This story popped into my head after I heard a news report on the radio several months back. I just couldn't help myself but turn it into this. No this is a little bit different from what I have written in the past and that really makes me nervous. So I hope you will like it.
Good Intensions
Disclaimer: Supernatural and the Winchesters don't belong to me and I just borrowed them to play!
Dean Winchester looked at his brother with worry. The kid was sitting in the passenger seat beside him, once again brooding. Not that this was really anything new, Sam had been perfecting the art of brooding ever since he'd been two. Where other toddlers would throw themselves on the ground and have a temper tantrum, little Sammy would sit down on the couch and stare into nothingness. Over the years his abilities had only improved and if he had a card, it would read - Sam Winchester, BA, MA, PHD of Brooding. Yep, that sounded about right. Yet in the last few weeks it had been worse than ever. There was hardly ever a smile on the kids face. And Dean new exactly what had done it to him – Sarah, the girl he left behind, too afraid the Sam Winchester curse might hit her.
Although Sam denied it, Dean knew it to be true. His kid brother fell in love with the cute antic dealer the moment he laid eyes on her. Still shaken by the death of his girl friend, which had been too reminiscent of the way their mother had been killed, he believed everything around him was cursed to die. No matter how hard Dean had tried to convince him otherwise, nothing had worked.
So instead of staying and spending some downtime with the beautiful girl, Sam had left it with a kiss and insisted on driving off to the next job. It had broken Dean's heart to see his kid brother this way.
After finishing their last job yesterday, they now were on the way to nowhere in particular, hoping their father was going to send another text message with coordinates. It was getting dark and after grabbing a bite to eat in a diner along the highway they were still looking for a place to stay tonight. Lately their evenings played out pretty much the same way. They would find a cheap motel and Dean would ask Sam to go out for a beer or two. The younger brother would feign tiredness and refuse and so the older would go out by himself, find some girl or play pool and then return to find the kid tossing and turning unable to sleep or torn up by nightmares.
Not tonight though Dean decided, he was not going to let this happen again. Turning off the interstate, he let the Impala roll down the main street of the first small rural town he came across. Just when he thought he was leaving the last building behind, he found what he'd been looking for – 'Joe's Tavern'. His mind was made up, no matter what; Sam was going to have a good time tonight.
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The black classic muscle car pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop in front of the building. Dean checked his watch; it said 8 PM, before he turned off the engine, the sudden silence tearing the younger Winchester out of his reverie.
"Where are we?" Sam looked almost confused.
Giving him a smirk, Dean responded, "Joe's Tavern, we're going to have some fun."
Almost instantly he could see a wall being built up by his brother.
"Dean, I really don't feel up to this, I'm tired and I want to take a shower."
Without missing a beat, the older man took the key out of the ignition and opened the door, "That's too bad, because there is not motel in town and I'm not going to leave until I had a few beer. So you can either sit here and mope, or come in and have one with me."
Without turning, he closed the door and went inside, not really surprised, when he felt his brother's present behind him before he reached the building. He had counted on Sam following him rather than staying in the car by himself.
Entering the twilight of the smoke filled bar, Dean pointed at an empty booth, then stepped up to the bar. Sam sat down, still unsure, if he really wanted to be here or rather return to the Impala, where he at least felt relatively comfortably. Seeing his brother return with two beers in his hands, he leaned back, deciding, he might as well stay. Dean wouldn't leave him alone if he would try to leave now. A drink or two wouldn't hurt and then he could always threaten to take a cab.
He received one of the bottles from Dean's hands, taking a large swig before he sat it on the table. There was a smile on the other hunter's face, as he took a drink also.
"See, it's not that bad now, or is it? We haven't done this in a while."
"Yeah, well, guess I have other things on my mind right now. Like finding dad, you probably should too." Sam's displeasure was clearly visible.
"I do, belief me, I do, but sometimes I have to let some steam off or I'll explode. So do you."
"I'm fine, no steam to let off from me."
"Right, that's why you've been moping and brooding for weeks." Dean gave him a knowing look.
"Hey, I don't have to run around with a constant smile on my face to be okay." The younger man protested, ready to make his case, when he was interrupted by a skimpily dressed blonde setting a bottle and two shot glasses on the table.
