First of all, I'm sorry this took longer than I intended to post. I just spent the past two hours at the emergency room with my oldest son. He injured his knee during a rugby match and I just got home a little while ago. To make matters worse, I missed the new episode tonight. That's the first episode I've ever missed seeing on it's original run date. Thank goodness my brother recorded it for me. Second, I wanted to get this out so I didn't reply to comments about the last chapter. I will try to do that tomorrow evening. Thanks to all of you who commented and I will try to reply personally to each one of you. Enjoy the next chapter. Oh, you made need tissues.

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One Week Later

Sam sat silently at the makeshift picnic table that was set up in the small backyard of the rental house his family called home for the time being. The table consisted of two sawhorses with a piece of plywood laid across them. A dingy sheet covered the plywood and chairs from the kitchen table set were set up around the table. Sam watched as John and Bobby argued about the correct way to grill a perfect steak, both standing over the old briquet barbeque that Dean had dug out of a shed at the back corner of the lot.

Sam smiled softly then turned his attention to where Dean, Caleb and Joshua stood. Caleb was showing off his newly acquired hunting knife, smiling proudly at the oooh's and aaah's he received from the other two hunters. The back screen door slamming brought Sam's attention to Daniel, who had just come out of the house, a tub of store bought potato salad in one hand and a stack of plates in the other. The eldest Winchester brother strolled up to the table where Sam sat and set the plates and salad down before looking up at Sam and smiling.

"How ya doing kiddo?" Daniel asked, his eyes unconsciously assessing his little brother.

"I'm fine Danny. I don't know why you won't let me help…" Sam said in reply.

"You've only been home for a week Sam and you still don't have your strength back. You need to just take it easy," Daniel said.

"I'm not an invalid and I can't get my strength back if you guys won't let me do anything but sit or lie down," Sam grumbled crankily.

"Sorry Sammy. I know it's hard for you but you'll be sparring with Dean and I soon enough," Daniel said, his eyes full of understanding.

"I'm sorry Dan. I just feel useless. You guys have been trying so hard to find Trenton Wilcox and all I do is sleep or sit on the couch. I should be helping," Sam said softly.

"You're not useless Sam. You're injured and need the rest to get better. It's not any different than when one of us gets hurt. You run yourself ragged taking care of us. Now it's our turn."

"I guess. I just wish I didn't feel so worthless. I feel like I'm just taking up space," Sam said with a sigh, lowering his head to stare at his lap.

Daniel walked over to Sam and sat in the chair next to him. He reached out and grasped Sam's chin, gently pulling his face up until the two brother's eyes met.

"Don't ever say you're worthless Sam. You think Bobby, Caleb and Joshua would be here if they thought you were worthless? You mean the world to a lot of people squirt…don't forget it," Daniel admonished before smiling warmly.

"I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I know you all care about me," Sam muffled.

"It's okay Sam. You've been through hell kiddo. Just give yourself a little more credit okay?"

"Yeah…okay,' Sam replied with his own warm smile.

Daniel turned his head when Bobby yelled over to him. "Hey Daniel, get those plates over here you idjit! Steaks are done…"

Daniel turned back and patted Sam on the shoulder before standing and grabbing up the stack of plates he had brought out of the house.

"Coming old timer…don't get your panties in a bunch!" Daniel shouted back as he strolled across the yard.

Sam chuckled softly then leaned back in his chair, his smile fading as his face took on a look of melancholy. In all the research, hitting the streets and lost sleep, his family and extended family were no closer to finding Trenton Wilcox than they were a week ago. Sam shuddered as a feeling of being watched came over him. He glanced around nervously before emitting an embarrassed laugh. He was safely surrounded by his self appointed protectors and felt silly for being scared.

The fact of the matter though was that Sam wasn't just scared, he was terrified. He'd been filled in on the full extent of the situation over the course of the week, his family leary of keeping anymore secrets from him. He knew of the photos, his stomach clenching as he thought about how long his stalker had been watching him. He knew how close he had come to being lost to his family that night in the cemetery and felt sufficiently guilty for having worried them so much. So lost in his thoughts, Sam didn't realize he was being spoken to until his shoulder was lightly grabbed. He flinched slightly before looking up from the table.

"What? Huh?" Sam stammered as he gazed up at John's concerned face.

"I asked if you wanted some corn on the cob Sam. Are you okay?" John queried.

"Oh…uh…yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking is all," Sam replied.

"Okay…so, do you want some corn?" John asked, his face still showing concern.

"Um…yeah, that'd be great."

