he give up like this? How can he leave me…?

Dean closed his eyes briefly at Sam's emphatic statement, a bittersweet cold-warmth stealing through his body before he composed himself and his face became hard.

"You have to Sammy…" his composure crumbled at the distraught look on his kid brother's face.

"Dean I can't…I need you man-"

"Please…she'll take you back if I-"

Simultaneously the Winchester brothers trailed off shaking their heads. Dean's eyes were clamped shut against the moisture threatening there whereas Sam's were wide with revelation and understanding.

"You mean I'll die if you help me?" He asked quietly.

"Yeah." Dean confirmed sadly, glancing up at Sam to see a singular tear roll over his brother's sombre visage, reading the anguish in his face with ease, the thoughts behind those tears. I'll die if you don't. "Sammy…I can't do it, you have to understand that," Dean pleaded.

"I do," Sam sniffed, a ghost of an ironic smile tugging at his frowning lips.

Sam's voice from another time and place swam around hauntingly in Dean's head…You're my brother and I'd die for you…I'd do anything for you…He really did understand that. And that's what scared Dean the most: that Sam would do something stupid to save him.

"Listen Sam," Dean began gently clearing his throat to try and muster as much authority into his tone as possible, "I don't want you to do something stupid to get me out of this-"

"Like you did for me you mean?" Sam interrupted.

"That was different" Dean declared defensively to his brother's shaking head.

"No it wasn't Dean. If I don't find a way outta this for you…then it's over for us both. I'm gonna go out fighting for us both if you can't do it for you." Sam said with passionate conviction, eyes now dry but bright.

Dean surveyed his younger brother, heart breaking with painful happiness that Sam cared that much about him and breaking even more that if Sam couldn't get him out of this deal then his own would have been in vain. But looking at him sitting there, jaw jutting in typical Winchester stubbornness, Dean knew he couldn't sway his brother from his decision. In fact, he realised, he didn't want to; he knew the pain of trying to go on without his brother and he didn't want Sam to face that. He wasn't really sure Sam could. He'd had so much already to deal with…too much. But letting Sam die-especially for him- was out of the question so he would just have to figure this out for them both.

"Well college boy you'd better figure something out then 'cause, let me tell ya, Hell will be nothing compared to what I do to you if this all goes South." Dean said ominously.

Sam actually allowed himself a small smile at that as he nodded, "Yeah. I hear ya."

Deciding they were straying dangerously close to another 'moment' Dean stood up to leave. Sam abruptly mimicked his movement and Dean raised a speculative eyebrow in his direction seeing the papers folded away into Sam's messenger bag, the laptop into its case.

Sam shrugged awkwardly, prodding at his eye sockets, "If we only have a year left I wanna enjoy some of it without going square-eyed. You wanna go for a drive?"

"Dude, what are we sixty?" Dean snorted, full lips pulled into a sneer of disgust.

"Well you've been acting like a bored five year old all week so I thought maybe we should get going?"

Ignoring the age comment Dean asked, "You got us a gig?"

"Yah 'cause we're ready for that right now," Sam gave a wry smile even as he produced a bottle of aspirin and swallowed two, "No I was more thinking' of a vacation, actually get some R n R for a change. You know…we never did get to see the Grand Canyon."

"You've never been to the Grand Canyon?" came Wandell's incredulous voice as she entered via the front room with Bobby at her side, a gleam in his eyes as he asked in mock offence, "You boys that sick o' me already?"

"Actually…" Dean grinned roguishly, flashing a wink in Wandell's direction. She never noticed as she crossed the room to Sam holding out a sheet of parchmenty paper. Dean's gaze followed her with curiosity, watching the subsequent interaction between them with keen interest. It was obviously something about the deal…

Sam accepted the ancient page and opened it out seeing some information on crossroads demons and their deals. Grateful eyes locked onto Wandell's as he stammered an earnest yet disbelieving thank you.

"Bobby's been showing me some books in his totally-huge collection and we came across this…don't mention it." She shrugged with a smile.

Sam's gaze drifted to the old family friend in silent thanks; Bobby knew how much this meant to him, what it could mean for Dean…Eyes returning to Wandell he nodded once more as she perched herself on the table beside him.

"You guys will love the Grand Canyon. It's awesome." She stated grinning as she pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear.

Sam returned his attention to Dean, not understanding the smirk his brother gave him. He shook his head almost imperceptibly and continued as if he hadn't noticed, "What do you think? You wanna go?"

Dean's smirk morphed into a real smile, "Yeah, why not." The time off was worth it just to see the broad grin break across Sam's too-serious-face, dimples back with a vengeance. Besides, he couldn't remember when they'd last taken an actual vacation…it would be nice to act normal for a while and hang out like real people.

"House will be quiet without you lot hangin' round" Bobby said with a smile, "That'll be nice."

"You're leaving today too?" Sam asked, turning to his side, eyebrows raised in question.

