Jensenfan1978's Supernatural Blog

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 141

Sam tilted his head, inviting him over. Like Mello had said, he'd had the meal brought because he thought Dean was too tired and slogged with work to make it.

Dean smiled a genuine smile that went to his eyes, the laugh lines showing. He carried his tray over to where there was a seat and sat down, and he proceeded to eat his meal, listening to everyone talk about their day. He remained quiet, just taking it in.

Lisa asked Sarah if she had gotten two coats. Dean looked up. He hoped he had not done wrong. He thought that a regular parka would be good for outdoors and every day winter stuff, but a woman needed something when she dressed up. He’d gone to this old world shop to look at the stuff Sarah was talking about and had found these cloak like things with hoods. They were heavily lined, very warm and went to the ground. He’d bought a garnet red one for Lisa and an emerald green for Sarah. His worried look glanced between both women. ‘Maybe women didn’t wear those nowadays?’

Sarah was quick to relieve his anxiety and explain it to Lisa. "I did, and it was such a wonderful thing for Dean to remember. The heavier outdoors one will be great for every day things. I absolutely love the cloak he got. It's perfect for dressy events. What color did he get you?"

“It’s some kind of red. Not a ruby or rose, but almost a blood red..orangish, almost.”

“It’s garnet,” Dean replied.

“What color did he get you?”

"A gorgeous emerald green..one of my favorite colors." She rose, giving him a hug. "Thank you, Dean."

Dean flushed a little, which surprised those who knew him well, but really surprised them by his next action, “I saw a beautiful ruby red one, Sarah. It would have looked great on you, but I remembered that you’re Irish and red is a British color. Not a good thing to buy an Irish girl.” He looked embarrassed after saying it.

Sarah giggled. "I prefer the green to the red; you made the best choice. Thank you so much."

Sarah’s giggle confused the older Winchester. Sam, seeing the look in his eyes, grinned, knowing his brother had been entirely serious about his comment. Dean was trying so hard.

He poked his brother, leaning in to whisper. "She's happy..no worries."

"The comment about the English. It's well known they have little love for Brits," he said. "Do me a favor, when you get a chance check up the Catholic/Protestant issues in Ireland. England brought up the whole protestant in Ireland when, originally the island was catholic."

Dean’s eyes widened and his mouth opened for a second. “I thought she was Wiccan?”

"She is..still doesn't mean the old rivalry hasn't passed down. One thing you have to remember, Dean. The Scots and Irish..they have a long memory. It spans generations. When you said that about the English and giving her green because she was an Irish girl, she took it as a joke against the English."

Understanding dawned immediately. “Damn, I’ve got to read those books.”

Sam grinned. "Yup, I"m still learning."

“The only thing I’ve learned about the religions over there is there’s a Church of England, the Catholics, and the Scots went with some church that sounds like ummmm....pedestrian....no that’s not it. Presbyterian? Yeah that’s it.

"That sounds about right."

“Yeah, some balding, fat guy wanted a divorce so he changed their whole religion so he could. Now if that ain’t crazy, I don’t know what is.”

Sarah overheard that and cracked up. "Henry, the Fat Bastard!" The phrase was an old one, and it was definitely popular at the renaissance festivals."

“Really? What people called him that? I can’t imagine the English doing it? Wasn’t he the guy that found it easier to cut his wives heads off instead of divorcing them?”

She grinned. "Those of us who go in the Celtic traditions usually do. I was at a fair one time, selling drawings and the like, and this one bagpipe band member, who was pretty much drunker than a skunk, hollered out when a canon fired. He drove his Claymore into the ground and howled "Ye missed, ye fat bastard!' Gods, it was so damned funny!"

“Do the Scots and Irish over there feel this way too, or is it just the American ones whose ancestors were forced out?”

"From what I understand, it's a very strong feeling there too," she answered him.

“Why are they still part of it then? Hell, that’s a dumb question. If Texas tried to leave the States, I bet the government in DC would come after them faster than anything. The oil and stuff here is worth a lot.”

“There's some things in the works to try," she told him. "The problem is that Britain has lost a lot over the years, and they don't really want to let go. Stubborn fools," the woman grumbled.