John smiled and dropped the ear of corn onto the plate that Sam hadn't even noticed had been placed in front of him.

"Eat up kiddo," John instructed before walking around the table and taking his seat.

"Thanks Dad," Sam murmured, taking up his knife and fork.

Sam glanced around the table, watching as his father, brothers and adopted uncles dug into their meals. He smiled softly then looked down at his own plate. Not feeling very hungry, but not wishing to worry his family anymore than they already were, Sam cut into his steak and put a small piece into his mouth. He was well aware of the close but guarded scrutiny he was under so he dutifully ate his meal, forcing down every mouthful. Another shudder quaked through his body as the feeling of being watched returned.

"Are you cold Sam?" Daniel's worried voice queried.

"Uh…maybe a little," Sam answered as shivers ran down his spine.

"Sit tight, I'll go get you a sweatshirt," Dean said as he began to rise.

"N-No Dean, that's okay. I'll go get one. I need to use the bathroom anyway," Sam replied as he stiffly stood.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Dean queried.

"I think I can handle it Dean. I'll be right back," Sam answered with a small grin.

The men watched as Sam made his way carefully across the yard. He slowly climbed the stairs to the back door and disappeared into the house. The hunters resumed their light banter and meal consumption, all the while waiting for Sam to return.

Sam walked through the kitchen and into the livingroom before heading down the hall to his and Dean's bedroom, happy to be out from under the watchful eyes of his family for a moment. He stopped in the bathroom on the way and once he finished his business he proceeded on to the bedroom. Sam reached the open door, eyeing it curiously as he could have sworn he closed it before heading out to the backyard earlier. He shook his head and entered his room, flipping the light switch on the wall to his right. He headed for his bed where he had left his sweatshirt hanging from the footboard and stopped short as his eyes fell onto the bed.

"What the hell?" he whispered softly as he crept slowly up to the bed.

Stepping up to the side of he bed, Sam reached out a shaky hand, his fingers clasping a photo that lay with several other photos over his bedspread. He lifted the photo and let out a strangled cry as his eyes took in the image. The photo was of him lying on the ground, a headstone behind him. Alisa's headstone. This was taken the night he escaped from the hospital. He dropped the photo and reached for another one that caught his eye. Tears streamed in uncontrolled rivers down his cheeks as he gazed at the picture he held.

In the photo, he and Alisa sat at a picnic table sharing an icecream cone. Sam remembered that day. It was his birthday and he and Alisa had gone to the Dairy Queen near her home. It was just a few weeks before they were attacked in the park. Sam set the picture down and moved his eyes over his bed, suddenly stopping when something shiny caught his eye. Sam reached up to his pillow and picked up a gold chain, his fingers trembling so much he nearly dropped it. A small, heart shaped, diamond encrusted pendant hung from the chain. Sam had given the necklace to Alisa for Christmas. She had been wearing it the night of her death.

Sam heard his name being shouted just as his knees buckled and he collapsed to the floor. Strong hands grasped his arms and he felt someone drop down in front of him. He jerked back, suddenly terrified until he focused his eyes and saw Dean's worried face staring at him. Dean's lips were moving but Sam couldn't hear what he was saying.

"Wh-what? Dean?" Sam whispered, his entire body trembling.

"What's wrong Sam? What happened?" Dean repeated, his heart hammering in his chest.

"I…he's here…" Sam stammered, his eyes moving back up to his bed.

"Who's here?" Dean queried as he followed Sam's eyes up to the bed, his own eyes growing large at what he saw.

Dean stood quickly, his mouth dropping open as he stared in shock at the photos that covered Sam's bed. He broke out of his stupor when he heard Sam's soft cry and looked down at his brother. A shiver suddenly ran down his spine and he jerked his head around, his eyes scanning the room frantically. Dean reached down and practically yanked Sam up from the floor. He wrapped his arm around Sam's waist and dragged the nearly catatonic boy across the room.

"Come on Sammy, we gotta get out'a here," he said with urgency as he continued to drag Sam down the hall.

Dean hurried through the livingroom and kitchen and burst through the back door.

"Dad!" he screamed, pulling Sam across the porch and scrambling down the stairs, holding tightly to his brother as the boy stumbled along beside him.

John, Daniel and the other hunters jumped up, startled at the scream. All five men ran across the yard, gasping as Sam fell to the ground, pulling Dean down with him. Daniel reached the fallen hunters first and dropped down in front of Sam, his hands ghosting over his baby brother. A quick assessment revealed no blood, no fresh bruises and Daniel looked up questioningly.

"What happened Dean?" Daniel queried as the other men crowded around.

