This is the second story to a three-part one. Come along for the ride, there will be ups and downs and hills and curves. Enjoy.

NC

Chapter 1

The miles ticked away as Dean drove his car down the lonely back roads in mid-state Wyoming. He had left Sioux Falls and Sam over two days ago. He knew Sam would be safe with Bobby while he got his head on straight.

There were too many emotions running rampant in his brain. He had to get away from everyone and everything before he lost it. He regrets not leaving Sam a note, but that's what happens when you're not thinking straight. Sam was such a worry wart.

Dean knew he needed to stop soon, his body was rebelling and he didn't want to wrap his baby around a tree because he fell asleep. Couldn't do that to her. He made his way to the more traveled roads searching for hotel for the night.

"Has Dean used any credit cards?" Bobby asked as he watched Sam typing away on his lap top.

"No, I've got a program set up to alert me if he does." Sam answered not looking up. "Damnit." Sam huffed heading up the stairs and coming back down a few minutes later.

"What is it boy?"

"Dean took half the money Tessa gave me. So he has $500 cash to stay below the radar." he replied unhappily flopping back in the chair.

"I've got feelers out to everyone I know if they happen to see him to call me." He sat a cup of coffee by Sam's elbow and a plate with a sandwich in front of him. "You need to eat boy. Not going to do Dean any good if you get sick."

"I'm fine Bobby, I just need to find Dean."

"You can't lie to me son, I know you're hurting. Dean will call when he's ready." Sam didn't answer him nor would he look up. Bobby sighed and shook his head moving toward his desk to gather information for a hunter friend.

Dean found a small out-of-the-way motel in Shoshoni, Wyoming. After getting a room, he made a trip to a diner across the street and a liquor store down the block. Settling down on the bed, he poured a hefty shot into a cup and downed it. Closing his eyes he willed away the dull ache beginning to form in his temples. He washed his face with his hand, looked at the uneaten food sitting beside him and poured another shot.

Tessa had brought out emotions in him that he had locked away deep, deep in his brain. It hurt down in the depths of his very soul. Blinking quickly he forced back the tears that threatened to leak out of his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sucked in a deep breath. He didn't want anyone to see him like this, especially his touchy-feely little brother.

An annoying buzzing made Sam crack open an eye to see his phone dancing on the end table. He grabbed for it and pressed answer mumbling a hello.

"'ammy." a slurred voice called.

"Dean?" Sam asked instantly awake. "Where are you? Are you ok?"

"I'm-m ok…'orry 'eft…"

"Dean! Dean!" Sam yelled into the phone as the call disconnected. Sam looked at his phone and checked the history. He found the last call and grabbed a pen to write it down.

"Sam you ok?" Bobby asked coming to see what Sam was yelling about.

"It was Dean, he drunk dialed me."

"What did he say?"

"I think he was ok, about all I could make out. Do you think Jody could track the call location for me?"

"Maybe, but it'll have to wait 'til morning. Why don't you try to get some more rest?"

"Can't, I'm going to pack so when I get a location I can leave."

"Sam…"

"Bobby, please."

"Between you and your brother, you're going to be the death of me." he fussed heading back to bed.

Dean rolled over and moaned as a whiskey bottle rolled off the bed to the floor. Trying to open his eyes, he could see light sneaking its way in around the curtains. His mouth tasted like a used ash tray and his head pounded in sync with his heart. He found the alarm clock trying to focus on the digits. It was after 9 am and he knew he needed to get moving, but first a hot shower and brush teeth.

Sam listened to the phone ring impatiently waiting for Jody to pick up.

"Sheriff Mills, can I help you?"

"Jody, it's Sam Winchester."

"Sam! How are you?"

"Ok. Listen I need a huge favor."

"I'm listening."

"Can you track a call I received on my cell?"

"Who's is it?"

"Dean, he left and I need to find him."

"Ok Sam, give me the info."

Dean was on the road again nursing a large cup of strong coffee. He squinted behind his sun glasses as the bright Wyoming sun beat down. His phone began ringing and he juggled the coffee trying to get the phone from his coat pocket. He frowned trying to figure who would be calling since he only picked up the phone a couple of days ago.

The ID read 'SAM'. How the hell did he get this number? Dean mused hitting the ignore button. He wasn't ready to talk to Sam, he needed some space and time.

