Summary: Through a tragedy, Sam learns that Dean will never leave him, he will always be there to protect him. This story takes place during Folsom Prison Blues, and becomes an AU story.

Dean's back! Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope to post more tomorrow!

I'm sick of giving up
Ooh, with a little luck
I'm gonna get out of here

When you're standing on the edge don't look down
Til you're ready and willing to fly

I'm one step closer
With my arms open wide here
I'm one step closer
And I'm willing to try this time

One Step Closer- by Bon Jovi

It had been a really long day, and Dean was glad that it was finally winding down. It had been hard to watch his baby brother be told that one, Dean was dead and two, that he'd be returning to prison.

Dean would have given anything to have been there for his Sammy. But when you are a spirit, you take what you can get.

The worse part of that day had been watching Sam go through processing at the prison. Dean remembered the first time that he and Sam had gone through and that day had also been pretty hard on Sam. Sam had been very uncomfortable, but Dean had been there to crack jokes. Today, Sam had to go through the process alone and in his new mental state, upset and afraid.

Dean liked Dr. Dave, and Nurse Cathy; they both seemed to really care about Sam. As Dean was watching now, Nurse Cathy was getting his brother ready for bed. He could tell she was relishing her opportunity at being maternal towards Sam. Dean thought she must have an empty nest at home. He was happy she was taking such good care of Sam, but impatient for her to leave so he could visit his brother.

"Ok, Sam, do you have everything you need?" Nurse Cathy asked as she picked up Sam's dinner tray.

"Yes, Ma'am. Is it ok, I read b-before bed?" Sam asked with his best puppy dog stare. Watching the scene before him, Dean knew the nurse was a goner.

"Yes Sam, you can, but just for a bit. You need your rest. You can leave the reading lamp on when you sleep. I know I always like a light on when I sleep in a new place." Nurse Cathy reached down and patted Sam on the arm. Sam was sitting on his cot, book in hand. "Oh and Sam, if you need anything, just push the red button on the intercom. Nurse Tracey will take care of you. She brought your dinner tray to you, do you remember?"

"Yes, Ma'am, she nice. I call if I n-need too. Th-thank you, Nurse Cathy." Sam gave her one of his bright as day smiles. Dean could see the women melting in a puddle as his brother turned on the charm.

"You're welcome Sam. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." Nurse Cathy patted Sam on the head and turned to leave.

"Night, Nurse Cathy." Sam waved as she left his cell.

Dean was happy to finally have his brother to himself. He waited a few minutes before he materialized in the chair beside Sam's cot.

Sam was so into his book that he did not notice Dean. Not wanting to scare his brother, he decided not to touch him but to call his name lightly.

"Sammy? Can you hear me?" Dean immediately received his brother's attention and the boy jumped back a bit. "Deeeean! Oooh Deeean!" Was all Sam got out as he tackled Dean. "Whoa, little brother, you're gonna knock me out of the chair, calm down." Dean could feel Sam start to sob in his arms as he moved them over to the cot so they had more room.

"Dean I so scared today. I- I think I c-crazy, cause you dead, but that ok, I-I be crazy if that mean you here!" Sam got out in between hiccupped sobs. Dean held his brother close.

"Sssh, Sammy, it's going to be ok. I'm here, and you're not crazy. You need to calm down and we'll talk about it, ok?" Dean could feel his brother trembling in his arms, and he hoped that he could get his Sammy to calm down. It took a while of Dean whispering quiet reassurances, but finally Sam's trembling and sobs stopped.

Dean reached over and grabbed Sam a tissue off the little table in the cell, and wiped Sammy's face. "Are we better now?" Dean asked. Sam nodded his head and looked up with big tear stained eyes.

"Dean if you d-dead, and b-burned up like Bobby said, how you h-here?" Sam asked, with a tremble in his voice. Dean had noticed how as the day had progressed and Sam got tired, his speech had suffered.

"Sam do you remember Molly? She died in a car accident that killed old man Greenly?" Dean paused hoping the Sam remembered. Sam nodded so Dean continued.

"She was cremated but was still here on earth as a spirit, and she was able to be corporeal- you know solid. We could touch Molly. Do you remember that Sammy?" Dean looked at Sam with hopeful eyes. Sam looked back with his big eyes staring at his brother. Sam slowly nodded.