“Maybe, maybe not, Sarah. Those countries that want to go free, can they support themselves totally without the mother country? Do the majority of the people really want to go free? Do they have any idea what it will be like without the protection of the larger country’s military? Do they have the trade set up to survive? Those are important questions to ask and answer before doing something like that.”

"They could muster up their own," she said. "A lot of the regiments in the English army are solely of Scottish origin. I think, given time and help from fellow countries, both could stand up on their own feet and support themselves. Most of the wool comes from both as well as alcohol trade and other things."

“What other things, Sarah? I’m serious here. You can’t support a country on wool, mutton, and alcohol, and I don’t think there are many Irish regiments in the British army, but I know there are a lot of Irish mercenaries. I’d love to see them gain their freedom. They deserve it. Hell we all do. But you got to have support to do it. Great Britain is not going to help them support themselves away from her.”

Sarah nodded and before she could begin, Matt spoke up. "They've enough industry to support themselves. However, the Crown and Parliament acknowledges that their contribution to the 'royal coffers' is too substantiary to lose. Despite public interest, it will probably be doubtful that either would completely gain their freedom. There has been some shift in the people's favor but not too much. Like the return of the Stone of Scone."

“The what? What the hell is that?”

The red head looked up from his game. "It's the stone the Scottish monarchs were crowned on. Since Scotland's fall to England, it was underneath the royal throne."

Dean Winchester was about to shock everyone at the table, including himself. He stood up, placed both hands on the table and leaned across at the red head. “It don’t belong there. It belongs in Edinburgh underneath a Scottish throne. They need to give it back. That’s theft.”

"Agreed," he said. "And it was returned..only with the agreement that it's brought to England for any coronation."

“But crowning a British monarch on that stone makes them the ruler of Scotland?”

"Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales," he responded. "The whole kit and caboodle."

“You’re confusing me, here. Was it the stone that Scottish rulers were crowned on for centuries and it was stolen by England when Scotland was conquered and used to make them ruler over Scotland?”

"Yup," he said, grabbing his laptop and googling it. A few moments later, he handed it to Dean. "take a look."

Dean saw a picture of the stone read the history as ran the entire injustice through his mind. He was turning redder by the minute. He looked up. “This isn’t right. You don’t return something you steal from someone and borrow it every time you need to make someone else their conqueror. That’s just wrong. What the hell has happened to them? Where are the ones who scared the Romans enough to build a wall to keep them out?”

"They were cowed into submission and threatened to be bred out," Sarah told him. "The culture was starting to be lost until some people decided to try to keep the spirit going."

Dean stared at her, his hazel eyes turning dark gray with distress. "There? Hell, no! It’s here. The remnants of those who helped kick their asses out of this country over 230 years ago! What good it did do us!”

"Yes, most of them are here and in Canada. It's the reason we cherish our history, blood soaked though it is. It's up to us to keep it alive," she answered. "Remember, the Boy scouts were the ones to bring the history back to the American Indians. So we're helping our cousins overseas to remember."

No one had noticed Sam rise and stand behind his brother. Hands went on the shorter man’s shoulders and squeezed softly but with enough strength to warn the older man. A soft voice said, “It’s okay, Dean. Nothing is going to change over night. Let’s talk about the weekend. I know that you and Near are going out to dinner on Friday. What time do we need to leave on Saturday morning?”

Dean stiffened. He’d not talked to Near or Ben yet. There’d been no time. His eyes closed, and he slumped into his seat and put his head in his hands, expecting an outburst from his son.

Ben didn't say anything, just stared questioningly at his dad.

Dean looked into his son’s eyes. “We tried to talk about this months ago, Ben. Near has been gone and I’m taking him this Friday. It’s a promise I made before you came into my life. I keep my promises. Just as I keep them with you, son.”

He nodded, still not really wanting the other near his father but understanding. It would take time for his insecurity and jealousy issues to fade and if Dean used the idea Watari had, the jealousy would fade faster.

“Look, Ben, they have this museum a cowboy museum someone at work told me about. You like to learn things and so does Near and it’s something neither one of you would know anything about. It would put you on equal footing. I thought I’d check and see what kind of exhibits it has and when it’s open and I’d give you boys research on it. You guys can tell all about each exhibit when we go. What do you think?”

"That would be fun," he said. "Real cowboys?"

