Here is the first chapter (of two) for the next story in the Visions series! Sorry it's been so long! I just finished my first year of college and had a ton of finals and projects and stuff to work on! I'm finally home and have a bit of time to sit down and post this! I hope you like it and PLEASE REVIEW! Hopefully I'll be posting the second (and final I think) chapter probably within the next week! Thanks for reading!

Sam couldn't help the flinch. He knew he was a Winchester and, as such, shouldn't let these losers get to him, but he couldn't help it. Words like "freak" still got to him. He hated that label with a passion.

"Come on, freak! You gonna take us on?"

Crap. Shouldn't have flinched. Now that's all they'll call me.

"No, he's not."

Sam turned at the sudden new voice, unable to prevent the smile of relief and satisfaction that spread across his face when he saw his big brother striding up, looming over them angrily.

"But I will."

The bullies didn't look nervous. If anything, they looked amused. "Ah look, it's the freak's retarded older brother! What a pair they make, huh? The freak and the retard!" One of them laughed.

Now Sam was burning with anger. "Retarded"? Are they nuts? Dean isn't stupid. Before he knew what he was doing, Sam was moving forward, but a restraining hand on his shoulder had him looking up at Dean.

Dean's face was hard, but upon meeting his eyes, Sam saw that Dean was amused, and touched, by Sam's anger.

"Back off, guys, or you'll be wiping your own blood off the floor." Dean's voice was full of warning.

"What, too scared to fight us, Winchester? Gonna run home to mommy, retard?"

The boys had finally hit a nerve. Dean's muscles flexed as his jaw tightened and his hands formed into fists. "If you value your pitiful, useless life, you won't say that again."

Uh-oh. Now Sam was putting a restraining hand on Dean's arm, well-aware that the stupid morons had just crossed into dangerous territory. He barely restrained a sigh of relief as the bell rang.

The guys reluctantly moved off, throwing smirks at the two Winchesters.

"Thanks, Dean." Sam smiled at him and started to move off to his first class.

Dean nodded, his face clear, but his eyes stormy and upset as he left, clearly thoughts of his long dead mother on his mind. "Watch your back, kiddo." And he was gone.

Sam sighed, but anger rose in his chest again. Those jerks are gonna pay.

….

Dean was bored. He was extremely, ridiculously, mind-numbingly bored. I hate school. Should be out there hunting a ghost or something and instead I'm stuck in here learning about useless crap that I'm never going to use again. Crap. Dean restrained a sigh, rubbing a hand over his face to keep himself awake. Ugh. Dang, I wish a ghost would just like pop in here. Right now. That'd be great! Then I could save everyone. Except for those morons from this morning. The ghost can throw them out the window for all I care. Show them who's "retarded". And I'm sure that would earn me some…. uh…. …..'appreciation' from Miss Becky Rawlins over there. Oh, yeah. That's what I'm talking about.

"Mr. Winchester, are you paying attention?"

…

This is pretty cool. Sam thought off-handedly, as the teacher lectured about a new English concept they were being taught today. Well, new for everyone else. He'd been taught this at the last three schools he'd been to. At least the homework won't take too long. Sam had to restrain a sudden smirk at the thought of his brother and this new school. Dean has got to be so bored. All the repeated concepts… He rubbed at his head unconsciously as a small throbbing began in his temples. Can't wait to see Dean after school. He's going to be so grumpy. Perfect time to pull the prank. Sam couldn't help but hope that it would help cheer his brother up a little too if he was as crabby from boredom and the pain of memories as Sam expected him to be.

…..

Just got to make it through this class. Just this one. Unfortunately, Sam wasn't sure if he was going to make it to the end. His head was throbbing, pounding, and he knew that if he didn't get out now, he would be screaming in front of the entire classroom and that would not be good. Crap. Think, Sam, think! Say anything! Finally, he raised his hand and asked if he could go to the bathroom. The teacher smiled at him and nodded. Thank heavens for…..what does Dean call them?...my puppy dog eyes?...yeah, that's it.

Sam stumbled down the hallway, grateful as he finally burst through the bathroom doors and locked himself in the last and largest stall. He finally let a small whimper escape his lips as the pain crested in another wave and he knew in that moment that he couldn't do this without Dean. Grabbing his cell, he managed to type four letters that he knew would bring his brother running and probably in full panic mode. 'Help'

…

I'm going to shoot myself. I swear. One more word and I'm doing it. Wait. No gun. Okay, how about...no, I don't have my knife either. Stupid security guards and school rules. Let's see…..I could….I wonder if it would hurt too bad if I stuffed chalk down my own throat? Hmm….naw, too slow and messy. Not a good way to go. Uh…..maybe I could summon a spirit and….no, dad would kick my butt. Crap. It was after this desperate thought that Dean felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he carefully hid it so the teacher wouldn't see. The message he saw there, from Sam, sent his big brother instincts into full panic mode.

