Sam's Wish

AN: This story is dedicated to my dear friend, Shawna. Here's hoping your puppy gets feeling better soon, sweetheart. :) I love you.

Sam Winchester groaned in his sleep, rolling over. He buried his face in his pillow, fighting off the dreams. Or more accurately the nightmares invading his senses. He slowly awoke to the feeling of Dean nudging his back.

"Dean, lemme alone," he mumbled, closing his again. A few seconds later he felt a cold, wet nose pressing against the back of his neck. What the hell!? He awoke with a start once he heard a loud, sharp yap.

"Dean?" he called out uncertainly as he sat up. Without warning a small, warm, white and brown body bounced into his arms, wiggling and sniffing Sam's shirt. A puppy. He had a puppy in his bed.

"Dean!" he called out again, struggling to keep his anger in check. The puppy sneezed loudly, and then stared up at Sam giving him a look that seemed to say 'Dude, please tell me you're changing your shirt!?'

"Just a minute, Sam!" Dean yelled back from within the bathroom. Several minutes later Dean emerged, ignoring Sam's scowl.

"Why do I have a dog in my bed?"

"It's a beagle."

"I can see that. Now, why is it in my…"

"Happy Birthday, Sammy," Dean said, smiling and waving his hands with a flourish towards the puppy.

"You're giving me a puppy for my birthday? Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

Dean's smile faltered. "You don't remember?"

"Remember? Remember what? Dean, what're you talking about?"

"Oh, Dean! Puppies! Can we get one? Please? We should ask, Daddy, right?"

Sam was five-years-old and full of energy. Dean had figured taking a short walk outside their current motel would burn off some of that energy. Unfortunately, they'd come across a pet store which only seemed to increase Sam's energy. Dean cringed, struggling to find the words to let his little brother down easy.

"I'd love for you to have a puppy, Sammy. I'm sure Daddy would too. But you know we can't get one because of how often we move around. It wouldn't be fair for the puppy."

Sam's eyes welled with tears. "I hate you, Dean! You never want me happy! Never, ever!" And he took off running back to the motel.

"You didn't talk to me for two days after that. It was the longest you'd gone without speaking to me at the time," Dean said with a small smile.

"Five-years-old and I was already melodramatic," Sam said, returning the smile. The puppy had fallen asleep in his lap. "And I hope you know I don't hate you."

"Yeah, I know. You were just an angry little kid," Dean said with a smirk. Sam snorted. "I'm sure. But, Dean, you were right. Having a puppy to take care of when we're on the road? It's incredibly irresponsible. A puppy needs routines and stability. How can we possibly give him that, huh?"

Dean sighed heavily. "Patience and love. Dogs love riding in cars. And we could take him hunting with us. I'll bet he'd be great at hunting down evil."

It was Sam's turn to sigh. "Hunting? That's why you bought him?"

"No, of course not. Sure, that'll be nice. But I bought him to make you happy, Sammy. I know you've wanted a puppy ever since you were five. Don't pretend getting rid of this little guy won't tear you up inside."

Sam stared at the puppy, who had just woken up and seemed to be begging for a belly rub. Sam couldn't resist, so he gave in, smiling as the puppy closed his eyes blissfully.

"See? You two were meant for each other. So you come up with a name for him yet?" Dean asked.

"Hunter. I'm sure he'll make a damn good one," Sam said, grinning widely.

"I'm sure he will, Sam. I'm sure he will," Dean agreed, returning the smile.

THE END