Sam had a plan. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was a plan nonetheless. Problem was there was a slight snag to his plan. A snag that was working himself up into a good old fashioned fit.

Author's Notes: Okay, so here we are the last chapter. I'm so absolutely thrilled with your response to this story, it just kils me that you all seem to have enjoyed. So, thanks for all the reviews and to those that are reading silently and I'll catch you all later ;) Kel

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Oscar had awoken about ten minutes ago. Since then the baby had gone from sound asleep to fretful to down right cranky. Sam had little doubt it was only a matter of time before the little guy gave away their position. Try as he might, Sam seemed incapable of quieting the baby. He had little doubt that the boy was hungry, cold, and scared. Unfortunately, that made two of them.

The panic began to grow within Sam the more the baby wriggled. Not sure what more he could do, Sam began to bounce up and down trying to sooth the small bundle. If anything, Oscar's fretting grew louder leaving Sam with little choice. The Black Annis needed to be destroyed and it needed to happen tonight.

He was going to have to leave Oscar somewhere safe, and carry on his fight against the creature. Sam hated the idea of leaving the defenseless baby alone, but he also knew that if he didn't do something then there was little chance of surviving for either of them. Decision made, Sam began to move deeper into the dark forest, doing his best to find somewhere secure.

"Hey, Mary Poppin's, that's a baby you're carrying not a martini shaker."

A tidal wave of relief flooded Sam as he turned to find his brother leaning heavily against the trunk of a nearby tree. Despite looking as if he'd battled a combine and lost, Dean was alive. Even better, he was grinning.

Sam returned his smile and gestured to the baby. "You're welcome to try your hand."

Dean snorted and crooked his finger, indicating Sam should come to him. That one gesture worried Sam more than anything else could have. If Dean couldn't manage to walk the twenty feet that separated them then he was worse off than Sam could see. Obliging his brother, he closed the distance between them.

"God am I glad to see you," Sam said as he reached the elder Winchester's side.

Dean sent Sam a ghost of a smile and said, "I gotta admit I'm happy to see you too, kiddo. How's the babe?"

Sam glanced down at the infant that was still squirming, his small fists flailing, and shrugged. "He actually seems fine."

Dean nodded and shifted slightly, easing even more of his weight against the tree trunk. "He's gonna start crying any minute. You gotta settle him down, Annie's out here."

Sam couldn't help the faint blush that flooded his cheeks. He really had no clue how he was supposed to settle Oscar down.

With a slight groan, Dean cradled his bad arm and asked, "How'd you make it out?"

Sam began to bounce the baby, hoping to quiet him and replied, "You don't want to know. Let's just say I found her emergency exit."

"Yeah, well good thing, 'cause I wasn't the only one watching the entrance. She's been waiting for you for the last fifteen minutes. It's only by chance that I saw you sneaking up on her."

"Yeah, well, I have a plan," Sam paused waiting for Dean's protest. His brother rarely, if ever, wanted to hear his plans. This time though, Dean simply grimaced and waited for Sam to go on. Sam took it as the bad sign it was and continued, "I was planning on leaving Oscar somewhere safe."

Dean nodded and began to inch his way down to the ground, using the tree as leverage. Sam automatically stepped forward and moved to help but Dean's groan of pain stopped him. He wasn't sure just how badly his brother was hurt and he didn't want to risk making things worse.

Once settled Dean looked up at Sam and shot him another tired smile. "I'm about as safe as you're gonna find, Sammy, I'll watch over the kid and you go blow that bitch to hell."

Sam met Dean's grin with his own and nodded. "I think I can manage that." His grin quickly faded though as he saw his brother's eyes dip down and Dean's head begin to nod forward. "Dean!" he called, jerking his brother back into consciousness.

"I'm good, I'm good," Dean slurred as he straightened up just the tiniest bit. "Give me Oscar and go, sooner we get out of here the better."

As gently as he could, Sam settled the baby into Dean's good arm. The baby by this time had moved past the fretful stage and was beginning to squawk in anger. Scared that the noise would alert the Black Annis, Sam moved forward to take the baby back. Dean never gave him a chance.

"I got it, Sam, just go burn the bitch." With those words, Dean raised his good arm slightly, resting his cheek against the downy softness of Oscar's round head.

As Dean began to murmur softly to the baby, Sam felt a fragment of memory stir, an aching recollection of days long past when Dean was his constant.

"Go, Sam," Dean barked.

Sam went. Like it or not he was the only one still on his feet. That meant it was up to him to stop the Black Annis and get both his brother and the baby out of this nightmare.

Sam began to run. As he lengthened his stride, his intention to swing wide of the cave entrance, he realized that he actually felt good, not great, but better than he had in days. Careful to do no more than draw short panting breaths, Sam began to go over his idea repeatedly, ensuring that little was left to chance.

