A/N: Well folks, it's been a looooong time coming for this story's end and here it is. Hit a few blocks along the way with some lengthy gaps between updates and I apologize for that. Just wanted the story to run its fair course and come to a satisfying end, which I think it has. I hope you'll let me know so by reviewing. I LOVE reviews!! Thanks for sticking with me and this tale. Hope you'll drop by for further adventures. Blessed be!

Epilogue

Sam didn't sleep much that night.

Bobby had secured them a couple of rooms at a nearby motel, not knowing what condition he would find the Winchesters in and if any of them would be up to a long drive.

Sera tended to and bandaged up the many scrapes, cuts and contusions the men had acquired, given them a hearty supply of antibiotics she managed to procure from a local pharmacy (a neat trick that John would love some schooling in) and sent them off to bed. John and Dean crashed immediately but she could still feel the torrent of emotions swirling within the youngest. Anger, guilt, frustration, sorrow. But one feeling came through the strongest – certainty. Not about what had happened or where his relationship with his family would go from here.

Certainty about where he would go from here.

She wasn't surprised to come out into the crisp pre-dawn morning to find him sitting on the far curb of the parking lot, looking at the ground but clearly seeing beyond it.

He didn't look up immediately when she sat down beside him and they both sat for a few moments in agreed silence.

"So when are you going to tell them?" she finally asked.

"What?" Sam asked, slightly confused.

Sera merely nodded toward the room.

"Tell them what?" Sam asked again, somewhat but not quite sure what she was referring to.

"That you're leaving."

"How did you …"

Sera tapped her temple. "Witch, remember?"

Sam smiled slightly, remembering the relay of Sera's story on the ride to the motel. He wasn't sure how Dean felt about her. After all, they had been thoroughly taught that witches were unconditionally evil. But after meeting Sera, how could John and Dean's opinions not have been swayed?

"I don't know that I am. Nothing's been decided yet."

"You sure about that?" she pushed, certain of the answer.

Sam sighed.

"Stanford's a great school."

"I haven't even applied yet."

"But you will. And I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

"Can you … I mean, can you see the future?" he asked, a bit of hope clear in his voice.

Sera merely looked ahead, her expression giving nothing away.

Sam looked toward the room.

"They'll never let me go."

"The longer you wait to tell them, the harder it's going to be."

Sam sighed again.

"It's your life, Sam. Yours, not theirs. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I have never encountered a family so strongly bonded together as yours is. You were all willing to die for each other in there. John, all he could think about was getting to you, making sure you were safe. And I could feel Dean's thoughts, how scared he was for you and your father. And I could feel yours. For your brother, your dad, and for the others. That surprised me the most."

"Because I'm a hunter?"

"Are you?"

Sam looked at her and she looked back.

"It's what I'm supposed to be. It's what's expected of me."

Sera nodded, again looking to the room. He light had come on and she knew that the others were up and probably wondering where Sam had gone.

"I should get back in there," Sam said, defeat shadowing the statement.

"I think they'll be okay without you for a while longer," Sera said.

Sam stayed sitting, looking at the room. He saw Dean peek out from the curtains, spot him, then retreat, no doubt telling John that he hadn't gone far.

Sam realized that, while she had no place to do so, Sera was giving him permission to leave, to follow his dream, live his own life. Maybe she felt she had to because she knew no one else would. Maybe she felt he needed to at least hear from someone that it was okay to follow a different path, even if you are a Winchester.

Or maybe she knew more than she was letting on. Maybe Stanford wasn't such a pipe dream. Maybe it really was to be a part of his future. Maybe it could happen for him.

But Sera was also right that the longer he waited to tell his family, the harder it would be.

Maybe he'd wait till there was something to tell.

Maybe they'd surprise him and send him off with their well-wishes and hearty support.

Guess only time would tell.