"You've had an exciting two days, I think." Steven said thoughtfully, after listening to everything Dean had to tell him.

It was Billy sitting in Sam's chair for the session, and Steven had set up the video camera immediately upon realizing it.

"So, Billy, You've been hanging out with Dean and Bobby since John showed up?"

Billy nodded. "Guilty as charged."

"Why is that?"

"They have beer." Billy deadpanned, and grinned.

And Steven had to fight to keep from being taken aback at the blinding brightness of the smile that emanated from the face before him. Typically, Sam was quiet, shy, withdrawn and the doctor had never been graced with one of his blazing smiles. He suddenly had a vision of how Sam would be - of how he would act - had his life not been so cruel.

The thought saddened the wizened man, but he made an effort to smile anyway.

"You're joking. Does that mean you feel relaxed?"

Billy shrugged. "I can relax anywhere, mostly."

"You like people." It was an observation.

"Sure. Why not? People aren't so bad."

"Do you think Sam would say the same?"

Billy's smile faded then. "No, likely not. Sam hasn't really had a fair shake."

"Why do you say that? Have you witnessed some of the things that have happened to him?"

Billy's eyes suddenly looked haunted. "I have, but I'm not gonna give you any play-by-plays. It's up to Sam what he feels like sharing. Anything else would be a betrayal."

Steven blinked. "You're protective of Sam. Are you related to him?"

"We're brothers."

Steven studiously avoided looking at Dean, but could see the boy's jaw drop out of the corner of his eye.

"I see. Does that mean you're Dean's brother then too? You know Sam and Dean are brothers?"

Billy smiled, glancing over at Dean. "I'd be happy to say Dean was my brother, but he's not. It's just been Sam and me since the lake."

Steven nodded. "I see. Is Sam okay? I think Dean and Bobby are probably a little worried about him."

"As long as I'm here, he's okay. And I'm not going anywhere as long as John is a threat."

"So you plan to stay until you're sure John isn't coming back?"

Billy nodded.

"Why?"

"Because Sam needs me to." He turned to Dean. "No offense, but Sam can't trust you not to side with your father against him, Dean. So he asked me to hang around awhile."

"I told Sam that won't ever happen again." Dean said quietly, hurt but trying not to show it.

"Yes, but you've said that before too. It's okay. Sam doesn't blame you. He just thinks you're a little … defenseless around John."

"How do I prove to him that I'm not?"

Billy studied the younger boy. "Don't know. You'd have to ask him."

"Well, can I? Ask him, I mean?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it's my job to look out for Sam, and I'm not willing to take the chance."

Dean started to reply, but Steven held up a hand. He leaned forward. "So you're actively preventing Sam from communicating with Dean right now because you're afraid John will persuade Dean to hand Sam over?"

Billy shrugged. "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep Sam safe."

"Does Sam want to be kept apart from Dean?"

"Probably not, but it's not his decision to make."

Steven considered this. "What about Bobby. Do you trust Bobby to keep Sam safe?"

Billy nodded. "Bobby would do what he had to do if John showed up."

"So would I!" Dean protested.

Billy pinned Dean with a cold stare. "I was there that night in Albany, Dean. I saw what you did. I saw what Dad talked you into doing. Sam isn't angry with you so I'm not going to be angry with you either, but your priorities aren't aligned with what's best for our brother. If you think they are, you're just kidding yourself."

"Sammy …" Dean pleaded, his voice hitching.

"I need a beer." Billy said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why are you avoiding talking to Dean about his feelings, Billy?"

Billy sighed, "Because I know what I know, okay?" He turned to Dean. "You really feel you're capable of protecting Sam from his father? Honestly?"

Dean nodded. "Hell yeah."

"Yeah? Well then, big talk … prove it."

Billy closed his eyes, and Steven and Dean watched as his face went through a series of transformations. When he opened them again, he wore a dark scowl and his posture had changed.

The three regarded each other warily.

"I'm Dr. Steven whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

Billy regarded the man silently for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind. He leaned forward and reached out a hand. "John Winchester."

Steven smiled professionally after a moment, accepting the hand and shaking it firmly. "Mr. Winchester. It's nice to meet you. You're Sam's father, am I right?"

John nodded. "I am."

"What brings you to our session today?"