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Sam stood at the edge of the clearing and stared at the entrance to the cave. Dean was right. He could just barely pick out the creature keeping guard over the opening. If he hadn't found that back exit the Annis would have ambushed him before he'd even realized she was there.

Pulling his gun from the waistband of his jeans, Sam checked the ammo. He knew he'd get only one shot at this and he couldn't afford to screw things up. Too many lives were depending on him. With ease, he snuck up on the creature, creeping closer and closer to her perch. At last, when he'd deemed he was close enough, he took aim and fired.

The shot tore through the night, hitting its intended target with a kick. The force was so great the Annis was knocked backward from the impact. Job done, Sam turned and began to run. As he moved through the night, he began to watch for the markers he'd left scattered throughout the woods. There, a piece of his flannel shirt fluttering in the wind, here, another strip indicating he was still on track.

As tempted as he was to slow down, to ensure that the creature followed, he knew that if he did he was dead. The Black Annis was simply too fast, and though the silver bullet he had shot her with might slow her down a bit, there was no way it would stop her.

So, Sam ran. He ran as if his life depended on it, and really it did. He wouldn't stand a chance if he were to meet the crone face to face. It wasn't long before his passage through the forest was echoed by another. The noises of pursuit were minimum, at first just the crack of a tree limb or the rustle of the brush. Then as she closed the distance between them, the sounds became louder.

Unable to stop himself, Sam threw one single glance over his shoulder as he passed his last marker. She was right on top of him, so close in fact that he could see the faint moonlight gleaming off her ragged teeth. Allowing himself no time reconsider, Sam jumped forward.

With a leap worthy of superman, Sam's momentum carried him up and over the hole that had been Dean's prison. With a grunt of exertion he landed, the lip of the trap catching him in the gut, his leg's dangling into the pit below.

The creature, hot on his tail, hadn't realized just where Sam had led her. She'd had no chance to jump. Instead, she'd landed in the hole her scream of fury breaking the silence of the night.

While Sam struggled to pull himself out, he listened to the cries of anger and grunts of exertion that filtered up from the pit below him. He knew the trap wouldn't hold the Black Annis permanently, she would eventually manage to claw her way out, but for now it would act as a trap, giving Sam a better shot at destroying her.

He had only one chance to destroy the creature with the flare gun and he wasn't about to risk missing. With pleasure, Sam leaned over the edge of the pit and took aim. The Annis so enraged by her capture didn't even look up as Sam leveled the gun at her. Instead, she clawed at the edge of the crumbling pit obviously trying to dig her way out.

Sam squeezed the trigger. The flare tore from the muzzle with a flash of smoke and a spark. It hit the Black Annis dead on, knocking her back from the mud walls. For a moment, Sam thought he'd failed. Then the flare burst, igniting the beast in a bright flash of light.

The creature went up like dry tinder, the glare so bright that Sam had to shade his eyes. At last the glow died down, leaving Sam blinking away the flare spots that filled his vision. A glance down the now dark pit showed him there was nothing left of the Black Annis.

With a deep sigh, Sam turned away from the pit, intent on making his way back to Dean and Oscar. That's when he began to cough, deep wracking coughs that felt as if they would tear the lining from his throat.

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It was a low barking sound that brought Dean back to consciousness. He wasn't sure how long he'd been out of it but he had a feeling it was longer than he realized. Dean shrank back, grateful for the dark clothing he wore as he strove to blend in with his surroundings. There was little he could do against the Annis, but he was still determined to try. For better or worse he was the only protection little Oscar had.

The baby had drifted off soon after Sam had handed him over. Dean knew it was the unnatural heat his body was radiating that had helped to warm and soothe the little boy to sleep. At least his fever was good for something, Dean thought, as he forced his eyes wide once more.

"Dean?" a familiar voice ground out.

Relief poured through him as he strove to return his brother's call, "Sam." Though the sound was little more than a whisper, rather than the yell he'd intended, Dean was pretty sure it had still done the trick, he could hear Sam getting closer.

"I'm here, where are you?" Sam questioned then broke into a fit of coughing.

Dean winced at the sound of Sam's rattling cough. "We're here, you okay?" Dean called thankful he was able to put a bit more force in his voice this time.

"I'm fine, she's dead. How's the baby?" Sam asked as he came into view.

"He's fine," Dean replied as he brushed one finger against the sleeping baby's soft cheek. "Sound asleep for the moment."

"Good, cause I have no clue how we're gonna make it back to the car," Sam replied as worked to smother another cough.

Hearing the strain in his brother's voice, Dean pushed aside his own discomfort and levered his back against the trunk. With a grunt, he began the tiring process of gaining his feet.

