Special Thanks to my beta Warr2654. Also Thanks to all my readers for sticking with my story. I get a little ocd and take a while sometime when I'm writing because I want it to be perfect for you guys. I hope you like it.
Chapter 7 Saturday June 13th Blue Earth, Minnesota
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Dean sat on the front porch drinking a beer while Pastor Jim heated up some chili. He missed being with Dad and Sam, but he loved visiting Jim. It was always so much calmer. He could relax and have some time to himself. He thought about extending his trip by a day or so, but he knew Sam would be missing him. It was about time to call dad and check on how Sammy was doing. He hadn't seemed himself the last few times they'd talked. Dads probably been running him ragged training.Dean thought to himself as he took another swig of his beer and fished his phone out of his pocket. The phone rang three times before Dad picked up.
"Hey Dean. Everything alright?" Dad always waited to talk about anything else until after he made sure Dean was safe. Today was no exception.
"Hey Dad, everything is good here. We patched some holes in the roof and painted the church front so I'm about done here. I'll be heading home tomorrow."
Dean thought Dad would ask some questions about the work, or tell him Jim was probably ready for him to leave. Instead he asked seriously, "When do you think you'll make it here to the cabin?"
"I think I'll be there late Sunday or early in the morning on Monday."
"Dean hurry on your way back. Things aren't going the way I'd like, and I could use your help." Dad never asked for help with anything. On top of that, Dad had been the one who wanted some alone time to train Sam in the first place.
A small weight began to gather in Dean's stomach. "Why? What's happening over there? How's Sam?"
Dad did not respond immediately. After several moments of silence he said quietly, "Sam's fine."
Dean waited for him to say more but Dad did not seem to intend to say anything else. "What's going on Dad?"
John sighed. "I don't know, it's been on and off with him for the last few days. We've been training hard Dean, really hard. But in hand to hand combat he just doesn't seem to be getting any better; no matter how long we spend on it. I know if he just tried harder he could do better."
Dean could hear the frustration in his dad's voice, but he took a deep breathe in relief and smiled to himself. Sam was fine, Dad was just irritated he couldn't make him into a perfect hunter in a matter of weeks. He expected his kids to be soldiers in a war against monsters and in his eyes not being able to kick some ass was definitely a problem.
Dean knew Sam would get there eventually. He was only fifteen. Other kids his age wouldn't be spending their hot summer days shooting targets or sparring, they would be having a relaxing vacation. All things considered Dean thought Sam was doing great. He wished Dad would give him more credit for all the effort he's been putting in- but he knew he wouldn't. Dad wasn't the kind of father who gave positive encouragement. It was never a problem for Dean but sometimes he worried about how it affected Sam.
"Don't worry Dad he'll pick it up. You just need to give him some more time. It's barely been a couple weeks. You told me yourself that Sam's trying harder than ever."
"I know that. It's just," Dad said quietly, "today was a bad one Dean. I really went off on him. He couldn't do anything right. He screwed up every single combination. He couldn't have done any worse! In the end I gave up and just sent him on his run. I think he's sulking now, he's barely said two words since getting back."
Dean grimaced. This was exactly why he never left them home for too long. He could stop these stupid arguments with a quick look and a couple words to Sam. His brother sure could sulk like a girl. Dean also hated when Dad and Sam fought because it always put him in the middle as peacekeeper. The training had started out so damn well that he had gotten his hopes up that finally they would get along! Sam and Dad had been getting along for the first week or so and he had really hoped it might last through the summer. For once Dean had hoped his family could not argue all day and he wouldn't be put in the middle, but that dream was fading fast. Dad was complaining about Sam, Sam was complaining about training, and Dean just wanted it all to stop. "Let me talk to him, Dad. I'll make sure he doesn't give you too much trouble." Dean tried to make it sound light but both he and his dad knew it wasn't.
"I'll bring him the phone." John sighed.
Dad was getting more focused on the hunt everyday. He was becoming less of a father and more of a general. Dean couldn't stop it because he believed in what Dad was doing and that meant supporting his decisions even when it came to Sam. Easier said than done.
"Here he is." John said before handing the phone off to Sam.
-o-o-o-o-
Dean was going to get Sam in a good mood and then breach the subject of Dad. He'd make him stop pouting and everything would be ok. Dean smiled to himself and said "Hey Sammy, missing me much?"
He expected some witty retort but instead he heard Sam take a deep breath and say, "I really miss you Dean."
Dean was surprised by the sound of Sam's voice. He sounded different, wrong. Dean tried to shake it off. "Well it looks like I should be heading home tomorrow, so you won't have to miss me much longer."
