A/N: the end! My thoughts at the bottom :o) enjoy!

Chapter 3-

Sam sat quietly against the headboard, Haley's small framed curled up beside him. It had taken him what seemed like forever to calm Haley down; the kid was well beyond her emotional limits and she had gone down hard.

Dean still slept, although restlessly, in the bed beside them. Sam had gotten up every hour or so to check the wound and to make sure a fever hadn't crept up on them. Luckily Haley had done a pretty decent job of cleaning the wounds off, which was the main reason an infection hadn't settled in.

Sam reached over and picked up his phone, squinting in an attempt to read the time. Yep, he was definitely not sleeping tonight. The phone read 3:24 am.

Rubbing a calloused hand over his haggard face, Sam stepped out of bed and went about his routine once more. He checked Dean's wounds, pulling off the old dressings and replacing them with a set of new ones, then checking for a fever. Still good. He sighed with relief, pulling the covers back over his unconscious brother.

Haley shifted in the bed behind him and Sam glanced over making sure she hadn't woken up. God knew the kid needed to sleep.

He moved back towards the bed he was sharing with Haley and sat at the edge of it, watching his baby sister closely. She was pale, her eyes puffy from the hours of crying she'd done earlier. A pang of guilt hit him just then as he thought back to earlier in the day; he'd known Haley was having a tough time dealing with their father's death, they all were, but he hadn't taken the time to talk to her about it. What with being a Winchester and all. But now, seeing Haley like this; that didn't seem like such a good idea anymore. Nothing was worth seeing one of his siblings suffer this much.

Haley shifted once more, settling in right beside him, her arm coming over his thigh and holding on for dear life. She was scared. Of what, he wasn't quite sure yet.

"I'm here Haley; you're ok," Sam shushed softly.

Sam leaned back against the headboard once again and let his eyes rest for a moment. He just needed a moment.

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Dean groaned, his bleary eyes blinking open as sleep finally left him. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling confused for a moment. Hadn't he gone out last night? Had he gone home with someon—

"You're awake." Haley's soft voice suddenly broke through his thoughts.

Dean glanced to his left, startled." Hmmm—?"

Haley was sitting in bed beside him, her legs tucked close to her chest. "You've been out of it for almost 24 hours," she said matter of fact.

Dean frowned. "What hap'nd?" he asked, his voice sounding scratchy.

Haley scooted off the bed and walked towards the small makeshift kitchen for a cup of water before returning to the bed.

"Here, drink some of this," she said placing the cup to Dean's lips.

Dean took a few tentative sips before pushing her hand away. "M'good."

Haley nodded and set the cup down on the bedside table.

"Hay, what happened? Where's Sam?" Dean asked, noticing his sibling's absence.

Haley shrugged. "He's out getting food. What do you remember?" she said.

Dean frowned once again. Something about Haley was off. She was too—emotionless. The kid always wore her heart on her sleeve just like Sammy…what the hell was going on?

"Hay?"

"You went out last night," Haley said, her gaze not once meeting his. She was avoiding him. "After everything with dad, I guess you just needed space."

Dean thought about the night before suddenly wishing he hadn't; all the memories of their dad and the pyre and the bar, the fight, the—shit.

"Are you hurt?"

Haley looked down and smirked.

"Depends on what you consider hurt."

"Wha—"

Just then the door opened and Sam walked in carrying a few bags in his hands. Haley scooted off the bed once more and took a few off of his load.

"You buy the whole diner?" she joked softly.

Sam smiled back and set the bags on the table before walking towards Dean.

"Hey man, you're up. How you feelin?" Sam asked, reaching out to feel for a fever.

Dean lightly smacked his hand away, a scowl now in place of confusion. "M'fine," he said attempting to sit up only to fall back as a sharp pain shot through his body.

Sam scoffed. "Right. Look man, just relax alright; you don't wanna go and ruin all of Haley's good work," he said carefully helping Dean into a sitting position. "You hungry?" he asked motioning towards the table where Haley was now silently eating.