"Yeah, I gotta get back home. I've got a lot to sort out before I figure out what to do next…" Wandell replied.

Sam's brows drew together and Wandell read his confusion, elaborating, "Can't really go back to being normal after all this…I was thinking I might help look for signs about the demons…" She trailed off uncertainly.

Sam bit into his lip anxiously. This was the worst possible time to think of joining the ranks of hunters and their allies. It was dangerous and-

"Don't worry. I'll be careful." Wandell smiled, again easily reading the emotions tumbling across the youngest Winchester's face. He gave a quirky half smile, embarrassed by his seeming transparency.

"Well we could sure all use a little extra help. Steve wudda been proud." Bobby said knowingly.

"Yeah…we better get going while it's still light." Dean prompted after a short silence. Everyone started from their thoughts, nodding agreement.

A half hour later came the goodbyes.

"You take care of yourself Dean…she was right. You really will enjoy the Grand Canyon." Bobby said, grasping the eldest Winchester in a rare, brief hug. Dean nodded shyly.

"Thanks Bobby. For everything. We'll be in touch." Dean replied, heading over to Wandell.

"Watch yourself. Our world's not exactly safe…in case you didn't notice." He said losing his seriousness in favour of breaking the tension in the atmosphere, pleased when she gave a small laugh, "And if you need anything, call us." He handed over both their cell numbers as Sam said his farewell to Bobby, grasped into a hug of his own.

"Thanks Dean. I will. Likewise. I owe you guys a lot. I mean it. Enjoy yourself will ya?" She added giving him a quick hug.

"I'll try. Come on Sammy." He called out, turning and winking at Wandell, unable to stop the snort of laughter at the look on her face, her decidedly reddening face; priceless.

He stood waiting by the Impala as his kid brother wandered lazily to stand before Wandell.

"Thanks, for everything." They blurted in unison before exchanging warm hugs of farewell, telling one another to 'be careful' and 'take care'. Dean actually had to stuff a fist in his mouth to stop himself commenting on the kiss Wandell planted on his brother's cheek, contenting himself with a knowing smile as Sam's hand went up to scratch at the base of his neck. Yet another of his tells…that kid would get thrashed at poker…

As Sam folded himself into the passenger seat however Dean turned to look at him, a suggestive twinkle in his eye.

"Sooo you two are kinda close…" he said questioningly as the Impala peeled onto the road with a loud rumble.

"We have a lot in common." Sam replied evasively.

"Dude!" Dean laughed, "She was totally checking you out! And don't think I didn't see that coy little dimpled smile you gave her. You have the hots for her."

"That's just the way I smile Dean-not all of us are lecherous pigs." Sam retorted with a scowl.

Undeterred and unfooled Dean ploughed on, "Aha! But you don't deny you have the hots for her!" He said triumphantly.

"Dean." Sam's tone warned of pain but Dean merely laughed as his brother continued, "And she was not checking me out…she's had plenty opportunity before now anyhow…"

"How do you know?! Eyes on the back of your freaky psychic head? And-what the hell! What opportunity? Why Sa-aaammy you sly dog!" Dean cawed loudly, head thrown back in laughter at the beet shade of Sam's cheeks.

"Ugh I didn't mean-"

"Yeah sure-"

"When you were frying Gordon's ass I…you never told me I only had boxers on and the blanket kinda slipped off me and-stop laughing! It's totally your fault!" Sam accused, arms folding across his chest in vain defence. Turning out the window really wouldn't drown out Dean's amusement, nor would it mask the obvious crimson shade of his face. Dean could probably feel the heat coming of him in waves!

"Oh! Sammy I'm sorry a hot chick checked you out 'cause of me. She obviously liked what she saw…" Dean said, giving a lewd wink.

"God would you please shut up!" Sam moaned, burying his head in his heads.

His brother took some pity on him and turned on the radio to disguise his continued amusement, BOC's Burning for You blaring out of the speakers.

Just as he thought Dean's fit of laughter had truly died he sang out the chorus, a revised version especially for Sam's torture.

"…She's burning she's burning she's burning for you…"

"Kill me now!" Sam begged to no-one as Dean repeated his chorus of epic annoyance. "I hate you," He moaned as Dean ruffled his hair playfully.

"Ah come on lighten up! She's burning she's burning she's burning for you'" He pointed a finger under his brother's nose.

"Shut up!"

"Just admit it-you liked her." Dean wheedled with a laugh.

"Deeean!"

The older brother snorted loudly and continually as their argument continued on for many miles. It felt good to be teasing Sammy about girls for a change, a bit of light hearted banter, a bit of normalcy. It felt like old times. They couldn't lose this over the next year. Or indeed any of the ones that would come after it. There was no doubt in his mind: Sam would find a way out of the deal and they would go on as they always had, like this. He nodded to himself.

Things were definitely gonna be okay.

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-E-N-D-

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