A letter leads to fights and memories

Dean stood in the kitchen with Sam, and Alessa. Alessa was his little sister and Sam's twin. Sam was holding an envelope in his hands. Dean smiled, "Hey small fry you want to give me a hand here?"

Alessa smirked and laughed before taking the plates from her big brother, "I'm almost as tall as you are."

Dean started to playfully punch his sister in the arm when he noticed the smile vanish from her face. Her eyes were locked on Sam's. Dean put his hand on her shoulder, "Alessa? Alessa are you still with me?"

Alessa didn't answer her gaze shifted from her twin brother to the letter in his hands. "You got in."

It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Sam looked up from reading the letter and gave her a small smile, "It looks like it. Letter said my classes start in twelve weeks. I haven't told dad yet."

Alessa threw her hands in the air, "Sam how can you do this? I know you and dad don't see eye to eye on things but what about Dean? What about me?"

Dean couldn't believe what was happening. He took a deep breath and remembered the night his sister Anna Beth left. Flashback: It was three days before his mother died. His mother was putting Sam and Alessa down for a nap. Six year old Dean was playing go fish with Anna Beth in the living room. Anna Beth smiled at her little brother, "can we take a break from the game for a little while buddy? There's something I want to talk to you about; something serious."

Dean heard the slight sadness in his big sister's voice and climbed into her lap, "Annie? What's wrong Annie? Are you and daddy fighting again?"

Anna Beth took a deep breath and rested her chin on her little brother's head, "No Dean dad and I aren't fighting. Remember how I promised… promised you and I would always be together? I still mean to keep that promise but…."

Anna Beth sighed and paused to gather her thoughts and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She knew there was no way around it now; she had to tell her little brother that she was leaving for the University of Florida in the morning. Dean saw the unshed tears glisten in his big sister's eyes. In the whole six years of his life he had never seen his sister cry. He spoke in a soft voice, "Don't cry Annie."

Anna Beth smiled at her brother, "Remember that letter I got in the mail three months ago?"

Dean nodded slowly, "Mom cried after you showed it to her and daddy. What was that letter?"

Anna Beth took a deep breath. She knew she had to tell him now, "Dean I got into that school I wanted to go to. The thing is I would have to live somewhere else for a while; I will still be here for you. If you need me I'm just a phone call away. You have my cell phone number right?"

Dean sniffed trying not to cry, "Yeah. I want you here though with mommy, daddy, and Sam. I want you here with me. I love you Annie."

Anna Beth hugged her brother, "I know bud. I love you to. I need you to be strong ok. You need to take care of Sam. Can you do that for me?"

Dean nodded and gave his big sister a hug, "I'll try."

Dean opened his eyes and his hands clenched into fists. It took everything he had not to punch his little brother. That desire was intensified when Sam yelled, "I just want a normal life!"

Dean snapped back, "After everything dad has done for you? After everything I've done for you? Sam think about what this will do to Alessa; you two haven't been apart since you were born. I know you and dad don't see eye to eye about well a lot of things but…"

Dean stopped mid-sentence when he heard his dad yell, "You want to leave fine! You walk out that door don't you ever come back!"

Sam didn't say anything he just ran upstairs to his room to pack. Alessa stared at her father in shock. Tears rolled down her cheeks, "Dad"

After their dad left the room Dean sighed, "Dam it!"

Alessa sniffed, "Why Dean? I don't understand."

Dean took a deep calming breath to contain his anger. Once he had calmed down considerably

He answered, "I don't either."

Alessa buried her face in her hands, "It's not fair. If Sam leaves… you'll go to…."

Dean put his arms around his sister, "Hey you listen to me. Alessa I know all our life we had deal with some really sucky changes. You want to know something? The one person you can always count on me no matter what happens."

Alessa sniffed and leaned into her older brother's arms, "Thanks Dean."

Dean smiled sadly, "Don't mention it. You go see Sam. I'll talk to dad. Everything is going to be alright. I love you sis."

Alessa wiped her eyes and went upstairs to the room her twin brother shared with Dean. She heard Sam slamming dresser drawers shut and swearing. After the banging quieted down she knocked on the door three short taps and four long ones; this was hers and Sam's secret code for each other. After a few minutes Sam opened the door. He saw the dried tear stains on Alessa's cheeks, "Hey."

Alessa snapped, "Hey? You are about to walk out on this family and all you can say is hey!"

Sam dropped the shirt he had in his hand, "Alessa this has jack squat to do with you and Dean."

Alessa felt tears prick in her eyes but she was too mad to cry, "Then what the hell does it have to do with? Don't lie to me Sam!"

Sam went over to his bed and sat down. Then he patted the space next to him. Once Alessa was seated Sam spoke gently, "Like I said earlier; I just don't want to live this life. I want to have a real job, settle down with a family."

Alessa heard her voice break when she asked, "What about me and Dean? Don't you love us anymore Sam?"

Sam put his arm around his twin, "I love you both very much. Nothing is going to change that ever. I just have to do this. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just didn't want to hurt you."

Alessa couldn't hold it back anymore tears poured down her cheeks, "I'll miss you."

Sam nodded sadly, "I'll miss you to. Can I have a hug before I go?"

Alessa wiped away her tears and then threw her arms around her brother, "I wish you didn't have to …"

Sam sighed and murmured into his sister's hair, "I have to go. I promise to keep in touch. I love you."

Sam stood up to leave the room when he heard Dean clear his throat, "Sam…"

Sam turned and faced his brother, "I have a long drive ahead of me; save your breath Dean I'm not…"

Dean finished, "Staying. I know. I just don't want you to leave angry. I love you Sam. You ever need anything; and I mean anything…"

Sam gave his brother a warm one armed hug, "I'll call you."

Dean and Alessa both gave their brother one last hug and helped him carry his bags to the car. Alessa stared into her twin brother's eyes with her tear filled blue ones, "Keep in touch."

Sam put his hand on her shoulder, "I'm just a phone call away. I'll call when I can I promise."

Dean smiled sadly, "Stay safe Sammy."

Sam sighed, "You know I hate that name Dean. I'll stay safe. Now I really need to go. I will let you know when I get there."

Dean and Alessa watched as their brother drove away. Dean saw the faraway look in his sister's eyes, "Hey are you ok?"

Alessa sniffed, "Fine."

Dean rolled his eyes, "Yeah right. It's ok to miss him sis. You two haven't been apart since you were born. Dad had to go so far as to have you sleep in the same crib."

Alessa smiled sadly, "Dean what do you remember about mom?"

Dean swallowed thickly, "She loved you and Sam both so much. Before she put us to sleep at night she used to say angels were watching over us. She was an amazing person a lot like you actually. She always knew how to make you, Sam, and me smile and laugh. Now why don't we head inside. Its late we should get some sleep."

Alessa gave her big brother a hug, "I love you Dean."

Dean kissed his little sister's temple, "Love you to Alessa."