'Help'

Dean raised his hand, stuffing his phone in his pocket, and requested to go to the bathroom. He had a little brother to find. Hang on, Sammy. I'm coming.

….

Sam was sure he was dying. The headache was grinding through his head, and he clutched it agonizingly, wishing he would just hurry up and die already, just to get it over with. Some part of him knew this was just the oncoming vision though. Dean! Dean, please! I can't do this without you! H-hurts, Dean. Sam could barely think through the pain, but some part of his logical way of thinking broke through, sending one thought through his head over and over. Don't scream. Don't scream. Wait for Dean. Don't scream. Don't scream.

…..

Okay. Don't panic. Think. THINK! Last class of the day, where is Sam? Dean headed up to the third floor, determined to do this logically. As much as he wanted to, running through the halls screaming for Sam would only get him in trouble and Sam in more trouble. I don't know what's wrong, I don't know what's going on. He could be bleeding to death, he could be dying….. No! No, we're at school, how could he possibly bleed to death? Oops. Don't tempt fate. If anyone could find a way, Sam could.

Dean peeked casually into Sam's classroom, his heart dropping when he saw Sam wasn't there. Okay. Um…..bathroom. Try the bathroom next.

Dean opened the door and stepped in and instantly his instincts fired up. Sam was here. He could feel it. He knew it. "Sammy?" he called, hesitantly. A whimper greeted his call, sending icy shivers of horror down the older brother's spine. Sam was in a great deal of pain. That's when Dean knew. Ah crap. Vision.

….

Sam wasn't sure when exactly it happened, but Dean's sudden presence by his side was amazingly comforting. "D-Dean?"

"I'm here, Sammy. Vision, right?"

A moan was the only answer Sam could give.

"Okay. It's okay. It'll be over soon, Sammy. Just hang on." Dean's voice was soothing and calm and Sam felt himself relax just a tad at the sound. Dean's here. It'll be okay. He's here.

….

Dean pulled Sam into his arms, gently and carefully. He meant what he said. The vision would be over soon. But he'll be screaming and suffering in the meantime. Dean flinched at the memories of the past visions. Sam's screaming haunted his every nightmare.

"D-Dean….h-hurts." Sam whimpered, his tone pleading, begging for him to help.

Dean felt his heart ache painfully at the words. "I know, Sammy. It'll be okay. I'm here."

As if the reassurance was all the invitation he needed, Sam suddenly jerked violently, pitching forward, his face buried in Dean's chest, an agonized scream, muffled by the shirt, ripping through him. A sobbing cry followed, Sam's hands fisting in Dean's t-shirt, his body trembling and shaking from the pain. Sam tried to choke out his brother's name, but was cut off by another wave of pain.

Dean held Sam to him, rubbing soothing circles on his back, silently pleading to whatever higher power might be listening that it would just be over.

As if in answer to his plea, Sam suddenly went stiff in his arms. He was completely still, the silence deafening compared to the muffled screams Dean had just been forced to listen to. His breathing stilled as well. No matter how many visions Sam had, Dean would never be used to that one.

What felt like an eternity later, Sam finally went completely limp against his brother.

Dean jerked his head up as he heard the door start to open. Even as panic rushed adrenaline through his system (we can't get caught!), his body was already acting. As gently as he could, he tightened his grip on his brother, sliding an arm under his knees, and lifted his weak body up in his arms, then just stood there, hoping no one had seen Sam's limp body yet.

Sam began to stir just slightly in his arms and Dean immediately leaned over, slightly awkwardly, pressing his forehead to his brother's and murmuring softly, for Sam's ears only, over and over, "It's okay, Sammy. Just keep still, okay? Trust me, just hold still. It's over. You're okay. It's okay. I'm here."

He sensed more than saw Sam's face shift in pain, the headache from his vision still lingering, and Dean tightened his hold in response, his voice inaudible to any but his baby brother, as he continued murmuring soothingly.

Come on, moron, get out of the bathroom already! Dean silently cursed the intruder.

Finally, the intruder left and Dean relaxed slightly, looking down at Sam, who's eyes were just flickering open, searching aimlessly for something before resting on Dean. Sam looked confused, which was typical right after an "episode".

