April, 1984, Boston, Massachusetts

Dean grabbed his brother's chubby little hand, helping him stand up. His legs were wobbly, not finding their full balance just yet. Babbling happily he looked up at Dean.

"Come on Sammy, you can do it." Mary looked at them with a small smile spreading on her face, setting her paper down.

"Dean, you know he's still very little, he'll be able to walk when he's ready."

"I know mommy, but he's almost one now. I know he can do it." Dean said firmly and placed Sam's hand on the leg of one of the armchairs. Carefully he let go in case Sam would lose his balance. He didn't so Dean took a few steps back, gesturing to his brother to follow. Mary studied them, ready to intervene if Sam should fall.

Sam looked at Dean with a frustrated little frown, he wanted to step closer, confused by this sudden challenge.

"Ean." He said and Dean held his arms out.

"You can do it Sammy, come here." Tentatively, he took a step forward. And then another one. Mary sat up straighter, her face lighting up in surprise. Sam took the last steps to Dean's arms, crying out in delight. Dean caught him before he could fall.

"Good job, Sammy! Did you see mommy? I told you he could do it." Mary kneeled next to them, bringing Sam into her arms with a laugh.

"You can walk Sammy?" She cooed lovingly. Sam struggled in her arms, now eager to try his newfound ability. "Oh, I have to get the camera…" Mary trailed off, sadness clouding her eyes. Sam noticed her mood change and looked to his brother with big eyes.

"Mommy?" Dean asked quietly. He knew that she was thinking about their dad. She stood up, clearing her throat.

"I'm fine Dean. I'll be back in a minute okay?" She said tensely and turned, but not before Dean saw the tears spilling down her cheeks.


April, 1998, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dean hadn't been completely sure that Sam would actually do it. At the same time, he knew he had it coming. That didn't matter now as ice cold water jerked him awake. In a second he was standing beside the bed, shaking water out of his hair. Shivering, he looked around to see his brother laughing, holding a bowl.

"I always knew you would make a fine impression of a dog, Dean." Dean wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his brother's face.

"What the hell? I was sleeping you moron!" He spat through clenched teeth.

"And now you're not. You were right; it does bring me joy to wake you up like this." Sam said, very pleased with himself.

"But- you little- is this how you want it Sammy? I'll make you sorry for starting this." Sam's brows shot up at the threat.

"I started this? What are you, seven?" Sam stepped closer, eyes fixing on something on Dean's desk. "Hey, is that…" He looked up at his brother with a glare.

"Why is my candy bar on your desk, Dean?" Dean shrugged and grabbed it before Sam could.

"This one? Oh, this is mine." Sam reached for it but Dean quickly held it behind his back. Sam sighed exasperatedly and held out his hand.

"Dean, give it to me. I've been looking for that." Seeing Dean's smug little smile his hand leaped out again. Dean took a step back just in time.

"Why so desperate, huh? It was lying around so I grabbed it, now it's mine. Deal with it." Sam made another attempt and succeeded in grabbing his brother's arm.

"It's just a candy bar for god's sake! And besides, I bought it, it's mine!" Dean struggled against his grip.

"Sharing is caring right, Sammy? You come in here splashing water in my face so if I want this bar; I'm going to take it."

"You already had it before then! Give it back, Dean!" Dean managed to get loose and backed away with a triumphant smile.

"Nope. I'm the oldest and I need it more."

"What? That makes no sense Dean!" Sam exclaimed, affronted.

"Sure it does-"

"Boys!" Mary walked into the room with a sigh. "Can we please have a morning without the two of you fighting? I swear my ears will start bleeding." Sam stepped back with a scoff.

"He started it." Dean rolled his eyes at his brother's childish tone.

"And you say I'm seven?"


Mary told Dean to drive Sam to school; she said she didn't have time. They didn't speak to each other at first, the awkward air in the car made Sam uncomfortable. He decided to break the silence.

"So, how did your date go last night?" Dean chuckled to himself.

"Wish I knew, Sammy. It was weird, I can tell you that."

"What do you mean?" Dean shrugged.

"Everything was going fine and then I accidentally spilled some salt on her hand. She acted like I'd just poured acid on her." Sam frowned, vague alarm bells ringing somewhere in the back of his mind.

"Really?" Dean met Sam's questioning eyes and nodded.

"Yeah, she shrugged it off very quickly though. Still, it was weird." Sam felt a bit ridiculous for saying it but he had to. After all, it was what the both of them were thinking.

"Do you…you know-think she could be-"Dean sighed, jaw tensing.

"I don't know. But after all these years, us constantly moving? Isn't it kind of paranoid to even think that she's a demon?"

"I guess. But you know mom, she taught us to look out for any signs, shouldn't we at least tell her?"

"She'll have us move to Alaska in less than five seconds, even if Kate's a demon or not. I don't want to move any more Sammy, I'm sick of it." Sam had to agree, over the years he'd said goodbye to friends over and over again and then forced to adapt to switching schools. Here, he'd settled down better than he had in a while.


Sam was so wrapped up in his chemistry book that he didn't notice his friend Sophie calling his name. He looked up confusedly when she waved a hand in front of his face.

"Hello? Earth to Sam? You were practically glued to that book." She said and rolled her eyes. Sam began to gather his things.

