Sorry, this chapter seems so rushed. I honestly did not realize that it has been almost a month since I last updated, and I felt so terrible about that! This was an extremely difficult chapter, and I wanted to get the back story out of the way and get to the good parts. I forgot to mention the monkeymuse helped me with the last chapter! I'm so sorry I forgot. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! _____________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 4

"Adam," Dean called as he shuffled through the mail.

"Yeah, De," Adam peeked into the kitchen.

"Go work on your homework for a bit then we'll go get dinner and rent a few movies. That sound okay, kiddo?"

"Yeah!" Adam ran back into the living room and diligently began his work.

"Bills, bills, bills," Dean muttered to himself as he quickly scanned each envelope. "What the hell's this?" He tore open an official looking letter from a courthouse and read it over. Dean's heart stopped as he took in the details.

* * *

"Bobby!"

"Dean," Bobby pulled away at the phone, "Calm down son. What's going on?"

"I just got a letter from a courthouse in California. My father is going to get custody of Adam. How the hell could this happen? I thought this was all settled? Oh god."

"Dean, breath," Bobby could hear Dean beginning to panic. "Dean, slow down and start again. Now, what happened?"

"I got a letter from Child Services saying that my dad has completed the necessary actions to gain back custody of Adam. There is going to be a hearing a week from now when a judge will decide where Adam will go. Bobby, how could this happen?" Dean had to sit down. He was panicking. He knew this, but the thought of his baby brother being forced to live with that monster was too much for him to handle.

"Dean, the judge that made that paperwork died a month ago. John probably found this out and took advantage of the situation."

"What? Bobby, why wouldn't you tell me that?"

"I'm sorry, boy; I didn't think you needed to know. I didn't think your father would do something like this, especially because he hasn't seen any of you for four years."

"What should I do? Tell me what to do. I'm stuck here." Dean ran a hand over his face trying to decide the best course of action.

"We have to look at this from a few angles. The best thing is that the judge will rule in your favor and nothing will come of it."

"What if he doesn't? Should we just run?" Dean thought aloud.

"You want to run forever? Dean, you're going to drag that boy over the country until he's eighteen? You'll be running from the police for kidnapping and be looking over your shoulder every second of the day. You can't handle it and Adam sure can't. Sam'll have to break ties from you or drop out of school and go on the run. Is that really what you want?"

"No," Dean sighed. "I can't sit here and do nothing though. Adam's not going to be able to handle being taken away from me." Dean's eyes were watering in panic and fear.

"Dean, that boy's stronger than you give him credit. He is still a Winchester," Bobby reminded Dean. "What if he has changed?" Bobby voiced his thoughts about John.

"That's not possible, Bobby," Dean grunted in derision. "He's too far gone. He was never a father to Adam or Sam, and I can barely remember what he used to be like.

"Now, don't get mad at me for saying this, but maybe we just let whatever happens, happen. Adam knows you love him and knows you wouldn't let something like this happen unless you had no other choice. I think you need to remind him that he's not alone and to be brave and that if John hits him to get out of there. You can call the police and John will get busted. That'll be the end of it." Bobby waited for the explosion he knew was coming.

"What? So, you're saying you want me to use my baby brother as bait against my father?"

"Stop putting words in my mouth, son," Bobby interrupted. "Adam needs to be prepared and he needs to know that you'll be there for him."

"I'm always there—"

"I know that, but if John hits him, we can use that to our advantage to make sure nothing like this will happen again, but he needs to get out of that house and call for help."

"There's nothing else we can do?" Dean softly said.

"I don't think so."

"I don't like this at all."

"Neither do I."

* * *

Sam held his breath as he reluctantly entered the classroom, knowing there would be glances thrown his way for the entire time, and he was right. Most of his classmates attempted not to stare, but he could see their quick glances in his direction. Others were not so careful with their stares. Joshua was staring directly at him as Sam sat down at his des, took out his notebook, and waited for class to start.

Sam sensed movement to his right and he looked up to see Jessica sit down next to him. "Hi, Sam, how was your weekend?" She asked when she saw Sam looking at her.

"It was fine," Sam replied, confused that she was not looking at him like the rest of his classmates. "How was yours?"

"Good," Jessica got out before Dr. Robinson walked in.

"Okay, class, let's get started today. We have a lot to talk about. Now," Dr. Robinson put his briefcase on the ground and sat at a desk, "our topic for discussion today is why children don't tell people they are being abused and if the parents should ever gain back custody of their children. So, what are your thoughts on these issues?"

