AN: I don't really know why I'm writing this story. The idea struck me and just didn't want to let go. It's another Hurt/Comfort, so I'm not really sure what sort of a point it'll have. I hope if you read it, that you'll enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters for Supernatural

Beneath Watchful Eyes

Fifteen year-old Dean made his way into the class room trying to move normally, despite his four bruised or cracked ribs, and the deep lacerations down his shoulder and near the top of his thigh. The hunt had been a success in his eyes, Sam was still learning all the ins and outs of hunting; and as always Dean was his guardian. He could rest easy at night knowing Sammy was safe and in one piece.

It was Dean's luck that they'd killed the demon Friday night; it had given his body some time too heal. But it wasn't enough; he had to be extra aware now, his teachers were observant. They'd nearly caught an injury on more than one occasion, but Dean had always had an easy explanation. He didn't think this time would be so easy.

Easing himself down behind his desk Dean slid his backpack under his chair, and breathed a sigh of relief. No position was really 'comfortable' but this wasn't the first time Dean had bruised ribs. A high pain tolerance his dad had told him, something that ran in the family. Dean had no idea if Sam shared in this trait, and was in absolutely no rush to find out.

The rest of the classroom filled in around Dean as the second bell rang, he greeted several of the students he'd come to know. Dean didn't have any problems making friends, they gravitated towards him; but he'd never let them in. Besides they never stayed in one place all that long.

Pulling out his books, Dean opened his math book and quickly hid one of his research books partially beneath it. Multitasking in class had never been a problem for Dean, besides he found most common lessons boring. Studying the supernatural was far more interesting and considering the life his family led; it was just a bit more important.

"Rough weekend?"

Dean looked up to see Ms Taylor standing in front of his desk, "What?" he asked subtly covering his research with his math text.

Ms Taylor smiled, in that oh so very concerned way, "Looks like you had a rough weekend."

"Pulled an all nighter," Dean replied easily offering her his most disarming smile.

"Try not to make a habit of that," she quipped with another smile, before making her way to the head of the room.

School was considered a safe haven to some, a chance to get away from their homes, parents, and the problems that came with those. For Sam and Dean it was a mine field of Social Service traps. They'd already dodged several attempts from the government to remove them from the care of their Dad. Sammy sometimes complained that he wanted a different life, but that in no way meant he wanted to be put in foster care.

Dean silently worked on his math during the class, taking time to continue his research, in between questions. They'd already tracked down another hunt not far from the town, and Dean wanted to help his dad as much as he could.

It was his last class of the day, and Dean was beginning to tire. He'd taken something for the pain at breakfast, but the relief only lasted so long. The class came to an end without incident but Dean remained in his seat to finish reading the lore of a fire spirit.

"Dean?" Ms Taylor's voice broke through his thoughts.

The young Winchester looked up from his work, surprised to see the classroom was empty; he quickly began gathering his books. "Sorry," he muttered.

"It's alright," she said taking a seat on the desk beside him. "Are you feeling alright?"

Dean slipped his last book away before looking up in surprise, "Fine why?"

Ms Taylor watched him for a moment arms folding loosely across her chest, "You look like you in pain."

"Just a headache from lack of sleep," Dean covered quickly biting the inside of his cheek when he moved to get up. His ribs screamed at him, but he swallowed it back and forced a smile on his face when looked up at his teacher.

She continued to study him, a friendly smile on his face. Dean recognized the looked for what it really was.

Swinging his backpack onto his shoulder Dean turned to face his teacher, "I need to go pick up my brother." Turning to leave Ms Taylor's hands suddenly reached out to stop him. Dean moved to dodger her touch hitting his desk hard against his hip.

"Dean you're bleeding," Ms Taylor said worriedly.

Dean glanced down at his shoulder to see his blood seeping through his shirt; he cursed under his breath -must have pulled the stitches- Dean thought angrily. Now he had problems, looking up at his teachers Dean forced a reassuring smile on his face. "It's nothing, just a cat scratch," he was a long shot but he said it while walking towards the door remaining calm.

"It looks like more than that Dean," his teacher countered stepping in front of him, "What happened?"

"I already told you," he said with a sigh, shifting his backpack further on his shoulder despite the pain. Had Sammy not been going to school himself Dean might have remained home, but there was not way he was going to leave his brother unprotected.

Ms Taylor cocked her head to the side, "That's a lot of blood for a cat scratch Dean." She pointed out her left hand reached out for his shoulder, "I want the nurse to take a look at you."

"I don't need the nurse," Dean's eyes narrowed, "I need to get my brother."

"C'mon I'll have Sam brought to the nurses office, you've got me worried Dean," she told him sincerely.