Sam spat in the forest behind him, and wiped his face with a grimace. "Why don't you let me take him for a bit?"

Dean didn't want to admit that responsibility for the baby was the only thing keeping him on his feet. Instead, he replied, "I'm good for a bit."

Step by step, the brothers made their way through the forest, neither one seeming to notice that they slowed more and more.

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"There, Mr. Singer, as promised that's the third cave." Floss pointed toward the cave, struggling to keep her panting to a minimum. She didn't want to give the younger man any excuse to keep her from going on.

Peg seemed to have the same idea, she had maintained her spot right next to the hunter, her long legs easily keeping pace with the grizzled man.

Bobby held up one hand up, and both Floss and Peg dropped back just a bit. It was obvious the man heard something they'd missed. The hunter was armed with a flare gun and had given one to Peg after Floss had grudgingly admitted that her older sister was the better shot.

At his obvious agitation, Peg had pulled the gun and was keeping it trained on the dark foliage in front of her. Though the night had started to give way to daylight it was still left most of the forest in shadows, shadows deep enough to hide something more ominous than a couple of playful squirrels.

Floss listened hard and heard the sound that Bobby was obviously hearing. She had no trouble interpreting just what it was, she had, after all, spent the last week listening to it. "Sam," she cried as she moved forward.

Peg had obviously heard it as well, as she fell in behind Floss without hesitation.

"Stop," Bobby whispered as he scrambled to get in front of the sisters.

"It's Sam," Floss hissed as she all but bowled him over.

"That ain't Sam, that's some kind of animal," Singer snapped as he pushed the brim of his hat back on his forehead.

"We explained that Sam was sick. That's him," Peg replied as she dropped the gun back to her side.

"Well, hell," Bobby swore, "just 'cause that might be Sam doesn't mean you should go tearing through the..."

Bobby's voice trailed off as they burst through some undergrowth and nearly ran straight into the Winchester boys.

Floss couldn't help but flinch at just how poorly both boys looked. Sam was flushed and struggling to draw breath, and Dean seemed to be staggering more than walking. Most blessed of all was the obvious bundle Dean held gripped in his arms.

"Thank God," Peg rasped as she stepped forward already holding her arms out to accept the baby.

Dean hugged the baby close for a moment, his glassy gaze obviously trying to determine the danger that Peg presented. Peg for her part never hesitated. With a low, "You did good, son." She reached out and gently drew the baby from his arms.

The elder Winchester stood his ground for about three seconds after the baby was taken before his eyes rolled up in his head and he hit the ground with a thud.

"Dean," Bobby and Sam shouted in unison, the latter's voice sounding raw, as both men darted toward the fallen hunter.

Peg cradled the baby in her arms and turned to face Floss, a slight smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. "These boys faint more than a nun at an orgy."

Floss met her sister's grin and added, "Men are definitely the weaker sex."

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Sam eased back against the chair and smothered a cough. He could do that now, unlike before, when the coughing would burst through regardless. It was just another sign in a growing list that he was at last overcoming his cold.

Dean, however, was beginning to worry him. Sam now had first hand experience of how it felt to keep a bedside vigil, and he found he didn't like it. It had been four days since they'd returned from the woods. In that time, Dean had awoken only a handful of times, leaving Sam to worry more and more. Though the Black Annis had worked the older man over a bit, it was the infection that had quickly set in that had caused the most problems.

"How's he doing," Bobby asked as he passed Sam a styrofoam cup of coffee.

Sam looked up in surprised, he hadn't even heard the older man enter the room. "He's gonna be fine," Sam said automatically not willing to consider an alternative.

"'Course he is, he's a Winchester." Bobby stared down at Dean for a moment worry creasing lines in his face. At last, he looked up and caught Sam's eye. "Well, rest assured the police are well out of it. Those Mabel sister's are a handful to say the least."

Sam snorted in agreement. "You don't know the half of it. What'd they do now?"

Bobby walked to the far wall of the clinic's only room and grabbed a chair that rested there. Pulling it forward, he didn't answer Sam until he'd settled in next to Dean's bed. "What haven't they done. They managed to call off the heat, police wanted you two questioned in the baby's disappearance, what with you guys being the only strangers in town. Then they also managed to lead a manhunt back to the caves in order to try and find the 'real' killer."

"Real killer, huh, I guess the posse was a bit shocked by what they found," Sam said as he straightened the covers that lay across Dean's chest.

Bobby grimaced as he thought about the headlines he'd read detailing what had been found in the Black Annis's cave. "Just a bit. What matters is it's over, and the families of the victims are finally getting some closure. Doesn't help much but it's something I guess."

"So we're good to leave?"

With a nod, Bobby answered, "Soon as sleeping beauty here wakes up."

