So this story has been playing in my head for a few months. I was amazed at how easily it flowed once I started writing. It takes place while Sam is at Stanford. Only this time not everything is sunshine and roses.

I own only the characters that have come from my imagination. All others just came by to play.

Sitting on the park bench, Sam watched the world continue around him. He watched as a mother pushed her daughter on the swing. A man throwing a Frisbee for his dog. Two friend's biking passed him. None of them knew the hell Sam was now silently going through. Never in his short life did he ever imagine college was going to be this hard. For the most part his classes were okay, he had a solid A average. But that solid A wasn't helping put food in his stomach or a roof over his head. Glancing down at the paper still clasped in his hand, Sam sighed. He'd been denied assistance again. It wasn't his fault he'd moved around his entire life. It wasn't his fault his school records were scattered all across 48 states. Crumpling the paper, he tossed it into the nearby trash. What the hell was he going to do now? How much longer was he going to be able to live in the dorms? His part-time job at the bookstore was barely making him any money. He had to get another job fast, which would mean dropping another class. For his scholarship to cover his classes he had to take at least four classes, he was taking five now. Letting out a frustrated sigh Sam stood, grabbed his bag and headed to his job. Maybe Peter could squeeze a few more hours out for him.

As always the bookstore was packed, unfortunately most everyone was just using the free Wi-Fi. Sam headed to the back room to store away his bag. When he walked through the door he smiled at his favorite coworker. Piper Quinn was in her normal flowing skirt and belly showing shirt.

"Guess what we get to do today Winchester?" Piper seemed to always be in a cheerful mood.

"What?"

Piper pointed to the other side of the backroom where stackes of boxes took up most of the space. "Boss man has put you and me in charge of unloading and sorting."

"Oh goodie." Sam groaned, but in truth he loved unboxing the new books and sorting them, mostly because it meant a whole day without having to deal with customers. "Is the boss man around?"

"Nope he was leaving as I was coming in." Piper grabbed the radio off the desk and headed toward the boxes. "But he said we are free to stay as long as we can. Just as long as he only pays for three hours of overtime."

Well at least he'd be able to eat next week. Sam shoved his bag in his locker then punched in. By the time he got over to Piper she had the music going and had already emptied one box. Crossing his arms he forced down a smile. "Doesn't look like you need my help."

"Oh I always need a gorgeous guys help with something." Piper winked at him, as she opened another box. "Besides all that had in it was a couple book pillows. Whoever thought a book needed a pillow anyway? I don't know about yours, but I've never heard my books ask for a nap."

Sam laughed, joining Piper. "Whoever made them is probably a millionaire by now."

"And not using their money properly." Piper waved a book in Sam's face. "If one has millions of dollars then one should have a secret room, and a huge library. If they are one and the same, bonus."

"So that's what you would buy if you had a lot of money?" Sam asked turning his back to her to sort the books on to the many carts. "A secret room and a huge library."

"First the library then the secret room. Of course somewhere in there I'd pay off all my bills, maybe take a trip around the country."

"Trust me there's not much to see."

Piper stepped up next to Sam. "Come on, in your many travels you must of seen some amazing things."

The many things Sam had seen in his travels instantly flashed through his mind. "Sorry can't really admit to anything amazing."

"What about Mount Rushmore? The Grand Canyon? Old Faithful? Come on Sam, give me something."

"I went through a corn field maze when I was eight." Sam gave her a small grin. "It wasn't really that amazing. I found my way out in less than five minutes."

Piper threw a book at Sam that he easily caught. "You Sam Winchester are zero on the fun meter."

"I've heard that most of my life." Sam sighed opening another box.

The door to the backroom opened and Candice, another coworker came in. Scanning the area her face broke into a smile when she saw Sam. "Oh here you are."

"Hey Candice."

"I thought I saw you come in." Candice walked over and leaned on the book cart, her cleavage out for Sam to view. "Don't tell me you're going to stay back here your whole shift."

"Sorry bosses orders." Sam shrugged moving away from Candice.

Crossing her arms she pouted. "But it's so boring without you out there. Whatever will I do?"

"How about your job?" Piper mumbled opening another box.

Candice glared at Piper. "Does it really take two of you? I'm sure Piper can handle it all by herself."

"Peter want's them unpacked today." Sam said opening another box. "There's books for a class in here somewhere."

Continuing to pout Candice walked over to the door. "Fine just completely ruin my day." Opening the door she walked out.

"That was the highlight of my day." Piper said smiling brightly.

"Don't be mean."

"I'm not. I'm being honest." Studying Sam for a moment Piper laughed. "You honestly have no clue do you?"

"About what?" Sam didn't look at her as he continued to unpack boxes. Piper just smiled and shook her head deciding to drop it.

By lunch they were almost half done. Piper insisted they leave the store for a few minutes. "It's the bonus of living in California, the weather is usually nice."

They walked a couple blocks away from the store and sat down on a bench. Sam watched the people passing by lost in his own thoughts. Piper pulled a sandwich out of her bag and held it out to him.

"I'm not hungry."

"Bull." Piper waved the sandwich under his nose. "It's your favorite."