"Here, just as ordered." She said, bending over to let her poorly covered breasts rub against Sam's arm.
Blushing, the lanky kid stammered, "Didn't order that."
"That's not what your buddy here told me!" her voice now only a provocative whisper.
Rubbing against him once more, she received several bills and a look from Dean that told her very clearly she needed to back off. Pouting, she turned and walked away, letting her slightly too big bottom swing while doing so.
Face still reddened, his mouth open, Sam took a breath, then angrily looked at his brother, "So that's your plan? Get me drunk and then have this slut have her way with me?"
"Can't blame a guy for trying?" A glare from the kid, made his smirk disappear and instead he continued, "Look Sammy, I didn't ask her to do this, just to bring the booze over here. And as for getting you drunk, I couldn't do that even if I wanted too. Well, I could, but than I would have to force feed you the bottle."
For a moment it was quiet, then Sam said, "Sorry, I guess I am a little uptight? One wouldn't hurt."
"That's my boy." Dean agreed, filling the glasses and handing one to Sam.
Swallowing the liquor, the younger man's face contorted and he grabbed his beer, downing most of the bottles contents before setting it down again.
Straight Vodka? You know I hate the stuff."
"Yeah, but you hate whiskey even more and they don't have the girly stuff you like around here." He waved for the waitress to bring two more beers, then filled the shot glasses again. Seeing Sam's doubting look, he said, "Take your time, no one expects you to keep up with me."
"What, you think I can't?" The kid pouted.
"I know you can't, you've always been a light weight."
"That was before Stanford. You think I didn't have friends?"
"No, but I figured all your friends were geeks like you, well except of Jessica and all you did was study and talk smart." Dean smirked.
"Typical." Without wasting another breath, Sam took the shot and gulped it down. He couldn't help a smile crossing his face at the memory of all the weekends he'd spent with Jess and their friends. Dean was right in one thing though, he hadn't been the party type, at least until he'd met Jess. She had pulled him out of his constant studying. In the beginning he had done it just for her, but pretty soon, he actually had genuine fun spending time with Jess' friends, who fast had become his friends also. The smile left his face and was replaced with sadness, as he thought of why he was no longer with them.
Dean, who didn't miss the emotions playing on his younger brother's expressive face, reached over and padded his hand for a moment, before he handed him the second beer. It hurt seeing Sam in pain, especially since there was nothing he could say to make it better. Darn it, the kid needed a break, he was wound so tight, he was going to explode unless he relaxed. And he was going to make darn sure he was going to do just that.
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It took another beer and two more shots, before Dean saw some of the tension leave Sam. Looking around, the younger man spotted the jukebox.
"How about some music?" He asked, getting up and making his way to the other wall.
He searched his pockets, then pulled out some coins and put them in the slot. After pushing a few buttons, he came back and slid back into the booth.
"You'll like what I chose."
"What is it, some of your girly music?" Dean grinned, almost scared to find out.
He was surprised, when the first notes started to play, immediately recognizing AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell'.
"I thought you didn't like my music?"
This time it was Sam, who smirked, "It grows on you!" He moved the empty bottle in front of him and grabbed a new one, at the same time filling his glass again also.
After downing the shot and taking a swig from his beer, he said, "You remember the hunt in Georgia? What was it again?"
"Oh, you mean the Raven Mocker? How could I forget, I almost bought it on that hunt. The only reason why I'm still alive is because you recognized it right before it got to me and because of it, were able to shoot it with the consecrated iron rounds."
"Yeah, well, it was really ugly!" Sam shook with the memory, "Be happy you didn't see its real face."
Dean laughed, "Well, it was your first major kill and dad took both of us to that bar, allowing you to have a beer."
"It was the best, I felt so grown up and dad told me how good I did."
"I know, it was fun, although I think dad regretted the next day that he allowed you to have that beer."
"Only because you kept exchanging the bottle behind his back, giving me your partially empty one. I must have ended up having something like three beers instead of one." The younger man chuckled.
"See, told you, you always were a light weight."
"I was sixteen!" Sam defended himself.
"Yeah, but dad had to drag you out of place." The other hunter smirked.
"I hardly ate anything that day."
"You puked in the Impala and then were sick for two days." Dean continued his argument.