"Yeah. I love cowboys. The West. I thought it would be fun. I haven't asked Near yet. I wanted to run it past you. I'll ask him on Friday. That work?

"Yes, it will," he grinned, looking forward to that.

Sam had not sat down because his brother had start shaking when he sat down with his head in his hands. Dean was not at the point of being able to meditate anywhere. Sam’s eyes met Sarah’s. Lisa was already rising. “You look tired, hon. Why don’t we head on up to bed? It’s almost nine and you have to be up early for the doctor? I know you took a quick shower, but would a hot soak help you sleep better?”

Sarah looked at Dean. "You remember what to do?"

Dean looked at her and nodded, “Yeah, I do.. Lisa, I just want to go to bed. I think.”

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 140

Dean was up early and gone before anyone was stirring, making the long drive to the city. The others went about chores for the day. The shop was closed for the next two weeks for Thanksgiving, but Ben still had school work that his mother had lined out for him.

Sarah went up to the loft and saw the huge decorated box and wondered what was in it, but took more notice of the wonderful sewing machine that was set up near it.The woman went to work, turning her designs into reality. If all went well, she would have one major fantastic house for Christmas done.

Lisa sat down with Bobby and Watari and planned meals, both lunch and dinner.They wanted something that would tempt Dean, be delicious, but easy to digest. He would have homework when he got home, and he needed to rest, so nothing too heavy needed to be eaten. Lunch for teenagers and one growing boy was different. The group seemed to work seamlessly, though Watari had to explain multiple times that his charges pretty much ate junk...all the time.

“Watari, we know that, but Dean told me once that you tried to make them eat at least one good meal a day.,” Lisa teased.

He looked at Lisa. "They've had that already," he replied in a deadpan voice.

“Oh,” Lisa responded. “I assumed they ate something like donuts or sweet rolls for breakfast.”

"It's easier to cram it into them when they're half asleep," he admitted ruefully.

“All right, adults and Ben. We should do something more substantial and go with something light and easy to digest for tonight. Dean does have those tests early tomorrow. Some of them are fasting. I need to make sure to have something for him to eat after them. The doctor said he wanted to redo them after he eats. I am hoping it is all stress but the hospital back then found something. We need to know what it is. It’s adding to his stress.”

"How about a soup and salad type of thing," Watari asked her.

“That is a a good idea. It’s early. We could make something home made. What would you suggest,Watari? I know he likes your cooking. He’s talked about your soups and I’ve made some of them. Is there a healthy recipe for tomato and rice. He says it is what his mother made him when he was sick. He’s been going through so much lately, I wondered if it would hurt him to have something like that.”

"Let's do a vegetable soup," he said, going into the main kitchen to wash the vegetables that would be needed.

Lisa and Bobby followed the older man into the main kitchen. “I wondered about that. Tomatoes have high acid content and are rather rich. To give that to a sick child really made no sense at all to me. I didn’t tell him that. It’s his mother.” The three worked together putting together a large pot of vegetable soup. Lisa started a some loaves of French bread to rise. Watari seasoned the broth and vegetables and allowed the mixture to begin to steep properly.

Lisa went about doing chores. Bobby was doing some research for Rufus, who was on a hunt. Lisa would go and work the dough on the French bread. Later in the day, they could smell the fresh bread as it baked. Wateri would go in and stir the soup. Ben, finished with his homework was on a computer looking up places to see in Texas. He'd heard his Dad talking about it.

Around 6:00, Lisa rejoined the two men in the kitchen, knowing Dean usually got home sometime around 6:30 or so.

As it grew close to seven in the evening, Ben came running downstairs yelling that it was snowing. The three in the kitchen were the only ones to hear him. Everyone was in their wings resting, working, or getting ready for dinner, depending on who it was.

Watari looked out of the window. "It definitely is. Ben, go and let the others know please?"

Within ten minutes, everyone was on the patio watching the snow come down. Still Dean did not come. Bobby looked at the clock and it was twenty after seven. He wondered how bad the roads were and why the boy didn’t call.

The older male pulled Lisa aside. "You may want to call Dean and make sure that he's all right."

Lisa pulled out her cell as she heard the front door open and a voice call out, “Hey! I need help here!”

Watari and Bobby hurried to the front door. "What's wrong," the old hunter asked.