"I'm fine," he shrugged her had off as they walked from the room. Dean briefly considered bolting, but if he tore the stitches in his thigh that would only make matters worse.

"I'd like to call your father, is he home?" Ms Taylor asked ignoring Dean's comment.

"No, he's working," Dean replied coming to a stop outside the nurses office.

Ms Taylor opened the door to usher him inside. Dean swallowed a frustrated breath telling himself behaving might smooth this out better than running. They walked into the main office, and Dean's math teacher picked up the phone. "Could you have Samuel Winchester brought to the nurse's office right away," there was a pause as Ms Taylor offered him a smile, "Thank you."

"The vice principal will bring Sam here himself, so let the nurse take a look at you." Dean didn't bother trying hide the frustrated roll of his eyes or sigh.

"Lana, what are you doing here?" a motherly voice asked as the school nurse came out of the exam room.

Dean stepped back towards the door, but his teacher turned towards him, "Well Karen, Dean here's bleeding, says it's from a cat scratch," Lana informed.

Karen stepped towards Dean eyes on his shoulder, "When did this happen?" she asked.

"On the weekend," Dean muttered not comfortable under the attention.

"Come on in Dean," the nurse said placing a guiding hand on Dean's shoulder to lead him into the exam room. She took his backpack off his shoulder motioning for him to sit on the bed.

"I'll wait for Sam Dean," Lana assured, "I'll bring him in right away."

Dean nodded mutely watching the nurse suspiciously.

When the door closed Karen offered him what he thought was supposed to be a comforting smile. "Can I take a look at your shoulder Dean?"

"I told Ms Taylor its fine," he said with a sigh.

"I know, but it could get infected," she said taking a seat on the stool in front of him.

Not wanting to be babied or to prolong this any longer than necessary, Dean unbuttoned the front of his shirt--grateful for the moment that he had a tank top underneath to conceal all the bruising--letting the nurse slip it off his shoulder. His dad's stitches were a neat even row, only one had torn because of Dean's movement.

"My goodness what happened?" Karen gasped eyes looking from Dean's shoulder to his eyes.

"I already told you," Dean grumbled.

She looked him in the eye, some sort of understanding concern he'd caught glimpses of before, "You and I know, this wasn't done by a cat."

"Can I just have some gauze and tape?" he asked rather bluntly. He'd let his father look at it later but Dean didn't think it would need to be re-stitched.

Nurse Karen began gathering supplies but wasn't about to drop the subject, "I've seen children come in here with bruises, cuts, and the occasional broken bone. But this looks like it was done with a knife."

Dean opened his mouth the reply when the door opened, "Dean!" Sam cried in relief rushing over to his brother arms wrapping carefully around Dean's waist. "Are you going to be alright?" he asked worriedly large eyes looking at Dean before shifting to the nurse.

"You're brother's going to be just fine," Karen assured carefully cleaning the blood away from Dean's shoulder. "Do you know what happened to your brother?" she asked pouring antiseptic onto a square of gauze, "Can you tell me what happened?"

Sam immediately nodded his head, and Dean winced both from the pain in his shoulder and the fear of what Sam might say. They'd run into a few problems with Sam's proud honestly, but he was getting better at deciding what should and should not be said. "We were playing, and Dean fell onto the table..." he trailed off for a moment looking earnestly at the nurse. "That's how he got hurt," Dean was amazed at the honestly Sammy could convey, he could almost see the accident happening himself.

Karen finished patching Dean up, her blue eyes flickering between the two of them, "Why didn't you just tell me that from the beginning?"

"Because it wasn't a big deal," he replied rolling his eyes.

"You boys should be more careful," Karen admonished finishing fixing the dressing over Dean's shoulder.

"Yes ma'am," Sam said seriously.

"Can I go now?" Dean asked pulling his shirt back over his shoulder.

The nurse hesitated for a moment, "I'd really prefer your father come pick you up."

"He works late," Dean shrugged the matter aside getting to his feet, Sammy quickly grabbed up Dean's backpack. "C'mon Sammy," Dean said ruffling his brother's hair.

Sam swatted the hand away, "Can we have macaroni tonight?" he asked happily.

The older Winchester breathed a sigh of relief as he walked from the nurse's office. It really had been too close of a call, and reasonable explanations or not Dean had a feeling they'd be moving again soon. And left behind here his name would be added to another invisible list of abused children lost in the system. He wanted to tell them how wrong they were but Dean knew there was no way he could make them believe.

He had to follow the rules of this world, while trying to help his dad fight a war raging beneath the surface. Crossover was bound to happen, but if possible avoided at all costs.

"Are you okay Dean?" Sam asked worry thick in his voice.

Dean smiled down at his brother, "Just fine."

Thanks for Reading

Morganeth Taren'drel