The next morning Sam woke and got himself ready for school. He looked in the mirror and cringed at the dark black and blue bruises that had formed on his cheek and temple. "Great," he mumbled to himself, "Mr. Franklin's gonna have a field day with this." Sam grabbed his books and headed to the kitchen for some breakfast.

Sam was relieved to find that his dad had already left to go see Dean at the hospital. Sam grabbed a bowl, the milk from the fridge and set them on the table. He pulled the cereal out of the cupboard and found a note taped to the box. Sam sighed; the note was from his dad telling him to drive the Impala to school and to stop off and see Dean on his way home.

"Great," Sam mumbled to himself again, "tomorrows my geometry final and I really need to get some last minute studying in." Sam slammed the box down on the table and grabbed a spoon from the utensils drawer. He poured himself a bowl of cereal and ate in silence, his agitation with his father growing as he dwelled on the words in the note.

The day had flown by and no one said anything to him about the marks on his face, not even Mr. Franklin. In fact no one really said much of anything to him about anything. He could hear the other kids whispering when he walked by, but he couldn't really make out what they were saying. He had placed his books on the passenger side of the front seat and had closed the door when he heard someone walk up behind him.

"Sam," Allison started, "What happened to your face? I saw you after the cabin and I don't remember you having that cut or that bruising right after. I didn't say anything before because I know Mr. Franklin thinks something is going on at home and I didn't want to stir up suspicion, and as long as everyone thinks this is from the animal attack I won't; but, Sam you can tell me the truth….what happened?"

Sam slowly turned around. His stomach clenched at the realization that he was going to have to lie to her. He could see it in her eyes that she knew the truth and he wanted nothing more than to tell her, all of it. He wanted to tell her about his life. About, his father's, brother's and what they soon expected to be his line of work, but he knew he couldn't, he knew he had to lie, if only to protect his brother.

Sam knew that if anyone found out who they really were, what they really did, his father and more importantly Dean would be in a whole mess of legal hot water. For them to be successful at what they did, they often times found themselves on the wrong side of the law. A sheriff wasn't going to believe that the grave you had just dug up, or the bones you had just set fire to belonged to a ghost and the only way to get rid of the ghost and keep it from hurting someone else was to salt and burn the bones. No, a sheriff wouldn't believe, all he'd know is that you broke the law by desecrating the grave and he'd take you in.

Then while in custody you run the chance of everything else you had ever done being exposed. No, Sam couldn't tell her the truth no matter how much he wanted; he couldn't do that to Dean.

"I got a little drunk last night and took a fall down the outside steps to our apartment. I was really upset over what happened to Dean and I guess I tried to drink the pain away. Dad wanted to take me to the hospital, but I told him I was alright and that I just wanted to go to bed. I told him I only had three days left of school and I didn't want to miss any. I'm fine. I really am," Sam said as he saw Allison getting ready to protest, "I just want to make it through finals, graduate and then head off to Stanford.

Can you believe it? We only have three days left before we're outta here. Dean said he's going to try to get out before graduation. He's got about a week, so he should make it. It'd be nice if he were."

Allison took note of the way Sam's voice changed when he mentioned Dean and his wish for him to see Sam graduate. She knew the brother's were close, but apparently she didn't really know just how close. She also had a strong feeling that Sam was lying and even though she didn't like it, she respected the fact it wasn't really any of her business. She gave Sam a smile and kissed him on the cheek. "Hey, a few of us are going to the library for a study group. The geometry test is gonna be a bear; you want to join us?"

Sam shook his head, "I'll try to stop by, but I think I'm going to go visit Dean for a few. He asked me to yesterday and when I told him I had to study he got a little upset. He really hates hospitals and well I guess he got upset enough the nurse called dad. I don't want him to be upset; he needs to concentrate on getting better. I tell you what; if I'm not running too late I'll be there, okay?"

Allison nodded. To her what happened to Sam became clear. She began to think that Sam had upset his brother, accidentally, and their dad took it out on him. Allison not wanting to upset Sam grabbed his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "Okay," she answered, "I hope you can make it."

Sam parked his brother's car in the visitor's section of the hospital's parking lot. He grabbed his books and headed inside to visit with Dean. Sam had just stepped off the elevator when felt himself being pulled into the waiting room. "What the hell," Sam exclaimed, "Let go of me."

The nurse who had pulled Sam into the waiting room let go of him. "I'm sorry," she said as she poked her head out into the hallway to make sure no one had noticed them. She turned her attention back to Sam. "I'm sorry," she repeated, "But I can't let you in to see your brother."

"Why," Sam asked.

"Because, he requested that you not be let in."

Sam's jaw dropped. "What," he stuttered out.

"Look, I don't know everything that happened okay; all I do know is that you're not allowed into your brother's room."

"Is my dad here," Sam asked, "I would like to talk to him."

The nurse nodded, "Yes, but I don't know if that would be a good idea. He seemed pretty upset over the whole thing."

"Please," Sam begged turning the puppy eyes on in full force, "I need to know what's going on."

The nurse shrugged, "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." She left to get John and a few minutes later the angered man entered the waiting area and marched over to where a bewildered Sam sat.

"Just, what the hell are you trying to pull, Samuel," John growled at his youngest, "Of all the lowdown dirty rotten stunts you could have pulled, having Allison call here and talk to Dean has to be the lowest."

"Wait, what, huh," Sam stammered, "Who called?"

"You heard me," John snapped, "That girlfriend of yours called. She asked Dean if maybe he would consider letting you study with them instead of staying all night at the hospital. She said that she wouldn't ask but the geometry exam is going to be a killer and everyone, even you, would benefit from the study group.

You should have seen your brother's face. Sam, he looked like someone had suckered punched him, and well she did. Sam, after everything he has done for you, you go and pull this on him? I'm telling you right now to go. You go to your little study group. You go and do what you do best, think of only yourself. I'll take care of your brother," John turned to leave the waiting room and stopped in the doorway. Before he left he looked over his shoulder at Sam, "Oh and Sam, just so there isn't a repeat of last night; I have decided to stay at Job's place. I'm gonna work on finishing it up and when Dean gets out where all gonna go stay there until he's recovered enough to move on."

Sam's shoulders slumped. He couldn't believe what had just happened. How could Allison have done something like that without even talking to him about it? His instinct was to go Dean's room and clear this up, but with as angry as his dad had been he decided against it. Sam left the waiting room, got back on the elevator and headed back out to the parking lot.