“I’ve been dragging bags to the door. The snow’s really coming down. No one’s set up for it except maybe you, Bobby, and Sarah. It’s freezing out here. Let’s get this stuff inside. My cell’s not working. The weather is so blasted bad I couldn’t get any reception.”

"At least we know you're safe," Watari murmured, grabbing bags and hauling them in.

“I’m sorry. Some roads were impassable. I had to find other ways.They said the plows won’t get out this way to real late. Hey! Everyone! I’ve brought gifts!”

Some of the others, who had been watching the snow on the back porch, came out to help. Mello poked him. "We're going to need to get you a better cell phone or another type of communication device in case this happens again."

Dean’s face was red and he was blowing on his hands. “Yeah. You guys are the experts. I’ll put that in your hands.” The hunter nodded to the bags. There were dozens and each one had someone’s name on it.

Everyone piled in to help, and Near padded up to Dean, tugging his jacket.

Dean leaned down to towards the young teen. “Yeah?” he whispered.

The young teen offered a cup of hot cider to the man. "Dean must be cold," he said, handing it to him.

Dean took the hot cup into iced cold hands and trembled slightly. “Thank you, Near.” He sat on the large couch and watch everyone open bags. Inside were winter clothes, coats, jackets, sweaters, scarfs, earmuffs, hats, gloves, woolen socks, boots, and warm snow pants. All of Nears were white. He pulled out a pad and handed it to Sam. Inside was marked everyone’s sizes. He’d raided closets during the moving. The weather report said it was going to be bad. No one had what was needed Bobby and Sarah could use new, I’m sure. Mine is in there. It started on the way home. I didn’t know which bags were mine. I'm half froze. This cider's good.”

Near's delicate fingers rubbed over the earmuffs and scarf. His were very fluffy and soft. Dean had remembered his intolerance for stiff and scartchy fabrics. "Near thanks Dean," he murmured with Mello, Matt, Watari, and L chiming in after that.

Dean smiled and said it was nothing. He knew it was needed before they could get to town. He glanced at the others and then sniffed the air. “Do I have time to bathe before supper? You can go ahead and eat. It will take a while. I’m all diesel oil and grease.”

"It's nothing fancy and can keep. GO clean up," Watari said, helping everyone get their belongings back into bags so they could put them away.

Bobby stood, “Son?” Dean turned, “Sir?” "Thank you for my things. You surprised me I didn’t expect this.” The sweet smile showed. “You’re welcome.”

Lisa and Ben grabbed their bags and Dean’s and followed him. Lisa leaning up to kiss his dirty cheek and whispering a thank you.

Sam picked up the pad and his bags, ruffling his brother's hair before he got far. "Thanks, Dean. Go warm up. We were worrying about you."

“I’m sorry, Sammy. I tried.”

It's not your fault. We didn't know cell service would crap out. We should probably get a satellite phone or something for this," he said to his brother.

“Yeah, I think so. They had a system set up here last year when we were hunting the creatures It was for computers. It’s been expanded. Maybe they can tie into it. I’m gonna leave it to them. I’m tired, Sammy. It’s been a long day and I still got homework to do.” Dean smiled and headed towards his wing, noticing Lisa waiting for him holding the door open.

"Get cleaned up, Dean, and we'll have a meal sent up to you," Sam said. "I'm just glad you're safe."

Dean started to argue with his younger brother, realized that it was heading towards eight and he’d been up since four in the morning. He hadn’t planned on it, but couldn’t go back to sleep. This just meant not seeing family all day. Sam was doing what he promised he would do, protecting him when was tired, confused, or stressed, and not thinking clearly. He sighed, nodded at Sam, and passed by Lisa into their wing.

A short time later, a bowl of soup and a nice salad was brought to him by Mello. "Hey, thought you might be hungry."

Dean, slippers lying on the floor, clad in a t-shirt, flannel pajama bottoms, with feet bare, and hair going everywhere, was sitting behind his desk in his office, his laptop in front of him. He smiled at Mello.

“Everyone eating on the patio? Is that French bread? I hope that’s Caesar dressing? I’m starved.” For Mello, that was a change. Dean, starving.

"Pretty much. We can head out there if you want; we didn't know how the homework situation was coming along," he told the other.

“Really? Cause Sam left me with the impression that my night was over.”