"Uh no, I'm good," Dean said distractedly. "Sammy," he said, his voice low. "I—shit man I didn't—"

"I know." Sam smiled softly. And he did know. He knew Dean would never purposely put him or Haley in any danger, not if he could help it. "Look, why don't you try eating something. I brought your favorite." He motioned towards the Styrofoam containers.

Dean nodded. He was a little hungry. "Yeah, help me up," he said, reaching his hand out to Sam, who took it immediately.

"Why don't you just stay here, I'll brin—"

"I can walk Sam," he said plainly.

Sam sighed. Yeah.

Dean trudged towards the table wincing after every other step when the stitches pulled. He sat in the seat across from Haley, giving her a tentative smile.

"Hay—"

"I'm gonna grab a shower," she said swiftly cutting him off.

Dean frowned and Sam looked on sadly.

"She'll get over it. Just let her cool off man," Sam said, trying to sound assuring.

"Get over what, exactly? Me getting drunk?" Dean asked, flipping the container open and taking a forkful of hash browns.

Sam glared.

"No. Her having to save your ass," he said, cutting Dean off before he could speak. "She not only ran those bastards off; she dragged your ass to the car, drove you here, and patched you up. She thought you were dead, Dean," Sam said loudly, making Dean flinch.

"Yeah well, I'm not dead Sam," Dean stated calmly.

"No but you might as well be," He said, shrugging at Dean's questioning glare. "She's having a hard time dealing," he offered softly, not wanting Haley to know he was talking about her.

"Yeah well, she's not the only one," Dean scoffed.

Sam shook his head. "No, Dean. This is…she's different." Sam trailed off.

Dean arched an eyebrow, questioningly. "Different?"

Sam sighed, pushing his food away. "Last night when I walked into the room, Haley was sitting by you on the bed. You were still out of it but she'd already done triage on you." He spoke softly. "Soon as she saw me she pushed me towards you and begged me to fix you, to not let you die. Man, she kept telling me that you weren't like dad, that you wouldn't leave us." He sighed. "She freaked. She was completely freaked; in denial about you being alive Dean. It—she—"

Sam stopped mid sentence at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Haley came out, a puff of hot steam trailing behind her.

"Showers free," she said nonchalantly.

Sam and Dean exchanged glances before Sam stood up. "Guess I'm next," he said grabbing his bag off the floor. "Haley, eat your breakfast."

Haley rolled her eyes. She wasn't five anymore.

"You doin' ok?" Dean asked, clearing his throat.

Haley looked over her shoulder as she stuffed her pajamas into her bag.

"I'm fine. I'm not the one who got my ass handed to me by a buncha grizzly lookin' hillbillies," she said distractedly as she brushed her hair out.

"I didn't—"

Haley glared at him and he stopped talking.

"Look, we need to talk," he said finally, after a few tense moments.

Haley scoffed.

"Now you want to talk?" she asked bitterly. "What, is beer and cheap women not therapeutic enough for you this time around big brother?"

Dean glared. "Look, I get that you're pissed—"

Haley shook her head. "I'm not pissed," she said interrupting him.

"Right," he scoffed.

"I'm not. It's your life right? Why should I give a rat's ass about you wanting to off yourself? I mean yeah, I'm your sister, but what is that worth?" she said, avoiding all eye contact with him. As cool and collected as she sounded, deep down she was ready to burst out into tears all over again. The thought of Dean not waking up was just…

"What the hell are you going on about?" Dean asked, bringing her out of her somber thoughts. "What the hell would make you think I wanted to off myself?" he asked angrily.

Haley shrugged. "Oh I don't know. Maybe the fact that I walked up to see you getting your ass handed to you by three hillbilly bastards—"

"Yeah, and that makes you think I want to die? Getting beat up by three guys?" He said, affronted.

"You didn't even try," she muttered softly.

"What?"

Haley turned to glare at him.

"You didn't even try Dean!" she yelled. "I walked up and saw those guys wailing on you and you just laid there and took it!"

"It was three against one Haley!" he yelled, getting to his feet.

Haley stomped towards him and got in his face. "Don't you give me that fucking bullshit Dean; you can take a fucking wendigo on with a fucking broken arm so don't. Give. Me. That. Bullshit." she growled. "You let them hurt you. You let them stab you! You. Wanted. To. Die! You selfish bastard! You wanted to leave me!" she yelled bringing her palm down on his chest, broken sobs suddenly making their way past her lips. "Yo—you wanted to die."

