It was too early for this in Dean's opinion. A meeting at six in the morning? His company was getting ridiculous with its hours. Sighing he pushed open the door to the bathroom. Some cool water on his face might wake him up.

To his surprise a man was at one of the sinks. His clothes were covered in dirt, his shoes were worn thin. His black hair was dripping water. He must've snuck in here to take a shower. The man was so wrapped up in brushing his teeth he didn't even notice Dean walk in.

"Whoa" he breathed.

The man whirled around. His blue eyes were wide with shock. Tears instantly filled those gorgeous globes when he saw Dean. He dropped the toothbrush backing away.

"I'm going please...please don't call the police" he stammered "I'm sorry I'm going"

Dean watched him scramble for his stuff dumbfounded. This poor man really thought he was gonna call the cops for wanting a hot shower and a place to brush his teeth? The man stuffed his personal items in an old knapsack and headed for the door. Dean grabbed his arm eliciting a strange reaction. He stood there shaking as if waiting for Dean to hit him.

Scared the man shrugged out of his coat and ran off. Dean stood in the doorway of the bathroom holding the mans ragged coat wondering what just happened. Unfortunately one of his coworkers Gabriel shoved his way into the bathroom.

"Hey Winchester what are you doing just standing here staring at the wall?"

"Oh nothing I was trying to get some stains out of my jacket" Dean replied holding up the coat.

"Looks like a lost cause. See you in the conference room" Gabe said.

"Yeah" Dean mused.

At nine Dean finally donned his jacket and headed out the door. He had the homeless man's coat stuffed in his bag. The whole encounter had left him frazzled. He gunned the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. He was halfway home when his phone starting ringing.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Yes is this Dean Winchester?"

"Yes who is this?" Dean asked.

"I'm Officer Johnson. I picked up a Sam Winchester. He was caught buying cocaine off of a local dealer." Johnson said.

"Goddammit. I'll be right there officer" Dean said.

Cursing he turned around heading for the local precinct. Ever since their mother died giving birth to Sam their father had made it his life's goal to make Sam's miserable. After his death Sam turned to drugs to cope with his feelings of inadequacy. Dean had on multiple occasions found him high as a kite after work.

Officer Johnson was waiting for him with a very bruised Sam. Dean shook his head ashamed. Sam kept his eyes glued to the floor. The officer removed the handcuffs from Sam and passed him off to Dean.

"I'm sorry officer it won't happen again" Dean promised.

"Normally I wouldn't do this but seeing as you two are all that you have I'm gonna let him off with a warning next time though he's going to jail understand?" he asked.

"Yes we do thank you so much" Dean said.

He led his tweaking brother out of the station and towards the Impala. Sam slid in the passenger seat averting Dean's gaze. He fiddled with the radio avoiding the inevitable.

"When is this gonna stop Sammy?" Dean asked.

"When's what gonna stop?" Sam asked.

"This, the drugs, the abusive relationships? I don't want to come home from work one day and find you dead Sam" Dean pleaded.

"Nothing's wrong with me Dean" Sam snapped "And I don't have abusive relationships"

"Oh yeah? What about Jess and the time she threw you down the stairs? And Amelia and when she gave you three busted ribs and a concussion? And more recently Ruby and the busted jaw and arm? Don't tell me you don't have abusive relationships Sam" Dean snapped back.

"Whatever Dean it's over I dumped Ruby. And I'm eighteen you can't tell me how to live my life" Sam said.

"I'm your brother and I'm not gonna sit by and let you kill yourself!" Dean shouted.

Sam bowed his head letting tears fall silently into his lap. He absentmindedly scratched at the track marks on his arms. Dean was right he was a mess. At one point in time he had everything going for himself. Now he'd be lucky if he could get into a college.

Dean killed engine and unlocked the door to their apartment. Sam followed obediently. Dean threw the stranger's jacket in the wash before heading into the kitchen. He popped a couple of TV dinners into the microwave. Sighing he sat down at the table with a bottle of Jack. Sam came in carrying the mail.

"Damn Becky won't stop sending me letters. Doesn't she know no means no? The rent's also due soon." Sam muttered.

"I know I know Sammy I'm trying I really am. It's just really hard. I have to worry about the house, my job, you, I can barely get a good night's sleep anymore I'm so worried." Dean sighed.

He took a huge swallow from the bottle and took the mail from Sam. It was nothing but bills. Flipping through the first couple he realized it was nothing but TV dinners for the next couple of weeks again. Sighing Dean dropped his head on the table and began to cry.

"Dean, Dean please don't cry. It's gonna be okay"

"No it's not Sammy it's not. We're gonna lose the apartment. I can't afford all these bills." Dean sobbed.

"I'll help I promise I'll get clean I'll get a job just please don't cry" Sam begged.

"No Sam you focus on school I'll figure something out. I'll go to grandpa if I have to" Dean said.

"But, Dean"

"But nothing Sammy I'm your big brother and I'm gonna take care of you. I promised mom I would. Go to sleep Sam it'll all be better in the morning" Dean promised.

Reluctantly Sam took his TV dinner and trudged to his room. He could hear Dean on the phone with their grandfather. Tears welled up in his eyes at the sounds of his brothers pleas.

"Please I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't desperate. Please think of mom she wouldn't want us on the streets. Please we're really in the hole. Please" Dean begged.

Sam sat there crying into his frozen meal. He was part of the reason they were in so much trouble. Him and his addiction. Dean would be better off without him. He rummaged around his sock drawer for his last hit of coke. He tied the cord mid bicep while he heated up the coke. He injected himself and felt the instant relief of the high. All the bad things disappeared. Sam could still hear Dean's pleas and made up his mind.

He emptied his old backpack and filled it up with random pieces of clothing. He grabbed his last twenty and stuffed it in his pocket. He scrawled a quick note to Dean telling him he didn't have to worry anymore. He crawled out the window and headed down the street.