"I think he was thinking you had a ton of work and were too tired, so was trying to give you an option," the blond shrugged. "Up to you."

“I didn’t think I was being allowed options, Mello. There’s been some strict rules laid down for me for the time being. Sam’s kind of taken charge, and he’s got everyone’s support on it. I can’t blame them. If you think it’s all right, I’d like to. I only had to answer a discussion question and I was logging out.”

"Like I said, it's up to you. You know what you're able to do right now; we're not in your head to know how tired you are or how much homework you have."

“I didn’t have a lot of homework tonight. It’s done. I am tired. I’m going to bed early, but I would like to eat with my family.”

"Then come on then."

Dean grabbed his tray and followed Mello back out of his wing into the main part of the cabin. The fireplace was burning and heating system was on. The windows were not shielded so everyone could see the snow coming down in the backyard. They were talking and laughing when Dean followed Mello onto the patio. He stood still for a moment and made eye contact with his brother, waiting. One wrong look and Dean would turn and go. Sam knew it. There was no cockiness or assuredness there. Just two brothers and right now Sam was the boss, and they both knew it.

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 139

“I hope he’ll come to mean more to you then he does now. I know he can be an ass, but he means well, hon. He’s so afraid of saying the wrong thing. He can’t help it.” Sam chuckled some. “ He’s gotten into more trouble because of his inability to think before he speaks. Oh man! I could tell you stories.”

"Why don't you then?"

“Tell you stories?” Sam laughed. “Okay.”

She grinned at that.

“One of the best ones...I was in high school...I was 15 and he was 19. Dad was off on a hunting trip and told Dean to stay home with me. Dean was not happy. I had this teacher. Sarah, she was around 45 or older and really chased after the boys. She was making me really uncomfortable. I actually skipped class a couple of times. Dean found out I had skipped and he hit the ceiling over it. I told him about her.”

She cuddled onto the couch, patting for Sam to join her as she did so, enthralled with the tale.

“He went to the school to talk to her. Dean has always been a magnet for the wrong kind of woman, Sarah. They are drawn to him. Nowadays it doesn’t bother him, but Dean was still particular about who he was with back then. Some bad things had already happened to him and you know that. Those men were back when he was around 15 or 16. He avoided being alone with a group of men back then. This teacher, oh man. She hit on him hard. Dean got mad at her when she threatened me. He told her that he was unattainable. I didn’t think he knew the damn word.”

Sarah listened to the story. "So what happened next?"

“I got an ‘F’ on a major paper. She said I did it wrong. Dean saw red when I brought the paper home. He went to the school. He didn’t come home that night, Sarah. I thought. Well, I just thought.”

She nodded. "And then what?"

“When I woke up, he was in the kitchen fixing cereal and milk for breakfast. He looked exhausted, hon. I thought the worst. My paper was on the table. There was an explanation on how she had misread it and the ‘F’ was scratched out and there was a big, red ‘A’ on it. I jumped him about sleeping with her to get my grade and giving her more power over all of us. He just stared at me and walked out.”

"Oh Sam," she whispered.

“It gets better, Sarah. I got to school and when I got to her class, she looked horrible, worse then Dean did. That made me feel sick....Dean and her. She made no passes at any one...just taught the class. She asked me to stay after class. Everyone stared at me. I knew what they were thinking. She waited until the last student left and walked to my desk. She sat on the desk in front of me and turned sideways. She apologized. I must’ve really looked confused. I know I was. She said I could go. I got to the door and I couldn’t help it, Sarah. I asked her what she and Dean did last night.”

She said nothing, just waiting for him to continue.

Sam was silent for a moment. “She, uh....she said. that....that Dean....well... he took her...Dean took her hunting.”

"He what?"

Sam laughed, "Yeah. The area was having trouble with an incubus. Dean heard about it but wasn’t sure how to draw one out. He’d called Bobby who told him they went after women. He figured since she was so crazy about sex she might attract one. He got rid of a demon that night and she’ll never forget it. I doubt she chases after her students any more. I got the story out of Dean when I got home and apologized.”

"I'd say he handled it the right way," she told him. "NO child needs to be preyed upon like that and for her to feel the attentions of a predator, I think it helped put that into perspective. Maybe more rapists and the like should be handled that way."