"Well," Jess began, "I think kids don't tell because maybe they don't understand that what is happening to them isn't wrong."

"I think kids are just dumb," Joshua interrupted. "Why wouldn't you say something if you were getting the shit beat out of you?"

"Maybe, it's not that easy?" Sam got so irritated during this class. People just did not understand what abused kids go through.

"How is it not easy?" Joshua asked.

"I don't know," Sam lied, "You know, the foster care system isn't the most reliable service. Siblings are split up all the time and kids can get put right back abused homes."

"Yeah, but that doesn't happen all the time. Isn't it better to at least try to get out of it?" Joshua condescendingly said. He rolled his eyes at Sam and looked proudly at the professor.

"What if you had a younger brother that would have never survived the foster care system by himself? What if you knew that you and your two other brothers would never be able to stay together because nobody wants to foster a teenager?" Sam was beginning to lose his temper.

"Like I said before," Joshua threateningly said, "why would you want to stay in an abusive household. Those kids are so dumb and irresponsible."

"Shut up!" Sam stood up. His chair was pushed back in anger. "My older brother is like a father to my little brother. He never would have survived without him!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" It was now Joshua's turn to stand and face Sam who was beginning to loom over him. "You're talking like you've been abused."

"Sam, Joshua, sit down," Dr. Robinson cut in. Both boys sat down and glared at each other.

"Care to explain?" Joshua smirked.

"Joshua, Sam does not have to explain himself to the class," Dr. Robinson said.

"No, Dr. Robinson, it's okay," Sam sighed, knowing there was no way out of it. He would rather be the abused kid than have people constantly wondering what was wrong with him. "Growing up, my father abused me and my two brothers. My youngest brother, Adam is eleven years younger than my older brother, Dean. Dean is basically like a father to Adam, and we knew we would be split up if we told anyone what my dad was doing to us. Adam had issues from the abuse and we knew he wouldn't be able to handle being away from Dean. I mean, know one wants to foster an abused teenage boy," Sam glumly looked up at the class. "All we have is each other. We would have rather been together living in that situation than be separated."

"What happened later? I mean, did you ever get away," Jessica shyly asked.

Sam looked her in the eyes. He saw compassion and kindness buried in the beautiful sapphire irises. "When Dean turned eighteen he took us and got us out of there. We got a house and he got a job and a judge gave him custody of us."

Everyone in the class had their eyes on the ground or on their papers contemplating what Sam had said. Sam expected his classmates to think him sick and broken, but no one showed any sign of hate, no glaring eyes and no brows raised in disbelief. Sam was shocked, and he wondered if finally talking was not such a bad thing after all.

The rest of class went by without incident. No one pressed Sam for details, giving him the space he needed to reevaluate how he dealt with his childhood. Maybe he truly did need a catharsis. He needed to release these feelings of hatred, rage, and remorse for his lost childhood. Maybe telling his story would be a good thing, a way to educate people about a topic that was often overlooked in the world.

At the dismissal of class, Sam reached into his bag and took out his cell phone. He had one missed call from Dean. So, he quickly left the room and found a quiet, isolated corner where he could call his brother. After one ring the phone answered and Dean's voice came over the phone, sounding extremely worried and agitated. Sam did not realize at the time that this would be the worst news he would ever hear.

* * *

Adam could tell something was bothering his brother, but he was too afraid to ask. The entire night, Dean acted like he was fine, but Adam knew Dean better than anyone. Dean acted fine all night. He smiled and made jokes and teased, but Adam noticed Dean's eyes wander in deep thought during a serious part of the movie and his jaw would clench in unspoken anger. It made Adam increasingly nervous until his stomach clenched in fear and pain. Adam leaned into Dean and shut his eyes in pain. His hand fiercely grasped Dean's shirt, trying to alleviate the pain.

"What's wrong, Adam?" Dean asked. He looked down at his brother, concern etched in his face.

"Stomach," Adam choked.

"Okay, stay here. I'll go get your meds." Dean quickly sat up and gently leaned Adam onto the couch. He hurried to the kitchen and opened the cabinet that held Adam's medication and uncapped the bottle, grabbing one of the small pills. After filling a small class with water, he went back to his brother. "Here, drink this up," he said as he handed the pill to Adam.

"Thanks, De," Adam said after swallowing the medication.