"I was sixteen!" Sam repeated suddenly out of reasons but not willing to let his brother win.
Dean laughed, "Just confess, I win."
"Okay, you win." He agreed good-naturedly, emptying his beer and getting up, "I'll have to use the rest room, why don't you order me another."
Giving the other man a smirk, he made his way to the back where the bathrooms were located. Dean followed him with his eyes, surprised at the steadiness of his gait. By now the Sammy he knew from before Stanford would have been on very rubbery legs and very close to passing out. The kid really did grow up in those years away and yet, to him, he would always be his baby brother. But what was even more important right now, he finally seemed to loosen up and have some fun.
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There was a lot more reminiscing going on after Sam returned. Most of the stories were about hunts and some of the things they've done as kids. To Dean's surprise Sam left the unpleasant things out and focused on the good and fun times they've had. Together the laughed and had a genuinely good time.
The older Winchester was happy to see the smile and hear the laughter coming from the younger man. It was the first time in so long, it felt like years. And maybe it was, because ever since Jess' death, smiles graced the younger man's face only sporadically and laughs sounded rehearsed.
As the evening wore on, the younger hunter's speech was becoming more slurred and although Dean hated to break things up, he knew it was time to leave. Sam would have to pay a high price tomorrow for his fun tonight. Yet Dean was going to make sure it would be as easy on him as possible. After all, it was his fault, and still, he couldn't really feel bad for it, it was good to see the kid this way.
"I think it's my turn to use the bathroom, you're okay here?" He asked before getting up.
"S…Sure, never better." Sam gave him a crooked grin.
Dean walked to the bathrooms, surprised to find a line in the men's room.
"I thought this happened only in the girl's room?" he mumbled to himself, getting in line.
When it was finally his turn, he completed his business, then washed his hands and went back out into the bar room. The scene playing out in front of him was almost amusing, but also showed him just how drunk his little brother really was.
Sam was standing beside a busty blonde, holding her in a tight embrace, before letting her go and walking to her just as busty friend and repeated his action. From there he stumbled to the next table, hugging the two men and three women sitting there one by one before continuing to the next.
Standing unmoving for several more minutes, watching and unsure what to make of the younger man's behavior, Dean finally walked over to his brother.
Tapping him on the shoulder, the other hunter let go of the woman he was embracing and straightened, well, at least he attempted to straighten, but would have fallen if not for his brother steadying him. His eyes lit up, genuinely happy to see the older man and before Dean could do anything about it, he found himself embraced by long arms.
"Dean, so glad you're here."
"Yeah, me too, but I think it's time to go home now." Loosing Sam's grip on him, Dean couldn't help the smile crossing his face. The kid's face expressed so much innocent, he looked all but eight years old.
Sam pouted and gave his brother one of his patented puppy dog looks, "But I haven't hugged all of them yet."
"I'm sure they will be okay." Dean assured him.
"No, you don't understand, they were all so sad and a hug makes them feel better." Sam protested, sounding like a preschooler.
This time the older brother lost the fight and broke out laughing. Seeing the hurt in Sam's eyes, he hurried to say, "How about the people you already hugged will give hugs to the others, while we leave, I'm really tired." He let out a loud yawn.
Almost instantly Sam's stance changed, now filled with worry for his big brother's well being, "Sure, you need to sleep." He turned to the room and asked, "Would you do that, so Dean can go to bed, he's really tired, you know."
Several promises could be hurt, leaving Sam happy and Dean amazed. Any other person would have probably caused a riot with this kind of behavior, especially in this environment. Leave it to his baby brother to bring a room full of bar flies together.
"Okay, you're ready to go?"
"Yep."
Supporting a now really unsteady Sam, Dean led both of them out to the car. Letting go for a moment, he unlocked the door and opened it. Straightening back out, he turned.
"Okay, Sammy, in you go."
"Dean", the kid hesitated for a moment, "Dean, are you mad at me?"
"Mad?" Dean smiled, "Nah, I'm not mad."
He ruffled the younger ones hair. At the same time he found Sam's arms wrapped around him.
"Boy am I glad you are not mad, I thought you are. You know dude, I love you."
"Love ya to, kid." The older man replied, gently shaking the embrace off and helping his kid brother into the car, glad that for once he held back and didn't drink his usual fill.