“Yeah, he did, Sarah, but what would he have done after telling her was unattainable if that demon hadn’t existed? He sometimes says things he shouldn’t say. It’s just Dean. He was trying to pull her off me. Thing is he’d been through too much already between those guys at the pool hall and Dad without her being added to it. It could have gone badly for him. It didn’t, but it could have. That’s what I mean. Dean will say what he thinks. He wasn’t bad about before the other, but he got that way. I think it’s bravado. I just wanted you to understand him a little better. Let’s go to bed. If you’re making ornaments and stuff tomorrow, you need rest. Dean won’t be here to cut stuff until evening.” Sam reached down and took her hand and pulled her to her feet, drawing her towards the bedroom.

She went with him, yawning deeply as the tiredness hit her.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 138

Lady Laran and Tisha Wyman Warnings: Bad language, violence, and some sex. Spoilers: My favorite show is Supernatural. Anyone who knows me will say I am almost obsessed, unless they happen to be Laran, who knows I am. Laran loves Death Note. We both love to write. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we'd be writing an alternate universe/crossover between the two. What started as a several chapter story has turned into a novel. The story had a life of its own. This saga begins towards the end of season 4 andbefore L truly got involved with the Death Note. This is a story of healing, family,friendship, humor, and horror. We do not own either show or its characters, but I'd take Dean in a heartbeat. We make no money from them. Thank you for reading. Comments are highly appreciated.

Sarah Helps Dean

Dean sighed, got up and headed for the door. He opened it, turned, and stared at the men sitting there. “Thanks.” He walked out and shut the door behind him. Heading down the hall, he went into the main big room. The women were still in in the enclosed patio. He decided to go out the front. Stepping outside, the hunter looked up at the cloudless sky, the stars in abundance, and the shadow of a something flying low...a bird, hunting. He headed towards the western side of the cabin and strolled towards the small wooded area behind the cabin, where the creature had hidden so many months ago.

The doctor shook his head. "Is he always that balled up in stress?"

Sam and Bobby both said, “Yes,” at the same time. Bobby sighed, “Actually, he’d gotten better after that final battle. Dean has always felt responsible for everything. His Dad always placed burdens on him. He takes on everything. Ran every hunt we did. He used to be pretty carefree. He always took a lot on him, but he hid it well. There’s a lot of water under the bridge. He’s dealt with a lot of it. Watari and Ryuzaki know that. But, he still feels responsible for things. When he does let go and is actually carefree, he ends up hurting someone. It scares him. That’s the main problem.”

He was quiet for a moment. "I think he needs to take time to destress..meditation perhaps..something to reach an inner calm."

Bobby looked up at that. “Are you talking tranquilizers? He won’t be able to function on those. What else is available?”

"No, I'm talking meditation, not drugs," the doctor told him.

“Dean’s not going to take that very well, Doc. He’s gonna think we want to drug him or that he’s crazy,” Bobby commented.

"Then someone needs to give him literature on what meditation is and the benefits to it," he said. "Otherwise, he could stress himself into a heart attack."

“Near loaned him candles and a cd to help him relax and sleep. It’s a good idea. He accepted it at the time and it helped him. Watari, do you know of any that can help him?” the older hunter asked.

Sam actually broke his silence. "Sarah does. She practices meditation and the like everyday to keep herself balanced. She could work with him on it."

“Kill two birds with one stone?” the doctor asked.

"Exactly," he said, rising. "I'm going to talk to her about it now."

Everyone rose and followed the taller man out of the room.

Sam went and tugged Sarah to the side, murmuring what was going on and asking if she'd be willing to teach Dean. The woman nodded, hoping it would be a good bonding opportunity for her and her future brother-in-law.

It was getting late and Elsbeth wanted to get Andy home. Doc thought it was a good idea. He told everyone to make sure Dean was at the clinic on the property early on Wednesday and to get him to bed if he was driving to school in the city in the morning.

The group disbanded and Sarah went looking for Dean, keeping alert to any night time critters that could cause harm.

The hunter was about a half mile from the cabin , near the mountain trail L had all but carried him down. He was sitting near a mesquite, leaning back and watching the stars. He looked up as he heard the noise of someone walking the trail.

