AN: Alright everyone. Here's the very last chapter. I figured I'd post it a day early due to being completely overwhelmed by the fact I have two research papers due before I leave for Texas for a short vacation. Lots to get done, not a ton of time = early updates! :)

I want to thank everyone for sticking it out with me and giving me numerous amounts of invaluable feedback. I'd especially like to thank twomom, SPN Mum, LeighAnnWallace, RogueStorm84, Kirabaros, scootersmom, Sjoeks, dannidoodles, TurningDarkside13, Souless666, Chostani-san128, those that added this to alert and favorite lists, and anyone else that I may have missed that joined me on this journey.

On a side note, Supernatural was good last night, but honestly, I felt it left something to be desired. Maybe that's just because I prefer my boys deep fried in angst and bread crumbs, but I just thought things were tied up a little too easily. Oh well. TPTB always have a plan. Maybe it will come back to bite the boys in the ass. I mean, I'm glad they're not fighting anymore; I don't like them apart. But I was hoping for a little more knock down-drag out before the 'I don't even know why we were fighting' mentality.

For warnings or disclaimer, please see Chapter 1.

Chapter 18: The Trouble with Freedom

The next few days went agonizingly slow for Sam and his attitude only got worse with each passing day. He was sleeping less and less each night. He didn't know anything more about his visions than he had a week ago and it was frustrating him. Dean was picking up on the trouble. Sam's mumbling in his sleep and jerky movements were dead giveaways that things were not peachy keen.

It had been a week since his surgery and Sam was irritated. He completed his fifth cycle of the television channels before giving up and turning it off.

"Going a little stir-crazy, huh Sam?" Dean said, glancing up from his brother's laptop. It took a lot of convincing, but after a few planned out, well-spoken arguments, Dean got Sam to allow him to use his laptop.

"Well, if my brother would let me have my laptop back, I probably wouldn't be so bored."

"Maybe you should try getting some sleep. You haven't been sleeping well, you know."

"I've been sleeping fine, Dean." The room went icy cold in seconds. Despite Dean's valiant tries, he couldn't get Sam to surrender any details of his dreams.

"Okay, boys, that's enough. Obviously, we're all suffering from a case of cabin fever," Bobby said, wanting to become the voice of reason. He couldn't really handle their bickering either.

"Sorry, Bobby." The collective apology was monotone, but heartfelt.

"I just want to get out of here. We need to go after Bela. We need the Colt if we're going to get Dean out of his deal."

"Whoa Sammy. Not so fast. You're going to get some rest before we go off on some wild chase," Dean said, concerned that Sam was so hell bent on being reckless with his health. "The doc said you need to rest and allow your insides to heal. We can't take a chance on you tearing your spleen again."

Sam looked at Bobby, desperate for his help.

"Sorry, kid. I have to agree with your brother. You need to take it easy. Me, as well as a lot of other hunters, have their eyes and ears out waiting for the bitch. We'll get her, but you ain't gonna be able to help Dean if you're back in the hospital. You're gonna come back to Sioux Falls with me and take it easy for a while."

"But we're losing time. Dean's deal is going to be up soon." Sam didn't want to give up on his argument. He was starting to fear that the only way they would listen to him was for him to explain the visions he'd been having, but he didn't want to go there.

Dean could tell Sam's obsession with his deal was more of an expression of fear. "Sam, no one is forgetting about my deal. Believe me, I'm not forgetting the details of my deal. It's my head on the chopping block, remember? I just want to do this the right way and that means you resting until you're well enough to fight. Come on Sammy, just let us take care of you for once."

Sam gave a frustrated sigh and laid his head back on the pillow.

There was a knock on the door and Dr. Steele walked in.

"Hey, there. How is everything going?"

"Alright. Gotta be honest though, I'm going a little crazy."

Dr. Steele chuckled. "Well, Sam, your labs are looking good so I think we can work on getting you out of here soon."

"That would be really great."

Dr. Steele pulled a sheet of paper from Sam's chart and set it on the bedside table in front of his patient.

"We're going to be giving you three vaccinations. One is a pneumococcal vaccine, another for meningitis and diphtheria, and the third is a type B flu vaccine. The first one you'll need to revaccinate in six years, the second in three to five years, and the last one is a one-time dose that you'll be getting today. Once you revaccinate for the first two, you shouldn't need to worry about being vaccinated for those again. These are just precautionary measures. Keep this paper in a safe place. It has all the information you need for post-op care as well as the vaccine information.

"I'd also like to make sure you have a follow-up appointment with a Primary Care Physician within a week. Who is your PCP?"

Sam glanced at Dean and Bobby. "I don't have one right now. But I'm going to be moving back to South Dakota after this. I'll be sure to find a doctor and make an appointment when I get there."

"Alright, that sounds like a plan. The nurse will give you the vaccinations, after that, I'd like you to hang around here for just a few more hours to make sure you don't have any side-effects. Once you're in the clear, we'll get you discharged and get you on your way home."

"Thanks for all your help, doc," Dean said, offering his hand to the man.

"Not a problem."

Dean went back to the motel to pack their things and bring Sam a fresh change of clothes. Bobby stayed with Sam at the hospital while he got his shots. Sam wanted to be mad about getting poked three more times, but he was so thrilled about leaving that he couldn't be bothered to care.

A few hours later, Sam was dressed in jeans and a button-up shirt ready to leave. He was given his discharge orders and even agreed to ride in the wheelchair out to the Impala.

"I gotta stop and get gas before we leave town," Bobby said just before climbing into his car.

"We do too. Meet you in town?" Dean closed the trunk of the Impala after dropping in Sam's bag from the hospital.

"Sure thing."

They chose an inconspicuous establishment that was sporting cheaper gas prices than the stations near the highway and filled up both Bobby's car and the Impala.

"I'm getting a soda, you want anything?" Dean asked before heading inside.

"Uh, I don't know. I'll look." Sam went to follow his brother into the convenience store but stopped short when he reached the newspaper dispenser sitting outside.

'FIRE IN BERRIEN COUNTY KILLS 6'

The breath left Sam's chest and his knees nearly gave out.

"Sammy? What's the matter?" Dean was concerned it might be his spleen again.

"I…uh…I don't think we can leave yet, Dean. There's um… something that I need to talk to you about."

TO BE CONTINUED (If Interested)

AN2: So, it's just not like me to tie everything up nicely and throw a bow on the top. Call it Kripke disease, I don't know. So I know I talked to you guys about laying down a 'B story'. There's the last little tag of it. If the B story interested you, let me know. I wanted to leave this story open for a sequel just in case. But be honest. If it didn't interest you that much, please let me know. There's no sense in writing another monster of a story if it's not the type of thing you guys want to see. I write for you, so you can control the game board.

Thanks again SO much. You are all incredible people and I feel honored to be part of such a wonderful family.