"Even on my deathbed, you're giving me crap," Dean rasped as he opened his eyes.

Sam laughed in relief as Dean's green gaze focused on him. "No respect, huh?"

"Absolutely none," Dean replied as he struggled to sit up.

"Just lie still, I've got it," Sam assured his brother as he reached for the bed remote.

"Thanks, Sammy, you good?" Dean questioned as he sipped at the cup of water that Bobby had handed him.

"Better everyday. How're you feeling?" Sam asked throwing the ball back in Dean's court.

With a sigh, Dean said, "Like I've been hit by a truck. I wasn't was I?"

"Naw, from what I hear, you got hit by one ugly son-of-a-bitch," Bobby answered obviously pleased to see the younger hunter awake and aware.

"You're arm's fine, took some stitches but the doc fixed you up," Sam assured his brother.

"Good, and the baby?"

"Fine, and last I heard on his way home from the hospital over at Riverport,"

"Floss tell you that, Bobby?" Sam asked with a smirk.

Though he was sure he'd catch a ration of shit from his father's long-time friend, it was worth it to tease Bobby about his newly burgeoning romance with the younger of the two Mabel sisters.

Dean's face lit up as he took in Bobby's flushed, frowning face. "Bobby, you old dog. Didn't take you for a love 'em and leave 'em kinda guy."

"Quit your yapping, you ain't my priest so excuse me if I don't confess. Floss' is a good woman and a damn fine cook so show some respect."

At the set-down Sam and Dean exchanged glances. For just one moment, Sam felt guilty for teasing the older hunter about his interest in Floss. Then Sam pictured the long line of fiancé's that had met their fate before Floss could make it official and he began to laugh.

Dean's laughter echoed his own as his brother gasped, "Better watch yourself, Bobby. The men in Floss's life have a tendency to end up dead."

Tears pouring down his cheeks, Sam let loose another burst of laughter. The force of which sent him into a coughing fit.

Dean at this point was holding his bad arm against his side as he gasped for air between fits of laughter.

Bobby took one look at the two men and threw up his hands. Gaining his feet, he shook his head, muttered something about the men being dumb asses' and left the room. Sam allowed the laughter to take him, relishing the sound of Dean's own hilarity.

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"Okay now I've put sandwiches in here, plus a quart of chocolate milk, some other little tidbits and some of those cookies Dean's so fond of," Floss prattled as she struggled to lift the large styrofoam container.

Sam brushed her out of the way and lifted the cooler himself, as he did he winked at his brother who was being lectured by Peg.

"Change those bandages at least twice a day, you understand me. I won't have you re-infecting those wounds. Plus, you're still not completely over that fever. I expect that you won't go tiring yourself," Peg ordered making it clear that if he didn't listen she would find out and track him down.

"It's fine, Peg, I'm fine," Dean assured the older woman as he finished putting their bags into the back seat of the Impala.

Unable to take another minute in the clinic, Dean had checked himself out AMA twenty-four hours after regaining consciousness. He'd then spent the better part of three days being fussed over by the sisters Mabel at which point he'd threatened Sam with some pretty inventive torture if the younger man didn't find something for them to hunt.

Sam had obliged, and they'd begun to pack. Now here they were only minutes from leaving and the Mabel sisters were still throwing orders their way. Dean needed an out and he needed one fast.

"Hey, Bobby, your throat's not still hurting is it?" Dean yelled toward the grizzled hunter that was watching with amusement.

At Dean's words, both Peg and Floss turned to stare hard at Bobby, they're watchful eyes assessing him with care. Dean met Bobby's snarl with a grin of his own as he called out to Sam, "Let's hit it, Sammy. I'm sure the ladies can watch out for the old man."

Sam's grin was bright as he laughed outright. "Sounds good to me," he replied as he headed for the Impala's passenger side.

At last, safely ensconced in his beloved baby, Dean turned to wave at Bobby who was already fending off questions from the ladies. "Watch out for bus's, Bobby," Dean yelled as he put the car into gear.

Bobby's hand gesture, one that earned him a smack up the head by Peg, only made Sam and Dean laugh harder as they put the Mabel sisters and the hunter in their rear view mirror.

"You think he'll ever get free?" Sam asked as he settled in for the ride.

Dean grinned and said, "Maybe if he's willing to chew off his own leg. I don't know though it's a hard trap to escape, the ladies can cook."

Sam thought back to the going away breakfast they'd made this morning and groaned in pleasure. "I wonder what's in the cooler?"

"Give me a couple hundred miles of freedom Sam and I'll find us a nice spot to find out," Dean replied as he maneuvered the car out of town, pointing its big nose toward the highway.

Sam rested his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. "Sounds good to me."

The End.