"Think you can stand, Sam? We should probably get out of here before we have any more guests. You can rest in the car, okay?" That was another thing that bothered Dean about Sam's visions. The symptoms seemed to get slowly but steadily worse every time, while the warning headache came on later, thus giving them less of a head start in getting Sam situated. Dean expected Sam to be fairly weak physically for a while yet.

Sam nodded and Dean carefully set him down, but kept a firm hold on Sam's shoulders till he was sure. It was a wobbly stance, but he was standing. Dean grabbed Sam's backpack, helping Sam put it on, then peeking his head out of the bathroom stall to check to see the place was empty. It was, so Dean moved out and ushered Sam to the bathroom door.

It quickly became apparent that Sam was struggling to keep on his feet. He was dead tired and his headache still lingered. Dean, trying to be subtle yet helpful, held onto Sam's backpack handle casually, yet firmly, helping his baby brother keep on his feet.

"Do you need anything before we leave, Sammy?" Dean asked.

Sam paused, thinking, then flashed a small smile at his brother. "Could we run by my locker real quick?"

There was a flash of something strange in Sam's eyes (amusement? Irritation? Determination? All of the above? Hmm…..) and Dean's interest, and suspicions, were instantly aroused. What are you up to baby brother?

They walked over to Sam's locker and Dean instantly tensed as he saw who was standing next to it, fiddling with the locker next to Sam's. One of the bullies from earlier that morning. A second later, his buddies joined him.

Just as Dean was about to usher Sam to the car, thinking he could come back and get whatever Sam needed, there was a loud bang from the bully's locker.

Screams rang through the hall, but the loudest and shrillest by far was from the big-mouths who had insulted Dean and Sam earlier that morning. Dean tensed instantly, alert for trouble, but Sam was smirking.

"Now who's a coward?" Sam's vicious murmur at his side had Dean glancing at him in surprise. A sudden grin split his face, a laugh breaking from him unexpectedly.

"You didn't?!"

Sam's responding grin answered that question.

"Ah, Sammy, my hero." It was said teasingly, but Dean couldn't help but feel touched by Sam's efforts. The fact that he had been so offended by the bully's earlier accusations told Dean that he wasn't the only one who had a brother to watch over. Sam had his back too. I love you too, kiddo.

Clearly, Sam got the message, because his grin widened even more and he smiled a full-blown dimples and puppy dog eyes smile at his big brother.

"Come on, Sammy. Let's get to the Impala." Dean's smile was softer than normal, his eyes lit up with amusement. "Dang, Sam, how the heck did you…..?"

"Fireworks. Got them during lunch and rigged them so when he opened his locker they would go off." Sam sounded proud of his efforts.

"How did you know he wasn't going to go to his locker between now and lunch?"

Sam grimaced. "I go to my locker between every class usually and since his is right next to mine…."

Dean scowled. "You see him after school every day."

Sam nodded, then smirked again. "Somehow, after that shriek he treated us too earlier, I don't think I'm going to have many problems with him for a while."

Dean chuckled. "Yeah, probably not."

…..

"Tell dad what you saw, Sammy." Dean instructed. They had arrived at the motel and were now sitting around the kitchen table.

John watched Sam steadily, tucking away his own feelings of disbelief where the visions were concerned. Trust. I trust Sam. Sam trusts the visions. So, I trust the visions. In theory anyway.

Sam kept his gaze on the table as he spoke, aware that his dad didn't like the visions but was making an effort to listen for his sake (and Dean's). "We were near a lake. I saw a sign that said the lake was called..." Sam gave a small smile. "Winchester Lake, actually. There were a lot of trees and it looked warm and like a nice day out. You, Dad, Pastor Jim, and Uncle Bobby were all there. I wasn't. You were all on alert, tense, so it was pretty obvious you were hunting and you knew what you were hunting. None of you held guns. You all were holding machetes or knives, I think they were made of iron." Sam sighed, hiding his face in his hands for a second, looking tired. "That's it."

John was silent for a second, feeling Dean's gaze on him, almost warningly. "Okay. I want you two to look up anything about Winchester Lake and see if there are any strange things happening in the area. I'm going to make a couple of calls. Seems Pastor Jim and Bobby are going to be helpful on this one." See? That didn't sound too judgmental or disbelieving right? Yeah. Dean AND Sam should be happy with that. Sorry, kiddo. Suppose this "accepting your powers" stuff isn't as easy as it sounds.