Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or any of the characters or anything.

Dean sat on the edge of his lumpy motel bed as he waited for his dad to finish washing out the cuts on his face. Within a few moments John had vacated the bathroom and Dean was able to begin cleaning the large wound in his side.

"If you would have fired just a second sooner you could have saved yourself a world of pain," John was just about to lie down when there was a knock on the door. Dean shut off the faucet and turned, armed and ready for whoever or whatever came through that door. John slowly unlocked the door and inched it open. He stared at the young man on the doorstep and couldn't believe his eyes. Before he even knew what he was doing the door was swung open and the young man was caught in a John Winchester bear hug from which there was no escaping.

Tears flowed freely as Sam sank into his fathers embrace. A few tears were shed due to the pain the tight squeeze caused his sore and tired body. But mostly, he cried because he didn't think this moment would ever be a reality.

Finally, John eased up and pulled his son into the room. Silence permeated the air as the small family basked in the miracle of the reunion. Sam couldn't believe how little his father had changed, a few more wrinkle lines here and there but not much else differed. Dean also looked much the same, just a bit thicker , but he was the same Dean. The only real change was that Sam now stood eye to eye with them both.

"You're bleeding," Sam said suddenly. He hurried to Dean's side and grabbed the wet towel from his brothers hand. Before Sam had a chance to tend to Deans would he was caught up in his brothers arms.

"Sammy."

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"So he just died?" Dean asked for the second time.

"Yeah, I think it was a heart attack or stroke or something like that" Sam shifted a bit and cast his droopy eyes to the ground, "And then as soon as I knew he was cold I made a run for it."

"How did you find us so fast?" John asked, impressed by his sons tracking skills.

"Actually," Sam paused for a yawn, "I didn't really. I just prayed," another yawn, "and you showed up."

"So-" Deans question was cut off by Johns declaration.

"He's exhausted."

Sam yawned yet again, almost in acknowledgement of his fathers statement.

"Do you wanna hit the shower first or go straight to bed?"

"I think a shower would do me good," Sam knew his stench was pretty rancid and he would sleep better nice and clean.

"I'm assuming you don't have anything clean. Dean grab your brother some clothes."

Dean rifled through his duffle and pulled out sweats and a shirt.

"Um. Do you have anything with long sleeves? It's kind of cold." Sam really didn't want to sound picky but he also didn't want his forearms exposed.

Dean shifted through his bag again and pulled out a long sleeved shirt.

"Thanks," Sam gave his older brother a smile and headed into the bathroom. It wasn't until 45 minutes later that Sam emerged from the little room, steam rushing out as he opened the door. It had been four years since he'd last taken a hot shower and he had forgotten how much he missed them.

Dean and John prepared for bed quickly and soon three grown men were staring at two queen sized beds.

"I'll take the couch," Sam said. Even a dirty motel couch was luxury compared to what he was used to.

"There's no way that's happening," Dean grabbed a pillow and went to the couch.

Sam looked to John who shrugged his shoulders and said, "looks like it's settled."

Sam gently scooted beneath the covers and fell into a deep, much needed sleep. But it didn't last for long.

"Sam! Sam!... Sammy wake up!" John shook his son maybe a little too aggressively as he struggled to wake the screaming boy.

"SAM!"

Sam's eyes shot open and in a moment of panic he grabbed John's neck, rolled off the bed, and tackled him to the ground. Stunned by the action Sam had taken, John lay on he ground looking up into Sam's confused eyes. After a few seconds, Sam released his father from his death grip.

John sat up slowly and watched as his son regained awareness. Dean stood at the foot of the bed looking on and feeling totally useless. Sam's breathing slowed and finally he was able to whisper.

"Sorry" he said as he pushed his sweaty hair out of his eyes, "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize son," John slowly rose to his feet and extended a hand down to help Sam up. "You just get back to bed and don't worry, you're safe now."

The three men returned to bed but not one of them was able to sleep. Sam refused to sleep lest he wake up in a cold sweat again and John and Dean stayed alert just in case. And so a few hours later the dawn welcomed three very tired Winchesters.

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"Who wants breakfast?" John asked as he put on his shoes.

"I could eat," was Deans reply with a smile.

Sam nodded his head in agreement but then added, "There are a few things I need from my room next door though."

"I'll go with you," Dean blurted. He had wanted to sound casual but his need to be next to his brother at all times was more than obvious. It made Sam smile to see Dean being Sean. Protective, worried, big brother, mamma bear Dean.

John nodded his approval and Sam and Dean went next door. Dean watched as Sam picked up his meager belongings.

"What do you have there?"

"Just some headache pills and a book," Sam said as he pulled the two items out from under a pillow. He handed the book to his brother and pocketed the pills.

"Of Mice and Men?"

"Yeah, I had it in my back pocket when...well, yeah. So, I've read it a few times."

Dean turned the torn and tattered book over in his hands. As he briefly thumbed through the pages he couldn't help noticing bloody finger prints on various dog eared pages. He tried to stop his mind from imagining how that blood was drawn as he handed the book back to Sam.

"Sam, I don't know what really happened to you these past four years. But I know you, and I know when you are lying to me. Maybe you don't remember but I'm your big brother and I taught you how to lie. I obviously failed, but -"

"Dean-"

"No wait. Maybe you have dad fooled. For now. But he's going to keep asking more questions, he's not going to let this drop, and neither am I. I just want you to be honest with me about what really happened," Dean finally took in a breath, "please?"

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