DAMAGED FEELINGS

DISCLAIMER

Takes place during "Provenance". Not connected to the story I plan to write that takes place during "Born Under A Bad Sign", but I figured I'd throw you guys a bone. Lines may not be verbatim, but they're as close as I remember.

"No disrespect, but this is about Jessica, isn't it?" Dean asked. Sam didn't say anything. "Look, I don't know what it's like to lose somebody close to me like that, but I'd think she'd want you to be happy," the older Winchester continued.

"Yeah, you're right. It is about Jess, but---you know, Dean, I don't even see why Sarah would want to be with me," Sam said.

"What are you talking about?" Dean wondered.

"Oh, come on, Dean. You know that I'm---damaged," Sam said. It only took an instant for Dean to understand what Sam was saying.

"Ah, Sammy. That wasn't your fault. You know that," he stated.

"I could've stopped her. I could've told---" Sam began to say.

"Stop right there. You were fourteen. It wasn't your fault," Dean interrupted. "You were the victim, and you know that," he continued. Sam averted his gaze. "Come on, Sammy. Let me here you say it," the older Winchester demanded. Sam looked down. "Sammy," Dean said sharply.

"It---it wasn't---my fault," Sam repeated softly.

"Dude, come on. Say it like you believe it," Dean told him. Man, I can't believe I still gotta coach him on this, he thought to himself. He hadn't realized that Sammy was still struggling with those old feelings that had stemmed from that witch who had messed with his head when he was fourteen.

"It---it wasn't---my fault," Sam said again.

"You still don't sound convinced," Dean commented.

"So, what if I'm not? You really think Sarah's gonna look at me the same if she found out how dirty I am?" Sam shot back, jumping up.

"Sam, dude, you're not---" Dean began to protest.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore!" Sam interrupted with a scream.

"Sam---" Dean said, also standing up.

"Leave me alone!" Sam cried, pushing past his brother.

"Hey, hey, hey. Whoa," Dean stated, intercepting him. They struggled for a few minutes, but Dean ended the fight by wrapping Sam into hug and shushing him.

"Dang it. Why do I still feel so guilty?" he questioned with a sob.

"Because she was wired wrong, remember?" was the response. Sam continued to cry and Dean shushed him, soothingly rubbing his back like their father had done after one of the younger boy's constant nightmares.

THE END