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It didn't take the older Winchester more than a minute to realize he would have to get his baby some fuel, if they wanted to make it the fifteen miles to the next town with a motel. After once again heading down the main street through town, he pulled into the gas station by the highway.
Looking at the two patrol cars attending to a two vehicle accident on the same time of the road, he turned to his brother.
"Sammy, stay here, don't go anywhere!" He commanded.
"Okay, where you going?" The younger man asked, again sounding very much younger.
"Just filling the car up and getting some Aspirin for you."
"But I don't need any, I feel great." Sam's response sounded bright and innocent.
"Not right now, but you will, little brother, belief me you will." Dean grinned, then got out and filled the tank, before walking into the convenience store.
After finding the pain medication, he grabbed several bottles of water and soda, then stood in line to pay. Even though it was late, there at least five people in front of him, making his wait longer then he felt comfortable with.
Making his way out to the car again, he thought about his kid brother. By now Sam surely was passed out on the front seat. He would have a heck of a time to get his gigantic little brother in a room and settled into bed. Well, he would worry about the task, when it'd come up. Opening the door, ready to slide in, he stopped, when he realized the passenger seat was empty.
"Shit Sammy, where did you go?" Slight panic overtook the older man, thinking of all the trouble the kid might have gotten himself into.
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Sam was bored; it was taking Dean way too long to come back. And where did he say he was going to anyway? Looking around, he noticed the patrol men working at the accident site. It looked like they were just about done, as a tow truck pulled up to take the more damaged car away. One of the cops was visibly upset, as he argued with a couple, which obviously was involved in the accident.
His interest peeked; he got out of the car, unsteadily making his way towards them. This was really bad, people shouldn't get this upset. He just needed to explain it and help them get over it. As he got closer, he could hear the man telling the cop, that he had connection and that there was no way his wife would get charged for causing the accident. The cop, a tall, heavy set man in his late forties, in turn was handing the woman a ticket and told both of them to take it up with the judge. After which the couple turned around and got into their mildly damaged luxury car, driving off without saying another word.
The youngest Winchester looked at the tall man in front of him, who was now wearing a frustrated and almost angry expression.
"Darn rich people." He mumbled.
"You look like you need a hug." Sam said, not waiting for a response before throwing his long arms around the man, holding him in a tight embrace.
"What the hell?" the official cried out, trying to get out of the hunters hold, just to find it not as easy as thought, "Let go of me!"
Getting the attention of the other two patrol men, who now were laughing, seemed to increase his anger even more, "Get your dirty hands off me."
Appalled by the outburst, Sam let go, standing motionless in front of the man, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He just didn't understand, all he tried was to make the guy feel better.
Yet even now the angry cop wasn't done with Sam. Getting humiliated in front of his friends wasn't something he was going to take. Hitting the surprised young man with a vicious right hook, which threw him back and onto the ground, he reached out and grabbed his left arm. Pulling him up with force and wrestling his arms behind him, not caring that he pulled his left shoulder out of its socket, he cuffed his wrists together.
"A night in the slammer will show you how to respect an officer of the law!" He said, before pushing the youngest Winchester toward the patrol car, not bothering to give him a second look, when Sam fell down against it. He turned to finish surveying the site of the accident, knowing his prisoner wouldn't go anywhere.
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Dean looked up, letting his eyes glide around in search for his brother. Seeing the younger man letting go of the large patrol man, he observed in helpless horror, as the man struck him to the ground, just to pull him up again and restrain him. He didn't miss the moan coming from Sam's mouth, as his shoulder popped out of its socket.
His immediate instinct was to run to Sam's aid, yet he knew that the odds were against him. This wasn't going to help the kid. Watching him getting pushed against the car and falling down, he couldn't belief his luck as the cop turned and walked off, devoting his attention to the accident site. His mind made up, he started the Impala, before stealthily running over to his brother. He just hoped the kid wasn't too out of it by now and would be able to be quiet.
Sam's face was distorted by pain and another moan came from his lips, when the older brother reached him. As Dean pulled him up, he hissed but didn't let a word come over his lips. Hooking his arm underneath his good shoulder the older hunter was able to guide him back to the car, where he gently pushed him into the backseat. Sliding behind the steering wheel, he took off, hoping no one would notice Sam's absence for some time.