"Wilcox…in the house…" Dean panted, his pounding heart taking his breath from him.

"What!" John shouted in alarm, already heading for the house.

"S-Sam's room…pictures…" Dean stammered.

Joshua and Bobby followed John into the house, leaving the brothers and Caleb in the yard. Dean was on his knees, his arm still wrapped protectively around Sam's waist while Daniel crouched in front of the teen, his hands reaching out to grasp Sam's wrists.

"What ya got there kiddo?" Daniel queried when he saw the chain that dangled from Sam's fingers.

Sam remained hunched over, his eyes staring at his hands. He slowly raised his head and gazed at Daniel. Daniel was taken aback by the anguish he saw in the hazel depths.

"Alisa's necklace. He…he took it from her," Sam whispered before dropping his head again.

Daniel pulled Sam's hands up and Sam opened his fingers, allowing his oldest brother to see the pendant he held. Daniel closed his eyes, his heart aching for his baby brother. He remembered quite clearly Sam's excitement when he had first seen the necklace. Sam had proclaimed it to be perfect and refused any offer of a loan to purchase it. He had taken on a job after school to earn money to buy it, plus helped with hunts and kept his grades up to boot. Daniel had felt enormous pride and respect for his brother and now felt the heart ache for him turn to rage at the man responsible for Sam's torment and pain. Trenton Wilcox had taken a token of something pure and beautiful and turned it into an object of torture for Sam.

"Oh Sammy, I'm so sorry," Daniel whispered before standing, a murderous glint in his eyes.

Daniel glanced at Caleb and the older man swallowed nervously at the look in the younger man's eyes. Daniel glanced down again to find Dean staring up at him, his own eyes filled with fury.

"Stay with them Caleb…" Daniel said, his voice low and dangerous.

Daniel stormed into the house, his fists clenching as he made his way down the hall to Sam and Dean's room. He blew into the room to find his father standing over Sam's bed, his hands holding several photos. Daniel glanced down, swallowing angrily as he saw the bed covered in yet more photo's.

"Where's Bobby and Joshua?" Daniel asked, his voice tight.

"Searching the house. They're not gonna find the coward though…I'm sure he's long gone," John answered.

"Dad…he was in our house…in Sam's room. Sam was in here alone. He's supposed to be safe here. How the hell did the son of a bitch get in?" Daniel shot, his eyes glued to John's face.

"I don't know how he got in. Front door's locked. Windows are all locked. I…I just don't know," John replied.

Daniel started sifting through the photos, his anger growing with each image. His eyes welled with tears when he picked up the photo of an unconscious Sam at the cemetery.

"What are we gonna do Dad? Sam's not safe here anymore," Daniel queried.

"We'll find some place. Maybe there's a safehouse near. I don't know what else to do. This guy's a ghost and until we can find out where he's holing up, our best bet is to hide Sam away," John answered.

Daniel nodded and both men looked up when Bobby and Joshua walked into the room.

"Well, we found where he got in. He jimmied the lock on a window in the basement," Bobby announced, looking down at Sam's bed with disgust and worry.

"Okay…uh…we need to find out if there's a safehouse near here. I don't want to take Sam too far with him still being so weak, but we can't stay here," John said gruffly.

"I'm on it Johnny," Bobby said as he turned and hurried from the room.

"Daniel…go get your brothers. You and Dean make sure this place is locked up tight. We'll stay here tonight. We'll sleep in shifts. Sammy doesn't get left alone, even to go to the bathroom," John instructed.

"Yes, sir," Daniel answered, hurrying from the room.

John nodded and sank down onto the floor. He began to gather the photos, not wanting Sam to see them again. He smiled slightly when Joshua began to help, the other hunter kneeling on the other side of the bed.

"We'll keep him safe John. We won't rest until Wilcox is dead," Joshua said, his voice dark but reassuring.

John nodded and whispered a thank you. He gathered all of the pictures together and then took the ones that Joshua had gathered. He followed Joshua out of the room and met up with his sons and Caleb in the livingroom. Sam was sat on the couch, Daniel by his side, his arm draped protectively over his shoulders. Dean sat on the coffee table in front of Sam. He had Sam's face in his hands, their foreheads nearly touching. The older brothers whispered softly to Sam, the youngest nodding his head at the words the other hunters couldn't hear.

John looked from Caleb to Joshua then back to his sons. "This has got to end. I can't lose my baby…" he whispered softly.

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That guy is one sick son of a bisquit eater! I hope you liked the chapter. Please let me know. Take care. I'll see you all tomorrow.

Cindy