Hey all. Yep, I have another story for you. Actually, I'm working on three stories at the moment. The sequel to The Deal and the next 3 brothers story are also in the works. This story came from an idea sent to me by hotshow, asking me if I could write a story based on her idea. I took up the challenge. I just hope I do your idea justice my dear.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the show nor is any money exchanging hands. This is just for the enjoyment (hopefully) of the readers.

Spoilers for Season 5 and Season 6

Lost In Transit

Summary: The mail always goes through…or does it? A story written around the missing amulet.

Chapter 1

Sam stood and watched, his heart shattering into a million pieces as Dean unceremoniously dropped the amulet…the token of pre-teen Sam's love and devotion to his brother…into the trashcan before the elder brother walked out the door without so much as a backwards glance. If Dean had meant to hurt Sam with the gesture, he'd done a damned good job of it. Sam swallowed against the lump in his throat and blinked back the tears that had welled in his eyes. He deserved it, he understood that. He'd betrayed his brother and now he was being punished. Apparently, the harsh words at times and the silent treatment at others wasn't enough punishment in Dean's eyes. Apparently he felt the need to send a message that Sam would…could never forget. We're not brothers anymore…maybe in blood, but not in heart..not in spirit.

Sam swallowed again then walked to the door. He hesitated before looking down into the small trashcan. The amulet lay on top of the wadded up fast food bags and empty beer cans, the once beloved object now nothing more than garbage to be thrown out and forgotten. Sam took a step through the door then stopped. He couldn't do it. He couldn't just leave it there. He backed up, crouched down then gingerly pulled the necklace from the can. He stared down at the object in his hand, his mind traveling back all those years ago to the night he'd given it to his brother. He'd been so happy that night despite the fact that John had broken his promise to be with them at Christmas. The way Dean's face had lit up when he'd seen the amulet. The way he'd reverently pulled the leather cord over his head then fingered the amulet as it hung around his neck. It had been the best Christmas Sam could remember, but now…now it meant nothing.

"Sam! Get your ass in gear! I'll leave without you if you're not out here in ten seconds!" Dean hollered, breaking Sam from his memories.

Maybe it'd be better if you did, Sam thought as he pushed the amulet into his pocket and rushed to the Impala. Dean looked at him, face unreadable, before he slid behind the wheel of the car. Sam tossed his duffel bag into the trunk, slammed the lid shut then eased into the passenger seat. He pulled the door shut with as little noise as possible then glanced over at Dean. Dean looked away as he backed out of the parking space and raced across the parking lot to the street beyond, tires squealing as he sprayed gravel out behind them in a thick cloud of dust.

"Dean," Sam began, but his voice was immediately silenced when Dean reached forward and turned the stereo on, The Bitch is Back blasting through the car's interior to the point where it made Sam's ears hurt.

Sam sighed as he leaned back against the seat and turned his head to look out the side window. All he could think was that it was going to be a very long day.

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Sam glanced down at the three envelopes spread out before him on the post office counter. One envelope was addressed to Dean, the other two to Bobby. One envelope read Bobby-Open First and the other simply read Bobby. Sam sighed as he gathered all three envelopes together, Dean's envelope on the bottom of the stack, and stuffed them into a bigger, padded envelope. The large envelope was addressed to Bobby's junkyard with no return address provided. Where Sam was going, there was no return address. He sealed the envelope then stuck several stamps over the upper right hand corner…more than enough postage needed. He wouldn't be around when the package was delivered. He wouldn't even be alive. He had a date with Lucifer and it would be a date that he would never return from.

Dean had fought him…had fought him hard, but in the end Sam had won. He'd be spending eternity in Hell, locked inside a cage with the Prince of Darkness while hopefully, the world and especially his brother got on with their lives, the threat of global annihilation nipped in the bud before it could ever begin.

Sam shook his head to clear his thoughts then turned and dropped the envelope into the mail slot on the wall behind him. He walked out into the bright sunlight and proceeded down the street to the motel where hopefully Dean still was sleeping. He stopped at the diner along the way and picked up breakfast…all of Dean's favorites. He figured maybe his brother would eat a little bit at least that way. Arms laden with takeout bags, he pushed open the door to he and Dean's motel room and stepped inside. Today would be his last day with his brother and Sam could not stop the tears as they began to fall freely from his eyes. Thankfully Dean was still asleep and Sam had time to pull himself together before he awakened the older man. He set the containers out on the small table then strolled to the bed. He watched Dean for a moment then reached down and gently shook his shoulder.

"Hey, Dean…I've got breakfast," Sam said softly as two bleary, green eyes blinked up at him. His heart stuttered in his chest when Dean's hoarse, sleepy voice whispered back at him.

