A.N. Thank you to everyone who has read this story and, an extra thank you to those who have dropped in a comment/review, also an extra special thank you to those wonderful souls who keep me going with regular chat and comments, so many of which have given me so many laughs along the way :D You've all been a delight once again! Chick xxxx

EPILOGUE

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Sat stiffly upright, Carla waited, her only real movement being the occasional glance at her watch. She tensed when she heard the sound of a car pulling up outside, and the noise of the engine die. There was a few moments of further silence, then the thump of a car door being closed. Muffled footsteps were next. There was a noise, it sounded like something in pain. An animal? Maybe a dog whimpering? A second door thudded closed, and uneven, staggered footsteps made slow progress over gravel. Eventually coming to a halt just beyond the door to the room where Carla still sat. Flinching, she finally rose out of her chair when twice a booted foot kicked heavily against the door. Moving soundlessly, she stood on tiptoe to peer through the spy hole, a small gasp caught in her throat. She fumbled to fit the door key into the lock, finally able to yank the door open, her eyes rapidly switching from Dean to his semi-conscious brother and back. It was very clear that the only reason that Sam remained vertical at all, was because Dean was grimly clinging on to him, taking virtually all Sam's weight and battling to keep him upright.

"A hand?"

...

Together Carla and Dean half walked, half carried Sam to the bedroom. As they helped Sam to lay down, the movement dragged another low groan out of Sam, Carla realised it hadn't been an animal that she'd heard outside in the car park. Moving to pull Sam's boots off, Dean twisted his head around to glance at Carla.

"Could you get me a glass of water and some painkillers from the med aid kit?"

With a nod, she hurried out of the bedroom again. When she returned, Dean had placed an extra pillow under Sam's head. Carla swallowed hard, watching Dean check the dressings on his brother's knife wound. Her eyes took in the map of dark purple bruising to Sam's ribs. Pulling Sam's tee back down, Dean reached to take the water and pills from Carla with a grateful smile.

"Thanks."

"The bruising...It looks worse."

Dean nodded as he helped Sam raise his head enough to swallow the painkillers.

"They are, and he's got a nice shiny new set decorating his back as well."

"What happened?"

She was surprised when it was Sam himself who answered, the strain in his voice betraying his pain.

"M'ok...Juss, no more throw'n at tables or trees? Fed up'a flying!"

Dean gave a short laugh.

"Your flying's fine Sammy, it's those landings you really gotta work on bro'."

Carla's unasked question was clearly written on her face. Dean gave her a tired smile and a nod.

"Yes Carla, he's gone. My little brother here sent that sonova...she dog, to Hell, may he rest in many pieces."

Sam could hear the pride in Dean's voice, and his cheeks reddened, adding to the myriad of colours that already decorated his face.

Carla's eyes widened, her legs suddenly feeling too weak to hold her, she plonked herself down on the edge of Sam's bed and, whilst her eyes shone with tears and her smile was enough to light the room, her command of language appeared to deteriorate.

"Really?...I...Oh shit...Thank you, thank you. Crap. Shit. Oh, I'm sorry...But, I can go home?...You, both of you, you did it! Thank you!...But, look at you both!"

Dean shook his head,

"Me? I'm fine, Sammy's the one that got hurt."

Carla stood up, stretching to her full height, and staring up at Dean seriously.

"Don't you try that crap on me kid. You're not fine, you're cold and I can see for myself that you're exhausted. Young Sam here certainly needs a few days rest. Well, I'm telling you both right now, neither of you are staying here. You know what? You both need a nurse, and I happen to know a very good one. I'll make us all a hot drink and then, Dean? Once you've warmed up, get packing. Both of you are coming home with me; and that's an order!"

Having already turned away and begun to head for the kitchen, Carla didn't see the look which passed between the brothers at her parting comment. Sam held Dean's gaze, obviously wanting to say something, but hesitating.

"Alright Sammy, spit it out, what's on your mind?"

"Dad...I heard him Dean...In my head, a memory but...It helped, he, helped. He reminded me that I had a job I needed to do...Dean? What he taught us? It's important, really important. It saves lives, Hell, it's saved our lives more than once. I know that what we do matters and...We have to carry on."

"You sure Sammy? You really certain that's what you want?"

Sam's hand found his brother's and, giving Dean no choice, he held on.

"Honestly?...One day, sure, I'd like to be able to quit, you know? When the job's done. I'd like us both to have something else. But, that's not today...Dad's dead, and I miss him, I do. And if I quit now? It'd be like I'm throwing everything he ever gave me right back at him; like everything he taught me doesn't matter, doesn't mean anything. But it does matter, doesn't it? We can make a difference Dean and, I think...I think maybe that's our inheritance, our legacy. He didn't leave us a pile of money, but what he did leave us is priceless. So, big brother...Are we good?"

Sam felt Dean's fingers wrap more firmly around his hand, green eyes shone with a brother's love and gazed down at Sam. For a moment Dean remained silent, then that slow, easy smile started to appear, and Dean nodded.

"Yeah. We're good Sammy...We're very good."

FIN

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Chick xxxx