"Sorry, just focused I guess. The test's next Wednesday you know." Sophie scoffed as they headed out of the library, heading towards English class.

"Yeah, I know, but that's like a week from now. So I heard Mr. Roberts is back, thank god, that sub was terrible." Sam chuckled, she wasn't wrong. Mr. Roberts greeted them with a nod as they entered the classroom.

"Hi everyone. I hope you all learned something during my short leave. Today we'll start reading Hamlet." The unspoken groan in the classroom was tangible. Sam sighed; he'd have to read it again.

"Okay, see you on Friday." Mr. Roberts said after the bell finally rang. "Sam." Sam's head snapped up, seeing Mr. Roberts look at him through his hideous glasses. "I'd like to speak with you if that's okay?" He nodded and turned to meet Sophie's questioning eyes.

"I'll catch up with you." He said before she left the classroom. For some reason Sam was nervous, what did he want?

"Is everything ok?" Sam asked hesitantly. Mr. Roberts adjusted his glasses.

"That depends. I wanted to talk to you because I've noticed that you've been a bit…absentminded lately. Is everything alright at home?" Sam blinked, what was he talking about? He was always alert during classes, never missed any homework. Mr. Roberts had been gone for a week, this didn't make any sense. Sam realized that he was waiting for him to answer.

"I'm sorry, where is this coming from? Everything's fine, I mean I've been to every class. Have I missed some task you've given us?" Sam rambled. Annoyance passed through Mr. Roberts eyes.

"Sam, I wish it didn't have to come to this. To be honest, I'm disappointed; you have always worked very hard. I tried to be discreet, that's why I asked you, in hopes of you telling the truth. I know you cheated on the essay a few weeks ago." Sam didn't believe what he was hearing, cheating? He felt anger well up in his chest.

"I'm sorry sir, but I have never cheated and I certainly never will. On what grounds do you claim that I've cheated?"

"Sam, please." Mr. Roberts gave him a dark look. "This is not a matter of discussion. You have two options, I have a conversation with you and your mother and you'll rewrite the essay. Or you will have one week of detention, two hours every afternoon." Sam was too taken aback to answer immediately, this was absurd.

"Is this some kind of joke? I did not cheat, okay?" Sam couldn't keep his voice from rising.

"I'm giving you two options here, Sam. Pick one." Sam's jaw clenched. He had to choose.

"Detention." He would not bring himself to rewrite the essay; he had too much self-respect to do that. His eyes met Mr. Roberts's, not bothering to hide the glare. For a second Sam thought he saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

"Okay then. Goodbye Sam." For some reason his voice hinted disappointment in Sam's decision. Sam didn't answer as he angrily left the classroom.


"You cheating? Is he for real?" Dean asked irritably as they drove home.

"Apparently." Sam stared out the window, rain clouding the sight. "Can't believe it, why would he say that?" He muttered quietly.

"Just give me a word and we'll turn back ok? I'll show him my friendly side." Dean said firmly. Sam rolled his eyes.

"I'll just have to suffer through detention for a week." Dean scoffed, hands tightening on the steering wheel.

"But cheating, seriously? Did he say why he thought so?" Sam shrugged hopelessly.

"No, he wouldn't say. I guess he hates me or something."

"Why? You're like a saint compared to most other kids." Sam snorted. The rest of the ride home passed in silence, the only sounds were the engine and the splattering of rain on the windshield.


Sam didn't tell Mary about what had happened, he'd wait to tell her. Right now, he was just too exhausted. Sounds coming from the hall woke him from restless dreams. He sat up in bed, pushing hair out of his face. He frowned, was Dean still up? With a sigh he went to Dean's room, carefully opening the door. His brother snored lightly, his sleeping shape shifting. Sam closed the door and walked to the kitchen, pausing to listen. He heard scratching sounds, like someone was fumbling with something. Sam tried to locate it and he stepped closer to the front door in the hall. His stomach dropped when he saw the door handle move up and down slowly. Instinctively, he took a step back. He blinked, had he just imagined it? It was dark after all; the room was only lit by the faint light coming in from the street lights outside. Sam swallowed thickly and stepped closer to the door. Don't be a baby. Taking a deep breath he looked through the peephole on the door. A sigh of relief escaped him, there was no one there. The single spotlight lit up the corridor outside. Everything looked normal; Sam saw that their neighbor Ms. Adams had forgotten her paper outside again. He chuckled to himself, she forgot it at least four times every-

A set of eyes looked into his through the peephole. He couldn't distinguish the face, the eyes were too close. Sam nearly screamed, blood running cold. He backed away as fast he could, almost tripping over his own feet. What the hell?! A door opened and Dean came walking in, running a hand down his face. Sam realized that he must have made some noise that woke him up.

"Sammy?" Dean halted when he saw Sam's still shocked expression.

"Dean, there was…there was some-" Dean frowned and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down. What happened? You look scared shitless." Sam tried to somewhat recollect himself.

"There was someone outside, whoever it was stared right through the peephole Dean." Dean looked him over, deciding on that he was not kidding. He went to the door, opening it. Sam looked at his feet.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?" Sam asked nervously. He couldn't bring himself to look up. Those cold eyes were etched into his mind.

"There's no one here."