"Those should kick in soon. Let's go to bed now. Up and at 'em, kiddo. Go upstairs and get ready for bed. I'll be there in a minute." Dean gently pulled Adam up by his arms and steered him to the stairs.

Adam slowly walked up the stairs, got changed, and brushed his teeth before he got into Dean's bed. He was too worried about what was upsetting his brother to sleep in his own room tonight. He got under the covers, pulling the soft blankets up to his chin, and flipped on the T.V. as Dean walked into the room.

"Sleeping with me tonight, kiddo?" Dean asked as he noticed Adam in the bed. Adam just nodded in return and burrowed deeper into the blankets. Dean quickly went to the bathroom, changed, and brushed his teeth before returning to his brother. He turned off the light and got into bed.

Dean's arms were wrapped around him in a comforting manner, pulling him close, and making him feel safe, but still Adam could not sleep. He knew Dean was not sleeping either. He could feel Dean's chest moving against his back and it was not a deep, rhythmic breathing like he knew it should be if Dean was truly sleeping.

Adam turned around and saw Dean looking at him. He buried his face into Dean's chest and felt as his brother's grip tightened. "Everything okay?" Dean asked.

"Can't sleep," Adam mumbled into Dean's chest.

"Me neither, buddy."

Adam relished the comfort and safety he felt while laying next to his brother. After a few minutes of silence, Adam finally drew the courage to look up and ask, "What's wrong, De?"

"Nothing's wrong, Adam. I'm fine, just try to sleep," Dean said, as he ran a hand through Adam's hair.

"De, what's wrong? Please tell me," Adam begged.

"Adam, I'm fine."

"De!"

Dean sighed, knowing Adam would not give up pestering him until he got his way. "Come here, kiddo," Dean sat up in bed and pulled Adam up with him. "I have something to tell you. I got a letter in the mail today from a courthouse in California."

"What did it say?"

"Dad's trying to get custody of you." Dean braced himself for the reaction he knew was coming, and sure enough it cut right through him to listen to Adam's cries.

"What?" Adam voice cracked in fear.

"Buddy, listen to me," Dean turned to look at his baby brother and cupped his cheek, trying to pull him from his panic. "It's going to be okay. You're going to be fine."

"De, no, I don't wanna, De. No, no, no, no, no." Dean pulled him into a hug as Adam sobbed as into his shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay, Adam. I'm here."

* * *

A week later, Dean had driven the three hours to get to California. He had not realized it at the time, but the courthouse was only twenty minutes from Stanford's campus, so Sam was meeting his brothers at the hearing. Adam was relatively silent the entire way, though Dean knew it was because of his upset stomach. He had given Adam his medication that morning, but Adam's worries were too powerful for the drug.

Dean parked the Impala and opened the door for Adam. Not a word was said between the brothers, but Dean took Adam's hand reassuringly and entered the courthouse. Sam was standing there waiting for them, and Adam took one look at his brother and ran over to Sam, jumping in his arms.

"Sammy," Adam sobbed.

"I know, kiddo. It's okay," Sam gently rubbed Adam's back.

"Hey, Sammy," Dean gave Sam a one-armed hug paying careful attention not to bump Adam. "Let's go and get this over with."

Overall, the trial was stressful, emotional draining, and something Dean never wanted to put his brothers through ever again. The minute John walked in, Adam tensed up and trembled. His eyes swam with unshed tears, but Adam was able to hold them back until the very end. Sam's hands clenched and unclenched, his jaw strained with anger. Dean sat quietly, taking in everything that was happening, praying it would turn in their favor. John put up a good show, but he was always able to display himself in a different manner than how he was normally.

Dean prayed, not wanting to feel too confident, but one could always use help from God in situations like these. The judge stood up and Dean's heart anxiously pounded in his throat making it seem like it would burst out at any moment. He held Adam's trembling hand tightly in his own, but when the judge made his decision, saying every father deserves a second chance, that John showed a complete change in character, and John was to be given custody of Adam, Dean's faith died.

So, what do you think? Seriously, I want to thank everyone who reviewed last time. I think I got thirty-some reviews and it MADE MY LIFE!!! I was so excited about it. So, keep it up. I have the story completely mapped out now, and now that we are getting to the exciting parts of the story, I'm hoping to get these chapters out faster. So, REVIEW!!! It was so awesome!

Oh, btw, mac girl…if you are reading this, I would love your help on "Shadow Follows Light," but for some reason your email didn't come up. So, shoot me a message!