Sarah didn't say anything, simply taking a seat beside him. He'd chosen a wonderful spot. Dean said nothing, simply moving over to make more room for her. She gazed at him, looking at the profile that was so different from his brother’s. Their parents must have been complete opposites, she thought. Dean could feel her watching him. Finally, he turned his head and stared back at her.

She broke her silence. "You know, I realize your life is really stressful. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten. I was wondering, Dean, what do you know about meditation?"

Dean watched her, thinking about what she had asked. He licked his bottom lip and his mind worked out what was happening. They’d decided he needed this and sent her. Why Sarah? Because he was having problems with her. That would have been Sam.

“They sent you into the lion’s den, Sarah?” Her heart sank, but before before she could come up with a reply, Dean answered her. “Near loaned me some candles and a tape to listen to. It helped me clear my mind and be able to actually sleep the night through. It helped. Why?”

"No they didn't send me to beard the lion in his den," she teased before sobering. "That's actually a form of meditation. Near got you on the right path; I'm glad to know it helped. I know you're stressed, and I want to help. I practice various forms of meditation daily, and I truly believe it can help you. I want to teach you how to do it."

“How will it work, Sarah? Is there room on the schedule to do this? “ Sarah could hear desperation in his voice. Did she also hear a slight glimmer of hope there also?

"Give me fifteen minutes of your day," she told him. "I'll guide you through it and help you learn so that if you feel yourself getting upset or stressed out, you can fall into the breathing to clear your mind so you can approach the problem without the stress."

Dean nodded and she heard his voice break as he said, “Okay.”

She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing gently. "Would you like to try now?"

Dean was nervous and so tired. He almost joked it off and thought, ‘Hell, no, you fool. Don’t upset her. You need her right now, and she wants to help.’

He choked on the one word he could get out, “Please.”

Sarah gave him a sweet smile. "What's one image that you can look at or visualize that does not cause any emotion, simply peace?"

Dean stared at her, speechless. He wracked his brain. He looked up at the sky, and smiled softly. “The stars,” he whispered.

The smile grew wider. "Good, close your eyes, focus that image in your mind and concentrate on that. Breathe in slowly for a four count, hold for a few moments, then let it go." She began falling into the right breathing to demonstrate.

The man beside her closed his eyes and began to breath as she told him. He could see the desert sky in his mind. The stars were large and numerous, and the twinkling was brilliant. He concentrated on the stars and controlled his breathing.

Her voice was soothing. "Let everything go..emotions, thoughts...just focus on the image," she told him. She could see the stress lines starting to ease.

Dean felt a heavy weight roll off his shoulders. He had not realize how badly he was hurting. Every muscle relaxed. Tension eased. His neck and shoulders relaxed. He felt an incredible sense of peace. He felt calm. He kept the breathing up and the sensation of no pain or tenseness was almost overpowering to him. He trembled.

"Hold onto the image, let the void where the stress was fill with peace and calmness. All there is right now is this moment," she told him softly.

Dean did as he was told. He felt his arms and legs go limp. He couldn’t control them. He lay back on the desert sand and kept the breathing going, focusing on the stars in his mind. His body was shaking. The loss of tension and stress completely overpowering him more than he’d thought possible.

Sarah stayed with him, guiding him through the session. She knew that the first times he did this would be rough given how stressed he remained.

The heaviness in his chest was gone, and with it the exhaustion he’d been feeling. The more things eased, the more his body shook. He was not used to this kind of full released. It was something he’d carried his entire life. The calm and the peace was taking his mind over. He’d never allowed anything to have control of his mind in such a way, but he did not fight it.

She smiled, knowing that Dean was doing really well so far.

Within a few minutes, Dean was asleep, the dream of stars still in his mind, and a strong senseation of well-being he’d never experienced since childhood. He’d not had anything to drink and no sex. He just rested peacefully under the mesquite tree.

Sarah giggled, texting Sam where they were and asking for him to help her get Dean to the house. She didn't want to wake him.

Sam was sitting in the big room with Bobby, Lisa, Watari and Ryuzaki. He read the text message and smiled. Looking up, he spoke softly, “It seems to have worked pretty well. Dean’s asleep. Deep sleep. Ryu, would either you or one of the boys want to help me? I don’t want to wake him.”

"I will," he said, rising. "It is good that Sarah's intervention helped."