Only after driving for several miles he pulled onto the shoulder and stopped. Getting out, he opened the back and climbed in. Seeing Sam had lost consciousness, he gently turned him and pulled the set of lock picks out of his jacket. Choosing one, he worked on the hand cuffs until he was able to remove them. He pulled the younger man's arms out from behind him, careful of his already injured left shoulder. Moving them into a more comfortable position, he picked up one of the blankets from the floor and rolled it up before pushing it underneath Sam's head. Picking the other one up also, he unfolded it and covered him with it.
"Better find a more comfortable place to sleep for you, kid." He mumbled, pushing Sam's hair out of his face, before getting back in the driver's seat.
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Fifteen minutes later Dean stopped the classic black car in front of the office for the "Sleep Tight" Motel. Reluctantly he left Sam behind, yet not without locking the car behind him. Getting a room didn't prove as easy as thought, not with the guy at the desk being an inexperienced jerk, who paid more attention to "Friday the 13th" Part 4 playing on TV then to his new guest. After spending ten minutes of trying to convince the guy, he really didn't want a second floor room with two queen beds and a whirl pool bath but rather took the first floor corner room with two double beds for the same price, he finally walked out with the key in his hand.
Checking on his little brother, he slid behind the wheel and drove as close to the room as he could, before getting out and opening the room door. Walking back to the car, he readied himself for the task ahead. As he opened the car, he received a welcoming moan from Sam.
"It's alright Sammy, I gotcha!" He reassured the younger hunter, who was now blurry eyed squinting at him.
Helping him sit up and sliding over, ever mindful of Sam's injured shoulder, he assisted his brother out of the car and onto his feet. Pulling his right arm around his neck and wrapping his own around the younger man's slender waist, he closed the door and locked it, before starting the walk towards their room.
"Okay, let's do this, one foot in front of the other." He encouraged the kid.
With Sam's legs giving out several times and the resting periods it took to get him back onto them, it took five minutes to get them into the room and for Dean to settle his brother onto the bed furthest from the door. Several times the older hunter felt it would have been easier to pick the taller man up and carry him, yet with Sam awake, even though not really with it, he wanted to give him the opportunity to do this on his own. Well, at least almost on his own.
Knowing the kid was fairly comfortable; he took the plastic container from the table and filled it at the icemaker, which fortunately was located only two doors down. Setting it back from where he retrieved it, he ran back to the car and pulled the first aid kit and their duffel bags from the trunk. Locking the door behind him, he laid out salt lines, before returning his attention to Sam. His first task was to fill one of the plastic cups with water and pull the Aspirin from his jacket. Taking three tablets out, he assisted his brother to a sitting position and slid them into his mouth.
"Here, this will help a little", He said, "Why don't you drink this?"
Even in his currently wasted state, Sam didn't question his brother for an instant, but took several sibs from the cup and swallowed the pills. Setting the water down, Dean assisted him out of his jacket and shirt before tearing the t-shirt, not wanting to expose him to the agony of pulling it over his head.
Looking down at Sam's severely discolored and swollen shoulder he swallowed, not really wanting to do what he knew he had to.
"Darn it kid, why couldn't you just stay unconscious for this?" He mumbled, then louder he said, "I've got to set your shoulder Sammy, this is going to hurt like hell."
Seeing the younger man's glassy eyes trustingly look at him, he swallowed again and said, "Okay, on three. One, two…"
He pulled and twisted with all his might, hearing the pop as the joint slid back in place, at the same time eliciting a blood curdling scream from Sam, before his body went limp. Dean let out a relieved breath, for once glad that his brother passed out. At least he wouldn't have to suffer any pain for a while.
Opening the first aid kit, Dean pulled out a sling and immobilized his brother's arm, making sure he wouldn't accidentally hurt himself even more, before he retrieved a hand towel from bathroom and filled it with some of the ice, laying it on Sam's shoulder in an attempt to relief some of the swelling. After pulling the cover off the other bed and gently putting it over the younger hunter, he sat down on the floor, for the first time allowing himself to think about the events of the evening. How in the world did things go so wrong?