Dean flinched, her clutching hands making pain seer up and down his torso. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth and just took it though. He deserved this, because yeah, as much as he'd like to fight her, as much as he'd like to deny her claims, he couldn't. He'd been ready to go. When those guys followed him out of the bar, he knew it'd be easy. But that thought had only stayed in his mind for a few moments; the minuet he had heard Haley's voice, everything went back into focus and he fought. God he tried to fight back.

"Haley! Haley what are you doing?"

Dean snapped out of his thoughts at Sam's frantic voice.

"Sam, it's ok."

Sam pulled Haley away from Dean roughly.

"What the hell are you thinking?" he asked, seeing the small red blotches on Dean's shirt.

"Let go of me!" Haley yelled, tears flooding her eyes.

"No, not until you calm down!" he yelled.

"Sam—'

"Let go of me!" Haley growled, pulling her arms back only to have Sam reel her back. "Sam, let go!"

"You need to calm the hell down before you hurt yourself!" he said, panicking a little. What the hell had he missed?

Haley half laughed, half sobbed, "Oh, so it's ok for you two to hurt yourselves but when I do, it's wrong?"

"What?" Sam asked, confusion marring his face.

"Let go," she said again.

"No."

The tears she'd been trying to keep back suddenly spilled over onto her cheeks and she began to fight. She yanked back trying to get away. She needed to get away.

"Haley…"

Haley growled pulling her right arm free. She went to run but Sam pulled her back with her left arm and pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"It's ok," he said, trying to calm her down.

Haley thrashed in his arms, fighting to get free. She didn't want to be here anymore. She couldn't handle this. She didn't want to handle this anymore. She was done with being left behind. First mom died, and then dad and now Dean had wanted to—God he had wanted to leave her. Dean! The one person Haley could always count on. He had chosen beer and death over talking to her, staying with her. No, she was done. If everyone else could leave her, then she could leave them!

"Sa—Sammy, let me go. I want to go!' she cried, her body starting to tire from all the fighting.

"Haley." Dean's voice penetrated the air making Sam look up to meet his tear filled gaze.

Haley was now still, slumped over Sam's arms, clutching tightly, trying to keep herself from losing it anymore then she'd already done so.

"Kiddo, look at me," Dean said softly, stepping closer.

"Dean—"

"Sam, it's ok," Dean placated.

"Haley, look at me."

Haley closed her eyes tightly, trying as hard as she could to not look at him. She couldn't.

"Hay, it's ok," Sam cooed softly, placing a small kiss to the top of her head.

"No. No, it's not ok," she cried softly.

Dean swallowed hard trying to keep his own tears at bay. He couldn't breakdown right now; breaking down is what got him them into this situation in the first place.

"Haley, you need to look at me. Please," Dean said, reaching his good arm out and cupping her warm cheek.

Haley leaned into the touch, a few stray tears making their way down her face. "M'sorry," she sobbed softly, slumping down further into Sam's arms.

Sam took a quivering breathe, a few of his own tears making their way down his face. "It's ok Haley. We're gonna be ok," he said, his voice assuring.

"I'm not leaving you," Dean finally said, capturing Haley's attention. "I am never leaving you. I can't," he said honestly.

Haley pulled out of Sam's arms and practically threw herself into Dean's arms. Sam reached to pull her back, not wanting Dean to get hurt worse in the process but Dean waved him off. He needed this as much as she did. This is what he hadn't allowed the three of them to have earlier: closure.

"Please…" Haley begged brokenly, clutching at the back of Dean's shirt. She wanted to get lost in him, where she knew she was safe from everything and everyone. Dean was their shield whether he and Sam wanted to admit it or not. Without him, they'd be lost; completely and utterly lost.

"I promise kiddo, I'm not going anywhere," he assured, meeting Sam's gaze as he said it, silently making Sammy the same promise.

Haley pulled back and gazed up into Dean's green tear filled eyes. "I can't do this without you guys," she said, looking back at Sam. "Please don't ever make me."