After a short fight of wills, Piper won. Taking the sandwich Sam opened it and smiled. "You made your Caesar chicken salad."

"I did." Piper pulled out another sandwich. "If you had took me up on my dinner invite, you would have gotten it twice."

"Piper."

"I know you were busy studying." As Piper took a bite she turned away from Sam. They ate in silence for a while until Piper said. "You know Sam there's more to going to college than just taking classes."

"I know parties, fraternities, sororities, more parties, getting drunk at parties."

Piper laughed. "You make it sound so fun."

"I'm sorry Piper none of that's my thing. I've worked hard to get here, I don't want to mess it up."

"So you don't want to get drunk at parties?"

Sam laughed. "The first time I got drunk I was fourteen, and I wasn't at some dumb college party."

Piper's eyes widened. "So you have lived a little?"

"Damn little." Sam whispered.

Again Piper studied Sam. As always the first thing she saw was his young, yet handsome features. His eyes always dragged people in, until they couldn't say no to him. His slightly long hair screamed to have fingers running through it. When he turned and looked at her Piper found for a moment it was hard to breath. Getting control of herself she finally said.

"Back to things to do at college. One of the biggest things is that you are no longer under your parent's thumbs. You can go and do anything you damn well want to."

"Like going to parties, getting drunk, staying out late, and going to parties." Sam couldn't help but smile.

"I will hit you Winchester." Piper narrowed her eyes slightly, but also smiled. Reaching out she took Sam's hand in hers. "How about you start with coming over to my place for dinner tonight?"

Sam shook his head as he tried to pull his hands out of her grasp. "I've got homework, and I really need to look for a second job, and…"

"And I'm tired of the excuses. I'm your friend right?" Sam nodded. "Then I'm giving you some friendly advice. You need to get out and be a little social. It's not going to kill you, and it will not affect your grades any."

Sighing Sam lowered his head. "Fine I'll come over."

"You sound like you're headed to your execution." Piper squeezed Sam's hand. "I promise not to hurt you." She stood and looked down at him with a wicked grin. "That is unless you want me to."

Sam rolled his eyes as she turned and ran back toward the store. He had to admit he was kind of looking forward to tonight.

Walking into the motel room as he was calling home, Dean closed the door and leaned against it taking a deep breath. After a moment he locked the door then stripped off his coat tossing it onto the back of a chair. Grabbing a beer out of the fridge Dean popped the top and downed half of it. He might be getting older but that didn't mean that the hunts were getting any easier. Sitting on the side of his bed he took another swig his eyes instantly landing on the empty bed in front of him. As always when he was alone and all was quiet Dean's mind drifted to Sam. What was he doing right now? How was school going? Did he have a girlfriend? Or two.

Dean laughed sitting the now empty bottle on the nightstand and stretching out on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling Dean answered his own questions. Sam was doing just fine. After all he was safe now. No hunting. No monsters. As for school, well Sammy was an ace at school, always has been. Dean smiled remembering how Sam had been able to not only perfectly write his name in Kindergarten but also read way above his age. Yep, Sam was doing just fine in school. As for girls, Dean laughed again. He could easily see his little brother with a cute little thing that was just as smart as Sam. They probably meet in the library, or in some advanced class. Sam would stick with her until either she dumped him, or they got married. Dean's smile faded at this last thought. It wasn't that he wouldn't want Sam to get married. He just didn't want to lose his little brother.

Throwing his arm over his eyes Dean tried to block out anymore thoughts of Sam. This was something he tried often, not that it ever worked. Thankfully his phone ringing helped. Pulling it out of his pocket he answered.

"Yeah Dad."

"Found something not far from here."

"Dad I just…"

"Dean two people have already went missing, might be dead." John's voice told Dean there would be no arguing. "If you don't want to fine, I'll…"

Sitting up Dean groaned. "Dad you didn't let me finish. I was going to say I just took care of that. It was an extremely pissed off spirit, taking out family members."

"Good job son. Now you can head toward Maine, I think there might be a nest of vampires."

"Sure thing Dad." Dean stood. "Hey Dad have you…I mean has he…"

John's sigh echoed through the phone line. "Dean you and I both know there is no way in hell he would call me. You yes, maybe Jim, but never me."

"I know. Just hoping I guess."

"Listen I'm not far, I could swing by, just to, you know…"

Dean smiled, so the big bad John Winchester was worried about Sam too. "I can't tell you what to do, or what not to do. But if you do, call me."

John let out a soft laugh. "Sure thing. Be careful."

"You too."

Dean hung up and shoved his phone back in his pocket. So much for a shower, or changing clothes. Plus food would have to come through a window again. Grabbing his bag and coat Dean walked out the door, not bothering to close it behind him. Opening the driver's door he tossed the bag into the backseat and slid in. As the car roared to life Dean glanced to the empty seat next to him. He should feel better. Dad was going to check on Sam. He'd see everything was just great. Tell Dean to stop worrying. Then everything would go back to normal for a few more months. So if all of this was true why could Dean not shake a horrible feeling that had started to bubble up inside him? A feeling that his little brother was in trouble, big trouble. Putting the car in drive, Dean sped out of the parking lot, hoping to leave the feeling behind him.