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The next day Dean allowed his brother to sleep until late afternoon, only waking him up twice to get some Aspiring and water into him. On the first time he also helped him to the bathroom, and cleaned up after him when the kid threw up all over the tiled floor. Sam looked totally miserable and by his glassed over eyes wasn't even close to sober. The second time his eyes were getting clearer and he even took the glass out of the older hunter's hand, drinking without spilling.
Throughout all this, he didn't ask once what happened, which Dean assumed was partially due to the aftereffects of the alcohol and partially because of feeling bad enough to just wanting to go back to sleep. It wasn't until he opened his eyes without being woken, that he seemed to finally look for some answers.
Turning his head towards the table and spotting his brother typing away on the lab top, he asked, "What time is it?"
Dean looked up with a smile on his face, "Almost five sleepy head!"
"Morning?"
"No, afternoon!"
A confused look appeared on the younger man's face, "What happened, I don't remember going to bed?"
"Let's just say you had a little too much fun." His brother answered, not really keen to answer all his questions, yet at the same time knowing, he would have to fess up to his part in this.
Attempting to sit up, Sam hissed, when a sudden pain stabbed through his injured shoulder.
"Guess I must have done something pretty stupid." He said, giving Dean a defeated look.
"Not your fault, kiddo, not your fault at all." The older Winchester assured him, moving over to his side, "Let's get you into the shower and then I'll make you something to eat. I got some soup that I only need to heat up. Thought you'll probably won't feel like a lot more."
Sam nodded his approval, "Yeah, sounds good!"
Dean helped him to the bathroom, where he undid the sling. Getting some fresh boxers and jeans from his duffel and laying them by the sink, he asked, "You need me to help with anything else?"
"Nope, I think I'll be fine."
"Call, if you do, I'll be right out there. Oh, don't lock the door." He added on his way out.
"I won't." Sam promised.
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Half an hour later the youngest Winchester came out of the bathroom, his hair still dripping as he toweled it off with one hand. Looking at the table, he saw a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup waiting for him. Throwing the towel on the bed, he bent down to pick a shirt out of his duffel.
"Already got one!" Dean stopped him, carefully assisting him into the long sleeved Tee before immobilizing his arm once again.
Sam sat down, waiting for his brother to do the same. Only after he the older man joined him, did he ask, "Okay, let me have it."
"Let you have what?"
"Well, the talk. What did I do?"
Seeing the worried expression on his kid brother's face, Dean hurried to say, "Really Sam, what happened wasn't your fault. It was mine."
"Yours? As far as I can tell, I am the one with the hangover." Sam gave his brother a scrutinizing look, things just didn't add up for him.
There was a heavy pause before Dean answered, "Yeah, but I'm the one who got you drunk."
Filling his brother in on all the details of the night before, the older Winchester closed, "I'm sorry Sammy, I really messed up." And upon seeing the frown on the other's face, which he interpreted as disapproval to his action, he added, "I understand if you are mad at me."
"Okay, so let me get this straight, you dragged me into this bar, force fed me beer and vodka and then made me hug everyone in the place. After that you walked me up to a cop and wrapped my arms around him."
Now it was Dean's turn to look confused, "No, that's not what happened."
Sam could hardly hold back a grin, "But you must have done something, otherwise you wouldn't say it was your fault."
"Man, I told you, I got you drunk." The older hunter started to get slightly irritated, all he was trying to do was apologizing to the kid for getting him hurt.
"So if I drank by myself and you didn't know I would react the way I did, than it really wasn't your fault. So quit apologizing dude!" Sam demanded, no longer able to keep the smirk off his face.
"So you mean you're not mad at me?"
Sam looked at him, the smile suddenly turning into a thoughtful expression, "Look Dean, I know I haven't been a lot of fun to be around, I know that. To be honest, I haven't even tried." Seeing that his brother tried to interrupt, he waved him off. "All you did was trying to help me have some fun. I'm sorry for the way I acted, I have no idea what came over me. Don't remember this ever happening before." The younger boy apologized.
"Hey, it's okay; it was kinda fun until you hugged the cop." Dean grinned, "Just remind me never to get you drunk again!"
"Or at least do it, where no one is around I can hug." Sam added.
FIN
So what do you think? Was it okay? I really would like to know what you think. Hugs, Vonnie