Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural, or the characters.

Here's the last chapter of this fic, sorry it's so short, I really needed to finish it up quickly. I hope you've enjoyed reading it, and would like to thank everyone who's reviewed this fic, I couldn't have done it without you!

BTW: Happy Australia Day everyone! It's actually been a pretty great day here at the coast, I just got back from watching the fireworks! *yay*

Dean stands by Sam, and holds his hand comfortingly, just in case, as Cate tells them. "Dean, you've been granted guardianship of Sam." Finally she smiles as she says. "Congratulations."

Dean nearly collapses with relief upon hearing this, after all the mistakes he's made recently, he was sure they'd take Sam. As he lowers himself into a chair so that he doesn't fall down, Dean says genuinely. "Thank you."

Cate continues to tell Dean about all the rules and regulations he will need to follow to be allowed to keep Sam living with him, but Dean doesn't hear a thing, too focused on Sam, and the knowledge that they won't be separated.

The next day, Sam has a major outburst, again about the feeding tube, and as soon as he's calm again, one of the nurses takes Dean out into the hallway, and says to him. "Sam has a lot of problems, we really need to consider whether it would be in Sam's best interests to continue as we are, or to arrange for him to be transferred somewhere that will be able to offer him more."

Dean looks at her uncertainly, surely she can't be suggesting that he have Sam committed? "What?"

The nurse smiles reassuringly, having been around Dean, and people like him many times, and can tell what he's thinking. "There are private, voluntary clinics that often have specialized eating disorder units, and they are used to treating patients like Sam. Maybe you should consider it."

Dean thinks for a minute, and then agrees. "I will, thanks."

Several days later Sam is transferred to a clinic about an hour away from where they've been staying.

Not long after Sam has been settled into the clinic, Dean finally figures out who Sam's abuser was, and without telling Sam, he goes back to Cedar Rapids. He finds Mr Klein sitting in his lounge room, sleeping.

Dean has to suppress a shudder at the thought of the man in front of him hurting Sam in such an unimaginable way.

Without any mercy, Dean pulls a hunting knife from the band of his jeans, and focuses on the thought of how many children this man has hurt as he castrates him right there, on the couch. He ignores the brief screams before Klein passes out, and without any regret, Dean stabs the knife through Klein's heart before he walks away, pulling his jacket around himself to hide the blood splattered all over him.

As soon as Dean has stripped off his blood-soaked clothes, he goes to the clinic to visit Sam. When Dean enters Sam's room, Sam is sitting on the bed, reading a book, but as Dean walks closer, he looks up at him, and in that instant, Dean can tell that Sam knows what he's done.

Dean tries his best to ignore the feeling as he sits down on the side of the bed, and starts talking to Sam about whatever he can think of.

But no matter what, despite the fact that there's no way Sam could know what Dean has done, it remains clear to Dean that Sam knows.

Two months later, Sam is making good progress at the clinic. He's had the feeding tube taken out the day before, and the doctor has informed him and Dean that he'll be able to go home in the next few days. Unbeknown to the clinic staff, and Sam, Dean has been living in the impala since not long after Sam was admitted, and this is what prompts him to make a call.

The phone is answered on the second ring. "Hello, Jim Murphy."

Hearing his father's trusted friend's calming voice on the other end of the phone makes Dean feel just a bit better as he replies. "Hey, Jim. It's Dean Winchester."

"Dean, what can I do for you? Is your father alright?"

The concern in Jim's voice makes Dean laugh bitterly as he replies. "Last I heard he was fine, drunk, but fine."

There is a noticeable pause on the other end as the pastor tries to work out what is going on, eventually he asks. "Are you and Sam alright?"

"...I'm fine." Dean begins before he says. "Sammy, some shit happened, and he's not doing so well. He should be getting out of hospital soon, and we don't really have anywhere to stay. Can you-"

Jim interrupts. "I'll have the spare room ready for you when you get here, is there anything you need?"

Dean thinks for a moment before he answers. "No, thanks Jim. We'll see you in a few days ...Thanks."

Epilogue

Six months later

Sam and Dean have been living in Blue Earth with Pastor Jim ever since Sam was released from the clinic, and Sam is recovering very well. Sam has regained most of the weight that he had lost, and although he still has to fight to control his eating patterns, and since he's started at his new school, panic attacks.

They haven't seen or heard from John since the hospital incident over eight months ago, apart from one call to Jim to see if he knew where they where, he said he didn't.

The only times that Dean leaves Sam, and stops completely mother henning him, are when Dean goes to his 9-5 job at a local garage to pay for their living expenses that can't be covered by credit card fraud any more, when Sam goes to a day unit at the clinic, two days a week, and when Sam is at school.

Other than that, Dean is with Sam 24/7, watching him, helping him with everything, usually just being a brother, albeit a very overprotective, concerned one, as always.

The End!

Thanks so much for reading! I know the ending was rushed, but I hope you enjoyed it any way.

I'd love to hear what you thought of it.