"You're stuck with us Hay," Sam said, an honest smile marring his reddened face.

Haley smiled weakly and leaned her head to rest on Dean's chest. She didn't—couldn't make herself let go yet. She'd almost lost him.

Dean hissed unintentionally as she laid her head down over his busted ribs. Haley pulled back, eyes wide.

"Oh God, Oh God, you're bleeding, Dean?"

"It's ok; it's just the stitches," he said, waving off the concern.

"Oh God, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mea—"

"Haley, it's ok. It's OK!" Dean cut her off. "I'm fine."

"You're bleeding," she pointed out incredulously.

"And Sammy'll fix that in just a minute," he said glancing up at Sam who was already working on retrieving the first aid kit.

"There was so much blood," she said, gazing at his stained t-shirt.

Dean shifted uncomfortably.

"You did good," Sam said softly, stepping beside her. "You did real good."

Haley looked up at him and nodded a silent thank you.

"Thank you."

Haley glanced over, her bright green eyes locking with Dean's.

"You saved my ass back there," he said, a crooked grin marring his face.

Haley smiled back.

"You've saved mine, my whole life," she said truthfully.

Dean shifted his gaze downward, not wanting to shed tears in front of his siblings. He had to save some face.

"Come on man, let's get you back in one piece," Sam said gently shoving Dean towards the bed.

"M'already in one piece," he said quietly, looking between his two younger siblings. And it was true. With Sam and Haley by his side; he was complete. It was funny how he hadn't seen that earlier.

Haley followed Dean and Sam towards the bed and curled up beside Dean as Sam worked on the damaged stitches.

"I'm still sorry," Sshe said, gazing at the blood that was dribbling down his stomach.

"And you're still forgiven," Dean said quickly.

Haley smiled and scooted down the bed until she could rest her head on his thigh. God she was tired.

"Get some sleep. We'll stick around a few more days," Dean said, running his fingers through her wet hair.

"Hmm…" Haley sighed. "I love you guys," she mumbled sleepily.

Sam and Dean smiled.

"Yeah, we love you too."

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"Sorry man." Sam said, wincing as he pulled the needle and thread through Dean's skin one last time. "Just gonna cover it up and you're good to go," he said, tying the knot and snipping the end of the thread off.

"Good." Dean sighed, resting his head against the headboard. "Sam…"

"Yeah?"

"Did you check her over?" he asked, glancing down at a sleeping Haley.

"Yeah, she's fine Dean," He assured him, gently taping a gauze pad over the wound.

"Sammy?"

"Yeah?" Sam answered distractedly, focusing on Dean's wound.

"I wasn't trying to— I mean I wouldn't do that to you guys," Dean said suddenly "Leave you like that," he elaborated, hesitantly.

Sam glanced up but didn't speak, instead letting Dean get out whatever it is he needed to get off his chest.

"I was just—" He sighed, running a tired hand across his face. "I'm sorry," he said instead, avoiding eye contact. "I know he was your dad too and I didn't mean to—drop this on your shoulders or anything," he added, waving his arm animatedly.

Sam smiled and patted Dean on the shoulder. "It's alright Dean. We all need to figure things out on our own. I'm just—I'm glad you're ok," he said, zipping the first aid kit up. "Cause you are right? You're ok?"

Dean smiled smugly, "M'always ok Sammy."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Yeah, forgot, Superman and all."

"Batman, actually."

Sam laughed lightly and stuffed the first aid kit back into their weapons bag. Yeah, Batman he was.

"Hey Dean?"

"Yeah Sammy?"

"We're ok, right?"

Dean patted Haley's back gently, and ran his hand through her drying hair.

"Yeah Sam, we're ok."

Sam nodded and made his way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. That's all he needed to know. The rest—the rest they'd figure out later.

A/N: Alright, so this was it. Took me long enough. Sorry everyone…tough situations and all. Alas, I hope ya'll enjoyed this three shot and I hope this ending didn't disappoint. I'm working on my other fics and a few little one!shot ideas I've got floating around in my head. Trust me when I say, I have a lot to write about…just need to find the time for it.

Signing out for the moment!

Pixiee.

P.S. Your thoughts please… I'm in need of smiles :o)