Sam cursed under his breath as his call went to voice mail. 'Damnit Dean, answer your fricking phone.' he growled tossing his phone on the desk. It began to ring and he fumbled trying to grasp it. "Hello, Dean."

"No, Jody, Sam."

"Hey Jody, find anything?"

"The call came from an area around Riverton, Wyoming. I couldn't pin point any closer."

"Thanks Jody."

"Anytime, let me know if you anything else. And Sam, be careful."

"I will." he said hanging up and grabbing his bags. "Bobby, I'm heading out, can I take the Corolla?"

"Yeah, but check the oil first. Where you heading?" Bobby asked coming out of the kitchen wiping his hands.

"Wyoming, Jody said the call came from somewhere around Riverton. I'll call you if I find him."

"Son, you be careful, keep in touch."

"Will do Bobby." he said giving him a quick hug. Sam figured he had about a four-day lead on him, but at least he knew which direction to head. He left Bobby's determined to find his brother.

Dean pulled into a hotel in Coalville, Utah calling it quits for the day. He registered and moved his car to the back of the hotel and parked in front of his room. Grabbing his bag and computer, he let himself in the room tossing his bag on the bed.

Dean opened his lap top and pulled up a search engine checking to see if there were any articles that might prove to be a case. He scanned thru one article after the other not seeing anything that caught his eye. Ready to give up, something on the last page caused him to pause. He scanned the story about hikers missing in some national forest in California.

That sounded interesting and promising as he read more to find the location. He map quested Modoc National Forest and got directions. He was one state and about 500 miles away. It would take him a good nine hours of hard-driving to get there. This was good, he needed something to distract him from his thoughts. Leaning back in the chair, he twisted his neck popping it several times before deciding he needed to eat. Grabbing his jacket and car keys he headed out to find a diner.

It took a lot of driving and leg work, but Sam found the motel Dean had stayed at in Shoshoni. The manager let him see the sign in card, Dean had registered as Thomas Gidden. He got a room for the night, planning on getting an early start the next morning. He still felt Dean was heading west and that was where he was going.

Dark fog swirled around his feet as he carefully made his way thru the building. Dean checked each shadowy corner as he walked deeper listening for any out-of-place noises. Every fiber in his body was strung tight making him jumpy. The attack came from the left sending him crashing to the hard floor. He saw the knife coming down toward his chest…. Dean gasped trying to draw in a shaky breath as he pulled himself out of the dream. He looked at the clock and decided to try for a couple more hours of sleep, if the dreams would stop invading his sleep.

Sam saw the building and knew his brother was in trouble. He raced inside to see his brother on the floor and someone getting ready to stab him. "No-no-no!" he yelled. Sam jerked awake looking around the room for his brother. He fell back down remembering Dean was not there.

Dean stopped at a diner in Cedarville for bite to eat before moving on. He noticed a newspaper laying on the next table and snagged it reading one of the headlines. 'Fourth Hiker Missing in Modoc National Forest,' he scanned the article as he finished his meal. Laying down some money, he headed for his car and Alturas.

"Hey Bobby, I think I'm a few days behind him now." Sam said pushing his food around on the plate. "I found a motel he stayed out and I'm still heading west."

"You think he might be looking for a hunt?"

"Maybe, who knows what he thinking right now." Sam replied opening his lap top and pulling up the internet.

"Why don't you check and see if there's anything interesting around."

"Here's something about missing hikers up in Modoc National Forest, California." Sam said. "Sounds like it might be worth checking out. I'll head that way."

"Keep me in the loop and watch your back."

"I will." Sam answered hanging up and gathering his papers before heading out.

Dean pulled into a parking lot of a ranger station and parked over at the end of the lot. He pulled out FBI ID and stuffed it in his pocket. He strolled toward the station checking out the area as he walked up the steps.

"May I help you?" a ranger asked.

"FBI, Agent Sculley, I'm checking out the missing hikers you have had in this area."

"Really strange, we've found gear,torn tents, but have not found any signs of the hikers."

"Can you show me where the disappearances happened?"

"Sure, I'll get a map and mark the sites."

"That would be helpful."

So the journey is starting again down the winding road. I hope you will come along for the ride. Thank you for reading.

Please review it brightens my day.

NC