"I member D-Dean. She h-had uh, un- unfinished uh, uh…." Sam's face tensed in frustration as the words wouldn't come out.

"That's right Sammy she had unfinished business. You're remembering right. " Dean patted Sam on the back. Sam got quiet for a moment looking at his hands, and then looked up with a very serious expression.

"So, I not crazy, you here, but wh-what your un- un finished bbbu..siness?" Sam finally got it spit out.

"You're my unfinished business. I have to take care of you! You know that right Sammy?" Dean was so pleased that Sam was catching on.

"Deeean, you not s- stay here for me, k? I can beeeee brave. Yooou n-need to be with mom. And I not want you to be a veeengeful spirit!" Sam looked at Dean with frightened eyes. His hands balled up in a fist..

"Hey Sammy, it's ok, don't worry." Dean started rubbing circles on his brother's back trying to relax him. "I want to be here. And like Molly, since my unfinished business does not include revenge, I will not turn into a vengeful spirit. I promise."

Tears began to fall down Sam's cheeks, and Dean pulled him into another hug. "Whoa, Sammy it is ok. You need to get it together. You are turning my life into one big chick flick moment." Dean felt Sam chuckle against him.

Dean put on his best winning smile and pulled Sam away from his chest so that he could look at him. "Sam, I'm here for you no matter what you understand that right?" Sam nodded. "Do you have any questions?" Dean noticed Sam's brow furl a bit in thought.

"Dean can other people see you?" Sam asked quietly.

"Yes Sam, they can, so that is why I only materialize when you're alone. I 'm always around, and I was with you all day today, you just couldn't see me. I'd freak a lot of people out if they saw me." Dean said with a smile.

"Bobby, gonna h-hunt you? I h-hope not Dean, cause I supposed to l-live with Bobby, after this." Sam was starting to get worked up again. Dean realized one thing had not changed about his Sammy, he was still a worrier.

"Hey Sammy, calm down, I plan on having a talk with Bobby once you're settled in at his place. You know he was never able to tell either of us no, and if you and I lay out why it's good for me to stay. He'll let me stay. He could never say no to your puppy dog eyes!" Dean mussed with Sam's hair.

Sam sighed and seemed to relax a bit. "Ok, you right Deeean. You always r-right. So you visit me every night I here?" Sam shifted on the cot and put his hand on Dean's knee.

"You betcha Sam, and I'll be around even when you don't see me. Hey I was looking up Nurse Tracey's skirt when she bent over to leave your dinner tray. Nice ass on that one!" Dean said with a smirk.

"Deeean! You b-bad!" Sam flushed Sam looked at Dean with worry in his eyes. "I-I wish you be there morrow when Doctor does my ph-physical."

"Hey Sam, I know you are worried about physical tomorrow, but I have an idea. I can hold your hand the whole time the exam is going on ok?" Dean looked at his brother and noticed Sam was giving him a confused look.

"How Dean, if I not see you how you hold my h-hand?" Sam looked at Dean with pleading eyes.

"Let me explain it too you the best way I can. I'm like a superhero. No wait, scratch that, I'm more like the invisible man when you can't see me. I'm still here, and if I concentrate really hard, I can move objects or hold things. Are you following me Sam?" Sam shook his head no. Dean sighed.

"After I've been corporeal- or solid for awhile I'm really tired but I can still do things if I really concentrate. When I'm invisible I can put my hand in yours and you can feel my hand. You just won't be able to see it. Do you understand now?" Dean gave Sam a reassuring smile. Dean took Sam's hand.

Sam squeezed Dean's hand back. "So I not see your hand but feel it?"

Dean smiled and nodded yes.

"G-good! I- I think I can be br-brave if you th-there." Sam smiled brightly.

"Ok, then, I promise no matter what I'll be there, even if there is a hot nurse tempting me to look down her dress!" Dean said with a wink and bumped shoulders with Sam.

Sam chuckled and shook his head. "Thanks Dean. H-hey Deeean, want me read to you?"

"Sure Sam I am , I'd love for you to, but then you need to hit the hay. You have a busy day ahead of you ok?" Sam nodded excitedly and started to readGreen Eggs and Ham." Dean put his arm around Sam knowing that he was doing right by his little brother.