"Good. That's really good to hear. You finished all the work Jim needed help with?" Sam asked.
"Yeah and it wasn't even that hard of work. Honestly I think Jim might just be wanting the company. Who could blame him though. I'm pretty awesome." Dean put as much charm into his voice as he could; hoping Sammy would cheer up.
"I don't know, the word 'awesome' might wear on him after a while." Sam teased back in a voice more like his own.
"Come on man. I do not say awesome that much!" Dean exclaimed.
"Sure you don't." Sam said sarcastically.
Ok Dean admitted to himself, maybe he said 'awesome' a little more than some people."Anyway, how's everything going up there? Are you eating enough with all the training?" Dean asked, trying to subtly steer the conversation.
"Yeah. Just had some spaghetti. I wasn't that hungry tonight though."
Dean was always concerned when Sam wasn't feeling well. Sam was his responsibility after all. "It's probably the heat. Drink more water, you'll be alright." Dean could almost hear Sam roll his eyes.
"Thanks Dean. I'll do that."
Dean smiled. Sam sounded just fine. Now was the time to bring up training. "Hey man, when I get back maybe we can do some sparring like old times and give Dad a break. How's that sound?"
Since Sam and Dad were having so much trouble, it sounded like they both need a break from one another. Plus, Sam loved to spar with him. "Thanks Dean but I don't really want to. Sorry." Sam said quietly
Dean was shocked, Sam had never turned down sparring with him before. Not once. "Dude come on, it'll be fun; like old times," Dean tried to joke.
"I don't have time to mess around sparring with you Dean. We both know you let me win and that won't help me now." Sam didn't even raise his voice, but Dean felt the anger though the phone.
"Whoa Sam, what's going on with you? Is this about you not being able to take Dad down? Listen Sammy, don't let Dad get to you. You knew you would have to train eventually. It's time to grow up. You need to listen to Dad and stop acting like a little kid. You don't know everything so stop thinking that you do. Do what Dad says for once! He's trying to help you. You could show some appreciation and stop making things so hard for him. Sure he's better at all this stuff, he's been doing it for years and he was a Marine. You can't expect him to be easy to take on. You just have to keep trying. He can be hard on you sometimes but he's just trying to prepare you. Try not to get too mad at him. Remember it's hard for him too."
"I know Dean but, it's just different than I thought it would be; harder. Dad's been different too. Sometimes I feel like he hates me. He thinks I'm weak." Sam sounded defeated.
Dean immediately felt even worse than he already did. It felt like he was betraying Sam by siding with Dad. He wanted to take it all back, but he couldn't. Dad needed Sam to take training seriously. It was for his own good. The silence stretched on for a minute and Dean's will faltered a little. Maybe I've been too harsh.
"Listen Sammy. Dad told me about what happened today, the sparring, and trouble you've been having, but it's no big deal. You're having a little trouble, so what? You can't get better if you give up. Dad said your technique is perfect. You're only having trouble with the follow through on your moves. Dad figures if you just stop holding back you'll be able to do it. I know you can if you just keep trying."
"He really told you about today?" Sam asked in a strange quiet voice.
"Yeah but don't worry about it man, see I figured when I get back I could train you too, seeing as I'm so good at everything, and you'll be a pro in no time." Dean smiled to himself and waited to hear Sam laugh or mock him like he usually did. Instead he heard Sam's breath shuddered. "I don't want to train with you Dean! Please don't make me. I don't want to fight you like that. I'll train with Dad. I'll do whatever he says I promise, but- but not you ok? Ok? " Sam pleaded. He sounded so desperate.
Dean's heart dropped. "Sammy? What's going on?" Dean could hear Sam breathing oddly, but he didn't say anything. "Sammy answer me! What's wrong?" Sam didn't respond and Dean was on his feet walking towards the Impala. He was about to start the engine when Sam finally spoke.
"I'm sorry Dean. You're right, I've just been tired you know? I think I need to get some more sleep. Don't worry I'll keep training. I know how important it is. Life and death right?" Sam said it very calmly.
Dean was getting more concerned by the second. Something was seriously wrong. "Sam tell me what's wrong"
"Everything is fine Dean. Listen, I need to finish sharpening these knives before bed so I'll just talk to you later ok?"
Dean was not ok with that at all. "Listen Sammy I'll be there with you soon ok? So don't, don't worry. I'm on my way now."
"I'll just talk to you later Dean. I've got to go now." Sam hung up and Dean started the car. He should never have left Sam to begin with. Whatever was happening with Sam, Dean knew it was his fault.
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Thanks so much for reading. I always love and appreciate any reviews. I really want to know what you think. I'll try to update as soon as possible.