John glanced around the room, his eyes lingering on Dean. "I thought I better show up to defend myself before I ended up on the wrong side of a jail cell. These boys are telling lies about me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I heard them. Sam's accused me of abusing him from the time he was five. It's not true. Anything I did, it was discipline, not abuse."

"I see. Would you like to talk about it?"

John snorted. "I just did."

Steven nodded, refusing to be intimidated. "Well, why don't you share your disciplinary techniques with us so you'll have proof in case this ever goes to court? This session is being videotaped right over there, see?"

John looked and nodded.

"Can you tell me about a time that Sam disobeyed and you had to discipline him?"

John thought back. "Okay. Sure. One time when he was eight, I caught him cleaning a loaded weapon. He was too lazy to take the bullets out before he began breaking it down. Do you realize how that could have ended?"

Steven nodded. "Of course. Sam could have hurt himself or someone else."

"Exactly. So he needed a reminder never to do it again."

"Did you hit him that time, Mr. Winchester?"

John shook his head. "Of course not. I took the gun from him."

"And then what?"

"And then I took out all the rounds but one."

Steven visibly paled. "And why did you leave the one?"

"So he could see what it felt like to have a loaded weapon pointed at him."

"Did you point it at him?"

John nodded. "I spun the chamber and pointed it at his face."

"And how did your eight-year-old son react when you pointed a loaded gun at his face?" Steven was a professional, but he had to struggle to keep his anger in check at this alter.

"He whined a little. But then when I pulled the trigger, he pissed his pants." John grimaced. "Made a hell of a mess."

Steven stared at the man sitting before him and tried not to show emotion. The man's posture, his facial expressions, his arrogant attitude - none of them had anything in common with his young patient.

"I see. And do you think that was fitting punishment?"

John grinned, "Well the little bastard never did it again."

"So let me ask you this then. What if you had shot your son that day?"

"Odds were one in six. I wasn't gonna shoot him. If he'd been using his head, he'd have realized it too."

"One is six is pretty low odds."

John shrugged. "He's still here, isn't he? Still whining on and on about his crappy childhood."

Steven nodded. "So if I took a gun right now and loaded a single bullet in the chamber and pointed it at you, you'd feel safe?"

"I'd probably kick your ass."

Steven sat back, thinking. "Can you give us another example?"

John sighed. "No, I really can't. I'm just here to take Sam home. Are we finished here?" He stood up.

Steven shot up from his chair, alarmed. "No, we're not done. Sit back down, please."

Dean moved surreptitiously toward the door, placing himself between it and his brother.

"Screw you, doc. And you too, Dean. I'm taking my son and leaving. If you think you can stop me, be my guest." He turned to Dean. "Get out of my way."

Dean shook his head. "Sammy. Can you hear me? I need you to come back now."

John rolled his eyes. "I think the crazy in this family must be catching. Better watch out doc, or you'll be next."

"Mr. Winchester, I need you to sit down, now!"

"I said move, Dean. Or I'll move you."

"Sammy. Come on. It's me."

Steven punched in three numbers on his phone. "This is Doctor Bright. I need security here right away."

"I'm not saying it again, Dean."

"I'm not letting you leave this room with Sam, Dad. Not gonna happen."

John made his decision. "Fine, then. This is on you, Dean." And instead of pushing his way forcefully past his son, John turned instead and strode purposefully into the private bathroom that took up a corner of the doctor's office. He slammed the door and bolted it.

Dean and Steven exchanged horrified glances as they heard the sound of glass breaking.

"The mirror!" Steven cried.

"Shit!" Dean echoed, moving to the door and throwing his shoulder into it. "Open this damned door or I'm breaking it down!"

Steven fumbled in his drawer for the key, but before he could get it to Dean, both men heard Sam cry out in pain. "Dad! Stop it! Please!"

"Sammy!" Dean cried, desperately, kicking the door forcefully.

"Dad! Stop it! I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry! I won't … won't do it again! Dean!"

"Sammy! Hang on, okay? Unlock the door! Can you unlock the door?"

But suddenly, it was silent inside the bathroom, and Steven handed the key off to Dean who took it with trembling hands.

Two security guards barreled into the room just as Dean got the lock disengaged and pushed the door open.

"Sammy!"