Empire of Dirt
AN: I just want to start off by saying I am so sorry it's been a while since I've updated. The holidays are proving to be much harder than I expected. This is only the second year since my mom passed away. I thought this year would be easier but it just isn't. It feels a little more permanent. Like a reminder that she's really gone. I could almost think last year was like a fluke or something. Like she was just gone on a trip or something, but now she's still not back. She's really gone. It's been a difficult couple weeks for me. It's taken all my energy to get up out of bed and go to work and do family things. So I am sorry.
I hope everyone likes my story. The next chapter is my last one!! Someone asked how old Joshua and Caleb are and I am working that out with my next story but in this on they are at least in their early 20's, like 23 and 20 or something like that. Sorry I didn't get that answered before.
Ok, enough of my rambling, on with the story!
Chapter 10:
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
It had been a week and Dean and Sam were both out of the hospital and John had found a cheep motel for them to stay. Pastor Jim had come and gone. He had been called off to help a family in need. Caleb and Joshua had stuck around though to see the whole thing through.
They'd had an eventful morning. Sam was going back to school since the break was over but Dean was staying home until he had fully healed. All week Sam had changed. He'd become sullen and withdrawn. He had horrible nightmares that reminded John of the ones he had after Mary had died. Just like then, Dean started sleeping with Sam again though John knew that would be the case either way. Sam hadn't left Dean's side since he had woken up in the hospital.
Getting him to go to school that morning had been hard. He latterly had to be forced from Dean's side. Dean had been the one to get him to go. He had Sam promise him he would get his homework and more importantly a certain girl's number. John knew though that Sam wasn't the only one having trouble. The only times Sam and Dean were separated was when one of them was in the bathroom. Dean tried to hide his uneasiness when Sam was away from him and tried even harder to hide his relief when Sam came back. Dean had looked lost when he watched Sam walking away with Caleb to school.
"Hey, no offense to you Joshua," Dean said as he ate lunch with Joshua and Caleb that afternoon.
"What about me?" Caleb asked his mouth full of turkey sandwich.
"But, I am fine." Dean said pretending he hadn't heard Caleb. "I really don't need extra baby sitters."
"We're here for your dad and Sam too." Joshua said smiling at Caleb as he rolled his eyes and stuffed more food in his mouth.
"Well, tell Caleb he can help by showing a little more table manners. I think I'm gonna be sick." Dean said.
"Oh this coming from last night's champion of our burping contest, which I still want a rematch." Caleb said.
"You're just a sore loser." Dean said smiling while leaning back into his chair.
"Maybe you're just scared you can't reproduce that two nights in a row."
"Both of you are disgusting." Joshua said as he gathered their dishes. Dean smiled proudly and then noticed his Dad looking though papers and his journal by the counter.
"What are you doing Dad?" He asked.
"A couple black dogs have been reported a few states over." John said not looking up.
"And we're leaving town?" Dean asked slowly.
"Yeah of course, once you're better," John closed tossed aside some papers aside and begin writing something in his journal. He didn't notice the look Dean was shooting his way. Joshua and Caleb exchanged glances but before anyone could say anything the phone rang.
"John Winchester." John said answering it and turning away.
"You alright kid?" Caleb asked leaning over to Dean.
"I promised Sammy." Dean said angrily. "I'm not gonna break it."
"Damnit," John said hanging up the phone. "I need to go. Sam's in the nurse's office and it seems he needs to come home."
"Is he ok?" Dean asked.
"Of course he is!" John snapped. "I don't know what to do with him!"
"Well John, it's been a difficult week." Joshua reminded him gently. "Maybe he shouldn't have gone back yet."
"He's fine! He's just being difficult." John growled as he searched for his keys. "I don't get him sometimes. The kid begs and whines about going to school and now he's refusing to go!"
"Don't talk about Sam like that!" Dean exclaimed standing up. "And don't refer to my brother as 'the kid' not after what you put him through!" With that Dean stormed off to his room where he slammed the door. John starred after him in shock, Joshua put his head in his hands and Caleb tried hard not to laugh.