“Yeah, it is. It’s also good that Dean was willing to accept her help. He was desperate, Ryu.”

"With enough instruction, Dean will be able to utilize this technique for when he feels stressed or overwhelmed," he said as they headed to the location Sarah had given them.

The went out the back patio, across the yard that was surrounded on two sides by the heavy woods. L remembered going after the creature that had attacked Dean. He remembered hearing Dean draw its attention towards himself to protect Mello. Dean could have so easily used that as a reason to keep the boys out of the hunts they did together, but he didn’t. L had wondered about that at times, but he’d never asked the man.

Sam muttered, “There they are.”

Sarah was smiling, staying by her future brother in law, and waved at the two to show she was there.

Both men looked down at the sleeping man. Sam reached down and helped his future bride get off the ground. “He all right? Is it normal to drop of like this? He won’t be able to do this at work or his diesel class if this is going to happen, can he?”

"It's a reaction to letting the stress and emotions disappear, Sam. He's fine," she told him. "He had a lot to let go."

“I thought it took ages to do this. How did he manage it in one sitting?”

"He listened and cooperated fully," she said, watching as Ryuuzaki and Sam managed to pick up the sleeping man.

“It might be easier on him if I took him in my arms and laid his head on my shoulder. If you can help me get him turned, I can do that. I’ve done it when he’s been badly injured. I’ve worked out enough that I’m strong enough. He’s a big man. I’m just bigger” Sam grinned at the smaller man.

Sasquatch," she teased, watching while Ryuuzaki helped move Dean into the right position.

Sam held his brother’s head against one shoulder, and arranged him in his arms with Ryuzaki’s help.

“He used to carry me when I was younger and not quite this tall. I’d be hurt, sick, or just exhausted. I can remember my head on his shoulder. Him putting me to bed, taking off my outer clothes, and tucking me in. I never had many chances to do the same for him. Just a few times. He’s a good man, Sarah. Give him a chance. He’s just never had a chance to learn how to act around real ladies”

"If I wasn't giving him a chance, Sam, I wouldn't have helped him tonight or be teaching him what he needs," she told her fiancé.

“I know that, but he’s gonna get on your nerves. I can promise you. He does mine.” Sam tried to lean over with his burden in his arms and kiss her.

"I'll deal," she told him, kissing him back. "Let's get him to Lisa."

“Yeah, he’s got diesel class all day tomorrow. Bobby and I are running the shop like we always do on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He really needs to be able to sleep the day through, but he won’t. Thanks, Sarah. I love you.”

"I love you too," she said softly, walking beside the men as they headed back.

Lisa had gone to get the bed ready. Watari went to tell Ben it was his bedtime. Bobby watched for the the group heading toward the cabin. He finally saw them and turned on the outside lights and the lights on the patio. Sam stepped into the patio and headed towards the door to the kitchen. Sarah moved ahead to open the door. L moved beyond her to get the door to Dean’s wing.

It was a group effort but one that went smoothly as if it had been done a thousand times before.

Sam never stopped moving, depending upon the two with him to facilitate his continued ability to move forward. When they reached the stairs, Sarah moved in front of him and Ryuzaki behind. Sam slowly took the steps, one foot up, then the other foot up. It was slow but they made it. Sarah went down the hall and knocked on the bedroom door. Lisa opened it and let them in. Sam gently laid his brother on the large bed, and stood up straight, rubbing his arms. He smiled down at the sleeping man. Dean never slept like this.

Sarah tugged her fiancé out of the room, leaving Lisa with the sleeping Dean. Once out of earshot, she told the two men what was on her mind. "Given time, he'll be able to do this anytime he feels upset and be able to live a healthier life."

“Until then?” Sam asked.

"Until then, he'll learn to handle things slowly and I'll teach him the skills he needs."

“Okay. You’re taking on a major job, hon. “ Sam hugged her. “But you’re saving my brother’s life. You know that, don’t you?"

"Nah..just teaching him survival skills and a chance to experience life without being that stressed all the time."

“Well, I know what you’re doing, whether you acknowledge it or not. I love you, Sarah. Thank you for helping him. He means a lot to me..”

"I know, love, but I'm not doing it because he's important to you. I'm doing it because it's the right thing to do," she said, looking at him as they entered their wing.