"Sammy."

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Dean was motionless as he kneeled on the ground at the spot where Sam had disappeared, Michael in Adam's body falling right along with him. Dean was all alone now, his reason for just about everything lost to him forever. Sam had just committed the most selfless act known to man, save for Jesus dying on the cross, and Dean was left to live a life without his brother. He would go to Lisa and Ben, he'd promised Sam that much, but his heart really wasn't in it. He heard a faint rustling and suddenly, Castiel was there. He really couldn't be bothered to care. The next few minutes were a blur, his mind still swirling around the notion that he'd never see Sam's smile, or bitchface ever again. He'd never hear him whine about the music being too loud…never be drawn into a chick-flick moment and God, but he just wanted to lay down and die at the thought.

At some point that Dean really couldn't recall, Bobby had been brought back at Castiel's touch. He was thankful for that, even though Bobby could never take Sam's place. His face and body had been healed, but the pain he felt deep inside would never go away. Dean gave the spot where Sam had fallen into the pit one last glance then turned to accidently catch sight of his reflection in the window of the Impala. Yes, the cuts and bruises were gone and Dean's body was whole again, but his heart was shattered and there would never be a time where that would be repaired. Slowly, he lifted a trembling hand to his chest, fingers searching for something he knew wasn't there. The one thing that could have brought him some sort of solace was gone, thrown away and forgotten until now and with that thought Dean left the cemetery, his hand still clutching at the spot where the amulet once lay.

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Hazel eyes blinked open to stare up at the blades that turned slowly in the ceiling above. A soft groan sounded as the young man sat up and the needle in his arm pulled at his skin. Sam followed the IV line up to the nearly empty bag that hung beside the cot and frowned, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"What the hell?" Sam whispered hoarsely as he looked around the room. "Bobby's?"

He pulled the IV line from his arm then gingerly swung his legs over the edge of the cot and stood, knees wobbling like a newborn colt and head spinning as dizziness from his sudden change in position swept over him. He sat back on the cot and squeezed his eyes shut as he drew in several deep breaths. Finally, when his head had stopped spinning, he opened his eyes and gazed around. He was still in the panic room, much to his surprise.

"This can't be Hell," he said as he once again stood, his knees behaving themselves this time around.

Sam walked to the open door of the panic room and carefully stepped outside. He went to the steep wooden stairs and glanced up at the door at the top. He slowly ascended the stairs then eased the door open. He heard faint voices coming from somewhere in the house and his heart skipped a beat when he realized who one of the voices belonged to. He stepped into the room then slowly made his way toward the voices. The voices led him to Bobby's den and he couldn't quite believe his eyes when he saw both Bobby and Dean there.

"Dean?"

Dean turned around, eyes going wide as they lit upon his upright and very much awake little brother. Sam wasted no time in rushing toward Dean and throwing his arms around the older hunter. He held on for dear life and didn't know what to think at first when Dean hugged him back with just as much gusto. Finally, they pulled away and Sam's eyes moved to Bobby. Bobby was alive! He'd been killed at the cemetery, but here he was. Sam rushed to his old friend and threw his arms around him. Bobby flinched then reluctantly hugged Sam back. Sam frowned at the older man's reaction. He'd expected that reaction from Dean, not Bobby. After all, with the way he had beaten Dean that horrible day, Lucifer at the wheel, he wouldn't have expected Dean to even be here. He was supposed to be with Lisa and Ben, living a normal life like he'd promised. Of course, Sam didn't know how long he'd been gone so maybe Dean hadn't gotten that far yet.

Sam pulled away and turned back toward Dean. He glanced down to his brother's neck and his heart dropped. Sam looked up at Dean's face, at the relief he thought he saw there. Dean seemed genuinely happy to see him. Sam couldn't figure it out. He thought they had been good before he threw himself into the pit. He thought they'd become brothers again. If Dean was happy…relieved to see him, then where was it? Where was the amulet? Sam glanced back over at Bobby and wondered…could Bobby have not given Dean his envelope when he'd received the package? And if that was the case…then why? Sam shook his head slightly, unwilling and unable to think about it right now. Either Bobby had tossed the package…or at the very least stuck it away somewhere, or Dean had refused to put the amulet around his neck again. Sam swallowed at the thought. Could Dean still hate him and just be putting on a very convincing show? Or could there be another explanation? Sam decided that it was neither the time nor the place to ask that question. Maybe someday, but not today. It was just a piece of jewelry after all.

TBC

I know it was somewhat short, but it seemed a good place to end it. I will get the next chapter posted as soon as possible, but I will be working on the other two also. I don't plan on beginning to post those until I have at least two chapters completed first. Please let me know what you think of this one. Thanks so much for reading.

Cindy