"What the hell was that about?" John asked. "What the hell am I supposed to do with that?"
"Just go get Sam." Joshua said looking for something for his growing headache.
"Will you guys talk to him and see what crawled up his ass?" John asked walking toward the door.
"Sure John, should we use Dad lector #47 or #92?" Caleb asked crossing his arms and John just glared at him.
"Just talk to him." With that he left.
"You're back in full smartass swing." Joshua said looking at his brother.
"We don't have to talk to Dean. There was nothing wrong with what he said." Caleb said standing up.
"I know," Joshua said popping some Advil in his mouth.
"And where does he get off talking about Sam like that!" Caleb went on, his voice rising. "He had a little more than a bad week. First he gets sick and John leaves. Then he finds out there is a freaking Demon after him because his lousy father used him as bait. Then he sees his brother get stabbed and almost die!" Caleb stopped and sat back down. "So let's just let Dean be because as I recall from the entire time we've known the Winchesters, it's been Dean who's been raising Sam so he can say whatever the hell he wants.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Twenty minutes last John and Sam came back and when the door slammed Dean came rushing out.
"Dean!" Sam cried happily and rushed over to him. He carefully put his arms around Dean and hugged him.
"Are you alright Sammy?" Dean asked. He still wouldn't admit it, but he was so relived to see Sam. "Are you feeling sick? Are you hurt?" He pushed Sam back a little to get a look at his face. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." Sam said and buried his face in Dean's chest.
"Of course he fine!" John snapped. "He was always fine. He just needs to learn to deal with what happened."
"You mean he needs to suck it up. Grow a pair?" Caleb interrupted.
"Stay out of this!" John yelled turning to Caleb. "This is a family discussion!"
"Oh, suddenly Josh and I aren't part of the family?" Caleb asked standing up.
"Caleb," Joshua said gently not wanting his brother to get involved.
"Weren't we the ones you had drop everything to come and take care of your kids?" Caleb yelled not even hearing Joshua.
"You've been here for a week! You were alone with them for a few days!" John yelled.
"This hasn't been the first time John!" Caleb asked. "What about the poltergeist in Memphis or the banshee in San Antonio?"
"Will you stop talking about us like we aren't here?" Dean shouted pulling Sam behind him.
"Will you stop codling your brother!" John yelled turning to them. "He is never going to be able to handle what we do if you're wiping his ass the whole time!"
"He's just a kid!" Dean yelled as he felt Sam's hands grabbing at his shirt.
"He needs to deal with it! He needs to be more like us!" John yelled pointing his finger at them.
"I don't want him to be like us!" Dean yelled back. John took a step back with a surprised look on his face.
"That's it," Joshua said standing up. "Sam, Dean, go to your room."
"You can't tell us what to do!" Dean shouted.
"I'm on your side!" Joshua exclaimed.
"I forgot!" Dean shouted then turned to Sam and lowered his voice. "Come on Sammy." He put his arm around the visibly upset Sam and led him away. Once they were gone, the three remaining starred at each other.
"Caleb, sit down and shut up." Joshua said not taking his eyes off John.
"What?" Caleb asked.
"Just do it!" Caleb rolled his eyes and sat down.
"What do you want to say to me?" John asked.
"This has got to stop." Joshua said.
"What does?"
"This!" Joshua yelled throwing his hands up. "Sam is nine years old for fucks sake! He shouldn't have to just magically get over seeing his brother almost die just overnight! He shouldn't have to be used as bait to bring down a demon! I know Dean knew all this when he was Sam's age and that wasn't fair either but Dean has Sam to worry about. You need to go easier on Dean too."
"Where the hell do you come off telling me what to do with my own children?" John yelled.
"Someone has too!"
"I am their father!"
"Then act like it!" John fumed and turned away. Joshua sighed and gave Caleb a warning look to stay quiet. "Look John," He said softer. "Sam is only going to get worse if you push him. Both of them," John turned to look at him. "Dean is going to look out for Sam. He's just following your orders. And Sam is going to be a kid. That's what he is. They both are. You need to let them be kids once in a while or your going to lose them."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Let me know what you think! One more chapter to go!!