Legalities: Supernatural does not belong to me, although I wish it did. I am simply playing in Kripke's sandbox for a bit. All rights and ownership are the property of Kripke and the CW network. I am not making any money from this; it is for my own personal pleasure.

Idea: This little fiction has a story line, but it is unabashed hurt!Dean with extremely angsty!Sam and worried!John. This is purely a selfish little piece that I decided to share. I wanted to focus on Deans recovery and how one would come back from this type of situation. Especially when Dean would internalize everything...

Also, this is a very dark little piece of fiction, so please read all warnings at the start of the chapters and don't read it if you're not into that.

Synopsis: Sequel to Gone Missing, Dean is trying desperately to get past the physical and the mental trauma…but how will he deal when there is a significant hunt that he feels he must be a part of. And how will he hide the increasingly debilitating headaches that are a result of his torture from the prying eyes of his little brother?

Warnings: This story will contain everything from intense angst, graphic depictions of past torture and dreams, to current pain. If you don't like this type of thing….don't read this story. I would suggest reading 'Gone Missing' first as it will set the scene for this story. It is the second in what will be a 3 story arc, returning Dean to all his glory for the Pilot of the series.

Please Review: Thanks to any guests and others that can't sign in...I really appreciate that you guys continue taking the time to let me know what you are thinking about the progression of the story.

WARNING...Mentions of violence, nothing too specific or graphic, but this might bother some people so consider yourself warned...there is quite a lot of ANGST in this chapter...as a matter of fact...I think all my chapters have a large helping of angst...and some hurt Sam and Dean...so be prepared...don't like...don't read.

Epilogue

Dean was sitting in the Impala. His hip was still bothering him, but not to the point that he couldn't drive and their father had called for them. So they would be going. Much to his little brother's dismay. To put it mildly, Sam was pissed...he wanted to stay in Sioux Falls. He'd been given a spot on the summer league of a soccer team and he wanted to have a bit of normal for once. Dean shook his head at the thoughts of having to deal with the petulant and irritated glances that Sam would be flinging in his direction the entire drive.

A knock on the window had him glancing up and then rolling down the glass as Bobby leaned against the car. "You boys got everything you need?" The older hunter asked as he lifted a bag that he'd filled with sandwiches for their drive...and some money stuffed in the bottom to help with expenses. Although he wasn't going to mention to Dean that that was in there...mostly because he knew that damn Winchester pride would get in the way of his accepting the money for what it was...a gift.

Dean's green eyes flickered up to meet his after he grabbed the bag. "W-w-what's t-t-this?" He asked and then shook his head at the infuriating stutter that he couldn't seem to lose.

Bobby raised his eyebrows and then laughed. "What's it look like boy...a puppy?" He watched as Dean's face cracked into a genuine smile and took the bag and looked inside. There were several sandwiches, some chips and couple of sodas for the road...he smiled at Bobby and nodded his thank you.

"You're welcome kid." Bobby glanced at the empty passenger seat and then looked toward the old farm house. Sam was just exiting the door, his pack thrown over his shoulders and a sullen look plastered on his teenage face. "He's not going to be too much fun, Dean."

Dean snorted. "T-t-t-tell m-m-me about-t-t it." He turned so that he could see over his shoulder as Sam stomped up to the car and pulled the passenger open with more force than was really necessary. "H-h-hey!" Dean said quickly.

Sam's eyes lifted to meet the irritated gaze of his older brother and he muttered an apology under his breath. He threw his pack into the back seat and then looked at Bobby over the top of the car. "I guess we'll see you when we see you?" He said around the lump forming in his throat.

Bobby nodded. He knew exactly how these boys were feeling. It was the same he was feeling...he hated to see them leave, but he'd known that their presence would be temporary...he just hated that it was. "Yeah...you have my number boy. Keep in touch." He lowered his gaze so that he was looking at Dean too. "And you too boy. Don't fall off the grid."

Dean smiled and nodded. Sam crawled into the car and Dean fired up the engine, reveling in the smooth rumble of her motor. They each waived one more time at their friend and then Dean was pulling out of the Singer Salvage Yard. Sam slumped down into his seat, the petulance nearly radiating off his body like a pheromone. Dean looked out at the open road and he couldn't help the contradictory feelings that were rolling around inside him. He was grateful to be back on the road, because that meant that he was finally past all that crap of the last year...but the other part of him...a part that he'd deny even existed...was scared. Scared of what was out there...and what it could mean for their small family. His eyes flickered quickly to Sam and he found a small smile forming at the edges of his lips...whatever is out there Sammy...we're facing it together man...because you and me? We can beat anything. Deans thoughts shifted back to watching the treeline fly by as they sped down the old highway toward another hunt.

Author's Note: The third part of this story is going up tonight. So go check out 'A Missing Life'. Thank you to everyone that took a chance and read this story from start to finish and the amazing reviews that you posted. I have loved writing it and am looking forward to the next part of this storyline.

Reviews are Amazing